Weekly Update
September 25, 2024
Ensuring a Safe and Supportive School Environment
Dear Parents and Students,
The start of this school year has been very positive for our students, our staff, and our community. In an effort to help maintain the positive start to this year, I am reaching out to all of you in a proactive way to address an urgent issue concerning social media threats that have been affecting schools nationwide. Recently, there has been a troubling increase in the sharing of threats via social media among students. We are aware of threats made to schools and school districts near Indian Prairie, and as recently as today, a noncredible threat was made in our district.
It is crucial to understand that even jokes or posts made in jest can have serious consequences. Making or sharing threats, regardless of intent, can lead to severe repercussions, including legal action. In nearby communities, students as young as 12 have faced felony charges due to their online behavior; therefore, students must comprehend the gravity of their words and actions.
We urge everyone to think carefully before posting or sharing any content that could be interpreted as threatening. The impact of such actions can extend far beyond a single incident, affecting not only the individuals involved but also evoking a trauma response throughout the entire school community.
If you see or hear something concerning, please report it immediately to a trusted adult, law enforcement, or the District’s Tipline. It is equally important not to perpetuate fear by creating or forwarding alarming posts on social media.
Together, let us foster a safe and conducive learning environment for our students.
Thank you for your cooperation and support.
Sincerely,
Adrian B. Talley, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Friday September 27 - Join NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador, Stephanie Rybka, for NASA Night at the WVHS Planetarium. Family Nights are monthly public programs for astronomy enthusiasts of all ages. Programs start at 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM inside the planetarium. Tickets are available online at store.ipsd.org. Sold-out programs will disappear from the webstore. Visit ipsd.org/planetarium for more information.
In addition to the planetarium programs, telescope viewing outside (weather permitting) will start at 8:00 PM. Naperville Astronomical Association (NAA) members will set up their telescopes in the grassy field west of the planetarium's parking lot. Join NAA after the planetarium programs (tickets are not required for the telescopes)! Follow the WVHS Planetarium on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram for upcoming programs and local celestial events.
The Indian Prairie Parents’ Council is once again hosting their annual winter coat drive to benefit District 204 students and families in need. All district families are welcome to browse and select winter items for themselves or someone in need on Friday, September 27 from 4:00 – 6:00 PM at McCarty Elementary in the gymnasium, please enter through Door #2.
The next regular Board of Education meeting is at 7 PM on Monday, October 7, 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.
Help the Team IPEF Charity Heroes from your school meet their fundraising goals! The Indian Prairie Educational Foundation (IPEF) thanks our Team IPEF runners and walkers for making the commitment to raise funds for both our student support programs and our schools. Half of all funds raised goes directly back into the school being represented by its Team IPEF runners, and every donation helps enrich the education of our IPSD 204 students! You can donate HERE.
The Indian Prairie Educational Foundation (IPEF) and District 204 proudly honor Amy Dawes, an ELL teacher at Scullen Middle School, with the September A+ Award. Watch the A+ Award video to see the team’s visit to recognize Mrs. Dawes for “Making a Difference in District 204”.
Mrs. Dawes was nominated for the A+ Award this year by a current Scullen Middle School student, Jason Fang. In his essay, Jason described moving to a new country and not being able to speak the language, and how much progress he made over the course of a year, thanks to Mrs. Dawes. “I feel really lucky to be at Scullen Middle School and to have Mrs. Dawes as my teacher,” he wrote. “She always thinks about what’s best for her students.”
Mrs. Dawes has taught in District 204 for fifteen years. “I’m lucky to be able to build relationships with students like Jason,” said Mrs. Dawes after learning that she was this month’s winner. “You really have to build that community to help the students learn and grow!”
New A+ Award sponsor Western Governors University is partnering with IPEF and District 204 to help recognize one staff member each month for making a difference for students. To celebrate these outstanding staff members, Western Governors University is generously donating $1,000 for each month’s winner to use in his or her school.
You can nominate a staff member by visiting A+ Award.
Monday, September 30 | Noon & 7 PM
Dr. Edward Hallowell
Driven to Distraction: The New Science to Shift from Deficits to Strengths - ADHD & More
Dr. Edward Hallowell Event Details | Dr. Edward Hallowell Zoom Link - Noon | Dr. Edward Hallowell Zoom Link - 7 PM
Wednesday, October 2 | Noon & 7 PM
Mariana Proske Gutierrez
B-PAC: Early Childhood Event -- Criar al niño pequeño a través de crisis, mala conducta y rabietas / Parenting the Young Child Through Meltdowns, Misbehavior and Tantrums
Mariana Proske Gutierrez Event Details | Mariana Proske Gutierrez Zoom Link - Noon | Mariana Proske Gutierrez Zoom Link - 7 PM
Naperville Police Chief Jason Arres invites the community to chat with him and members of his senior staff over coffee on National Coffee with A Cop Day – Wednesday, October 2.
This informal meet-and-greet is part of the Naperville Police Department’s “Chat with the Chief” series and will be held from 1:00 - 3:00 PM at the Starbucks located at 1532 Aurora Ave., Naperville.
“National Coffee with A Cop Day is all about bringing police and citizens together to discuss community issues and build relationships, so it makes sense to hold our next Chat with the Chief on that day,” said Chief Arres. “We thank Starbucks for hosting us and providing complimentary drip coffee to our guests. I look forward to meeting with community members to discuss whatever is on their minds, whether it’s neighborhood issues, specific safety concerns, police procedure, or something else entirely.”
At “Chat with the Chief,” residents should not expect a presentation or formal agenda, but rather informal conversation in a relaxed atmosphere. Residents are encouraged to stop by at any time during the two-hour event, which will include complimentary drip coffee, courtesy of Starbucks.
“Chat with the Chief” is hosted several times each year in various locations throughout the city. For more information on Chat with the Chief, visit //www.naperville.il.us/npd/chatwithchief.