SD308 Parent Update
February 1, 2024 |
A Message from our Superintendent: |
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Greetings to each of you across our SD 308 CommUNITY! I’m excited to share with you several great things going on in our district and invite you to stay involved.
Beginning today, February 1, we kick off the celebration of Black History Month. This is a special time both in our district and across our nation. This year’s theme is near and dear to my heart,
African Americans and the Arts. As a Black educator and artist myself, I can speak to the importance of expression through art, the influence it can have on our society, and the opportunities it brings to help shape the future. Throughout the month we will be helping to highlight the visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, film, music, architecture, and culinary arts of Black Americans. Throughout the month we’ll be sharing stories of inspiration, examples of preservation and achievement, and ideas on ways our students and staff can celebrate and inspire generations. I urge you to use this period of time to learn alongside your families. Black History is American History and is part of each of our stories.
Our district is on a unique transformative journey, one that seeks to learn about what we do and why, and where we want to be. Our six core values of collaboration, humanization, integrity, courtesy, empathy, and dignity will guide our path. Educating children is such a unique responsibility, one that requires ideas and coordination between many people, each playing an important role. It's imperative that at each level, our students, teachers, staff, leaders, and families are part of this process of understanding and gathering information, then engaged in the conversation about where we want to change our practice or improve our path. It is important to me, and to our Board of Education, that we lead an organization that is driven from within, informed at all levels, and inviting of ideas, growth, and change, understanding that our journey towards improvement is continual. On that note, you will be receiving opportunities to provide feedback and we hope that you consider doing so. I will provide more information to our entire community as we move forward with this process.
In conclusion, I wanted to share with you how moved I was when attending the Communities Against Cancer event last weekend at Oswego High School. This was the 14th time the event has occurred, bringing together two communities, Oswego and Yorkville to play in friendly competitions between all levels of basketball, both boys and girls teams. There’s additional information about the event and the way it's helping in the ongoing fight against childhood cancer later in this newsletter, please take a few moments to learn more. The unity that was shown across the teams and the communities was so encouraging, and I am so proud to be part of this great district!
Take Care, |
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Pictured: SD 308 Athletic Director Darren Howard with Superintendent of Schools Dr. Andalib Khelghati at the Communities Against Cancer event. |
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Here Comes the Bus! A School Bus Tracking App for Parents
Where’s the bus? It’s a daily question as parents and students seek to time their arrival at the bus stop exactly with the bus’s arrival- not too early and not too late! To help, the district has launched a new app called Here Comes The Bus. The app allows parents and students to set notifications for when their bus is nearing their area and track its location. The app provides real time bus information for users, with GPS tracking software on each bus. |
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Tracking Features: -
Shows the real-time location of your child's bus on a map
- Gives scheduled and actual arrival times at home and school for bus routes
- Provides push and email notifications when the bus is near.
RIGHT BUS - RIGHT STOP - RIGHT TIME |
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Sign Up Instructions for Parents: - Download the Here Comes the Bus app through the Apple App Store or Google Play - or visit herecomesthebus.com
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Click the "Sign Up" button
- Enter school code 3080 and click "Next" followed by "Confirm"
- Complete the "User Profile" box
- Under "My Students," click "Add."
- Enter your child's last name and student ID number
- Once you confirm your information, you are ready to begin.
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Catapult Connect Communications
We’re in our first year of working with Catapult Connect as our provider for mass communications. Being one of the largest districts in Illinois and also one of the largest schools in Catapult's services, we’ve experienced some bumps in the road. We’re working closely with Catapult to review the data from our messages, realizing that there is a significant timespan between recipients. We’re trialing different ways of sending messaging and how we’re grouping recipients in order to make distribution as efficient as possible. We want to remind you that in addition to the emails, texts, and phone calls received through Catapult, we also post emergency messages on social media channels and on our website. Watch local news networks for timely messages, and for closures you can visit the Emergency Closing Center website.
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| New English Language Arts (ELA) Curriculum
We are excited to be on a pathway towards new literacy materials! Our ELA committees have been working diligently to ensure a more systematic approach to phonics instruction, increased explicit writing instruction, enhanced literature representing our diverse populations, and stronger coordination with our Dual Language program. The ELA committees have worked on reviewing different resources and then piloting a select few with students throughout the first half of this year. Staff from all elementary schools, all junior highs, general education, special education and English learners participated in the pilot. The process for material selection was shared in detail by 18 teachers from elementary and junior high schools at the last Board meeting. The Board will consider the recommended materials for approval at their next meeting.
The proposed new K-8 English Language Arts materials are available for community review during office hours at the District Administration Office until Feb 26th. |
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Children registering for Kindergarten for the 2024-25 school year must be
5 years old by September 1, 2024. STEP 1: Pre-register: When a family pre-registers and uploads all required documents, they will be able to skip ahead during the registration event and simply complete the final stages of registration. New Families: Go to https://enrollment.powerschool.com/family/gosnap.aspx?action=200002761&culture=en and click “Create Account" Please Pre-register for this event in advance. Current SD 308 Families: Log into your Parent Portal account to link to the enrollment system (Further instructions will be found in the portal when the system is available) STEP 2:
Attend one of the Kindergarten Registration dates at the District Administration Center: Monday, Feb 12; Thursday, Feb 15; Tuesday, Feb 20; or Thursday, Feb 22. Times for all dates are: 9:30am-11:30am and 3:30pm-6:00pm. **In the event you are unable to register online, kiosks will be available at each event. Please make sure to bring all original required documentation listed below. Please note this could increase your wait time. REQUIRED FOR REGISTRATION: - Create Online Portal
- Upload ORIGINAL Birth Certificate into Online Portal
- Upload One (1) current residency document into portal (such as a tax bill, rental agreement, settlement statement, or mortgage statement)
- Upload Two (2) current utility bills into portal (this includes, gas, electric, water, internet, phone, or cable bill)
- Current Residency documentation and Utility Bills must be within last 60 days
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Preschool-to Kindergarten Registration Information Students currently enrolled at Brokaw or a satellite preschool location (Lakewood Creek, Long Beach, or Wolf’s Crossing) are considered Returning Students and
DO NOT need to attend a Kindergarten Registration event. Information will/was sent by the Early Childhood administration for parents/guardians to complete the Kindergarten Returning Student Registration survey found in the forms sections of the parent portal. This form is scheduled to be available to parents in February and Returning Student Registration for the upcoming school year will be available in March. |
Are you interested in a career
that keeps our schools running smoothly and and/or safely transports our students?
Join us on Saturday, February 10 (10am-1pm) at 71 Stone Hill Road, Oswego, for a fantastic opportunity to become a part of the SD 308 family. SD 308 will be hosting open interviews specifically tailored for those looking to make an impact in our operations/maintenance and transportation departments.
To secure an interview appointment, click here. Walk-ins are welcome, but an appointment is encouraged for a guaranteed interview. |
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NxtGen Teacher and Leader Residency
Our teaching and leadership training programs, now called the SD308 NxtGEN Teacher and Leader Residency Programs, are all about looking ahead and making education better in SD 308. The goal is to help develop our own teachers and leaders to handle the changing needs of education and be ready to address the teacher shortage in our system. We believe in professional development to grow the talent we already have within our district, people from right here in our community. Investing in our staff, and preparing our schools with a strong pipeline of educators who have expanded knowledge and training to meet the changing needs of our students. NxtGEN Residency Programs are designed for SD 308 staff ready to grow and learn, build upon their skills, and push their career in education to a new level! We're building an educational community right here in our area to help train and support new teachers and growing leaders.
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Securly Classroom
Technology opens doors for education, enhancing the resources and experiences teachers and students can access. However, since beginning a one-to-one Chromebook program for students in grades 1-12, teachers have been challenged with trying to keep students on task and engaged when their Chromebook is used for an assignment or class activity. When looking into a classroom management tool to assist teachers, it was found that the same system used in SD 308 to help filter internet and email, Securly, also offers a classroom management tool.
