Diamond Awards
Congratulations to Bindu Mangtani, Diana Enriquez, and Hillary Shores who were recently nominated and presented with the Diamond Award at our March Board of Education meetings.
TEACHING AND LEARNING
This past month our students in grades 3-8 took the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR). This assessment measures both growth and proficiency in literacy and math through a series of 5 tests. The results of the IAR are released as a significant part of the Illinois Report Card for each school in October. We are proud of how hard our students worked this month in order to show growth, and we look forward to reviewing the results next fall.
On March 21st we will hold our spring parent-teacher conferences. These conferences will be led by students. Students are excited to showcase their work they have compiled with their teachers in their Student Target Portfolios (STPs). The middle school students will showcase their portfolios and/or exemplar assignments in their classes when meeting with each of their teachers.
Summer Exploration Camp is coming! All students are invited to our free summer school program, which will focus on enrichment and activities to extend student learning from the school year. Please click here to see the flier for more information and to register.
Facilities
Upcoming Summer 2024 Projects
D76 is excited about its list of upcoming summer projects. The focus this Summer will be improving the band, chorus, and art rooms. The band room will receive new furniture, improved acoustics, and instrument storage. The art room will receive a new kiln, and all three spaces will have updated flooring and paint. Finally, the parking lot and sidewalk at West Oak Campus will be renovated and the Building Automation System (BAS) at Diamond Lake Elementary School will be replaced which will allow for greater energy efficiency and savings.
INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY & COMMUNICATIONS
In the upcoming online registration packet, we are excited to introduce our newly implemented Student Responsible Use Policy. This policy is designed to foster a culture of accountability and responsibility among our students. It outlines clear expectations regarding academic integrity, respectful conduct within the digital learning environment, and the responsible use of D76 devices and online resources. Our aim is to equip students with the knowledge and understanding necessary to navigate their educational journey with integrity and respect for their peers, staff, and the wider community. By including this policy in the registration packet, we are taking a proactive step to ensure that all students are aware of these expectations from the outset, thereby creating a more positive and productive learning environment for everyone involved. We thank our D76 students and staff who provided essential feedback in constructing this policy, making it truly reflective of our community's values for the upcoming school year.
Student Services
District 76 hosted a Preschool screening for the Preschool for All program on March 15 for children who are turning three years old. This program is designed to provide universal access to preschool education for all children. Families go through a screening process with specific eligibility criteria that is based on delays in development, income, and other family factors. The next screening will be held May 8, 2024. To schedule an appointment for the next screening call 847-566-6601.
Extended School Year (ESY) services are provided to students with disabilities during the summer to prevent the regression of skills that they have gained during the regular school year. ESY will be held June 3-June 28 at Diamond Lake School. If a child qualifies for ESY the parent(s)/guardian(s) will receive an email with a google form to fill out to confirm whether the child will attend or not.
Social Workers, Speech and Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, and Hearing Itinerants who provide related services to students with disabilities maintain a related service log. These logs are available to parent(s)/guardian(s) if requested at any time by reaching out directly to them or the child’s case manager.
Prioritization for Urgency of Need for Services (PUNS) is a waiting list maintained by state agencies to identify individuals with developmental disabilities who are in need of services and supports. A child with a developmental disability can be included in the PUNS database to indicate the need for services through a registration or application process. If you have questions or need additional information contact Robyn Klipp at 847-566-9221.
Community Liaison
As we continue our dedication to supporting families through our ongoing partnership with "The Welcome Center." Every Wednesday from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, we open our doors to provide a variety of resources tailored to meet the needs of those facing hardship. At "The Welcome Center," families can find gently used clothing, hygiene products, food items, toys, books, and household essentials, all offered with care and compassion.
If you or someone you know is in need of assistance or support, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. You can contact me directly via email at scalderon@dist76.org or by phone at 847-388-2654. Additionally, we encourage you to take a moment to fill out our survey, as your feedback helps us better understand and address the specific needs of our community. Your well-being is our top priority, and we are here to support you in any way we can.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- April 1, 2024: Last Day of Spring Break
- April 8, 2024: Late Start for Students
- April 9, 2024: Board of Education Meeting
- April 10, 2024: Kindergarten Orientation
- April 11, 2024: 1st Grade Concert
- April 23, 2024: PTO Meeting
- April 23, 2024: Board of Education Meeting