District 90 Primer Newsletter

River Forest District 90 Primer

August 2016

Superintendent's Message

Dear Parents, Staff, Students, and Community Members,

Welcome Back! District 90 schools will open for students on Thursday, August 25, as scheduled. Faculty and staff members are scheduled to return on August 22. The 2016-17 school year promises to be an exciting one for the entire District. We anticipate that our students will experience extensive growth that is supported by several new curriculum resources. Faculty will have the benefit of professional advancement through a variety of professional development opportunities. Work will also continue on the strong foundation provided by our Strategic Plan, and families will continue to be our best partners in ensuring student success.

An undisputed strength of District 90 is the River Forest community. Our families, neighbors, and community members have always been willing to get involved in supporting our schools and students. We encourage you to stay engaged with District 90 by participating with the PTO, by communicating regularly with your student's teachers and principals, and by sharing your views concerning public education with elected officials.

Please know that your continued support of District 90's schools and students is deeply valued and greatly appreciated. Welcome back to a new year!

With warm regards,

Ed Condon, Ph.D.

Superintendent

District News

New Instructional Resources for 2016-17

Students and faculty will be working with several new curriculum resources

this year. Students in grades K-4 will be using the Units of Study in Opinion, Information, and Narrative Writing (Units of Study) instructional materials. To continue the alignment of District 90's curriculum with the Common Core, the Units of Study materials enable teachers to use a workshop model for the instruction and assessment of student writing.

Students in grades 6-8 will use the research-based IQWST science curriculum, which is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards. IQWST was developed by the National Science Foundation, University of Michigan, and Northwestern University. It provides faculty with the tools to encourage deeper science thinking and engage students in more active learning.

Advanced Differentiated Learning (ADL) Math students who are working in Geometry will be using the Discovering Geometry curriculum by Kendall Publishing. The curriculum approach used by Discovering Geometry reflects changes to OPRF High School's math course progression. This resource is aligned with the Common Core State Standards and OPRF High School's Math curriculum.

All of the new resources ensure that District 90's instructional approach continues to use evidence-backed materials that are aligned to Common Core, and are focused on continuing the District's tradition of educational excellence.

New Faculty and Staff Join District 90!

District 90 welcomes a new cohort of faculty and staff members for the 2016-2017 school year. Our new employees will be arriving with an exciting mix of experience and enthusiasm. They share the belief that the classroom environment must inspire a love of learning and ensure educational excellence for every child. Along with several additional individuals to be approved by the Board of Education in August, t he individuals who have already joined District 90 include:

Lincoln School - Lauren Baiocchi, Grade 4 Teacher and Danielle Brauweiler, LLC Teacher
Roosevelt Middle School - Robert Bachar, Grade 7, Academic Strategies Teacher; Margaret Cuisinier, Grade 5, LA/Social Studies Teacher; Louise Dutton, School Psychologist Intern; Charles Juister, Grade 6 Science Teacher; Roberto Rodriguez, Grade 7 Social Studies Teacher; and Amy O'Toole, Technology Specialist
Willard School - Katrina Beck, General Music Teacher; Cynthia Crannell, Instuctional Technology Specialist; Kimberly Kanofsky, LLC Teacher; and Mallory Widdle, School Social Work Intern
District - Alison Hawley, Director of Curriculum and Instruction

Please welcome our new employees to the District 90 learning community!

Technology Resource Guide Will Soon Be Available

Before the start of the school year, District 90 will release the new Student/Family Privacy Resource Guide. This resource will provide families with information about the practices, procedures, and safeguards the District uses to protect student and family privacy. The Guide's practices and safeguards align the District's procedures with applicable federal and state laws and regulations. The resource guide also provides information on the District's software/app approval process, describes categories of apps/software categories used in District classrooms, and includes an updated parental consent form. The information will enable families to have a better understanding of their student's online activities and experiences as they use District devices, software, and apps for learning.

Advances in technology have changed the way we educate our students as a broad array of online and cloud-based educational services are being utilized to support our instructional programs. While safeguarding student privacy and data security remain paramount, the District also strives to provide students with innovative and appropriate learning experiences that often require the use of advanced technology. Before school starts, all District 90 families will receive an electronic copy of the Student/Family Privacy Resource Guide with a link to the District 90 website where the complete Guide and other resources will also be located.

