The RISE Report

The 2023-2024 school year has officially started! Thank you for the amazing turnout at our Meet the Teacher and Locker Set-Up events. We truly enjoyed welcoming new families and seeing our returning students. This week was filled with lots of learning at the two professional development days and capped off with the first day of school this past Wednesday. Thank you for entrusting us with your kiddo each day! We are looking forward to a great year of learning, fun, and development.

District 58 has published the 2023-24 Schools of 58: A Handbook for Families. Please take time to review this important handbook with your child, as it offers an overview of the District’s policies, procedures, resources and student expectations. During the first full week of school, all families will receive a handbook receipt to sign, acknowledging that they and their child reviewed and understood the handbook. Please sign and return the handbook receipt at Curriculum Night or sooner. Here are the links to this year’s family handbook. If you need a print copy, please contact the school office at and we can print you a copy.

• English: 2023-34 District 58 Family Handbook

• Español: 2023-24 Manual Familias del Distrito 58

Dear District 58 Families,

I hope this letter finds you well and we are very excited to start the school year. As you know, the safety of our students and staff is our highest priority. Over the past several years, District 58 has increased its safety measures in partnership with our students, staff, and families. Increased measures include implementing Safe 2 Help, screening visitors via the Raptor System, a new lanyard and identification system for all staff and visitors, embracing the ALICE Model (options-based training for a violent critical incident), and passing a referendum that will build secure entrances at all schools. Another key component of school safety is communicating with your child(ren) at home and monitoring social media usage.

Unfortunately, school districts across the country are experiencing an increase in threatening statements made by students of all ages (online and in-person) to one another, toward staff, or against schools. In previous years, District 58 has also experienced these types of incidents. While this is a national trend, I truly believe we can work together to bring it to an end in District 58.

As a parent of school-age children, I find this national trend very concerning. I view each and every student in our District in the same manner as my own children. District 58 and the Downers Grove Police Department will do everything possible to protect them from threats and harm. We will continue to place the safety of our students and staff above everything else. We will not tolerate any type of threat to our schools.

Additionally, the District will never allow a weapon or lookalike weapon on a bus, at a school activity, or a school. Please have a serious conversation with your child(ren) about why it is not permissible to make a threatening statement (even in a joking manner) online or in-person. Also, please share with your child(ren) that they cannot bring any type of weapon or lookalike weapon to school, including toys. I am sending this letter out early in the year so we can be proactive.

If your child(ren) makes a threatening statement or brings a weapon or lookalike weapon to school, they will immediately be referred to the Downers Grove Police Department. Police consequences may include arrest, referral to the State’s Attorney and the Juvenile Court System. Further, your child(ren) will receive significant consequences at school which may include expulsion (see Board Policy 7:190). The recent tragic events all across the country committed by students of all ages underscore why we will not take any chances when it comes to the safety of our students and staff.

District 58 is also here to help any student or family that is struggling with mental health issues. If we can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to us right away. The District has a free resource called Safe 2 Help that is available 24 hours a day every day of the year. Finally, please talk with your child(ren) about the importance of, “If you see something, say something.” School personnel must be promptly notified of anything that may not seem right so we can investigate all situations in coordination with law enforcement.

District staff will also speak with all of our students in the coming days and weeks about this topic (we will do so in an age-appropriate manner). I recognize that this type of letter may be unsettling. I wish I did not have to write this type of letter. However, this is a serious matter and I need your help. Together we can use this as a teachable moment for all of the students in the District so we can ensure the safety of all.

Sincerely,

Dr. Kevin Russell

Superintendent of Schools

Additional Safety Measures in District 58

-Safe 2 Help

-Building Secured Entrances

-Raptor System for Screening Visitor

-New Lanyard and ID System for Staff and Visitors

-ALICE Model for Students and Staff

Monday, September 4: No School, Labor Day

Tuesday, September 5: Curriculum Night at Pierce Downer Elementary School

Thursday, September 7: Curriculum Night at Indian Trail Elementary School

Monday, September 11: Board of Education Regular Meeting

Tuesday, September 12: Curriculum Night at Herrick Middle School

The Find Food IL Community Food Map is an excellent tool for individuals to find places offering free food or meals; school and Summer Meal programs; and grocery stores and farmers markets accepting SNAP/Link, WIC, and senior vouchers. ISBE partnered with the University of Illinois Extension to help families identify what is available in their community more easily.

Many students rely on school for access to meals. Especially as we enter the summer months, you can help by sharing the Find Food IL Community Food Map with your students and families. Those interested in linking to this resource can download hosting guidelines on the Illinois Nutrition Education Programs website. Contact Caitlin Kownacki or read the press release for more information.

Building Bridges is a parent group under the Downers Grove D58 Area PTA Counil. Building Bridges works on building relationships between families with children who have special needs and our school community.

Whether you are a parent/guardian of a child with an IEP or 504, sibling, caregiver, teacher, librarian, or community member... Building Bridges would love to see your participation in our event for the 2022-2023 school year!

Please join our Facebook Page (Building Bridges Parent/Teacher Group)

https://www.facebook.com/pg/buildingbridgesDG58/

Email: jcadard@dg58.org
Website: www.dg58.org
Location: 1435 Jefferson Avenue, Downers Grove, IL, USA
Phone: 630-7199478