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  • 📣📰Introducing District 20's Monthly Newsletter (Febr...

    🔥The Spark: District 20 News Igniting each student's power & potential💡🌟 March 3, 2026   Announcements General Registration (PK-8) is Now Open! Registration for the 2026–27 school year is now open for all students in grades PK-8. 👉 Returning Student Registration: https://bit.ly/ReturningStudentRegistration2026-27 👉New Student Enrollment: https://bit.ly/NewStudentEnrollment2026-27 Early Bird Discount: $50 OFF registration fee per student if completed by April 30. As an added incentive to register early, the first class at each school whose families complete their registration will earn a pizza party for that class.🍕 For more information, visit: www.esd20.org/for-parents/registration. Trimester 2 Report Cards Now Available in Skyward Trimester 2 Report Cards are now available to view in Skyward Family Access. How to view your child's Report Card in Skyward: Sign in to Skyward Qmlativ (Family Access) Click the Portfolio tile. Click the eye icon to open the attachment. Step-by-step visual instructions are available at this ParentSquare post. If you have questions about your child's attendance or grades, please reach out to your school's principal or assistant principal. IAR Testing Week of March 2 This week, all students in grades 3–8 will participate in the annual Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR)—the federally required state assessment in English Language Arts and Mathematics—which measures student progress toward the Illinois Learning Standards and provides valuable information about how our students are growing academically compared to their peers across the state. To help students do their best, we kindly ask families to support their child(ren) in the following ways: Ensure your child gets a full night's sleep before each testing day 😴 Provide a healthy breakfast before school 🍽️ Make sure your child arrives on time 🚗 Send Chromebooks fully charged 💻🔋 Send Chromebook chargers 🔌 Provide wired headphones (no wireless headphones or earbuds, please) 🎧 Testing schedules will be shared directly by each school, as dates and times vary by building. Illinois 5Essentials Survey (March 13) The 5Essentials Parent Survey is open now through March 13, and we encourage every family to participate. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete, and you will need to submit a separate survey for each school your family attends. All responses are confidential and will not be connected to you or your child. Parent data is used solely to support school and district improvement. 👉 To take the survey, visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/  Select the Parent Survey in your preferred language (English or Spanish) Enter your email address (optional) and DuPage County Answer all applicable questions Submit your survey Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. Your input helps us better understand your child's school experience and guides our ongoing improvement efforts.   Department Updates Teaching & Learning 🔬 Science Curriculum Review: With our Amplify Science contract ending in June, K–8 teams are exploring new curriculum options and will pilot hands‑on, phenomenon‑based OpenSciEd units in Trimester 3—an approach reinforced by strong positive feedback from neighboring Medinah School District 11. ✏️ CER Writing Model Expansion: The district is expanding the CER (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning) writing model, with Literacy Coach Ashley VanMetre supporting elementary teachers in strengthening students’ critical thinking and structured writing skills. This work aligns with Spring Wood’s CERCON approach, helping ensure a smoother transition to middle school writing expectations. Technology & Innovation 🤖 Staff Efficiency & AI Integration: The district launched “Magic School Monday,” a weekly series helping staff use AI tools to streamline tasks like differentiation and communication. 🏅 Curricular Innovation – Olympics Integration: Teaching & Learning released a districtwide Olympics Tech Resource Guide, supporting teachers in bringing the global event into classroom learning through digital tools. 