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Diamond Edge October 2021

Principal's Appreciation Week

During the week of October 24th through the 30th we celebrate and recognize our fantastic District 76 principals during Principal Appreciation Week. Thank you Dr. Erica Berger, Mr. Kurt Preble, Mr. Peter Cunningham and Mr. Brandon Pedersen for your tireless work and dedication to do what is best for our students.

A proclamation from our Governor, principal appreciation dedication provides the Illinois Principals Association and our learning community an opportunity to recognize our school leadership efforts and accomplishments.

Congratulations to Ms. Barbara Ciosek, Learning Associate at West Oak Intermediate School. Ms. Ciosek was recently nominated and presented with a Diamond Award for her compassion and positive interactions with both staff and colleagues.

Teaching and Learning

As students came back to school after several months of disrupted learning, all students in 1st- 8th grades were given the Star Reading and Math Fall Benchmark Assessments to assess their academic proficiency. With this data, each school building is designing a program to provide additional reading and math assistance to those students who are identified as needing additional support.

D76 has also created an after school reading and math program to support those students who have been most adversely impacted by the school closures. In December, all students in grades 1-8 will take the Star Reading and Math Winter Benchmark. The Winter Benchmark will, once again, allow us to gauge academic progress and determine the support needed for our students. D76 is dedicated to making data based decisions that will assist all of our students in overcoming any learning disruptions that may have occurred over the past several months.

Facilities

In case you were unaware, the district made BIG improvements to all classrooms in D76. All classrooms received updated painting, lighting, flooring, furniture and technology. Please see below for some examples of our exciting improvements.

Finance

2021-22 Budget Approved

The Board of Education officially adopted the 2021-22 budget at their 9.21 meeting. Please click HERE to view the budget presentation. The fiscal year planning shows a slight operating surplus of just over $22K. Fund balances remain at financially healthy levels and the District is committed to closely monitoring all spending throughout the year. Besides salaries, primary expenditures this year will focus on hiring several additional new staff members to address learning loss that occurred during the 2020-21 school year and one summer construction project.

Instructional Technology & Communications

New Robust Student Chromebooks

Starting the 2021-22 school year, all D76 students received a brand new robust Chromebook for grades 1st - 8th grade. As we continue our regular in-person learning, students 1st - 4th grade have 1:1 all day access to Chromebooks, while 5th-8th grade students continue to take their 1:1 Chromebooks to and from school.

Part of our long-term technology planning D76 continues to ensure student devices are on obsolescence timeline securing quality, longevity and robust technology experience for all of our students.

STUDENT services

This year we will be offering monthly Parent University Presentations on a variety of topics from children's mental health to homework tips and strategies to technology tips and tricks.

To help support our students' Social Emotional Learning, our district has implemented daily morning meetings at West Oak Intermediate School and Diamond Lake School and weekly at West Oak Middle School. This is in addition to our Second Step (PreK - 8th grade) and Zones of Regulation (PreK - 3rd grade).

Upcoming Parent University Learning Sessions

  • November 17: Growing Your Child’s Love for Reading: Reasons, Recommendations and Tips
  • December 8th: How to Make Doing Homework a Positive Experience
  • December 16th: How to Build Positive Behavior Supports at Home

Visit the Parent University website to access the live links and presentation resources.

2021-22 Strategic Plan Snapshot

View our District 76 Strategic Plan including vision, goals, and our portrait of a graduate.

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • Monday, November 1 - Late Start for Students
  • Tuesday, November 2 - Board of Education Meeting - 7 p.m.
  • Friday, November 5 - End of Trimester I
  • Sunday, November 7 - Daylight Savings Ends - turn clocks back one hour
  • Friday, November 12 - Report Cards Distributed
  • Tuesday, November 16 - Board of Education Meeting - 7 p.m.
  • Wednesday, November 17 - Parent University - 6:30 p.m.
  • Monday, November 22 - Early Dismissal for Students, Parent Teacher Conferences
  • Tuesday, November 23 - Teacher Institute Day - NO SCHOOL for students
  • Wednesday, November 24 - Non-attendance day - NO SCHOOL for students or staff
  • Thursday, November 25 - Thanksgiving Day Holiday
  • Friday, November 26 - Non-attendance day - NO SCHOOL for students or staff

Stay Connected #D76Diamonds

www.dist76.org
@DLDistrict76
@DLDistrict76
@DLDistrict76
Diamond Lake District 76