Talk203 E-Newsletter
At Naperville 203, the safety of our students and staff is our top priority and we take a layered approach to our safety and security strategy. We are in the process of implementing a new system called CrisisAlert™. This system enhances safety for all by providing a wearable badge to every staff member allowing them the ability to quickly request help from anywhere on campus.
There are two types of alerts the badge can activate: Staff Alert and Campus-wide Alert. A Staff Alert is triggered when a staff member presses the button on their badge. This sends an immediate alert to school responders, showing the exact location of the staff member in need. This is used for medical emergencies, behavioral incidents, and other safety situations that wouldn’t require everyone on campus to be alerted.
The Campus-wide Alert notifies everyone on campus of a potential threat, instructing them to seek a position of safety immediately. The system uses audio and visual notifications, including flashing lights, instructional messages on computers, and intercom announcements, to ensure the message is heard and seen throughout the building.
We have learned that lack of training is the number one reason false alarms have occurred in other districts who have implemented this system. Therefore, we have required all staff to be trained. Training began a couple of weeks ago and will be completed in all of our schools and buildings before Spring Break. In the event of a Campus-wide Alert, the school will notify parents/guardians as soon as possible.
This system enhances a safe and responsive environment for our students, staff, and community. To learn more about CrisisAlert, we invite you to visit https://www.centegix.com/crisisalert/ and/or watch this informational video which is also located on our School Safety & Security website.
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Beginning in February, students in fourth through twelfth grade will have an opportunity to participate in the annual Illinois 5Essentials Survey as mandated by the Illinois State Board of Education. The district is required to complete the administration of this survey by March 28, 2025. The student form of the Illinois 5Essentials Survey focuses on perceptions regarding the supportiveness of the school environment and ambitiousness of instruction. The district and schools use information from this survey to enhance our understanding of the student experience in Naperville 203.
Individual student responses to this survey remain confidential; aggregate results will be published online in conjunction with the annual Illinois Report Card in the fall of 2025. The survey takes approximately 20-25 minutes to complete and will be administered online. If you would like your student to not participate, please complete and return the linked PDF to your school’s main office by Friday, February 21, 2025.
Thank you for your continued support and participation toward improving our schools!
Patrick W. Nolten, Ph.D.
Assistant Superintendent for Assessment and Accountability
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Beginning Monday, March 3 through Friday, March 28, Naperville Community Unit School District 203 students enrolled in third through eighth grade will be completing the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR). In addition, between Monday, April 7 and Wednesday, April 23, students in fifth and eighth grade will be administered the Illinois Science Assessment (ISA). Your student’s school will contact you with their specific schedule of testing. Both the IAR and ISA will be administered at your student’s school.
The IAR assessment is an online group-administered achievement test designed to measure student proficiency relative to the Illinois Learning Standards in the areas of English Language Arts/Literacy and Mathematics.
The ISA is also an online group-administered achievement test designed to assess the Next Generation Science Standards and includes the areas of life, physical, earth and space sciences with engineering and technological design features imbedded in the other science domains.
As mandated by the United States Department of Education, public school districts in the State of Illinois are required to assess all students in the above grade levels and subjects for the purpose of educational accountability.
Given the critical importance of optimal student performance on these assessments, please encourage your child to demonstrate his or her academic knowledge and skills through these tests. Thank you for your positive support of our district during the administration of these assessments. If you have additional questions concerning the IAR or ISA assessments, please contact your school’s principal.
Regards,
Patrick W. Nolten, Ph.D.
Assistant Superintendent for Assessment and Accountability
February 22: SUCCESS Family Movie Night
On Behalf of SUCCESS Parent Group, SUCCESS invites our District 203 families, staff, and administrators to celebrate Black History Month with "A Family Night Out". Please join us on Friday, February 28, 2025 at Naperville North High School for dinner & a movie. Our age-appropriate feature presentations will be Cool Runnings and Remember the Titans. Dinner will be provided. Please RSVP here by February 22nd.
SUCCESS (School Using Coordinated Community Efforts to Strengthen Students) is a family-led organization, with the support of District 203 leadership, committed to empowering African-American/Black students and other students of color and their families to enhance academic performance, foster family-school connectedness, and ensure that everyone is welcomed, valued, and respected. We welcome anyone who supports our mission.
February 20: Virtual Black History Month Event: Exploring the Underground Railroad
Join Naperville 203 and Naper Settlement for a free virtual workshop on Thursday, February 20, from 6:30 – 8:00 PM.
Discover Naperville’s connection to the Underground Railroad with expert historians, live storytelling, and interactive exhibits.
📅 When: Thursday, Feb. 20 | 6:30 – 8:00 PM
📍 Where: Online via Google Meet
🔗 Join here: https://tinyurl.com/NaperHistoryFeb2025
Presented by Dr. Andrea Field & Jeanne Schultz Angel.
