APRIL 2024
FAMILY NEWSLETTER
SUPERINTENDENT'S MESSAGE
Dear CCSD21 Families and Community Members:
Welcome to April! As we get ready for the last run-up of the 2023-2024 school year, I wanted to share with you a number of updates we have this month, many of which can be found over the next few pages.
First and foremost, I am happy to announce that we will continue to waive all registration fees and provide all school supplies for our students for the 2024-2025 school year This was a practice we first implemented during the 2020-2021 school year as a means to help families amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and we’re thrilled that we can continue it for another school year
Registration for returning students is also quickly approaching, so the sooner you are able to register your children, the faster we will be able to make decisions about staffing and ensure that we have enough classroom teachers to accommodate all of our students next year.
Other highlights:
● An intergovernmental agreement with the Village of Wheeling for a flood control project in the neighborhood surrounding Twain Elementary School; and
● Naming a new director of special education and an assistant principal for Poe Elementary School.
We’re getting to that time of year where there is a lot going on, and as the weather improves and the days get longer, we hope you are able to have an opportunity to visit our schools and take in some of the great activities going on in April and May. I hope you all have a terrific month, and we’ll see you again in May!
Respectfully,
Dr Michael Connolly Superintendent of SchoolsWatch the full video message here: Message from the Superintendent – April 2024
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER…
● Thursday, April 18 – Board of Education Meeting, 7 p.m.
● Friday, April 26 – Preschool Non-Attendance Day
● Monday, April 29 – Holmes’ Spring Musical
● Wednesday, May 1, through Friday, May 3 – London’s Spring Musical
● Thursday, May 9, and Friday, May 10 – Cooper’s Spring Musical
BUSINESS OFFICE UPDATES
Micheal DeBartolo
Assistant Superintendent for Finance & Operations/CSBO
micheal debartolo@ccsd21 org
Tel 847-520-2707
● Thank you to the 478 who have signed up for ParentView so far! We are happy to provide this bus-tracking service at no extra cost to you! Details of how to download the app, including your specific school code, were sent out through ParentSquare last month. They are also available through the building’s front office. You can read more about it here.
● CCSD21 to continue purchasing all school supplies, waive registration fees for 2024-2025 school year: This marks the fifth consecutive year the district has made the decision. Read more here.
● CCSD21 enters intergovernmental agreement with Village of Wheeling for stormwater management facility at Twain: The village will acquire approximately three acres of land on the north side of Twain Elementary School’s property for the project, which aims to reduce flooding in the neighboring community and protect it from future 25-year storm events Read more here
● CCSD21 approves contract for interior lighting replacement at Cooper: The district has previously used the company for boiler replacements at Twain and for lighting at London Middle School. Read more here.
COMMUNICATIONS UPDATES
● The district will celebrate Staff Appreciation during the week of May 6. Help us celebrate the staff members that have supported your child and made an impact on your family by completing this short form. Staff members will receive a certificate with your note of appreciation. The deadline is April 22.
C ng
Director of Communications
cassandra young@ccsd21 org
Tel. 847-520-2728
● ICYMI! We hosted a free Community Resource Fair last month that saw more than 30 vendors attend Thank you to everyone who attended, and check out more photos here!
● In late March, 18 Girl Scout Cadettes from four troops –many of whom are CCSD21 students – visited United’s Network Operations Center in Arlington Heights to earn their Aviation badge. Here are photos from their visit!
COMMUNICATIONS UPDATES (CONT.)
Taking Care of Our Planet (contributed by Sofia Horwitz, communications intern and senior at Buffalo Grove High School): Happy April to everyone reading! I hope your spring break was filled with leisure and fun Whether you traveled or stayed home, the time to reset was very much needed Even though Illinois weather is very unpredictable as spring continues to roll in, hopefully the sun will as well Read more here
EQUITY & LEARNING UPDATES
Beatrice Reyes Childress Assistant Superintendent for Equity & Learning
beatrice childress@ccsd21 org Tel. 847-520-2743
● CCSD21 to enter three-year partnership with EAB to tackle critical educational challenges: EAB aims to support school systems with research-based and practical solutions to such challenges as combating chronic absenteeism, raising early literacy rates, preventing disruptive behaviors, expanding principal professional development, and raising staff morale and retention Read more here
● ICMYI! Some of our students at London Middle School gathered outside the district office to put their creativity and engineering skills to the test. Their mission? To design a contraption that could protect an egg from a significant fall. From intricate parachutes to cushioned capsules, the designs were as diverse as they were innovative! See pictures from the drop here
● Illinois Science Assessment: Our students take federally required assessments every spring These assessments help us understand how our students are growing academically, compared to their peers across the state The Illinois Science Assessment (ISA) is slated to be administered to all fifth- and eighth-grade students from April 9-16
Here are some suggestions you can do to help your student:
○ Ensure your child arrives at school on time
○ Have your child eat a healthy breakfast at home or at school
○ Ensure your child gets a good night’s sleep
○ Gently encourage them to do their best
If you have questions, please feel free to contact your child’s principal.
EQUITY & LEARNING UPDATES (CONT.)
Panorama SEL Surveys: Students are important partners as we work to improve our communication, academic program and overall experience for everyone In order to learn more about student experiences at school, we will be asking for feedback from students in grades 3-8 via an online survey they will complete at school The survey shouldn’t take more than 20-30 minutes to complete Read more here
Solar Eclipse: Another total Solar Eclipse is coming to North America on Monday! Here is some more information about this spectacular astronomical event! Your child’s principal will email you with viewing information and safety precautions that the district will be taking for all students.
Language Services
Did You Know… As a district we are proud to celebrate the diversity of our learning community! These are some traditions and holidays celebrated and acknowledged in our community this month This month we begin by celebrating April Fool’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Earth Day, Eid-Al-Fitr, Arab Heritage Month, Arbor Day, Pass Over If you’d like to learn more, click on the links: Don’t hesitate to reach out and share it with our Language Services Department to add to our resources!
HUMAN RESOURCES UPDATES
Robert Gurney
Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources
robert gurney@ccsd21 org Tel. 847-520-2724
● CCSD21 appoints new director of special education, new assistant principal for Poe: Luci Donnan will shift over to the director role as of July 1, after serving successfully for the past nine years as a student services coordinator within the district Melissa Sutton will become Poe’s new assistant principal on the same date, after previously serving as an instructional specialist, coach and interventionist within the district Read more here
INFORMATION SERVICES UPDATES
Mike Frantini Chief Technology Officer
mike frantini@ccsd21 org
Tel 847-520-2732
● Parent Portal How-To Video: Please take a few minutes and check out our new video that aims to help all parents navigate the Parent Portal and to address frequently asked questions
● Google Digital Well-Being Family Guide: Google has great resources for digital well-being. Here is a guide for your family to learn tips about digital well-being and healthy habits.
● “Be Internet Awesome” Online Safety Games for Students: In addition, here are games from Be Internet Awesome that help students learn about online safety
BOARD OF EDUCATION
March 21, 2024 Board Meeting
The livestream video of the March 21 Board of Education meeting can be viewed here
Next Meeting
The next regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting of Community Consolidated School District 21, Wheeling, Cook County, IL, will be held on April 18, 2023 at 7 p.m. at the CCSD21 Community Service Center and Administrative Office, 959 W Dundee Rd., Wheeling IL, 60090
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