In Destination Imagination, students work together in teams to solve open-ended STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) challenges. DI encourages kids to have fun, take risks, and work with others.

To learn more about Destination Imagination, please check out these videos:

• D70 informational video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dKYbx7ci9im3QVgLgYw90nY0iSmbLwEK/view
• From students who have participated in DI before: https://youtu.be/3Y3w8kXIrG0?si=Mf-X499_oIvpnHuy
• About the 2023-2024 Destination Imagination Challenges: https://www.destinationimagination.org/challenge-experience/challenge-previews/

Who: There can be up to 7 students on a team. Participants range from kindergarten through fifth grade. Each team needs at least one adult team manager to help students stay on track. Team managers do not determine how to solve a challenge, instead they guide students as they figure out their solution. Team managers are often parents.

What: Challenges are developed each year by a team of educators and industry experts who target a particular area of the curriculum and its related standards of content and performance. Each challenge focuses on one of the following areas: Technical, Scientific, Fine Arts, Improvisational, Structural, and Service Learning. There is also an Early Learning non-competitive challenge for students in grades K-2.

When: Each DI season takes place from September through May. Depending on the challenge, teams typically spend 2 to 4 months developing and practicing their challenge solutions. Teams typically meet once a week, and often a bit more around competition time. District 70 will pay for the registration for the Local competition (held in February) and the State competition (held in April). If teams decide to attend the Global competition, the competition fees are funded by the team itself.

If this sounds like a program you want to be involved in, sign up HERE!

If you have any questions, please contact Adler's Destination Imagination sponsor Leanne Walker at lwalker@d70schools.org

PBIS stands for “Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports” and is an evidence-based, tiered framework for supporting students’ behavioral, academic, social, emotional, and mental health.

PBIS improves social emotional competence, academic success, and school climate. It also improves teacher health and wellbeing. It is a way to create positive, predictable, equitable and safe learning environments where everyone thrives. You may have heard your student talk about a few of the fun PBIS incentives going on at school–but we wanted to share details with you so that you are “in the know” about how we celebrate positive behavior and choices.

Positive Consequences: As a school, it is important to recognize and give attention to those students who follow The Gator Way and exhibit excellent student behavior. Here are just a few ways that we can reinforce positive student behaviors:

• Gator Gold Tickets are to be given to students who are following expected behaviors in different settings throughout the school day. Each Friday, Mrs. Miller visits the classroom to pull tickets and award prizes to students.

• Kind Kid Lunches:each month, a new skill or focus is shared with the building. At the end of the month, each class nominates two classmates who best followed these skills or focus areas. For example, in October, the focus is “showing respect in the lunchroom.” Students will nominate peers who consistently showed respect in the lunchroom during October. These students will then have a pizza party with Mrs. Miller in the principal’s office or library.

• Gator Gotchas: students can be nominated by their classroom teacher, specials teachers, support staff members, administrators, etc. when they are seen doing something “above and beyond” and are consistently demonstrating The Gator Way. Students will be able to choose a prize, engage in an extra recess, get their picture taken by the “Gator Gotcha” board, and get a positive email home.

• Way to Go Assemblies: These are full school celebrations of students following The Gator Way. We traditionally have guest speakers and performers. Some of our past guests include “The Pro Kids Show” and BMX bike rider, Matt Wilhelm.

As a part of Adler’s ongoing commitment to social and emotional learning, all staff members and students will begin using the Zones of Regulation curriculum. Our goal is to help adults and students understand their emotions and better understand the emotions of others. Knowing our own emotions or “zone” helps students move through the day and be ready to learn and engage positively with peers. During your next visit to Adler, you will notice Zones of Regulation posters, conversations, and staff lanyard tags.

What can you do to help?

—Ask your student what zone they are in when they return from school.

–Talk about what zone you are in! Consider expressing how you are feeling in a real-life situation. For example, if you are sitting in traffic, tell your student that you are in the “yellow” zone.

–Talk openly about how you are feeling and remind your student that all feelings are welcome and OK! Feelings are not about good or bad–rather understanding our feelings and understanding that feelings change.

Mrs. Ashley Zeinz received our staff “Gator Gotcha!”

Mrs. Zeinz is a special education teacher and a building leader. She is a mother of two children and does an amazing job supporting our students and staff members on a daily basis. We are so fortunate to have her expertise, passion, and positive attitude in our building. She is highly organized and always puts students first!

Now in its first full year, the Foundation is a recently formed parent-run, non-profit organization dedicated to securing our legacy in D70 by providing additional resources to support our students and staff. As a 501c3 that can collect tax-deductible donations, the Foundation operates as a private fundraising arm that will help the District where tax dollars stop short of meeting our expectations for our children.

The Foundation is different from anything D70 has seen in the past, but foundations have been running very successfully for years in many districts around us. The D70 Foundation's goal is to financially compliment the many resources the District already puts into its amazing schools. Unlike a family association who focuses money on their specific school, the Foundation will benefit all five campuses in the district, and will revolutionize how our students play and learn. Our school district enjoys significant resources, but the D70 Foundation will accomplish things above and beyond what can be funded through taxpayer dollars.

Below are some of the areas the Foundation plans to contribute to:

- Enhanced security measures such as Electronic Door Access for all campuses

- Curriculum Enhancing Educational Opportunities such as Arts, STEM, and STEAM

- More Innovative Classrooms that help put D70 Students at the forefront of Education

- Teacher Mini Grant Program

- Highland Ninja Warrior Style Fitness Course (playground)

We hope that all families in the district will consider contributing to the Foundation, and we are actively seeking corporate sponsors as well! If you can help us connect with your company, please email Holland Burton. Many companies match donations!

Have you made a donation to the D70 Foundation for Excellence yet? If not, do so here.