Parent Update
Empowering Students: Engaging, Supporting, Succeeding
November 22, 2022
Upcoming Events - November/December:
November 23, Wednesday: No School/District Closed
November 24, Thursday: Thanksgiving Day/No School/District Closed
November 25, Friday: No School/District Closed
November 30 (5-6:30pm), Wednesday: Board Advisory: Policy & Legislative Committee Meeting @ DAC
December 1, (5:30-6:30pm), Thursday: Board of Education Equity Advisory Committee Meeting @ DAC
December 2 (6-7:30pm), Friday: Kendall Co. Community Food Pantry Satellite Location Open at Old Traughber (Open to all!)
December 3 (12-4pm), Saturday: Oswego Vocal Music Department Boosters Holiday Gift Wrap
December 5 (7:15pm), Monday: Board of Education Meeting @ Oswego East High School (Community Room) and streaming live online at www.sd308.org.
For a complete District Calendar of Events, please click here.
DID YOU KNOW that each of our schools in our district have their own social media accounts which can be followed? That's right....Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and their own webpage. "Follow" the social medium platform for your school TODAY.
From our Superintendent Dr. John Sparlin
I am truly grateful for our SD 308 family, for our partnership between students, families, and staff. This caring community together helps our students to explore, learn, and uncover the world around them. There are few things more rewarding than experiencing the success of students as their education grows and their future blossoms bright!
I wish each of you a very Happy Thanksgiving. I hope that your taste buds and your heart will be happy as you enjoy things that bring you great joy!
Panel Discussion Featured at School Conference
Member of our Board of Education, students, and administrators joined a representative of the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) for a presentation at a large conference for school officials held last weekend in Chicago.
The panel discussion was titled “Amplifying Student Voice with a Seat at the Board Table” which was offered as a breakout session at the 2022 Joint Annual Conference. The session was full, standing-room only, attended by board of education members and school leaders from districts around the state.
Featuring the development of the Student Advisory Committee (SAC) and the board’s Student Ambassadors, the presentation provided a timeline review and function of the student roles. Several students were part of the panel, including current student ambassadors to the board Aanya Roy (OE) and Kaitlyn Jobes (OH), along with Monica Lopez (OE), SAC committee member, and Arriyana Franklin (OH), alumni SAC member. Students shared with attendees the importance of collecting the opinions of students and sharing them at the board level. The presentation focused on the importance of talking with students, not just about them. Board-level decisions are often made without the consideration of input from the students who are directly impacted. Having this type of conduit between district leaders, the Board of Education, and the students they serve is critical for decisions to be appropriate and relevant to students.
The SAC is led by Superintendent Dr. John Sparlin and DEI Director Dr. Jadon Waller. Along with Dr. Waller, Board of Education President LaTonya Simelton and Vice-President Eugene Gatewood, and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Heather Kincaid were panel participants. Board members Jared Ploger, Jennifer Johnson, and Dominick Cirone were present for the presentation. IASB Field Services Director Lori Grant, who served as moderator, received many messages of gratitude and praise for the presenters following the session; she shared, “Your efforts may very well change the trajectory for school districts in that room who have been struggling with ways to be more inclusive.”
The Student Ambassadors and SAC programs were started in 2021 in order to provide a formal platform for student voices to be heard. The students have conducted surveys and provided input to the board, along with participating in board meeting discussions about topics relevant to them and their student body.
A German Christmas
You're invited to celebrate an evening with Sankt Nikolaus, Krampus, Knecht Ruprecht, and Perchta at A German Christmas at Oswego East High School on Friday, December 9 @ 5:30-7:30pm ($5/per person). The evening includes snacks, crafts, activities and the opportunity to explore several German Christmas traditions. Click here for more details.
COVID-19 Information
- To report a positive COVID-19 case in a student or staff member, please click here.
- The district's Safety Plan and Metrics can be found on the COVID-19 information page.