News Bites
Week of October 31 through November 4, 2022
NO SCHOOL
Monday, November 21 through Friday, November 25, 2022
This is the week of Parent /Teacher Conferences and Thanksgiving Break!
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Dates:
- Friday, November 18, 2022 (Evening hours only)
- Monday, November 21, 2022 (All Day)
If you have any questions about the day and time of your conference, please contact your child's teacher.
BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS
Update on Bus Transportation Issues
Driver Shortages Continue
As families may already be aware, we are still experiencing delays in transportation. The primary reason for the continued late running of bus routes is the driver shortage. Although Illinois Central has been proactively offering significant hiring bonuses and competitive rates, they, along with bus companies nationwide, are still experiencing driver shortages. In addition to the driver shortages, Illinois Central is also experiencing a large number of drivers currently out on the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
There are several impacts of the lack of drivers. One is what we called “tagged” routes. This means that drivers run a route for middle school and then immediately run an elementary (or preschool) route. When the first route runs late, it creates a domino effect and the following routes also run late. In addition, we are experiencing an abundance of substitute drivers that don’t know the route well and often take much longer to run the route.
Shuttles for After-School Band and Orchestra
Last year, the Board of Education voted to provide bus transportation for elementary students to participate in after-school band or orchestra at the middle school. This decision was made to meet the hardships parents were experiencing during the post-covid work environment, and to meet the District’s Long Range Strategic Plan, Goal #2 of increasing after-school opportunities for our students. We unsuccessfully attempted to run shuttles between schools to transport the students to Leman Middle School. Traffic, both in town and around the schools prevented the shuttle buses from arriving in time for rehearsal.
This year, one bus route at each school (other than Gary - who are walkers) stops at Leman Middle School to drop off the band and orchestra students. This has impacted some routes more than others. A trip to Leman Middle School is not as far out of the way for students from Currier School as it is for students from Wegner School or Indian Knoll School.
The initial focus has been on ensuring that all students arrive on time for school in the morning. With the lack of drivers, that has taken significantly longer than it typically would. There is still work to do at the preschool level. There are many things we are working on daily with the contracted bus company to make improvements. Here are a few:
We monitor the arrival of every bus route at every school in the morning - in real-time - daily. This is followed by conversations with the bus company to improve student arrival time. To date, this has been a priority to ensure students are not missing instruction.
We monitor and record the “all clear” time daily. This is the time that all bus routes have completed their last drop-off. On average, our “all clear” time is consistent with the previous year, however, there are some routes that still need adjustments. Again, this is followed by conversations with the bus company to improve the drop-off times.
#D33Pride Awards
Nominations Open
It is time for the first #D33Pride Awards of the year! Each trimester, there is an opportunity to nominate staff, students, parents, volunteers, and/or community organizations that have "gone above and beyond" to support and enhance the work of promoting excellence in education.
To submit a nomination for the 1st-trimester #D33Pride Awards, you can use this link: https://forms.gle/zuMvQgXFp9v6Nayh7
Please include as much detail as possible when writing your nomination!
One winner from each category will be chosen and recognized at a board meeting. Nominations are due Friday, November 11, 2022
Congratulations to Penny Munoz
New Interim Community School Administrator
District 33 is excited to announce the selection of Penny Munoz as an interim Community School Administrator for the 2022/2023 school year.
Penny most recently served as a Family Liaison at Pioneer School, working with families to access community resources that provided the information needed to make informed decisions to support their children and family.
Educators Selected for State Leadership Program
Congratulations to Tim Kolaczowski, Social Worker, Dan Guerrero, a dual-language 3rd-grade teacher, and Arturo Arvizu, a dual-language 4th-grade teacher at Currier Elementary School!
These District 33 educators were accepted into the School Leader Pipeline Program. There were 275 applicants for 100 scholarships, so this is quite an accomplishment!
Bilingual Parent Advisory Council
Please join us for our BPAC event
Parenting Tips, and Questions and Answers
Date: Monday, November 14, 2022
Time: 8:45 AM - 10:30 AM
Place: Gary Elementary School, 130 E. Forest Ave., West Chicago
We will have social workers, pediatricians, and psychologists present some helpful parenting tips. There will also be time for parents to ask specific questions. This is open to all parents in the district.
