Superintendent Update: Nov. 3, 2023

from USD116 Superintendent Dr. Ivory-Tatum

Superintendent Update: Nov. 3, 2023 from USD116 Superintendent Dr. Ivory-Tatum

Nov. 3, 2023 Superintendent Update

To view past superintendent updates, please visit District Updates on our website.

Greetings, USD116 Family and Friends,

Thank you to our families who participated in their Student-Led Family Conferences last week. I hope the information your students shared was productive and the conversations with teachers were informative. Your next opportunity to meet with your students and teachers for Student-Led Family Conferences will be March 28 and 29, so mark your calendars now!


While we look forward to seeing families in the buildings for events like conferences, special meetings, assemblies, and programs, we also recognize there are other times when families need to visit the school, their child’s classroom or request to meet with a teacher. USD116 has always encouraged families to engage, volunteer, or visit their schools, events, and classrooms to contribute to the positive outcomes of our students. However, as a district, we also have to establish clear protocols and guidelines and prioritize the safety of our students and staff. Our current Board Policy 8:30: Visitors to and Conduct on School Property provides this guidance for visits and conduct during visits. In addition to Board Policy 8:30, we recently updated our administrative procedures to include Guidelines for Visitors to USD116. We know you understand why asking families, visitors, and volunteers to sign in and out of the building, show identification, and wear a visitor’s badge throughout the visit is essential for safety purposes. We also appreciate your understanding and patience as we ask those who wish to meet with a staff member or observe in a classroom to schedule an appointment in advance at a mutually agreeable time. Formal classroom observation requests should be made to your building administrator and the Executive Director of Student Services. Instructional teaching and learning time is sacred, and we want to minimize disruptions to the classroom learning environment whenever possible. Thank you for following these policies and guidelines to help us ensure a positive and productive learning environment for all students.


On Monday, the Illinois State Board of Education (IBSE) released the annual Illinois Report Card, and the district shared a message with families and the media with more information. The annual Illinois Report Card provides a snapshot of academic achievement, student and teacher information, and financial data at the state, district, and school levels. We will continue to focus on the necessary improvements to support every student in reaching their fullest potential and achieving their personal greatness. Our schools and our District are strongest when we (i.e., our schools, staff, families, and home) all work together on behalf of our students to ensure they all thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.


We are thrilled to announce that next week, we will celebrate 50 years of community impact through our Urbana Early Childhood program. On Thursday, November 9, at Urbana Early Childhood School at 5:00 p.m., we are hosting a grand 50th Anniversary Celebration. For the last 50 years, Urbana Early Childhood has been a beacon of knowledge and growth for our community. The journey has been marked by countless achievements, cherished memories, and the unwavering commitment of all those who have been part of our Urbana Early Childhood School family. We invite all alumni, current and former staff, students, parents, and friends to commemorate this golden moment. Help us celebrate the legacy of UECS. Eng-Invite, Sp-Invite, Fr-Invite.


Thank you for being a part of our successes and our challenges and a partner in the work ahead as we move forward to support student success and achievement through our redistricting, strategic planning, and school improvement initiatives.


All my best,

Dr. Ivory-Tatum

UECS Celebration: November 9

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USD116 is celebrating 50 years of Early Childhood Education in Urbana and the 10th Anniversary of UECS. You're invited to join:

  • Thursday, November 9

  • 5 p.m. (Tours at 5:30)

  • UECS

Check out some throwback early childhood photos below!

Family and Community Cafe: November 28

We hope to see you at the next USD116 Family and Community Cafe on Tuesday, November 28 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. It will be held in the gym at Dr. Williams elementary. Childcare is available and light refreshments will be served.


The purpose of Family and Community Cafes is to create a space for families, community members, and district staff to have collaborative conversations and give families and community members the opportunity to share their ideas to impact our students' academic and social emotional growth.

UHS Thanksgiving Dinner

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The Urbana High School Student Council is hosting the 50th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner. For the first time since 2019, the meal will be a sit down dinner in the high school Commons (1002 S. Race St.) on November 23 from 4-6 p.m. Please enter Door 1.


The meal is free and open to anyone in the community on a first-come, first-served basis.


Donations for the meal are needed. Please send donations to Urbana High School c/o Student Council. If you would like to volunteer to help the day of the dinner, please call 708-580-6396 or 217-384-3505 and leave a message for Student Council.

Diaper Drive

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Urbana Early Childhood School and CU Early are holding their annual Diaper Drive December 4-8.


