Homecoming Thoughts

This past weekend Downers Grove South High School celebrated its annual Homecoming Event with a parade on a beautiful sunny cool afternoon followed by a victory over Willowbrook High school Friday evening and the Homecoming Dance on Saturday evening. It was good to see so many former students from the past at the football game Friday night.

Saturday evening brought a reunion/homecoming for members of the Lakeview Class of 1985 who came back to visit their “old” school after 25 years. After touring the building they adjourned to a local restaurant for food, refreshments and conversation. It was rewarding to see almost 40 people in this group, some of whom had traveled from as far as New Jersey and California to attend this event. It was wonderful to see that this group, consisting of people from all walks of life including, doctors, attorneys, nurses, business people, landscape designers, engineers, teachers, housewives and parents are all doing very well. It was particularly gratifying to hear them speak with one voice about how the District 66 experience had prepared them for high school, college and life much better than many of their peers. They spoke of the caring teachers, focused curriculum and opportunities in the arts and athletics. The most common theme expressed was that they were surrounded by caring adults that not only cared about them personally and academically but also held them accountable. This was a great evening of fond memories!

This week the BOE will pass a balanced budget for the 2010-2011 school year. Lack of state support, late state payments and a historically low tax cap have all placed stress on the school budget. To this point class sections have been reduced in number from six to five at grades K-5 but no programs or activities have been cut. The BOE continues to monitor the budget very carefully on a monthly basis to be sure that the community is getting the biggest bang for its dollars.

Have a good week. There is a chill in the air that autumn is really here!

BUSY WEEK

School continues to be a very busy place. Now that open houses are behind us we have fall sporting events and other activities filling our days and nights. Lakeview physical education classes are in the midst of their golf unit which gives them the opportunity to practice their skills at the Ziegfeld Troy Golf Course on 75^th Street. The Annual PTO Magazine Sale is in full swing and mid-terms are approaching quickly next week. There is no school this Friday, September 24^th due to Teacher Institute Day where teachers will be training and learning about the Measure of Academic Progress (MAPs) testing program that will be used in the District beginning next month. Information regarding this new testing system will be coming home to parents soon from each building.

This weekend features the Old Quarry Cross Country Invitational in Lemont where our runners will compete with many others from the area. Downers Grove South High School celebrates its Homecoming weekend this Friday afternoon with a parade and football game that evening. The Lakeview Marching Spartans will march in the parade in Downers Grove on Friday afternoon. The Lakeview Class of 1985 will also be holding a reunion this weekend also to renew old friendships.

Have a great week.!

Back to Full Speed

As we enter the 4^th week of school, operations have returned to the normal high energy bustle and buzz. Classes are going well and students are actively engaged in their learning. Co-curricular activities have begun with intramural activities, fall sports, clubs and marching band. It feels once again as if we have never left for summer break. This past week has been busy as Ide and Prairieview have hosted open houses. Lakeview holds its annual open house tonight and the District 66 PTO magazine sale kicks off today! Activities abound for students! This week the fall sports season begins with competition in football, volleyball and cross country. Check the Lakeview on-line calendar for details. This past weekend Lakeview held its annual Dance-a-thon and the Marching Spartans marched in the Von Stuben Day Parade in Chicago.

The implementation of the PBIS program has gone well at Prairieview and Lakeview and students and staff are responding well. This week begins skilled based instruction in the Reading RtI program and hopes are high for enhanced student learning!

Have a great week!