Huntley 158 Newsletter

The Stay Up-to-Date in D158 district e-newsletter is published once a month and is sent via email to Huntley 158 families, staff, and interested community members. The newsletter is also posted on the district website. If you are not a parent or staff member but wish to receive the district's e-newsletter, email Denise Barr, director of communications and public engagement, at dbarr@district158.org. Please provide your first name, last name and email address, as well as your affiliation with the school district, to be added to the district's email distribution list.

Celebrating Individuals with Disabilities and Meaningful Inclusion

The district’s Recognizing American Diversity (RAD) event on October 8th was dedicated to increasing awareness of what our local communities are doing to provide access and accommodations for people of all ages with special needs. Approximately 15 local businesses and organizations that support individuals with disabilities showcased their inclusive practices and commitment to making the community an accessible place for all.

At a separate but related event following RAD, the District hosted a virtual presentation on Meaningful Inclusion for staff, families and the community. Approximately 200 attendees tuned in to hear from "The Way to Inclusion" authors Dr. Julie Causton and Dr. Kristie Pretti-Frontczak about why and how to support All Students Always and create a community where every student belongs!

Sensory Friendly Shopping Experience @ American Eagle Outfitters

On Sunday, October 6th, Huntley 158 partnered with American Eagle Outfitters in Algonquin to provide a unique, sensory-friendly shopping experience for D158 students with sensory needs. American Eagle opened its store early for an exclusive shopping experience for participating students and families, dimming the lights and reducing the music volume to create a calm, relaxing atmosphere. Prior to the event, Huntley 158 offered a brief training for American Eagle staff about assisting students with sensory needs and provided visual aids to display in the store for enhanced communication. Attendees got a sneak peek at upcoming fall fashions and 10 percent off all purchases!

Raider Roundtable #2: School Safety

Tune in for a discussion about school safety with Huntley 158 Superintendent Jessica Lombard and Huntley Police Chief Linda Hooten. From dedicated safety officers to collaborative practices and educational programs, you will learn how the school district and local police and fire departments work together to take a comprehensive and proactive approach to school safety!

Supporting Your Child with Reading at Home

We know how important it is for families to play an active role in helping their child develop strong reading skills. Reading regularly at home can build confidence, strengthen vocabulary, and foster a love for learning. To support you, we encourage you to explore the Reading 101 Guide for Parents from Reading Rockets. This resource provides practical tips and strategies to help you make reading a fun and productive part of your daily routine. Together, we can inspire a lifelong love of reading!

Teacher collaboration and learning during Institute Day

Institute Day Learning for Staff

On October 11, staff participated in a full day of professional learning designed to enhance the support we provide to students. The day included CPI training on proactively supporting student behaviors, emphasizing ways to prevent and respond to challenging situations while maintaining a calm and supportive environment. We also focused on strengthening our classroom management strategies, deepening our understanding of content-specific supports, and developing techniques to better meet the varying needs of students.

This training empowers our staff to create positive, supportive environments where every student can succeed!

National School Bus Safety Week

National School Bus Safety Week is October 21-25. Help us keep our students safe by reviewing these important reminders!

Reminders for Students

Stay at least 10 feet away from the curb while waiting for the bus.
Wait for the bus to come to a complete stop. Board the bus when the driver signals that it's okay to do so.
Face forward and be respectful, responsible and safe once seated.
Exit the bus when it comes to a a complete stop. Always cross in front of the bus when the driver indicates it's safe to do so.

Reminders for Drivers

Encountering a school bus on a 2-lane road

When a school bus is traveling on a two-lane roadway and is stopped to pick up or drop off students, the vehicles in all lanes of traffic must stop. Vehicles should stop at least 20 feet before reaching the school bus to allow students to cross the roadway safely.

Encountering a school bus on a 4-lane road

When a school bus is traveling on a four-lane roadway with at least two lanes of traffic traveling in the opposite direction, only those lanes of traffic traveling in the same direction as the school bus must stop.

Encountering a school bus on a 1-way road

When a school bus is traveling on a one-way roadway and is stopped to pick up or drop off students, all lanes of traffic must stop, regardless of the number of lanes of traffic.

Job Opportunities in Huntley 158

Huntley 158 still has open positions for employment across the district. You can find current openings here. If you have any questions, contact Associate Superintendent of Human Resources, Adam Zehr, at (847) 659-6150 or Director of Human Resources, Karrie Baughman, at (847) 659-6178.

Did You Know? attendance graphic about missing school

Student Attendance - Did You Know?

Children’s mental health is important. Students who miss just 2 days of school a month tend to be more stressed and anxious. Help lower student stress by encouraging attendance when your student is feeling well. #YourPresenceIsYourPower

Recycle for Sight: Donate Your Used Eyeglasses!

Huntley School District 158 and the Huntley Area Lions Club are excited to partner together again for the 2nd Annual Recycle for Sight Used Eyeglass Collection Drive.

How can you help? Look through dresser drawers and closets for prescription eyeglasses, prescription sunglasses, reading eyeglasses, empty plastic and metal eyeglass frames that are no longer of use to you and donate them. Donated eyeglasses are taken to the Lions of Illinois Foundation where they are cleaned, sorted by prescription and distributed by trained volunteers, free of charge, to children and adults in developing countries. Don’t forget to ask friends, neighbors, and relatives to participate for a great cause!

