The Indian Prairie Parents’ Council (IPPC) is partnering with local businesses to recognize District 204 teachers and staff members for Teacher Appreciation Week, May 5 – 9. Parents and community members can honor school personnel who have made a difference this year, while also supporting local businesses and students in need. Each $25 donation allows you to honor your favorite teacher with a heartfelt note and a $20 gift card from a local business that you select from the list provided. Your note and gift card will be delivered to your teacher during Teacher Appreciation Week. $5 of your donation will help support the IPPC annual school supply drive to assist students in need. Orders are being taken now through April 25, 2025. There is no limit to the number of teachers or staff members you can recognize. Cash donations to the school supply drive can also be made in honor of a teacher or staff member. Order gift cards here. For any questions, please email IPPC at: ippcpta@gmail.com

Parent University: Becoming an Elementary Parent will be held in person on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at 6:30 PM, and virtually on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 6:30 PM. This presentation is designed to guide parents and guardians through the exciting transition to kindergarten and first grade. Attendees will learn what to expect as their child begins full-time school and discover meaningful ways to support their emotional growth. The event will conclude with a panel discussion featuring experienced staff from Indian Prairie School District 204, who will answer your questions and share valuable insights.

Presenters:

Tracy Schwartz, Engagement and Student Support Coach

Lauren Quinn, Kindergarten Teacher

Panel:

Keeley Schmid, Principal
Kristine Micheles, Student Services Coordinator

Luke Rahtjen, Kindergarten Teacher

Jennifer Cetnar, First Grade Teacher

Megan Rogers, Social Worker

Register for this event! Parent University Flyer

Parent University Webpage

The district is again contracting with a third-party vendor to automatically verify student address information. As was the case last year, we anticipate the overwhelming majority of our families will be electronically verified.

If your residency is electronically verified, you will receive a letter of confirmation. If you register prior to the first day of school, there will be no need to submit any additional paperwork to certify that you live within the district’s boundaries. If you register after the first day of school, you will need to provide additional information during online registration.

A letter will also be sent to families whose residency we are unable to verify electronically. The letter will provide details on additional information you will need to provide during online registration in order to register your child for the upcoming school year.

Verifying residency is an effort to protect taxpayers and district resources by identifying non-residents attending District 204 schools. Illinois law mandates that parents demonstrate residency prior to enrollment in school and allows for periodic verification to validate compliance with the law.

Please contact your school principal with any questions or concerns.

Join District 204 superintendent Dr. Adrian Talley and board members Catey Genc and Justin Karubas for coffee, light snacks, and casual conversation on Thursday, April 24 at 7 PM in the Waubonsie Valley High School LMC. This informal gathering is an opportunity to share your thoughts on what the district is doing well and what you’d like to see in the future.

Register and submit your questions or discussion topics here.
Coffee and Conversation Flyer

District 204 is grateful for the many volunteers who give their time and talents to support our students, staff, and schools. To recognize their impact, you are invited to nominate a deserving individual for Indian Prairie School District's Volunteer of the Year. Nominations will be accepted from Wednesday, April 16 through Friday, April 25. Help us celebrate those who make a difference in our school communities!

Submit a nomination here.

Kindergarten through Eighth-grade students are invited to participate in one OR two weeks of STEM Camp. This fun, hands-on STEM experience will provide students with activities from two different modules from either Camp Invention or Invention Project depending upon students' grade. Just as before, our STEM Camp will be taught by Indian Prairie certified teachers.

We anticipate that each camp will sell out, so register early to ensure your student has a spot to participate in STEM Camp 2025!

Questions? If you have any questions about this program or experience, please contact the STEM Camp program coordinator, Elizabeth Kaleta, at elizabeth_kaleta@ipsd.org.

For more information, visit the STEM Summer Camp webpage.

Indian Prairie School District 204 is partnering with KidsMatter and several neighboring school districts to offer two Youth Mental Health First Aid training sessions for adults who work with and care for kids. Participants will learn signs and symptoms of mental illness in children and teens ages 6 to 18, as well as risk factors for mental illness, protective factors and intervention strategies. These blended training sessions include a 2-hour self-paced online class to be taken before an in-person session led by an instructor. In-person classes are scheduled at the following times:

When: 9 AM to 2 PM, Thursday, April 24
Where: Naperville School District 203 Administration Building — Rooms D & E; 203 W. Hillside Road, Naperville, IL 60540
REGISTER HERE

When: 9 AM to 1:30 PM, Saturday, April 26
Where: Waubonsie Valley High School, 2590 Ogden Ave., Aurora, IL 60504
REGISTER HERE

Tour the summer sky in preparation for backyard stargazing! The last WVHS Planetarium Family Night of the school year will be on Friday April 25th. Family Nights are monthly public programs for astronomy enthusiasts of all ages. Programs start inside the planetarium at 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm. Tickets are available online beginning Monday April 21st at store.ipsd.org. Sold-out programs will disappear from the webstore. Visit ipsd.org/planetarium for more information about Family Nights.