Questions? Contact Ms. Ortiz, Director of Multilingual Learners, ortizr@wego33.org.
Comite Asesor de Padres Bilingues
Únase a nosotros para nuestro evento, BPAC
Consejos para padres y Preguntas y Respuestas
Fecha: lunes, 14 de noviembre de 2022
Horas: 8:45 AM - 10:30 AM
Ubicacion: Gary Elementary School, 130 E. Forest Ave., West Chicago
Tendremos trabajadores sociales, pediatras y psicólogos que presentarán algunos consejos útiles para padres. También habrá tiempo para que los padres hagan preguntas específicas. Este evento está abierto a todos los padres en el distrito.
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Preguntas? Comuniquese con la Directora de Estudiantes Multilingues, Ms. Ortiz, ortizr@wego33.org or 630.293.6000.
Bullying Prevention - Parent Presentation
The month of October is declared National Bullying Prevention Awareness month. District 33 invites all parents and guardians to attend this important and interactive event with renowned Bullying Prevention Speaker, Fabian Ramirez.
Date: Thursday, November 17, 2022
Time: 5:30 PM Snacks
6:00 PM Presentation
Place: Leman Middle School, Cafetorium, 238 E. Hazel Street, West Chicago, IL
This presentation will be in English and Spanish.
To learn more about Fabian Ramirez, visit his website at www.fabianramirez.com.
Presentación para Padres sobre la Prevención a la Intimidación (Bullying)
El mes de octubre es declarado el Mes Nacional Para La Prevención de la Intimidación Escolar conocida como “bullying”. El Distrito 33 invita a todos los padres de familia y tutores a participar en este importante evento interactivo con el reconocido orador de la Prevención de la Intimidación Escolar, Fabián Ramírez.
Fecha: Jueves 17 de noviembre de 2022
Time: 5:30 p.m. bocadillos
6:00 p.m. presentación
Lugar: Secundaria Leman, Cafetería, 238 E. Hazel Street, West Chicago, IL
Esta presentación será en inglés y en español.
Para conocer más sobre Fabián Ramírez, visite su página web www.fabianramirez.com.
Family Wellness Night
Date: November 17, 2022
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location: Indian Knoll Elementary School
While parents are working out kids will participate in a hands-on cooking class with The Kitchen Table.
Each month kids will join Chef Aaron and Chef Amy in a hands-on cooking class while parents get to enjoy some self-care with one of our amazing, certified instructors. Each month kids will learn a new healthy recipe they can recreate at home!
Get more information here: https://www.healthywestchicago.org/family-wellness-nights
Noche de bienestar familiar
Fecha: 17 de noviembre
Horas: 6:00 a 7:00 pm
Lugar: la escuela Indian Knoll
Cada mes, los niños se unirán con Chef Aaron y Chef Amy, The Kitchen Table, en demostración de cocinar mientras los padres disfrutarán tiempo con uno de nuestros increíbles instructores certificados de yoga. ¡Cada mes los niños aprenderán una nueva receta saludable que pueden recrear en casa!
Obtenga más información aquí: https://www.healthywestchicago.org/family-wellness-nights
FREE Flu Shot and COVID-19 Booster Shot Clinic
Open to all West Chicago residents thanks to Jewel-Osco!
Date: Saturday, November 5th
Time: 8:00 am-10:30 am
Location: Lobby of St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 155 N. Prince Crossing Rd. West Chicago
No appointment is needed. No cost to the uninsured.
Clinica de vacuna Flu / COVID-19
Fecha: Sabado, 5 de noviembre
Hora: 8:00 am - 10:30 am
Sitio: St Andrew Lutheran Church, 155 N. Prince Crossing Rd., West Chicago
No Se Requiere Cita.
West Chicago Elementary School District 33
Email: steinbrecherg@wego33.org
Website: wego33.org
Phone: 630-293-6000