DG58 AR PRINTER FINAL 8-26-2020

Downers Grove Grade School District 58 ANNUAL REPORT 2020 We Envision.  We Seek.  We Believe.

2020 Annual Report 2020 ANNUAL Superintendent’s REPORT Greeting Superintendent’s Dear District 58 Community Member, Greeting This year, we have a new appreciation 2 and level of pride for our students, staff and families. Facing the COVID-19 Board of Education pandemic, our school community came together quickly with thoughtful and 3 creative solutions to support students with the “new normal” of remote District 58 Strategic Plan learning. Was it perfect? No, but together, we listened, we learned, and 4 worked to fine tune our plans to ensure students were engaged and learning. Focusing on Learning I would like to personally thank the students, staff, and families for all of the sacrifices that were made last spring so learning 5 – 7 could continue. While the fall will also present many challenges, I am confident that we will continue to work together on behalf Connecting the of our students so they are able to continue to grow socially, Community emotionally and academically. 8 – 9 As you review the annual report, you will see how COVID-19 impacted our schools and at the same time, how we achieved Securing the Future progress on our strategic plan and goals. These goals ranged from updating curriculum resources, revamping all Board of 10 – 11 Education policies, improving communications and enhancing professional growth of our teachers and staff. We also continue School Celebrations our work on equity and access to ensure a nurturing environment that is fully inclusive. Finally, because of the pandemic, we 12 – 13 paused our work exploring large-scale updating of the facilities. We look forward to resuming this work when the crisis subsides. Staff Spotlight / Foundation I am so grateful for the privilege to serve this great community. I was thrilled to start my career in this District and remain 14 humbled to lead this school system. Contact Information Yours in Education, 15 Dr. Kevin B. Russell Superintendent 2

Mission Downers Grove Grade School District 58 The mission of District 58, in Board of Education partnership with parents and community, is to challenge and From left to right: Front: Kirat Doshi, Member; Tracy Weiner, Member; Steven Olczyk, engage each child by providing Member; Back: Jill Samonte, Member; Darren Hughes, President; Greg Harris, Vice President; quality educational programs and Emily Hanus, Member. support services in a safe, nurturing and child-centered environment in The District 58 Board of Education holds monthly public business order to prepare all students to be meetings, typically held the second Monday of the month at lifelong learners and contributing 7 p.m. at a District or Village facility. Access information about the members of a global society. Board’s meeting agendas, committees, policies, meeting minutes and more by visiting www.dg58.org and selecting the “School Core Beliefs Board” tab. Contact the Board, via Secretary Melissa Jerves, at 630 - 719 - 5803 or [email protected]. ■  Each student is capable of learning and deserves to be The Illinois Association of School Boards recognized President Darren educated and challenged to reach Hughes and Vice President Gregory Harris for their completion of the Master his / her highest potential. Board Member I program. They earned this recognition in fall by participating in continued professional learning to build their expertise on issues facing ■  Education is the foundation school boards. for success, both in academic achievement and social emotional EXCELLENT FREQUENCY AND development. MEANS OF COMMUNICATION. OPENNESS ABOUT ■  Within each child, we will CHANGE, BUDGET, AREAS cultivate the social awareness, FOR IMPROVEMENT, AND self-management and responsible PROVIDING THE OPPORTUNITY decision-making skills necessary to TO GIVE FEEDBACK. be a contributing member of society. “ District 58 Parent ■  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. 3

2020 Annual Report District 58 Strategic Plan Vision 58 In 2018, District 58 approved a bold Strategic Plan that will guide our decision making for the years to come. In partnership with staff, parents and community members, the plan lays out three goals along with objectives and strategies to achieve them. Leaders provide quarterly updates on the plans. FOCUSING ON GOAL LEARNING 1 ENHANCE AND SUPPORT LEARNING TO MEET THE NEEDS OF ALL STUDENTS GOAL CONNECTING THE 2 COMMUNITY C U LT I VATE A N D STRE N GTHE N CO M M U N ITY RELATIONSHIPS BY FOCUSING ON COMMUNICATION, COLLABORATION AND CONSISTENCY GOAL SECURING THE 3 FUTURE PROVIDE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE LEARNING E N V I R O N M E N T S I N F I S C A L LY- R E S P O N S I B L E WAYS Learn more about the Strategic Plan at www.dg58.org/about/strategic-plan/. 4

