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🎓✨ Congrats, Class of 2025! A Night to Remember
May 30, 2025 Dear District 57 Community, Last night’s 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony for Lincoln Middle School was truly a celebration to remember — standing room only, filled with joy, pride, and promise. It was inspiring to hear from our student speakers, enjoy performances from our talented musicians, and reflect on all that this remarkable class has accomplished. To the Class of 2025 and your families: congratulations! As you head to Prospect High School, know that you carry the support and pride of your District 57 family with you. You will always have a place here. Please enjoy the recording of the ceremony, a special video of 8th grade reflections, and photos from the evening as we continue to celebrate this milestone together. With heartfelt congratulations, Mary Gorr Class of 2025 Graduation Photos Dr. Mary Gorr District 57 Superintendent of Schools Email: mgorr@d57.org Website: https://www.d57.org/ Location: 701 West Gregory Street, Mount Prospect, IL, USA Phone: 847-394-7300 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dist57/ Twitter: @dist57
Friday, May 30 2025
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📝 Superintendent Message: Highlights from This Week’...
May 16, 2025 Dear District 57 Families, We’re heading into the final stretch of the school year—and if your calendar looks anything like mine, it’s packed! Between final projects, concerts, field trips, and end-of-year celebrations, it’s a season full of big emotions and even bigger to-do lists. Don’t forget to take a breath, find small moments of joy, and give yourself a little grace along the way. 💙 Last night’s Board of Education meeting was packed with uplifting student recognitions and meaningful updates on district initiatives. Below is a recap of what was shared. You can also watch the full meeting [at this link]. 🏐🏃♂️ Proud Moments from the Court to the Track We had the pleasure of celebrating two outstanding student groups whose recent accomplishments made our district incredibly proud. First, we recognized our incredible District 57 Special Olympics Team, who recently competed in the Illinois Special Olympics Spring Games. Our four athletes—Connor, Khaleb, Sammy, and Teddy—each competed in the 50m Run and Softball Throw events, bringing home a total of eight medals! Their performances were inspiring examples of courage, perseverance, and joy in competition. Sammy was present at the board meeting to accept the honor on behalf of his team and their dedicated coach, Katianne Olson. You can watch this heartwarming segment [at this link]. We also honored the Lincoln Middle School 7th Grade Girls Volleyball Team, led by Coach Laura Juliano, who also teaches math at Lincoln. These talented student-athletes had a stellar season with a 9-1 record, clinching their conference title by just one set. They then went on to sweep their conference tournament pool 4-0, advanced to the semifinals against London, and ultimately triumphed in the championship match against River Trails. Their teamwork, determination, and sportsmanship were truly impressive. You can watch this recognition during the board meeting [at this link]. 📊 Bond Sales Update – Highlights for Our Community Bob Lewis of PMA Securities shared an update on the District’s financial plan to support the construction projects at Lincoln and Westbrook. The $85 million plan is being funded through a strategic mix of referendum-approved bonds, non-referendum bonds, and $6 million in district operating funds. The plan includes upcoming bond sales in July 2025 and July 2026, with a continued focus on maintaining stable tax rates, keeping the average annual impact below the original estimate of $711, now at an estimated $679 for a median-value home. These thoughtful strategies reflect our commitment to responsible stewardship and long-term community investment. You can view the [presentation slides here] and watch the [board meeting segment here]. 🌱 Growing Future Educators in D57 Karen Schwartzwald, Director of Human Resources, and Dr. Kristin Vonder Haar, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, shared an inspiring update on our Growing Future Educators initiative. This important work includes welcoming high school students from District 214’s Education Pathway into our schools to explore careers in teaching, as well as providing student teaching, practicum, and internship opportunities for college and graduate students. These experiences not only support the development of future educators but also strengthen our own learning community. Check out the video below that shines a light on the incredible D57 staff who serve as mentors and role models for the next generation of teachers! 🌟👩🏫👨🏫 🛡️ District Safety Audit – Ensuring Safe Learning Environments Dr. Jason Kaiz, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations, presented a recommendation for the District to partner with West 40 to conduct a comprehensive safety audit of all our school buildings. This comes in response to the Board’s earlier request to explore options for strengthening school security. The proposed audit, led by safety expert Randy Braverman—who brings over 40 years of experience and has completed more than 10,000 assessments—would take place in Fall 2025 while students and staff are present. The goal is to review our safety measures through a trusted, proven approach focused on Deterrence, Detection, Delay, and Response. No vote has been taken yet; the Board will consider approving the vendor at the June meeting. You can watch the segment of the presentation [at this link]. 