On Feb. 18 and 23, Willowbrook and Addison Trail seniors visited Elmhurst University.

Those students are enrolled in District 88’s new English 12 Collegiate Credit course, which provides pupils with an opportunity to receive credit for Elmhurst University’s English 105. The course is taught by District 88 teachers, in conjunction with Elmhurst University professors.

Participants in this class will improve their vocabulary and writing skills and analyze literature in various forms, including novels, films, plays, essays, short stories and poetry. The course focuses on improving writing for a variety of purposes and audiences, as well as encouraging students to develop their own writing style and voice. Students are recommended for this course by their junior-year English teacher and are approved by the English Department Head through an application process. This year, 27 District 88 pupils are taking English 12 Collegiate Credit.

During their visit to Elmhurst University, the students toured the campus; enjoyed lunch; met with Department of English Lecturer Erika McCombs, Ph.D., and attended her English 106 class; and received their university student IDs (called a Jaypass). Addison Trail students are working in groups with Elmhurst University students on a film review. 

District 88 celebrates Black History Month

Throughout February, District 88 has continued to recognize and celebrate Black History Month. Events and activities have included:

• Showcasing a Black Inventions display
• Watching documentaries that reflect topics such as sports, music, historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and prominent African American women
• Wearing red every Wednesday and Black History Month spirit wear every Friday
• Viewing the African American Cultural Heritage Collection Exhibit
• Hosting a meeting to inform parents/guardians about Willowbrook’s Black Organization for Student Success (BOSS)
• Introducing a new club at Addison Trail, called BEYOND, which provides mentorship and academic support for black students to enable them to thrive holistically in high school and BEYOND
• Attending a field trip to DuSable Museum of African American History in Chicago
• Participating in the Library Media Center's Read-In event to explore African American authors

To view a video with photos from these events, click on the video at right.

To view a special Black History Month message from Willowbrook senior Eric Veal Jr., who serves as President of the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Student Advisory Council (SAC) and is the first student to co-chair a legislatively mandated task force (he was appointed to the ISBE Educational Equity Task Force), click on the video below.

More information about Black History Month can be found at https://blackhistorymonth.gov.

Illinois 5Essentials Survey open through March 11: Parent/guardian participation strongly encouraged and will support District 88’s placement along the Illinois State Board of Education’s new Equity Journey Continuum

 Through March 11, District 88 parents/guardians are invited to complete the Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This research-based survey helps identify strengths and areas for improvement in a school’s learning environment and provides stakeholders with a voice in improving their schools.

The survey provides a comprehensive picture of a school’s organizational culture in an individualized report measuring five “essentials” critical for school success. Those are:

• Effective Leaders
• Collaborative Teachers
• Involved Families
• Supportive Environment
• Ambitious Instruction

District 88 truly values receiving feedback and encourages parents/guardians to participate in the survey. The goal is to gather a variety of input to ensure we continue to accomplish our mission of working for the continuous improvement of student achievement.

District 88 is committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive environment for all students, staff and community members, and that focus aligns with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)’s new Equity Journey Continuum (https://tinyurl.com/2p953jwa). This informational tool is meant to help districts view data through the lens of equity and identify gaps in student achievement, opportunities and supports. Parent/guardian participation on the 5Essentials Survey will be part of the criteria used to determine District 88’s placement along the equity continuum.

To complete the survey in English or in Spanish, scan the QR code above, or go to https://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois.

District 88 students invited to participate in BIG IDEA Pitch Contest to share business ideas and win cash prizes

 Addison Trail and Willowbrook students are invited to share their business ideas with a panel of expert judges through the BIG IDEA Pitch Contest, co-produced by College of DuPage (COD) and Innovation DuPage (ID).

Students who have ideas for innovative products and services that solve real problems to satisfy the needs of growing markets are encouraged to participate in the event. Successful applicants will introduce scalable concepts that can be accelerated by connecting to key mentorship and business resources.

Finalists will pitch live to a panel of judges and a livestreamed audience on April 13 at COD. The top three contestants will receive a six-month membership to Innovation DuPage, as well as a cash prize (1st place is $5,000, 2nd place is $4,000 and 3rd place is $3,000).

To apply, complete the written portion and submit a video by March 6. For details, and to apply, go to https://tinyurl.com/2ryy7zkv.

