Bulldog Paw Prints
Week Ending March 1, 2024
February's All-School Meeting
We held our next all-school meeting on Thursday, February 29, 2024. We accomplished many things during our time together. We reviewed expectations to be respectful, responsible and safe while on a bus, we learned that we met our all-school goal for Bark-Outs, we previewed upcoming events, recognized February birthdays and August half-birthdays, congratulated Mrs. Cardinal's class for being the classroom that earned the most Bark-Outs during the past month, and more.
We also recognized two students from each classroom for being respectful, responsible and safe:
Kindergarten H:
Ensley
Lucy
Kindergarten O:
Haddie
Maren
1S:
Brynn
Aron
1W:
Evelyn
Lily
2L:
Addie
Summer
2S:
Mason
Kendall
3C:
Owen
Ava
3F:
Charlie
Daniel
4B:
Ricky
Avery
4L:
Elyse
Stephanie
5DE:
Vicky
Henry
5DO:
Izabella
Aaron
6M:
Mohammed
Neriah
Please register now for the 2024-2025 school year
District 58 opened its online registration for returning students for the 2024-25 school year. Parents are asked to please submit their child’s registration by Monday, April 8. To begin, go to https://www.dg58.org/family-resources/registration and click on “Returning Student Application” and follow the prompts in the step-by-step instructions.
District 58 encourages families to register their student(s) promptly, as early registration helps the District determine its hiring, staffing, classroom, and transportation needs for the upcoming school year. While registration is occurring in February, March and April, an invoice won’t be sent until after May 1. Thank you for your help in supporting a smooth transition to the next school year!
If you have technical questions during the registration process, please contact District 58’s Technology Help Desk by filling out a Technology Help Ticket or calling 630-719-2768. For general registration questions, please contact your school office.
New this year, all registration will be conducted online. If families cannot complete the process online, they can call or visit their child’s school and the process can be completed there. District 58’s preschool registration is also open and is accepting applications at www.dg58.org/preschool.
Summer School, 2024
Downers Grove Grade School District 58 will offer three Summer School sessions and the Extended School Year program this summer! Registration opened yesterday, Thursday, February 29. Registration deadlines vary depending on the session.
District 58 Summer School classes are open to students enrolled in public, private or parochial schools who live within the District 58 attendance area. Please register for the grade level your child will enter in fall 2024.
Families who need assistance registering for Summer School may contact Summer School Secretary Alissa Drake at adrake@dg58.org or 630-719-5869. Please see details about District 58’s Summer School programming below or visit www.dg58.org/summer.
Session I, Essential Skills, is by invitation, and families will be contacted by the school. That session is held at Belle Aire and runs from June 10 - June 21.
Session II: General Education and Enrichment
Schedule: Weekdays, Monday, June 24-Friday, July 12 (excluding July 3 and 4) from 8:15-11:15 a.m.
Location: El Sierra School 6835 Fairmount Ave., Downers Grove, IL 60516
Cost: $105
Bus Transportation: Not provided - Families are responsible for their student’s transportation.
Registration: Session II registration is open now through April 30. Click here to register. A confirmation email with payment directions will be sent within three school days of your registration.
Description: This session will offer math and reading grade-level readiness courses, as well as two art classes. Art classes are limited to the first 30 students who register for each class. Once a class reaches capacity, a waiting list will form. Classes are:
Leap Into Kindergarten (Incoming Grade K): 8:15-11:15 a.m.
This program is intended for students entering kindergarten in fall 2024 and will focus on reading and math readiness. Some of the topics covered include: letter and number recognition, letter sounds, and fine motor activities, including cutting, coloring, pasting and writing.
For Leap Into Kindergarten please click here to register. A confirmation email with payment directions will be sent within three school days of your registration.
Reading and Math (Incoming Grades 1-8): 8:15-11:15 a.m.
District 58 will offer individual Reading and Math classes for every grade level, from grade 1-8. The class will focus on grade level readiness in both reading and math.Art Exploration I (Incoming Grades 2-3): 8:15-11:15 a.m.
Students will use a variety of media to express their creativity while exploring classic and modern styles of art. This class will utilize various artistic mediums including, paint, oil pastel, colored pencil and mixed media such as ceramics and textiles. Students will be encouraged to improve their technique and comfort level through a wide range of different projects.Art Exploration II (Incoming Grades 4-6): 8:15-11:15 a.m.
