The La Grange D102 Community Fund aims to bridge the gap between donated supplies and additional resources needed to meet the diverse needs of our students. Recognizing that some families in our district face economic challenges, we believe in the power of unity and collective support. When you donate, you contribute to a general fund, which would be used to purchase supplies otherwise not donated through Cheri’s Caring Closet. Some examples of how these funds might be used would be to purchase items such as food, clothing, school supplies, beds, etc.
January 2025 District Newsletter
As one year ends and another begins we find ourselves at a crossroads of reflection and anticipation. I would like to take this opportunity to do a little bit of both and share with all of you the great work that our staff and community are doing to achieve the goals of our Strategic Plans - Vision 2030.
Just six months into this five-year Strategic plan - we are proud of the following work on each of our 6 Strategic Goals. The following are just a few highlights. For a far more comprehensive look at the entire plan and our achievements, I would encourage everyone to visit the Strategic Plan section on our website. Here you will see not just detailed plans, but also the metrics we are using to measure progress.
Goal 1 - Instructional Programming: Achievement and Growth
A team of teachers from across the district has been hard at work on a plan to renew the District’s ELA curriculum. A pilot of new ELA curriculum materials will begin in February in several classrooms across the district. The team anticipates bringing a new ELA curriculum for BOE approval in May.
Our Teaching and Learning team is starting to review grading practices - specifically focused on grades 6-8. Their work this semester will ensure that our D102 grading practices are aligned with high school expectations.
In conjunction with a revision of the Park Jr. High bell schedule, we are surveying students (grades 5-7) and starting to create new elective course opportunities. Some of these new courses will debut in SY 25-26.
Goal 2 - Equity: Access, Opportunity, and Belonging
Our schools have used the Strategic Plan as a model to craft building based achievement gap goals. This has resulted in a revision of intervention and enrichment practices across the district.
At the February 6th BOE meeting, we will present a plan for making our TD program more accessible to students while also providing clarity about the process used for students to access the program.
In late January we will present the work of our Discipline and Restorative Practices teams to the Parent Teacher Advisory Committee of the BOE (all are welcome to attend and provide feedback). The desired outcome is to establish consistency across schools in the areas of behavioral consequences as well as how we teach students to repair relational harm they may have caused.
Goal 3 - Investment in Staff
We have successfully trained two dozen of our grade level team leaders from across the district in the Professional Learning Community (PLC) process and objectives. This is a wide ranging and multi-year effort to improve trust amongst staff and improve collaboration.
Goal 4 - Community Engagement
With the help of the leaders of our PTC and PTOs, we are in the beginning stages of establishing a D102 Foundation. The inaugural members of this foundation will create a mission and vision as well as goals for the organization in the next few months.
We are launching several community-wide experiences that involve families from across the district including a District Art Show on February 13, the all district Expo de Bellas Artes on April 25 and in just a few weeks we are hosting a parent presentation by a Cyber Security expert focused on ways that we can partner to keep our students safe. More specific information on this presentation is coming very soon.
Goal 5 - Finances
In an effort to increase transparency, we are launching a stand-alone monthly newsletter focused specifically on D102 Finances. Additionally we have added a great deal of information to the Business section of our website.
D102 has hired a grant writer focused on acquiring competitive grants from local, state and national organizations. She has already secured over $60k in additional resources for academic programming and building enhancements.
Goal 6 - Future Ready Facilities
This one deserves its own section - please see information below about our RenewD102 plans and progress.
Amazing educational experiences continue to happen for all students everyday. If you missed it last month, I was so encouraged and thankful for the work that our staff and families have done to achieve such strong recognition by US News in this year’s school rankings - most notably that Park has earned a top 20 ranking in the State and remains in the top 2% of all middle schools. All in all it has been a very successful and productive half year for D102. I look forward to an excellent 2025!
Renew D102 Update
On behalf of the Board of Education, I’m pleased to share that the Renew D102 plan will appear on the April 1, 2025 ballot. This important initiative reflects our collective commitment to maintaining the strong tradition of quality schools while ensuring they meet the needs of today’s students and those of future generations.
