Bulldog Paw Prints
Week Ending September 1, 2023
Safety Meetings, Update
I successfully worked through the safety reviews with all 13 classrooms using the slide decks that I shared with you last week. Students in all classrooms were very receptive, had great questions, and understood that rules are in place to keep us safe. We will continue to use the phrase, "If you hear something or see something, say something," in order to maintain a safe environment at Belle Aire. Students agreed that we are a united team working together for the safety of all. I will go through this review process again when we return from winter break, and I will support teachers as they review the expectations on a scheduled basis throughout the year.
I cannot express with enough emphasis to students and to you that a threat to the school or to an individual, even if it's said as a joke, will be treated as a direct threat and will be fully investigated. District 58, the Downers Grove Police Department, and I will do everything possible to protect our students and staff from threats and harm. We will continue to place the safety of our students and staff above everything else, and we will not tolerate any type of threat to our schools. Please do everything you can to help your student hear this from you as well.
Here are the slide decks that I used for the safety presentations:
Curriculum Night, 2023-2024 -- Tuesday, Sept. 5
Please join us at Belle Aire to meet your child’s teacher and learn more about their education and all of the fantastic things happening at our school!
The schedule below shows that each classroom teacher will be hosting two sessions. The sessions are the same, so parents can attend the one that best fits schedules. As of now, there isn't any rain predicted for Tuesday. Please consider walking to Curriculum Night rather than driving to ease possible congestion in our parking lot and on the west side of Belle Aire Lane.
Agenda:
6:00- 6:25 PM 3-6 Classroom Sessions
6:30- 6:55 PM K-6 Classroom Sessions
7:00- 7:25 PM K-2 Classroom Sessions
Information:
This evening is set up as a parents-only event.
Teachers will review how their classrooms work, give parents/guardians insight into what their child’s day looks like, and share useful information for helping at home
This evening is not intended as a time for individual conferences. Parent-Teacher conferences occur in October and you will be able to signup for those at a later date. If you have a concern before then, you can contact your child’s teacher.
School Picture Day, 2023 - 2024
Playground Update
There is still some asphalt work that needs to be completed between the north side of the school and the south side of the playground.
The Buddy Benches are currently off site, but they will be reinstalled.
This new playground structure does have equipment that the students did not have here in the past, so we will be working with our students on what those are and how to safely use them.
Once the project has been fully completed, PTA and I will be hosting a playground opening event with a ribbon cutting. More details to come!
Pets at School
Can the district reach you in an emergency?
Safety Message From Dr. Russell (Repeated item but worth a re-visit)
Dear District 58 Families,
I hope this letter finds you well and we are very excited to start the school year. As you know, the safety of our students and staff is our highest priority. Over the past several years, District 58 has increased its safety measures in partnership with our students, staff, and families. Increased measures include implementing Safe 2 Help, screening visitors via the Raptor System, a new lanyard and identification system for all staff and visitors, embracing the ALICE Model (options-based training for a violent critical incident), and passing a referendum that will build secure entrances at all schools. Another key component of school safety is communicating with your child(ren) at home and monitoring social media usage.
Unfortunately, school districts across the country are experiencing an increase in threatening statements made by students of all ages (online and in-person) to one another, toward staff, or against schools. In previous years, District 58 has also experienced these types of incidents. While this is a national trend, I truly believe we can work together to bring it to an end in District 58.
As a parent of school-age children, I find this national trend very concerning. I view each and every student in our District in the same manner as my own children. District 58 and the Downers Grove Police Department will do everything possible to protect them from threats and harm. We will continue to place the safety of our students and staff above everything else. We will not tolerate any type of threat to our schools.
Additionally, the District will never allow a weapon or lookalike weapon on a bus, at a school activity, or a school. Please have a serious conversation with your child(ren) about why it is not permissible to make a threatening statement (even in a joking manner) online or in-person. Also, please share with your child(ren) that they cannot bring any type of weapon or lookalike weapon to school, including toys. I am sending this letter out early in the year so we can be proactive.
If your child(ren) makes a threatening statement or brings a weapon or lookalike weapon to school, they will immediately be referred to the Downers Grove Police Department. Police consequences may include arrest, referral to the State’s Attorney and the Juvenile Court System. Further, your child(ren) will receive significant consequences at school which may include expulsion (see Board Policy 7:190). The recent tragic events all across the country committed by students of all ages underscore why we will not take any chances when it comes to the safety of our students and staff.
District 58 is also here to help any student or family that is struggling with mental health issues. If we can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to us right away. The District has a free resource called Safe 2 Help that is available 24 hours a day every day of the year. Finally, please talk with your child(ren) about the importance of, “If you see something, say something.” School personnel must be promptly notified of anything that may not seem right so we can investigate all situations in coordination with law enforcement.
District staff will also speak with all of our students in the coming days and weeks about this topic (we will do so in an age-appropriate manner). I recognize that this type of letter may be unsettling. I wish I did not have to write this type of letter. However, this is a serious matter and I need your help. Together we can use this as a teachable moment for all of the students in the District so we can ensure the safety of all.
Sincerely,
Dr. Kevin Russell
Superintendent of Schools
Additional Safety Measures in District 58
-Safe 2 Help
-Building Secured Entrances
-Raptor System for Screening Visitor
-New Lanyard and ID System for Staff and Visitors
-ALICE Model for Students and Staff
Safety Meetings at School (Repeat Item)
I will be discussing school board policy in age-appropriate language (which is also addressed in Dr. Russell's message), and I wanted to include the slide decks that will be used for primary and intermediate grade levels. These slides are a good reference for families as well, so please feel free to review them with your child(ren).
Fall Benchmark Assessments
Kinder / 1st Grade / 2nd Grade:
Tuesday, Sept. 5
Thursday, Sept. 7
Friday, Sept. 8, make-ups
Friday, Sept. 8, make-upsFulton:
Tuesday, Sept. 5
Thursday, Sept. 7
District Calendar, 2023-2024
Mark Your Calendars
Monday, September 4: No School
Tuesday, September 5: Young Rembrandts (3:05-4:05 p.m. for those enrolled); Curriculum Night (6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at the school)
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Monday, September 18: Picture Day
Sunday, September 24: Belle Aire Color Run (details to come)