Action Item

2017-18 School Calendar

Dr. Condon presented a revised 2017-18 school year calendar. The revised school calendar will replace the calendar approved by Board members at the December 19 Board of Education meeting. Board members approved the revised 2017-18 school year calendar, and the final version will be placed on the website and transmitted to families via School Messenger. Additional information can be viewed in the Board Packet.

Information Items

Appreciation to the River Forest Fire Department

Ralph Martire added a moment of appreciation to the agenda. He and Dr. Condon thanked the River Forest Fire Department and Roosevelt's engineering and custodial staff on their assistance in dealing with a burst pipe at Roosevelt Middle School during the weekend of January 7, which left approximately 1/2 inch of water on the gymnasium floor. Well before the start of school on January 9, all of the water had been removed.

Dominican University/District 90 Technology Course 

Dr. Condon provided an update on the partnership between Dominican University and District 90 in providing a graduate-level technology course, Integrating Technology Into Programming, Services, and Instruction, to District faculty members. The partnership is in its second year with a number of faculty members taking the course. One of the course's strengths is its encouragement that class members begin to use content and learning experiences from the course in their classrooms. Additional information can be viewed in the Board Packet.

ED-RED Comments in Response to the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) State Plan Draft #2

Dr. Condon presented the advocacy organization's, Education, Research, Development (ED-RED), second draft of of the group's official response to the proposed state submission in response to the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). ED-RED is a consortium of suburban school districts in which District 90 is a member. ED-RED's official statement responds to requests from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) for feedback on the proposed ESSA revisions. Ralph Martire acknowledged ISBE's open process regarding ESSA legislation, which is due in large part to the efforts of State Superintendent Tony Smith, Ph.D. There was a brief discussion by Board members about the next steps for the state in considering the proposed ESSA revisions. Additional information can be viewed in the Board Packet. 

D90 Blended Preschool Program - Karen Boozell, Victoria Bynum, Kacie Bair 

Karen Boozell, Director of Special Education, Victoria Bynum, Early Childhood Teacher, and Kacie Bair, Psychologist, provided an update about the Blended Preschool program that is housed at Willard School. This is the first year of the program, which includes students with special needs and general education students in the same early childhood classroom. The presenters discussed the curriculum, daily schedule, the benefits of inclusion, and the varied elements of student growth, such as social emotional, cognitive, physical, and others. There was lengthy discussion by Board members on the Blended Preschool program including topics such as recruiting students, student engagement, parent volunteers, and others. Additional information can be viewed in the Board Packet.

Strategic Plan Progress Update - Ed Condon and Dawne Simmons

Dr. Condon and Communications Coordinator Dawne Simmons provided an update on the progress of the District 90 Strategic Plan. They explained the process for moving forward with the Plan, including the creation and composition of Action Objective Teams, an overview of specific goals and strategies, and the list of Action Objective Plans. Additional information  can be viewed in the Board Packet  and on the District 90 website.