District 88 shares highlights of 2020 Illinois School Report Card and important COVID-19 updates

Pictured is Yvonne Tsagalis, District 88 Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction.

2020 ILLINOIS SCHOOL REPORT CARD
At District 88, our mission is to work for the continuous improvement of student achievement.

Each and every day, District 88 works to build positive futures for its students inside the classroom and beyond. The results of the 2020 Illinois School Report Card, which were released by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) today, Oct. 30, show the successes of District 88 and reflect the efforts of staff, Board of Education members, students, parents/guardians and community members. To see highlights of the 2020 Illinois School Report Card, go to https://www.dupage88.net/site/page/12318.

COVID-19 RE-OPENING PLAN-DUPAGE HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 88 RETURN TO SCHOOL PLAN
As of Oct. 26, DuPage County is in the Substantial Community Transmission level in three out of the six factors on the DuPage County COVID-19 School Metrics Guidance (http://www.dupagehealth.org/ReturnToSchool), and we’ve increased our numbers in two of the other categories as well (https://tinyurl.com/yx8t8fcx). In the DuPage County Health Department model, there are three levels of transmission we are monitoring weekly: Minimal, Moderate and Substantial Community Transmission. Each of these levels is determined by the following factors:

The county-level risk metric color (Orange or Blue)
Weekly cases per 100,000 people
Changes in the weekly county overall case numbers
Changes in the weekly county youth numbers (under the age of 20)
Positivity rates
The neighboring/regional indicator level (Cook, Kane and Will counties)

* As health experts learn more about COVID-19 and community spread, these metrics may be modified or changed.

DuPage County’s level of COVID-19 community transmission is determined by the highest category in which a single metric is met or exceeded. When considering a shift to more in-person learning, all metrics should be under the identified thresholds for a given level for at least two consecutive weeks.

These numbers and trends are concerning, which is why maintaining Remote Learning is the best course of action at this time. I assure you we will continue to connect with and care for students and will provide a robust curriculum. I also assure you we are prepared to move to a hybrid/in-person environment when the data and guidance support that decision. We want our students back in our buildings – but more importantly, we want them safe and healthy. I encourage you to visit our Return to School webpage at www.dupage88.net/ReturnToSchoolPlan for the most up-to-date information.

IMPORTANT UPDATES

Food service: Through our community food-service program, we will provide seven days’ worth of free meals from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each Wednesday to all residents up to the age of 18. See details at https://www.dupage88.net/site/page/12216.
Learning centers: 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).
Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT): As a result of DuPage County being in the Substantial Community Transmission level (see details above), and in the interest of the safety of our students and staff, we postponed the PSAT/NMSQT that was scheduled for Oct. 29. This optional assessment for juniors has been rescheduled to Jan. 26, 2021. All students who registered for the October test date will be rescheduled to the January test date. Students who have not yet registered can sign up for the January test (see details below).
- Addison Trail students: Check your school e-mail for a link to register for the PSAT/NMSQT that will take place on Jan. 26, 2021.
- Willowbrook students: E-mail Assistant Principal Jamie Gourley at jgourley@dupage88.net to register for the PSAT/NMSQT that will take place on Jan. 26, 2021.
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.

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. The 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.
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 Nov. 17. If you would like to join the committee, please contact District 88 Director of Community Relations Dani Brink at dbrink@dupage88.net or 630-530-3989.

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 Nov. 18. If you would like to join the committee, contact District 88 Director of Community Relations Dani Brink at dbrink@dupage88.net or 630-530-3989.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE BOARD OF EDUCATION CANDIDATES
Below are links to important information for those who are interested in running for the District 88 Board of Education during the Consolidated General Election on April 6, 2021.

Petitions are due between Dec. 14 and 21, 2020, and should be filed with the DuPage County Clerk, Election Division at 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187.

Three full (four-year) terms will be open on the District 88 Board during the upcoming election.

Through the presentation links below, you’ll learn:

Time requirements of being a Board member
Expectations of being a Board member
How to complete the filing/petition process

CLICK HERE to view important information for prospective Board members
CLICK HERE to view a packet for prospective Board members
CLICK HERE to watch a video of the presentation

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,
Yvonne Tsagalis, District 88 Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction