2022 District 58 Annual Report

DOWNERS GROVE GRADE SCHOOL DISTRICT 58 ANNUAL REPORT We Envision. We Seek. We Believe.

Downers Grove Grade School District 58 Superintendent’s Greeting 2022 ANNUAL Dear District Community, REPORT As we prepare to start a new school year I want to thank you for your partnership Although the COVID- pandemic has brought SUPERINTENDENT’S many challenges the District community stuck together GREETING / BOARD OF and prioritized our students and staff Moving forward we will continue to place the students and staff at the forefront of all E D U C AT I O N decisions I am extremely proud of the work our school district accomplished this past year including ABOUT DISTRICT 58 / ¡ Engaging the community on District ’s facility needs STRATEGIC PLAN and using their input to inform a facility recommendation – to the Board ¡ Receiving the Board of Education’s approval to pursue a referendum regarding the FOCUSING ON LEARNING District’s facilities in November ¡ Earning the State’s highest financial recognition award for the th straight year – ¡ Adopting new curriculum resources and programs ¡ Developing new key performance indicators for student achievement and growth CONNECTING THE ¡ Hiring staff members during a historic teacher support staff shortage COMMUNITY ¡ Increasing the District’s special services ¡ Making building improvements (playgrounds flooring roofing masonry etc ) – ¡ Transitioning to a temporary administrative center and forming a long-term partnership with the Village of Downers Grove on a shared space SECURING THE FUTURE I want to thank each of you for your support and engagement and I look forward to – another great school year! SCHOOL CELEBRATIONS Sincerely STAFF SPOTLIGHT / Dr. Kevin B. Russell DISTRICT 58 AT A GLANCE District Superintendent of Schools CONTACT INFORMATION Board of Education CALENDAR The District Board of Education holds monthly public business meetings typically on the second Monday of the month at p m at Downers Grove Village Hall or a District facility Access information about the Board’s meeting agendas committees policies meeting minutes and more by visiting www dg org and selecting the “School Board” tab Contact the Board via Secretary Melissa Jerves at - - or boe@dg org The District Board of Education from left to right Kirat Doshi Melissa Ellis Tracy Weiner Vice President Gregory Harris Emily Hanus Steven Olczyk and President Darren Hughes 2

About District 58 2022 Annual Report 3 MISSION The mission of District in partnership with parents and community is to challenge and engage each child by providing quality educational programs and support services in a safe nurturing and child-centered environment in order to prepare all students to be lifelong learners and contributing members of a global society CORE BELIEFS ¡ Each student is capable of learning and deserves to be educated and challenged to reach his her highest potential ¡ Education is the foundation for success both in academic achievement and social emotional development ¡ Within each child we will cultivate the social awareness self-management and responsible decision-making skills necessary to be a contributing member of society ¡ Educators students families and community members should work together to support the healthy development of all students ¡ The school environment should be stimulating and engaging with opportunities for creative collaborative and meaningful learning experiences ¡ The school environment should be safe friendly and nurturing where everyone comes to learn grow and develop VISION We Envision a school district that inspires children sparks creative and innovative thinking celebrates diversity and builds visionaries We Seek an education that excites minds touches spirits challenges abilities and prepares our children for life We Believe every child should be expected to grow stretch evolve and embrace the challenges of the future in a global environment Strategic Plan In District developed a Strategic Plan in partnership with staff parents and community members The Strategic Plan clearly lays out three specific goals along with objectives and strategies to achieve them District leaders present quarterly Strategic Plan progress updates to the Board of Education to provide transparency and accountability GOAL Focusing On Learning Enhance and support learning to meet the needs of all students. GOAL Connecting the Community Cultivate and strengthen community relationships by focusing on communication, collaboration and consistency. GOAL Securing the Future Provide safe and effective learning environments in fiscally- responsible ways. Learn more about the Strategic Plan at www dg org strategic-plan Follow District ’s progress by visiting the Dashboard at www dg org strategic-plan-dashboard