🌍 Equity Work Update – Progress in Action Dr. Kristin Vonder Haar and Sara Tyburski, Director of Student Services, also shared an update on the District’s ongoing equity work. The presentation highlighted progress in four key areas: improving communication with families through tools like ParentSquare and Pocketalk, using academic, behavior, and attendance data to better support all students, introducing a new equity glossary to create shared language and understanding, and fostering a more inclusive culture at Lincoln through programs like CHAMPS, the 5-Star system, student assemblies, and staff training. These efforts reflect our continued commitment to building a district where every student feels seen, supported, and valued. You can watch the full segment of the presentation [at this link]. Thank you, as always, for your partnership and support. This final chapter of the school year is one of the most meaningful—we’re proud to share it with you. Here’s to a strong finish. 💙 Warmly, Mary Gorr Dr. Mary Gorr District 57 Superintendent of Schools Email: mgorr@d57.org Website: https://www.d57.org/ Location: 701 West Gregory Street, Mount Prospect, IL, USA Phone: 847-394-7300 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dist57/ Twitter: @dist57
Friday, May 16 2025
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📣 Superintendent Message: Honoring Our 2025 Retirees...
May 2, 2025 Dear District 57 Families, Last night was a truly special and memorable evening for our District 57 community. From celebrating the careers of three beloved retirees to honoring dedicated Board members and welcoming new leadership, the night was filled with gratitude, reflection, and excitement for the future. I'm excited to share some highlights with you below! 🎓 Celebrating Our Retirees We had the joy and privilege of honoring three incredible staff members who are retiring this year: Ed Brztowski – 27 years of service Trina Courtney – 33 years of service Shari Lambert – 13 years of service It was a heartfelt celebration, with former and current students, fellow retirees, staff, family members, and community members coming together to say thank you. These individuals have impacted countless lives and helped shape the strong foundation we have today. Please join us in thanking Ed, Trina, and Shari for their dedication and service to District 57! I’ve included a slideshow from the event to help share the moment. 🧡 Honoring Vicki Chung’s 8 Years of Board Service Following our retiree celebration, we held our Board of Education meeting, where we recognized Vicki Chung for her 8 years of outstanding service. Vicki served two terms with District 57 and has recently been elected to serve on the District 214 Board of Education. Vicki’s calm, compassionate, and student-centered leadership helped guide District 57 through major milestones—including navigating the pandemic, implementing referendum projects, and helping shape a new strategic plan. Her commitment to putting students first has left a lasting legacy, and her voice, wisdom, and warmth will be deeply missed. You can view the full Board Meeting here which includes a beautiful tribute to Vicki. Thank you, Vicki, for everything. 💐 🙏 Thank You, Kim Fay We also extend a heartfelt thank you to Kim Fay for her thoughtful and dedicated service as Board President. Throughout her leadership, Kim has remained fair, focused, and deeply committed to the success of every student and staff member in District 57. Her steady hand and thoughtful guidance have been invaluable during a time of important growth and change for our district. Kim led the Board through several major milestones, including the successful passage of the Building Brighter Futures referendum, which is paving the way for a new Lincoln Middle School and expanded learning spaces at Westbrook School for Young Learners. She has championed other initiatives - always with an eye on what’s best for children and the community. We are incredibly grateful that Kim will continue to serve on the Board, where her insight and passion for public education will continue to make a lasting impact. 💙 🎉 Welcoming New Board Members and Roles We’re excited to introduce the new District 57 Board of Education! This dedicated team will help guide our district forward with vision and purpose. Board leadership includes: President: Corrin Bennett-Kill Vice President: Jen Ciok New Member: Ray Doerner At our meeting, we officially swore in four board members: Raymond Doerner, Eileen Kowalczyk, Jen Ciok, and Pamela Nelson. We’re incredibly grateful for their willingness to serve our schools and community—and we’re looking forward to all the great work ahead! Next week is Staff Appreciation Week, and we’re looking forward to celebrating the amazing teachers and staff who make District 57 a truly special place to learn and grow. As we enter the final few weeks of the school year, it’s a busy and exciting time for everyone—thank you for your continued support and partnership as we finish the year strong! Warmly, Dr. Mary Gorr Superintendent of Schools Mount Prospect School District 57 Dr. Mary Gorr District 57 Superintendent of Schools Email: mgorr@d57.org Website: https://www.d57.org/ Location: 701 West Gregory Street, Mount Prospect, IL, USA Phone: 847-394-7300 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dist57/ Twitter: @dist57
Friday, May 02 2025
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🔄 Our Portrait of a Graduate April Focus: Growing St...
