Weekly Update
October 2, 2024
Superintendent's Message
Thank You for Supporting Our District's Future
Dear Indian Prairie School District 204 Community,
We are deeply grateful to our community for your support in passing the 2024 Bond Referendum. This approval is a significant investment in the future of our schools and the well-being of our students and staff. With these funds, we will move forward with our plans to improve school infrastructure, enhance safety and security measures, and provide the resources necessary to create a positive learning environment for every student. Our first priority is the safety of our students and staff. Work will begin this coming summer.
We also want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated in the Citizens Task Force for their thoughtful work in helping to craft the referendum proposal. Your dedication and input were invaluable in shaping a vision that meets the needs of our students and staff.
Additionally, we would like to thank the group of community members who formed an advocacy group in support of the referendum. Your efforts in raising awareness and engaging the community played a key role in this successful outcome.
The overall pass rate of 74% reflects our community’s strong trust, commitment, and belief in what we are doing in ensuring that we continue to provide high-quality education while making the critical improvements needed now and in the future. We look forward to working with our community as we begin implementing these projects. We will provide updates at future Board of Education meetings regarding the work that will be started this summer and future work.
Thank you for your partnership in helping to shape a brighter future for our schools and helping to create a Safer, Stronger 204.
Sincerely,
Dr. Adrian B. Talley
Superintendent
Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent/teacher conferences for preschool, elementary, middle and high school will take place on Thursday, November 21, 2024 from 4:30 - 8:00 PM and Monday, November 25, 2024 from 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM and 4:30 - 8:00 PM.
Elementary, middle, and high school parents can begin scheduling conferences through ParentVUE on November 13 starting at 6:00 AM. Preschool families will receive directions for how to register for conferences from the student’s classroom teacher.
To schedule your conference for elementary, middle, and high school students, log in to ParentVUE and select "Conference" from the menu on the left side to see the times available. Once you have scheduled your conference, you can click "Email Schedule" to have the details emailed to you. You can also go back to ParentVUE at any time to view the information. Conference scheduling will remain open through November 19 at 6:00 PM.
Parent University - Thursday, November 14
Parent University: Understanding School Anxiety, Strategies to Support Your Child, will be held virtually on Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 7 PM. In this session, you'll learn to recognize common signs and symptoms of anxiety that may affect children in school settings. We'll explore practical strategies to support your child in coping with anxiety in a healthy way and share tools you can practice together to ease anxiety in challenging moments. Empower yourself with valuable insights and techniques to support your child's well-being and confidence in school. Read More Here. Register and ask question here.
Families Helping Families
The Indian Prairie Parents’ Council (IPPC), in partnership with District 204, is continuing the Families Helping Families program to support families facing hardship or homelessness through monetary donations and gift cards. This ongoing initiative assists under-resourced families during the winter holidays and throughout the year. Community members can participate by visiting the online store to purchase gift cards or make a donation, making a meaningful difference for families in need. For details, please contact IPPC 1st Vice President and Unity Chair, Robin Schmidt, at ippcpta@gmail.com. If your family needs support, reach out to your school social worker, who can guide you to helpful resources.
Giftmart 2024
Giftmart 2024 needs your help! Please consider donating a toy to assist under resourced families in Naperville. By invitation, parents and/or guardians are invited to the Giftmart Toyshop where they can purchase new toys for $2.00 per toy. 100% of the proceeds made from the sale of each toy will be donated back to each invited school to fund much needed resources. Please consider donating a new, unwrapped toy that is safe for children ages 6-12. No stuffed animals or board games, please. Both a Target and Amazon Gift Registry have been created or there will be a Giftmart Toy Box located inside of Metea and Waubonsie Valley High Schools, Granger, Crone, Gregor,y and Fischer Middle Schools, and in Brooks, Cowlishaw, Fry, Graham, Georgetown, Gombert, May Watts, McCarty, Owen, Patterson, Petterson, Welch, and Young Elementary Schools from November 11 – December 9. Thank you for your generosity and participation!
Volunteer Recognition
District 204 extends our appreciation to GreenState Credit Union for sponsoring our Volunteer Program. We’d like to thank all those who signed up to volunteer and those who have been volunteering in our schools during the month of October.
Districtwide, volunteers have committed 5,850 hours of time in the month of October with 1,637 new volunteer applications approved! Spring Brook Elementary logged the highest number of volunteer hours with 1,397. Still Middle School and Metea Valley High School had the most volunteer hours at the middle and high school levels, respectively.
We’d also like to recognize the following individuals and schools for their volunteer efforts during the month of October:
- Naoko White – 57 hours (Brookdale Elementary School)
- Marissa Kopp – 56 hours (Spring Brook Elementary School)
- Julie Manger – 50 hours (Patterson Elementary School)
If you’d like to learn more about volunteering in District 204, please visit the Volunteer Program webpage. If you have questions about the program, please contact Jeannie Dina, Assistant Director of Community Relations at jeannie_dina@ipsd.org.
