DPM Newsletter - 1.20.23

Dear DPM Families,

This week has been a busy one, as short weeks always are. We wanted to just take a quick moment to thank you for your support during the first half of the year. We can’t believe we’re halfway done and already starting to plan for next year!

This week we’d love to highlight the amazing Dr. Jean Hersey! The 5th and 6th grade music performances this week were OUT OF THIS WORLD phenomenal! She taught our students so much over just one semester and helped many students shine in new ways. The musical number chosen allowed for creativity with lights and student choreographed dances. We are so lucky to have this valuable programming for our students. Thank you, Jean, for putting your heart and soul into the kiddos!!!

Sincerely,

Megan Eigenrauch, 5/6 Principal

Sam Paulsen, 7/8 Principal

Monday, 1/23

Quarter 3 begins

Bernie’s Book Bank Drive begins (runs through February 2nd)

Early Release

Student Study Hall Attendance

Tuesday, 1/24

D67 Strategic Planning Meeting #3

Wednesday, 1/25

DPM Spelling Bee @ 9:30 am in DPM Auditorium

8th Grade LFHS 101 - Parents/Guardians Only @ 7:00 pm in DPM Auditorium

Thursday, 1/26

Wrestling Meet: DPM v. Gavin @ 4:30 pm at DPM

DPM - Awe, The Science of Everyday Wonder @ 7:00 pm on Zoom

Friday, 1/27

No special events

Please check out our DPM Calendar on the website for more details.

You may recall that last year Districts 65, 67, and 115 assessed parent, guardian, and staff interest in moving Spring Break 2023 (previously scheduled for March 20-24) later by one week. The survey was done in response to community feedback that our Districts had fallen out of sync with the dates of Spring Break in most of our neighboring communities. Survey results for staff and families in Districts 65, 67, and 115 indicated a preference for moving Spring Break one week later this year.

With this in mind, each District’s Board of Education approved moving Spring Break 2023 to March 27-31. Students missing school before or after this window in March will be considered absent. We realize some families have made travel arrangements for the earlier week that they cannot change. We will try to work with those families. Parents and guardians whose children will be out the week before our scheduled Spring Break are asked to reach out directly to their student's team of teachers to make a plan for the week of school they will miss.

Attendance matters. Even when an absence is excused, it is still legally considered an absence by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). To move our ISBE summative designation from Commendable to Exemplary, we must continue to focus on academics - and make sure absenteeism stays low. Attendance directly before and after Spring Break is strongly encouraged.

Our new Student IDs are working wonders… lunch lines are faster, buses have the right kids on them, and we’re getting recess equipment back!!! Students can even use their ID for faster book check out in the Cube and Haskins. We’re going to continue to refine our system, as we’re looking into the possibility of one-day temporary passes for students that have forgotten their IDs but are still in possession of them. We will still have the $3 (updated cost) replacements that are permanent but will hopefully have a temporary option in place by mid next week, as well. More information will be shared in the parent newsletter next Friday.

Click here for information on the upcoming 6th grade intramural season! The sixth grade intramural basketball season will begin Monday, February 6th. If you are interested in participating in basketball, please sign and return the form to Mr. Miller or Mrs. Bolgrien by February 6th. Teams are limited to the first 40 students!

Just a reminder that all reports will be mailed to families on February 3rd directly from the district office.

Parents/Guardians of students who either need to ride a different bus or use a 10-pass to ride the bus can now submit their transportation change online. The online form must be completed before 12:00 p.m. on the day that the transportation change is to happen. The transportation change will not be allowed if the form is filled out later than 12:00 p.m.

The form is available on the District Transportation Page or directly at this link: DPM Transportation Change Form.

Additionally, the office staff will review the information connected with the transportation change request. If your student has access to your email, please make sure they do not complete the form on your behalf. We will only contact parents if the transportation change request looks suspicious. If you have any questions, please contact your principal.

