The RISE Report

I am excited to share that last week was National School Social Worker Week. The theme for National School Social Work Week 2025 is "Unite to Ignite: Celebrating our Impact.” During the school year, school social workers are confronted with challenges, heightened anxieties, and anticipated difficulties. However, school social workers face these challenges with strength and resilience. School Social Work Week 2025 celebrates the collective power and passion of school social workers who unite communities to ignite positive change in the lives of students, families, and schools.

Please join me in sending a message of gratitude to Mrs. Marlowe and Mrs. Richelia!

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!

Does your student plan to participate in a fall sport in middle school? A completed sports physical is required for all middle school athletes—even for practice before tryouts.

Since fall sports practices begin before the school year starts, we strongly encourage you to schedule your child’s sports physical as soon as possible to ensure they are eligible to participate. Sports physicals are valid for 13 months from the exam date, so be sure your child’s physical is up to date. Our health offices are currently accepting physicals dated after September 2nd, 2024.

Please submit completed sports physicals to Michelle McGarry- mmcgarry@dg58.org before the first practice. If you have any questions about requirements, feel free to reach out.

Thank you for your attention to this important step in preparing for a great season!

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