Tuesday Newsday

Ensuring that our schools are safe, welcoming places for students and staff is a responsibility I take seriously every day. Our District’s approach to support and safety is grounded in preparation, strategic partnerships, and care -- all centered around the belief that students learn best when a sense of belonging is cultivated for all.

We recognize that students can’t engage in meaningful learning if they are dealing with challenges at school or home that weigh on their minds. Our first line of intervention comes in the form of our dedicated, caring, and professional teachers and staff. They take the time to build relationships, allowing them to pick up on subtle cues suggesting a student is stressed or struggling with an issue. Depending on the situation, teachers and staff may directly intervene or refer students to social work services or the administration for additional guidance. This year, the District added a social worker to better ensure we have the necessary amount of staff to spend the time needed to meet students’ needs.

Daily, our teachers, social workers, and administration might be working with students on peer issues or emotional, relational, or financial issues in the home. Our District has had this type of support for students for many years and it will continue to be a priority.

We also value strong partnerships with families. You should never hesitate to reach out to a teacher, social worker, or administrator to address an academic or social-emotional issue your child may be experiencing that is serving as a barrier to their learning, whether that is school or home-related. We either have resources on campus to assist in the matter or will connect with contacts in other agencies who are better positioned to provide specialized assistance. Our goal is always the same: to ensure that every child can thrive.

Our commitment to nurturing the whole child naturally extends to the classroom. Every day, we work to ensure that instruction is engaging, rigorous, and reflective of how students learn best. Recently, the District adopted a new math series that raises the level of rigor through a more cutting-edge approach called conceptual math learning. Early standardized test data suggest that our students are growing in math at a faster rate than they have in the last few years. We are pleased with this promising trend. We’ve also introduced new literacy materials across all grade levels to better strengthen students’ skills and foster a lifelong love of reading.

Keeping our schools safe remains an essential part of our work. The Board of Education’s Policy Manual contains policies to govern our actions, such as Visitors to Campus (8:30), Equal Educational Opportunities (7:10), and School Records (7:340). Review the full Policy Manual on the District website.

Additionally, as an administrative team, we are continuously mindful of what is happening outside of our campus. Our commitment to safety is constant; we do not need a national or global event to spur us to action. A sampling of what we do includes:

• Maintaining a close collaborative partnership with our local law enforcement

• Conducting crisis-response tabletop exercises several times a year

• Consulting with security experts on best practices and protocols

• Engaging with other school leaders for ways to best handle the unique circumstances created by local, national, or global events

While we strive to prepare for any situation, unexpected events can occur. When they do, the safety of students and staff guides every decision we make. We respond quickly and thoughtfully, working together and using all available resources to support our school community.

I understand the trust you place in the District when sending your children to school every day. My team and I are deeply committed to their academic success, social-emotional well-being, and physical safety, and we are grateful for your partnership in their educational journey.

In Educational Partnership,

David L. Russo, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

• Volunteer sign-up for winter break parties opens - Nov. 11, 7 p.m.
• Pre-K Parent-Teacher Conferences - Nov. 12, 3:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.
• SD74 PALS Book Fair for Lincoln Hall students - Nov. 13 and 14
• Sign-ups for Parent-Teacher Conferences close - Nov. 14, 11:59 p.m.
• Parent-Teacher Conferences - Nov. 18 and Nov. 20, 3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
• Thanksgiving Break - Nov. 24-28
• Volunteer sign-up for winter break parties closes - Dec. 2, 11:59 p.m.

To indicate your interest in volunteering for a Winter Break party, complete this form when it opens tonight at 7 p.m. The form will close on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at midnight.

At the end of the sign-up period, the District will create a schedule of coverage for every classroom at both schools.

Our region has entered the time of year when weather may have the greatest impact on District operations. The decision to keep schools open or to close due to weather is taken very seriously. Please review the Emergency Closing Information document available on our website.

Please also view the District’s e-Learning Plan, which may be implemented on a day when physical school cannot be held because of inclement weather. The decision to use the e-Learning Plan will be based on timing, severity, and duration of winter weather. Families are encouraged to discuss what an e-Learning day would look like at home should the District need to implement that plan.

The District wants to extend a special thank you to the military vets who were able to join us for our Veterans Day celebrations at Rutledge Hall and Lincoln Hall. We thank you for your service.

The safe daily transportation of students is a top priority at SD74. Please adhere to the guidance from our crossing guards and traffic personnel, and follow all posted traffic laws around campus.

In particular, dropping students off and picking them up at the service drive on Crawford Ave. in front of Lincoln Hall is prohibited; use the main drop-off and pick-up queue instead.

Your patience and understanding, especially during times of inclement weather, will go a long way toward ensuring student safety.

Lincoln Hall students are collecting shelf-stable goods for their annual canned food drive in support of the Niles Township Food Pantry. Students should bring donations to their homerooms for collection and tallying. View a list of preferred items.

If you don't have a student at Lincoln Hall and would like to support the drive, donations can be dropped off at the Lincoln Hall main office through Nov. 20.

Click on the following links for each school to learn more about ordering a yearbook.

• Todd Hall
• Rutledge Hall
• Lincoln Hall

Learn more about the People Active with Lincolnwood Schools (PALS) organization.

• SD74 PALS Book Fair for Todd Hall and Rutledge Hall students - Through Nov. 12 at Rutledge Hall
• SD74 PALS Book Fair for Lincoln Hall students - Nov. 13 and 14 at Lincoln Hall
• Restaurant Giveback at Backyard Grill - Saturdays in December, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
• Restaurant Giveback at Chipotle (3654 Touhy) - Dec. 8, 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
• PALS meeting - Dec. 8, 7 p.m. at Todd Hall library

Thank you to everyone who came out last night to shop for new books at the Family Night event. If you couldn’t make it, the online book fairs are open for shopping. Books will be shipped directly to your home. Don’t forget to set up an eWallet account for your student or purchase gift cards for teachers and staff.

• Book Fair website for Todd Hall and Rutledge Hall
• Book Fair website for Lincoln Hall

Save the dates! Support PALS throughout the year on scheduled giveback nights at your favorite local eateries.

Nov. 7 - Rutledge Hall third graders highlight dinosaur unit

Nov. 10 - The book fair kicks off!

Nov. 11 - Honoring our veterans

Be sure to check the Virtual Bulletin Board on the SD74 website regularly for special announcements from around the community.

• Winter Break Camp - Registration is open now. Learn more and register here.
• Santa's Workshop - Dec. 13, 1-4 p.m. Learn more.
• Parent/Tot Open Play - Tues./Thurs. through Dec. 14, 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. Learn more.
• Hanukkah - A Celebration of Lights - Dec. 18, 5:30 -7 p.m. Learn more.

www.sd74.org

6950 N. East Prairie Road, Lincolnwood, IL 60712

847-675-8234

Questions about Tuesday Newsday? Contact:

Jackie McGoey, Director of Communications and Community Relations, at jmcgoey@sd74.org