Focus on 47

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Congratulations to everyone on a successful first trimester of school! This is my 28th year in District 47 and my 11th year as Superintendent, and while a lot has changed, what hasn’t is the dedication I see in staff, the drive I see in students, and the support I see in families. As we enter into the ‘thankful’ season, I want to express my gratitude for the part we all play in fulfilling our district's mission of Empowering All Students.

In the first few months of school, we have already witnessed student leaders emerge and educate their peers, celebrated both athletic and artistic achievements, observed classes working together to give back to the community, and recognized staff for making a difference in the lives of students and their families.

This newsletter highlights some of these stories and achievements, as we continue to inspire our Learners Today- Leaders Tomorrow.

Sincerely,

Dr. Kathy Hinz

Superintendent

November

• Nov. 22 - Nov. 24: No school; Thanksgiving Break

December

• Dec. 18: Board of Education Meeting
• Dec. 21 - Jan. 5: Winter Break
  

January

• Jan. 5: Teacher Institute Day; No School
• Jan. 8: Classes Resume
• Jan. 12: End of Term 3 (Middle Schools)
• Jan. 15: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; No School
• Jan. 16: Board of Education Meeting
• Jan. 24: Virtual Parenting Series (Session 2)

February

• Feb. 5: Kindergarten Registration Opens!
• Feb. 8: Dual Language Informational Meeting
• Feb. 12: Dual Language Informational Meeting
• Feb. 19: Presidents' Day; No School
• Feb. 20: Board of Education Meeting
• Feb. 21: Early Release for All Grades
• Feb. 23: End of Trimester 2 (Elementary) & End of Term 4/Trimester 2 (Middle Schools)

District 47 online kindergarten registration for the 2024-25 school year will begin February 5, 2024. Early registration helps with adequate staffing, home school placement, and appropriate class size. See below for additional information.

• A child must turn 5 years old on or before September 1, 2024 to be eligible for kindergarten. Information about early entrance to kindergarten is posted on the D47 website.
• Families interested in District 47’s dual language program for their incoming kindergartener MUST attend one of the informational meetings listed below if they do not already have a sibling enrolled in the program. For more information, visit the D47 website at www.d47.org/duallanguage.
• Thursday, February 8, 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• Monday, February 12, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
• Tuesday, March 5, 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 13, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
• Current Glacier Ridge PreK students eligible for kindergarten will complete the same kindergarten registration process noted above.
• Fees and student physical/immunization forms are not due at the time of registration.

In the district's new video series 'Hall Pass,' D47 principals select a student to interview, highlighting programs, academic achievements, clubs, and more! We are excited to share some of the things going on in each of our schools, straight from the source = students! Click here to view all of our Hall Pass videos.

• Hundreds of students from over 60 schools auditioned for the Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) Festival, and we are excited to congratulate the following band students that were accepted- Oshmith from Hannah Beardsley, Colin and Ethan from Bernotas, and Amelia from Lundahl.
• We would also like to recognize the students who represented District 47 in the Fox Valley Honor Choir Festival. Four Hannah Beardsley students, eight Bernotas students, and fifteen Lundahl students participated in this prestigious concert- accompanied by Hannah Beardsley Music and Choir Director, Mike Muggli!

Congratulations to all of our athletes on a fantastic fall sports season! Please join us in recognizing some of their accomplishments.

• Lundahl Middle School Varsity Girls won the Fox Valley Conference Meet!
• Emmie from Hannah Beardsley placed 2nd at the State Cross-Country Meet. Bernotas students Alex, Caroline, Maia, Ellie, Lilly, Finley, and Katherine and Luke and Maia from Hannah Beardsley, and Brady from Lundahl also placed at the meet.
• Bernotas' 8th Grade Volleyball Team had an undefeated season, seizing the Fox Valley Champion Title!

District 47 teaches students how to Be Safe, Be Smart, and Be Kind online through a student-led, digital citizenship program called Project B3. After reviewing topics like screen time, online safety, digital literacy, and cyberbullying, our 8th-grade B3 student leaders delivered interactive, self-prepared presentations to all 6th, 7th, and 8th-graders in their home school. In the spring they will head out to the elementary schools to share the message.

The Bernotas Middle School Viking Mentor Program is preparing students for high school and beyond, teaching them to be leaders, make connections, and how to be a role model to all grade levels. "I'm hoping this program can help me lead my classmates and help us all become successful," said Viking Mentor Cadence. "Also preparing for college, having this on my application can really help me." Click here to listen to Viking Mentors Cadence and Luke on the D47 Deep Dive with Dr. Hinz podcast.

Best Schools U.S. News & World Report
We are happy to share that all three middle schools have been named U.S. News Best Middle Schools, and seven of our elementary schools- Coventry, Glacier Ridge, Indian Prairie, South, Husmann, West and Woods Creek- have been named Best Elementary Schools by U.S. News & World Report. According to the scores published, District 47 schools ranged in the top 16% - 40% in the state. All rankings are determined by state assessment data.

District 47 2023 Illinois School Report Cards

In the Illinois School Board of Education (ISBE) 2023 Illinois Report Card release, all District 47 schools received Commendable designations, with the exception of one designated for Targeted Support. These summative designations are one way the State measures how well our schools are meeting the needs of all students. Click here to read more.

