D99 Board of Education Highlights for June 15, 2026

Highlights of the June 15, 2026 Meeting   State Champions Receive Recognition, Proclamations District 99 students were recognized for earning state championship titles and receiving proclamations from the Village of Woodridge and the Village of Downers Grove honoring their accomplishments: Karen Boakye (DGS) -2026 State Champion in the Triple Jump Philip Cupial (DGN) - 2026 State Champion, 1600m DGN Students Tyler Lynch-Goff, Joshua Farrero, Will Surratt, Brennan Hardy and Philip Cupial - 2026 State Champions, 4x800 Relay   In addition to the State Champions, several student athletes were recognized for outstanding performances and accomplishments: Will Surratt (DGN), 3rd place at State, 1600m Mac LaForge (DGN), 8th Place at State, Discus Sophia Solecki (DGN), 9th Place at State, Discus John Clinton, Conrad Saner, Sam Axelson, Chris Janota and Will Miller (DGS), 3rd Place at State, 4x800 Relay Jordan Balsavich (DGS), ICA 3rd Team All-State, Softball Ryan Roumenov and Koko Dimitrakakos (DGS), All-State, Tennis Wesley Mills (DGS), 8th Place All-Around, 8th Place High Bar, 6th Place P-Bars, 7th Place Pommel Horse, 5th Place Floor Alex Stoev (DGS), 8th Place Floor Wesley Mills and Alex Stoev (DGS), IHSGCA State Grey Weltler (DGS), All-State IBLCA Lacrosse - First Team Grant Gagnon and Blake Ryden (DGS), All-State IBLCA Lacrosse - Second Team Ella Williams (DGS), All-State IGLCA Lacrosse - First Team Ella Cho (DGS), All-State IGLCA Lacrosse - Honorable Mention In addition to the student accomplishmets, Coach Josh Maluta was recognized as 2026 IBLCA Lacrosse Assistant Coach of the Year.   Board Approvals The Board approved and thanked the District 99 Education Foundation and the Downers Grove Wolfpack for each organization's generous donations. In addition to the donations and the consent agenda, the Board also approved: the continuation of the School Resource Officer (SRO) program through a partnership with the Downers Grove Police Department; the ratification of special education agreement amendments; updates to district student and athletic handbooks for 2026-27; resolutions related to district financial operations, including depositories and the school treasurer; and commercial insurance renewals.   Recognition of Staff Four District 99 staff members who are leaving the district were recognized for their dedicated service, including Associate Superintendent for Student Learning Gina Ziccardi, Assistant Superintendent for Learning Resources Dr. Travis McGuire, Information Security Manager Tony Dotts and Board Secretary Juli Gniadek. Board President Don Renner and Superintendent Dr. Hank Thiele praised each staff member and their contributions to the District 99 community. Click to Watch Meeting Video Agenda and supporting Board of Education documentation   Upcoming Board of Education Meetings Board of Education meetings take place on Monday evenings, typically on the first and third Monday of each month, and are livestreamed at www.csd99.org/csd99media. Please check www.csd99.org for meeting times and locations, as they may change. District 99 Board of Education District 99 Board of Education (front row, l-r): Michael Riske, Christopher Espinoza, Vice President Kara Casten, Katie Courtney (back row, l-r): President Don Renner, Superintendent Dr. Hank Thiele, April Finan and Ken Dawson More Board of Education Information Copyright © 2025-26 Community High School District 99, All rights reserved.