Safety & Security
School Resource Officer (SRO) Program
DuPage County Safe Travel for All Open House - Thursday, November 14
You’re invited to join DuPage County on November 14 for the Safe Travel for All open house and bring the kids!
You’ll have the opportunity to share your experiences on roads in your community, provide ideas on improving traffic safety, and participate in family-friendly activities. Your input will directly inform the DuPage County Safety Action Plan, a roadmap for safer streets for all, and a critical step toward accessing federal funding for future traffic safety improvements.
The details:
- When: Thursday, November 14 from 5:30 to 7 PM
- Where: Bensenville Community Public Library, 200 S Church Road, in the Diamond Meeting Room
- Getting there: Public transportation options include the Metra Milwaukee District West line (Bensenville station is 0.8 miles east of library). There is free parking available at the library.
- Register for the event here.
Can’t make it to the open house? Save the date for our Virtual Open House on Thursday, December 5 from 6 to 7 PM and check out the DuPage County Safety Action Plan Project site
Mobile Dental Clinic
The DuPage County Health Department's Smile Squad will be visiting our district throughout the school year. Several schools will serve as host locations, and students from any school in the district are welcome to attend a clinic at any of these sites. The Smile Squad will provide dental examinations that fulfill the state-mandated requirement for students in Kindergarten, 2nd, 6th, and 9th grades. Eligible students will also receive a dental cleaning, fluoride treatment, and sealants as needed.
Upcoming Mobile Dental Clinics:
November 7, 2024: Cowlishaw Elementary School, 1212 Sanctuary Lane, Naperville
November 8, 2024: Cowlishaw Elementary School, 1212 Sanctuary Lane, Naperville
November 12, 2024: Gombert Elementary School, 2707 Ridge Road, Aurora
Please note that written parental consent is required and must be on file with the health office prior to your child’s appointment. Consent forms must be submitted to your child's health office at least one week before the scheduled clinic date.
(Consent Form - English | Formulario de consentimiento - Español)
Next Board of Education Meeting: November 18, 2024
The next regular Board of Education meeting is at 7 PM on Monday, November 18, 2024 at the Crouse Education Center, 780 Shoreline Drive, Aurora. Meeting agendas and documents will be available online prior to the meeting. Video of the regular meeting can be streamed live or viewed the following day at the District’s YouTube channel.
Recognize an Outstanding Staff Member
Submit an A+ Award nomination for an exceptional teacher or staff member that has made an impact on you or your student. The Indian Prairie Educational Foundation (IPEF) is proud to recognize outstanding staff members who go above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of our students. One staff member will be recognized each month and awarded a check for $1,000 thanks to our new A+ Award sponsor: Western Governors University! All submitted essays are shared with the nominees on a monthly basis. Nominations will be kept for consideration until the end of the current school year. Nominees must currently work in the district.
To nominate someone who is making a difference, visit A+ Award.
Resources for Parents
Thursday, November 7, 2024 | Noon and 7 PM
Ron Lieber
The Price You Pay for College: An Entirely New Road Map for the Biggest Financial Decision Your Family Will Ever Make
Details | Noon Zoom Link | 7 PM Zoom Link
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 | 7 PM
An Evening with Best Buddies (Friendship Program for People with Special Needs)
IN PERSON Film Screening: "Saving Superman"
Location: Glenbard West High School
Hey friends! The Youth Advisory Committee's next meeting is Tuesday, November 12 from 6:30 - 8 PM at 360 Youth Services (1323 Bond St #119 Naperville). Build community with other D203/D204 high school students, reflect on what you're thankful for, brainstorm activities for National Prevention Week, gain service hours and win prizes! RSVP by Monday, November 11. Hope to see you there!
Third-Party Educational Programs
The following companies have rented space in our schools to offer an after-school educational program for students. The distribution of this material is in no way an endorsement of programs, services, activities, or products by District 204. For more information, visit programs.
Chess Club at Brooks Elementary School
Yong-In Aurora Martial Arts, Tae Kwon Do Class at Longwood Elementary
Yong-In Aurora Martial Arts, Tae Kwon Do Class at Nancy Young Elementary
Yong-In Aurora Martial Arts, Tae Kwon Do Class at Brooks Elementary
Yong-In Aurora Martial Arts, Tae Kwon Do Class at White Eagle Elementary
This Week's e-Folder
This week's e-Folder has been updated with information on community programs. For more information about the programs listed below, visit the 204 e-Folder.
Neuqua Valley High School Theatre Presents - THE L.O.S.E.R.S
Metea Valley High School Theater - PUFFS