COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
When students returned to Madison Early Childhood Center this fall, they walked into a building that, in many ways, is entirely new. After an extensive renovation, Madison has
A Bright New Beginning for Madison Early Childhood Center
For those who knew the old building, the change is striking. Madison teacher Susan Salem still remembers stepping inside for the first time after the work was complete. “I was amazed that it was actually the same building,” she said. “You would never guess that it was the
same building, especially seeing some of the furnishings and the way they’ve redesigned some of the spaces.”
The renovation was the final major project in the district’s referendum plan, which funded two new schools, major upgrades at middle schools, and improvements across every building in the district. Madison, which had served different roles over the decades, was ready to be reimagined as a purpose-built early learning center. The project was sweeping in scope, with roughly 90 percent of the interior gutted and rebuilt. Classrooms were reconfigured, staff areas redesigned, new conference rooms added, and even portions of the exterior refreshed with new windows, entrances, and an updated courtyard.
Director of Facilities Brent Braski said the goals were clear from the start. “The main goals were to make this building for early learners, to bring the small things in, to get bathrooms in the areas for the teachers, and utilize the outdoor space,” he said. “I think the renovation, as is complete, achieved all those items.”
Those “small things” add up to big differences in daily life for staff and students. Before, a single large student bathroom served the entire school, and teachers had to plan trips down the hall into their schedules. Now, every classroom has direct access to a bathroom built to a child’s scale. “Everything is sized to meet their needs,” said Principal Dr. Susan Kondrat. “That one simple change of making sure everything’s at the students’ level is going to make a world of difference.”
The attention to detail goes far beyond bathrooms. Larger windows fill the classrooms with natural light, shared learning areas connect seamlessly to outdoor courtyards, and furniture, fixtures, and finishes are designed for children as young as three. Kondrat said the result is a space that finally reflects the quality of learning happening inside. “We have excellent instruction here at Madison… Now this building is really designed to reflect that,” she said.
went into it from the architects and everyone and the teacher input that it just flows,” she said. She is especially looking forward to using the new fenced-in, developmentally appropriate playground, which will give students a safe space to explore and play outdoors.
The renovation was managed by ICIBuilds, whose team worked closely with the district and design partners to turn the vision into reality. Construction Manager Trey Lally said listening to those who would use the building every day was essential. “We always try and get with the district and the staff community and get their input because they’re going to be the end user,” he said.
For Oscar Lopez-Serna of ICI, Madison was a personal career milestone. “For the first time, I can walk into a building and really be proud of the fact that I was part of this project,” he said. “When you walk in the building now, it’s unrecognizable, state-of-the-art for not only the staff, the students, but the community as well.”
The team’s pride is evident not only in the final product but in the process. Braski noted that wrapping up Madison marks the close of the referendum work and a shift in focus for the district’s facilities team.
“It completes that section of life and allows the facilities department to focus on caring for the buildings and helping make it better for the students.”
Like the rest of the Madison staff who spent the renovation teaching in temporary spaces, Michele Oberlin is thrilled to return to a building thoughtfully designed for her students. “There was so much thought that
For Salem, the transformation is about more than bricks and mortar. “The building is finally going to reflect all the amazing, magical things that happen inside Madison,” she said. And for Kondrat, the feeling is mutual. “The community should feel really proud of the space they have here for students because it shows the great support we have for early childhood learners. It’s just amazing.”
As students explore their classrooms, check out books from the light-filled library, and run across the new playground, the building is already doing what it was designed to do: inspire learning, spark curiosity, and give Elmhurst’s youngest learners a place where they can grow. It is a space that reflects District 205’s mission to educate, engage, and empower all students to reach their full potential, beginning with the very first steps of their educational journey.
2025-26 School Calendar
Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205
August 2025
Institute Days (No students in attendance)
First Day of School (Full Day of School)
September
Labor Day - NO SCHOOL ALL STUDENTS
October 2025
Teacher Institute Day - NO SCHOOL ALL STUDENTS
Columbus Day - NO SCHOOL ALL STUDENTS
PTC - High School 4:00 - 8:30 p.m.
