D28 Board Briefs: Special Ed Program, Diversity Learning, and Crisis Text Line

Volume 29 No. 8 | March 23, 2017

News from the March Board Meeting

District Studies Educational Life Skills Program

The District is working with Northern Suburban Special Education District (NSSED), staff and parents to explore the best model to support a variety of student needs in the Educational Life Skills (ELS) program.

Dr. Rosanne Dwyer, Director of Student Services, said the District has held three meetings with parents of students who participate in the program to explore how to improve the program and how to staff the program, which is currently operated by NSSED.

The study will continue next year with the appointment of an ELS Special Education Administrator to assist with planning. A parent group will provide input on a transition plan and successful aspects of the existing program.

In addition, Dr. Jenna Duffy, Assistant Director of Student Services for K-5, described plans for a new early childhood service that will serve as a “Bridge” between the blended program where students need minimal special education support and those who need full-day programs with exclusively special education instruction.

The Bridges Program would require an additional special education teacher. The new position will be flexible and move between classrooms, working between groups of students to provide support where needed.

The cost to transition services provided by NSSED to District 28 are expected to bring savings to the District as compared to tuition charged by NSSED. District 28 will continue to partner with NSSED to utilize their valuable expertise.

In the photo above, District 28 launched the Young Explorers Early Childhood Program last year at Westmoor School. The program is the first in the District to combine typical students, at-risk students and those who otherwise would have attended an NSSED program.

Diversity and Empathy Embedded in Learning

Dr. Horvath Reviews Curriculum and Teacher Training

Teaching students empathy and to appreciate our differences isn’t a subject like math or science, but developing these traits in students is embedded in books and subject content from kindergarten through eighth grade, said Assistant Superintendent Dr. Kathy Horvath.

The connections are found in the learning standards for social and emotional learning, and in the health curriculum. There are books available in the school libraries that explore the many differences among people. There are also topics covered in the social/emotional learning plans of each grade.

Teachers are offered professional development to improve their skills in having courageous conversations with students, and on how to include multicultural books into class lessons.

As a District, we must continue to examine how to keep up to date on best practices and continue to develop a culture of acceptance of differences among students and adults, she said.

Board Briefs

New Crisis Text Hotline For Students

A new anonymous text crisis hotline for students will provide 24-hour monitoring next school year. The service will cover all children from elementary grades to high school and in the villages of Northbrook and Glenview through a joint agreement.

The service provides an immediate response from licensed clinicians who will assess the situation, build a rapport and either offer emergency intervention, provide counseling, or refer users to school social workers and/or local agencies. The new service replaces one offered at the junior high that was monitored on a more limited basis. More information will be shared with students and parents as the service launches next school year.

Board of Education Elections are April 4

Four seats on the Board of Education are up for election in the April 4 General Election.

The ballot is uncontested with incumbents Anthony Forchetti, Michael Gilmore, Lou Gross along with newcomer Jennifer Gallinson.

The new board will be sworn in to four-year terms at the April 25 board meeting, and Board President Josh Prober will be recognized for his years of service.

Happenings Around the District

Musical Season Has Begun!

Shrek Jr.

Northbrook Junior High presented ‘Shrek Jr.’ March 9-11. More than 75 students were involved in the production, which had an uplifting message for audiences of all ages: No matter what we look like, we are all unique individuals and we would like to be recognized as such.

The Princess and The Pea

Westmoor School presented “The Princess and The Pea” March 22 and 23 with two different casts. See more photos on the District and school Facebook pages.

Greenbriar and Meadowbrook will present 4th- and 5th-grade musicals May 2 and 3.

Gear Up for HOH 5K

Join in the family fun May 6 by participating or volunteering for the Homer O. Harvey 5K-Fun Run/Walk-Obstacle Course. Last year, the event raised over $11,500 for college scholarships to Northbrook Junior High alumni.

There’s something for everyone: Race for your personal best time or enjoy a run-walk with friends and family. Awards are given for overall male & female runners and for age groups ranging from first grade to 60 and over. Afterward, there is an obstacle course for children ages 11 and under.

Registration opens in April. Visit HOH5K.com for more information

#TLC28

District 28’s official hashtag! You can search the hashtag on Twitter or Facebook to monitor posts from teachers, administrators and the district accounts. This hashtag helps us tell the story of Teaching, Learning and Caring in District 28.