April 4, 2025 Dear District 57 Families, I hope you and your children are finding your rhythm again as we return from spring break. Breaks in routine can be both refreshing and challenging—for students and families alike. That’s why this is the perfect time to focus on one of our Portrait of a Graduate skills: Adaptability. Our Portrait of a Graduate identifies five core skills—Collaborative, Critical Thinker, Resilient, Empathetic, and Adaptable—that are intentionally taught, modeled, and celebrated throughout our schools. These life-ready skills help students grow into confident learners who can thrive in an ever-changing world. This April, we’re highlighting Adaptability—the ability to adjust to change, remain open-minded, and stay flexible when faced with new or unexpected situations. April Focus: Adaptable This month, we’re focusing on Adaptability—an essential skill that empowers students to navigate change, stay open to new ideas, and adjust when faced with the unexpected. We kicked off our April focus with Disability Awareness Week, celebrating the many ways adaptability helps us grow as individuals and as a community. Being adaptable means: Demonstrating Flexibility: Being willing to change plans or try new approaches. Exhibiting Open-Mindedness: Listening to others’ ideas and being open to different perspectives. Reflecting on Adaptability: Thinking about times when adjusting helped us learn or succeed. Throughout April, teachers will incorporate lessons, activities, and conversations about adaptability into their classrooms. Students will have opportunities to reflect on how they respond to change, celebrate moments of flexibility, and explore how being open-minded supports their growth. We invite families to join us in reinforcing adaptability at home. Here are a few simple ways to support your child: Encourage flexibility: Talk about times when plans changed and how your family adapted. Model open-mindedness: Show how you consider different points of view and try new things. Reflect on change together: Ask your child, What was something unexpected that happened today? How did you handle it? This Year's Framework Each month from December through April, staff have engaged students in discussions, activities, and lessons related to a featured Portrait of a Graduate skill, while also noticing and celebrating moments when students demonstrated it. Families also received updates, including ideas for how you can reinforce these skills at home. Here’s the schedule for this year’s focus months: December: Empathetic January: Collaborative February: Resilient March: Critical Thinker April: Adaptable During parent-teacher conferences, families should have received a Portrait of a Graduate magnet. This magnet serves as a helpful reminder of the essential skills we are focusing on—Empathetic, Collaborative, Resilient, Adaptable, and Critical Thinker—and helps bridge the connection between school and home. If you haven’t already, be sure to display your Portrait of a Graduate magnet as a reminder of the skills we are cultivating together. If you need one, please contact the front office at your child’s school. District 57 is proud to partner with families in helping our students build the skills they need to thrive—both in school and beyond. Adaptability is a lifelong skill that empowers students to face change with confidence, curiosity, and an open mind. Let’s recognize and celebrate moments of flexibility, growth, and open-mindedness together this month. Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Warm regards, Dr. Mary Gorr Superintendent, District 57 Dr. Mary Gorr District 57 Superintendent of Schools Email: mgorr@d57.org Website: https://www.d57.org/ Location: 701 West Gregory Street, Mount Prospect, IL, USA Phone: 847-394-7300 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dist57/ Twitter: @dist57
Friday, Apr 04 2025
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📢 Superintendent's Message: Board Meeting Recap & Ke...