PTC - High School 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. - NO
SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ONLY
November 2025
PTC - Middle School 4:00 - 8:30 pm
PTC - Middle School 9:00 a.m. - 400 p.m. - NO
SCHOOL MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS ONLY
PTC - Elementary School 4:30 - 8:00 p.m.
PTC - Elementary School 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - NO
SCHOOL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS
Non-Attendance Day - NO SCHOOL ALL STUDENTS
Thanksgiving Day - NO SCHOOL ALL STUDENTS
Non-Attendance Day - NO SCHOOL ALL STUDENTS
December 2025
Winter Break Begins - NO SCHOOL ALL STUDENTS
January 2026
Winter Break Ends - CLASSES RESUME
Martin Luther King’s Birthday - NO SCHOOL ALL STUDENTS
February 2026
President’s Day - NO SCHOOL ALL STUDENTS
Teacher Institute Day - NO SCHOOL ALL STUDENTS
March 2026
Spring Break Begins - NO SCHOOL ALL STUDENTS
April 2026
Spring Break Ends - CLASSES RESUME
May 2026
High School Graduation (Sunday)
Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL ALL STUDENTS
Tentative Student Last Day of School (this date incorporates 5 emergency days, If no emergency days are used the last day will be May 21)
June 2026
Juneteenth Holiday (Offices/Schools Closed)
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The Elmhurst D205 Podcast Network
Welcome to the Elmhurst D205 Podcast Network — your go-to source for all things Elmhurst District 205! Tune in for inspiring stories from our students and staff, helpful tips and resources for families, and the latest updates from across the district. We’re here to celebrate the Student Journey of Excellence and share how D205 is preparing every student to be ready for college, career, and life. Don’t miss an episode — hit subscribe and join the conversation!
Student Late Arrival Dates
Elementary & Middle Schools: 8/27, 9/10, 9/24, 10/22, 11/12, 12/3, 12/17, 1/14, 1/28, 2/11, 3/4, 3/18, 4/22, 5/13
High School: 8/13 (late arrival 10th-12th grade), 8/20, 8/27, 9/3, 9/10, 9/17, 9/24, 10/1, 10/8, 10/22, 10/29, 11/5, 11/12, 11/19, 12/3, 12/10, 1/7, 1/14, 1/21, 1/28, 2/4, 2/11, 2/18, 2/25, 3/4, 3/11, 3/18, 3/25, 4/8, 4/22, 4/29
Elizabeth Bevly has been named our most recent Excellent Educator! Elizabeth serves as an Instructional Coach at Sandburg Middle School, where she supports teachers and students with her expertise, dedication, and passion for learning.
Q&A
With Dr. Hurt
As York High School prepared to welcome students for a new school year, Principal Dr. Jessica Hurt sat down to share how her team supports incoming freshmen, builds a strong sense of community, and keeps the school moving forward. In this conversation, Dr. Hurt discusses the meaning behind the phrase “All roads lead to York,” highlights recent and upcoming events, and reflects on what makes York a special place for students, staff, and families.
How do you and your team support incoming freshmen before they set foot in the building?
In addition to visiting the middle schools, we hold several events. We host a Rising Freshman Family Night so students can come to campus and learn about academic programming. In the spring, we hold an Athletics and Activities Night in the field house, where all our teams, clubs, and sponsors are present. Students explore their options and learn why it is great to get involved. Over the summer, we host Wednesday tours for students and families, hour-long visits to answer questions and help them get oriented. Surveys show students often worry about passing periods and lockers, so we want to give them a visual before the first day. We also hold a Back to School Bash on August 11, where new students can bring their schedules, walk through their day, and feel more comfortable before school starts.