The Renew D102 plan was developed through months of collaboration among our parents, teachers, and community members. Together, we identified key challenges facing our schools and worked to create solutions to address those needs. The RenewD102 plan includes:
Updating aging buildings, including three that are more than 100 years old, with much-needed repairs to plumbing, electrical systems, and other infrastructure.
Reducing overcrowding, so students no longer need to learn in hallways and stairwells.
Improving safety and accessibility to ensure all students, staff, and visitors are safe, secure and welcome.
Providing classrooms and science labs that align with best practices in curriculum and instruction to help our students succeed.
Our schools have always been a source of pride in this community, but we recognize that many of our facilities are struggling to keep pace with the demands of education today. Investing in these updates now will allow us to continue to provide the level of education our families have come to expect in D102.
Over the coming months, we’ll host informational events and share updates to help ensure you are an informed voter on April 1.
I encourage you to learn more about the Renew D102 plan and how it will impact our students, our neighborhoods, and our shared future.
Curriculum
PreACT 8/9 Pilot January 2025 for 8th Grade Students
D102 is exploring the PreACT 8/9 assessment for 8th-grade students beginning in the 2025-2026 school year as a replacement for the current NWEA MAP assessment. The PreACT 8/9 is an online assessment given to 8th and 9th graders that is closely aligned to the PreACT/ACT that students take in high school. It consists of questions in Reading, English, Science, and Math.
To help us understand more about the PreACT 8/9, D102 is offering a free and optional opportunity for a limited number of families to participate in the PreACT 8/9 during the last week of January. Students who participate will receive a score report. None of the data from this pilot will be used for placement decisions at LTHS or for achievement purposes in D102. The benefit of participating is that families will be able to get a preview of what the PreACT 8/9 looks like when taken during their Freshman year at LTHS.
This pilot opportunity allows D102 to better understand how the assessment works and prepare for test administration for all grade 8 students next year. More information about the PreACT 8/9 will be included in the Park Junior High School newsletter along with instructions on how families can volunteer to potentially participate in the pilot administration in late January.
MATH 7 Students Only
In a continued effort to identify students for placement in Algebra I, all students in Math 7 will be completing the Iowa Algebraic Aptitude Test (IAAT) between Jan 22 and January 31. This assessment aims to “use a standardized measure to indicate mathematics aptitude to assist in placement decisions”(Schoen & Ansley, 2006). IAAT and MAP data results will be reviewed to determine placement in Algebra I for the 2025-2026 school year.
The assessment has four sections: Pre-Algebraic Number Skills and Concepts, Interpreting Mathematical Information, Representing Relationships, and Using Symbols. Each section includes 15 items to be completed in 10 minutes. The total assessment time is 40 minutes and will be completed in one test session during students’ regularly scheduled math class.
If you have any questions please contact Dr. Melendez at melendezsa@dist102.k12.il.us.
Schoen, H. L., & Ansley, T. N. (2006). Iowa algebra aptitude test™ fifth edition: Manual for test use, interpretation, and technical support. The University of Iowa.
Technology
Cyber Security Parent Workshop
📱 Protect Your Family Online 🌐 D102 families, don’t miss this vital discussion on navigating the digital world with Liz Repking, Cyber Safety Consulting founder. All D102 families are invited, with a special focus on 5th–8th grade families!
Around the District
Do you know an exceptional teacher, staff member, or administrator who goes above and beyond for our students and community? Now’s your chance to celebrate their hard work and dedication!
Art with Heart: Embracing our Differences
This year, we are partnering with www.embracingourdifferences.org/, Featuring Artwork from 25 Diverse International Artists & 70 Pieces of Art created by D102 Students.
Come Celebrate Our Diversity and Common Humanity through The Power of Art | Meet and make new friends throughout D102 at this entertaining, engaging, and educational family-friendly art experience.
Embark on a Fun-Filled Treasure Hunt | Search for Clues Hidden within the Artwork-- Collect Prizes for Your Effort!
Other Interactive Activities Include | Community Art Project, Buddy Photo Station, Popcorn and Candy Stations.