March 21, 2025 Dear District 57 Families, Thank you for taking the time to read this update! There’s a lot happening across our district, and I’m excited to share some key highlights with you. From celebrating student leadership and academic achievements to important updates on curriculum enhancements, this message covers several topics that directly impact our students, staff, and families. One of the most exciting moments recently was at last night’s Board of Education meeting where we welcomed our Student Board Members to the table for the first time. Their insights and enthusiasm for making a difference in our schools were truly inspiring. Read on to learn about their latest initiatives, along with important district updates—including how you can help us reach our goal for the 5Essentials Parent Survey! Thank you to those who joined us for last night’s Board of Education meeting. If you missed it, you can watch the full meeting at this link: [Board of Education Meeting Link]. 🏫 Student Leadership at the Board Meeting Our Student Board Members shared their latest efforts to enhance the student experience at Lincoln Middle School, including: 🌍 A Cultural Fair—highlighting underrepresented cultures in the middle school community. 🏗️ New Lincoln Middle School feedback—providing student input on the new Lincoln Middle School design. Their dedication to shaping a stronger, more inclusive school environment is commendable—we are so proud of their leadership! 📺 To watch this segment of the Board meeting, click here: [Meeting Link] 🗳️ Election Day & School Security Election Day is coming up on Monday, April 1, and three of our schools—Lincoln Middle School, Lions Park School, and Westbrook School—will be used as polling places. While school will be in session, access to these schools will be limited to one entryway and a designated polling area. Voters will not be allowed outside these areas, ensuring the safety of our students and staff. To enhance security, we are partnering with the Mount Prospect Police Department and Bluestar Security to have both current and retired police officers on-site at each polling location throughout the school day. As always, the safety of our students and staff remains our top priority. 🤖 Celebrating Lincoln Middle School’s LEGO Robotics Teams! At last night’s Board Meeting, we proudly recognized the incredible achievements of our Lincoln Middle School LEGO Robotics Teams. Both teams competed at the State competition in February, showcasing their dedication, teamwork, and innovation. 🏆 Team 493 won the Breakthrough Award at State for overcoming an obstacle during their season. Congratulations to team members: Bryan B., Henry F., Zakk B., Wally K., Grant H., Jonny S., Marko K., Minh N., and Henry T. 🌍 Team 492 won Second Place in Core Values and finished 9th overall at State, qualifying them for the World Invitational! Congratulations to team members: Brennan G., Tudor O., Bennet G., Colton B., Delaney J., Joshua S., Layah I., Lev O., Thomas R., and Zach Y. These students and their dedicated coaches have demonstrated outstanding creativity, perseverance, and teamwork. Congratulations to all! 🎉 📺 To watch this segment of the Board meeting, click here: [Meeting Link] 📚 Professional Development Plan Update At the Board meeting, Aaron Wilkins, Assistant Director for Professional Learning, highlighted recent initiatives focused on improving instruction and supporting educators in our district: ✅ Professional Development: Training has focused on building strong school communities and fostering culturally inclusive spaces, with collaboration from District 214. ✅ Reading Curriculum: We’ve launched HMH Into Reading (K-5) and Savvas My Perspectives (6-8), with monthly team meetings to ensure effective implementation. Lincoln Middle School has expanded this to include math, science, and social studies. ✅ Instructional & Technology Coaches: These specialists guide educators and help develop resources for effective teaching practices. 📺 To watch this segment of the Board meeting, click here: [Meeting Link] 📄 To view the presentation slides, click here: [Presentation Link] 🌟 Climate & Culture Update – Staff Survey Results At last night’s Board of Education meeting, we shared the results of the District 57 Staff Climate Survey, conducted as part of our ongoing commitment to Staff Growth & Support (Strategic Plan Goal #2). 