District 58 will enact updated general education bus routes on Tuesday, Oct. 18. Most general education student bus riders will be assigned a new pickup and dropoff time. Some students may be moved to a new bus route. Students’ actual bus stops will not change. Please click here to visit District 58’s bus route webpage to view your child’s bus stop and to see if the pickup/dropoff times and bus route number have changed.

These updates were made in an effort to make routes more efficient and shorter, as well as to ensure buses consistently arrive at school on time.

Please see District 58’s Oct. 13 email for more information.

Mrs. Cardinal is excited to get our Kindness Club up and running again this year. Last year was our first year of hosting this club, and the students did a great job of spreading happiness to students and staff through various acts of kindness.

Kindness Club is going to be broken into two different sections this year. The first sign-up is for interested students in grades K, 1, 2. A new announcement and sign-up will be published in January for interested students in grades 3, 4, 5, 6.

Kindness Club Flyer and Sign-up Form

Earlier this week, we held a school assembly to hear from each of the candidates running for Student Council office. All of the speeches were carefully prepared and professionally presented. It was a great opportunity to hear the positivity each candidate wanted to bring to our school and community, and their ideas on how to involve all of our students in goals and activities were amazing.

The election was held on Wednesday, and the officers were announced on Thursday. Please help me congratulate this year's Student Council!

(Left - Right)

Hazel - Spirit Chair

Brendan - Treasurer

Thomas - President

Jackson - Secretary

Please consider attending District 58's final Informational Referendum Open House to learn more about the District 58 referendum.

Monday, Oct. 17 from 6:30-8 p.m.

Herrick Middle School, 4435 Middaugh Ave.

The open houses will include a brief presentation, tour and a question-and-answer opportunity. To learn more, please visit District 58's referendum information website at www.dg58.org/referendum. This website includes links to the Master Facility Plan, facility presentation, videos, frequently asked questions and much more.

The Reading Games will return for its ninth year on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023 at O'Neill Middle School. The Reading Games is a fun and friendly reading competition open to District 58 students in grades 3-8.

Start forming teams now! Team and individual registration is open now through Nov. 2. Please click here for general Reading Games information, including team and individual registration links. Visit www.readinggamesdg58.com for detailed information.

The Reading Games also seeks question writer volunteers! Click here to learn more information and to sign up to volunteer.

Many of our students are already brainstorming costume ideas, and it's been fun hearing about so many options.

We are looking forward to hosting Halloween at Belle Aire School, and I have some very general and initial information to share today.

If they so choose, students will be able to wear a costume to school on Monday, October 31. The key to this is that the costumes need to allow the students to participate in classroom activities as they would on a typical day. While costume masks may be worn for the all-school parade, they won't be worn during the school day.

As an alternate option, students can wear part of their costume (sweatpants, shorts, leggings, shirt, etc.) and then slip the remaining pieces of the costume over that later in the day. There will be a very short amount of time to allow this to take place before our parade.

I'm excited to see the final costumes that each student chooses, and I ask for your help in making sure that the choices remain free from references to violence, drugs, and alcohol.

Any desired make-up, hair color, hair spray all need to be applied at home prior to the start of the school day. Any accessory or play weapons (axe, arrows, swords, etc.) that go along with some really great costumes need to stay at home.

The costume parade will be held outside of the school and really makes for some great photo opportunities. Classroom parties are scheduled to take place after the parade, and Mrs. Yoho (THANK YOU) is looking to identify up to four parents to facilitate a party in each classroom. Be on the lookout for information from her, and check the PTA website to volunteer!

As of now, we are planning the parade to start at 1:00 p.m. with classroom parties concluding at 1:45 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, we will have an indoor parade for students/staff only.

District 58 has a rich and diverse population in our learning community. District 58 staff members recognize that many families have different beliefs; and because of religious, cultural, or personal reasons, some families may choose to not be involved in Halloween activities. If you would not like your child(ren) to participate in Halloween activities, please communicate this with your classroom teacher and with me. We will then find an alternative location and activity for your child during the Halloween activities.

StarNet is a great state agency that offers quality professional learning for staff and families, free of charge.

These events are being presented thanks to a generous grant from the TJ Maxx Foundation. Please feel free to join any of the following as your schedule and interest permit.

Anatomy of a Meltdown

October 18, 2022- 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

By understanding the anatomy of a meltdown everyone who cares for children of varying abilities with these types of challenges will be better equipped to offer help and support during these difficult times.

Presenter: Jennifer Rosinia

Understanding Exposures and Extinction Learning

in Selective Mutism

November 9, 2022 - 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

When working with your child with selective mutism, it may help to understand the extinction learning process behind doing speaking exposures so that, as a parent, you can understand how to maximize extinction learning and keep the new learning accessible for your child’s continued growth and generalization of speaking across people, places, and activities.

Presenter: Dr Carmen Lynas

Transforming Aggressive Behaviors [Conscious Discipline]

December 5, 2022- 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

In this workshop you will gain a toolbox of skills necessary to identify, meet, and manage your most difficult children

Presenter: Jill Molli