WJFPR Fall Ed Guide 081022

E D U C AT I O N & E N R I C H M E N T G U I D E

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Fall 2022

August 10, 2022

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Education Enrichment and

Guide

local schools | early learning | tutoring programs

MORE THAN just a

SCHOOL MORE THAN just a

SCHOOL

We’re a community of families that share in the experience of teaching, inspiring and THAN guiding young children.

MORE just a

We’re a community of families that share in the experience of teaching, inspiring and guiding our children.

SCHOOL

We’re FIRST UNITED CHURCH

URSERY for 50+NYears

SCHOOL

for 50+ Years

708-848-4910 • acardin@firstunitedoakpark.com

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First United Nursery School -More than Just a School

irst United Church Nursery School is accepting enrollments for the 2022-2023 school year. Located in We’re a the heart of Oak Park, the school has been community providing a quality preschool experience offor families that and preparing children kindergarten share in the for over 60 years.

experience of Our literacy-rich, play-based curriculum supports children’s curiosity, creativity, teaching, initiative, and confidence.inspiring The topics studied and the classroom environments and guiding are chosen based on the children’s ourischildren. interests. Our curriculum intellectually engaging, and includes literacy, math, science, social studies, music, art, gross motor activities and plenty ofWe’re time and FIRST UNITED CHURCH opportunities to interact with peers.

NURSERY SCHOOL

First United Nursery School has been accredited by NAEYC since 1987 and is an Illinois Gold Circle of Quality school with large, inviting sun-filled classrooms, a spacious gym and enclosed playground, as well as access to two local parks.

We are More Than Just a School in large part because of our low student to teacher ratios, outstanding, highly-qualified, and experienced teachers -some with master’s degrees- and our partnership with parents.

First United Church Nursery School is: • A joyful place for children to play, learn and grow.

• A place for parents to find community, friendship, support, and engagement.

• A place where teachers share their professional expertise and guide young children as joint partners in discovery and learning.

For more information or to arrange a visit to the school, please contact our Director, Amy Cardin, at (708) 848-4910 or email us at acardin@firstunitedoakpark.com.

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August 10, 2022

E D U C AT I O N & E N R I C H M E N T G U I D E

We can help your student Select, Apply and Get In To the college that’s PERFECT for them.

Compass founder, Pamela Ellis, MBA, PhD,The Education Doctor®, with one of her successful students Nina.

Compass College Advisors offers a proven system to successfully support students in their college search and application process.

• 95% of our students have been accepted into their top-choice colleges • We have helped families save over $30 million through scholarship awards Find out more how we can help your student at compasscollegeadvisory.com or call 312.805.7299

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Get In and Get Scholarships with Compass College Advisory!

ttention parents of high school seniors! The fall is quickly approaching, which means that college application season is almost here.

You probably already know that, but did you know that there’s a way to make the college application process less stressful, while allowing your student to enjoy their senior year?

Sign up now for our free training “5 Keys for Seniors to Get In and Get Money for College.”

Through senior year, our team at Compass College Advisory will help your teen apply to those colleges that feel like home, support them through writing application essays that stand out, and find scholarship opportunities so you avoid overpaying for college.

Compass College Advisory was founded

by Pamela Ellis, MBA, PhD, The Education Doctor. She is an award-winning educational consultant whose experience includes advising school districts, community organizations, and institutions of higher education. She has visited more than 500

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colleges and universities internationally to gain insight into their varying cultures and to explore the range of academic and social opportunities available to students on campus.

Compass College Advisory’s proven system has helped 95% of their students be accepted into their top-choice colleges as well as saved families over $30 million through scholarship awards.

Jennifer, a parent and client from Hyde Park, saw her friends and their teens regularly fighting over creating college lists, meeting deadlines, and revising essays.

“We didn’t have any of that,” Jennifer says, “because Compass provided a structure for our daughter to do those things herself. In this way, Compass helped preserve our relationship with our daughter in an otherwise stressful time. I would unequivocally recommend Compass. Their services were worth the investment!”

For more information, visit compasscollegeadvisory.com or call 312.805.7299.

Ascension School Enriches Minds, Bodies and Souls

or over 110 years, Ascension has provided an excellent Catholic education in the spirit of love, kindness, respect, and inclusion. The strength and support of our Ascension community is notably present in the students’ academic, social, and spiritual education. Our goal is to create a positive atmosphere where students can grow in a safe, challenging and faith-filled learning environment.

With an average student to teacher ratio of 13:1, our faculty recognizes the individuality of each child’s development and has the opportunity to work with our students one on one to help them achieve their academic goals. Our students experience a well-rounded, Catholic education that enriches their minds, bodies and souls.

This year Ascension is one of only 15 Chicago schools entering its second year school partnership with the Museum of Science and Industry.