📋 Survey Overview In Fall 2024, District 57 collaborated with MPEA and MPESPA leadership to develop the survey, partnering with School Perceptions to ensure a reliable and comprehensive analysis. School leaders & staff will analyze results to identify areas for celebration and improvement. Each school will create a school improvement plan goal focused on climate & culture. District leadership & union representatives will continue meeting regularly to enhance staff support structures. 📺 To watch this segment of the Board meeting, click here: [Meeting Link] 📄 For a deeper dive into the results, view the full presentation here: Staff Survey Results. 📊 District 214 Data Sharing Update At last night’s Board of Education meeting, we provided an update on our ongoing data partnership with District 214, which offers valuable insights into the college and career readiness of District 57 alumni. 🔍 Key Highlights Expanded Data Access: In addition to receiving end-of-high school outcomes, District 57 now has access to end-of-9th-grade data, helping us better track student progress after leaving our schools. D57 Student Performance: Our alumni consistently outperform District 214 averages in key success indicators, including attendance, grade-level on-track status, GPA, student connectedness, and co-curricular participation. Strengthened Data Systems: We have refined how we track GPA, attendance, and extracurricular participation at the middle school level to align with D214’s data. 📌 Why This Matters By comparing D57 middle school data with D214 high school outcomes, we can: ✅ Identify trends that link middle school performance to 9th-grade success. ✅ Assess program effectiveness in preparing students for high school. ✅ Pinpoint areas for additional student support before the high school transition. ✅ Implement targeted interventions to improve long-term outcomes. 📈 Moving Forward Continued collaboration with D214 to track alumni progress. Deeper data analysis to refine programs and student support systems. Strategic adjustments to ensure students are well-prepared for high school and beyond. 📺 To watch this segment of the Board meeting, click here: [Meeting Link] 📄 Full Memo: District 214 Data Update 🏗️ Building Brighter Futures Update On March 10, we hosted a Community Construction Update to share the progress of the Building Brighter Futures projects following the voter-approved referendum in November 2024. We had a fantastic turnout, and we appreciate everyone who joined us! This meeting focused on the new Lincoln Middle School, where we shared site plans and proposed floor plans, giving the community a glimpse into the exciting future of the school. 📺 To watch this segment of the Board meeting, click here: [Meeting Link] 📄 View the full presentation here: Lincoln Middle School Update 📊 5Essentials: We’re Almost There! See Your School’s Progress Thank you to all who have taken the time to complete the 5Essentials Parent Survey. Your feedback is invaluable in shaping the future of our schools. Each school needs at least 20% parent participation for results to be included in the Illinois State Report Card. Here’s where we currently stand: Westbrook School for Young Learners: 14% Fairview Elementary School: 19% Lions Park Elementary School: 19% Lincoln Middle School: 33% We are so close to reaching our goal, and we need your help! The survey is quick and easy to complete and provides valuable insights to help enhance teaching, learning, and community connections for your child. 🔗 [Click here to access the 5Essentials Parent Survey] Once you arrive at the page, select the “Parent Survey” option. The deadline to complete the survey is March 31, 2025. Your voice matters—let’s work together to ensure every school reaches its goal! Thank you for your continued support, and have a wonderful Spring Break! 🌸☀️ Dr. Mary Gorr Superintendent, District 57 Dr. Mary Gorr District 57 Superintendent of Schools Email: mgorr@d57.org Website: https://www.d57.org/ Location: 701 West Gregory Street, Mount Prospect, IL, USA Phone: 847-394-7300 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dist57/ Twitter: @dist57
Friday, Mar 21 2025
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📊 Superintendent Message: Surveys, Construction Upda...