Number Downers Grove Grade School District 58 of Students Engaged in Focusing on Learning Remote Learning: ENHANCE AND SUPPORT LEARNING TO MEET THE NEEDS OF ALL STUDENTS 4,965 (98.5%) With the COVID-19 pandemic this spring and the Illinois Governor’s Check it out decision to close schools beginning March 16, District 58 worked We asked some teachers to tirelessly to ensure reflect on their experiences during remote learning. The that students had THE ZOOM MEETINGS result is a District 58 video series: access to the same WITH THE TEACHER AND “Behind the Scenes of Remote high quality teaching Learning.” and learning as when CLASSMATES HAVE BEEN Access the link here to view the complete video series students are physically AWESOME. VERY LIGHT in school. HEARTED, HAPPY AND MY With remote learning, CHILD LOOKS FORWARD educators had to TO IT EVERY DAY. reinvent how they taught, leverage District 58 Parent different technology and communicate with students in new ways. “There is no question that our teachers cared deeply and worked incredibly hard to ensure students were engaged and that learning continued,” said Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Justin Sisul. Every two weeks, parents, students and staff were surveyed about remote learning and the feedback was used to improve instruction. “I’m beyond proud of our staff, our students and our families for their flexibility as we revise and improve remote learning,” said Superintendent Dr. Kevin Russell. The plan was rooted in Social Emotional Learning (SEL) teaching to ensure that students were coping with the restrictions and social distancing required by the pandemic. “Remote learning is an imperfect system; even at its best, it cannot take the place of a teacher working in-person with students,” said Sisul. He said that if there were resulting gaps in student learning, the District would work to assess and identify those gaps, then develop instructional plans to close them. During the month of June, the District formed a Remote Learning Task Force of parents, teachers and staff, which met five times to discuss and review all of the possibilities and challenges surrounding learning in the fall. At the time of this writing, the results of the task force were shared with the Board of Education alongside the most current guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Department of Public Health. All of this information will guide working groups throughout July and August as they develop the plan for opening of schools. 5

2020 Annual Report  |  G O A L 1 : F O C U S I N G O N L E A R N I N G Developing Mathematical Survey Results Thinkers We surveyed parents periodically about remote learning. Here are The Board adopted a new math results from the April 2020 survey with 1,878 responding. curriculum, set to be delivered to students in the 2020 – 21 Was the amount of work Just the right amount school year. your child received 54.9% The new curriculum resources, called during remote learning: Bridges in Mathematics for students Slightly too little in grades K – 5 and Big Ideas for students in 6 – 8, were approved 20.9% after a thorough study by the Math Committee. The new resources help Slightly too much students develop deep understanding of mathematical concepts, proficiency 12.2% with key skills and the ability to solve complex and novel problems. Far too little The curriculum is aligned with the Illinois State Standards, and the 8.1% Standards for Mathematical Practice are embedded within the programs. Far too much In short, the curriculum creates “math thinkers, not just doers,” said Assistant 3.9% Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Justin Sisul. All of the time During remote learning, did you feel that any The pilot process by the committee 62% questions you or was rigorous. The 30+ members your child had were spent a year investigating resources, Most of the time answered by his/her querying other school districts, teacher(s)? reviewing data and best practices, and 20.9% interviewing vendors. Two different curricula were piloted for each grade Did not apply range, K – 5 and 6 – 8. In the fall of 2019, teachers on the committee 9.5% taught from one of the resources. The next two months, the group switched Some of the time to the next resource. The committee then surveyed teachers and junior high 7.4% students and reviewed all data points and experiences before making a final 91.2% said 89.8% said 86.1% said recommendation. All math content teachers will be trained in the new communication communication communication from the District from their child’s from your child’s curriculum in August and is just the right school is just the teachers is the again during professional amount of right amount of right amount of learning Mondays. information information information 6

