Stay Up-to-Date in D158

As we move into the heart of the school year and the season of giving thanks, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for the incredible students, families, staff, and community members that make Huntley 158 what it is…an excellent place to learn and grow.

November is a time of reflection and connection, and we are reminded of our staff, our families, our Huntley community, and the importance of working together to support each and every one of our students. We have many wonderful opportunities for everyone to get engaged in and support our schools. Whether it’s through volunteering at events, participating in parent-teacher conferences, or cheering on our students at extracurricular activities, your involvement enriches the experiences of everyone in our district.

One meaningful opportunity to engage with our schools is just around the corner. Parent-teacher conferences provide a valuable chance for you, your child, and our staff to celebrate accomplishments and discuss strategies for continued growth. Conferences are not only a time to learn about your child’s progress but also a time for you to share insights about how we can best support your child’s individual needs.

The Huntley community truly shines through the many activities and events that bring us together. From school performances and athletic events to service projects such as coat or food drives and school celebrations, these moments reflect the creativity, talent, and generosity that make our district so unique. I encourage you to join us for these meaningful experiences, which you can learn about through your school newsletters or updates from your child’s teacher.

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, let us all take a moment to appreciate the wonderful opportunities we have to support our students and nurture a positive, inclusive environment. Let's continue to work towards creating a place where every child feels valued, inspired, and supported to achieve their full potential.

Thank you for your partnership and for entrusting us with your child’s education. Wishing you and your family a season of warmth, joy, and gratitude.

Go Huntley!
~ Jessica

Tune into this month’s Raider Roundtable where Superintendent Jessica Lombard interviews Assistant Superintendent of Special Services Dede Gill about meaningful inclusion. Discussion revolves around how to create a sense of belonging for all students through inclusive practices, why it’s important, and where Huntley 158 is on this journey.

Visit the district website for additional episodes of Raider Roundtable.

Congratulations to the HHS girls volleyball team for placing 4th in the Class 4A IHSA state championship this weekend at ISU!

November Huntley High Five students were celebrated at the board of education meeting on Thursday, November 14. Winners include: Isaac Patrick - kindergarten, Chesak; Jhoelle Jimenez - 4th grade, Conley; Calvin Habrat - kindergarten, Mackeben; Aarna Patel - 5th grade, Martin; Logan Sarnwick - 5th grade, Leggee; Noah McCabe - 8th grade, Heineman; Braden Caporaso - 7th grade, Marlowe; Malik Carter - 9th grade, Huntley High School; and Kylie Beam - LIGHT Program. We are proud of these students who contribute to a positive school culture and serve as role models for others.

On Tuesday, November 12, HHS students had an opportunity to learn about budgeting and personal finance from local businesses and community volunteers in the Game of Life. Students rotated to stations to learn about the cost of living, from home mortgages and insurance to childcare and automobiles, from community volunteers. A big THANK YOU to the Huntley Area Chamber of Commerce for organizing this activity and to the community volunteers and businesses below for participating and educating our students!

About Your Property Inspection

ASKHRT

Century 21 New Heritage

Crystal Lake Teen Center - The BREAK

DeFiore Funeral & Cremation Service

Edward Jones - Bob Gajewski

Huntley Collision

Huntley 158 school board member Paul Troy

Lovin' Life Coaching & Organizing

Pet Vet Animal Clinic & Mobile Practice

Prairie Community Bank

Social Butterfly Social Media Management Services

Stephanie Villanueva - HST Insurance Agent

U-Nique Accounting

The Dala Group

The Village of Huntley

On Thursday, November 7, members of the Huntley 158 community, school board, parents and staff engaged in meaningful conversations focused on continuous improvement and data-driven decision-making to support student success. Together, they participated in data walks to identify trends, celebrate growth, and recognize areas for continued improvement. Special attention was given to analyzing data for our English Learner and students with IEP subgroups to ensure that all students are supported. These discussions were closely tied to each building’s School Improvement Plan, focusing on literacy, math, attendance, and behavior goals. A link to the presentation is included here. We look forward to sharing our progress at a second curriculum workshop later this school year. Stay tuned!

The Illinois Report Card serves as an annual report that provides an overview of the growth and progress of Illinois districts and schools. The report utilizes student and school demographic and performance data as a means of providing the families and communities a school district serves with a snapshot of its schools and district as a whole. We are pleased to report that all Huntley 158 schools received a Commendable rating on the 2023-24 Illinois Report Card. Click the link to visit the Huntley 158 website, where you’ll find links to the reports for each school and the district.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

D158 Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held next week on Monday, November 25 and Tuesday, November 26. There will be no school 11/25-11/29 due to conferences and the Thanksgiving holiday. Please check your email for information about signing up for conferences as the process varies by school. Feel free to reach out to your child’s school with any questions.

This is a great time to engage in conversations with your child’s teacher(s) about their current progress, strengths, and areas of needed support. Make sure to check your child’s score on their report card via PowerSchool prior to the conference so you can ask important questions.

Elementary Report Cards

In grades K-5, Huntley 158 employs a standards-based report card to communicate student progress in alignment with the Illinois Learning Standards. This approach focuses on essential grade-level learning standards, providing clear guidance and consistent grading practices.

The scoring system is described below:

• 3 - Meets the standard independently and consistently. Student is secure with end-of- year expectations.

