2026 Spring/Summer Quarterly Newsletter

Spring/Summer May - July Left: Tyler Students take a group shot to celebrate a $5,000 donation to purchase classroom and learning supplies. Right: Malta Principal Kristi Baccheschi and 5th-Grade Teacher and 2026 Wirtz Award Winner Ashley Carlson. Read more below!   Greetings D428 Community, The end of the school year is always bittersweet as we celebrate reaching new milestones, while also preparing to move on to new, unknown challenges and opportunities. It is a true joy to see our students learn, grow, and achieve more than they thought they could. I see our teachers and staff giving their best each day, and I see families supporting our schools in so many ways. Together, we have built a strong and caring community for our children, and I know D428 will only continue to grow in those efforts because we understand how critically important a thriving school system is to our collective future.  As summer begins, I hope our students take time to rest, have fun, and stay curious. Learning does not stop when school ends. Reading, exploring, and spending time with family all help our students continue to grow. This message is also a personal one for me. As I prepare to step away from my role as superintendent, I want to share how grateful I am to have served this community. It has been an honor to be part of DeKalb CUSD 428. I will always carry with me the memories and the immense pride I feel for this district. I am confident that great things are ahead. I am excited to welcome our new superintendent, Billy Hueramo. He knows this district well and cares deeply about our students, staff, and families. I believe he will lead with purpose, heart, and a strong commitment to continued growth and success. Thank you for your trust and partnership over the years. DeKalb will always hold a special place in my heart. Wishing you all a safe, restful, and joyful summer. With gratitude, Minerva Garcia-Sanchez, Ed.D.   Register now for the 2026-27 school year! The end of the school year is fast approaching, and with that, August will be here soon! So far, approximately 60% percent of our families have registered for the next school year. That’s a fantastic start, but we want to get close to 100% as soon as possible! Registering for school now increases the likelihood that your child will have a spot at their assigned school, making the start of the new year go smoothly. No long lines in August, and no stress about what class your child will be in. It's easy to get started by visiting d428.org and clicking “Get Started” under the Registration Banner. From here, you can register your returning student through Skyward Family Access, or if you are new to our district, register using the new student form on this page. If you have any questions at all, your school’s office staff is there to help. You can also email registration@d428.org for assistance.   Congratulations to Ashley Carlson, 2026 Wirtz Award for Excellence in Education Recipient Ashley Carlson, a fifth-grade academic intensive teacher at Malta Elementary School, was selected as the 2026 Wirtz Award for Excellence in Education recipient. Carlson was presented the award during a surprise assembly with students and colleagues on April 24, 2026, at Malta Elementary School. Carlson began her career with DeKalb CUSD in 2008 as a teaching assistant and moved into her own classroom in 2009. Read more about Mrs. Carlson on our news page.   Know an incoming D428 kindergartener? Help them start strong with Little Barbs Academy! Little Barbs Academy is back August 3–6 at most DeKalb elementary schools. This special program is designed to help incoming kindergarten students build confidence, practice school routines, and become familiar with their school before the first day of kindergarten. Through play, stories, and hands-on activities, students will learn skills that help them feel comfortable and ready for school. This program is especially helpful for children who have not previously attended preschool or another structured care setting, as well as for students who may benefit from additional support as they transition into kindergarten. Little Barbs Academy will be offered at all elementary schools except Jefferson and Lincoln. Additional details about registration, daily schedules, and transportation will be shared with families later this spring. If you know an incoming DeKalb CUSD 428 kindergartener, please feel free to share this information with their family so they can watch for registration details. Register by July 10 English Registration Form Spanish Registration Form   Trending @D428 Adding classroom materials gets a big boost Congratulations to Tyler Elementary School! Burlington Stores opened a brand-new location in DeKalb on May 1, 2026, and, through their partnership with AdoptAClassroom.org, donated $5,000 to Tyler Elementary to support 12 classrooms with new supplies, ensuring students have the learning materials and tools they need to succeed now and in the future. The 'Lincoln Legend' takes root Mr. Andy Raih from the City of DeKalb, along with Mayor Cohen Barnes, helped students learn about the importance of trees during Lincoln Elementary's Arbor Day celebration. Students not only planted a tree but also came up with a pretty impressive name for their new sapling. We look forward to seeing the 'Lincoln Legend' grow! Mayor Cohen Barnes. Springing into action with kindness Meet Alonzo L., a thoughtful kindergartner from Littlejohn. Alonzo was nominated by his teacher, Mrs. Paszotta, for being "the best classroom helper-- always helping his friends clean up, put away their materials, and just being a kind friend at all times." Learn more about our amazing students who demonstrate kindness, thoughtfulness, helpfulness, or support for another student on D428's Facebook and Instagram pages. Brain power! The DeKalb Scholastic Bowl J-Barbs Team secured a regional spot with big wins over Sycamore Middle School, Troy (Joliet) Middle School, and Morris GS Middle School - ending two of the matches early under the mercy rule. The team went on to compete at sectionals, tying three teams 2-1. The final result came down to total points scored. DeKalb had 1,110 points, and Thurgood Marshall (Rockford) had 1,130. The J-Barbs came within one question of heading to state. Despite a tough loss, they had an amazing run and were tremendous ambassadors for DeKalb!   Time to Celebrate Congratulations to this year's retirees, who were recognized at the May 5, 2026, Board of Education Meeting. Service awards for employees with 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years were also included. Also acknowledged were teachers Cherish Olayiwola and Veronica Gonzalez-Martinez for their Award of Meritorious Service from the Illinois State Board of Education, and Wirtz Award recipient Ashley Carlson. See the entire list of employee recognitions on the District's News Page. Pictured below: Left - 2026 reitrees with Board of Education members. Right - Board President Christopher Boyes with Cherish Olayiwola and Veronica Garcia-Martinez.   Don't miss out on the tea! Download the ParentSquare App today! We encourage families to download the user-friendly ParentSquare app and activate an account now to take full advantage of the many features, including notification and language settings.  Learn more about ParentSquare!   Upcoming Dates to Remember May 15 - Professional Learning Community (PLC) Day - Early Release May 19  - Board of Education Meeting May 22 - Last Day of Classes - 1/2 day May 23 - DeKalb High School Graduation, NIU Convocation Center May 25 - Memorial Day Holiday, Offices Closed June 1 - 22 - Summer School, Middle School June 1 - 25 - Summer School, High School June 16 - Board of Education Meeting June 2 - Board of Education Meeting June 19 - Juneteenth Holiday, Offices Closed July 7 - Board of Education Meeting July 3 - Fourth of July Holiday observed, Offices Closed July 21 - Board of Education Meeting

Thursday, May 21 2026