Superintendent Update: 1/19/2023
from USD116 Superintendent Dr. Ivory-Tatum
Jan. 19, 2024 Superintendent Update
To view past superintendent updates, please visit District Updates on our website.
Greetings, Urbana Family and Friends,
It has already been an eventful January with several weather events to start the second semester. To make sure you are receiving the latest news and information about weather-related events, E-Learning news, or any school closings, you should do all of the following:
Check your information in Family Access to make sure that your contact information is correct (i.e., email, phone numbers).
Sign up for text alerts by texting “Y” to 67587
Check our website
If you have a yellow bus rider, download the FirstView app
Celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in January is an opportunity to set goals, aspirations, or resolutions around the steps we can all take as individuals to foster a more socially just and equitable society. As Dr. King stated, "The time is always right to do what is right.” These words have been resonating with me as we problem-solve many long-standing issues around redistricting, student achievement concerns, and steps to further the success of our Spanish and French Dual Language students. One of my favorite yearly events highlighting youth from our local schools is the Annual County-Wide Celebration in Krannert Center. Congratulations to this year’s “Living the Dream” Scholarship Recipients from Urbana High School, Hudson Coady, Katherine Halbig, Nourseen Ismail, and Lorelie Yau (Eduardo Andres, alternate).
As you may have heard, the Board of Education recently approved unifying the Spanish Dual Language (DL) strand classes into one school. The location of the DL school will be determined in the weeks to come during the redistricting process and in consultation with RSP Associates. An updated RSP Timeline and Process for the comprehensive boundary work was recently shared. As the consultants begin to make recommendations and share more information with the USD116 Community, there will be upcoming opportunities for public input on Feb 28 and 29, 5:30-7:00 p.m. at Urbana High School, or a public input survey administered by RSP. The final Boundary Plan will be shared with the Board on Tuesday, April 2.
Lastly, January is National Mentoring Month. Our C-U One-to-One Mentoring Program is always looking for parents, staff, or community members eager to make a difference in the lives of a young person. We have amazing Mentor/Volunteer Coordinators in our schools who are ready and willing to answer questions if you are interested. If you want to see what mentoring is like before committing, please attend an upcoming C-U One-to-One Mentoring Open House to learn more about the program. I was a CU One-to-One Mentor for 10 years, and it was one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. You won’t regret it!
Stay warm and safe as we continue to experience more winter weather,
Dr. Ivory-Tatum
Bus App
Yellow Bus Riders: Please download the FirstView bus app. This app will help you track your student's bus and know if there are delays.
All families who have a student who rides the bus should have received a letter at the beginning of the year with their route information. That letter also included information about the FirstView bus app and the district code needed to access the app. Please contact your school if you need the code.
More information about the app and helpful guides: https://usd116.org/transportation/
Black History Month Event
You're invited to the Urbana School District 3rd annual Black History Month celebration. The event is Sunday, January 28 from 3-5 p.m. in the gym at Dr. Williams Elementary School. There will be performances, activities and more!
We Need Your Input
Urbana School District #116 created Family and Community Cafés this school year in response to feedback received from families who participated in the Equity Audit that was completed during the 2022-2023 school year.
Our Family and Community Cafés are designed to provide families with a collaborative space to share ideas and build connections with each other.
Please complete the survey below about topics you would like to discuss during the Family and Community Café on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 from 6:00-7:00 pm at Dr. Preston L. Williams, Jr. Elementary School in the gymnasium.
French Survey
If you would like to discuss topic ideas for the upcoming Family and Community Café, please contact, Dionne Webster, via email: dwebster@usd116.org.
National Mentoring Month
January is National Mentoring Month and USD116 would like to thank all of our mentors who spend their time with our students each week.
There is always more students who would love a mentor. If you would like to become a mentor, there are three upcoming opportunities to take the mentor training:
- Jan. 30
- Feb. 7
- Feb. 22
There is also an upcoming mentor social on Jan. 25, if you would like to learn more about the CU 1-to1 Mentor Program.
More information: https://usd116.org/mentoring24/
Attendance
ATTENDANCE MATTERS: Help your student succeed by helping them create good attendance habits.
- Check on your student’s attendance to be sure absences are not adding up
- Create a morning routine
- Seek help from school staff if you need support
Good News in the U
Winter Guard
The Urbana High School Winter Guard Team is State Bound! At last weekend's competition:
- The team's Lyrical Flag routine placed 2nd and qualified for State
- Senior captain Morgan P. placed 1st with her solo flag routine & qualified for State
- The team's Winter Guard routine placed 1st
The IDTA State Finals are scheduled for February 10 in Springfield.
Scholarship Recipients
Four Urbana High School Students were named “Living The Dream” Scholarship recipients at the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Countywide Celebration:
- Hudson Coady (Willie Summerville Memorial Award for Excellence in the Arts)
- Katherine Halbig
- Nourseen Ismail
- Lorelie Yau
Read more: https://usd116.org/mlk-24/
Upcoming Dates
January 23: Board of Education Meeting
February 6: Board of Education Meeting
February 13: Family and Community Cafe
February 19: No School | President's Day
Urbana School District #116
Email: contactus@usd116.org
Website: usd116.org
Location: 1101 East University Avenue, Suite B, Urbana, IL, USA
Phone: 2173843600
Facebook: facebook.com/usd116
Twitter: @urbana116
Outstanding Schools in an Outstanding Community!