Eye on Education: University of Illinois Extension to offer spring 4-H workshops, clubs and camps for teens

 The Eye on Education section of the newsletter highlights an education-oriented article or topic. The goal is to provide an outside perspective and more information to continue to educate parents/guardians, students, staff members and community members to improve the educational learning environment of District 88.

This week’s topic is 4-H workshops, clubs and camps for teens that will be provided this spring by University of Illinois Extension. See all the details at https://dupage88.net/site/public/files/?item=6233.

District 88 celebrates Public Schools Week 2022

 This past week was a special one, as we celebrated Public Schools Week 2022 from Feb. 21 to 25. This annual celebration (hosted by the Learning First Alliance) brings together school leaders, educators, parents/guardians and community members to recognize the importance of our nation’s public schools.

This year’s theme was “Creating safe, equitable and engaging public schools,” to reflect the need to re-engage students and their families, as well as the overarching health and safety concerns.

The goal of Public Schools Week is to show what is happening in public schools, how they are responding to the pandemic and any ensuing crisis and how K-12 education will be even stronger in the future. For more information, go to https://www.publicschoolproud.org.

District 88 in the news

  District 88 is thankful to members of the media for their support and coverage of the great things happening in the district!

Check out recent news articles featuring District 88 at www.dupage88.net/media.

What's New at Addison Trail High School

Addison Trail High School Event Calendar (February and March)

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday           25 26 2728

7:30 p.m., District 88 Board of Education Meeting at 2 Friendship Plaza in Addison

Mar 1

7 p.m., Glenbard Parent Series (GPS) event: Children’s Resilience and the Importance of Everyday Interactions (CLICK HERE for details)

2

Music In Our Schools Assembly

3

7 p.m., Glenbard Parent Series (GPS) event: Beyond Behaviors: Using Brain Science and Compassion to Understand and Solve Children’s Anxiety Disorders and Other Behavioral Challenges (CLICK HERE for details)

4

Institute Day (no school for students)

5 67

7 a.m., Addison Trail Golden Apple Breakfast

6:30 p.m., Theatre Booster Club meeting

7:30 p.m., Music Booster Club meeting

7:30 p.m., District 88 Board of Education Meeting at 2 Friendship Plaza in Addison

89

Blood Drive

6:15 p.m., Addison Trail Parent Organization (ATPO) meeting

7 p.m., Citizens Advisory Council (CAC) meeting

10

7 p.m., Addison Trail / Indian Trail Junior High School Choir Concert

11

8:30 a.m., West Suburban Conference (WSC) Diversity Show

12

National SAT Exam (not offered at Addison Trail)

1314

Career Week

7 a.m., Honor Roll Assembly

15

Career Week

7 p.m., Addison Trail / Indian Trail Junior High School Band Concert

16

Career Week

Noon, Glenbard Parent Series (GPS) event: 14 Conversations You Need To Have By Age 14 (15, 16 and 17!) (CLICK HERE for details)

6:30 p.m., Athletic Booster Club meeting

6:30 p.m., Special Education Parent Meeting: United Cerebral Palsy Seguin of Greater Chicago (CLICK HERE for details)

7 p.m., Glenbard Parent Series (GPS) event: 14 Conversations You Need To Have By Age 14 (15, 16 and 17!) (CLICK HERE for details)

17

Career Week

7 p.m., Addison Trail / Indian Trail Junior High School Orchestra Concert

7 p.m., Glenbard Parent Series (GPS) event in Spanish: Academia para Padres de Familia “Preparación para la Excelencia” / Grooming for Excellence, Parent Academy (CLICK HERE for details)

18 19\

 On Feb. 25, a group of Addison Trail students was named as AT’s Best (pictured at right).The AT’s Best award honors students who have achieved a “personal best.” The following categories have been used to recognize recipients: service, Blazer Pride, cooperation, dependability, initiative, leadership, humanitarian spirit or unique contributions. Students receive a pin or a T-shirt for their efforts.

To view a list of the AT’s Best recipients and the staff members who nominated them, and to watch a video of staff members honoring the students, click on the link or on the image at right. (read more)

Addison Trail hosts State send-off celebration for two members of the Wrestling Team

 On Feb. 24, Addison Trail hosted a State send-off celebration for freshman Autumn Oregon-Williams (pictured at left) and sophomore JD Quijano Perez (pictured at right), who will compete during the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Girls Wrestling State Tournament.

This is the first time the IHSA will host a Girls Wrestling State Tournament, and the event takes place on Feb. 25 and 26 at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington.