March 14, 2025 Dear District 57 Families, I hope you're enjoying the warming weather and looking forward to the upcoming spring break. It’s hard to believe we have less than three months left in the school year! Thank you for taking the time to read this update and stay informed about all that’s happening in District 57. 📢 Community Construction Update Recap A huge thank you to everyone who attended Monday’s Community Construction Update! The event showcased the significant progress we've made on our Building Brighter Futures projects since the voter-approved referendum passed in November. You can view the presentation - which includes a site plan for Lincoln Middle School - and stay updated on our Lincoln and Westbrook School for Young Learners construction projects by visiting d57.news/BuildingBrighterFutures. 📚 Literacy Survey – We Still Need Your Input! When our district set out to find new reading resources for students in kindergarten through 8th grade, we asked for your thoughts and questions about literacy instruction. Your feedback helped shape our literacy belief statements and guided our reading program selections. Now, as we reach the halfway point of our first year using these new resources, we’d love to hear from you again! Your input will help us continue supporting strong literacy development for all students. So far, we’ve only received 20 responses—we’d love to hear from more of you! Please take a moment to complete this brief survey and let us know which literacy topics matter most to you and how you’d like to engage in learning about them. [Survey Link] 📅 Save the Date: District 57 Retirement Celebration! All District 57 community members are invited to join us in celebrating the incredible careers of three of our retiring staff members: Ed Brztowski Trina Courtney Shari Lambert April 17, 2025 | 5:45-6:45 PM Fairview Elementary School 300 N. Fairview Ave., Multipurpose Room Light refreshments will be served. We hope to see you there! 📊 Reminder: Complete the 5Essentials Survey We need your help! The annual Illinois 5Essentials Survey is open through March 28, 2025. In order for parent responses to be reported on the Illinois School Report Card, we must reach a 20% participation rate. Here’s where we currently stand: Fairview Elementary School: 14% Lincoln Middle School: 12% Lions Park Elementary School: 13% Westbrook Early Learning Center: 11% Your feedback is essential in guiding school improvement efforts. If you haven’t done so yet, fill out the Parent Survey today! [Survey Link] Thank you for your continued support and engagement with District 57! Warmly, Mary Gorr Dr. Mary Gorr District 57 Superintendent of Schools Email: mgorr@d57.org Website: https://www.d57.org/ Location: 701 West Gregory Street, Mount Prospect, IL, USA Phone: 847-394-7300 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dist57/ Twitter: @dist57
Friday, Mar 14 2025
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📢 Superintendent’s Message: March Focus on Critical ...
March 4, 2025 Dear District 57 Families, March brings new opportunities for growth and learning in our schools, and we have several important updates to share with you. Below you'll find information that will focus on this month’s Portrait of a Graduate skill, an invitation to a March 10 Construction Update for our Building Brighter Futures project, and a reminder to complete the 5Essentials Survey to share your valuable feedback. As always, thank you for taking the time to stay involved in your child's education. March Focus: Critical Thinker Our Portrait of a Graduate identifies five core skills: Collaborative, Critical Thinker, Resilient, Empathetic, and Adaptable. These skills are taught, modeled, and celebrated across our schools to help students develop the habits and mindsets they need to thrive in an ever-changing world. This month, we are excited to highlight another key Portrait of a Graduate characteristic: Critical Thinker. Being a Critical Thinker means: Leveraging inquiry and questioning skills Demonstrating problem-solving abilities Exhibiting curiosity and lifelong learning Making thoughtful decisions and taking responsible action Reflecting on critical thinking Throughout March, students and staff will engage in activities that encourage critical thinking in various ways, such as discussions, problem-solving challenges, and recognizing moments when students demonstrate these skills. Staff members will be actively noticing and naming critical thinking in action, reinforcing its importance in everyday learning. At home, you can support this skill by asking open-ended questions, encouraging curiosity, and discussing how to approach challenges with a problem-solving mindset. Thank you for your partnership in helping our students develop the habits and mindsets they need to succeed! YOU'RE INVITED! Building Brighter Futures Construction Update Get the latest on our progress! Join us for a Construction Update where you’ll get a first look at the preliminary Lincoln Middle School site plan, hear from District 57 leadership, and have the chance to ask questions. When & Where: Monday, March 10 5:30–6:30 PM Lincoln Middle School – Busse Gym (Door 8) 700 W. Lincoln St. Don’t miss this opportunity to stay informed and engaged! See you there! 📊 Reminder: Complete the 5Essentials Survey Don’t forget to complete the annual Illinois 5Essentials Survey! The survey window for the 2024-2025 school year runs from February 18, 2025, through March 28, 2025. Your feedback is essential in guiding school improvement efforts. If you haven’t done so yet, check your email for a message from District 57 and take a few minutes to share your input. We value your voice! Thank you for staying informed and engaged. Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead! Dr. Mary Gorr Superintendent, District 57 Dr. Mary Gorr District 57 Superintendent of Schools Email: mgorr@d57.org Website: https://www.d57.org/ Location: 701 West Gregory Street, Mount Prospect, IL, USA Phone: 847-394-7300 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dist57/ Twitter: @dist57
