OCT-NOV 2019 VOL 3, ISSUE 2
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Scott Rowe Huntley 158 families:

We've just passed the midpoint of first semester, and we are already having a great school year. Please read the rest of this message and the rest of this e-newsletter for some important updates, celebrations, and events.

NEW Equity Committee: We Need YOU!

You should recently have received a communication about the new Equity Action Coalition that is being formed to guide the creation of our new Educational Equity Action Plan.

We are looking for 25-30 representatives to serve on this committee, drawn from our own staff as well as parents and community members. This team will gather several times throughout the year to analyze data for causes of identified gaps in achievement, opportunity and access, in service of the creation of an overarching plan.

Below you will find the scheduled meeting dates and the link to apply to be a member. Applications are due October 30.

Meeting dates: November 6th, November 20th, December 11th, January 8th, January 22th, February 12th, March 11th, April 1st, May 6th, May 20th, and June 3rd.

Application: EEC Committee Member Application

If you have questions, please contact Dr. Rocio del Castillo, assistant superintendent for special services, at rdelcastillo@district158.org or (847) 659-6157

Update on Destination 158

We have been thrilled with the turnout and quality of discussion we've had at our first two Destination 158 Community Engagement Sessions in September and October. We have had several hundred participants so far, and we hope to continue to see strong turnout at our future meetings.

Our next Community Engagement Session is scheduled for November 19, 7:00-9:00 p.m. at Huntley High School. Free childcare will be provided, and RSVPs are encouraged at bit.ly/destination158. Even if you have not attended one of our prior sessions, you are encouraged to come!

A note to our Sun City residents: The session originally planned for October 29 has been rescheduled for March 10 to better accommodate resident schedules.

Find full information, meeting summaries, and dates of future meetings at destination158.com.

Delayed Start Information

Another piece of information you should have received previously is an announcement on the delayed start option that our Board of Education approved for use when appropriate on days of inclement weather. The delayed start schedule will delay all bus route pickups and school start times by two hours. All schools will operate with a modified bell schedule in which all classes will be held in a shortened timeframe.

Please see full information on the new option at http://www.district158.org/?p=67521. This is also a great time to check and update as needed the contact information and preferences we have on file for you to receive alerts! Click here for instructions on checking and updating your information in the Powerschool Parent Portal.

2020-21 School Calendar

Another much-sought piece of information is now available to parents. The 2020-21 school year calendar has been approved by the Board and is available for download at www.district158.org/about/calendars.

We also are pleased to share below a few upcoming events for parents that are being held to help prepare you to help your child deal with some of the pressures and challenges of today's world. Please check out these important events below, and thank you for your continued commitment to OUR students!

Sincerely,

Scott Rowe, Ed.D

Superintendent

Important Dates

October 29: National Honor Society Safe Trick or Treating at HHS
November 5: Community Film Screening: “The S Word”
November 6: Parent University: Digital Safety
November 11: Veterans Day (waived) - School in Session
November 19: Destination 158 Community Engagement Session #3
November 25-26: Parent Teacher Conferences – No School
November 27-29: Thanksgiving Break - No School
December 12: Parent University: Protecting Children from Human Trafficking

Download Printable Calendars

Visit the Interactive Web Calendar

More News

We're Hiring!

Openings exist in our food service, transportation, O&M, food service, and special education departments.

Work for a Destination School District^TM!

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D158 Teacher Featured on Good Morning America

Huntley 158's Kateri Gullifor, who previously was named National Teacher of the Year by the Braille Institute, was featured in a Good Morning America piece on the national shortage of teachers of the visually impaired.

At the national level, there is a severe shortage of qualified teachers of the visually impaired.

Huntley 158 is fully staffed with three teachers for the visually impaired serving the needs of students throughout the District.

“I feel like if people knew how awesome our job was, the shortage of Braille educators would not be the case,” Gullifor told GMA.

WATCH THE VIDEO

Marlowe Cross Country Claims State Championship

Marlowe Middle School’s Boys Cross Country team took home the Class 3A State Championship at the Illinois Elementary School Association state competition on October 19 at Maxwell Park in Normal.

Team members include:

Luke Grubbs

Jaden Gutierrez

Adonai Yops

Zach Zuzzio

Elias Ramon

Caleb Emricson

Anthony Boniak

Michael Wickersham II

Riley Hilton

Dominic Scarpelli

Congratulations to all!

Nov. 5 Community Film Screening: The S Word

Huntley High School will host a free community screening of the film The S Word on Tuesday, November 5 at 7:00 p.m.

The film is intended to raise awareness and spark discussion around the topic of suicide.

The event is targeted at teenage students and their parents, and members of the public are invited to attend in addition to Huntley 158 families.

Free childcare will be available for families with younger children. Please RSVP if planning to use childcare »

Mental health clinicians will be at the event to assist with conversation, knowledge, and support for participants.

Get full info at www.district158.org/event/the-s-word/.

Parent University Nov. 6: Digital Safety

Huntley 158 will host a Parent University event on digital safety on November 6 at 6:00 p.m. at Marlowe Middle School.

The presentation is targeted toward parents of students in grades 3-8, providing lessons that will help prepare them to guide their students through the digital world they will encounter in future grades. However, the event is open to all.

Topics will include cyberbullying, sexting, and exploitation, among others.

The presentation will be led by Karilyn Orr, Internet Safety Specialist with the Office of the Attorney General of Illinois.

To assist with planning, RSVP is requested for attendees.

RSVP to attend »

Parent University Dec. 12: Protecting Children from Human Trafficking

Huntley 158 will host a parent University event on December 12, 7:00 p.m. at Huntley High School on protecting children from the dangers of human trafficking and exploitation.

The program will be presented by Sgt. Linda Hooten of Huntley Police Department and Karen Schultz of Refuge for Women, a nonprofit organization that provides long-term care for women who have escaped human trafficking or sexual exploitation.

Full event details will be posted at www.district158.org/event/parent-university-human-trafficking.

New Campus Resource Officers Enjoy Warm Welcome to District

Huntley 158’s Campus Resource Officers, Andrew Dykstra of Algonquin Police Department and Sarah Barham of Lake in the Hills Police Department, have settled into their roles at the Square Barn Road and Reed Road Campuses, respectively. HHS continues to be served by Officer Ryan Gregorio of Huntley Police Department.

We checked in with them to ask about the transition from patrol duty to working with students and staff daily, as well as some of their favorite aspects of their new jobs.

Watch the videos »

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