The district implemented a new literacy curriculum this year called the Units of Study. A committee of kindergarten through 5th-grade mono and dual language teachers across all buildings and grades, along with support staff members and administration, worked to ensure cohesion between the grade levels with a strong focus on the Illinois Learning Standards and key concepts from Teacher Clarity. Watch this video to learn more about how the Units of Study are already positively impacting teachers and students.

Starting this school year K-5 dual language classes shifted programming to a 50/50 biliteracy model, providing students with opportunities to read and write daily in both English and Spanish. Sarah Morgan, a 2nd grade teacher at Coventry Elementary School, and Raul Salas, a 6th grade teacher at Lundahl Middle School joined the D47 podcast Deep Dive with Dr. Hinz to discuss the change and what they love about teaching dual language. According to Ms. Morgan, "I love making students feel that their home language, cultures and traditions are valued beyond the home." Students Galilea and Tomas join the conversation to share the student perspective! Click here to listen.

District 47's Elevate program recognizes employees who uphold and exemplify the district's mission and core values and go above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of students, schools, and the community. Nominations are submitted by parents, staff, and community members. Out of 26 nominations, 8 winners were chosen by a committee of peers. Click here to read more about our Elevate winners. District 47 would also like to thank all the businesses that have chosen to sponsor our Elevate program this year. Do you know a deserving D47 staff member? Click here to nominate.

Regardless of your previous experience, District 47 provides an excellent opportunity to learn new skills, assist children as they learn and grow, and work in an amazing, rewarding field! We are hiring lunch/playground supervisors, paraprofessionals, custodians, bus drivers and more! Click here to see all openings.

Faces of D47 shines a light on the incredible people that work in the district, why they chose D47, and what makes them feel at home here. District 47 was honored by the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) with a Golden Achievement Award for the 'Faces of D47' social media campaign. Out of over one thousand entries received nationwide, District 47 emerged as one of the one hundred twenty-three successful winners. Get to know our staff members by clicking here to read some recent 'Faces of D47' features.

At West Elementary, Miss Fitzgerald’s 4th grade class was learning about ‘Creating Goals’ in SEL. The class wanted to make an impact outside of their classroom, so they decided their goal would be to donate 100 books to the community. Click here to read the full story about how the students exceeded their goal and collected 761 books to donate to the community.

Engaging Learners: D47 Virtual Parenting Series Session 1- In this first session, Jackie Rhew, clinical consultant, keynote speaker and co-founder of the Center for Emotional Wellness, guides a discussion on strategies for active school engagement, with a focus on supporting students facing mental health challenges.

The Break is partnering with District 47 to provide a safe place for middle school students to have fun and connect in their after school program. Transportation to The Break after school is available, if you have already signed your child up for the after school program, please encourage them to sign up for the bus in the main office.

Families will need to enroll their child at The Break:

• Step 1: The Break Registration Form
• Step 2: RSVP on the home page The BREAK Home Page RSVP For Day/Event Would Like To Join

Click here for more information on The Break.

Once again the district has partnered with the Crystal Lake Food Pantry in the annual Community Harvest Food Drive. D47 schools, the district office, and TJA donated a total of 5,173 pounds of food this year, which translates to over 4,300 meals for our community.

Through community outreach events and projects, District 47 schools are building connections and engaging with veterans locally to give back to those who have served. Students have been actively learning about Veterans Day through music, books, art, guest speakers, school displays, and acts of service, all leading up to Veterans Day assemblies on November 10 where military families are invited, honored, and celebrated. Click here to read more.

After a public hearing at the District 47 board of education meeting on November 20, 2023, the board voted to adopt the 2023 tax levy. The district aims to provide a high-quality education while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Visit the District 47 website for more information on the tax levy.

The district is transitioning to a new website platform that will better fit the needs and accessibility requirements of our staff, parents, and community.We value your input and would greatly appreciate your feedback on our District 47 website. Your insights will help us enhance the online experience for both parents/guardians and staff. Please take a moment to share your thoughts by clicking on this survey link.

The district was honored to recognize 6th-grade Lundahl student Oliver at the November Board of Education meeting for his swift thinking and response that saved a classmate from a potentially dangerous situation. According to Oliver's teacher, Mrs. Bruno, when a classmate began to choke on a piece of gum, Oliver jumped in and began to perform the Heimlich maneuver. Within a couple of seconds, the gum was dislodged, and the student was able to breathe and cough.

At the start of every year, District 47 recognizes the contributions and hard work of our PTOs and PTAs. Through fundraising, volunteering, and coordinating, these parent organizations support our schools in so many ways. In total, D47 PTOs and PTAs raised more than $400,000 during the 2022-23 school year. Our board president, Dr. Tim Mahaffy, and Dr. Hinz presented our PTOs and PTAs with a certificate to recognize their efforts and support at the September board meeting.

At the November 20 board of education meeting, Dr. Hinz and Mrs. Kasper presented an update for board members on the district’s strategic plan and fall 2023 student data. The presentation is available on the district website, click here.