Superintendent Update

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

It has been a busy couple of weeks in USD116 as our schools continued celebrating Black History Month and UMS implemented new safety initiatives. We also hosted many members from the USD116 school community: parents & guardians, staff, students, and community members joined us to provide feedback on our current draft concept plans for redistricting. I also want to let you know that I recently implemented a unique way to share short District news and updates with the USD116 community. They are video updates called the “Tiger Minute.” I will share a couple of examples below. If you want to stay connected to Tiger Minute updates as they are shared, follow me on Instagram @urbana116super.

Several schools, including Dr. King, Yankee Ridge, Dr. Williams Elementary, and Urbana High School, recently showcased student excellence and shared information they have been learning. Here is a teaser from Dr. King created by Kayla ‘KeKe’ Johnson, entitled “Hey Black Child.” and a Tiger Minute with Ms. Johnson. I hope you have found creative ways to recognize and learn more about Black History.

I want to give a shout-out to Urbana Middle School students and staff. During the last two weeks, we have implemented several mid-year safety initiatives: switched students from using backpacks during the school day to binders, students now wear IDs throughout the day and implemented a permanent metal detection station at Door #1. Student relations supervisors, building administrators, and CO staff have worked together to check binders and bags upon the student's arrival. Thank you to the IT team, SRSs, UMS & CO staff, and all helpers who have made this transition possible. We will begin to set up random metal detection at Doors #2 and #4 soon. Here are two Tiger Minutes highlighting perspectives from a student about binders and UMS staff on metal detection. I plan to get more student input on these changes in the coming weeks. Our students who enter Door #1 have responded phenomenally to these changes!

This week, we continued the District’s work toward a new elementary attendance boundary plan with two public input sessions held at Urbana High School. To read the detailed presentation from the redistricting consultant, RSP & Associates, click here: RSP Boundary Analysis: Public Input Presentation. You can access the Boundary Maps at the district website: https://usd116.org/redistricting2024/ or via these PDFs:

• Concept 1

• Concept 2

Hopefully, you attended one of the public input sessions or reviewed the recording on the website. Once you have reviewed all of this information, please take a few minutes to complete the Urbana Elementary Boundary Survey and share your feedback on the plans. The survey will remain open until March 15.

Thank you,

Dr. Ivory-Tatum

The survey being used to collect feedback on the draft elementary boundary plan maps will remain open until March 15.

• If you were unable to attend the public input sessions, you can view the recording on our website: https://usd116.org/redistricting2024/
• The Presentation can be viewed here: RSP Boundary Analysis: Public Input Presentation

If you are interested in enrolling your incoming Kindergarten Student in the Spanish Dual Language Program or your K/1 Student in the French Dual Language Program for the 2024-25 school year, plan to attend an upcoming informational night via Zoom.

• Spanish Dual Language Informational Meeting: Wednesday, April 17 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Zoom
• French Dual Language Informational Meeting: Wednesday, April 10 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Zoom

What to expect at the parent forum:

• Information about dual language program model and enrollment procedures
• Information about dual language program research and student achievement
• Testimonials from people who are currently involved in our dual language programs, including current parents and teachers
• Applications for enrollment will be available

For more information about the Dual Language program please contact Guadalupe Ricconi: gricconi@usd116.org or visit our website: https://usd116.org/multilingual-programs/

Read Across America is tomorrow, Saturday, March 2 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lincoln Square Mall.

Join us for this free event which includes celebrity readers, literacy activities, photo booth and more. There will be readings in several languages, see the schedule below.

Come check out the new mural at Urbana High School on Monday, March 4, from 5-6 p.m.

Urbana Students worked for more than six months on this mural, which is an extension of a mural at Urbana Middle School and made possible by our community partners: Champaign-Urbana Community Fab Lab, Tufl Green Street, Dream Girls Academy, Urbana Arts and Culture Program

Read more: https://usd116.org/murals2024/

The Urbana Indoor Aquatic Center will have special public swim hours during spring break (March 11-15) from 1:30-5 p.m. each day. Please call the pool at (217) 384-7665 if you have any questions.

Several Schools held Black History Month/Black Excellence assemblies and performances this month, including Dr. King, Yankee Ridge, Dr. Williams and UHS.

We'd like to give a shout-out to the USD116 Arctic Tigers. This group of USD116 staff raised more than $20,000 for Special Olympics Illinois during the recent Polar Plunge.

The UHS Winter Guard team recently competed at the state finals. The Lyrical Flag routine placed 5th and Morgan Perez's flag solo placed 9th. Three team members were also recognized by the Illinois Drill Team Association as Scholar Athletes.

• March 11-15: No School - Spring Break

• March 28 & 29: Student Conferences

The organizations & events listed below are not sponsored by USD116.

The Urbana Free Library is hosting an all-ages concert on March 2 from 11-11:30 a.m. The concert will feature Brazilian music, celebrating an exhibition of local student art inspired by Brazil. Students from Dr. King and Thomas Paine will have artwork on display. The art exhibition is open March 1-3.

More info: https://urbanafreelibrary.libnet.info/event/9941168

Email: contactus@usd116.org
Website: usd116.org
Location: 1101 East University Avenue, Suite B, Urbana, IL, USA
Phone: 2173843600
Facebook: facebook.com/usd116
Instagram: instagram.com/urbana116/

X: @urbana116