Wednesday, Mar 05 2025
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Important Update: PowerSchool Data Security Incident
Dear District 57 Families, We are reaching out today because PowerSchool is starting to send direct notifications to affected individuals of its December 2024 data security incident, including details on the information compromised and the support available. If you or your child were impacted, you may have already received a communication from PowerSchool outlining the next steps. This is part of the previously communicated incident, which was shared with families on January 7, 2025 . PowerSchool has since been working with cybersecurity experts and law enforcement to investigate and mitigate the situation. Summary of the Breach: PowerSchool has assured us that the following information was downloaded, but not shared: Compromised Data: Student and family contact information, limited medical alert information (e.g., allergies, life-threatening conditions), doctor name and phone number, date of birth, enrollment dates, Free and Reduced Lunch status, and staff school email addresses and ID numbers. Not Compromised: Financial information, student and staff photos, and user credentials. As a precaution, PowerSchool is offering two years of complimentary identity protection services for impacted students and educators, which include: Credit monitoring for affected adults Identity protection services for affected minors Fraud alerts, dark web monitoring, and identity restoration support If you have received an email from PowerSchool, we encourage you to follow the instructions for enrolling in these services. Although this breach occurred within PowerSchool’s systems, District 57 continues to take cybersecurity seriously by: Working closely with PowerSchool and cybersecurity experts to stay informed Monitoring our internal network security Maintaining multi-factor authentication for employee accounts We understand that data security is a serious concern, and we are committed to keeping you informed as we learn more. If you have any questions or concerns about this notice, please call Power School at 1-833-918-9464, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am through 8:00 pm Central Time (excluding major US holidays). Thank you for your patience with this matter.
Wednesday, Feb 26 2025
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📢 Superintendent Message: BOE Highlights Recap, Stud...
February 21, 2025 Dear District 57 Families, Our schools and classrooms are thriving, filled with energy, collaboration, and a strong sense of community as we move well into the second half of the school year. It is truly an honor to partner with you in creating such a dynamic and supportive learning environment for our students. Thank you for taking the time to stay informed about important updates in our district. Below is a recap of last night’s Board of Education meeting, which you can view in its entirety [here]. 🌟 Introducing Our New Student Board Members! At last night’s Board of Education meeting, we had the honor of welcoming four outstanding Student Board Members: Michelle G., Alex M., Josh S., and Zoe S. These students were selected from a strong pool of 19 applicants, all of whom demonstrated incredible courage and dedication in applying for this role. We are incredibly proud of all the applicants and thrilled to have our four new Student Board Members represent their peers at our Board meetings. Our new Student Board Members will serve as a bridge between their classmates and district leadership and the Board of Education, helping us better understand student needs and experiences. You can watch their introductions [here]. 🏅 Lions Park Teacher Diane Rush Receives Prestigious ISBE Award! We are thrilled to congratulate Diane Rush, a third-grade teacher at Lions Park Elementary School, for being awarded the prestigious Those Who Excel - Award of Excellence by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)! This honor recognizes Diane's exceptional commitment to fostering an inclusive, engaging, and supportive learning environment for her students. Diane’s passion for teaching, along with her unwavering dedication to our community, truly embodies the values we hold dear in District 57. Please join us in congratulating Diane on this well-deserved recognition! 