Tuesday, Jun 16 2026

D99 Connection: Keeping families informed and connected

Hello District 99 community! As we close out another successful school year, I want to thank our school community for your continued partnership and support throughout the year. Together, we have created meaningful opportunities for learning, growth and connection. As we move through May, we are eagerly anticipating graduation and the opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2026. Graduation is always a special time in District 99 as we honor the hard work and achievements of our students and look ahead to the bright futures that await them. I also want to thank you for partnering with us this year to improve student attendance. Your support in emphasizing the importance of being present and engaged each day has made a difference. Strong attendance remains one of the most important factors in student success, and we are proud of the progress we have made together this year. As we begin planning for the 2026-27 school year, we are excited to continue building on this momentum.   Thank you again for your partnership, encouragement and dedication to District 99 throughout this school year.   Dr. Hank Thiele D99 Superintendent p.s. As Staff Appreciation Week comes to a close, if you haven't already done so, please submit your note of appreciation by tomorrow: https://bit.ly/4t2wRpc.   Seniors Celebrate Their Next Chapter College colors filled DGN and DGS on May 1 as seniors celebrated National College Decision Day! Students proudly repped their future schools and programs in hats, hoodies and college gear while the College & Career Centers hosted festivities honoring the Class of 2026 and their next adventures.   D99 Educators Earn County Honors We are proud to celebrate the outstanding educators recognized at the 2026 DuPage County Educator of the Year Awards, hosted by the DuPage County Regional Office of Education on April 30. Congratulations to Downers Grove North science educator Jeff Grant, who was named the 2026 DuPage County Educator of the Year! Grant was honored for his innovative, hands-on approach to science education. District 99 was also proud to have several staff members nominated for this year’s awards, recognizing the incredible talent, dedication, and impact of our educators and support staff across the district. High School Educator Kevin Ahrens Adam Bruesch  Inmaculada Galan  Jeff Grant (winner) Nadine Kahl  Kathleen Meeks  Matt Quatman  Carolina Schoenbeck Marybeth Senser (finalist) Jamie Trent School Administrator Sara Courington  Karen Taylor Gina Ziccardi (finalist) Educational Support Person Colleen Daly Darin Gipson (finalist)   DGS Journalism Team Shines at State Congratulations to Senior Yoldi Villa on winning 1st place in Newspaper Design at the IHSA State Journalism Final. Overall, the team took 9th place. In addition, student Joy Haddleton placed 3rd in Feature Writing, Saara Rajeha placed 5th in Headline Writing, and Grace Lube earned 6th in state for Copy Editing. In addition, DGS English teacher Mark Indreika received the prestigious Tidwell Award which is given to a "single outstanding high school media educator who has done exemplary work during the current and previous academic year."   DGN Hosts Blood Drive Sponsors and members of DGN’s HOSA—Future Health Professionals and Empowerment Club organized a “Bleed Purple” blood drive with the American Red Cross. Thanks to them and to our donors, we helped fill a critical need for blood in our community! The effort collected 50 units, saving up to 150 lives. Even more impressive, we recruited 49 first-time donors.   T99 Students Compete in Culinary Competition Way to go to our T99 students Mary, Zhixin, Kendrell and Samantha who competed in the First Annual Transition Culinary Competition hosted at TCD! Teams had just one hour to create a breakfast dish, and the T99 team chose a bacon and veggie quiche and a peaches and cream upside-down pancake! The judges were wowed by the taste, presentation and teamwork. We earned second place and rave reviews from the judges! DGS Students Excel at SkillsUSA Congratulations to the 50 DGS students who competed at SkillsUSA and earned top marks in Architectural Drawing, 3D Design & Animation, Engineering Technology Design, and Drafting. SkillsUSA is the nation’s leading workforce development organization. It empowers students to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders, and responsible community members. Architectural Drawing 2nd Place Maxwell Polivka 3rd Place Michael Gentile 4th Place Neda Masiulionis 5th Place Ceyda Hoxha 6th Place William Jaeger 3D Design & Animation 3rd Place (Team) Kevin Sorial & Abram Gerges-Rodriguez Engineering Technology-Design 2nd Place John Clinton, Will Miller, Andrew Willard 4th Place (Team) Dylan Ligue, Zachary Staser, Andjela Culafic, Jacques Robles Illinois Drafting Educators Association (Separate competition and association) 2nd Place Architectural Drawing 3D Michael Gentile We are proud of the innovation and creativity of DGS students!   DGN Science Students Out in the Community DGN students took the mic at the Village of Downers Grove Environmental Concerns Commission. They shared thoughtful ideas on how to make Downers Grove even better, highlighting changes they hope to see in the future. Also, DGN Science students spent a Saturday tending to the garden at Garden Works, which grows fresh foods to give to those in need at the Downers Grove Area FISH pantry.   D99 French Students Earn National Honors This year, 122 D99 students competed in the optional National French Contest, Le Grand Concours, and delivered incredible results. Students received numerous levels of medals. At DGS there were two gold medalists, Eleanor Denning and Lila Ganesan, and at DGN, Seona Saraf received a gold medal. Each year, more than 45,000 students across the country take part in this prestigious, nationally recognized competition, which challenges them with real-world French skills, including reading, listening, and cultural understanding.   D99 Student Artists Earn National Recognition Four District 99 students were recognized in the 2026 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards—one of the nation’s most prestigious programs for creative teens. Congratulations to: DGS Student Ananya Kharat who received a National Gold Medal Portfolio Award in writing—one of just eight students in the country to earn this top distinction, along with a $12,500 scholarship. DGS Student Aili Flannery who earned a Gold Medal in sculpture for “Process,” under the instruction of teacher Janet Taylor. DGN Student Isaac Janusauskas earned a Silver Medal in jewelry for “Where Did the Time Go?” under the guidance of teacher Robyn Bican. DGN Student Dashiell Speir received a Silver Medal in drawing for “Frenzied Whit,” mentored by teacher Marty Voelker. Next stop: New York City this summer to be honored for their incredible work.   D99 Departments Celebrate Engaged Students Departments across District 99 recently celebrated students and their achievements through year-end recognition gatherings. These events provided an opportunity for teachers to personally acknowledge students for their hard work, growth, and enthusiastic participation throughout the school year. From academic accomplishments to classroom leadership and dedication, the celebrations highlighted the many ways students have contributed to their learning communities and made this school year a success.   AVID Students Earn Foundation Scholarships The AVID program (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a comprehensive educational initiative designed to enhance the academic and career readiness for students who traditionally did not feel prepared for college or career success. The District 99 Education Foundation funds two students, selected by the program leadership who have shown outstanding growth & leadership in the program. This year's recipients are Weston Bowden from North and Danna Garcia De La Cruz from South. The Foundation wishes all students in this program continued success in all of their endeavors. Learn more about the Foundation on its website.   DGS Yearbook Earns Top Honors On April 10, our talented yearbook staff attended the Northern Illinois Scholastic Press Association conference and brought home several awards for the 2024–2025 yearbook: Honorable Mention – Copywriting Honorable Mention – Design Blue Ribbon Award – Coverage Silver Certificate – Overall We’re incredibly proud of the creativity, collaboration, and hard work that went into this achievement. Congratulations to our amazing yearbook team!   Student Entrepreneurs Take the Spotlight Innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship were on full display as students in our Entrepreneurship class showcased their business ideas during a trade show experience! The top groups advanced to a Shark Tank-style presentation in front of a panel of judges to pitch their concept. Congratulations to the winning team, “Safe Straw,” for their innovative product designed to detect if a common date rape drug has been added to a drink. Their thoughtful idea and impressive presentation earned them the top spot!    Future Educators Take the Next Step Throughout the year, Intro to Teaching students have stepped into classrooms throughout the community, built meaningful connections, and discovered the impact great teachers can make. Many students are taking the next step toward their future in education. Both schools wish all of these future educators the very best as they continue their journey!   Mustangs Sign for the Next Level DGS student-athletes took the next step as they officially signed to continue their athletic and academic careers at the collegiate level! Their hard work, dedication, and commitment have paid off.   Mark Your Calendar! Our calendars have everything you need—all in one place. Simply visit our websites and hit “subscribe” to sync events directly to your phone or computer.  D99 Calendar DGN Calendar DGS Calendar  