🎙️ Waterbury Enrichment Podcast Success: Waterbury Elementary enrichment students are now producing full podcast episodes, showcasing growing skills in audio engineering, interviewing, storytelling, and project management. 💻 Successful Districtwide E‑Learning Launch: January 23 marked the district’s first successful use of Microsoft Teams for live e‑learning, with staff seamlessly implementing the remote instruction plan. Student Services 🎳 Community Learning in Action: Special Education (SPED) students enjoyed a community learning trip to Streamwood Bowl, where they practiced real-world skills like following routines, communicating needs, and navigating a public environment—all helping them apply what they learn in school to everyday life. 🌞 Clear Guidance on Summer School vs. ESY: Families received clear guidance on the difference between Summer School—optional academic support for eligible students—and Extended School Year (ESY), an IEP‑determined service designed to prevent significant skill regression. 🏃🏅 Special Olympics Kickoff Coming Soon District 20 is getting ready for this year’s Special Olympics, starting with Track & Field. Families interested in participating—or unsure if their student qualifies—can contact Colleen Flores (cflores@esd20.org) or Alex Toay (atoay@esd20.org). More details will be shared soon! Finance & Operations 👷🔨 Planning Ahead for Safe & Updated School Buildings: District 20 reviewed proposals from several architectural firms and is recommending DLA Architects to help guide important projects that keep our school buildings safe, well‑maintained, and ready for the future. DLA stood out because of their strong experience, great reviews, and their nearby location in Itasca. The Board will consider approving their contract at the March meeting. 📊 District Finances Earn Top Rating: An independent audit confirmed that District 20’s finances are in excellent shape, earning the highest rating possible with no deficiencies in internal control. The district ended the year with a strong fund balance, helping ensure stable, reliable support for student programs. 💸 No Increase in Student or Lunch Fees for 2026–27: Families can expect no changes to student or school lunch fees next year. District 20 continues to keep costs low — we don’t charge an athletic fee, and we still offer the lowest school lunch price compared to neighboring districts. Yearbooks and gym uniforms will continue to be purchased directly from the companies, giving families more choice and flexibility. Dr. Castillo's Corner Superintendent Reminders & Updates (Click on picture to view full video) 🎬Survey Says: Your voice matters!📝Take the Illinois 5Essentials Survey by March 13👉survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/ School Updates 🏫 Academic, extracurricular and family engagement highlights Early Childhood Center (ECC) ✔ New Students Incoming January 30 preschool screenings were a success with only a few openings left. We look forward to our next screening on April 24. 🐾 Animal Quest Visit Families explored and interacted with a variety of animals during our February 6 event. 👀👂 Health Checks Vision and hearing screenings are in progress for all students. Greenbrook Elementary School 🎉 100th Day Celebrations Classrooms marked the 100th day of school with fun activities, including first graders dressing as 100‑year‑olds and kindergarteners celebrating with a “101 Dalmatians” theme. ⭐ Schoolwide Progress Greenbrook reached Level 2 of its trimester reward system and is working toward Level 3, aiming to open the Gator Café by trimester’s end. 👨‍👩‍👧 Family Engagement Parent‑Teacher Conferences were held on February 13, and families were encouraged to complete the 5Essentials Survey—with a goal of 100 responses to earn students a special lunchtime treat. 👧 Little Learners Greenbrook welcomed families to its Kindergarten Round-Up on February 18, where they met staff members, toured classrooms, and learned about our Dual Language program. 