As you may have seen in the March 21 Superintendent's Message, District 204 will begin hosting a series of informational meetings to discuss funding of our Facilities Master Plan. The plan was presented and accepted by our Board of Education this past December. It identifies and prioritizes districtwide facility needs and proposed solutions. Throughout the plan there is a special focus on safety and security, reducing class sizes, building infrastructure, and classroom upgrades. The District will be gathering the community’s feedback on a funding proposal that may appear on the November 2024 ballot to address these important building and operating challenges, without imposing a net tax rate increase. Many months of planning have gone into this proposal, and we are excited to share it with you.

Community Informational Meetings will begin the week of April 15 at the following schools.

Monday, April 15, 7 PM - Neuqua Valley High School (LMC)

Tuesday, April 16, 7 PM - Waubonsie Valley High School (LMC)

Wednesday, April 17, 7 PM - Metea Valley High School (LMC)

Wednesday, April 17, 7 PM - Gregory Middle School (LMC)

Thursday, April 18, 7 PM - Hill Middle School (LMC)

Watch for additional information in next week’s newsletter!

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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.

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On Monday, April 8, 2024, there will be a significant celestial event occurring - a solar eclipse. This offers a unique educational opportunity for our students and staff to witness and learn about this rare occurrence. IPSD is hosting a district wide watch party for our elementary and middle school students as well as some high school science classes! District 204 is providing all participating students, faculty and staff with ISO12312-2 Certified Solar eclipse glasses for the event!

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The Indian Prairie Parents’ Council (IPPC) is partnering with local businesses to recognize District 204 teachers and staff members for Teacher Appreciation Week, May 6 - 10. Parents and community members can honor school personnel who have made a difference this year, while also supporting students in need. Each $25 donation allows you to honor your favorite teacher with a heartfelt note and a $20 gift card 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 19, 2024. There is no limit on the number of teachers or staff members you can recognize. Monetary donations to the school supply drive can also be made in honor of a teacher or staff member. Order gift cards here. For more information about the Teacher Appreciation program, please don’t hesitate to reach out to IPPC 1st VP and Unity Chair, Robin Schmidt at ippcpta@gmail.com.

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Gather your squad and join our 11 Year/11 Member Team IPEF Challenge! The goal is simple: form a team of 11 members to run/walk for your IPSD 204 school and be one of the first three teams to reach the goal. The prize? A bonus $100 for your team!

Gather your friends, family, and co-workers and get ready to hit the pavement. The more, the merrier! Are you up for the challenge? Walk or run together in the Naperville Endeavor Health 5K, 10K, or half marathon as part of our 11th Anniversary Charity Team! Register between March 1 – April 30. Find out more on the Team IPEF Registration Page.

District 204, in partnership with KidsMatter, will hold a Youth Mental Health First Aid training on Saturday, April 27 from 9 AM – 1:30 PM at Waubonsie Valley High School. Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders in youth. This 6.5-hour training gives adults the skills they need to reach out and provide initial support to children and adolescents (ages 6-18) who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to the appropriate care.

The course covers the topics including common signs and symptoms of mental illness and substance use, how to interact with a child or adolescent in crisis, how to connect the individual with help, trauma, addiction and self-care, and the impact of social media and bullying.

For more information and registration, visit Youth Mental Health First Aid Registration. Please Dawn Forkner (IPSD 204 Social Emotional Learning and Wellness Coordinator) with questions.

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The Indian Prairie Educational Foundation (IPEF) and District 204 proudly honor Fallyn Liesch, a Reading Specialist at Cowlishaw Elementary School, with the March A+ Award. You can watch the A+ Award team’s surprise visit to recognize Mrs. Liesch for “Making a Difference” in the March A+ Award video.

Mrs. Liesch was nominated for the A+ Award by a current Cowlishaw parent. This parent describes Mrs. Liesch as passionate and kind, writing, “Not only is she an expert in teaching struggling readers the skills each of them needed, but she is also an expert in motivating students, keeping their interest, and creating a community of learners.”

District 204 is aware that some area high school seniors are involved in an ill-advised game of “Senior Assassin” this year. The game involves students using water guns to "assassinate" their friends all in the name of fun. This is an entirely student-organized event with no affiliation with any of our high schools. District 204 encourages parents to talk to their children about the potential safety concerns that may arise related to this game. Toy guns, look alike guns, and water guns are not allowed on any school campus and student discipline will occur in accordance with district policies in the event any of these items are brought to school.

Webinar- Virtual
Wednesday, April 17 from 6:30 - 7:30 PM

Title: Navigating Your Emerging Older Teen/Young Adult Towards Independence

Speaker: Carissa Sabal, MA, LCPC, CADC
How to recognize when your older teen/young adult is struggling and needs support.
Identify and learn how to set healthy boundaries with your older teen/young adult.
Learn how to communicate your support.
Register » VIRTUAL WEBINAR

Lynn Lyons

https://glenbard.zoom.us/j/83158633673 (FREE)
Understanding Social Anxiety and the Complexity of Teen Relationships
Thursday, April 4 | 12 – 1 PM
More information here.

Lynn Lyons
https://glenbard.zoom.us/j/89050327558 (FREE)
Understanding Social Anxiety and the Complexity of Teen Relationships
Thursday, April 4 | 7 – 8 PM

More information here.

Dr. Laurence Steinberg

https://glenbard.zoom.us/j/87208592799

You and Your “Almost” Adult Child: How to Grow Together in Challenging Times

Wednesday, April 10 | 12 - 1 PM
More information here.

High School Camp Weekend - Operation Snowball 3-day retreat

Bus seats and cabin bunks are filling up for the iconic high school overnight retreat known as Snowball! The upcoming weekend retreat is April 26-28 at Camp Lorado Taft. Transportation is provided to the overnight event, as well as meals, and Friday is considered an excused absence for a field trip. This teen-led/adult-guided retreat - themed "We Can See Clearly Now" - offers students the opportunity to discover something about themselves, make friends, relax and have some fun. The weekend theme focuses on self-care and self-reflection! Snowball Registration closes Friday, April 12...so don’t wait!

Power of Choice Campaign

Middle School Parent and Student Surveys, High School Student Surveys
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 middle schooler about not using alcohol; one is focused on educating 6 - 8 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 middle school parents, middle school youth, and high school teens to participate in one of the three quick surveys below, to provide feedback regarding where they receive information. The deadline to take these surveys is by Tuesday, April 30.

Middle School Parent Survey

Middle School Youth Survey
High School Student Survey

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The next regular Board of Education meeting is at 7 PM on Monday, April 8, 2024 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 March 11, 2024 Board Salutes here.