Superintendent Update

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

As we end Women's History Month, let us move forward with solidarity, honoring the work that many women, past and present, have fought for. Let’s stand together, lift each other up, and work toward a future where women's contributions, achievements, and resilience are the norm and every young girl in our schools and community has the opportunity to reach their full potential and achieve their personal greatness.

It is also important to remember that each year, on March 31, the world and our school community observes International Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) to raise awareness about transgender people. This day celebrates the lives and contributions of transgender people while also drawing attention to the discrimination and violence the community faces. TDOV falls on the weekend this year, so the District celebrated at the end of this week. We celebrate the joy and resilience of the transgender community. Thank you to the LGBTQIA+ Action Committee for continuing to educate, inform, and share resources with our school communities.

It is time to award the next Gene Amberg Excellence in Teaching Award. Dr. Gene Amberg served as Superintendent of Urbana School District #116 from 1992 until his retirement in 2007. In 2003, the Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation Gene Amberg Excellence in Teaching Endowed Chair was established to honor Dr. Amberg's leadership and dedication. Every three years, an Urbana School District #116 teacher is chosen to receive the Gene Amberg Excellence in Teaching Endowed Chair. This recognition comes with a monetary award.

Nominations may be submitted by: 1) self, 2) peer, 3) student, 4) former student, 5) parent, 6) supervisor, or 7) administrator.

There are many deserving USD teachers who could and should be nominated. The nominations require a letter of support from an administrator. Please complete your nomination form before the deadline on Friday, April 12, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. More information and the application form can be accessed HERE.

If you have not had an opportunity to do so yet, I would encourage you to visit our redistricting website: Urbana School District: Redistricting. It is full of helpful resources to help you make decisions and share feedback around the new boundary maps: Concept 1 (revised) or Concept 2 (revised) in the new RSP 2nd Survey. We encourage everyone to complete the new feedback survey before Monday, April 1. The first Board discussion on the redistricting recommendations is on April 2. If you are passionate about supporting our district and want to be part of the redistricting decision, I encourage you or someone you know who lives in Sub-District 2 to apply for the board vacancy. Applications are available for pick up at Central Office; the application deadline is April 3, and the candidate forum will be held on April 9.

As we close out the redistricting process, I recognize that change is extremely difficult but often essential to move progress forward. If we want improved academic, social, and behavioral outcomes for our students, the change begins with us (i.e., students, parents, staff, administrators, and community members). We all have to start doing our part. The positive changes that we make now will make a difference for our students in the future.

In Solidarity,

Dr. Ivory-Tatum

* PLEASE NOTE: There is no school on Friday, March 29 because of conferences.

Summer Programming is available for all USD116 Students. Please see below for 2024 programs based on grade level. Please note, all programs run Monday-Thursday (with the exception of Camp Invention). There will be no programs on June 19 or July 5. For more information, or to sign up your student(s), please contact your school.

If you live in Urbana and your child will be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2024, you can register your student for kindergarten.

Kindergarten Registration is Wednesday, April 24 from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Lincoln Square Mall. Email kindergarten@usd116.org with questions.

More information on what to bring: Kindergarten Registration

IMPORTANT: If you submit your forms in-person or online, you do not have to register in-person during Centralized Registration in July.

USD116 Community: A new survey is available to provide your feedback on the Elementary Boundary maps. There are currently two concept maps, and there were small updates made to each map after the February public input sessions and initial survey.

NEW SURVEY: There is a new survey for the revised maps. We encourage everyone to complete the new survey. It will stay open until Monday, April 1 and is available in English, Spanish and French.

Survey Link: https://metroquestsurvey.com/o230

Tuesday night's presentation from RSP is available on our website for anyone who would like to review it: https://usd116.org/redistricting2024/

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/

The Urbana School District #116 Board of Education has extended the application deadline to fill the Sub-District 2 vacancy. The new deadline is Wednesday, April 3 at 4:30 p.m. The person appointed will serve until April 2025.

If there is more than one applicant, a public forum moderated by the League of Women Voters will be held on April 9 at 5:30 p.m. in the Board Room at Tiger Academy (303 E. Fairlawn). The public can submit questions in advance to contactus@usd116.org.

Read more: https://usd116.org/subdistrict2-vacancy/

Mark your calendars for April 11. The UHS Girls Soccer Team is playing in a Soccer Showcase at the U of I Demirjian Park. Urbana plays at 6 p.m.

Join us during the weekend of April 19-20 for the Urbana High School Bands 100th Anniversary Alumni Reunion and Concert. Find out the details and RSVP here by April 5: sites.google.com/view/uhsbandsalumni/home

Congratulations to Thomas Paine Teacher, Elyse Harshbarger, for being awarded the March Teacher of the Month by Rick Ridings and Mix 94.5

Her nominator said: "Ms. Elyse truly goes above and beyond for all of her students. She is the teacher in the special education life skills room at Thomas Paine elementary. She strives to make learning fun and accessible for her students. She knows exactly how to relate to each child and to de-escalate possible behaviors before they even happen. These children and myself are extremely lucky to be able to work with such a caring and creative person."

Watch the video

The Urbana High School Wind Symphony has been selected to perform at the University of Illinois SuperState Concert Band Festival on Friday, May 3.

The group is one of eight selected in Class 1A to perform at the festival. The performances are held on the Great Hall Stage at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts.

Senior Kaila Juday & Sophomore Madeline Lofrano competed in the IEA (Interscholastic Equestrian Association) Zone 5 finals this past weekend. Madeline placed 2nd in her Individual JV Novice Flat class, moving her onto Nationals next month. Kaila and Madeline were also members of the Reserve Champion team (2nd place) which also qualified for Nationals. Best of Luck next month!

The Girls Track and Field Team 4x4 team - Kaleigh Bell, Lorelei Yau, Syniyah Quenga, and Marley Yau -- placed 3rd at state and broke the UHS indoor school record from 2018. The team cut 4 seconds off their season best.

The 4x200M relay team -- Kaleigh Bell, Syniyah Quenga, Samantha Christman, and Nalaya Portis -- cut 2.5 seconds off their season best and finished 3rd in state! Go Tigers!

USD116 welcomes Mr. Craig Keer as the next Principal and Mrs. Emily Reilly as the next Assistant Principal of Leal Elementary, effective July 29, 2024. We are excited to have your leadership in Urbana.

Read more

• March 28 & 29: Family Conferences

• April 16: Board of Education vote on final Elementary Bounday Map

• April 19: UECS and K-5: No School | UMS and UHS: Early dismissal

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