Students will use a variety of media to express their creativity while exploring classic and modern styles of art. This class will utilize various artistic mediums including, paint, oil pastel, colored pencil and mixed media such as ceramics and textiles. Students will be encouraged to improve their technique and comfort level through a wide range of different projects.
Session III: Band and Orchestra
Schedule: Various days and times from July 29 to August 9. See descriptions below.
Location: Kingsley School 6509 Powell St., Downers Grove, IL 60516
Cost: Band and Orchestra classes are $95; Beginning Orchestra Jumpstart and Beginning Band Jumpstart are free. A confirmation email with payment directions will be sent within three school days of your registration.
Bus Transportation: Not provided - Families are responsible for their student’s transportation.
Registration:
6-8th grade Band and 5-8 Orchestra - Session III registration is open now through April 30 Click here to register. Please register for the grade level your child will enter in fall 2024.
Beginning Orchestra Jumpstart and Beginning Band Jumpstart - Registration will take place May 2 and May 9, during Orchestra and Band registration for the 2024-25 school year. Please do not complete the registration at this time.
Description: District 58 will offer several summer Band and Orchestra classes. See information below.
Beginning Orchestra Jumpstart (Incoming Grade 4)
All District 58 Beginning Orchestra students must participate in the Beginning Orchestra Jumpstart program! Students who enroll in the Beginning Orchestra Jumpstart program will learn initial string technique, how to care for your instrument, and start playing some of your favorite folk tunes with your friends before we start lessons this fall! Since this is a required part of the Beginning Orchestra program, there is no charge for this week-long class.
Registration will take place May 2 and May 9, during Orchestra and Band registration for the 2024-25 school year. Please do not complete the registration at this time.
Week 1 Option: July 29-Aug. 2
Class 1: Monday, July 29-Friday, Aug. 2 from 8:00-8:50 a.m.
Class 2: Monday, July 29-Friday, Aug. 2 from 9:00-9:50 a.m.Week 2 Option: Aug. 5-9
Class 3: Monday, Aug. 5-Friday, Aug. 9 from 8:00-8:50 a.m.
Class 4: Monday, Aug. 5-Friday, Aug. 9 from 9:00-9:50 a.m.Welcome Back Strings! (Incoming Grade 5)
Monday - Friday, July 29 - August 9 from 10:00-10:50 a.m.
Come enjoy making new orchestra friends as we explore fun music this summer! Incoming fifth grade orchestra students will learn new, multi-part ensemble skills while reviewing their playing techniques from this past school year.Intermediate Orchestra (Incoming Grade 6)
Monday - Friday, July 29 - August 9 from 10:00-10:50 a.m.
Catch up on some quality time with your orchestra friends while playing together in a larger group! We will learn some fun and challenging orchestra music to expand student skills and abilities. Incoming sixth grade orchestra students will review and gain experience in their ensemble skills that we started this past school year.Advanced Orchestra (Incoming Grades 7-8)
Monday - Friday, July 29 - August 9 from 11:00-11:50 a.m.
Students will be challenged with new, engaging orchestra music, learning and refining new skills and techniques. Students entering middle school are encouraged to participate in this class to gain experience with middle school level music as well as make friends with other musicians they will be in orchestra with this fall.Beginning Band Jumpstart (Incoming Grade 5)
All musicians enrolled in District 58 Beginning Band participate in the Beginning Band Jumpstart program! During this one-week jumpstart, students will learn initial instrument technique, how to care for their instruments, and some beginning tunes with their friends before starting lessons in the fall! Since this is a required part of the beginning band program, there is no charge for this class.
This is a one-week, Monday through Friday class. Students will be assigned to a 40-minute time block between 8:00-11:00 a.m. during the week of July 29 through August 2 or the week of August 5 through August 9. Please be available from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Registration will take place May 2 and May 9, during Orchestra and Band registration for the 2024-25 school year. Please do not complete the registration at this time.
Instrument Skill-Building for Continuing Band Students (Incoming 6th, 7th, 8th Graders)
Monday, July 29 through Friday, August 9 from 11:00-11:45 a.m. (2 weeks)
Returning District 58 band musicians are invited to attend a skill-building session for their instrument. During this two-week program, students will have an opportunity to continue refining instrument technique with teacher support, increase their note reading fluency, build their range of notes through scale work, receive coaching on ILMEA audition materials if they wish, engage in peer mentorship, and participate in small ensemble music-making.
