Bulldog Paw Prints
August 27, 2023
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!
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:
We will offer multiple sessions for parents who have more than one child at Belle Aire.
Session 1 begins promptly at 6:00 PM
Session 2 begins promptly at 6:30 PM
Session 3 begins promptly at 7:00 PM
Please plan which sessions you will attend that work for your family!
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.
Orange Frog and Happiness Advantage
Several staff members who participated in the summer workshops shared that the work is transformational, and the three staff from Belle Aire who attended are excited to spread their learning. They walked away from the training with the tools needed to change mindsets, spread joy and maintain a positive attitude. We are excited to see how this learning positively impacts our students--both socially-emotionally and academically.
Mondays will continue to be "Orange Frog Mondays" with district staff wearing orange as we unite our efforts in maintaining a positive mindset throughout the year. Students will be learning about this and can feel free to wear orange on Mondays as well!
Mrs. Fulton, Mrs. Steiner, Mr. McDermott, Ms. Latus, Mrs. Cardinal, Mrs. Heun, Mrs. O'Hearn, Mrs. Donnelly, and I have all been through the two-day training, and we do have an Orange Frog Committee to keep things positive and energizing throughout the year. Our excitement is contagious, and we are ready to spread the orange!
Day 1, So Much Fun!
Safety Message From Dr. Russell
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
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-ups3rd grade
Cardinal:
Wednesday, Aug. 30
Thursday, Aug. 31
Fulton:
Tuesday, Sept. 5
Thursday, Sept. 7
4th grade
Tuesday, Aug. 29
Wednesday, Aug. 30
5th grade
Wednesday, Aug. 30
Thursday, Aug. 31
6th-grade
Wednesday, Aug. 30
Thursday, Aug. 31District Calendar, 2023-2024
Mark Your Calendars
Monday, August 28: Early Dismissal (2:00 p.m.)
Tuesday, August 29: First Day of Gifted (Grs. 5-6); First Day of Math Block Transportation; Young Rembrandts (3:05-4:05 p.m. for those enrolled)
Thursday, August 31, First Day of Gifted (Gr. 4)
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Monday, September 4: No School (Labor Day)
Tuesday, September 5: Curriculum Night (6:00 p.m. - 7:25 p.m.)