Questions? Contact rbrodeur@naperville203.org. Don’t miss this powerful Black History Month event!
Summer Learning Registration opens March 5th.
We’re making it easy for you to register for Summer Learning 2025 in person!
🗓 Date: Wednesday, March 6
⏰ Time: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Location: PSAC, Conference Rooms A & B (Naperville 203 Administration Center)
Don't miss this opportunity to secure a spot in our engaging summer programs!
Indian Prairie School District 204 is inviting you to attend the 3rd Annual Mental Health and Wellness Symposium on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Metea Valley High School from 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM.
The event will feature breakout sessions for both students and adults, a community resource fair, a book fair, and childcare services for children ages 3-10. This year, we are introducing new experience sessions for both adults and students, along with a complimentary boxed lunch for all attendees.
For more information, please visit the Mental Health Symposium webpage or Register Here.
Join us in celebrating the artistic talents of our K-12 students at the annual Naperville District 203 Art Open House Show! This event showcases a diverse collection of student artwork, highlighting creativity and innovation across all grade levels.
📅 Opening Reception:
🗓 March 24, 2025
📍 Naperville Municipal Center (400 S. Eagle Street, Naperville, IL)
⏳ Viewing Times:
- Elementary (K-5): 5:30 p.m. - 6:10 p.m.
- Junior High & High School (6-12): 6:20 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
🌟 Special Features:
- Digital artwork will be showcased exclusively on opening night during the high school time slot in the Chambers.
- Little Friends Artwork will also be on display.
To ensure a comfortable experience, viewing times are staggered. Families with students in multiple grade levels should choose the best time slot that works for them.
🖼 Exhibit Dates:
Artwork will be on display during business hours from March 20 to April 8, 2024.
FEBRUARY 2025
World-renowned authors and clinicians present relevant, research-based information to support positive youth development. Our free programs empower and strengthen families, individuals and communities by sharing practical strategies to help humans of every age thrive.
Explore upcoming events here: https://gpsparentseries.org/upcoming-events/
Thursday, Feb. 13
Noon & 7 P.M.
Amy Blankson
Digital Thriving: Technology and the Future of Happiness in a Hyperconnected World
Tuesday, Feb. 18
Noon & 7 P.M.
Dr. Amishi Jha, Glenbard South graduate, with Dr. Kimberly Schonert-Reichl
Peak Mind: Enhance Your Attention, Focus, and Performance to Become Your Best Self
Tuesday, Feb. 25
7 P.M.
Duncan Kirkwood
IN PERSON - LIVE LIFE WELL WEEK -- The Critical Skills to Unleash Perseverance, Passion and Purpose
Thursday, Feb. 27
7–9 P.M.
Sarah Ward and Dr. Jessica Minahan
HYBRID EVENT -- Practical Strategies for Reducing Anxiety and Increasing Executive Function Skills (Organization, Time Management & Task Completion)
Share YOUR stories to help Make Kindness Count!
Share your story of how YOU have shown kindness to others to help KidsMatter and the Collaborative Youth Team collect 1,000 experiences of kindness during our annual Make Kindness Count campaign!
Tell us your story at https://bit.ly/3Wz8nWm.
Free Tutoring Every Wed & Thu at Alive Naperville!
Need homework help? Join us for free tutoring every Wednesday and Thursday from 4–6 PM at Alive Naperville Teen Center. Open to all K–12 students, every subject! Get the support you need in a welcoming space. No registration required—just drop in!
Exciting Alive Center Teen-Led Clubs Launch Next Week!
Alive Center’s free Teen-Led, Teen-Driven™ clubs start next week! Clubs like Bio Blast and Alive with Pride are open to teens (5th-12th grade) with a $25 registration fee. Scholarships are available—email info@alivecenter.org.
For Grades 6-8! Build Confidence & Skills for Success
This month, empower your 6th-8th grader with essential soft skills! Join our fun, interactive workshops—Making a Difference, What’s a Business Anyways, and Success with a Purpose. Limited spots available. Sign up today and set them up for success!
High School Retreat
The Spring 3-day student retreat is next month!
https://photos.app.goo.gl/tCgeyvBA45StE54u7
Bus seats and cabin bunks are filling up for the iconic high school overnight retreat known as Snowball. The upcoming weekend retreat is March 21-23 at Camp Henry Horner. This teen-led/adult-guided retreat offers students the opportunity to discover something about themselves, make friends, relax and have some fun. Each Operation Snowball event is unique, and this weekend’s theme “Count On Me” focuses on how we create a community and be someone that can be counted on! Registration closes Monday, March 3rd, so don’t wait!