Curriculum Downers Grove Grade School District 58 Updates Professional Learning The timeline for curricular updates remains on track. To ensure success with the curriculum changes, it is critical Feedback from staff and families that teachers are given time to learn the new curriculum and showed that students benefit from having a core resource in each collaborate with their colleagues. As a result, the District curricular area. Over four years, four new curriculum resources are and implemented Professional Learning Mondays beginning with will be implemented on the following schedule. the 2019 – 20 school year. FALL 2018 The time allows teachers I AM WILLING TO to not only learn the new ACCEPT THE IMPACT English Language Arts curricula, but improve and AND INCONVENIENCE enhance their instructional FALL 2019 practice so as to provide IF IT IS TRULY RIGHT Science students with an optimal AND WORKING FOR learning experience. This OUR TEACHERS. FALL 2020 change gives teachers 1.5 Math hours of weekly professional District 58 Parent FALL 2021 learning time. “Our teachers Social studies need dedicated time to HOW A NEW CURRICULUM learn, implement, reflect upon and ultimately master these new RESOURCE IS CHOSEN resources, which benefits our students directly,” said Assistant In determining a new math curriculum, the committee Superintendent for Curriculum and Learning Justin Sisul. To studied: provide this time, the District adjusted student attendance hours, Alignment & Focus • Coherence & Rigor • Mathematical Practices • removed three non-attendance dates and reduced the amount of Teacher Planning /Usability • Assessment • Differentiated time teachers attend meetings. This change gave teachers more Instruction • Technology • professional growth time with only a negligible change in student 7Professional Development District 58 schools instructional hours. A committee of teachers and administrators received an Exemplary will continue to review the middle school schedule over the 6 rating course of the next year to ensure maximum student learning District 58 schools received a opportunities are realized. During this time, teachers will also Commendable rating refine instruction in Reading and Science while learning the new I’VE NOTICED THAT DG58 HAS math curriculum. MADE IMPROVEMENTS AND SHOULD CONTINUE TO LOOK Diversity and Equity Commitment FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF The District is continuing its commitment and work on equity and EDUCATION THAT IS PROVIDED access to ensure a nurturing school and classroom environment TO OUR CHILDREN. that is fully inclusive regardless of race, gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation or income. The District is providing training and District 58 Parent dialog for all staff to better understand implicit bias and equity. Staff trainings are planned for the upcoming opening of school Institute Day. “We want to ensure we are cognizant of the issues and are growing our understanding of diversity, inclusion and implicit bias,” said Superintendent Dr. Kevin Russell. Academic Excellence The Illinois State Board of Education measures student success in a variety of ways: academic growth, academic proficiency and attendance. These measures inform ratings: Exemplary, Commendable, Underperforming and Lowest Performing. 93% of parents said their child is getting a quality education at their school Source: 2019 School Environment Survey Results 7