Wipes and diapers of all sizes are needed, especially pull-ups. The diapers do not need to be in the original packaging. Items can be dropped off at any USD school or Central Office. The diapers benefit the UECS/CU Early families and the United Way Bottom Line Diaper Bank. Questions can be directed to UECS (217) 384-3616

UHS Musical

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Urbana High School Theatre presents: Twelfth Night the musical! There are four opportunities to see the show:

  • November 9-11 at 7 p.m.
  • November 12 at 2 p.m.


The show is recommended for ages 10 and up. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. You can buy them in advance here: Twelfth Night Tickets

UHS Bands 100th Anniversary

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Calling all Urbana Bands Alumni! Join us on April 20, 2024 to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Urbana Bands with an alumni concert. All alumni and former directors are invited to participate, either by playing in the band or attending the concert.


Mark your calendars now, and please share with any alumni you know!

  • April 20, 2024
  • 7 p.m.
  • UHS Gymnasium
  • Open to the public


Read more: https://usd116.org/100annniversaryconcert/

Attendance

a graphic explaining chronic absence -- excused and unexcused absences -- versus truancy which only counts unexcused absences.
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Every day in school counts and helps build the foundation for your student's academic success. Daily attendance supports academic success.


Chronic absence, missing 10 percent or more of school days due to absence for any reason—excused, unexcused absences and suspensions, can translate into students having difficulty learning to read by the third-grade, achieving in middle school, and graduating from high school.

Good News in the U

UHS ILMEA

Congratulations to the following Urbana High School band students who have been selected to perform in the 2023 ILMEA District 3 Ensembles at Olivet Nazarene University in November:


Senior Band

  • Jonathan Allison - Trombone
  • Brian Allison - Percussion
  • Matthew Bodony - Alto Saxophone
  • Gabe Doussard - Bb Clarinet
  • Nox MacDougall - Flute
  • Kavi Patel - Percussion
  • Ian Peters - Contra-Alto Clarinet
  • Ellie Scully - French Horn
  • Alex Tartakovsky - Bass Trombone
  • Brianne Wefel - Flute
  • Cassie Wefel - Flute


Jazz Band I

  • Matthew Bodony - Tenor Saxophone
  • Jazz Band II
  • Colin Guth - Trombone
  • Kavi Patel - Piano
  • Jazz Band III
  • Jonathan Allison - Trombone
  • Senior Orchestra
  • Samantha Christman - Trumpet
  • Grace Coady - Flute
  • Colin Guth - Trombone
  • Ioelle Lee - Oboe
  • Elianna Lee - Percussion
  • Theodore Nevins - Tuba

UMS ILMEA

Congratulating the following Urbana Middle School band students who will be part of the ILMEA 2023 District 3 Jr Band! Students will perform at Olivet Nazarene University in November.

  • Alice Hauser – Oboe
  • Colton Ruud – Bb Clarinet
  • Abby Scully – Trumpet
  • Keandre Towns – Baritone Saxophone
  • Sebastian Brock – Trombone
  • Gabriel Pollock Ray – Bb Clarinet
  • Amita Patel – Flute
  • Willa Sola – Alto Sax
  • Maddy Scully – F Horn

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King School Celebrates United Nations Day

King School celebrated United Nations Day with a flag parade, representing the school's international community. King students come from over 50 countries and speak more than 40 languages.

UHS Club Latino

Urbana High School Club Latino held a celebration to mark the end of Latine Heritage Month the Friday before Fall Break. It was a great way to end the month.

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UHS Cross Country

The UHS Cross Country Team competed at sectionals last weekend and three athletes qualified to compete at the state meet on Saturday. Congrats to the Cross Country Team on a great season!

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Athletic Director

UHS Assistant Principal and Athletic Director, Steve Waller, was selected as Division 5 Class 3A/4A Athletic Director of the Year!

Community Resources/Events

Genome Day

Join the U of I for Genome Day.

  • November 4 at the Champaign Public Library 12-4 p.m.

Exhibits and activities will cover topics including the environment, energy use & production, health, and fundamental research at the IGB. Although designed for K-12 children, all members of the community are welcome.

In The News

Upcoming Dates

  • November 7: Board of Education Study Session at 6:30 p.m.

  • November 10: No School: Staff Development Day

  • November 15: School Board Members Day in Illinois

  • November 22-24: No School: Thanksgiving Break

Urbana School District #116
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