🏢 Building Brighter Futures Update Our Building Brighter Futures initiative continues to make progress! Last night, we shared updates on efforts at Westbrook School for Young Learners, including: ✔️ Design input surveys sent to students, staff, families, and community members. ✔️ Surveys conducted with Westbrook’s local neighbors to gather feedback. ✔️ Kindergarten Learning Spaces tours in Glenview School District 34 and Park Ridge School District 64. ✔️ Principal Advisory Committee students brainstorming creative ideas for the new addition—including both practical suggestions (elevators, lunchroom spaces) and fun ideas (chocolate waterfall, sushi bar!). Next steps include refining Lincoln Middle School’s design plans, hosting a community open house this spring, and continuing the Village approval process. You can watch the full Building Brighter Futures update [here] and view the presentation file [here]. 🏀 Recognizing Our 8th Grade Boys Basketball Team At our last Board meeting, we celebrated all of Lincoln Middle School’s basketball teams for an incredible season. However, the 8th grade boys team was unable to attend that evening due to a prior commitment, so we honored them at last night’s meeting. A huge congratulations to the 8th grade boys basketball team and their head coach, Carolyn Crost! This team finished 1st place in their conference and earned 3rd place in their end-of-year tournament. Their hard work, sportsmanship, and dedication throughout the season were truly commendable. We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments! 🏫 Spotlight on Lincoln Middle School’s 5 Star Program Principal Eric Larson shared an update on Lincoln Middle School’s 5 Star Program, an incentive-based initiative aimed at fostering a positive school community and school pride. Through this program, students earn Lincoln Bucks for demonstrating positive behavior and can use them in the 5 Star Store to purchase Lincoln swag. Check out this short video to learn more about the 5 Star Program: Watch here. 📊 Stay Tuned: 5Essentials Survey Coming Monday! On Monday, you’ll receive an email from District 57 about the annual Illinois 5Essentials Survey, an important opportunity for parents to share feedback about their child’s school. Your input helps guide school improvement efforts, and we value your voice. Be on the lookout for this email and take a few minutes to complete the survey! Wishing you all a wonderful weekend! Dr. Mary Gorr Superintendent, District 57 Dr. Mary Gorr District 57 Superintendent of Schools Email: mgorr@d57.org Website: https://www.d57.org/ Location: 701 West Gregory Street, Mount Prospect, IL, USA Phone: 847-394-7300 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dist57/ Twitter: @dist57
Friday, Feb 21 2025
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💌 Superintendent's Message: Literacy Survey, Library...
February 14, 2025 Dear District 57 Families, Happy Valentine's Day! Thank you for reading this message and staying informed about district news. Our schools were filled with joy today as students celebrated Valentine’s Day with classroom parties and special events. I hope your family felt the love and excitement! 📚 Literacy Survey 📚 When our district set out to find new reading resources for students in kindergarten through 8th grade, we asked for your thoughts and questions about literacy instruction. Your input helped shape our literacy belief statements and guided our selection of reading programs. Now, as we reach the halfway point of our first year using these new resources, we want to hear from you again! Your feedback is essential as we continue to support strong literacy development for all students. Please take a few moments to complete this brief survey and let us know which literacy topics matter most to you—and how you’d like to engage in learning about them. [Survey Link] 🇺🇸 Presidents' Day Reminder 🇺🇸 Please remember that Monday, February 17 is a non-attendance day in observance of Presidents' Day. We look forward to welcoming all students back on Tuesday, February 18. 📖 Mount Prospect Public Library Partnership 📖 We are thrilled to announce our partnership with the Mount Prospect Public Library to celebrate our Portrait of a Graduate skills. Families are encouraged to visit the youth section of the library to see the Resilience display. Your child will likely recognize our Portrait of a Graduate graphics, and this community-school connection is an exciting opportunity for them. Celebrate this connection by checking out one of the wonderful books on display that highlight resilience and growth. I want to thank you for your understanding regarding the decision to close schools on Wednesday due to the snow forecast. I understand any frustration that was felt when the expected snow did not materialize, and school could have continued as scheduled. The decision to close school is never easy and hinges on the best available weather information at the time and alignment with neighboring districts. While it may have felt like an overreaction in hindsight, the priority is always the safety of our students and staff. I appreciate your patience and understanding. Stay warm during these chilly February days, and thank you for being an integral part of our district community! Warm regards, Mary Gorr Dr. Mary Gorr District 57 Superintendent of Schools Email: mgorr@d57.org Website: https://www.d57.org/ Location: 701 West Gregory Street, Mount Prospect, IL, USA Phone: 847-394-7300 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dist57/ Twitter: @dist57
Friday, Feb 14 2025