Donation boxes will be available at all District 158 schools and the Administration Office from Monday, October 21 thru Friday, October 25.

Huntley 158 Virtual Bulletin Board

The Huntley 158 Virtual Bulletin Board (VBB) is a way to connect Huntley 158 families with enrichment and educational events and programs in the community. We encourage you to click the link and visit our new VBB page to learn about what’s happening for students and families in the community!

To submit a program or event for inclusion on the Huntley 158 VBB, organizations must be not-for-profit or a taxing body based in Huntley 158 boundaries or a surrounding community. Please email your event flyer in PNG or PDF format to kimoore@district158.org and include "VBB" in the subject line. To ensure accessibility for all, flyers must be accompanied by a brief description of your event that includes the name of your event, date, time, location, call to action/website link (if applicable) as well as contact information. Thank you!

Multilingual Parent Advisory Council (MPAC) Meeting - Mon., 11/11

The next MPAC meeting will be held on Monday, November 11th at the District Office at 6 p.m. MPAC's mission is to support and enhance the educational experience of students who are English Language Learners (ELLs). The committee includes bilingual parents, educators, and community members. To learn more about MPAC, click here for resources in multiple languages. We hope to see you there!

When: November 11, 2024; 6:00 p.m.

Where: District Office, Room 180

Online Webinar to Combat Bullying - Tues., 10/22

Join SmartSocial.com for a live virtual event on Tues., 10/22 @ 6pm. TOPIC:

Combat Online Bullying: Supporting Positive Student Behaviors on Campus and At Home. Special guest: Donald Austin - Superintendent, Palo Alto Unified School District

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Register for the webinar by becoming a Huntley 158 VIP member for FREE at http://smartsocial.com/huntley

By the end of this event, parents/guardians will:

Understand the effects of bullying on emotional & physical well-being, school success, and social interactions
Define and recognize the signs of bullying to know when your child is being bullied or is bullying
Learn steps to address and resolve conflicts to create a safe and supportive environment at school and at home
Learn strategies to promote positive online behavior that encourages respectful and responsible online interactions

Calendar At-a-Glance

Thurs., 10/24 - Spooky Buddies event; 5pm-7:30pm @ HHS

Tues., 11/5 - Election Day; NO SCHOOL; school offices closed

Thurs., 11/7 - Curriculum Workshop; 6pm-9pm @ District Office

Fri., 11/8 - End Trimester 1 (grades K-5)

Mon., 11/11 - MPAC meeting; 6pm @ District Office

Thurs., 11/14 - Regular Board of Education Meeting @ 7pm (open session) at District Office

Mon., 11/25 - Parent/Teacher Conferences; NO SCHOOL

Tues., 11/26 - Parent/Teacher Conferences; NO SCHOOL

Wed., 11/27 - Fri., 11/29 - Thanksgiving Break; NO SCHOOL

October Observances

Illinois Bus Driver Appreciation Day - 10/22

Principal Appreciation Day (IPA) - 10/25

National Bus Safety Week - 10/21-10/25

Bullying Awareness Month

National ADHD Awareness Month

National Down Syndrome Awareness Month

National Physical Therapy Month

November Observances

Veterans Day - 11/11 (school in session)

Board Member Appreciation Month

Native American Heritage Month

2024-25 School Calendar / Early Release Days

For planning purposes and to make necessary childcare arrangements, check out the 2024-25 school calendar. Huntley 158 early release and institute days for the year are listed below.

EARLY RELEASE DAYS

Tuesday, September 24, 2024

Friday, December 20, 2024

Thursday, February 13, 2025

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Thursday, April 17, 2025

*also ECC Parent Education Day

INSTITUTE DAYS

Friday, October 11, 2024 - No School

Monday, January 6, 2025 - No School

Find Upcoming Events & News at huntley158.org

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HMS Environmental Club Students Lead Pledge of Allegiance at 10/17 board meeting.

The Huntley 158 Board of Education meets twice monthly. Regular board meetings are held the third Thursday of each month and Committee of the Whole (COW) meetings are held the first Thursday of each month. All meetings are held at the Huntley 158 district administration building, 650 Dr. John Burkey Drive in Algonquin, unless otherwise noted. Meetings are live streamed and archived on the Huntley 158 YouTube Channel. Visit the Huntley 158 website for more information:

October 22, 2024 Parent Teacher Advisory Committee (PTAC) Meeting: 6pm @ Martin Elementary School; click link for agenda

October 17, 2024 Regular Board Meeting: Click the link for the agenda and supporting documents or watch the meeting via YouTube.

October 3, 2024 Committee of the Whole Board Meeting: Click the link for the agenda and supporting documents or watch the meeting via YouTube.

Note: Meeting minutes are approved at the next month’s board meeting and can be found on the district website under Board of Education / Minutes and Agendas.

The links and resources below are intended to provide important and timely information for families and shortcuts to frequently visited places on the district website. These links will appear in every district newsletter.

School Attendance Lines

Chesak: (847) 659-5711

Conley: (847) 659-3711

ECC: (847) 659-5411

Heineman: (847) 659-4311

Huntley High School: (847) 659-6611

Leggee: (847) 659-6211

LIGHT: (847) 659-4928

Mackeben: (847) 659-3411

Marlowe: (847) 659-4711

Martin: (847) 659-5311

Click the link for current Menus!