Focus on 47

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Click the District 47 calendar below for more information on these events.

March

• Mar. 5: Informational Meeting on 2025-2026 Kindergarten Dual Language Registration
• 5:30-6:30 pm; click here for more details.
• Mar. 11: Informational Meeting on 2025-2026 Kindergarten Dual Language Registration
• 1:00-2:00 pm; click here for more details.
• Mar. 17: Board of Education Meeting
• Mar. 19: Early Release Day
• Dismissal is 2 pm (grades K-5); 1 pm (grades 6-8); no attendance for PreK.
• Mar. 19 & 20: Daybreak Free Mental Health Webinar: Understanding & Supporting Youth Anxiety
• Class in English at 7 pm on March 19
• Class in Spanish at 7 pm on March 20
• Mar. 21: Last Day to Register for Dual Language Program & to Receive Free #KindyReady T-Shirt for Incoming Kindergarteners
• Mar. 24-30: Spring Break (Classes resume on March 31)

• Apr. 16 & 17: Daybreak Free Mental Health Webinar: Guiding Your Child Through Depression
• Class in English at 7 pm on April 16
• Class in Spanish at 7 pm on April 17
• Apr. 18: No School
• Apr. 21: No School; Teacher Institute Day
• Board of Education Meeting

**The last day of school has been extended due to the school closure on January 21. Click the link below to view the updated 2024-2025 school calendar.

Kindergarten registration for the 2025-26 school year is open! If you haven’t registered your incoming kindergartener yet, now’s the time. Early registration helps ensure adequate staffing, placement in your home school, and appropriate class sizes. Register by March 21 to receive a free #KindyReady t-shirt for your future kindergartener! Start the process today at d47.org/registration.

Each spring, students in grades 3-8 participate in the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) or the Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) alternate assessment, as required by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). Students in grades 5 and 8 also participate in the Illinois Science Assessment (ISA). Families will receive communication from the District 47 Special Education Department if their child will be taking the DLM assessment. District 47 students will engage in these assessments in March and April. ISBE typically provides individual student reports during the following school year for families to review. You can anticipate receiving these reports during the 2025/26 school year. Click here for more information.

Students in grades 3-8 will participate in FitnessGram testing during Physical Education (P.E.) starting after spring break (March 31 - May 16). FitnessGram is a nationally recognized, criterion-referenced assessment to determine students’ fitness levels based on what is optimal for good health. The assessment measures the five health-related components of physical fitness that have been identified as important for overall health: cardiovascular endurance, body composition and muscular endurance, strength, and flexibility. Click here for more information.

Check out our latest Hall Pass, highlighting 4th grader Audrey, a Wildcat Student Council member with big ideas and an even bigger heart! Audrey shares the incredible ways the council has made a difference at West and what inspired her to step up as a leader.

This month's Standards-Based Grading update highlights how embracing mistakes as part of the learning process can lead to deeper understanding. Click here for the full update, or visit the Standards-Based Grading page on our website for all communications, resources, and frequently asked questions.

The purpose of Faces of D47 is to highlight any individual who serves District 47. We know we have a strong community in our district and want to learn more about the individuals who make District 47 a great place to work, learn, and volunteer. Be sure to check out our most recent posts!

District 47's Elevate program recognizes employees who uphold and exemplify the district's mission and core values and go above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of students, schools, and the community. Nominations are submitted by parents, staff, and community members. Out of 42 nominations, 10 winners were chosen by a committee of peers. To read more about our Elevate winners click here. District 47 would also like to thank all the businesses that have chosen to sponsor our Elevate program this year. If you'd like to nominate a staff member for our Spring Elevate Award, click here.

At the February 18, 2025 board meeting, the board approved Kathryn Cruz as the new principal of West Elementary starting with the 2025-26 school year. Upon the retirement of current principal Beth Klinsky at the end of the current (2024-25) school year, Cruz will assume her new position on July 1, 2025. Click here to read more about Kathryn Cruz and click here to hear about her journey to becoming principal.

Three incredible District 47 educators have been recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) for their dedication and impact in the classroom. Join us in celebrating Meagan Powell, Kate Walsh, and Joanne Rivera for their well-deserved Those Who Excel awards! Click here to read more about their achievements.

You have the opportunity to impact your child’s education by voting for D47 School Board candidates for this upcoming election. There are 8 candidates running for 4 positions. The D47 Parent Group Advisory Council (PGAC) has created a School Board Candidate Questionnaire and Parent Election Guide, available here on the District 47 website. Election Day is April 1, 2025.

A new District 47 Strategic Plan was approved by the Board of Education in January. District and building leaders have been working to develop action steps for each strategic goal. These goals were created by the strategic plan committee, using feedback from the School & Community Perception Survey, which received 849 responses—611 from parents, 204 from staff, and the rest from administrators and community members. Once the action steps are finalized in April, the district is excited to share the plan with the community and outline how we will work toward these goals over the next five years. Schools will also begin aligning their improvement plans with the overall strategic plan at that time.

Calling All Student Creators!

As part of the new strategic plan, the district is rebranding to better reflect its updated mission and goals. Individual school logos and colors will remain unchanged. This district rebrand, shaped by feedback from the survey, offers students a chance to contribute their creativity. We invite parents and guardians to encourage your District 47 students to Get Creative and Make Your Mark on our District! The goal is to create something that reflects our entire community. Click the links below for more information!

District 47 Rebrand Student Participation Details- English

District 47 Rebrand Student Participation Details- Spanish

20 years of Dual Language, 20 years of stories! Were you a student or teacher in our Dual Language program? We want to hear from you! For more information on this celebration, click here.

North students had a special visit from members of Prairie Ridge High School’s Black Student Union, who joined classrooms as guest readers. This visit provided a wonderful opportunity for students to connect with older peers, celebrate diverse perspectives, and foster a love for reading.

Students at Canterbury had an exciting visit from the McHenry County Conservation District, where they met a real owl! During this presentation, students learned about owls—their adaptations, habitats, and the role they play in the environment.

In collaboration with the Illinois Judge's Association, Glacier Ridge had judges visit 3rd-5th grade classrooms. 3rd graders enjoyed a read-aloud and Q&A with a judge. The 4th and 5th grade classes learned about the judicial branch of government and a Q&A.

The District 47 community came together to celebrate Trevor Keegan, a former student and the son of West Nurse, Amanda Keegan, as he headed to the Super Bowl! Ahead of the big game, ABC 7 News visited D47 to catch up with some of Trevor’s former teachers, reminiscing about his journey from the classrooms of Glacier Ridge and Bernotas to the NFL. Read more about Trevor’s journey in our article.

View Meeting Agenda

Meeting Highlights

• The Board recognized our Winter Elevate Award nominees and winners. Read more about our Winter winners here.
• The Board of Education approved Kathryn Cruz as the new principal of West Elementary starting with the 2025-26 school year. Click here to read the full announcement.

The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 17, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at CORE Center (300 Commerce Dr., Crystal Lake) and virtually via Zoom.

This board update is a summary that includes brief highlights of selected topics and items from the meeting. This summary is not meant to replace minutes. The minutes for each meeting are approved and posted after the next regularly scheduled meeting. The complete Board packet of information, including presentations and reports, is available online.

This board update is a summary that includes brief highlights of selected topics and items from the meeting. This summary is not meant to replace minutes. The minutes for each meeting are approved and posted after the next regularly scheduled meeting. The complete Board packet of information, including presentations and reports, is available online.