“It’s exciting,” Oregon-Williams said. “It’s amazing how much things have changed for girls wrestling.”

Oregon-Williams will compete in the 100-pound division, and Quijano Perez will compete in the 245-pound division.

“It’s hard to believe, and it doesn’t feel real,” Quijano Perez said. “I hope other girls see they can do this, too.”

Head coach Michael Rosengrant said he’s proud of their hard work and success.

“They truly are (Addison Trail Blazer) trailblazers and are laying the groundwork for the future of women’s wrestling,” Rosengrant said.

“ They truly are (Addison Trail Blazer) trailblazers and are laying the groundwork for the future of women’s wrestling.

- Michael Rosengrant, Addison Trail Wrestling Head Coach

 On Feb. 15, 13 Addison Trail seniors participated in the “High School Career and Business” program hosted by the Wolves.

Those students are enrolled in Addison Trail's School to Work class (taught by teacher Stacey Puccini), which provides pupils with real-world experiences through visiting local businesses and meeting with career professionals.

During their visit with the Wolves, students received a behind-the-scenes look at the organization’s business operations and learned about the Wolves’ social media, marketing, partnerships, promotions and game operations strategies. They met with Senior Executive Director of Ticket Sales Kevin Dooley, who shared best practices when it comes to being college and career ready and how to follow your passion.

What's New at Willowbrook High School

Willowbrook High School Event Calendar (February and March)

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday           25 26 2728

7:30 p.m., District 88 Board of Education Meeting at 2 Friendship Plaza in Addison

Mar 1

7 p.m., Band Concert

7 p.m., Glenbard Parent Series (GPS) event: Children’s Resilience and the Importance of Everyday Interactions (CLICK HERE for details)

2

7 p.m., Willowbrook Parent Organization (WPO) Meeting

3

Choir Invitational

7 p.m., Choir Concert

7 p.m., Glenbard Parent Series (GPS) event: Beyond Behaviors: Using Brain Science and Compassion to Understand and Solve Children’s Anxiety Disorders and Other Behavioral Challenges (CLICK HERE for details)

4

Institute Day (no school for students)

5

Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Solo & Ensemble Contest

67

7:30 p.m., District 88 Board of Education Meeting at 2 Friendship Plaza in Addison

8

7 p.m., Music Booster Club meeting

9

7 p.m., Citizens Advisory Council (CAC) meeting

10

 

11

 

12

National SAT Exam (not offered at Willowbrook)

13 14 1516

Noon, Glenbard Parent Series (GPS) event: 14 Conversations You Need To Have By Age 14 (15, 16 and 17!) (CLICK HERE for details)

6:30 p.m., Athletic Booster Club meeting

6:30 p.m., Special Education Parent Meeting: United Cerebral Palsy Seguin of Greater Chicago (CLICK HERE for details) 

7 p.m., Glenbard Parent Series (GPS) event: 14 Conversations You Need To Have By Age 14 (15, 16 and 17!) (CLICK HERE for details)

17

7 p.m., IHSA Contest Play

7 p.m., Glenbard Parent Series (GPS) event in Spanish: Academia para Padres de Familia “Preparación para la Excelencia” / Grooming for Excellence, Parent Academy (CLICK HERE for details)

18

Student Council Blood Drive

19

Two Willowbrook seniors named as College Board National Recognition Program Scholars

 Willowbrook seniors Aidan Walters-Avalos and Rachael Klamecki were recently named as College Board National Recognition Program Scholars.

According to https://tinyurl.com/y2kl9m7v, “The College Board National Recognition Programs create pathways to college for underrepresented students by awarding them academic honors and connecting them with universities (throughout) the country.” Students who take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), PSAT 10, or Advanced Placement (AP)/college-level exams and are African American or Black, Hispanic American or Latinx, Indigenous, or attend school in a rural area or small town may be invited to apply for the College Board National Recognition Programs.

To view the program and assessment requirements, go to https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt/scholarships-recognition/programs/eligibility.

Counseling Corner: Willowbrook Counseling Department provides scholarship information for students

 To assist with the challenges of college expenses, the Willowbrook Counseling Department shares information about scholarships, which can help relieve that financial burden.

Scholarships are a great way to help students and their families afford the costs associated with a post-secondary education. There is quite an array of scholarships, so there is something for everyone. Many scholarships are based on merit, but there also are some based on ethnicity, gender, volunteer work, future education plans, financial status and many other factors. 

For more information, click on the link or on the image at right. (read more)