EQUITY STATEMENT TO GUIDE CHANGES, IMPROVEMENTS
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The LTHS Board of Education recently adopted an Equity Statement, which seeks to communicate the district's commitment to equity in the entire Lion community. The Equity Statement will serve as a guidepost for the equity work of the district and provide the framework to focus on equity at every level.
The Board made the commitment to review practices and systems to ensure all students have access to the best education possible. The Board will determine next steps, which will include the newly appointed superintendent Dr. Brian Waterman, who will be an integral part of moving forward with action items on the equity statement.
The 2020-2021 school year began with all staff taking part in districtwide training on belonging and inclusion through the IncludED Dignity Framework. In addition, the Board participated in two 3-hour workshops, as well as two additional sessions that focused on developing an equity statement for the District with Floyd Cobb, co-author of the book, Belonging Through a Culture of Dignity: The Keys to Successful Equity Implementation.
Superintendent Dr. Tim Kilrea said, “This statement is the result of a lot of hard work and collaboration along with feedback and input through several drafts. I believe the Board has captured the spirit of the discussions led by Dr. Cobb and encompasses the District's commitment to supporting all students in an inclusive and positive learning environment.”
“The Equity Statement will help us make decisions that will ultimately help all students reach their highest potential while removing opportunity gaps in their way,” Kilrea said.
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EQUITY STATEMENT Lyons Township High School remains committed to building a community based on a foundation of equity and inclusion where all students are treated with respect and dignity and know they belong. As an institution that fosters the physical, social, and emotional well-being of its students, we pledge to continue to promote practices, systems, and processes that advance equity, access, and inclusivity. We understand the impact all of our decisions have on our students, their families, and our community. Decisions will be made to advance success, promote growth, and support social emotional health of all LT students. Improving academic achievement and promoting student engagement in all LT has to offer remain top District priorities. We will continue to partner with associate school districts, colleges, community agencies, and others to continually enhance student opportunities, improve student preparedness, and provide positive learning environments for all students at Lyons Township High School.
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UPDATED TRAVEL GUIDANCE AND FAQ
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As spring break approaches and families finalize plans, please review the updated travel guidance that will potentially affect families who are planning travel throughout the next several weeks.
The CDC currently recommends you delay travel at this time. However, if you choose to travel, please consult current travel guidance for information on testing/quarantine requirements. Masks are required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations.
In an effort to keep families updated regarding the latest guidance and procedures, the Health Services Office has developed a Frequently Asked Questions for our students and families.
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$1 MILLION CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT
$1 MILLION TRUST EARMARKED FOR SCIENCE DEPT
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Capital Improvement Grant
LT will be awarded $1 million through the Illinois Capital Infrastructure Plan grant, which presents opportunities for schools to help fund much-needed projects.
Superintendent Kilrea was contacted by House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, who informed him that funds would be available and explained the application process. LT applied for the grant, earmarking funds for HVAC upgrades and expansion of air-conditioned spaces in the B-wing at South Campus.
For the past 10 years, LT Boards of Education have continually phased in air conditioning in a methodical and fiscally responsible manner. Efforts have been made and progress achieved through thoughtful expansion and inclusion of HVAC equipment as capital improvements have been made on other much-needed projects. That said, an infusion of $1 million will certainly propel planning ahead of schedule.
Leader Durkin said, "These monies are going to a very worthy project. Working on this grant has been a joy for me, and I am happy to support LT in this manner."
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Ruth Wenner Fund & Trust
In the fall, 1962 LTHS graduate Dr. Gerald Hazelbauer contacted the Alumni Office and offered to donate $1,000,000 to the LT Science Department through a memorial trust in honor of his teacher Ruth Wenner.
Wenner taught Biology at LT for more than two decades, retiring in 1973. She received the 1962 Illinois Outstanding Biology Teacher Award. Her teaching was infused with ingenuity and creativity. She nurtured the same qualities in her students. Her approaches to teaching were often unconventional. They encouraged students to follow their curiosity. In doing so, she had a lasting impact on many, no matter what their subsequent career path.