2020 Annual Report New Website Connecting the Beginning in August, the Community District is launching a new website. CULTIVATE AND ST R E NGT H E N COM M U N ITY RELATIONSHIPS BY FOCUSING ON COMMUNICATION, The new site, by Campus Suite, COLLABORATION AND CONSISTENCY will offer easier navigation, a more modern design and better search Meals for children in need features. The move is part of the goal to improve communications The COVID-19 pandemic has with the District. In developing had a major impact on our the site and design, the District community. It significantly used feedback from users and the hurt the economy, leaving community. The change will also many people out of work and allow the site to be hosted by a third suffering financially. As a result, party, which will manage security, the District partnered with bandwidth, and compliance with the Community High School District Americans with Disabilities Act. The 99 and Woodridge School current website is WordPress and is District 68 to feed children hosted by the District and includes age 0 – 18 via the Wood-Grove significant costs for maintenance Feeding Our Future Cooperative. As of July 1, District 58 has and updates. You can still find us at provided 18,621 meals to children in need. We thank the many www.dg58.org. meal providers who helped make this critical program possible! Communications Parent Series Guide The District began work to develop a parent education series. How we commmunicate. The goal is to offer support, educate parents on District 58 Access the link here to view the DG58 Communication Guide initiatives and strengthen a child’s ability to thrive. In February, Subscribe to the administration worked with the Superintendent’s Community Communicate 58 Advisory Council Communicate 58 shares District, school and Board news via email I LIKE TH E ANTI - BU LLYING and the Curriculum with all parents, all staff and Council to help community members. FOCUS. OUR SCHOOL shape these Access the link here to subscribe DOES A GOOD JOB offerings. Two to Communicate 58 AN D TH E FACU LT Y IS opportunities QUICK TO INTERVENE were offered in THE EFFORT TO MAKE WHEN NEEDED. the winter — one E ACH CHILD AN D FAMILY on cyber bullying A PART OF A SPECIAL COMMUNITY WITH A District 58 Parent with a national FOCUS ON GROWTH, expert, sponsored SUPPORT, AND CARE IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE by the District THINGS THAT DG58 DOES WELL. 58 Education District 58 Parent Foundation. The second was a Curriculum Workshop, where participants could rotate through sessions on curriculum, such as the new math program, the science middle school curriculum and middle school social emotional learning. With COVID-19, other plans were disrupted, but new ones took place, including partnering with the Herrick PTA to offer a virtual program on parenting during a pandemic and a four-part summer series. 8

Transparency and Downers Grove Grade School District 58 Engagement Parent Satisfaction Survey One of the District’s priorities is to continue to District 58 administers a school environment survey to parents increase transparency by annually. Last school year, 1,123 parents responded to the survey. highlighting issues, showing The chart below shows the percentage of parents who answered how decisions are made, “Always” or “Usually” to the following statements. providing better accessibility to information and finally, My child is getting a quality education at this school: engaging the public in its deliberations. 2015 2016 2018 2019 The District offers a variety of tools 2017 to do that: 92% 91% 89% 91% 93% ■  Publishing advance information on Board and committee meetings 2015 My child is cared for by the adults at school: 2019 ■  Publishing Board Briefs after each 93% 2016 2017 2018 95% Board of Education meeting 94% 95% 96% ■  Publishing minutes of Board committees and District Leadership This school is a supportive and inviting place for students: Team 2016 2017 2018 2019 ■  Initiating surveys such as the Communication Satisfaction 2015 Preferences Survey and Remote Learning Survey 94% 95% 96% 9593% ■  Establishing community advisory % groups such as the Superintendent’s Community Advisory Council, My child’s school focuses on teaching the whole child, Remote Learning Task Force, including social and emotional skills: Communications Feedback Council and others 2016 2017 2018 2019 ■  Including parents on District 2015 committees such as Curriculum Council and Facilities Planning 9291% 91% 92% % Council. 88% All 2019 questions yielded increased My child’s school fosters an appreciation of student satisfaction when diversity and respect for each other: compared to 2015 the 2016 2017 2018 2019 baseline year. 2015 THE DISTRICT COMM U NICATES 9290% 92% 91% 95% % VERY WELL WITH PARENTS. I HAVE What we do with the survey results: SEEN ENORMOUS IMPROVEMENTS AT ■  Principals and building leadership teams review school-specific THIS LEVEL. survey results to inform school improvement plans. District 58 Parent ■  District administrators and principal team will jointly review District-wide and school-specific data to inform District-wide improvements. ■  Survey data will be posted online so the community can better understand parent feedback. 9

