January 7 Board Brief

January 7 Board Brief

Dear District 30 Family,

The last Board of Education Meeting included the following relevant items:

Elementary Capacity Project Bids Approved

The Board unanimously approved the ten bid packages that will support our Elementary Capacity Project. Bids totaled $11,363,702 for the construction/renovations relating to the Elementary Capacity Project at Wescott and Willowbrook Schools. This essential project generates needed elementary capacity and realigns our Kindergarten program with our neighborhood school philosophy. Exterior construction will begin this spring and will be completed by the fall of 2021.  

New & Revised Board Policies Adopted

The Board generally revises policies twice a year. Revisions and additions occur due to new legislation and the need to ensure that our policies support and align with our practices. The Board completed the third reading and adopted the following new and revised Board Policies: 

440 Incurring Debt Policy, 500.08 General Personnel: Equal Employment Opportunity and Minority Recruitment, 520.10 Professional Personnel: Substitute Teachers, 700.01 Equal Educational Opportunities, 720.24 Student Welfare: Prevention of and Response to Bullying, and 850 Gifts to School Districts

Phased Operations Update

Sincere gratitude was expressed for our educators’ commitment and care of our children, our students’ flexibility and perseverance, and our parents’ partnership. An update on our adaptive pause was shared, and the Board was reminded of District 30’s commitment to resume in-person phased operations on Tuesday, January 19.

Social-Emotional Learning Curriculum Work Report

Megan Boarini, Danielle Cerami, Rita Field, Nikki Fosco, Betty Holzkopf, April Lobo, Caitlin MacKnight, Dawn Nettelhorst, Betsy Safranek, Lauren Schulman, Ana Stockler, Cheryl Wilson, and Blake Zweig updated the Board on last summer’s Social-Emotional Learning Curriculum Work for Grades K-8. This important effort included working with students to maintain positive relationships and improve their decision-making skills. Staff also taught students ways to develop self-awareness and self-management skills to achieve school and life balance and success. Priorities established for the work were shared, as were multiple resources such as guided scripts, examples of positive social interactions, and detailed calendars utilized during advisory periods.

Social Studies Grades 1-2 Summer Curriculum Work Report

Ann Angel, Rachael Jennings, Sallie Magruder, Aimee Neumann, and Rachel Rabinowitz, and Lisa Wolf,  with the support of Nadine Lee and Jo Anne Roler, presented last summer’s Social Studies Curriculum Work for Grades 1-2 to the Board. Highlights include the instructional shift and focus on inquiry-based learning as required by the Illinois State Board of Education. Also included were information on the curriculum mapping process, curriculum design, assessment, instruction, and new social studies resources. 

Have a great rest of the week, and let me know if you have any questions!

Sincerely,

Dr. Brian K. Wegley
Superintendent