Important updates from District 88

Pictured is District 88 Superintendent Dr. Scott Helton.

The creative and engaging ways in which our staff members are connecting with and caring for students continue to amaze me. I’ve heard about and seen firsthand staff going above and beyond to support their pupils and build relationships – even in this challenging Remote Learning environment because of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

One recent example is Addison Trail’s Student Council hosting events this week to promote school spirit and Blazer Pride.

  • The group handed out s’mores to students and staff on Sept. 23 and encouraged them to host virtual bonfires. Check out the photo above to see the Student Council’s online get-together.

  • The group hosted a virtual Bingo event on Sept. 24, and about 30 students and staff participated (see the photo above).

I truly appreciate the ongoing dedication, support and cooperation of our stakeholders to accomplish our mission of working for the continuous improvement of student achievement.

IMPORTANT UPDATES

  • District 88 2020-21 Return to School Plan: This webpage (www.dupage88.net/ReturnToSchoolPlan) includes a frequently asked questions (FAQs) document, the three-stage structure of our plan, details about the schedule, special education information, student behavior expectations, food/meal service, the school calendar, COVID-19 resources and more.

  • Food service: From 1 to 3 p.m. each Wednesday, we will provide five days’ worth of free meals to all residents up to the age of 18. See details at https://www.dupage88.net/site/page/11979.

  • We will continue to provide opportunities for students to receive onsite academic assistance through our learning centers on an as-needed basis. If your child needs extra support, contact Addison Trail Principal Michael Bolden (mbolden@dupage88.net, 630-628-3302) or Willowbrook Principal Dr. Daniel Krause (dkrause@dupage88.net, 630-530-3439).

  • Assessments: To ensure our pupils have access to a college entrance exam, we will provide District 88 seniors with a free SAT (and essay) on Oct. 14. This assessment is optional, however, taking the SAT is currently a graduation requirement for members of the class of 2021. Students who plan to graduate in December are strongly encouraged to register for this exam. Details are listed below.

    • CLICK HERE to register for the SAT at Addison Trail (sign up by 3 p.m. on Sept. 28)
    • CLICK HERE to see a letter from Addison Trail with important details

    • CLICK HERE to register for the SAT at Willowbrook (sign up by 3 p.m. on Sept. 28)
    • CLICK HERE to see a letter from Willowbrook with important details

  • Internet Essentials Partnership Program: The DuPage County Board, in partnership with the DuPage Regional Office of Education, recently approved a $1.5 million commitment to provide low-income students with internet service through the Internet Essentials Partnership Program. A promo code is required to get free internet service through this program, and eligible families will receive information from Addison Trail or Willowbrook to apply. See details at https://www.dupage88.net/site/page/12111.

  • Athletics:
    • We are continuing our fall season with Girls Tennis, Girls Swimming, Boys and Girls Golf and Boys and Girls Cross Country.

    • The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) is allowing for a voluntary “Fall Contact Period,” which provides athletic teams that are not in season with 20 contact days through Oct. 31. Addison Trail will begin contact days with Baseball, Cheerleading, Blazettes (Poms), Football and Boys Soccer, and Willowbrook will begin contact days with Baseball, Boys Soccer, Football, Girls Soccer, Girls Volleyball, Poms, Cheerleading, Girls Badminton and Softball.

    • We will continue to implement the procedures we have in place, which are based on guidance from Centers for Disease Control, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, the Illinois and DuPage County health departments, the Illinois State Board of Education and the DuPage Regional Office of Education regarding social distancing, health and cleaning protocols. Per our procedures, athletes and coaches must conduct contact days outdoors, provide their own transportation, have temperature checks and symptom screenings before each practice and adhere to policies regarding social distancing and wearing masks.

    • For updates on athletics, go to https://il.8to18.com/aths or https://il.8to18.com/willowbrook. To view the IHSA’s intended plans for the 2020-21 school year, go to https://tinyurl.com/IHSAJuly29.