2020 Annual Report Facility Update Securing the Future District 58 continues to do everything possible to ensure PROVIDE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE LEARNING that its 13 school buildings, E N V I R O N M E N T S I N F I S C A L LY- R E S P O N S I B L E WAYS which range in age from 51 to 92 years old, are well Cost savings maintained and safe. The COVID-19 pandemic has created some financial uncertainty While students and staff have been in District 58. At a spring budget workshop, Assistant engaged in remote learning, the Superintendent for Business and Chief School Business Official District has been focused on repairs Todd Drafall said the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and updates, including the Highland are not yet fully known. The District expects decreases in gym and partnering with the PTAs, funding due to delayed county property tax payments and fee who have raised funds to build new collections. However, the District could also expect some funding playgrounds at Lester and Puffer increases due to additional federal funding for food service and schools. through the CARES Act. The District also saved some costs due to the pandemic as there were cost reductions in overtime, However, additional major repairs substitute teachers, supplies and transportation. To ensure that and renovations will be needed to the District would have an appropriate level of cash on hand extend the useful life of the aging to cover expenses, the District’s Financial Advisory Committee buildings, address future-ready recommended District 58 create a fund balance policy. learning needs, and alleviate overcrowding at some schools. Revenue and Expenses A Master Facility Plan (MFP) Where does Residential property taxes was developed by the Board of District 58 receive Education, Facility Planning Council, 64% parents, architects, district staff, its funding? and other community members. It Non-residential property taxes identifies capital facility needs and potential solutions. This work began 17% in 2018, is guided by the Strategic Plan, and continues today. Other local funding The MFP is a long-term working 7% document that provides a road map to ensure that every student in General state aid funding District 58 has access to safe and effective learning environments. 5% The plan also addresses critical maintenance needed to reduce Special education state costly emergency repairs and reimbursement improve energy efficiency. 1% District 58 assembled a 43-member Citizen Task Force (CTF) to evaluate Other state funding and refine the MFP prior to sharing it with the full community. This 3% committee — comprised of business, civic and educational leaders, Federal funding parents and non-parents, and other community members — met 3% multiple times to review the plan, a District demographic study, Salaries What does potential financing options, and District 58's funding other relevant information including 60% the evolving educational landscape support? and the specific condition of every Benefits District building. 16% (continued on the following page) Purchased services 10% Supplies / Material 4% Capital projects 1% Other / Tuition / Debt service 10% * Numbers are rounded so may not equal 100% Source: 2019 – 2020 District 58 Budget (prior to audit adjustment) 10

The Board of Education Downers Grove Grade School District 58 reviewed the Citizen Task Force’s recommendations and all other Zooming in closer, the graphs below show how District 58’s supporting documentation. On spending and property tax rates compare to all large DuPage March 8, 2020, the decision was County elementary school districts, as defined by ISBE. made to implement a comprehensive public outreach program to gather District 58 property tax rates public feedback on possible solutions to the District’s highest Compared with benchmark school districts priority facility needs. MARQUARDT 15 5.03 Less than a month later, remote 4.73 learning was implemented and the QUEEN BEE 16 4.68 Board postponed public outreach 4.54 efforts due to the pandemic. WEST CHICAGO 33 4.29 3.97 The Board will continue to include BLOOMINGDALE 93 3.72 the capital facility planning program 3.70 as an agenda item moving forward. WOODRIDGE 68 3.36 When conditions improve, the 3.32 Board will consider rebooting the BENSENVILLE 2 important work of gathering our community’s input on how best to GLEN ELLYN 89 protect and improve District 58’s aging school buildings so that the LOMBARD 44 students we serve learn in safe, modern facilities. GLEN ELLYN 41 To learn more about facility VILLA PARK 45 planning, visit: COMMUNITY 181 2.58 https://dg58.org/facility-planning/ 2.52 ADDISON 4 Money Facts DOWNERS GROVE 58 2.00 District 58 earned ISBE’s Source: DuPage County Tax Rate Booklet highest financial strength rating for What makes District 58’s property tax rate significant? 19 straight years, If your home’s fair market value was $300,000, you would pay roughly $2,020 in taxes to District 58. Meanwhile, if you owned a as well as a similarly-valued home in nearby Woodridge District 68, you would pay roughly $4,480 in taxes to that school district. commendable Aa1 rating District 58 spending per student by Moody’s Investors Services. Compared with benchmark school districts When compared to all DuPage COMMUNITY 181 $18,126 County large elementary school LOMBARD 44 $17,707 districts, as defined by ISBE, BLOOMINGDALE 93 $17,443 MARQUARDT 15 $17,197 District 58 has the VILLA PARK 45 $16,584 lowest property QUEEN BEE 16 $15,046 tax rate. DOWNERS GROVE 58 $14,763 WEST CHICAGO 33 $14,294 Sources: ISBE and 2019 County Tax Booklet GLEN ELLYN 41 $14,148 BENSENVILLE 2 $14,053 In FY 2019, WOODRIDGE 68 $13,403 GLEN ELLYN 89 $12,944 District 58 spent ADDISON 4 $10,918 $14,763 per student. Source: Illinois 2019 School Report Card What difference does student spending make? Consider if District 58 spent $4,675 more per student per year (or the equivalent spending at Hinsdale District 181). Multiplied by our enrollment (5,000+ in-District students + 110+ out-placed students), District 58 would have an additional $23.9 million to spend per year. That’s more than one-third of the District’s current budget. 11