Beginning in preschool, every

classroom has access to iPads, chrome books and students are exposed to comprehensive STEM opportunities throughout the year.

We offer both full and half-day programs for our preschool children.

Our preschooler’s day focuses on independent learning, socialization, reading readiness and literacy skills, fine motor and gross motor development. Ascension School also has an Extended Day Program which offers before school and after school care for our preschool to grade 8 students.

Ascension provides outstanding fine and performing arts programs, extracurricular athletic programs and a number of clubs that promote teamwork, community and inclusion.

Learn about what Ascension School can offer your child with a private tour at school.ascensionoakpark.com.

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E D U C AT I O N & E N R I C H M E N T G U I D E

GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL 7300 Division Street in River Forest 7300 Division Street in River Forest LUTHERAN SCHOOL Grace Lutheran School – StrongGRACEGRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL 708-366-6900 GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL

August 10, 2022

708-366-6900

7300 Division Street in River Forest 7300 Division River Forest 7300 Street Division in Street in River Forest Academics. Compassionate character.

GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL 708-366-6900 708-366-6900 708-366-6900 7300 Division Street in River Forest

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race Lutheran School serves children from ages 3 to 8th grade. The curriculum combines competitive academics with faith-based learning and worship. We have strong art, athletic, and music programs available to our students, furthering their well-rounded and exceptional education.

As children learn from many different points of view, they grow in compassion and creativity. We are committed to providing opportunities to discover and celebrate diversity so that our school is a place where every child feels a sense of belonging.

Grace offers a full-day kindergarten program. We have morning classes for the 3 and 4-year-old preschoolers, with an optional afternoon program. Extended care is available for all grades until 6:00p.m. Before-school care opens at 7:00a.m.

In 1st through 8th grade, a strong core curriculum challenges children academically, while the school’s supportive

FAITH environment and high expectations help FAITH 708-366-6900 students achieve their absolute best. Grace has a full-time resource teacher/reading FAITH FAITH specialist who provides small-group and FAITH individual instruction for children who ACADEMICS ACADEMICS need additional support. Grace students consistently perform above the national ACADEMICS average on standardized tests, and grads ACADEMICS ACADEMICS regularly succeed at competitive high CHARACTER schools.

CHARACTER Grace School is hosting “First Look CHARACTER Fridays” on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of each CHARACTER CHARACTER month starting in October, unless it’s a Early Childhood, ages 3 to holiday. Families can visit from 9:00am to Early Childhood, ages 35 to 5 First Look First Look Early Childhood, ages 3 to 5 11:00am and will be able to experience Full-day kindergarten First Look Full-day kindergarten Fridays what Grace is like first-hand. Tours will Full-day kindergarten Fridays Early Childhood, ages 3 to 5 Fridays First Look Half-day andHalf-day full-day forfor ages Early Childhood, ages 3and tooptions 5 options be available, plus a one-on-one with Half-day and full-day ages full-day options for ages 2nd & 4th First Look 2nd &4th 4th 2nd & Full-day kindergarten our Director of Enrollment or a current Fridays 3 to 4 Full-day kindergarten 3 to 4 3 to 4 Fridays of Fridays ofof Fridays Grace parent where you can get all your Fridays Half-day and full-day options forGrades & High, Junior High, Elementary Junior High, Grades 1ages to & 4th Half-day&Elementary and full-day options for ages Elementary & Junior Grades 18 to1 to 8 8 2nd each questions answered. each month.

2nd & month.

4th each month.

Strong curriculum academic curriculum 3 Strong to 4 academic Fridays ofoffice Call the The school is currently accepting 3 toStrong 4 academic curriculum Call the office Individualized attention Fridays of Elementary & Junior High, Grades 1 to 8 Call the applications for the 2023-24 academic at office Individualized attention Elementary & Junior High, Grades 1 to 8 each month.

Early Childhood, ages 3 to 5 Individualized attention Music, art, and sports teams at at year. For more information come to a “First each month.

First Look Strong academic curriculum 708-366-6901 Music, art,art, and sports teams Strong academic curriculum Call the office Before and after-school care available Look Friday”, call the school office (708Music, and sports teams Full-day Individualized kindergarten 708-366-6901 Call the office attention 708-366-6901 366-6900), or visit GraceSchoolRF.org.