Downers Grove Grade School District 58 LEARNING GOAL Focusing On BY THE NUMBERS Learning Students in grades K– take the Measures Enhance and Support Learning to Meet the Needs of All Students of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment District Proactively Addresses Unfinished Learning and Social-Emotional Needs Every grade level’s median achievement Students nationwide experienced unfinished learning and increased social-emotional ranged within the below percentiles when needs related to COVID- disruptions and District was no exception District anticipated these needs and proactively prepared to address them The federal govern- compared to the more than schools ment allocated approximately million in pandemic funding for District distributed over four years ( – ) While some of this funding was used for personal protective nationwide that take this test equipment and resources that promote social distancing District also allocated a large portion for unfinished learning Thanks to this funding District supported students –th th during the transition back to full-day in-person learning and minimized the effect of unfinished learning PERCENTILE For example during the summers of and District offered specialized free DISTRICT 58 GRADE LEVEL instructional programs designed specifically for students who experienced pandemic- ACHIEVEMENT RANGES IN READING –th th PERCENTILE related unfinished learning This program was offered in addition to the District’s regular DISTRICT 58 GRADE LEVEL summer programming District also increased its interventionist staffing and used a ACHIEVEMENT RANGES IN MATH data-driven approach to help students with unfinished learning during the school year Source Spring MAP assessment and slightly increased its social worker psychologist and counselor staffing to address students’ social-emotional needs AVERAGE NUMBER OF This work is paying off District students take the NWEA Measures of Academic Progress assessment three times per year While the fall results showed lower-than-typical STUDENTS PER achievement the spring results found that students had largely caught up to CLASSROOM where they typically performed pre-pandemic Source Illinois Report Card STUDENT DEVICE District Considers Offering Full-Day Kindergarten in Fall R AT I O District currently offers a free morning half-day kindergarten program that covers % the entire traditional kindergarten curriculum In the afternoon the District provides a tuition-based optional kindergarten enrichment program PERCENTAGE OF The District’s five-year financial plan has projected that District will be able to offer DISTRICT 58 STUDENTS a free full-day kindergarten program starting in the – school year However District ’s ability to provide universal full-day kindergarten is contingent on passing the WHO TAKE AT LEAST ONE HIGH District’s facility bond referendum (see pages – ) The cost to increase District ’s SCHOOL LEVEL COURSE WHILE IN kindergarten program from half-day to full-day is million per year If District does not pass a bond referendum operational dollars will be needed to help improve and main- EIGHTH GRADE tain school buildings instead of expanding programs Visit www dg org kindergarten Source District records for kindergarten resources and updates 4

Curriculum Updates for – 2022 Annual Report New Curriculum Adoptions CURRICULUM TIMELINE Last spring the District Board of Education approved the Savvas myWorld social studies curriculum resource for grades K– for implementation in fall The District’s As guided by the Strategic Plan District ’s Grade K– Social Studies Committee piloted and recommended this new resource and Curriculum Council developed a curriculum it aligns with the State’s Social Science Learning standards and follows an inquiry-based timeline to ensure District continues to instructional model This new resource completes District ’s social studies curriculum provide up-to-date curricular resources to its update as the District incorporated the National Geographic social studies resource for students Here’s a look at our recent curric- grades – in fall ulum updates The Board also approved the Quaver music curriculum for grades K– with resources Fall also available for middle school music students District ’s elementary music teachers incorporated various Quaver resources into their music curriculum over the past two ENGLISH-LANGUAGE ARTS years They reported very positive experiences with this resource and recommended the ADOPTION full implementation Fall After a formal review of best instructional practices in writing and available writing resources select District teachers will pilot two new writing curriculum resources this SCIENCE ADOPTION school year with the goal of aligning their experience with the work of the newly-formed English-Language Arts Committee Fall Two-Way Dual Language Program MATH ADOPTION District has offered a one-way dual language program for native Spanish speakers Fall since This fall District will proudly open a two-way dual language program for kindergarteners The program will be housed at El Sierra and for the first time comprise MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCIAL both native English and Spanish speakers The program will grow by one grade level STUDIES ADOPTION every school year Fall District ’s Dual Language Committee recommended a two-way dual language program after completing extensive research meeting with dual language experts and seeking ELEMENTARY SOCIAL community feedback Research shows that students who participate in two-way dual STUDIES ADOPTION / language programs learn two languages actively participate in multiple cultures and WRITING PILOT / ENGLISH- have higher levels of reading achievement than peers who are not in such a program LANGUAGE ARTS CURRICULUM REVIEW Middle School Schedule Enhancements BEGINS This school year middle schoolers will gain time to access instructional supports without any major impacts to the school day thanks to the creation of the middle school Student Fall Advisory Period and the Student Support Period SCIENCE CURRICULUM The new Student Advisory Period is a -minute period at the start of the school day REVIEW BEGINS (Tuesday–Friday) and will include school announcements executive functioning supports school-day preparation and more On Mondays the Student Advisory Period will be the Fall existing -minute social-emotional learning instruction time which is already embedded into the current middle school schedule MATH CURRICULUM REVIEW BEGINS Middle school students currently have a split lunch homebase period in the middle of the day Homebase historically has served as a study hall period The new Student Support Period would replace homebase and give many students dedicated time to access inter- ventions social-emotional groups enrichment activities and other supports while others may continue to use it as a study hall Strategic Data Use to Inform Improvements District partnered with ECRA an education strategic planning firm to better use data to drive improvements keep accountable and provide greater transparency For exam- ple this upcoming school year District will work with ECRA to more deeply analyze assessment data to inform strategic school and district improvement plans particularly related to academic proficiency and academic growth This work will be publicly shared at Board meetings throughout the school year 5