🫶🏿 Celebrating Black Voices Throughout Black History Month, Greenbrook's Library displayed a dedicated selection of books by Black authors to foster dialogue around inclusion and belonging. Waterbury Elementary School 📚 Student Learning Teachers engaged in Administrative Leadership Team (ALT) meetings, Data Meetings, Professional Learning Community (PLC) action‑planning, committee work, classroom walk‑throughs, and individual problem‑solving meetings to support student growth. 🎉 School Events & Celebrations Students and staff enjoyed the 100th Day of School and an Olympics Opening Ceremony assembly, along with planned Valentine’s Day activities. 👨‍👩‍👧 Family & Community Engagement Waterbury held Parent‑Teacher Conferences on February 13 and welcomed families to Kindergarten Round‑Up on February 18 and 19. 🫶🏿 Culture On Display In addition to learning and working on Black History-related music and art projects in classes throughout Black History Month, students created an "I Have a Dream" hand display featuring their hopes and dreams for the country and the world. Spring Wood Middle School 💙 Positive School Culture Spring Wood continues to build a welcoming environment rooted in its motto, “Arrive as Friends, Leave as Spring Wood Family,” while reinforcing the Keys to Spring Wood. ✏️ Student Learning & Support English Learner (EL) students completed ACCESS testing, teachers met with families during February 13 conferences, and students benefited from strong after‑school offerings, including clubs and Homework Help. 🎓 Experiences & Engagement Students explored future pathways through Lake Park High School (LPHS) visits, attended the Dare to Dream Latinas Conference, and connected with leadership about upcoming events and course options. 🏐 Athletics & Activities Boys’ and Girls’ volleyball seasons kicked off, Creation Club members created Valentine's Day cards for loved ones, and students participated in community‑building events such as the Charger Pride Dinner and Lancer Welcome Series. 🌟 Events & Enrichment Spring Wood celebrated MMS Cheer Xplosion, engaged in National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) and LPHS National Honor Society (NHS) activities, participated in Lancer Welcome Series #2, and 8th graders attended their Chicago Wolves field trip, with additional service opportunities ahead. And students who competed in the Illinois Grade School Music Association's Solo & Ensemble Contest received 1st Division ratings! Educator Spotlight🌟 Celebrating the incredible staff who make District 20 shine.💫 Karen Scoles, Art Teacher at Spring Wood Middle School 🎨⚡️💙 (Click on picture to view full video) Virtual Backpack🎒 Community programs and events (click on pictures for additional information) Upcoming Events🗓️ Mark Your Calendars! 👉 Master District 20 Calendar 👉 2026-27 District 20 School Calendar 💜 District March 19: Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee Meeting, Spring Wood 1st Floor Cafeteria (5-6 PM) March 19: Board of Education Meeting & Trimester 2 Student Ignite Award Ceremony, Spring Wood Innovation Center (7 PM) March 30-April 3: Spring Break (schools closed) April 8: Registration Night (2026-27), Spring Wood 1st Floor Cafeteria (4-7 PM) April 20: International Day of the Child Celebration, Spring Wood Thunderdome Gym (5-7 PM) April 29: District 20 Spring Band Concert — Elementary & Middle School Bands (6-7 PM) 🐧 Early Childhood Center March 27: Parent Education Day (9-10 AM) April 24: Preschool Screening (All Day) 🐊 Greenbrook Elementary School April 9: Book Fair (8 AM - 4 PM) April 14: Book Fair & PTO Bingo Night (5-7 PM) April 27: Spring Concert (6-8 PM) 🐯 Waterbury Elementary School March 26: Second Grade Concert (6-7 PM) April 16: 3rd Grade Concert (6-7 PM) ⚡Spring Wood Middle School March 14: Music Program Pancake Breakfast, Thunderdome Gym (8-11 AM) March 18: Family Glow Paint Night (3-9 PM) April 10: Elementary Band Tour 2026 (All Day) ~ TENTATIVE ~ April 10: Spring School Dance (6-7:30 PM) April 15: Spring Choir Concert — Combined Elementary & Middle School Choirs (6-7:30 PM) *Featured events through April 2026 Social Media📱 Follow District 20 at @KeeneyvilleD20 FacebookTikTokInstagram Have a suggestion for our next newsletter? Email District 20's communications department (mbellino@esd20.org)