• 2 - Making progress and working towards independence with end-of-year expectations. Student may still need support at times.

• 1 - Beginning to understand end-of-year grade-level expectations. Student still needs support to put it all together.

Elementary Learning Guides

These K-5 Learning Guides provide an overview of the expectations for each grade level and offer specific ways to support or enhance your child's learning at home. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher.

• K-5 Learning Guides English

• K-5 Learning Guides Spanish

• K-5 Learning Guides Polish

• K-5 Learning Guides Ukrainian

• K-5 Learning Guides Russian

High School Finals

The first semester ends on December 20, 2024, and final exams will take place December 18-20. The final exam schedule is available on the Huntley High School website. Students do not need to attend lunch, advisory, study hall, or self-guided study periods on exam days. Teachers will provide additional details as the dates approach. Please plan accordingly to prioritize student attendance during this important time.

IAR Parent Access Portal (Grades 3-8)

Your child(ren) in grades 4-9 should have brought home their 2023-2024 state assessment (IAR) scores in October or November. The state of Illinois has developed a parent portal where you can view an explanation of the score report, with voiceover explanations available in Arabic, English, Gujarati, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Ukrainian, and Urdu. Your child’s score report includes a claim code that allows you to access their performance results. For more information, refer to the Parent Portal User Guide.

As we move from fall to winter, here are some guidelines for what to expect in the case of potential inclement weather. Weather protocols are outlined below and in the graphic. Please visit our website for additional information as well as alternate school schedules.

• Goal = In-Person Learning

• Delayed Start (2-hour delay): Weather expected to improve over time; no first session for ECC

• E-Learning Day: Inclement weather forecasted with adequate time to prepare (devices sent home with students)

• No School / Snow Day: Unexpected and/or severe weather; not enough time to prepare

Please take a few minutes to take this brief survey about the new Huntley 158 website. Your feedback is appreciated and will help us continue to make improvements to enhance this new communication tool!

Huntley 158 monthly attendance data is now displayed on the district and school websites. Attendance charts will be updated monthly on or around the first of the month. Here is link to the district attendance webpage. To view attendance data by school, click on Attendance under Students & Families from the school's home page. We are proud of the encouraging trends we are seeing and thank our students and families for their support in prioritizing attendance! #YourPresenceIsYourPower

Huntley 158 partners with Care Solace to provide families and staff with mental health support. If you are the parent or guardian of a middle or high school student, check out this recent article about the impact of substance abuse on mental health: https://www.caresolace.org/our-blog/substance-use-and-mental-health

Huntley 158's Special Education Talk for November is open to all families and will feature a presentation focused on the area of employment. The speaker will be Catherine Jones from the McHenry County Manufacturing Pathways Consortium. As students seek employment in a variety of areas, the district continues to build key relationships with community partners, such as McHenry County Manufacturing Pathways Consortium. Manufacturing companies in McHenry County offer a wide range of competitive employment opportunities. The consortium seeks to educate high school students, their families and the community about these companies through job fairs, summer internships, and plant tours. The consortium works with school districts and the greater community to build a diverse workforce.

See event details below:

Date: Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024

Time: 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

Location: District Office, Room 180 (650 Dr. John Burkey Drive in Algonquin)

Registration is not required, but is strongly encouraged. Please use this link to register.

This event will be recorded for future access and for those unable to attend. If you require any special accommodations or require a translator for this event, please contact Kelly LaTour at klatour@district158.org.

Wed., 11/20 - Special Education Talks: McHenry County Manufacturing Pathways Consortium; 6pm-7:30pm at district office

Mon., 11/25 - Tues., 11/26 - Parent / Teacher Conferences

Wed., 11/27 - Fri., 11/29 - Thanksgiving Break; no school

Mon., 12/9 - MPAC Around the World Potluck @ Mackeben; 5pm-7pm

Wed., 12/4 - SEAC meeting @ district office and via Zoom; 6:30pm

Thurs., 12/5 - Committee of the Whole Board of Education meeting @ district office; 6pm

Tues., 12/9 - Parent Teacher Advisory Committee (PTAC) meeting @ HMS; 6pm

Thurs., 12/19 - Regular Board of Education meeting @ district office; 7pm

Fri., 12/20 - SIP/Early Release Day; end of 1st semester (grades 9-12) and 2nd quarter (grades 6-8)

Mon., 12/23 - Mon., 1/6 - Winter Break; no school

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

Early Release Dismissal Times

Elementary school (Chesak, Conley, Leggee, and Mackeben): 1:30 p.m.

Martin Elementary School: 12:55 p.m.

Middle and high school: 12:30 p.m.

INSTITUTE DAYS

Friday, October 11, 2024 - No School

Monday, January 6, 2025 - No School

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 D158 website for more information:

Regular Board Meeting - November 14, 2024

• Click the link for the agenda and supporting documents or watch the meeting via YouTube.

Curriculum Workshop on Student Achievement - November 7, 2024

• Click the link for the agenda

Parent Teacher Advisory Committee (PTAC) meeting - October 22, 2024

• Click the link for the agenda

Regular Board Meeting - October 17, 2024

• 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 About / Board of Education / Minutes and Agendas.

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.

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!

Misc. Resources

Attendance

Bullying

Care Solace

2024-25 School Calendar

Guidelines for Keeping Kids Home from School

Smart Social

Student Helpline

Virtual Bulletin Board

Visitor Procedures