Superintendent Update:Sept 29, 2023
from USD116 Superintendent Dr. Ivory-Tatum
Greetings, Urbana Family and Friends,
We have completed almost seven weeks of school. It is unbelievable how fast this school year is going; a lot has happened in just a few weeks. I am continuing my visits to schools to meet with teachers and visit classrooms to keep our focus on #WhatsYourWhy116 and our passion and purpose for why we do this work. Dr. Kimberly Norton, Assistant Superintendent for Student Learning, has also been visiting schools and completing instructional “ Learning Walks” with principals to assess the positive things happening in classrooms around teaching and learning. Last week’s focus on School Safety was a success. I am so proud that our schools are taking serious measures and precautions to ensure your children and our staff are safe. Next month is Fire Prevention Awareness Month. We will work with the fire department to assess our readiness to respond and act quickly. Fire drills with Urbana Fire will begin next week and continue during the week of October 2nd.
If you have been following the communications about the Facilities Committee, then you know the Board has held two public hearings (Sept. 5 and 19) regarding the District Facilities Committee’s final recommendation to reopen Wiley School as a 6th Grade Center. If you would like to express your personal opinions to the Board concerning their future action, the final public hearing is Tuesday, October 3. You can review more information about the committee’s work via the Co-Chairs presentation and the Board of Education discussion regarding this recommendation: Watch the Aug. 22 District Facilities Committee Presentation. You can also read about it in the BOE Update. A final vote and action from the Board is expected at the October 3rd meeting.
It is “CU Pride Fest Week” in Urbana. There have been several events supporting the LGBTQIA+ community, culminating in many activities this Saturday, September 30, from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. in downtown Urbana. This year’s Fest has grown to include over 160 vendors and 70 groups marching in the Pride Fest Parade. The fair begins at 1:00 p.m., and the parade starts in CampusTown at 2:30 p.m. and ends in downtown Urbana. USD116 and our GSA clubs will have vendor tables open during the Fest; please stop by to show your support.
The Champaign County Community Coalition is hosting its first Black Mental Health and Awareness Conference at Parkland College this Saturday from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. The District is a co-sponsor, and USD116 Staff members are signed up to attend this free wellness event.
We continue to celebrate Latine Heritage Month in Urbana schools. This was the first year the UHS Mariachi Tigres participated in the Homecoming Pep Assembly. The Mariachi Tigres is an enrichment club at UHS; if you want to join or learn more about the Tigres, please contact Tamra Gingold. You can watch their Pep Assembly performance via a video clip, click here. There have been many Latine Heritage activities thus far in our schools, and more to come as we continue to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of Latine Americans.
Monday, October 2, is Bring Your Family to School Day. Please check your school’s newsletters and announcements for more information about their specific activities; you don’t need an invitation to visit the school. Families are asked to stop in the office first to sign in as a visitor to the building. While you are welcome to visit, teachers are teaching and will not be available for one-on-one meetings with parents and guardians. Student-led, family-teacher conferences are scheduled for October 26 and 27. A quick visit will help you see the passion and purpose of USD116 staff, which is evident when I visit schools and talk with our students, staff, and administrators.
Enjoy all of the upcoming events, and I look forward to seeing you in the community,
Dr. Ivory-Tatum
Our Food Service Provider, Quest, has updated its menu platform. Families who wish to view dining menus will need to download the LINQ Connect app or visit this website: LINQ Connect
Quest partners with LINQ Connect to provide access to weekly and monthly Dining Menus that include individual item descriptions, ingredient lists, nutritional data and allergen information.
To get started:
- Visit LINQConnect.com or open the LINQ Connect App.
- Under "Check District Menus" type "Urbana School District"
- Select your school from the drop-down list (top left corner)
- You can select the monthly or weekly view of the calendar and desired date range.
- To see menu item details, simply click the item and the ingredients, nutritional data, and allergens will populate.
- To view specific allergen information, click the allergens menu and check all the boxes that apply.
Please note: The old app and website will be discontinued after September 29.
Walk and Roll to School Day is October 4. Every year, thousands of schools across the country participate in International Walk ‘n Roll to School Day. Urbana elementary schools have participated in this event since 2004. The goal is to promote physical activity and teach pedestrian safety skills.
Families who are interested in walking/biking to school should check with their building for specific routes. For more information and additional resources, visit http://www.walkbiketoschool.org/
The Tiger Market food pantry, with locations at Urbana High School and the Adult Education building, has free food products and personal care items available for students at UHS, Urbana Adult Education and Tiger Academy/Freedom Schools.
If you or someone you know would like to sign up to receive items, please use this form: Tiger Market sign up.
C-U Marching Showcase
Urbana hosted the 2nd annual C-U Marching Showcase Tuesday night. The Tiger Marching Band, the Marching Maroons and the Marching Chargers put on a spectacular show. Watch a clip here: Marching Showcase
Teacher of the month!
Urbana Middle School Band Teacher, Mr. Escatel, was surprised with the Rick Ridings and Mix 94.5 September Teacher of the Month! He was nominated by a USD116 parent for his commitment to ensuring every student succeeds. Watch video here: Teacher of Month - Mr. Escatel
Forty Under 40
Thomas Paine Principal, Ms. Andrea Jackson, is a Central Illinois Business Magazine Forty Under 40 2023 award winner!
Ms. Jackson has also served as Assistant Principal and teacher at Thomas Paine, as well as the District's Family Engagement and Curriculum Coordinator. We are so proud that she is receiving this award and being recognized for her work in the district and the community.
C-U Pride Fest
The Champaign-Urbana Pride Fest is a program created and produced by Uniting Pride of Champaign County to celebrate LGBTQ+ pride in our local community. This year's Pride Fest is Sept. 23-Oct. 1
- The C-U Pride Fest Fair: Saturday, September 30, 2023 - 1-5 p.m. in downtown Urbana at the intersection of S Race St and W Main St
- Parade starts at 2:30 p.m.
- More info: https://www.unitingpride.org/paradefair23.html
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