Downers Grove Grade School District 58 GOAL Connecting the Community C O M M U N I C AT I O N S 2 BY THE NUMBERS Cultivate and Strengthen Community Relationships by Focusing UNIQUE VISITORS on Communication, Collaboration and Consistency TO WWW.DG58.ORG DURING Up to Date with District 2021–22 SCHOOL YEAR District invites the community to keep informed on school district news and updates COMMUNICATE 58 beyond this Annual Report publication Here are a few ways to keep connected NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBERS Newsletters Subscribe to Communicate at tinyurl com communicate This biweekly newsletter % average comes out on Wednesdays during the school year and summarizes District news Visit www dg org school-board board-briefs to read the Board Briefs which comes out after COMMUNICATE 58 each School Board meeting and highlights Board meeting decisions and discussion points OPEN RATE Website (double the industry average) Visit www dg org to learn more about District Either navigate the topic dropdown menus or use the search engine in the top right corner to directly access information FACEBOOK Social Media FOLLOWERS District posts news information and celebrations on Facebook and Twitter and School Board meetings and other videos on YouTube TWITTER www.facebook.com/ www.twitter.com/DGDistrict58 www.youtube.com/ DownersGrove58 FOLLOWERS district58 dg learns dg pride YOUTUBE District Involves Community in Decision-Making SUBSCRIBERS District values community input and annually provides opportunities for residents to join committees attend meetings complete surveys and more Want to get involved? C O M M U N I C AT I O N Here are some options! AWA R D S Contact a Staff Member District encourages stakeholders to provide feedback to the individual closest to their The National School Public Relations feedback topic Visit www dg org about staff-directory to access the school staff directory and www dg org about district-offices-and-contacts to access district Association or NSPRA recognized District contacts Community members may also email the School Board at boe@dg org or voice a public comment at a School Board meeting with three communication awards in summer Its Illinois chapter INSPRA Join a Committee or Group Each fall District recruits new members for its District and Board committees presented District with two awards in Membership varies by group but there are often openings for parents staff and commu- nity members without children in the district! Committee members have opportunities fall to learn about different District issues and directly provide input to inform decisions Recruitment information will be emailed to current families and staff and shared on the NATIONAL AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE website newsletter and social media for the broader community • District Annual Report • Communicate Newsletter Attend Community Meetings An “Award of Excellence” is NSPRA’s high- District periodically hosts community meetings to inform residents and gain their est award level and only a small number of school districts nationwide earn it NATIONAL HONORABLE MENTION input on a variety of issues For example in winter District hosted a series of District ’s Facility Planning Video facility meetings that featured school tours a presentation and a Q&A session District Series anticipates additional facility community meetings this fall The schedule will be posted at www dg org STATE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE Communicate Newsletter Complete a Survey District frequently surveys the community to gather feedback and inform critical deci- STATE AWARD OF MERIT sions Family and staff surveys are typically communicated via direct email while broader Connects Staff Newsletter community surveys are advertised through the website newsletter and social media View recent survey results at www dg org surveys 6

