It is now officially summer break. I know everyone is excited about the opportunity to sleep in, stay up late, go places, see and experience new things – tons of fun! Remember, learning happens every day, including during summer fun. Ask your student questions, play guessing games, and practice language skills without it feeling like you’re in school. For example, if you go out to dinner or shopping, practice percentages, i.e., tip amount or a sale discount. Watch the news or read the newspaper together and ask your student for a summary or their opinion. For our adults, rest your body and brain, but give it a break now and then to read a book or an article promoting your well-being or supporting your professional growth. It keeps the mind exercising when we use it to build ourselves up. Most importantly, everyone, rest and enjoy yourselves so you can come back to D428 ready to rock another year!
 
Our New District Logo

Here it is! We are working on getting it integrated into our various district business materials. Thanks to all who shared their opinions. 
 

District Website

Our district website, www.d428.org, is in the process of being updated to modernize not only how our site looks but also to improve the overall functionality of the site. It’s been more than ten years since the site has undergone any significant changes, so it’s time to invest in our digital front door. It’s important that our site is designed to make it easy for our families and community to use. We’re excited about this process and look forward to having the site ready with the start of the new school year. 
 

Summer Programming

As the regular school year has ended, we are transitioning to our summer programming that supports students across the district. The summer programming across the district begins Monday, June 5 and concludes Friday, June 30. There will be no programming on Monday, June 19 in recognition of the Juneteenth holiday.
 

General summer programming will support core subjects, enrichment, STEAM, credit advancement, credit recovery, and social-emotional programming. 

• • Kindergarten – 5th Grade will be at Tyler ES on Mon – Fri from 8am – Noon
  • Middle School (6th – 8th Grade) will be at Northern Illinois University Campus on Mon – Fri  from 8am – Noon
  • High School at DeKalb HS on Mon – Fri  from 8am – Noon 

This year’s Extended School Year (ESY) theme is “By the Sea.”  ESY is located at Cortland Elementary for early childhood through middle school students and at DeKalb High School for high school students. The first day of ESY will be Monday, June 5, and runs through Friday, June 30, with no student attendance on Monday, June 19. ESY runs from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with free breakfast daily.
 
Summer Mental Health

Given recent events in the community, you may need help speaking to your child about when scary things happen. First, here is a brief outline (English, Spanish, Arabic) of support available if you don’t know where to start and need more immediate mental health support. In addition, please consider reading this resource (English, Spanish) when navigating that conversation with younger children and this resource (English, Spanish) with older children. 
 

In the absence of a trusted adult, Safe2Help Illinois offers students a safe, confidential way to share information that might help prevent suicides, bullying, school or community violence, or other threats to safety. This program is not intended to suspend, expel or punish students. Rather, the goal is to get students to “Seek Help Before Harm.” Encourage your child to seek help before harm. Here’s how: English, Spanish, Arabic.
 
Finally, summer can be an excellent time for students to refresh and grow as a young person. There are some great community resources to support youths’ mental health and their social/emotional learning. Check out these fliers for summer programming that can support students’ mental health. 
 

• Adventureworks Group Programming
• Adventureworks Canoe Group
• Family Service Agency Empowerment Group
• Family Service Agency LGBTQIA+ Teen Support Group
• Family Service Agency Summer Camp

 
Last Note
Finally, we say goodbye to school year 2022-2023 and hello to school year 2023-2024 on July 1.  You will not see a Superintendent Monthly Message in July, but look for it to return on August 1. Have a happy, fun and safe summer!