2020 Annual Report School Celebrations Highland Belle Aire Getting the Scoop Celebrating 50 Years Each week a team of The school family Highland students celebrated its 50th write, plan, produce, birthday with a Fun and edit a weekly news Run in the fall. The show, The Highland event was Scoop. The Scoop features segments such as the previewed by ABC Chicago. weather forecast, interviews with staff and students about current Highland events, and a spotlight on a Access the link here to view the ABC Chicago video different classroom each week. El Sierra Hillcrest 50th Party Spearheading Service The entire school family and many Student Council former families and spearheaded a service staff celebrated the project for the local school’s 50th birthday Ronald McDonald House with a series of events, including an open house, where they collected a time capsule reveal and a party. wide array of household items, toys, clothing items, and gift cards for Ronald McDonald House. Fairmount Indian Trail Being the Best Me Fairmount celebrated Coding and Fitness its 60th with theme days, spirit week, Students learned service projects and about coding during, recognition of students yes, P.E. class! They who exhibited positive character traits. The year-long followed coding theme was “Being the Best Me as Fairmount turns 60.” commands to “move” their robots around the gym. Some of the codes Henry Puffer required students to complete physical activities. Honoring Veterans Kingsley Henry Puffer honored Puffer’s friends and Apple Training family members who are veterans in the Kingsley students in school’s first Veterans grades 1 – 6 received Day Breakfast. Veterans visited classrooms and Apple accessibility shared stories with students. training by Kingsley staff members Herrick who serve on the District's Assistive Technology Committee. Students learned about the different Clinched the Conference iPad features available that help make learning a All four Herrick cross little easier for everyone, but especially for students country teams clinched with special needs. the DMVA conference championship title in Lester 2019. Herrick also won the coveted Franklin Invitational. Congratulations! Building Fun 12 The Lester Playground Committee reached its fundraising goal and is able to renovate both playgrounds for Lester students. The playground will be an inclusive place where children of all ability levels will be able to play, socialize and have fun.

Downers Grove Grade School District 58 O’Neill Whittier Acts of Kindness 6th Grade 3D Challenge O’Neill raised more In an annual event, than $15,000 and sixth graders were completed over 2,400 given a challenge by acts of kindness during first graders — Design their Raise Craze something for coat fundraiser! This unique concept has students asking hooks in the cubbies so jackets and backpacks family and friends for donations in exchange for won't fall off. After weeks of design and creation, acts of kindness. The students celebrated with a the sixth graders presented their projects to a panel pie-throwing contest, pictured. of judges and the first graders. Pierce Downer Grove Children’s Preschool Celebrating Cultures Kindness Students learned more about cultures, It’s never too early to geography and learn about kindness. the globe during As part of the school’s the school-wide Social Emotional \"Celebrations Around the World\" gathering in the Curriculum, students discussed kindness and gym. Sixth graders each researched a country and decided which actions were kind. taught their peers about different cultures! Promotion Ceremonies Access the link here to view the Herrick Middle School Virtual District 58 was still able to celebrate its eighth grade Promotion Ceremony graduates despite the closing of schools due to the pandemic. Access the link here to view the O’Neill Middle School Virtual Both Herrick and O’Neill Middle Schools held a virtual ceremony that Promotion Ceremony featured much of the same elements as the in-person event: student speeches, award announcements, choir performance and more. In addition, staff also delivered congratulatory yard signs to every eighth grader. To celebrate sixth graders moving to middle school, elementary schools organized special virtual videos to honor end-of-the-year traditions. In addition, the Village of Downers Grove declared Friday, May 22, 2020 as The Class of 2020 Day to commemorate students, and residents were encouraged to give a 20-Second Cheer from their yards on that day. Access the link here to view the O’Neill Middle School choir perform 13 Don’t Give Up On Me by Andy Grammer

