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.

Dear District 102 Families,

At District 102, we deeply value the well-being, safety, and emotional growth of each of our students. In our commitment to fostering a safe and positive school environment, we have strengthened our approach to preventing and addressing bullying, intimidation, and harassment. We recognize that harmful behaviors like bullying disrupt a student’s ability to learn, impacting not only those targeted but also the school community as a whole. 

Overview of Policy 7:180 - Prevention of and Response to Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment

Our policy reflects the belief that every student deserves respect and equal access to a supportive learning environment. We have outlined specific protections against bullying based on a variety of characteristics, including race, gender, disability, and other unique attributes. This policy applies to all school settings, including school property, buses, events, and online interactions if they substantially disrupt school operations.

Key Aspects of Policy 7:180

1. Clear Reporting Process and Support: We encourage students and families to report any concerns about bullying, whether they occur on or off school grounds. Students can report directly to a trusted staff member, and we also accept anonymous reports. We want our students to feel confident that their concerns will be taken seriously and handled respectfully. Click here to access each school’s Tip Line List to report a bullying concern at your child’s school.  

2. Timely Investigation and Family Notification: Once an incident is reported, we initiate an investigation within 10 school days. To keep families informed, we will reach out to the parents or guardians of all students involved within 24 hours of the report, offering appropriate social and emotional support services. Our staff is here to support all families through this process, ensuring each child feels secure.

3. Commitment to Restorative Measures: We focus on not only addressing incidents of bullying but also on restorative measures that foster accountability and positive behavior. Through counseling, social-emotional learning, and programs tailored to students’ needs, we help students understand the impact of their actions and develop skills to build healthy relationships.

4. Ongoing Policy Review and School Culture: We actively review and update this policy, involving feedback from students, staff, and families to ensure it remains effective and responsive to our community’s needs. Our commitment to safety extends beyond disciplinary actions; we aim to foster a culture where all students feel valued, respected, and connected.

Creating a safe school environment is a shared responsibility, and we thank you for partnering with us in promoting kindness, respect, and inclusion. If you have any questions about our policies, processes, or available support, please reach out. Together, we can help every student feel safe and supported throughout their school experience.

Sincerely,

Cheri's Caring Closet has partnered up with Children's Community Closet to help connect the community to another clothing resource. Let’s work together to create a supportive community while reducing the amount of clothing in landfills and promote a healthier planet. Join us on Tuesday, November 11, at St. Michael's Lutheran Church, located at 500 E 31st St., La Grange Park, IL, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

It is the time of year when school districts and local municipalities begin preparing their tax levies and having levy discussions with their boards. A tax levy is a calculation of the amount of property tax dollars taxing bodies, in this case school districts, are requesting the county clerk to apply to taxpayers. The tax levy is based on a number of factors including the Consumer Price Index (CPI), a taxpayers Equalized Assessed Value of their property(EAV) and the amount of new properties being constructed in the community.

When school districts are calculating the tax levy they have to consider many things, some of which are challenging. The main item to consider is the annual budget and needs of the district. D102 is considered a “Property Tax” district because over 80% of the revenue for our budget comes from property taxes. Without property taxes, the school district would not be able to function or sustain the costs of the instructional program. Simply put, it would be impossible to pay our bills without property taxes. Below is a graph showing the 10-year tax levy history of the district. This shows the amount of taxes the school district has received:

The next graph shows the expenditures growth of the district over the last five years and our fund balance % (fund reserves (savings) as a percentage of expenditures)

From the graphs you can see that the amount of property tax the district receives is necessary to cover the annual expenses (between $45 and $50 million) and provide the minimum required fund reserve(savings) as required by the state board of education (ISBE), which is 25%.

Post-Covid, school districts are trying to manage finances as best as possible. A lot of the federal funding to school districts based on the COVID period have expired and some state funding sources have been severely decreased, such as CPPRT (Corporate Personal Property Replacement Tax). In addition, inflation is still an issue, with labor costs and other expenses continuing to rise. Special Education program costs for many schools are also at an all-time high. Bearing all of this in mind, school districts must make a hard decision to maximize all revenue sources to keep schools running.

D102 will be reviewing the Tentative Tax Levy at the November 2024 Regular Board Meeting at 7 p.m. in the Park Junior High library. Taxpayers are encouraged to attend to see what is being considered for the levy and to have further questions answered.

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.

• West End Arts Festival

  • Application

• Tour the D102 McKinnon Art Gallery

• Mobile Museum of Tolerance: Sun. October 13 - Oct. 16

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.

Barnsdale Road PTO

Congress Park PTO

Cossitt PTC

Forest Road PTO

Ogden PTC

Park Jr. High PTC

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.