The Best of DPS This Week

Students from Johns Hill heard the wonderful story of Holocaust survivor, Dr. Bill Gingold this week to share with our youth about the worldwide events that shaped his family's history. Dr. Gingold and his family arrived by boat at Ellis Island in America in May of 1951. Dr. Gingold was a Clinical Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Illinois and social entrepreneurial "incubator" for business. He and his wife Phyllis, a retired English teacher, has three grown children.

🌍✨ Thank you Ms. Kennedy at Parsons Elementary for making learning about the environment so much fun! Our little environmental heroes donned their safety vests and embarked on a mission around the classroom. Their quest? To pick up litter and learn the importance of keeping our planet clean. It's never too early to teach the next generation about environmental stewardship. Way to go, young eco-warriors! 🌟♻️

A caring and loving first grader at Hope Academy, Miss Miracle, was presented with a certificate of appreciation this week by Safety & Security Administrator Mr. Valdimir Talley. Miracle provided guidance and calmness for her classmates during a challenging situation at school. This young lady displayed leadership qualities at such a young age. Her love and care for her classmates is priceless!

Thank you to all the stakeholders of District #61 who attended one or both of our community input sessions for our Roadmap 2030 initiative.

Want to stay informed of where we are in the process? Click on the image below and watch the latest update given during the February 25, 2025 Board of Education meeting by Dr. Jay Marino.

Mr. Jamarion Marshall from Eisenhower High School, was a junior when he participated in the Inspired Ed internship program, powered by our Innovative Programs Department, with an internship with Senator Doris Turner's office. Later, Jamarion was placed in the Civic Leadership Institute, where he wrote and presented a bill to Senator Turner July of last year. With Senator Turner's support and guidance Senate Bill 1331 was developed.

“Senate Bill 1331 would create the Illinois Scholarship Database, developed and administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, to be used as a tool for improving Illinois students' knowledge of and access to higher education scholarships.”

Recently Jamarion was invited to a meeting with Senator Turner and the Illinois Student Assistant Commission (ISAC) to discuss Senate Bill 1331. Jamarion was OUTSTANDING! We all are so proud and excited to see not only the journey of HB 1331, but also we are excited for Eisenhower High School Senior Jamarion Marshall.

The DPS Community Summer Sign-Up event is just around the corner! Active DPS students can receive $350 vouchers to participate in summer activities with local organizations. Parents, pre-register by March 21, 2025, to skip the line and pick up your vouchers at the event. Explore and enroll in programs that match your child's interests on-site. Don't miss out!

Spring Break Camps are a fun two days filled with activities designed to strengthen fine motor skills, team building and engineering, creativity, and scientific observation. Lessons will be taught by museum staff and our special guest the Macon County Conservation District!