2022 Annual Report District Values Its Partnerships District is proud to partner with several local groups in support of our students Here are just a few of the many partnerships we have Education Foundation The Education Foundation of Downers Grove District is a nonprofit that supports District The Foundation opened the school year with Sneak Preview a program that helps incoming seventh graders transition to middle school as well as the New Teacher Luncheon an event that introduces new teachers to community partners In the fall the Foundation awarded over in teacher grants that supported student learning In the spring they sponsored the Select and the Distinguished Service award programs Sneak Preview a seventh grade transition event and supported The Reading Games The Foundation also partnered with Ukrainian-owned New Teacher Luncheon with community partners Downers Grove business Precision Circuits the Village of Downers Grove and several local businesses to hold a Ukrainian humanitarian aid fundraiser The Education Foundation receives support through a variety of fundraisers sponsors and individual donations This past year the Foundation partnered with the Rotary Club and Roadrunners Soccer Club to host the Grove Express K the Thanksgiving race that replaced the long-running Bonfield Express K In addition after a one-year hiatus the Foundation brought back its Oktoberfest fundraiser in September and continued its Green Apple program The Education Foundation sincerely thanks the community for their continued support! Save the Date Oktoberfest will take place Sept – in downtown Downers Grove The Foundation is currently seeking sponsors to help support the festival Learn more about Oktoberfest and the Education Foundation at www foundation net Community Vaccine Clinic District partnered with Kodocare Pharmacy District and District ’s other feeder districts to host community vaccine clinics in fall These clinics were open to the public and provided youth and adult COVID- vaccines COVID- boosters and flu shots The clinics were very well attended and District is proud to have helped support this initiative! Helping Families in Need District thanks the many community groups and individuals who supported our students and families in need this school year! Throughout the school year BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK provided weekend meals for children facing food insecurity During summer COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN CHURCH donated more than backpacks filled with complete school supply sets for a variety of grade levels In addition the EM5 FLY HIGH FOUNDATION THE KIM MOUSTIS GROUP ACCESSO SERVICES GLOBALTRANZ and several independent residents also donated school supplies The Select Awards Ceremony for eighth graders In fall District started HELPING HANDS a database of community members who Grove Express K on Thanksgiving are willing to be contacted when a need arises on a no-obligation basis This school year Helping Hands provided more than donations such as clothing food and gift cards Oktoberfest an Education Foundation fundraiser for basic essentials The donations helped many students and families in difficult circum- 7 stances such as a family who lost their home to a fire and families who were narrowly avoiding homelessness Want to join? Sign up at tinyurl com HelpingHandsD In the fall and winter District benefited from the generosity of many groups For example ¡ THE DOWNERS GROVE JUNIOR WOMAN’S ¡ The DOWNERS GROVE LOYAL ORDER CLUB partnered with local restaurants OF MOOSE LODGE donated three and businesses to provide Thanksgiving large boxes filled with hats gloves meals to several families in need and and scarves partnered with the Woodridge Target to procure holiday gifts and gift cards ¡ IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH provided for holiday decorations Thanksgiving and winter holiday ¡ The DOWNERS GROVE ROADRUNNERS meal packs Each meal pack fed a SOCCER CLUB donated holiday gifts for family of six children ¡ The EM5 FLY HIGH FOUNDATION ¡ The ST. JOSEPH KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS donated in gift cards for O’Neill donated winter coats as well as families in need holiday gifts for children ¡ CRAFTING FOR A CAUSE donated hand-knit scarves ¡ GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH provided winterwear for approximately students

Downers Grove Grade School District 58 GOAL 3 Securing the FutureProvide Safe and Effective Learning Environments in Fiscally-Responsible Ways District Spending Per Student District Property Tax Rates Comparison with benchmark school districts Comparison with benchmark school districts Hinsdale Marquardt West Chicago Queen Bee Bloomingdale West Chicago Bloomingdale DuPage Woodridge Marquardt Bensenville Bensenville Lombard Lombard Glen Ellyn Woodridge DuPage Glen Ellyn Glen Ellyn Queen Bee Hinsdale Downers Grove Glen Ellyn Addison Downers Grove Addison Source ISBE’s Operating Expense Per Pupil Report Source DuPage County Tax Rate Booklet What Difference Does Per Student Spending Make? What Makes District ’s Property Tax Rate Significant? Consider if District spent more per student per year If your home’s fair market value was you would pay or the equivalent spending at nearby Hinsdale District in taxes to District each year Meanwhile if you owned a Multiplied by our enrollment District would have an additional similarly-valued home in nearby Woodridge District you would million to spend per year That’s more than of the pay in taxes to that district each year District’s current budget District Revenue and Expenses Numbers may not equal due to rounding Residential Property Taxes % Salaries % Benefits % Non-Residential Property Taxes % Supplies / Materials % Purchased Services % Where does Other Local Funding % What does Capital Projects % District receive General State Funding % District ’s funding Other / Tuition / Debt Service Special Education State its funding? Reimbursement % support? Other State Funding % % Federal Funding % Source – District budget (prior to audit adjustment) FINANCE BY THE NUMBERS DISTRICT 58 EARNED THE Locally % ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION’S HIGHEST OF DUPAGE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS SPEND FINANCIAL STRENGTH RATING FOR MORE MONEY PER STUDENT THAN DISTRICT 58 straight years competitiveTEACHER SALARIES ARE lowest property taxDISTRICT 58 HAS THE rate WITH SURROUNDING DISTRICTS, and AMONG ALL DUPAGE COUNTY LARGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICTS only comprise %ADMINISTRATIVE SALARIES per studentDISTRICT 58 SPENDS OF DISTRICT 58’s BUDGET, which is which is less than THE STATE AVERAGE less than % OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN ILLINOIS 8

