In the coming days, students will be arriving home with an e-learning envelope to be used in certain circumstances when we have an e-learning day in lieu of a typical snow/emergency day. It's my hope that we don't need to use any of these this year! In the event that we do have an e-learning day, students will go online to complete work with their teachers at various points throughout the day. The specifics of that are all explained in the linked e-learning plan below.

The contents in the envelopes will be utilized by families that may not have power, that have lost connectivity, that don't have wireless access, etc. There may also be contents in the envelope that teachers want students to access when they are working together online. Please hold onto those envelopes, and keep them in a memorable location.

District 58’s E-Learning Plan was adopted in August 2021 and remains valid through June 2024. We encourage families to please familiarize themselves with the plan and related information, linked below. The Board of Education discussed the plan at the July 2022 Board meeting and, consequently, gave District 58 greater flexibility regarding when it can use an e-learning day this school year. Ultimately, District 58 can use an e-learning day, in lieu of an emergency day (also called snow day), if staff have adequate time to prepare meaningful e-learning materials.

As always, the District would communicate when an e-learning or emergency day is needed and remind families of the e-learning process. Again, this plan is strictly for emergency day use only, when conditions make it unsafe for students to attend school onsite. Any questions about the E-Learning Plan can be directed to Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Justin Sisul at jsisul@dg58.org.

• District 58 E-Learning Plan (2021-2024)
• District 58 E-Learning Plan Presentation (from July 2021 Board meeting; information is still valid)

PTA and I are excited to offer an in-school reading opportunity this year. As part of National Education Week, we will be hosting Books Before the Bell this coming Thursday, November 17, from 7:55 - 8:15 a.m. Interested families can come to the school starting at 7:55 a.m. and head to your child's classroom to do some reading together. It will be a great opportunity to be in the same environment where your child spends a lot of time each day, to connect with other families, and to enjoy some reading. We hope you can make it!

Our first library night of 2022, was well-attended, and the students were excited and engaged. A group of four professional clowns from Red Nose Readers met with our students, discussed costumes and make-up, and took some time to share stories. Thank you to Mrs. Mommsen, Mrs. Finley, and to all families in attendance!

The Downers Grove Fire Department has continued to work through the Learn Not to Burn program with a focus on fire safety in general and within the home as well. As part of the program, Firefighter Kris and other members of the department brought a fire safety trailer to school today. This tool helps reinforce the importance of implementing students' home escape plans, and students were reminded about the importance of smoke detectors, knowing two exits out of every room, and having meeting places.

This experience has been very successful in other schools, and it was a fantastic, hands-on learning opportunity at Belle Aire. The following information is how our DGFD describes the experience:

-Groups of 5-6 students will enter the simulated room.

-Theatrical (non-hazardous) smoke will be used, and a smoke detector will be activated.

-The students will crawl low in the smoke and explore two ways out.

-After exiting, the students will go to the designated meeting place.

-The experience will last approximately 5 minutes, and students will be guided by two fire fighters and at least one classroom teacher.

When working with your child with selective mutism, it may help to understand the extinction learning process behind doing speaking exposures so that, as a parent, you can understand how to maximize extinction learning and keep the new learning accessible for your child’s continued growth and generalization of speaking across people, places, and activities.

Presenter: Dr Carmen Lynas

Transforming Aggressive Behaviors [Conscious Discipline]

December 5, 2022- 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

In this workshop you will gain a toolbox of skills necessary to identify, meet, and manage your most difficult children

Presenter: Jill Molli