    Wednesday, Mar 04 2026

  • 📝Trimester 2 Report Cards Now Available — How To Vie...

    Hello Keeneyville Families, Trimester 2 has officially ended, and we're proud of the hard work our students have put in so far this year! Report Cards are now available in Skyward Family Access . This is a great opportunity to review your child's progress and celebrate their achievements together. How to view your child's Report Card in Skyward : Sign in to Skyward Qm lativ (Family Access) Click the  Portfolio  tile. Click the eye icon to open the attachment. Step-by-step visual instructions are attached to this post. If you have questions about your child's attendance or grades, please reach out to your school's principal or assistant principal. Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting every student's success.  Two trimesters down—one more to go! 💜💛

    Tuesday, Mar 03 2026

  • 📣 Registration for 2026-27 School Year is Now Open! ...

    Hello District 20 Families, Registration for all students in grades PK-8 for the 2026-27 school year is now open! Whether your child is a returning student or you are new to the district, we encourage all families to complete registration as early as possible. 🔗 Start Here: District Registration Page Visit our Registration Hub: www.esd20.org/for-parents/registration 📝 Returning Student Registration (RSR) ( K-8 ) Begin registration process here: https://bit.ly/ReturningStudentRegistration2026-27 Families of returning students should complete the full registration process in Skyward Family Access . We've attached a step-by-step RSR Instructions Guide and RSR Visual Guide to make the process simple and clear. 🆕 New Student Enrollment (NSE) ( PK-8 ) Begin enrollment process here: https://bit.ly/NewStudentEnrollment2026-27 Families enrolling a student who is new to District 20 can follow the NSE Step-by-Step Visual Guide , also attached to this message. 🎉 Bonus Incentive The first class at each school  with 100% of families completing registration will earn a  pizza party! 🍕 💲 Registration & Technology Fees Registration Fee : $150 per student Technology Fee : $50 per student Early Bird Discount : Register by April 30, 2026 to receive  $50 off each registration fee . 💁 Need Help? In-person support and interpreter services will be available at  Registration Night : 📍 Spring Wood Middle School (1st Floor Cafeteria) 📅 Wednesday, April 8 ⏰ 4:00–7:00 PM You can also contact your school office, the district office at (630) 894-2250 , or email registration@esd20.org .     We look forward to welcoming all of our students for another great year in District 20!

    Monday, Mar 02 2026

  • Update on Summer School Programming for Summer 2026 ☀️🏫

    Good evening, Keeneyville Families, We want to share an important update regarding Keeneyville School District 20's Summer School programming for June and July 2026. As in past years, we remain committed to offering meaningful summer learning opportunities that support student growth. With the conclusion of ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funding—which previously allowed us to provide full-day summer programming and camp for all interested students—we are returning to a more targeted and fiscally responsible model. Summer School 2026 Overview Summer school will be invitation only for students in grades K-7 , including incoming kindergarten students participating in Kindergarten Kickoff. Programming will be held in the mornings only .  Afternoon camp sessions run by the District will no longer be offered.  However, the  Boys & Girls Club  will offer afternoon care for qualifying summer school students. ESY (Extended School Year) will also be held in the morning during the same timeframe. How Students Will Be Selected District and school administrators are currently reviewing fall and winter assessment data. Based on this information, qualifying students will receive an invitation lett er in early March from their principal. If you have any questions, please contact your school office.  Thank you for your continued partnership and support.  Keeneyville School District 20

    Thursday, Feb 26 2026

  • IAR Testing Week of March 2

    Hello Keeneyville Families, Next week, all students in grades 3-8  will participate in the annual Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) , the federally required state assessment in English Language Arts and Mathematics. The IAR measures student progress toward the Illinois Learning Standards and provides valuable information about how our students are growing academically compared to their peers across the state. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has also introduced new, unified performance levels that give families, educators, and schools clearer, more accurate data about student learning and readiness. These updated benchmarks help identify areas of strength and opportunities for added support where needed. To help students do their best, we kindly ask families to support their child(ren) in the following ways:  Ensure your child gets a full night's sleep  before each testing day 😴 Provide a healthy breakfast before school 🍽️ Make sure your child arrives on time 🚗 Send Chromebooks full charged 💻🔋 Send Chromebook chargers🔌 Provide  wired headphones (no wireless headphones or earbuds) 🎧 Testing schedules will be shared directly by each school, as dates and times vary by building.  If you have any questions about the IAR, please contact your school's main office.  We appreciate your partnership in supporting our students.