Extended School Year (ESY) is by invitation and runs from June 4 - July 2. Families who qualify will be contacted by the school.
Crisis Phone Support
The DuPage County Crisis Line 630-627-1700 is available 24/7, 365 days per year for individuals experiencing emotional distress, suicidal thoughts or seeking connection to DCHD Crisis Services.
Callers can expect staff to provide support and guidance to manage the crisis, explore options, and provide other resources that may further assist them in resolving the crisis.
Survey Information
As a reminder, parents are invited to take the District 58 School Environment Survey here. The survey should take just a few minutes yet provides valuable information that guides our school improvement efforts. All responses are anonymous.
In addition, parents are also invited to take the Illinois State Board of Education’s 5Essentials Parent Survey. This survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes. Your identity and survey responses will be kept confidential and will not be connected to you or your child.
Kindergarten, 2024-2025
District 58 and Belle Aire are both excited to start meeting ou incoming kindergarten students. Please ask friends and neighbors with preschool-age children who are eligible for kindergarten (children who are five years old on or before Sept. 1, 2024) to contact our school at 630-719-5820 to be added to our incoming kindergarten list. Kindergarten RoundUp is scheduled at Belle Aire on March 21, 2024 from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. and we want to ensure that parents and guardians can visit their child’s future school and meet some of the staff, PTA representatives and the principal. Families may visit www.dg58.org/kindergarten to access pertinent information in the District 58 Kindergarten Resource Guide.
Will your child attend kindergarten in District 58 next school year? Or do you have a friend or neighbor whose child will? Here are three steps to prepare!
1. Give us a call at the school (630-719-5820) or email Amy (adamico@dg58.org) to let us know your child will be attending kindergarten next year. We will get your family added to our kindergarten contact lists.
2. Attend Kindergarten Roundup on March 21, 2024 (6:00 - 7:00 p.m.). This is an adult-only event that will help you understand what a typical kindergarten day looks like, learn about health requirements, meet the teachers and more.
3. Visit our Kindergarten Resource webpage for information on Kindergarten Roundup schedules, school boundary maps, kindergarten registration, immunization requirements, kindergarten curriculum and much more!
Approved School Calendars (2024-2025 AND 2025-2026)
The Board approved two years of school calendars in preparation for construction and also to meet the planning needs of parents. The calendar next year will be condensed to maximize construction time in the summer, meaning that classes will end prior to Memorial Day in 2025 and in the following calendar year start after Labor Day 2025.
Highlights of the 2024-25 calendar include:
First Day of School: Friday, Aug. 16, 2024 (this aligns with District 99’s first day)
Thanksgiving Break: Nov. 27-29, 2024
Winter Break: Dec. 23, 2024-Jan. 3, 2025
Spring Break: April 1-4, 2025
Last Day of School: Friday, May 23, 2025 (if no emergency days are used)
Winter Weather; Outdoor Recess (repeat item)
As the weather changes, I'd like to send a couple recess reminders your way.
-As in past years, we will continue to have outdoor recess during the winter months so long as the weather permits AND so long as the real feel temperature is zero degrees or above. It will be important that students come to school dressed for the weather and that they have the appropriate outdoor clothing to stay safe and warm.
-At the times when we have snow, students will be able to head off of the blacktop to play in it. The key to that is that they are prepared. In order to play in the snow off of the blacktop areas, the students need to be wearing snow boots and snow pants/snowsuit.
District Calendar, 2023-2024
Mark Your Calendars
Monday, March 4: 2:00 Dismissal; Lunchtime Book Club (Gr. 4)
Tuesday, March 5: Lunchtime Book Club (Grs. 2 & 3); STEAM Club (for those enrolled, 3:00 p.m.); Safety Patrol Meeting (3:00 p.m.)
Wednesday, March 6: Lunchtime Book Club (Grs. 5 & 6); Student Council Meeting (during the day); Young Rembrandts (3:00 p.m.)
Thursday, March 7: Lunchtime Book Club (Group B, Gr. 2); Young Authors (3:00 p.m.); Kindness Club (Grs. 3-6)
Friday, March 8: PTA Hot Lunch (for those who ordered)
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March 25 - 31: Spring Break (School Resumes on April 1)
April 23: Belle Aire Open House (6:00 - 7:30 p.m.)
May 14: Grs. 1 & 2 Music Performance (6:00 p.m. at the school)