District 88 participates in 15th Annual Shape of Addison Town Hall Meeting

(From left) Village of Addison Mayor Rich Veenstra, District 88 Superintendent Dr. Jean Barbanente and District 88 Board of Education President Donna Craft Cain participate in the 15th Annual Shape of Addison Town Hall Meeting. That event took place on Jan. 26 to provide an opportunity for community members to dialogue with board presidents from all six taxing bodies in Addison. 

On Jan. 26, District 88 Board of Education President Donna Craft Cain and District 88 Superintendent Dr. Jean Barbanente participated in the 15th Annual Shape of Addison Town Hall Meeting.

The meeting provided an opportunity for community members to dialogue with all six taxing bodies in Addison. Board presidents and administrators/representatives from the Village of Addison, the Addison Township, the Addison Public Library, the Addison Park District, the Addison Police Department, the Addison Fire Protection District, Addison School District 4 and District 88 shared updates and answered questions from community members.

District 88 discussed the following topics:

  • Updates regarding the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, including working with the Village of Addison, the Addison Police Department, the Addison Fire Protection District and other groups to host several COVID-19 vaccine clinics

  • How the district is connecting with and caring for students, including implementing the Elyssa’s Mission SOS Signs of Suicide program (which educates students on how to identify signs of depression and suicide in themselves and their peers, while training school professionals, parents and community members to recognize at-risk students and take appropriate action) and ReferralGPS (a free online service that assists students, staff and community members in finding local treatment for mental health and substance use needs) and forming the CARE (Committed to Academics, Resiliency and Equity) Team in 2020 to concentrate on the well-being of students and staff

  • Student successes so far during the 2021-22 school year

  • Highlights of the 2021 Illinois Report Card

  • The district’s continued efforts to provide students with advanced coursework and career certification opportunities to help ensure they are college and career ready

  • Dr. Jean Barbanente being named as the 10th Superintendent of District 88 this past July

  • Jack Andrews being named as the 10th Principal of Addison Trail this past July

  • Christine Poirier, Jean Taylor and Diana Stout joining the District 88 Board of Education

  • Financial updates, including refunding/waiving the registration, textbook rental and student parking fees this year, as well as removing the fee for District 88 students to attend school events and activities

  • Facility updates, including potentially opening the track in Addison Trail's field house to the public (community members could use that area from 5 to 6:30 a.m. on school days, with a valid ID)

  • The district’s efforts to provide open and transparent communication through its website, electronic newsletter and social media (including a redesigned and updated website this year – enhancements include a fresh new look, more user-friendly navigation and better accessibility)

To watch the Shape of Addison meeting, go to https://addison.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=6768. Thank you for your continued support of District 88.