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Weekly Update

October 2, 2024

Weekly Update October 2, 2024

NO SCHOOL: November 4 (Institute Day) & November 5 (Election Day)

Several District 204 schools will serve as polling places for the November 5 Election (ON ELECTION DAY ONLY). A complete list is below:

DuPage County

Cowlishaw Elementary School, 1212 Sanctuary Lane, Naperville

Fischer Middle School, 1305 Long Grove Drive, Aurora

Gombert Elementary School, 2707 Ridge Road, Aurora

Granger Middle School, 2721 Stonebridge Blvd., Aurora

Longwood Elementary School, 30W240 Bruce Lane, Naperville

Metea Valley High School, 1801 N. Eola Road, Aurora

Owen Elementary School, 1560 Westglen Drive, Naperville

Steck Elementary School, 460 Iverness Drive, Aurora

Still Middle School, 787 Meadowridge Drive, Aurora

White Eagle Elementary School, 1585 White Eagle Drive, Naperville

Young Elementary School, 800 Asbury Drive, Aurora

Will County

Crone Middle School, 4020 111th Street, Naperville

Scullen Middle School, 2815 Mistflower Lane, Naperville

Gregory Middle School, 2621 Springdale Circle, Naperville

Clow Elementary School, 1301Springdale Circle, Naperville

Spring Brook Elementary School, 2700 Seiler Drive, Naperville

Builta Elementary School, 1835 Apple Valley Road, Bolingbrook

Graham Elementary School, 2315 High Meadow Road, Naperville

Fry Elementary School, 3204 Tall Grass Road, Naperville
Welch Elementary School, 2620 Leverenz Road, Naperville

District 204’s bond referendum—which would fund $420 million of districtwide safety and facility improvements without a tax rate increase—appears near the end of the ballot. View ballot language and sample ballots at ipsd.org/saferstronger204.

All 33 District schools would benefit from the improvements.


  • Security upgrades at all 33 schools would be addressed first, including the addition of secure-entry vestibules, access controls, intrusion detection systems, lockdown-safe doors, and surveillance equipment.
  • Districtwide infrastructure improvements include roofing, HVAC/air quality, window replacement, energy-efficient systems, electrical, technology upgrades, plumbing, exterior wall repairs, and parking/sidewalk enhancements.
  • Renovation of schools to provide quality learning spaces districtwide include the comprehensive renovation of Waubonsie Valley High School, Hill Middle School, and Gregory Middle School; reconfiguring Neuqua Valley High School to reintegrate freshmen; and expanding elementary school space on the north side of the District.
  • Operational efficiency improvements include repurposing the Birkett Freshman Center and closing and selling the underutilized Wheatland and Indian Plains building.

The following brief video provides an overview of our facility needs and some of the necessary improvements. Improvements would begin starting in the Summer of 2025.

SAVE THE DATE ! 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. 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.

Safety Reminder

Halloween Safety Tips

This year, Halloween falls on Thursday, October 31. The Aurora and Naperville Police Departments encourage everyone to have a safe Halloween. The City of Naperville would like to offer these Halloween Safety Tips to ensure that Halloween is a safe, fun, and festive time for all. There is no City ordinance in Naperville designating official trick-or-treating hours for children, but the Naperville Police Department recommends that young children end trick-or-treating when it begins to get dark and older children end trick-or-treating by 8 pm. The City of Aurora has established 4 – 7:30 PM as official trick-or-treating hours in Aurora.

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 4, 2024

The next regular Board of Education meeting is at 7 PM on Monday, November 4, 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.


View the October 21, 2024 Board Salutes here.

Thanks for Supporting Team IPEF 2024!

Team IPEF would like to thank the entire District 204 Community for their generous support of Team IPEF 2024. With your help, Team IPEF 2024 raised $80,450 this year! Half of the funds raised by each runner will be presented to their respective schools. Watch for our Big Check Tour in January 2025!

Resources for Parents

Sabado Para Padres (Parent Saturday)

2024 IAGC (Illinois Association for Gifted Children) Conference
Saturday, November 2 | 8:30 AM - 12:15 PM | NIU Naperville


Details:

  • Topics for Parents include the following:
    • Defining Giftedness and Advanced Learning Programs
    • Identification and Assessment
    • Enrichment and Supporting Executive Functioning
  • Afternoon: Choice of attending pm (English) sessions or conclude program
  • Relevant sessions for teachers and parents of multilingual learners:
    • Creative Assessments & Instruction: Higher Learning Opportunities for Multilingual Learners
    • Identifying and Serving our Gifted Learners: Taking an Inclusive Approach
    • Improving Equity in Gifted Education
    • World Language Learning: Your Path to Global Connection
    • Bridges and Access to Gifted Programming for Greater Equity
    • and more!
  • Space is limited. If your school / PTA would like to register a small group of parents, please reach out to office@iagcgifted.com.

LEARN MORE | REGISTER HERE

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

Details

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.

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Indian Prairie School District 204
www.ipsd.org