Spring Time

The end of February is here, and we are about to embark on getting to spring and spring break. You know how it goes – in like a lion and hopefully out like a lamb. At least February has made sure we won’t run out of water anytime soon!

And, with the onset of nicer weather, we begin seeing different behaviors. We will continue to be consistent with our messaging and follow through on student expectations. Please check in with your students to ensure things are going smoothly.  Also, ask if there is something they would like to share with me, and feel free to email me at minerva.sanchez@d428.org.

Springtime is also 5Essential Survey time. With more than five weeks left to complete the 5Essentials survey, 11 of 12 buildings have hit the required threshold for teacher participation, 11 of 12 have hit the threshold for students, and 5 of 12 have hit the threshold for parents. Let’s keep the momentum going! The more we know, the more we grow.

Student Achievements

The past several weeks have been very busy and eventful for many of our students, who not only excelled in the classroom but also in extracurricular activities. Our students showcased their talents and represented our district with pride and excellence in several regional, district, and state events, such as wrestling, gymnastics, dance, forensics, choir, orchestra, band, basketball, and swimming. We wish continued good luck to all of our students involved in spring activities and look forward to sharing their successes.

Facility Happenings

The Ed Center renovation is progressing well. The interior of the building is taking shape, roof units are installed, ceiling grids are in, and flooring has started. We plan to move back into the building during the week of spring break, March 27-31, and be fully open again on April 1. We sure have missed our home.

Heads Up – The City of DeKalb is starting the bridge replacement project on First Street just north of Clinton Rosette Middle School as early as March 1. All vehicle and foot traffic will be re-routed to ensure safety of our students. CRMS families have been notified. The project is starting now, so it will be completed before the first day of school. Please keep an eye out for changes in foot and vehicle traffic.

Professional Learning

Directors of Teaching & Learning Sarah Montgomery and Billy Hueramo, with a team of administrators, attended the Courageous Principals’ professional development on February 17- 19. The intensive time spent there has a tangible impact on leadership practices and provides relevant professional development so our leaders can continue to hone their leadership practices.

Representatives from the Social Justice Team participated in leading for equity professional learning through the National Equity Project. The team will share the learning and next steps with cabinet, school leaders and the Social Justice Team. What a great experience!

A team of instructional coaches and administration attended the last sessions of our Jim Knight professional development this past week. The focus was on achievement and leading meaningful work. These practical sessions equipped participants with strategies and resources that can be implemented immediately.

And, Lisa Becker, assistant director, Sara Bates, social emotional learning coordinator, and Kyle Gerdes, director of Student Services, had the opportunity to represent the district and present at the Illinois Alliance of Administrators of Special Education (IAASE) conference in Springfield on February 23. Their session’s title was Integrating a District-Wide Code of Conduct with Restorative Consequences: Active Application of a Tool to Reduce Suspensions of Students with IEPs. It was beneficial to share our district’s Code of Conduct, where we are at in implementing restorative practices and discuss this topic with other administrators across the state.

Website and Social Media

Check it out – we are working to be more consistent and increase our web and social media presence. We encourage you to take a look-see. Please make sure you are following the correct Facebook and Twitter pages and have bookmarked our website, d428.org.

Wirtz Nominations

It’s that time of year again and the deadline for nominations is fast approaching! The Wirtz Award nomination has now opened up for you to nominate those staff members who you feel go above and beyond the call of duty. Please consider nominating one of your colleagues. Any D428 staff member can be nominated by a colleague and the deadline for nominations is Friday, March 3. Happy nominating!

What’s the Word

The Board of Education is in the process of considering adding space to our district.  They are considering the NIU Roberts Nursing Building for a 3 section building that would allow for smaller class sizes across the district and would also allow for music and art to go back into the classroom as well as removing almost all of the mobile buildings in the next 2 years with no referendum required. There is consideration around building something completely new on a different location that would take us an additional two years, $10+ million, and a referendum. I highly recommend listening in or coming to the Board meetings for more information.

Sincerely,