2020 Annual Report Staff Spotlight Sarah Brost Foundation Distinguished Service Thank you O’NEILL Award Winners Foundation and Diane Peterson Dr. Rembos HENRY PUFFER O’Neill Eighth Grade Social Studies Teacher Sarah Brost and Henry Puffer Secretary The Education Foundation worked Diane Peterson received the 2020 District 58 with the Chamber630 to secure Foundation Distinguished Service Award. “You nearly 600 meal vouchers from both embody District 58’s mission and care Dr. Steven Rembos, DPM of the for our students each and every day,” said Hospital Plaza Foot & Ankle Institute Superintendent Dr. Kevin Russell. in Downers Grove. Dr. Rembo, an alumnus of Herrick Middle School In all, 31 District 58 employees were nominated and Downers Grove North, has had by parents, students and colleagues for the his practice in Downers Grove for award. “We are honored to give this DSA over 30 years. recognition to District 58 employees who work tirelessly and are committed to provide a high Each meal voucher is valid for level of positive character and compassion,” 3 – 4 meals to local Downers Grove said Education Foundation President Janet restaurants. District 58 distributed Alikpala. “These nominees and awardees are these meal vouchers to our most very deserving of their recognition and lead in-need families, as identified by with kindness and care,” said Alikpala. principals and social workers. We also distributed limited numbers View the video celebrating of the vouchers during our lunch this year’s nominees pickup program. Thank you, Dr. Rembos and the Education Access the link here to view Foundation, for your very generous the video donation! Foundation develops support fund New faces in District 58 The Education Foundation of Downers Grove District 58 has established The D58 Family Support Fund, which provides assistance for working families affected by COVID-19. “All of us depend on each I FEEL THE TEACHERS other for a healthy community. But with AND STAFF ARE schools closed and a MARIANA LELAND NICASIO WAG N E R SO KIND AND sudden loss of family Principal Principal SUPPORTIVE. MY SON income, assistance LOVES COMING TO for our students INDIAN TRAIL PIERCE DOWNER SCHOOL! and their families is even greater,” District 58 Parent said Education Foundation President Janet Alikpala. With funds that are raised, the Foundation purchases gift cards MARIA LAUREN from local businesses. This allows the Foundation to support both PASCARELLA HARTELIUS families in need and local businesses. Special Programs Behavioral 14 Coordinator Support Systems Coordinator