Fridays Before and after-school Individualized attention care available at

FAITH

ACADEMICS

CHARACTER

Before and after-school care available at 708-366-6901 2nd & 4th 708-366-6901

art, and sports teamsfor ages Half-day Music, and full-day options Music, art, and sports teams Before and after-school care available Before and after-school care available 3 to 4 District 90 Welcomes StudentsElementary & Junior High, Grades 1 to 8 and Staff Back to School Strong academic curriculum select curricula that represent evidenceistrict 90’s tradition of excellence, Individualized attention based, pedagogically sound approaches equity, and high-quality instruction to classroom instruction. These materials serves as a beacon of encourageMusic, art, and sports teams are then implemented by our dedicated ment for new and returning students. teaching staff so that all students can fully However, the measure of success in any Before and after-school care available

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school system must encompass broader goals and wider engagement by the entire school community. Below are three measures that ground District 90’s reputation for equity, excellence, and high-quality instruction.

Social Emotional Wellness District 90 has long recognized that socialemotional wellness and trauma-informed practices remain a prerequisite for academic success and are essential for forming and maintaining supportive relationships. Our practices extend beyond the classroom to include strengthening the social-emotional understanding of staff and families.

Curriculum and Instruction District 90’s tradition of high-quality instruction continued throughout the summer as teachers refined instructional practices in preparation for students’ return. With the leadership of our instructional staff, we

Fridays of each month.

Call the office at 708-366-6901

engage with the content.

Equity and Excellence About 8 years ago, we began the quest to address the issue of equity within our schools. The Board of Education has demonstrated a robust commitment to this priority. These two elements – excellence and equity – do not represent the choice between either/or. Instead, they represent an inclusive philosophy of both/and. District 90 continues to reflect on our progress as we work so that all students feel a strong sense of belonging in our classrooms.

River Forest Public Schools

7776 Lake Street, River Forest, IL (708) 771-8282

At its very core, District 90 is a teaching and learning organization. We will continue to leverage our traditions and practices to deliver equity, excellence, and high-quality instruction to the entire D90 community.

Welcome back to school!

district90.org

A Tradition of Excellence & Equity for All Learners

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E D U C AT I O N & E N R I C H M E N T G U I D E

August 10, 2022

Special Advertising Section

Stern Glass Works Connecting with the community

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tern Glass Works, the new community glass studio at 817 S. Oak Park Ave., is dedicated to sharing the joys creativity, working with your hands, and problem solving bring through the language of glass art!

At Stern Glass Works we specialize in art glass ranging from stained glass to fused and slumped glass and even the many facets of kiln cast glass which uses a plethora of mold making techniques.

We are so excited to be offering classes for kids, adults, ages 65+, and multi-generational programs. In order to suite the various schedules and needs of our community we have classes of all different times and lengths. Maia Stern the owner of Stern Glass works explains, “The variety in our classes and schedule is fantastic. It means that there is a little something for everyone. If you

want to come in and try out the process or material with your family or friends then we have 1-day classes that are a wonderful way to spend a few hours on the weekend or an evening and make some memories. But for others who are looking to delve more deeply into a process, maybe start a new hobby or are even looking for a community to connect with, then we have multi-week classes and ongoing classes that you can attend once a week and work on a longer in-depth project.” In addition to our community classes Stern Glass works also offers Studio Membership for those ready for individual work, events, and more.

CLUSTER TUTORING PROGRAM REBRANDS TO LEARNING EDGE Free Tutoring Program Changes Name to Better Reflect Mission

The Cluster Tutoring Program is excited to announce it has rebranded and changed its name to Learning Edge Tutoring, with the new slogan: “Because learning doesn’t stop when school does.” The Board of Directors decided to change the name to better reflect the work of the non-profit organization that began over 30 years ago.

The mission of Learning Edge is to contribute to the lives of Chicago-area students through free one-to-one tutoring and

Glass Art to Enrich Your Soul & Home

817 S. Oak Park Ave. Oak Park

STUDIO MEMBERSHIP COMMUNITY CLASSES PRIVATE 1-ON-1 LESSONS SMALL GROUP LESSONS REPAIRS / COMISSIONS EVENTS

COMMUNITY GLASS STUDIO Stained Glass — Fused & Slumped Glass — Kiln Cast Glass Glass Art to Enrich Your Soul & Home

708-608-9085 Community to Bolster Your Mind & Heart sternglassworks.com

academic enrichment opportunities enhanced by caring, mentoring relationships.

To learn more about Learning Edge including volunteer opportunities and student registration, please visit the organization’s new website at learningedgetutoring.org or contact us at info@ learningedgetutoring.org

About Learning Edge: Learning Edge Tutoring, formerly known as the Cluster Tutoring Program, is a nonprofit, community-based organization that provides free one-to-one tutoring to more than 100 students in grades K through 12 who primarily come from the Austin neighborhood on Chicago’s West Side. The program was founded in 1990 by a “cluster” of local churches and community groups in response to the statistic that less than half of Chicago Public School students graduate from high school. Each tutor is matched with a student, and the tutorstudent pair works together during the school year to prepare the student for a successful academic career.