Fremont Focus
February 22, 2023
Progress & Momentum
Dear Fremont Staff, Parents, and Community,
We continue to gain momentum on key initiatives that elevates our impact on students. Sharing our progress is important to ensure we continue to work better – together!
Math Curriculum Review
Our PK-8 math curriculum and resource review committee, consisting of 30 teacher representatives and administrators, has been hard at work throughout the academic year. Their primary tasks focus on reviewing our current math curriculum maps and instructional practices, analyzing longitudinal data related to our growth and achievement, and studying a number of instructional resources. As we approach the spring, the committee is forming a final recommendation on resources and professional learning needs to be implemented next school year.
Social Emotional Health & Wellness
A common theme that we heard across all of our constituent groups—students, staff, and parents—this year is the desire for increased focus on the health and well-being of all individuals within our District. In response, the District established a staff wellness committee to ensure staff serve as collaborative partners in building a culture that promotes health and wellness for all.
Investing in Educator Professional Growth
The Fremont community greatly values our high-quality teachers and staff and recognizes the need for effective staff recruitment and retention. With that, our staff have voiced a priority for more professional development and collaboration time. Teachers who are able to regularly collaborate improve collective efficacy – a major catalyst for student growth and achievement. We have been working diligently on developing a structure to support this need. We are preparing a communication to our families for opportunities for input for later this week.
We greatly appreciate your collaboration and continued support in making our District the best it can be!
Sincerely,
Dr. Trisha Kocanda
Superintendent of Schools
📅 Important Dates
- February 24 - Early Dismissal Day (Early Dismissal Schedule; no school for Pre-K/Early Childhood)
- February 27 - Board of Education Meeting (live stream); 7 p.m. (Middle School DEN)
- March 3 - School Improvement Planning Day (Half-Day Schedule; no PM Kindergarten; no school for Pre-K/Early Childhood)
- March 6 - Parent-Teacher Conferences (Students Not In Attendance)
- March 8 - Girls Night Out - 6 p.m. (Intermediate School Gym)
- March 9 - Preschool Screening (Lincoln Early Learning Center)
Mrs. Temple Honored by Illinois State Board of Education
Congratulations go out to Fremont Middle School science teacher Megan Temple who has been named a 2023 Those Who Excel Award of Meritorious Service recipient by the Illinois State Board of Education. She will be presented her award along with educators from across the state on April 29 at the 49th Annual Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year Awards Banquet.
Read more: https://bit.ly/FSD79Temple
5Essentials Survey Reminder
Your time is valuable and so is your input. The Illinois state 5Essentials survey provides an opportunity for staff, students, and parents to provide climate and culture feedback for our schools. The state requires at least a 20% parent participation rate for reporting purposes to ensure our school designations are not negatively impacted. As of today, we only have a 12% parent participation rate. Please help us achieve the 20% participation goal by taking the survey today.
https://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/?target_name=parent
Parents are welcome to answer the survey for each of their children’s schools. Thank you for your assistance!
Fremont Administrative News
FSD79 Director of Student Services Dr. Jane Pedersen was just named Kildeer CCSD96’s new Director of Human Resources starting July 1, 2023. Dr. Pedersen has contributed greatly to the department of student services during her 3-year tenure. At the same time, we recognize that this is an exciting opportunity for her, and Fremont is well-positioned to select the next Director of Student Services given the talent and structures we currently have in place.
Our selection process to hire the next Director of Student Services starts immediately. As we refine the job description, we ask for parent feedback on the qualities/competencies you desire in our next leader. Please complete this input form by noon on Monday, February 27. We plan to post the position on Tuesday, February 28, with the goal of naming our next director by the April 24 Board meeting.
February Board of Education Meeting Preview
The next meeting of the FSD79 Board of Education will be held Monday, February 27 at 7:00 p.m. at the Fremont Middle School DEN. This meeting will include the following presentation:
• Annual Goal Update - Increase growth and achievement for all students through Inclusive Practices
A live video stream of Monday's meeting will be available via the District's YouTube page. The stream will go live shortly before the start of the meeting. Recaps of previous Board meetings can be found here. The Board meeting agenda and materials can be accessed here. Board materials are available by noon on February 27.
Winter Choir Concert
Heading Down the Home Stretch
For all the most up-to-date news and notes regarding the Fremont PTO, please be sure to visit the organization's webpage.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
- The Fremont PTO would love to see you at our meetings this year! Meetings are on the third Wednesday of the month in the Middle School Den at 6:00 p.m. Our next meeting is on March 15. Here is the list of all meeting dates for the 2022-2023 school year.
- The Spring Spirit Wear Sale ends February 24
- Portillo's Fundraiser - Thursday, March 2
- March Madness - Saturday, March 11
- Family BINGO Night Friday - April 28 (more details to follow!)
SPIRIT WEAR
Our Spring sale is ON! Check out the new designs and replenish your Wildcats gear. This online sale runs until Friday, February 24. All items are custom-made for you! Once the online sale is complete, items will go into production, which takes approximately 3-4 weeks before being shipped to Fremont. They will then be sent home with your child. Each item is unique and comes from different manufacturers, so please check the sizing guide on each item you are purchasing.
Incoming Kindergarten t-shirts are also available in this sale! These make wonderful gifts for your graduating preschooler!
MIDDLE SCHOOL BOOK FAIR
The Scholastic book fair is coming to the middle school! It will run from Monday, Feb. 27 through Friday, March 3. Each grade will have the opportunity to visit the book fair during their Language Arts classes throughout the week in addition to Flex. All profits of the sale go directly back to the Middle School to enhance our library. Book Fair Homepage
eWallet - Don’t worry about sending your student with cash or a credit card. You can load money into the e-wallet. Be sure to select the Middle School. View the video for more information - Video Link. If you have any questions about the book fair, please email Mrs. Poglayen.
Volunteers - To make this a success, we are looking for volunteers to help out with the Book Fair. Sign up for an hour, or two, using the link here.
PORTILLO'S FUNDRAISER
Skip cooking dinner Thursday, March 2 and head to Portillo's in Vernon Hills from 5-8 p.m. Show them this flyer and 20% of your sale will go to Fremont PTO!
MARCH MADNESS
Saturday, March 11 - Come support your favorite Fremont teachers as they play against one another in basketball. See flyer for details (including which of your favorite teachers are playing!). All proceeds raised will go to our Wildcat Warriors -- Mrs. Herchenbach & Mrs. Mjoen.
March Lunch Menus
Virtual Backpack
• Right at School - Spring Break
• Stevenson HS Patriot Parent Association
Fremont School District 79
Address: 28855 North Fremont Center Road, Mundelein, IL
Phone: (847) 566-0169
Website: fsd79.org
Twitter: @FSD79
Instagram: @FSD79
YouTube: youtube.com/FSD79