  • State funding for public education: The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is asking educators, parents, students and community organizations to give their input on state funding for public education. ISBE is accepting testimony in writing and at three virtual budget hearings in October. See more details at https://www.isbe.net/Lists/News/NewsDisplay.aspx?ID=1334. Individuals who wish to participate must submit their testimony in writing by completing the online form at www.isbe.net/budget. Individuals also are welcome to speak during one of three virtual budget hearings.

    • 4 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 7 (Registration deadline: 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 4)

    • 1 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 14 (Registration deadline: 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 11)

    • 1 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 16 (Registration deadline: 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 11)

SEEKING FEEDBACK FROM PARENTS/GUARDIANS AND STUDENTS
To ensure we continue to support students and provide a high-quality learning environment, we’re asking parents/guardians and students to complete a brief survey. Your feedback is critical to provide us with input on topics such as Remote Learning, transitioning to the next stages of our Return to School Plan, technology and more. We need your comments to assist us in planning and improving, so please be sure to submit your responses.

GUIDANCE FROM STATE AND LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS

  • Return to School Framework: On Aug. 28, the DuPage County Health Department released a “Return to School Framework” with the DuPage Regional Office of Education. As the number of local COVID-19 cases increases, the “Return to School Framework” recommends school officials review and consider the level of disease activity in their communities as they make decisions about shifting between learning models this school year. To view the document, go to www.dupagehealth.org/ReturnToSchool.

    • See an important message regarding safely reopening schools from DuPage Regional Office of Education Regional Superintendent Dr. Darlene Ruscitti and DuPage County Health Department Executive Director Karen Ayala at https://www.dupage88.net/site/public/files/?item=5431.

  • New learning standards: The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) recently released new Illinois Priority Learning Standards. According to State Superintendent of Education Dr. Carmen I. Ayala, “(ISBE) collaborated with a diverse and skilled team of educators from across the state to identify the Illinois Priority Learning Standards. The group focused on identifying learning standards that depict the knowledge, skills and dispositions we want all students to have – the standards that are the most foundational competencies, the most critical for success at subsequent grade levels and best suited for interdisciplinary or project-based learning.” CLICK HERE for more information.

  • Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) FAQs: This health-based Frequently Asked Questions document from the IDPH addresses many health-related questions. See the information at https://www.isbe.net/Documents/IDPH-School-FAQs.pdf.

  • Updates from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE): https://www.isbe.net/Pages/covid19.aspx and https://tinyurl.com/ISBEMessages 

PARENT AND STUDENT MEETINGS

  • We will continue to meet with parents/guardians as part of our Transition/Reopening Committee. The next meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 13. If you would like to join the committee, or if you have any questions/concerns, please feel free to contact me at shelton@dupage88.net or 630-530-3980.

  • We will continue to meet with students as part of our Return to School Student Advisory Committee. The next meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 20. If you would like to join the committee, or if you have any questions/concerns, please feel free to contact District 88 Director of Community Relations Dani Brink at dbrink@dupage88.net or 630-530-3989.

OTHER AREAS OF FOCUS

  • Resources: District 88 will continue to care for the social and emotional well-being of students, staff, families and community members. See a list of available resources (including resources in Spanish) at www.dupage88.net/Coronavirus.

  • Equity work: We have been committed to creating and sustaining an equitable and inclusive environment for all students through Deep Equity and Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Youth Equity Stewardship (YES!) series for more than half a decade, and we have put in place many programs to assist with these initiatives. We know equity is a journey and won’t be reached quickly or easily. However, we need to be relentless in our pursuit of equity, inclusion and the elimination of racism in District 88 and our communities. We are maintaining our work with Deep Equity, YES!, Trauma-Informed Practices and Restorative Practices, and we also have implemented the District 88 C.A.R.E. Team (Committed to Academics, Resiliency and Equity) for students and staff to expand and deepen our work in these areas.

Thank you for your support of District 88 and our mission to work for the continuous improvement of student achievement.

Respectfully,
Scott J. Helton, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools, DuPage High School District 88