Starting Tuesday, January 24th, SOAR will meet in room DB211, from 3:35 p.m. - 4:35 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays, in order to provide support in homework completion, time management, organization, goal setting, and independence. Students can attend voluntarily to have a quiet place to work, as a recommendation from teachers if missing more than two assignments, or from parents who would like some support in the areas of organization and study skills. Students can attend all four days or any combination of days that fits their schedule. We have high school volunteer tutors who will be available to help in all subjects including world language. Students should be picked up in the back of the school.

Please see the attached flyer for more information. Contact SOAR Coordinator, Ben Neidich, at bneidich@lfschools.net to discuss the possibilities, or if you have any questions.

Please join us for our next LET’S TALK presentation on February 2, 2023 at 7:00 pm in the Board Room, hosted by Superintendent Dr. Matthew Montgomery.

All students have different strengths and areas for growth specific to learning styles and academic achievement. During our presentation, we will explain the available resources that all students can access through our Multi-Tiered Systems of Support framework for times when they struggle to make friends, understand a new concept, have trouble concentrating, are unsure how to start a project, need help studying for an exam or lack organization and time management skills. A panel of various support personnel will be available from District 67, District 115 and our school communities to answer questions about resources to support your child. We will also explain the process if your child may need additional assistance through a 504 Plan or an Individualized Education Plan.

Please submit your questions using this form no later than Tuesday, January 31, at 10:00 AM.

Thank you!

The district will no longer send notifications about positive COVID-19 cases to staff or parents/guardians. The number of cases will be monitored, and procedures adjusted as needed.

District 67 parents/guardians of incoming kindergarten students for the 2023-2024 school year are invited to attend a Kindergarten Information Night on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, 6:30pm - 7:15pm at your neighborhood school.

At the Kindergarten Information Night, you will meet the Kindergarten staff, learn more about programs and curriculum, and visit classrooms. Each school will also have computers set up for parents to complete online pre-registration, which is the first step in the enrollment process. If you cannot attend Parent Information Night, you can pre-register by visiting our website beginning 2/1/2023.

Our next service project is for all DPM students! DPM will be partnering with Bernie’s Book Bank for a January book drive! Starting on January 23 - February 2nd, bins will be in the school to collect new and gently used children’s books (birth-6th grade reading level) during our book drive. Children’s picture books, board books, recent non-fiction and chapter books are all appreciated. Please note, Bernie’s Book Bank does not accept activity books, coloring books, dictionaries, textbooks, religious books or foreign language books other than Spanish. The books from this book drive will be delivered to 300,000 underserved children through 900+ distribution partners in six Chicagoland counties. Visit Bernie’s Book Bank website to learn more about them, or to make a monetary donation.

Volunteer for the Spirit Board

“Serving on The Spirit of 67 Foundation Board has been the most rewarding volunteer role I’ve ever had!” said nearly every Spirit board member since its inception in 1985!

Would you like to help us make a difference in the lives of D67 Students? Volunteer now, while your kids are still young!

We are currently building our Board for next year and would love to have you join our team! Visit our website to complete a volunteer interest form: https://spirit67.wufoo.com/forms/z196qa0y1ex63x8/

SAVE THE DATE:

Name: Spirit of 67 Spring Event

When: Saturday, April 29, 7:00 PM

Where: Ferrari Lake Forest (990 N Shore Dr, Lake Bluff)

Visit the Green Backpack or the front page of your school website to view the latest programs offered in our community.

Save the Date! The “CROYA Bowl” Fundraiser is Saturday, February 11 from 3:00 – 5:30 pm at the CROYA Student Union.

Scouts BSA Troop 48 "Mini-Klondike Derby"

Scouts BSA Troop 48 (follow us on FB) is hosting our 4th annual "Mini-Klondike Derby" event at Northcroft Park on Sunday 1/29 at 1PM. This is a fun, free outdoor event for community elementary and middle school youth with a parent (K-8)! RSVP is required. Please see the signup to register: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0C4FABAA2BAB9-2023

Wild Dust Tickets Are Available!

"Yee-Haw! Come to the wild west with your fellow pioneers to see Wild Dust! This comic romp is filled with mistaken identities, slamming doors, and one very dead body. Get your tickets soon! Performances are Thursday-Saturday 2/2-2/4. TICKETS