2022 Annual Report This rendering depicts the future Downers Grove Civic Center a shared office space for District the Village of Downers Grove and the Downers Grove Police Department District Partners With The Village on a Furthermore District may gain an additional per year Shared Administrative Space from new property taxes A developer purchased the Longfellow property and is building homes on the property These additions District has historically operated two administration buildings to the property tax base will bring in additional operating property the Administrative Service Center (ASC) on rd Street and the Longfellow Center on Prairie Avenue Last school year the District tax revenue for all local taxing bodies including the library park district and both school districts sold the Longfellow property for million (well above the minimum bid price of million) moved its administrative staff to temporary leased space on Warrenville Road and entered a State Provides Nearly Million for District Playground Improvements partnership with the Village of Downers Grove on a permanent shared office building The District also repurposed the existing ASC as a maintenance center and storage facility the building’s New State of Illinois funding will help District ensure that all of its elementary school playgrounds are updated improved and layout allows large orders to be delivered and sorted much more accessible for students Gov JB Pritzker signed a capital proj- quickly than before The above actions will save taxpayers millions of dollars while helping District run more efficiently ects bill House Bill into law in Thanks to Rep Anne Stava-Murray’s advocacy this bill included nearly million for playground improvements at several District elemen- District has discussed Longfellow’s future for decades The tary schools building had a -year roof replacement in with the under- standing that the District would soon find a more long-term solution During this period the District only invested minimal Last year District received the first disbursement of this funding which helped build El Sierra School’s new playground maintenance into Longfellow If District had decided to perma- Recently the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic nently keep and maintain the building it would have required significant work Deferred maintenance alone would have cost Opportunity informed District that it had approved a second funding disbursement totaling for an additional seven an estimated million to fully renovate the building would schools A third disbursement of for two more schools have cost approximately million is still planned for the future District is combining State and District funds with PTA and community group contributions to The future Downers Grove Civic Center will house District ensure all District playgrounds achieve an appropriate standard Downers Grove Village Hall and the Downers Grove Police Department The center will be built where the current Village Learn more at www dg org playground-funding Hall’s parking lot is located The Village will own the property and District will sign a -year lease District will pay the construction costs for only the additional square footage and parking required to accommodate District staff The payment which will be year will be stretched over a -year period without an increase over that time For the following years the lease payment will be halved ( year) to cover building maintenance and upkeep The combined use of resources will have significant long-term savings for the community In the meantime District allocated million of Longfellow’s A State grant for helped build El Sierra School’s new playground proceeds to fund its highest priority facility projects which include in masonry remediation at El Sierra Highland and Kingsley asbestos abatement and flooring replacement at Henry Puffer fire alarm replacement at Henry Puffer and Highland paving improvements at Henry Puffer and Hillcrest and door replacement at Fairmount The majority of these projects were completed in summer The remaining proceeds were placed in a fund balance to help manage the low cash point in the year and if needed for emer- gency capital work 9

Downers Grove Grade School District 58 | Securing the Future A Closer Look at District ’s Referendum The District Board of Education unanimously voted to support District has significant facility needs Illinois’s school funding adding a million facility bond referendum measure to the model is designed to provide schools with the funds needed for Nov election If the referendum passes the money would regular operations school districts especially tax-capped districts be used to fund maintenance projects health safety and security like District do not have the capacity to save money for large upgrades and the expansion of the two middle schools to allow facility projects School districts rely on community support for the addition of sixth-grade students The estimated annual tax through referendums to raise sufficient funding for large capital impact of the million bond measure is for a projects If the referendum is successful District will complete home financed over a -year period the following work Maintenance: Capital Repairs and Upgrades ($58.6 million) ¡ Replace old HVAC electrical and plumbing systems that would extend the life of District s schools reduce costly repairs and improve energy efficiency For instance mechanical failures have caused multiple water line leaks like the one pictured to the left requiring emergency crews to work overtime on repairs Due to their quick work the mechanical failures did not shut any schools down But without system replacements these emergencies will continue ¡ Complete important life and safety repairs such as adding ADA signage and replacing outdated fire alarms intercom systems bleachers and more ¡ Replace roofs and building envelopes to ensure District ’s schools can continue to serve students for years to come Health, Safety and Security ($67.6 million) ¡ Create more secure entrances where visitors can be properly screened District keeps its schools locked However in many schools when visitors enter they have immediate access to the entire building as pictured to the left Building secure vestibules will provide a secure checkpoint where school staff can safely verify and check in all visitors ¡ Add air-conditioning and associated required electrical upgrades as well as improved ventilation District is one of the only DuPage County school districts not fully air- conditioned Grade 6–8 Reconfiguration ($52.8 million) ¡ Build additions to the middle schools to accommodate the inclusion of sixth graders This would provide the following benefits • Better access to curriculum Sixth graders currently cannot complete the full sixth-grade curriculum outlined in the State’s learning standards For example elementary schools lack the science labs needed for sixth-grade chemistry and students complete the labwork that they can do from their classrooms as pictured to the left • Reducing overcrowding Many District elementary schools are crowded with large class sizes and no separate learning spaces for special classes like music or art Moving sixth grade would give elementary schools additional instructional space • Plus Moving sixth grade to the middle school would also improve curriculum alignment address developmental needs increase the time between transitions benefit social- emotional learning enhance equity improve math acceleration opportunities and save operating dollars This work would secure and strengthen District ’s neighborhood schools while protecting property values Research shows that districts that invest in their schools protect the community’s property values To learn more visit www dg org facility-planning CELLINI S R F FERREIRA AND J ROTHSTEIN ( ) “The Value of School Facility Investments Evidence from a Dynamic Regression Discontinuity Design ” Quarterly Journal of Economics – 10

