WELCOME TO THE FAST 5
A compilation of "snackable" news, announcements, and important reminders!
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What's Happening in District 65? The Fast 5 is sent weekly in English and Spanish to staff, families, and community members. Don't want to receive the Fast 5? Unsubscribe by clicking the link at the bottom of this email. Happy Reading!
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On February 8, our school board and administration met to discuss several important topics related to budget planning, student assignment, and middle school math. For those who were unable to view the live meeting, the recording of this meeting is available for review. During this meeting, financial projections for FY22-26 were presented as part of the annual budgeting process.
D65 is committed to approving annual balanced budgets and addressing the structural deficit that it has faced for decades. Due to loss of district revenues and increased expenses, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we must balance next year’s budget by making approximately $1.9M in reductions. In the coming years, the district will continue to reduce expenses and be creative in identifying potential new revenue sources. Our financial team has rolled out a three-phased approach (available on slide 21 of the presentation) to equitably address budget shortfalls as early as next school year. District financial updates will continue to be provided to our community, so please stay tuned for more information!
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ThoughtExchange Report is Available! |
Thank you to all of those who participated in our first ThoughtExchange in January! With 1,376 participants and over 57,000 ratings on the thoughts that were shared, we are happy to share that data has been collected and a live report of the ThoughtExchange is now available for review. A presentation was shared at the Finance Committee Meeting on February 8 outlining demographic participation, key findings, and conclusions from the conversation. Top themes from the report were related to administrative spending, COVID-19, curriculum learning, and district-wide spending. D65 leadership is reviewing the thoughts shared and will incorporate these into planning efforts as reductions are considered.
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School Meals in Hybrid Learning
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District 65 remains dedicated to providing the highest quality food and service, all in an effort to enhance the overall health and well-being of our students. To help ensure the safety of all members of our school community, there are several important changes to meal services as part of our hybrid learning model. This includes an updated list of curbside meal pick-up locations. Meal time will look and feel different than how it has in the past, so please take the time to communicate new meal time procedures with your student so that they can better understand why certain measures are in place. Eating can be done safely as long as proper mitigation measures are followed.
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D65 8th Grader Creates Website Showcasing Regional COVID-19 Vaccine Availability |
Haven Middle School 8th Grader Eli Coustan has used his talent and passion in programming to help others! Eli has created a website that not only tracks locations in Cook, Lake, Kane, and DuPage county that are administering the COVID-19 vaccine, but also provides appointment availability information, breaks down eligibility requirements to users, and shows them how to schedule their appointment. Interested in helping Eli connect others with vaccine appointments? Eli is looking for volunteers to help him keep his website as up to date as possible with updated information and appointment availability. It’s as simple as checking a site’s availability online a few times a day and reporting back to Eli with the information you have! Way to go, Eli! Thank you for using your gifts to help others. Stay tuned for more updates on Eli’s exceptional resource website!
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High Five! Recipients for February Announced!
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Join us in congratulating Ms. Lindsey Dantino (pictured below), first grade educator at Orrington Elementary School, for receiving this month’s High Five! Celebrating Excellence in District 65 award! Lindsey has been a part of the D65 family for almost two years and was nominated by a D65 family member who shared in part, “Ms. Dantino is the embodiment of who you want teaching every child. She is warm and kind, enthusiastic and full of positive energy. She treats everyone with respect and a generous supply of gentle patience. She strives to provide differentiated learning experiences for each child to ensure their needs are being met.” Congratulations, Ms. Dantino! Lindsey will receive a $100 gift card from sponsorship provided by Byline Bank, a framed recognition certificate, and will be recognized at the next regular school board meeting on Monday, March 22.
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Curbside Meal Pick-Up
Now Available!
Breakfast and lunch will be available to every child during Remote Learning. Meals may be pre-ordered (by Fridays) and picked up curbside for the week on Mondays at several locations. For more information and details, click HERE.
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Evanston/Skokie School District 65 |
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