Superintendent Update: 11/17/2023

from USD116 Superintendent Dr. Ivory-Tatum

Superintendent Update: 11/17/2023 from USD116 Superintendent Dr. Ivory-Tatum

Nov. 17, 2023 Superintendent Update

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

Greetings, Urbana Family and Friends,


Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude and an opportunity to extend thanks and appreciation to our students, staff, and families. Thank you for partnering with us to create learning environments where our students have a strong foundation and can thrive. Many district initiatives are being developed and in progress; together, we can work to create an environment where students can reach their full potential.


This week in Illinois, public education accolades were the priority. It was a time to honor our Educational Support Professionals (ESP) and acknowledge the respect and dignity that they deserve. I am so thankful for our district ESPs. Our ESPs include para-professionals and student relations supervisors who work daily with our students. We cannot function without the help of our support professionals, who are the backbone of our schools. This week, the State also designated School Board Members Day as a time to thank Board members for their service. Thank you to our USD116 Board Members for volunteering their time and energy to improve outcomes for our students and future improvements for the district. Finally, today is Substitute Educators Day, we are fortunate to have many dedicated daily and long term substitutes in our schools. They are passionate and hard working for students and the USD family. Please take a moment to show your gratitude to our ESPs, Subs, or #ThankABoardMember.


I look forward to our next Family and Community Cafe event on November 28 from 6-7 p.m. at Dr. Williams Elementary School. The topic for the upcoming Cafe will be “Mental Health and Well-being.” Childcare and light refreshments will be provided. The flyers are linked here: Family and Community Cafe ENG flyer, SP flyer, FR flyer.


I am grateful to be part of such a supportive community that cares for one another. As I give thanks for the blessings in my life, I want to let you know how grateful I am that you are part of this supportive community. As we celebrate the blessings of the Thanksgiving season, let us remember the importance of togetherness and gratitude. I’d like to thank Urbana’s Stone Creek Church for partnering with the District again this year to provide 300 turkeys and groceries to USD116 families. Our partnership with Stone Creek is so valued and appreciated. Thank you again for working with us to build a community that fosters compassion and caring for others.


May your Thanksgiving be filled with joy, warmth, and time with loved ones and friends. Happy Thanksgiving!


In gratitude,

Dr. Ivory-Tatum

UHS Community Thanksgiving

picture of the commons from Thanksgiving 2019
zoom_out_map

The Urbana High School Student Council is hosting the 50th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner on November 23 from 4-6 p.m.

  • UHS Commons (enter door 1)

  • The meal is free and open to anyone in the community


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. Donations for the meal are also welcomed.

Family and Community Cafe: November 28

zoom_out_map

We hope to see you at the next USD116 Family and Community Cafe on Tuesday, November 28 from 6-7 p.m. It will be held in the gym at Dr. Williams elementary. Childcare is available and light refreshments will be served. Spanish, French, and Q’anjob’al interpreters will be present to translate for families.

Diaper Drive

zoom_out_map

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

Safe Routes to School

Leal, King, Dr. Williams and Thomas Paine Familes, please complete the Safe Route to School survey.


USD116 and our community partners are always looking for ways to make walking and biking to school as safe as possible. Please take a few minutes to complete the confidential Safe Route to School survey, and let the C-U Safe Route to School Team know what you think. The survey is open until November 30.


Thank you for your participation.

Good News in the U

Leal Multicultural Night

Leal families did a great job putting together their school's Multicultural Night. The event included music, performances, food, art and activities. Thank you to all of the Urbana businesses and organizations that contributed to the event's success!

zoom_out_map

UHS Musical

The UHS Drama Club had several successful performances of the musical Twelfth Night last weekend.

UECS Celebration

Thank you to everyone who celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Urbana Early Childhood with us last week. It was great to see so many new and old faces from the last 50 years of Early Childhood Education in Urbana.

UECS 50th Anniversary - November 2023

In The News

Community Resources/Events

Festival of Trees

Saturday, November 18 is the annual Festival of Trees. Thanks to the Junior League of Champaign-Urbana, all USD116 students receive free entry into the Festival of Trees. You will need to show the ticket below for entry. Please visit FestivalofTreesCU.com for more information.

open_in_new zoom_out_map

Cunningham Township Fun & Friendship Circus

Cunningham Township's Fun & Friendship Circus is Saturday, November 18, at the Independent Media Center at 200 S. Broadway (enter through the south accessible entrance).

Upcoming Dates

  • November 22-24: No School - Thanksgiving Break

  • December 5: Board of Education meeting 6:30 p.m.

  • December 19: Board of Education meeting 6:30 p.m.

  • December 20-January 3: No School - winter break

Urbana School District #116
Urbana is using Smore to create beautiful newsletters

Outstanding Schools in an Outstanding Community!