District Takes Proactive Steps to Improve Finances 2022 Annual Report Before considering a referendum District completed the following financial action FACILITIES steps to minimize the total referendum ask and to better position the District for future BY THE NUMBERS financial success DISTRICT 58’s SCHOOLS ¡ Restructured the small amount of debt were placed in a fund balance to help RANGE FROM it had to capture an interest rate under manage the low-cash point in the which District estimates will save year and if needed for emergency – taxpayers approximately capital work YEARS OLD ¡ Issued million in bonds for summer ¡ Created a fund balance policy to capital work better manage capital funds AND REQUIRE SIGNIFICANT REPAIRS ¡ Sold the Longfellow facility for ¡ Developed a Five-Year Financial million and allocated million Plan to ensure fiscal stability and THE AVERAGE AGE OF A transparency DISTRICT 58 SCHOOL IS of the proceeds for the highest priority capital work The remaining proceeds DISTRICT 58 MAINTAINS A Look at Why District Has So Many Facility Needs SQUARE FEET District lacks the revenues needed to maintain its schools Here are some ways and District has been limited in its facility spending FACILITIES ¡ District has the lowest property debt level District had very little tax rate ( ) among all large DuPage debt then This means that while many which include elementary school districts Even if other school districts can borrow the bond proposal passes District large sums of money without seeking CLASSROOMS would still have the lowest tax rate voter approval District cannot This limits its ability to fund critical supporting ¡ District spends less per student but costly facility projects without a than of DuPage school districts referendum STUDENTS ¡ Thirty years ago District voters ¡ The State passed at least unfunded passed a referendum for school IT’S BEEN mandates since This means additions However the last time District had to find money from its District voters supported a YEARS existing budget to pay for new referendum for districtwide facility services required by law improvements was in SINCE THE LAST SUCCESSFUL DISTRICT 58 REFERENDUM, WHICH ¡ The State passed a law in that restricted some school districts FUNDED BUILDING ADDITIONS including District to issuing non- IT’S BEEN referendum debt equal to its YEARS District ’s most recent referendum attempt in failed District respects its taxpay- ers and since then it has done its best to provide students an excellent education while SINCE THE LAST REFERENDUM THAT living within its means The District had to make tough choices and that meant prioritiz- FUNDED FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS ing good teachers and strong curriculum over facilities (In fact over the past five years AT ALL SCHOOLS District has updated its curriculum in Math English-Language Arts Science and Social Studies and will pilot a new Writing curriculum next school year ) The District continued DISTRICT 58 IS to plan long-term for its facilities—this planning was time intensive and involved many community input opportunities it also got delayed two years by the pandemic one of very few Learn More About District ’s Facility Needs SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN DUPAGE District invites all taxpayers to learn about the District’s facility needs before casting COUNTY THAT DOES NOT HAVE a ballot during the Nov election Visit the District’s Facility Planning webpage at www F U L LY A I R - CO N D I T I O N E D S C H O O L S dg org facility-planning to access the following DISTRICT 58 IS ¡ Overview of District ’s million ¡ A short video series showing facility referendum District ’s facility needs one of only ¡ Upcoming facility community ¡ The District’s full Master Facility Plan SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN DUPAGE information sessions ¡ Historical information on District ’s COUNTY WITH A GRADE 7–8 MIDDLE ¡ Tax impact chart facility planning SCHOOL MODEL — MOST SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE GRADES 6–8 TOGETHER IN MIDDLE SCHOOL 11