    Wednesday, Feb 25 2026

  • 💻 Nightly Chromebook Shutdown Begins Monday, Feb. 23

    District 20 Families, To help promote healthy technology habits and support consistent sleep routines, Keeneyville School District 20 will begin a new Chromebook Shutdown schedule starting Monday, February 23 (the start of Trimester 3). Beginning Monday, all district-issued Chromebooks will automatically shut down each night at 10:30 PM and restore access at 6:00 AM . This decision was developed with input from staff and parents and reflects our continued commitment to student well-being and academic success. This approach is also widely adopted among neighboring school districts as part of a shared effort to support healthy student habits. If you have any questions, please contact your school's main office. Thank you for your partnership!  

    Friday, Feb 20 2026

  • 📆 D20 School Calendar 2026-27

    Calendar for School Year 2026-27 The Board of Education has approved the calendar for next school year! You can view and download it at www.esd20.org/about/calendars/master-calendar , and the PDF is also attached to this post. The calendar includes important dates such as the first and last days of school, holidays, early dismissal days, and parent-teacher conferences. Please review the key dates to help plan family schedules, vacations, and childcare needs.  If you have any questions, please contact your child's school or the district office.  We appreciate your partnership and look forward to another great school year! 

    Wednesday, Feb 18 2026

  • 2026 Illinois 5Essentials Parent Survey—Share Your F...

    Dear District 20 Families, Each year, students, teachers, and parents/guardians are invited to participate in the Illinois 5Essentials Survey , administered statewide by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) in partnership with UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago. This survey is an important opportunity for you to share your thoughts about five key elements that shape your child's school experience: (1) effective leaders, (2) collaborative teachers, (3) involved families, (4) supportive environments, and (5) ambitious instruction. To receive parent data, each school must reach a 20% parent response rate.  Your voice truly matters. The Parent Survey is open now through March 13 , and we encourage every family to participate. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete, and you will need to submit a separate survey for each school your family attends. You can take the online survey on any device (computer, smartphone, or tablet). Families may also request to use a device in the school office. All responses are  confidential and will not be connected to you or your child. Parent data is used solely to support school and district improvement. 👉 To take the survey, visit  https://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/   Select the Parent Survey  in your preferred language (English or Spanish) Enter your email address (optional) and DuPage County Answer all applicable questions Submit your survey For more information,  please review the Parent/Guardian Flyer ( ENGLISH / SPANISH ) and Guide ( ENGLISH /  SPANISH ). Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. Your input helps us better understand your child's school experience and guides our ongoing improvement efforts.

    Wednesday, Feb 04 2026

  • 📣 Kindergarten Round-Up – Join Us for the 2026–2027 ...

    Dear District 20 Families, Do you have—or know someone who has—a child who will turn 5 years old on or before September 1, 2026 ? If so, we are excited to welcome your family to our  Kindergarten Round-Up as we prepare for the 2026–2027 school year!  Join us to discover what makes kindergarten at Keeneyville School District 20 so special. Explore our Dual-Language Program, meet our amazing staff, and learn about the registration process. 📅 Kindergarten Round-Up Dates Greenbrook Elementary Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 6:00 PM Waterbury Elementary Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 6:00 PM Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 10:00 AM    Kindergarten enrollment opens on Monday, March 2, 2026 , and includes (1) in-person proof of residency and (2) online registration. Please bring a photo ID, original birth certificate, and proof-of-residency documents to your school office. To learn more about the registration process, visit  www.esd20.org/for-parents/registration/kindergarten2026-27 , or contact us via email at  registration@esd20.org or by calling your school office. Families are encouraged to explore our Kindergarten Dual Language Program . Details and the required separate application are available at:  www.esd20.org/district/teaching-and-learning/bilingual-services .  If you are interested in applying for Early Entrance to Kindergarten , visit:  www.esd20.org/district/teaching-and-learning/early-entrance-to-kindergarten . Applications are due May 8, 2026. We look forward to welcoming our newest learners to the Keeneyville D20 family!

    Tuesday, Feb 03 2026