The RISE Report

Do you know an exemplary District 58 employee who has made a positive difference in your life or the life of a student? Please consider nominating that individual for a Distinguished Service Award! The Education Foundation of Downers Grove District 58 annually sponsors the free Distinguished Service Awards program to recognize the many contributions of District 58 employees.

Any District 58 staff member, parent/guardian or student may nominate a District 58 employee for a Distinguished Service Award. The nominee should be an individual who:

• Consistently performs above and beyond the scope of job duties

• Positively affects children in a significant manner

• Has a sustained dedication to the education of children

• Cares about the child as a whole person

• Has earned the respect of his/her peers and superiors

• Serves as a good role model to other district employees

Nominees must work at least 20 hours per week. They must have worked at least one full school year at District 58.

The Education Foundation will accept nominations now through Friday, March 21. To nominate an employee, please review the Frequently Asked Questions and complete the Nomination Form. You may also access these materials at www.dg58.org/dsa. Please share or email completed nomination forms to Megan Hewitt at mhewitt@dg58.org or mail them to:

Are you looking for additional parenting resources tip to support your child at home? Interested in learning more about your child's unique developmental needs? Check out our amazing RISE Resource library that was

developed by the RISE team through a generous grant from the Downers Grove Junior Woman's Club (DGJWC)!

Within the library you will find 20 books on various topics related to executive functioning, play, building connections, and behavior. These books are available to both staff and families to check out for a 3 week period. The website includes pictures of all of our book options with a drop down description of each. Please use the linked Check Out form to borrow a book. We hope you enjoy this resource!

RISE Resources

We are excited to announce plans for our 2025 Autism & Developmental Differences Expo. This year it will be held on Saturday March 15th from 10am-1pm, at Proviso Math & Science Academy. Join us for live parent workshops/panels, free developmental screeners, a large exhibitor hall featuring Chicagoland's premiere service providers, and a passport contest with raffles! Attendee registration is free, and we have discounted exhibitor fees for early bird subscribers (register by February 28th) and for nonprofits! To register, visit chicagoautismnetwork.org/expo!

Fall is here and cold and flu season is upon us and we are seeing students with cold and flu symptoms. To prevent the spread of these common viruses in the close confines of the classroom, we are cleaning daily and encouraging handwashing in the class. To decide whether or not to send your child to school, please consider the following guidelines.

Consider keeping your child at home for an extra day of rest and observation if he or she has any of the following symptoms:

· Very stuffy or runny nose and/or a cough

· Mild sore throat (no fever, no known exposure to strep)

· Headache

Definitely keep your child at home and consider seeking medical attention if he or she has any of these symptoms:

· Fever (greater than 100 degrees by mouth. Your child may return to school only after his or her temperature has been consistently below 100 degrees, by mouth, for a minimum of 24 hours without medication)

· Vomiting (even once)

· Diarrhea

· Chills

· General malaise or feelings of fatigue, discomfort, weakness or muscle aches

· Frequent congested (wet) or croupy cough

· Shortness of breath

· Lots of nasal congestion with frequent blowing of nose

To help prevent the flu and other colds, encourage good hygiene habits:

· Wash hands frequently

· Do not touch eyes, nose or mouth

· Cover mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, use a paper tissue, throw it away and then wash hands

· Avoid close contact with people who are sick

The flu shot is one of the best ways to prevent illness from the seasonal influenza virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends adults and children receive the flu vaccine each year. Yearly flu vaccination is needed because immunity against the flu wears off over time. In addition, the flu virus strains often change, so the vaccine also changes from year-to-year in order to match the flu viruses expected to be circulating in the community.

March 31 - April 4: No School- Spring Break

Monday, April 7: School Resumes

Monday, April 14: Board of Education Regular Meeting

Friday, April 18: No School

Monday, May 12: Board of Education Regular Meeting

Friday, May 23: Last day of School

The Find Food IL Community Food Map is an excellent tool for individuals to find places offering free food or meals; school and Summer Meal programs; and grocery stores and farmers markets accepting SNAP/Link, WIC, and senior vouchers. ISBE partnered with the University of Illinois Extension to help families identify what is available in their community more easily.

Many students rely on school for access to meals. Especially as we enter the summer months, you can help by sharing the Find Food IL Community Food Map with your students and families. Those interested in linking to this resource can download hosting guidelines on the Illinois Nutrition Education Programs website. Contact Caitlin Kownacki or read the press release for more information.

Building Bridges is a parent group under the Downers Grove D58 Area PTA Counil. Building Bridges works on building relationships between families with children who have special needs and our school community.

Whether you are a parent/guardian of a child with an IEP or 504, sibling, caregiver, teacher, librarian, or community member... Building Bridges would love to see your participation in our event for the 2023-2024 school year!

Please join our Facebook Page (Building Bridges Parent/Teacher Group)

https://www.facebook.com/pg/buildingbridgesDG58/

Email: jcadard@dg58.org
Website: www.dg58.org
Location: 1436 Grant St, Downers Grove, IL 60515
Phone: 630-719-9478