Pierce Downer This Week
Week of April 4-8
Pierce Downer Families-
I hope everyone had a wonderful spring break, it was so nice welcoming the students back! Our week was filled with returning to our typical lunch environment, beginning the IAR assessment, and recognizing our Panthers of the Month! Mrs. French also brought the fun and love to PE class with her Jump with a Loved One sessions. Thank you to everyone that was able to attend, and to Mrs. French for making the events so special!
In this edition of Pierce Downer this Week, you will find information on the PTA Chicago Wolves Night, Safe 2 Help Illinois anonymous reporting system, LEAP into kindergarten, and registration.
PLEASE try and register ASAP! The enrollment numbers help us plan for next school year.
Gifted and Math Acceleration Eligibility
This is the time of year we begin to receive questions about placement into accelerated math and/or gifted programming for the 2022-23 school year. In the April 20th edition of the District Newsletter (Communicate 58) we will share detailed information about the eligibility criteria, process and timeline for both. In the meantime, any general questions can be directed to Justin Sisul in the Curriculum Department.
Please remember the doors open each morning at 8:10 and class begins at 8:15.
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns via email LWagner@DG58.org or call 630-719-5860.
We are PD!
L. Wagner, Principal
Panthers of the Month
Chicago Wolves Pierce Downer Night
Safe2Help Illinois
District 58 has partnered with Safe2Help to give students a safe and confidential way to report potential threats or crises. Safe2Help was launched by the State of Illinois in December 2020 and aims to help prevent suicide, bullying, school violence and other threats to school safety.
With Safe2Help, students can connect with a trained crisis professional during their own crisis, or to report a potential threat. Students can submit a Safe2Help alert via the following ways:
- Website: https://app.safe22helpil.com
- Text: SAFE2 (72332)
- Phone: 844-4-SAFEIL (844-472-3345)
- App: "Safe2Help Illinois" app available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store
- Email: HELP@Safe2HelpIL.com
All alerts are responded to by a trained Safe2Help crisis professional. Safe2Help is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
District 58 staff are not the initial responders to the alert and will receive each alert after the Safe2Help professional provides support. District 58 staff will review alerts sent by Safe2Help during regular school hours, unless the nature of the alert necessitates immediate school action.
Registration for the 2022-23 School Year is Open!
Registration for the 2022-23 school year opened Monday, March 14. District 58 invites families to register their student(s) for next school year using the District’s PowerSchool Enrollment Express system. The District asks all returning students to please register by Monday, April 4. After District 58 processes your child’s registration, you will receive an email about one week later with an invoice from the District’s PushCoin system with all registration fees for 2022-23. Fees are due by the first day of school, with the exception of the first payment for the Optional Kindergarten Enrichment and Enhancement Program, which is due May 1, 2022.
In an effort to help us plan, we encourage all returning families to please complete registration as early as possible. Likewise, if your family will not be returning to Pierce Downer, it is equally helpful if you notify the office as well. If you know of someone new moving into the neighborhood, please encourage them to call or visit the office. Online registration is available to everyone and can be found through our school or District 58 website.
If you have technical questions during registration, please visit help.powerschool.com or contact District 58’s Technology Help Desk by filling out a Technology Help Ticket here or calling 630-719-2768. If you have general registration questions, please contact the Pierce Downer School Office.
The State of Illinois is providing funds to ensure all District 58 elementary school playgrounds are updated, improved and accessible for students. Pierce Downer will receive $74,600 to put towards our playground renovations!
BUT… we still need your help!
We are now 46% of the way to our goal of raising $250,000 by December 2022 (to ensure Summer 2023 installation). To help us reach our goal please consider donating on our website, purchasing a legacy brick, or coming to one of our FUNdraisers (next up… PLAY! at Pierce Golf Outing)
Coming soon… the fun part!! We have selected our playground equipment vendor and we will begin soliciting community and student input on what equipment they would love to see on their playground. More info to come after spring break!
Purchase a Legacy Brick:
How can you support PLAY! at Pierce fundraising while creating a lasting memory? Consider purchasing an engraved brick! This is a great option for grandparents to honor their grandchildren, or parents to honor the children they have watched play on the Pierce Downer playground over the years. The vast majority of your purchase is a true donation, so it makes an impactful gift and a great memento! 4x8 bricks are offered at the $250 donation level and 8x8 bricks are offered at the $500 donation level. To find out more information and order your brick, please visit our website.
Join us May 21st for the PLAY! at Pierce Golf Outing:
There is something for everyone and all abilities are welcome to golf.
The evening includes a silent auction, raffle prizes, a few golf contests and lots of laughs!
18 Hole Scramble: Shotgun start at 1:00 PM, includes dinner & drinks afterwards - $150
Happy Hour: 3:00-5:00 PM, includes appetizers, drinks and a few golf games - $40
Dinner & Drinks: 5:00-7:00 PM, welcome back the golfers and enjoy dinner & drinks - $60
Support our efforts to renovate the Pierce Downer playground and buy your tickets here!
Leap into Kindergarten!
Get a jumpstart into Kindergarten with this three-week summer program. The program is for children going into Kindergarten this coming fall. Incoming kindergarten students will be working on readiness activities in both Reading and Math. Some of the topics to be covered are letter and number recognition, as well as letter sounds. We will also take a glance at fine motor activities, such as cutting, coloring, pasting, and writing. Give your child a boost for a successful Kindergarten start!
Location
El Sierra Elementary School
6835 Fairmount Ave.
Downers Grove, IL 60516
Date/Time
The program meets weekdays from
Monday, June 27th to Thursday, July 14th
No School: July 4th and 5th
8:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
Cost: $105.00
Transportation is not provided.
Registration materials will be available online at www.dg58.org beginning Monday, April 4th.
Registration closes on Friday, April 29, 2022
Grove Preschool Registration is Open!
Will your child be 3 or 4 years old this August? Please consider enrolling him or her at Grove Children's Preschool in District 58! Grove has proudly earned back-to-back gold ratings, which is the highest rating the State awards preschools for excellence in teaching and learning. Priority registration is open through March 8 at www.dg58.org/preschool.
April 5-14
IAR Testing for Grades 3-6
April 15
No School
April 20
PTA Dine-Out: Foxtail
April 22
Fun Lunch
April 24
PTA Chicago Wolves Game
April 28
Open House 6-7:30
Leland Wagner, Principal
Email: LWagner@dg58.org
Website: www.DG58.org
Location: 1436 Grant Street, Downers Grove, IL, USA
Phone: 630-719-5860
Twitter: @LWagnerDG58