Superintendent Update: 1/27/23
from USD116 Superintendent Dr. Ivory-Tatum
To view past superintendent updates, please visit District Updates on our website.
Greetings, Urbana Families and Friends,
As we approach the start of Black History Month, there are several upcoming events for you to add to your calendar. This Saturday, January 28, from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m., the District will kick off Black History Month with celebratory fun for all at Dr. Williams Elementary School. The program will honor the memory of Mrs. Janice Mitchell, a district parent and community liaison who started this tradition at Dr. Williams Elementary School (then Prairie Elementary). Click here for more information and to access the flyer. On Monday, February 13, the District will celebrate National African American Parent Involvement Day (NAAPID). See the full update for additional details, or you can view our district-wide NAAPID 2023 plans here.
As we experienced this week, it is January in Central Illinois, and winter weather will still be with us for several weeks. While the expected weather event did not deliver as much snow as initially predicted, it is important that you and your family receive any and all communication from the District when it is delivered. I encourage all families and staff to take a few minutes to ensure your phone and email information are correct in Skyward. We also encourage you to update your contact information to include text messaging as another mode of communication. Click here for step-by-step directions. During these situations or other emergencies, if you are unable to reach your school office, please call Central Office at 217- 384-3600.
We also use our website and social media to announce school closings and other important information. If you are ever in doubt regarding whether school is open or you are looking for general information, please visit these locations:
Website: http://www.usd116.org/
USD116 Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/USD116
Twitter: @Urbana116 or @Urbana116Super
I look forward to seeing you virtually at next week's Virtual Family Forum, January 31, 6:00-7:30 p.m. Feel free to join us via the following link: zoom link posted here.
Stay safe and warm,
Dr. Ivory-Tatum
Good News in the U
Congrats to Urbana's new National Board Certified Teachers:
- Amanda Lappin (King)
- Katheryn Plotner (Leal) are our two newest NBCTs in USD116
The following four teachers successfully renewed their NBCTs:
- Nechele Johnson (Thomas Paine)
- Kevin Kennedy (UHS)
- Amanda Perez-Rosser (UHS)
- Nick Stillwell (UHS)
We are fortunate to have these accomplished teachers in Urbana.
Congrats to the Urbana senior swim members on senior night at the Urbana Indoor Aquatic Center:
- Patrick Sweeney
- Kian Banihashem
- Reza Banihashem
Congrats to the UHS senior girls basketball players on winning their game on senior night.
Scholastic Art Award Winners
- Cian Ferrell- Honorable Mention, Photography
- Avalon Ogolsky-Honorable Mention, Mixed Media
- Nat Schneider-Honorable Mention, Digital Art
- Adam Skousen-Honorable Mention, Photography
- Mason Hagen-Silver Key Photography
- Ellee Ford-Silver Key, Photography
- Damien Erickson-Gold Key, Digital Art
- Ellee Ford-2 Gold Keys,
There will be an exhibit and an awards ceremony in Springfield on February 5. Gold Key winners will have their work sent to New York for national judging.
5Essentials Survey
Parents and guardians of USD116 students are invited to complete a survey about their child's school. The survey takes about 10-15 minutes to complete and is available in several languages. It is completely anonymous.
The annual statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your child’s school. As a parent, this opportunity will allow you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness in a survey about your child’s school.
On behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois 5Essentials Survey will be administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago. The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. These five indicators that affect and predict school success are:
● Effective Leaders
● Collaborative Teachers
● Involved Families
● Supportive Environments
● Ambitious Instruction
https://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/
Your feedback is important to us and we appreciate you taking the time to provide valuable information.
Black History Month Kickoff Event
Urbana High School Football Meeting
NAAPID
Please see the flyer below for information about NAAPID events at each school.
Young Author's Contest
The deadline to submit an original story for Urbana School District's Young Author's Contest is quickly approaching! The theme for this year is "Share Your Voice, Share Your Story".
Please read the attached flyers and reach out to your student's teacher for more information.
Virtual Family Forum Jan. 31
Zoom Link
https://usd116-org.zoom.us/j/92586421834
Meeting ID: 925 8642 1834
January is National Mentoring Month
If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please attend an upcoming mentor training:
- Feb. 8 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the Champaign Unit 4 Mellon Building
- Feb. 15 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Champaign Unit 4 Mellon Building
For more information about mentoring, or to sign up for a training session, please contact Angie Armstrong at: (217)337-0853 or aarmstrong@usd116.org
Read more: https://usd116.org/mentormonth23/
USD116 Job Fair
Free Dental Clinic
C-U Connect
Teen Hangout for grades 6-12
Urbana Park District is hosting the FRESH Hangout Zone for students in grades 6-12, on select Fridays at Phillips Recreation Center downtown Urbana.
Teens can enjoy
- PS5
- VR
- Nintendo Switch gaming
- a fire pit
- hot chocolate
- basketball
- board games
- S'mores and snacks
- a Cricut and Craft station
- shoe cleaning kits and so much more!
- February 24
- March 24
- April 14
Each event is free - just come to Phillips Recreation Center and enjoy a fun relaxing time, meet new friends, and have fun!
U in the News
Urbana HS student organizes community blood drive - WAND
MLK scholarship winner used Habitat trip for inspiration - The News Gazette
How will ten Champaign County high schoolers continue Dr. King’s dream? Through environmental, health and housing justice - Illinois Newsroom
2022-23 High School Confidential, Week 16 - The News Gazette
Culture Connection: Urbana elementary kids celebrate Lunar New Year - WCIA
Athletes of the Week: Gabby Mboyo - The News Gazette
2022-23 High School Confidential, Week 17 - The News Gazette
Upcoming Dates
Jan. 28: Black History Month kickoff event
Jan. 31: Virtual Family Forum
Feb. 13: NAAPID
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