D102 STEM EXPO
On Saturday, March 1st, STEM EXPO will showcase the talents of District 102 students in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and creative Making. STEM EXPO provides an opportunity for students from kindergarten–8th grade to explore a science topic of their choice. We encourage you to use your creative and inventive skills to create a project at home and share what you learned with other students, families, and teachers at EXPO. Projects range in complexity from simple observations to full experiments, inventions or technology projects.
Who: All students grades K–6
When: Saturday, March 1, 2025 9:00 am–Noon
Set-up is Friday, February 28th 4:00–5:30 pm
Where: Forest Road School Gym | 901 N Forest Road, LaGrange Park
For more information, link to our STEM EXPO website
Are you ready to start? Registration is OPEN, Register Here
All participants will receive a participation certificate and this year’s STEM EXPO t-shirt. Register on or before Feb 15th to be guaranteed your t-shirt size. Exhibits will not be judged; students/teams will be assigned a 1/2 hour time period when they will be required to be at their table to answer questions and explain their project to an EXPO Official.
Do you have questions? Email Mrs. Hohl, hohlvi@dist102.k12.il.us or Mrs. V, vaiciuliske@dist102.k12.il.us
Call the Science Center 708-215-6405 We are happy to help!
Order D102 Spiritwear!
Warming Zones
Food Pantries
Community Page
Welcome, parents and family members of the D102 community! This is your dedicated space to discover the sports and activities available for your young scholars within the community of La Grange, La Grange Park, and Brookfield.
Here, you'll find an array of flyers highlighting engaging programs tailored to every age and interest. Whether your child is a sports enthusiast, an aspiring artist, or simply eager to explore new adventures, there's something here to captivate their curiosity and nurture their passions.
From youth sports leagues to creative arts workshops, from educational clubs to community events, we're committed to providing enriching opportunities for your child to learn, grow, and connect with their peers. Our aim is to foster a sense of belonging and camaraderie within our diverse community while promoting physical activity, creativity, and personal development.
Activity & Sports Flyers
Local Libraries
Community Giving
Cheri's Caring Closet
In LaGrange School District 102, we are committed to engaging families and the community by eliminating barriers to access, in particularly those related to culture, socioeconomic status, and language. We commit to identifying equitable practices to improve engagement with all families and diverse community stakeholders.
In support of our vocalized commitment, the district has a new initiative in Cheri’s Caring Closet located at Congress Park Elementary School. It is a physical closet that accepts clothing donations from our communities; with the purpose of providing needed clothing items to D102 students.
Donate to the Community Fund
Referral GPS - Connecting People to Treatment: We are committed to creating a culture of well-being for students, staff, parents, and the community. In an effort to continuously support this commitment, the district has entered an agreement with ReferralGPS.
ReferralGPS is a web-based service focused on assisting our students, staff, and community in finding local mental-health and substance use-related treatment. The service compliments the districts existing systems of support as a tool for student service teams and families to connect with treatment. Along with a searchable database of treatment options, ReferralGPS provides Care Navigation to assist families in triage, appointment setting, and follow-up care.
School families may access ReferralGPS in two ways:
1) Visit this link at https://referralgps.com/find-help/dist102 to search for treatment resources or connect with a Care Navigator anonymously.
2) Contact Student Services (social workers, psychologists, counselors) to seek out treatment options.
ReferralGPS takes into account all types of private and public insurance including PPO, HMO, Medicaid, Medicare, and families who are uninsured or underinsured. The platform also filters by age, gender, zip code, and special requests.
ReferralGPS is available for use by district students, staff, and families at no cost. All information entered on the ReferralGPS tool is completely confidential and securely stored.
If you are interested in seeking counseling-related services at this time, please consider visiting https://referralgps.com/find-help/dist102 or reaching out to the Student Services team.
Upcoming Events
District Events
Jan 16: Board of Education Meeting
Jan 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day - No School
Jan 24: Report Cards Released
Feb 6: Board of Education Meeting
Feb 13: Embracing our Differences Art Show
Feb 14: Parent-Teacher Conferences - No School
Feb 17: Presidents Day - No School
