News from District 153
September 18, 2026
It was great to see so many families join us for Open House at Willow, Churchill, and James Hart! Your presence, engagement, and support make all the difference for your child. Our teachers and staff were very excited to meet their students’ families and, in some cases, see some of their former students who have moved to the next school.
We believe in serving the whole child by nurturing students’ Intellectual Growth, Creative Expression, Social and Emotional Well-being, and Physical and Mental Health. During the first few weeks of school, our amazing staff members have been working to get to know all the children and begin planning for their growth in all of these areas.
How does HSD153 plan for Intellectual Growth?
Each year, our students in grades K through 8 take an assessment called NWEA MAP Growth. This test helps us get an understanding of each student’s strengths and needs in Reading and Math. Students take the assessment in Fall, Winter, and Spring. This allows teachers, students, and families to look at student skills as well as student growth.
Our goal is to use the information from the Fall assessment to:
· Identify each student’s individual strengths and needs.
· Get a snapshot of what students already know and what they are ready to learn.
· Plan lessons and units that will help all students grow – whether they need enrichment or extra support.
· Work with students to develop individual goals for their growth.
In the Winter, we will use the Winter assessment to see how much each student has grown during the first half of the school year. Then, we will:
· Consider what is working and what may not be working for each student.
· Make course corrections, if needed, to help all students meet or beat their goals.
· Plan for the second half of the school year.
Along the way, teachers will be sharing information about the students’ strengths, needs, goals, and growth with families. Your partnership helps us to meet the needs of every child.
Save the Date!
Churchill School will host its first ever Hispanic Heritage Night on Thursday, October 15 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM! Join us as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with fun for the family. We hope to see you there!
Sincerely,
Dr. Teresa Hill
Superintendent of Schools
All children can learn . . . Period.
Nomination Deadline is Oct. 1st!
Is there a District 153 teacher, staff person or volunteer you think deserves special recognition?
ISBE is accepting nominations for the 2027 Those Who Excel & Teacher of the Year Awards, the program that recognizes outstanding teachers, administrators, school personnel, and volunteers. These awards honor individuals who have made significant contributions to Illinois' public and nonpublic preK-12 schools. All candidates must be nominated before they will be invited to apply.
Any person or organization may submit nominations for outstanding school personnel in their lives. Eligible candidates then will be invited to submit an official application. The deadline to submit a nomination for consideration in the 2027 awards cycle is 11:59 p.m. Oct. 1.