Downers Grove Grade School District 58 School Celebrations Belle Aire Henry Puffer Henry Puffer’s PTA purchased a Gaga Ball WOW! What a fantastic Pit for students this year time! Belle Aire held a Students have enjoyed back-to-school party and recess so much more it was great to see the because of this new students laughing smiling playground feature! They and having a good continue to learn about time It was also a great sportsmanship and being opportunity to welcome team players our new families connect with our established Herrick families and come together as a community Prior to the event the Belle Aire staff The musical was back visited the neighborhood gave a cheerful welcome to our new at Herrick this year! students and left them with a school yard sign “Broadway Hits” was a compilation of various El Sierra El Sierra was thrilled songs from different to have family events Broadway musicals The back at school this year! students and staff created Families enjoyed our a wonderful production Donuts with Santa Open that reintroduced the House and our Ice Cream musical to Herrick We are Social (pictured) We so proud of the Spartans love these opportunities who participated onstage and backstage! to build community at El Sierra! Highland Fairmount Highland was excited to bring back our monthly The Student Advisory All-School Meetings Council at Fairmount (school assembly) to School started and ended celebrate our students the year by bringing and sta ! New to our “JOY” to Fairmount assemblies this year grade staff and students level representatives This student-led group had the opportunity to met monthly with the compete in Minute-to-Win- principal and supported it games to take home the District ’s focus on champion belt! positive psychology by “joy bombing” the Teacher Institute Day back in August To Hillcrest We were so excited to culminate the school year Student Advisory members delivered bring back the “Hillcrest “HAPPY” spirit sticks to each student at Fairmount We are and positive social interactions Families” initiative in proud of these student leaders and our school community for November Our monthly “Choosing Happy” at Fairmount this year family meetings are used as an extension Grove Children’s Preschool of our school-wide SEL lessons The focus is on Grove Children’s team building gratitude Preschool had its first character development in-house field trip in two awareness acceptance years with a visit from Cosley Zoo We were able to see and touch a lizard a millipede and a hedgehog and learn facts about them too It was a fun and educational experience for everyone! 12

Indian Trail Indian Trail happily 2022 Annual Report hosted Community Day together to teach love and inspire! this year after months Pierce Downer of not being able to do so due to COVID- This year Pierce Downer Volunteers shared their School was excited to talents and students welcome back one of its were able to sign up for favorite Annual Events a variety of sessions It The Fun Run! This event was wonderful to see is made possible through our community coming partnerships among the Pierce Downer PTA Kingsley Kingsley School Student the school staff the Council was excited to community and the focus on ways to give Downers Grove Police back to the community Department This year the Fun Run was held before the end- this year! We raised funds of-year celebration that allowed runners to work hard during for Habitat for Humanity the one-mile course and then go celebrate with games music and collected donations crafts food and friends! for a local food pantry Whittier Lester Lester students choose Whittier fifth graders to be happy and thankful! brought back service Through a fundraiser learning this year with hosted by the Student our Cereal Box Project All students and staff participated under the coordination of our fifth graders and parent volunteer Christie Nutt Students and staff donated over boxes of cereal Boxes were set up and the domino run occurred down the hallway Boxes were then loaded into West Suburban Community Pantry and FISH vans for distribution Great fun! Council students purchased “Gratitude Grams ” These notes were shared with students and staff to spread kindness and positivity Through this effort the Lester Student Council raised over that was donated directly to support local Lester families during the holidays LEChoosesHappy O’Neill O’Neill held the annual Raise Craze fundraiser and collected a record- shattering nearly and our students completed almost acts of kindness The money raised helped fund the seventh and eighth grade trips purchased standing desks for classrooms supported refurbishing the O’Neill marquee and many smaller projects 13

Downers Grove Grade School District 58 Staff Spotlight S TA F F The Education Foundation of Downers Grove District awarded District Technology BY THE NUMBERS Technician Todd Cherney and Whittier Fifth Grade Teacher Cheryl Lyons with the Distinguished Service Award Thirty-five individual staff members and one group also STAFF MEMBERS earned nominations for this prestigious award (nearly half live in Downers Grove!) The Downers Grove Elementary Education Association named Pierce Downer Physical Education Teacher Mary French the Teacher of the Year District staff members YEARS AVERAGE Jo Callaghan Lisa Garbis Katie Hurckes Katie Main Mallory Poe and Michelle McGarry were nominated for the award DISTRICT 58 TEACHING EXPERIENCE The Downers Grove Fire Department presented the Chief’s Award to District Assistant Director of Buildings and Grounds Geoff Neustadt % District celebrated staff members who retired during the – school year This OF TEACHERS group provided District with a combined years of service! View a list of retirees at www dg org retirees HAVE A MASTER’S DEGREE OR HIGHER The data below illustrates the percentage of parents who answered “Always” or “Usually” to the following statements on District ’s school environment survey % 92% 93% 92% TEACHER RETENTION R AT E “MY CHILD IS CARED “I HAVE SUFFICIENT “ADULTS AT THIS FOR BY THE ADULTS OPPORTUNITIES TO SCHOOL BELIEVE THAT Source Illinois Report Card and COMMUNICATE WITH MY District records AT SCHOOL.” CHILD’S TEACHER(S).” MY CHILD CAN BE A SUCCESS.” District 58 at a Glance STUDENTS Elementary Schools Middle Schools Preschool Locations % White % Two or More % Low Income % Hispanic Races % English Learners % Asian % Students Receiving % Black Special Education Services FROM 7 TOWNS DOWNERS GROVE • DARIEN • LISLE • LOMBARD OAK BROOK • WESTMONT • WOODRIDGE 49 L A N G U AG E S S P O K E N 95% of students attend school at least 90% of the time 14