One of the best parts about being the principal at York is knowing that all students from District 205 eventually come here, which is spectacular. We work to capitalize on being a unit school district by connecting with incoming ninth graders, those eighth graders, before they arrive. In the spring, our teams push into the middle schools for transition meetings for students with 504s or IEPs, and our senior leadership team visits each middle school. We bring York students and staff members to talk about expectations, what it’s like to be at York, and to answer questions. Students break into their FLLs, are paired with two York students, and take part in a getting-to-knowyou activity. The goal is to ease anxiety, because moving from middle school to high school can be hard. York is a big place, so we work to make it feel small and welcoming for all students. What does “All roads lead to York” mean in practice for incoming students and families?
What do you enjoy most about leading building tours, and
what do you hope families take away?
I love leading the building tours, and this year we have had some really large groups, almost double the number from last year. It is great that the community sees value
in coming. I enjoy dispelling rumors. Having taught freshmen for 13 years, I know the questions they will ask. We give tips and tricks, like which hallways to avoid when it is busy and which landmarks to look for. Tours also give me a chance to be clear about our expectations for how students show up as Dukes and what we are all about.
What impact has the “We Are Dukes” initiative had, and what is planned for this year?
We are bringing back Duke Olympics and expanding it. Matt Johnson will also offer tier one programming during lunch periods. With 50-minute lunches, most students are usually done in about 25 minutes, so we plan to bring in things like bags tournaments, ping pong, guest speakers, and student musicians. These activities are designed to help students feel like they belong at York and to add excitement to the school day.
Tier 2 provides students with added focused support, beyond their daily classroom instruction, for learning, behavior, or attendance needs.
How do students, staff, and families contribute to York’s sense of community?
It is really special that we are the only high school in town, something not many places in the western suburbs can say. Whether it is fine arts performances or athletic events, our community shows up. This spring at the musical, I saw families with young children, kids who will not be at York for a decade, there to watch. In the fall, we will have even more opportunities for the community to engage, from football and soccer to cross country. Our community supports York, and as principal, that is really special.
What construction updates took place over the summer, and how will they benefit students and staff?
We retooled our two main entrances to make them more secure, added exterior cameras, and made interior improvements like fresh paint and upgraded lighting in bathrooms. We also repaved the faculty parking lot, removing all the potholes. We are steadily keeping up with maintenance so our facilities match the quality of education and student work happening here.
What systems or supports are in place to help students succeed academically, socially, and emotionally?
One of the most special things we have at York is our Student Services Department, which includes counselors, social workers, deans, and school psychologists. Every student has a team of adults they can go to if they are struggling or dealing with something outside the classroom. Our faculty is also incredibly supportive. We are retooling academic supports this year to provide tier two structures for students. That includes lunchtime help in the Math Lab, before or after school support, Saturday Academy, and the York Success Center. For freshmen, it is about finding their footing and knowing help is available.
Can you tell us about new members of your leadership team?
We are thrilled to welcome several new team members. Ms. Tracy Stewart is our new Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction, coming from U-46. Mr. Mike Piechocinski is our new Assistant Principal for Student Services, overseeing counselors, social workers, school psychologists, and special education. Dr. Gabriel Medina is our new Multilingual Learner Division Chair from the Bremen High School system. Ms. Katie Schroeder, a York teacher, is serving as Interim Social Studies Division Chair. We also created a new position for Mr. Matt Johnson, a York alum, who will oversee student activities. He is also a Student Council sponsor and will work to revitalize our clubs and activities.
What impact has the “We Are Dukes” initiative had, and what is planned for this year?
I have been impressed with how students and faculty have embraced We Are Dukes. It gives us a clear structure to communicate expectations and values, and students have risen to the challenge. We see it in classrooms, athletics, and fine arts. This year, we are building on that success. On the second day of school, we will have an extended second period for teachers to use We Are Dukes in framing classroom expectations and discussing what it means to be a Duke, both at school and in the community. It makes me proud to see students meet high expectations, and it gives us a structure to hold them accountable while supporting them along the way.
What are you most proud of as you head into this school year?
I am incredibly proud of our staff. We have asked a lot of them over the past two years, with new leadership, new initiatives, and higher expectations, and they have risen to the occasion. They deeply care about our students, our community, and the success of our school, and I feel fortunate to work alongside such dedicated professionals.