Downers Grove Grade School District 58 Contact Information Elementary Schools BELLE AIRE  Principal: BRENT BORCHELT 3935 Belle Aire Ln 630 - 719 - 5820 EL SIERRA  Principal: JASON LYNDE 6835 Fairmount Ave 630 - 719 - 5825 FAIRMOUNT Principal: LISA NIFORATOS 6036 Blodgett Ave Assistant Principal: MATTHEW JEWELL 630 - 719 - 5830 HENRY PUFFER Principal: BRITTA WASZAK 2220 Haddow Ave 630 - 968 - 0294 HIGHLAND Principal: ZACHARY CRAFT 3935 Highland Ave Assistant Principal: CHRISTINE PRIESTER 630 - 719 - 5835 HILLCREST Principal: MICHELLE RZEPKA 1435 Jefferson Ave Assistant Principal: LAURI SMITH 630 - 719 - 5840 ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE CENTER INDIAN TRAIL Principal: MARIANA NICASIO General Administration 6235 Stonewall Ave 1860 63rd St 630 - 719 - 5845 630 - 719 - 5800 KINGSLEY Principal: MELISSA HACKETT DR. KEVIN RUSSELL 6509 Powell St Assistant Principal: ELYNN CUNNINGHAM Superintendent of Schools 630 - 719 - 5850 DR. JAYNE YUDZENTIS LESTER Principal: CARIN NOVAK Assistant Superintendent for Personnel 236 Indianapolis Ave Assistant Principal: KATIE NOVOSEL 630 - 719 - 5855 JESSICA STEWART Assistant Superintendent for Special Services PIERCE DOWNER Principal: LELAND WAGNER 1436 Grant St Assistant Principal: LAURI SMITH TODD DRAFALL 630 - 719 - 5860 Assistant Superintendent for Business/CSBO WHITTIER Principal: MICHAEL J. KRUGMAN KATIE HANNIGAN 536 Hill St Manager of Business Services 630 - 719 - 5865 LONGFELLOW CENTER Middle Schools Technology, Buildings & Grounds 1435 Prairie Ave HERRICK Principal: AMY READ 630 - 719 - 5867 4435 Middaugh Ave Assistant Principal: STEPHANIE DORNAN 630 - 719 - 5810 JUSTIN SISUL Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum O’NEILL Principal: MATTHEW DURBALA & Instruction 635 59th St Assistant Principal: HALEY VERMEER 630 - 719 - 5815 DR. JAMES EICHMILLER Assistant Superintendent for Technology Preschool Coordinator: JACKELYN CADARD & Learning GROVE CHILDREN’S KEVIN BARTO Schools: Henry Puffer & Indian Trail Director of Buildings & Grounds 630 - 968 - 0454 GEOFF NEUSTADT Assistant Director of Buildings & Grounds 15

1860 63rd Street NON-PROFIT Downers Grove, IL  60516 ORGANIZATION www.dg58.org  |  630 - 719 - 5800 U.S. POSTAGE PAID *********ECRWSSEDDM**** DOWNERS GROVE IL Residential Customer PERMIT NO. 19 THE RESOURCE TEAM IS I FEEL AS THOUGH AMAZING. MY DAUGHTER IS T H E T E AC H E R S T R U LY MAKIN G G R E AT PROG R ESS KNOW MY CHILDREN AND A N D F I N A L LY F E E L S L I K E THAT WE AR E O N TH E SHE CAN BE SUCCESSFUL SAME TEAM IN HELPING IN SCHOOL. OUR KIDS TO GROW AS MUCH AS THEY CAN. District 58 Parent District 58 Parent THERE IS MUCH MORE FLEXIBILITY NOW. I LOVE THAT WHEN THE QUANTITY THE SCHOOL THE RECENT FOCUS OF ASSIGNMENTS FEELS LIKE ON SOCIAL EMOTIONAL DECREASED, IT A SECOND LEARNING HAS BEEN ALLOWED US TO DO A H O M E FO R M Y VERY I M P O RTANT MUCH BETTER JOB CHILDREN. AND I WOULD LIKE TO I N C O R P O R AT I N G FA M I LY District 58 Parent SEE THAT CO NTIN U E . PRIORITIES. THIS IS A CALMER APPROACH District 58 Parent FOR EVERYONE RATHER THAN THE PRIOR suDbissttirtiuctte58tesaecehkesrs! F R E N Z Y. Earn $115 per day! District 58 Parent EVneijsmoitypwlaowyfwmle.dexngibt5l8teo.olsercgahr/neabdmououlrete/.! 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 58 publication, please contact Community Relations Coordinator Megan Hewitt at [email protected] or 630 - 719 - 5805. District 58 partnered with USPS to deliver these reports for about $.09 a household.