One of District 11's top priorities is ensuring that every student has access to a Quality Neighborhood School (QNS). A workgroup has been convened to identify possible models that will support a common definition of "Quality Neighborhood Schools" in D11. Once that definition has been collaboratively agreed upon, other district decisions will begin to align with it. For example, when adopting new curricular materials or assessments, we will need to ensure that those materials align with the QNS definition. Communication efforts will focus on sharing the common instructional expectations for every school. Professional development for teachers and leaders will focus on the components of QNS, and school goals will align with the QNS agreements.

Would you like to have a voice in this process? Stay tuned! The QNS workgroup will be expanding to ensure that multiple perspectives are included; watch for an application soon!

Dual Language Immersion (DLI) continues a successful first year at Rogers! Kindergarten and first-grade students are currently participating in the program, as a parent-choice, opt-in pathway within the larger school. These students spend the majority of their day learning in a second language (Spanish), intending to be fluent and literate in two languages at an early age. Rogers staff is excited about this new opportunity, and are making great connections with parents of students in DLI.Rogers DLI staff members recently took a learning trip to observe at similar schools in Utah, who have been implementing DLI for many years. D11 currently operates the only DLI program using this instructional model in our region, and we anticipate growth in enrollment in future years!

In January, the application to become a D11 Pathway School will be opened to all D11 elementary schools! Schools will complete both a written application and an interview, as well as provide letters of support from their parent groups and community partners. Applications will be reviewed by a team of teachers and administrators, and their recommendations will be shared with central office leaders. That group will then make recommendations to the Board of Education. By completing the application process in the spring, we will allow for early planning to start before this school year is completed.

Schools who apply to become a pathway school in Outdoor Education, Science/Technology/Engineering/Math, or Arts Integration, but are not chosen, will have the opportunity to engage in a research and design process focused on a smaller component of their application.

As a reminder, Pathway Schools will also incorporate the Quality Neighborhood Schools components into their instructional framework.

Unfortunately, the D11 bond did not pass in November, by a very narrow margin. While this is disappointing news, we know that the work of the Academic Master Plan must go on. Even though many planned facilities improvements will likely not happen at the pace we'd hoped, we can and will still implement quality instructional programming and specialty pathways across D11. Our students deserve the very best, and we plan to provide quality educational experiences for every D11 student!

If you have specific questions about the bond impact on your school, please contact your school's principal, or reach out to us at the contact information below.