In addition to the planetarium programs, telescope viewing outside (weather permitting) will start at 8:00 pm. Naperville Astronomical Association (NAA) members will set up their telescopes in the grassy field to the west of the planetarium's parking lot. Join NAA after the planetarium programs (telescope viewing is FREE - tickets are not required). Email questions to stephanie_rybka@ipsd.org.

The Indian Prairie Educational Foundation (IPEF) and District 204 proudly honor Laura McKee, a first grade teacher at Fry Elementary School, with the April A+ Award. Watch the April A+ Award video to see the team’s visit to recognize Mrs. McKee for “Making a Difference in District 204”.

Mrs. McKee was nominated for the A+ Award by Fry Elementary parent Michelle Barbi de Moura. In her essay, she describes Mrs. McKee as a teacher who has great kindness, unwavering patience, and as someone who has the remarkable ability to see the unique potential in every child.

Mrs. de Moura writes, “What truly sets Mrs. McKee apart is her commitment to creating meaningful connections with her students by embracing their individual interests and passions.” She goes on to say that “Through her patience, creativity, and genuine care, Mrs. McKee has made an immeasurable difference not just in my son’s academic journey, but in his sense of belonging and self-worth. She approaches each child in her classroom with the same level of dedication, finding ways to make education accessible, engaging, and joyful for all her students.”

A+ Award sponsor Western Governors University is partnering with IPEF and District 204 to help recognize one staff member each month for making a difference for students. To celebrate these outstanding staff members, Western Governors University is generously donating $1,000 for each month’s winner to use in his or her school.

You can nominate a staff member by visiting A+ Award.

Reminder: See Something, Say Something!

We all play a role in keeping our communities safe. It’s easy to be distracted during our daily routines, but if you see something that doesn’t seem quite right, say something. If you observe something in your neighborhood or school community that doesn’t feel right, you should contact your local law enforcement agency and/or contact the school’s main office. If you see or hear something concerning, please report it immediately to a trusted adult, law enforcement, or the District’s Tipline. Refrain from sharing suspicious activities on social media and allow law enforcement to properly investigate each situation.

The next regular Board of Education meeting is at 7 PM on Monday, May 5, 2025 at the Crouse Education Center, 780 Shoreline Drive, Aurora. Meeting agendas and documents will be available online prior to the meeting. Video of the regular meeting can be streamed live or viewed the following day at the District’s YouTube channel.

View the April 7, 2025 Board Salutes here.

Beat the May 1st price increase! Regular registration for Team IPEF 2025 ends WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30th. Run, walk, and raise funds as a Team IPEF Charity Hero in the Naperville Endeavor Health Half Marathon, 10K, or 5K on October 19th. Half of all funds raised by our runners go to your favorite IPSD 204 school and half to IPEF-funded district-wide programs. The goal is to have a team at every school, so gather your friends and family to register and join the fun!

Let's make this year's Team IPEF a huge success! Learn more and register HERE for Team IPEF today!

Middle School Parent or Student? High School Student?

Your input is needed on the Power of Choice campaign! The Power of Choice is a project of 360 Youth Services and works collaboratively with Districts 203 & 204 to provide campaigns for youth, parents, and the schools. One campaign is focused on supporting parents in talking with their junior high student about not using alcohol; one is focused on educating 6th - 8th grade students to correct misconceptions regarding e-cigarette/vaping; and another focused on supporting high school students in making healthy choices regarding alcohol and other substance use. The Power of Choice is asking you to participate in one of the following three quick surveys to provide feedback on where you receive information.

Middle school parents: http://bit.ly/6-8parentsurvey

Middle school youth: http://bit.ly/6-8feedback

High school youth: http://bit.ly/hschoolfeedback

The deadline to take these surveys is by Friday, May 16.

KidsMatter Senior High School Board for 2025-2026

Applications are now open for the KidsMatter Senior High School Board! This leadership opportunity is for students currently in grades 9-11 who want to be a part of giving area youth a voice in issues most relevant to teens and organizing initiatives for their peers — all while having fun and building relationships. To apply, fill out the KidsMatter Senior High Board Application by May 18!

Military Academy Nomination Information Session

On Sunday, April 27 from 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM, Congressman Bill Foster will hold a Military Academy Nomination Information Session at the Nichols Public Library Community Room in Naperville, IL.

This event will help students and their parents familiarize themselves with the application and nomination process to any of the nation’s five service academies. Academy representatives will provide an overview of the admissions process and will be available to answer questions.

To RSVP, fill out this form.