2022 Annual Report Contact Information District 58 Office NE Downers Grove IL District Service Center Warrenville Road Suite rd Street Downers Grove IL -- Justin Sisul -- Assistant Superintendent for Dr. Kevin Russell Curriculum and Instruction Kevin Barto Geoff Neustadt Superintendent of Schools Dr. James Eichmiller Director of Buildings Assistant Director of Buildings Dr. Jayne Yudzentis Assistant Superintendent for and Grounds and Grounds Assistant Superintendent for Technology and Learning Personnel Eleni Gajewski, Sandy Program Coordinators Jessica Stewart Cristobal & Christine Priester Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum Coordinators Susan Dillon Dr. Jackelyn Cadard Special Services Megan Hewitt Grove Children’s Preschool Special Programs Coordinator Todd Drafall Community Relations Coordinator (Henry Puffer & Assistant Superintendent for Coordinator Indian Trail) - - -- Business CSBO Dr. Sonali Patil Lauren Hartelius Manager of Business Services Behavioral Support Systems Coordinator - - Schools Principal Brent Borchelt Kingsley Principal Charles Brewster Powell St Assistant Principal Eleni Gajewski Belle Aire Principal Jason Lynde Belle Aire Lane -- Principal Lisa Niforatos -- Lester Principal Katie Novosel Principal Mark Leipart Indianapolis Ave Assistant Principal Lauri Smith El Sierra -- Fairmount Ave Principal Zachary Craft Assistant Principal Sandy Cristobal Pierce Downer Principal Leland Wagner -- Grant St Principal Michelle Rzepka Fairmount -- Blodgett Ave Principal Tracey Ratner Whittier Principal Michael J Krugman -- Hill St -- Henry Puffer Haddow Ave Middle Schools -- Herrick Principal Dr David Norman Middaugh Ave Assistant Principal Samantha Inglima Highland Highland Ave -- -- O’Neill Principal Matt Durbala th St Assistant Principal Bryant Cobo Hillcrest Jefferson Ave -- -- Indian Trail Stonewall Ave -- 15

Warrenville Road Suite NE NON-PROFIT Downers Grove IL  ORGANIZATION www dg org    - - U S POSTAGE PAID DOWNERS GROVE IL PERMIT NO *********ECRWSSEDDM**** Residential Customer District 58 2022–23 Calendar District schools dismiss students in grades K– at p m and grades – at p m on Mondays to provide teachers with dedicated and structured professional learning time AUG – Teacher Institute Days * JAN Martin Luther King Jr Day * AUG First Day of Classes—Full day FEB & Evening Parent Teacher Conferences SEPT Labor Day * FEB Presidents Day * OCT Columbus Day * FEB Teacher Institute Day * OCT & Evening Parent Teacher Conferences MAR End of Second Trimester OCT Daytime Parent Teacher Conferences MAR – Spring Break * & School Improvement Day * APR ** Teacher Institute Day * NOV – Election Day * APR No School * NOV –JAN End of First Trimester MAY Memorial Day * NOV Thanksgiving Break * JUNE Last Day of School DEC Winter Break * * No school for students EsnEuDjaobiryssnttairtifuclettxe5ib8telpesaeecsrechkhdeseradsy!u!le! ** June – are Emergency Days and may be declared holidays if not needed Visit wtwo wle.adrgn5m8.oorreg./subs for emergencies If no Emergency Days are used the last day of school will be June We hope you find this annual publication to be informative and useful and we welcome your feedback If you have a question about this or any other District publication please contact Community Relations Coordinator Megan Hewitt at mhewitt@dg org or - - District partnered with USPS to deliver these reports for about a household