Blended Preschool Program Opens This Fall

For the first time, District 90 is offering a Blended Preschool program this year. Located at Willard School, this inclusive preschool programming will be for qualifying students ages 3, 4 and 5 in District 90. The program seeks to provide students with a positive, nurturing environment that fosters social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth and development. The class meets in the afternoon and provides a low student-to-teacher classroom ratio for individual and small group activities with just 15 students.

This Blended Preschool program is based on research showing that meaningful inclusion is beneficial to children with and without disabilities. Inclusive instructional environments are beneficial to all students by encouraging a sense of belonging, positive social relationship, friendships, and appropriate development that encourages students to reach their full potential.

IMSA STEM Fusion After-School Class Returns with an Added Session

For the 2016-2017 school year, the District is again offering its IMSA STEM Fusion program. Held on Tuesdays or Wednesdays (depending on the grade level), participating students in grades 4-8 will be engaged in fun-filled and instructional activities. The program aims to encourage students' interest in math and science through the use of a problem-centered, inquiry-based curriculum. Space is limited to 22 students per session. Due to the popularity of last year's program, District 90 will use a lottery this year to select interested students. Families of students in grades 4-8 have already received a notice about the program. The lottery closes on August 19, with notification about eligibility provided the following week.

D90 Receives Education for the Future Survey Results

District 90 has received the results from the Education for the Future (EFF) survey that was conducted the spring of 2016. This perception survey encouraged students in grades 4-8, families, and staff to share their thoughts on important elements of school processes and practices. Overall, the results indicated that the majority of students, faculty, and parents hold positive opinions about District 90. However, there are areas that call for additional scrutiny. These insights will be used to generate a detailed picture of the workings of our schools and will help guide improvement in the District. To view the results of each school, please click here or visit the District 90 website under the "District Information" tab.

Summer Refresh, Repairs and Construction Signal Fresh Start to the School Year

In preparation for the start of school on August 25, all District 90 schools have undergone deep cleaning, repairs and maintenance, and the completion of capital improvement projects. With more than 35 projects across all three schools and the Administration Office, students will return to facilities that reflect the pride in education we hope to encourage. An overview of key projects include:

Lincoln

Tuckpointing, landscaping, and installation of a new concrete walkway at the school's entrance
Relocating the workspaces for the Nurse, occupational and physical therapy, and the staff Work Room, along with the necessary HVAC work that accompanies the moves
Adjustments and repairs to the gutters on the north and east sides of the building
Installation of new panic bars on exit doors

Roosevelt

Installation of a new cooling system for the Auditorium
Tuckpointing of the exterior facade
Installation of additional security cameras
Major components of the exterior project plan, including
- Renovation of the student playground area, including installation of a handicapped accessible swing
- Reconfiguration of parking lots
- Installation of a through-block walkway from Jackson Avenue to Lathrop Avenue
- Installation of bike racks and pedestrian paths
- Painting of selected stairwells
- Installation of new exterior doors for the Gym
- Installation of improved lighting and signage

Willard

Installation of air conditioning in the Conference Room
Installation of new panic bars on exit doors
Replacement of doors and windows in the Auditorium
Renovation of the student garden
Replacement of concrete stairs and asphalt
Improvements to the early childhood playground

A variety of research studies report on the importance of school facilities to student learning and well-being. Our engineers, custodians, and contractors are working diligently to ensure that the building improvements and cleaning are thoroughly completed before students arrive for the start of school. We believe that the efforts to maintain the school buildings contribute to our community's quality of life, as well as the instructional environment for students, faculty, and staff.

River Forest Public Library Welcomes Students

The River Forest Public Library (RFPL) is a beneficial resource for the community. It encourages everyone -- from students to seniors -- to access its many resources, and offers a safe and welcoming environment for the entire Village. Click here to read a letter from the RFPL concerning the use of the library by middle school students.

Qualifying Families can Access the Internet via AT&T and Comcast Discounted Internet Service

A home-based internet connection has become increasingly more important as technology advances change how we register for school, engage in learning experiences, apply for employment, and keep in touch with families and friends. To help families access the internet, broadband internet providers AT&T and Comcast are offering discounted internet service to qualifying families. Households with children who participate in the Free or Reduced Lunch program, SNAP, or other government programs may be eligible. Click on the highlighted link for additional information on AT&T's Access program or Comcast's Internet Essentials program .