Trimester 2 Newsletter
Trimester 2 – March 2023
It is hard to believe the second trimester is over. The school year is certainly flying by. The third trimester is always full of family events, concerts, and end-of-year celebrations. I hope you and your families are able to enjoy many of them.
In the last edition of Inside 146, we asked what you would like to learn more about. We used those responses to craft this edition. Below, we have information from Curriculum Department about standardized testing, elementary report cards, and homework guiding principles. Details on our social and emotional programs is provided by our Director of Student Services. Our Director of Buildings and Grounds also gives an update on district-wide projects.
Engagement with our families is paramount to our success. Please be sure to complete the form below to let us know what you would like to learn more about in the next issue.
Standardized Assessments
By Wendy Wolgan, Director of Curriculum
District 146 students take standardized assessments each year. The results from these tests are used in instructional planning and determining focus areas for student learning. For a complete list and schedule of this year’s assessments, click here.
Standardized test results are used throughout the District. At the administrative level, scores are used to evaluate the effectiveness of our curriculum and develop school-wide goals. Teaching teams at the buildings study results to enhance student learning.
The results are considered by teachers to adjust instruction to meet student-specific needs. Parents also receive results, which are often a springboard for engagement between parents and teachers, initiating meaningful communication about a student’s learning. Students learn more and have a better school experience when schools and families are partners in the process.
The District considers the whole child, not only assessment results, when gauging student success. Our balanced approach includes academics, critical thinking, digital skills, collaboration, creativity, social and emotional development, and physical well-being to promote success for all students.
Elementary Report Card Updates
By: Carey Radke, Curriculum Coordinator
Earlier this year, District 146 began studying our elementary school report cards to identify and amend areas for improvement. During our discussions, teachers agreed on the skills that would be assessed in each trimester and departments came to a consensus on which standards should be learned and when. These decisions will add consistency in curriculum pacing and reporting.
The elementary schools will continue to use standards-based reporting. In standards-based reporting, assessments and report card grades reflect the student’s progress towards meeting learning standards. Grading is on a scale that does not use points.
The standards-based grading scale is:
4: enriched understanding/above standard
3: meets/applies standard correctly
2: partial understanding of standard
1: not yet developed/well below the standard.
An updated report card for our elementary grade levels will be introduced for the 2023-2024 school year. Report cards are expected to be streamlined, so parents may see a report card with fewer pages than they are used to.
By: Kelly Voliva, Director of Student Services
As part of our commitment to social and emotional learning, District 146 has long implemented the practices researched by Safe and Civil Schools and Second Step.
Safe and Civil Schools provides a researched-based, positive behavioral framework designed to create productive, safe, and respectful learning environments. The goal of Safe and Civil Schools is to give our staff techniques to help all students behave responsibly and respectfully.
The CHAMPS curriculum, which is part of Safe and Civil Schools, is used throughout our buildings as a framework for teaching student expectations and staff responses. Families in the schools may notice CHAMPS expectations posted in the classroom, hallways, and other common areas that serve as quick reminders for students
District 146 also follows a social and emotional curriculum called Second Step. Second Step builds social and emotional competence and foundational learning skills, and is aligned to Illinois’ Social and Emotional Learning Standards. Specific time in a student’s day is set aside to directly teach social and emotional skills. Lessons are delivered in a developmentally appropriate way, using scenarios relatable to students at each age level.
Teachers across the District also use supplemental tools created by the Second Step bullying prevention unit. This unit focuses on building trust with staff members to report bullying and provides students with specific strategies to report incidents of bullying.
District 146 reinforces social and emotional learning throughout the school year, as it is embedded in other curriculum areas and other school-wide events.
- Fierke recently hosted their first “SEL Night.” Students and parents learned about and participated in yoga and other calming strategies, took part in crafts tied to their social and emotional curriculum, and read together.
- This year’s first and second grade concert at Fulton was based on the book “One,” a story about standing up to bullies and supporting one another. This is an example of our schools connecting literacy, music, and social emotional learning.
- 4th and 5th grade Art Club members at Kruse created a mural to represent the beauty in inclusivity and diversity. The new art will hang in the front hallway for all to see as they enter the building.
Memorial’s Student Council recently planned and advertised a Random Acts of Kindness Week. Students posted positive messages on every locker and on bathroom mirrors, posted signs around the building, and promoted kindness all week.
- Weekly updates from Central’s principal, Dr. Clarke, include a section from their social workers that offers families information and advice. Topics have included “Beating the Winter Blues,” “Self-Care Tips,” and “Safe Social Media Use.”
District 146 social workers often work alongside families to set goals for students at school and at home. They also connect families to outside resources when needed. Additionally, the District has a community resource webpage families can access at any time. Please click here to view our resource page.
By: Matt Shanahan, Director of Buildings and Grounds
The buildings and grounds department has a number of upcoming projects planned in addition to the team’s routine responsibilities.
The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) project at Central Middle School is nearing completion. A new chiller is scheduled to be installed during Spring Break. HVAC preplacement projects are scheduled to take place this summer at Fierke and Kruse.
This summer, 43 water fountains will be replaced across the District. Over half of those fountains will include a bottle filler. ESSER II grant funds are being used for this project.
Students at Kruse and Fulton will soon have new playground features. The south playground at Kruse will be replaced this summer. At 20 years old, it is currently the oldest playground equipment in the District. Basketball hoops will be installed at Fulton. It is the only elementary school currently without hoops.