Teachers had requested a tool that would allow the ability to lock the students' screens to gain their full attention in class, automatically push a set of websites to the students' devices to help increase learning time, and also to keep student devices on a specific tab or website. It is important that when using electronic devices to assess student understanding, other sites and online resources can’t be accessed by students. A pilot program testing the Securly Classroom Management tool was conducted at both of the district’s high schools. The pilot program initially consisted of 26 teachers, and lasted for 3 months, however word quickly spread and the pilot expanded to 50 staff members. At the end of the pilot participants were surveyed, providing positive feedback and the desire to continue using the tool. A presentation was made to the Board of Education on January 8, and it was approved by the Board on January 22. Use of the tool will begin with professional development and training for staff, then an incremental rollout to classrooms in grades 1-12 over the next several months. |
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| You're Invited to International Fest! Join us for a family-friendly
Culture Carnival presented by MOSIAC Student Club at Oswego East High School on Feb. 2 from 5-8pm.
The event includes food, vendors, performances and presentations! A $5 donation is suggested. We hope to see you there as we celebrate the many cultures and traditions that make up the SD 308 commUNITY! |
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Black History Month Events |
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| The 8th Annual Black History Month Professionals FAIR, hosted by A.C.E. (Accelerate Career Through Education) and SD 308 is being held on
Saturday, February 3 (10am - 1pm) at Oswego East High School. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to participate in engineering activities, engaging panel discussions, as well as meet engineers from major companies, doctors, lawyers, business owners, airline pilots, and more. This event is open to all area students interested in learning more about future career opportunities. |
| PEGS: Black History Month Celebration -
Thursday, February 8 (7:00pm) at Oswego East High School, Community Room. Stop by and enjoy student performances, Gallery of Modern Heroes, and speaker Dr. Jadon Waller, Assistant Superintendent - DEI. |
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Stamped Into History Come celebrate February’s Black History Month with a 3-day celebration featuring music, dance, live theatre and a musical praise service! Be moved and inspired by the rich African American culture and significance to our shared history. Enjoy the entertainment, history, education and inspiration in the relaxed, intimate indoor theatre. Free admission for all 3 days! (Lobby opens 1 hour before showtime). Friday 2/9: “SPECIAL DELIVERY” Concert by the TAKE NOTICE Band Indoor theatre concert. 7pm show Saturday 2/10 “STAMP” Live theatrical musical, dance and oratorical look at Black history through United States postage stamps. If you saw last year’s, you’ll enjoy this new line-up of important figures – there are so many! 2pm and 7pm shows. Sunday, 2/11 “HYMNS & GEMS for HIM” Musical praise worship service open to all denominations. 4PM service STAMPED events held at: Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park, 201 W Jefferson St, Joliet |
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Communities Against Cancer
The 14th Annual Oswego Panthers vs. Yorkville Foxes Communities vs. Cancer Charity Event was held on Saturday, January 27 at Oswego High School. All proceeds from the event benefited the Cal’s Angels Organization. Cal’s Angels came about when 12-year old South Elgin Little League All-Star, Cal Sutter, was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. Even though Cal ultimately lost his battle in 2006, he never gave up hope and was always more concerned about the well-being of other children fighting cancer than he was about himself. The organization continues in honor of Cal and grants patient wishes, raises awareness, and funds research to help kids fighting cancer
The Communities Against Cancer Event included a Bake Sale, Raffles, Blood Drive, Bone Marrow Donation Sign-Up, GG’s Art Gallery (featuring a local 1st grade artist), and a whole day of basketball at all levels (boys and girls). A special ceremony was held to celebrate cancer survivors, remember those gone, and acknowledge the event partners and sponsors. Over the years this event has raised tens of thousands of dollars for cancer research. At last weekend’s event 55 units of blood were donated, and of those 22 were first-time donors! We say thank you to the many people who helped put this amazing event together, the sponsors and donors, and also to the large number of players, fans and supporters who attended!
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Oswego Community Unit School District 308
4175 Route 71, Oswego, IL 60543
(630) 636-3080 |
NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use and the intended recipient(s) regarding the business of the Oswego Community Unit School District. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact SD 308 and destroy all copies of the original message.
The Oswego Community Unit School District promotes mutual respect, tolerance and acceptance of differences. We empower, support, and motivate all students to thrive along their unique educational journey. |
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