The goal of the trust is to enable teachers to be creative in expanding their own background and training, and to provide memorable experiences for students, ideally as active learners. Experience gained from such creative teaching would ideally serve as examples to be utilized by many teachers and to benefit students at many levels of engagement and ability.
The trust becomes available upon his death, but in the meantime, Hazelbauer will generously donate at least $20,000 annually to fund the initial activities of the Ruth Wenner Trust.
Science faculty will be invited to apply for funding in one of four areas:
professional development, student experience, curricular support or other.
Applicants must describe the anticipated impact funding will have as a teacher, on their ability to teach effectively and on participating students. Applicants must also describe what the funding would allow them to do that they could not otherwise do and how many students would be impacted. Finally, science faculty must also define the expected outcomes and metrics for measuring success and the anticipated costs.
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Members of Student Council sorted through 3,175 letters as part of Project Love Letter, a community service project designed to spread love, joy and connection throughout the LT community. Students, staff, families and community members were invited to hand-write a short, one-page, anonymous letter of love and thanks to someone in the community. Student Council recently delivered 20 letters to Ronald McDonald House, 300 to Plymouth Place, 39 to Aspired Living, 106 to La Grange Hospital, and the rest to Alden Network.
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MAR 1-5
Say Something Week
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MAR 5
Third Quarter Ends
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MAR 8
Summer Academics Open Enrollment
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MAR 11
LT Scholarship Application Deadline
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MAR 15
Board of Education Meeting
Location TBD, 7:30pm
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The Recycling Club is hosting a battery and old cell phone recycling drive. Students, families and community members are invited to drop their used household batteries and old cell phones in the labeled collection boxes in the lobby of each campus thru March 5.
Spent AA, AAA, C, D and 9-volt batteries will be accepted.
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SPRING SPORT REGISTRATION
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Online registration is still open for football, spirit cheer, girls volleyball, boys gymnastics and boys and girls water polo. To be considered for tryouts, all forms must be read and agreed to online and a sports physical must be on file with the Health Office or the student will need to bring a completed physical form with them to tryouts. CLICK HERE for the physical form.
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The Peaceable Schools Initiative (PSI) Club is hoping to fill holiday baskets for needy children at the Off the Streets Club, Chicago’s oldest boys and girls club.
Any and all donations are welcome. Please drop off baskets/buckets, small toys, books, art supplies, juice boxes, snacks, or anything to brighten a child’s holiday. Pre-assembled baskets will also be gladly accepted. Monetary donations are also welcome. Items may be dropped off at either campus main entrance by Monday, March 29. Students will be assembling the baskets for delivery the following day.
For additional information or questions, email PSI sponsor Michelle Harbin at mharbin@lths.net.
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Are you interested in working as a paraeducator at LT? Anyone interested in becoming a paraeducator should contact Director of Human Resources Ed Piotrowski and visit the Employment page of the district website for more information.
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The Parent Community Network Super Powered Summit continues with another Facebook Live event @ParentComunityNetwork
Colleen Wachob outlines a few simple steps we can take to improve our health and well-being while stuck at home, as well as how to cope with the challenges of sharing home space with family.
Register via Facebook at the link above, and for details on the complete series, click Super Powered Summit.
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SAY SOMETHING WEEK MARCH 1-5, 2021
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The Say Something program teaches students how to look for warning signs and signals, especially in social media, from individuals who might be a threat to themselves or others, and to Say Something to a trusted adult to get them help.
The Say Something program was developed by Sandy Hook Promise and the Say Something call to action week will take place at high schools throughout the country March 1-5, 2021.
During the week, SAVE (Students Against Violence Everywhere) Promise Club will have a variety of activities, and valuable information for students and staff.
The Say Something program is not just a school initiative. Parents are also urged to participate in the program and follow these important, potentially life-saving strategies at home. Click Say Something for the Parent Brochure. Click Sandy Hook Promise for more information and their Know the Signs youth violence prevention programs.
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