Thursday, May 07 2026

D99 Connection: Keeping families informed and connected

March 2026 Hello District 99 community! As we move through the second half of the school year, I want to take a moment to thank our families and community for prioritizing attendance. Your commitment to ensuring students are present and engaged each day plays a critical role in their success, and we truly appreciate your partnership in this effort. I also want to thank everyone who has taken the time to respond to our recent surveys. Your feedback is incredibly valuable, and our team is carefully reviewing your input as we begin to determine our focus areas and priorities for the coming school year. We are grateful for your thoughtful insights and continued involvement in shaping the future of District 99. With spring break next week, I hope all of our students, staff and families have an opportunity to rest, recharge and enjoy time together. When we return, we will be ready to push forward through the final stretch of the school year. It has been a great one so far, and we look forward to finishing strong together. Thank you again for your ongoing support of our students and schools. Have a wonderful spring break! Dr. Hank Thiele D99 Superintendent   Attendance Matters Thank you for prioritizing attendance and helping students show up ready to learn. The dedication to being present each day makes a difference. Rest, recharge, and we’ll see everyone back after break to continue finishing strong!   D99 Students Place at Culinary Competition D99 culinary students at the Technology Center of DuPage (TCD) excelled at the 2026 Illinois ProStart® Invitational: DGN students Olivia Buirge and Ireland Lenz helped the TCD Culinary Team win 1st place. With this win, they’ll represent Illinois at the National ProStart® Invitational in Baltimore this April. In addition, DGS student Michael Harden helped the TCD Management Team earn 2nd place, impressing the judges with their original restaurant concept, teamwork, and presentation skills.   Transition 99 Annual Interview Workshop Transition 99 hosted its annual Interview Workshop and Community Partner Appreciation Luncheon this month. Our students had the opportunity to practice real-world interview skills with local business partners, building confidence, strengthening communication and preparing for community-based employment. We are grateful for our community partners who volunteered their time, including those from Sharing Connections, Special Olympics Illinois, Downers Grove Public Library and Parents Alliance Employment Project. Your collaboration plays a vital role in helping our students succeed beyond the classroom!   DGS Students Excel in the National German Exam Congratulations to the students studying German for their achievements in the National German Exam this year. German 2 Highlights: Lilian La Via – Gold Medal Lydia Larsen – Silver Medal Keri Clark & Justin Trubuch – Bronze Medals Blake Gantner – Achievement Award Sylese Emde – Achievement Award Ava Sbertoli – Silver Medal Liam Rose – Gold Medal German 3 Honors: Joy Haddleton – Silver Medal Caitlin Kippes – Bronze Medal Julie Prescott, Rebeca Medina, Grace Beckard, Zachary Staser – Achievement Awards AP German: Luce Stankaitis & William Miller – Achievement Awards   DGS Students Inducted into World Language Honors Societies Congratulations to the DGS students inducted into the World Language Honors Societies. German, French, and Spanish students were recognized for their high scholastic achievement in their respective languages. We are proud of their effort, drive and willingness to learn and experience cultures different from their own.   Marines Bring the Motivation to DGS DGS students received a serious dose of energy this week as U.S. Marines took over gym classes. From the USMC Fitness Challenge to combat-inspired workouts, students pushed their limits with timed competitions, pull-up challenges, and team-based drills designed to build strength, endurance, and camaraderie. It wasn’t just about fitness, it was about discipline, teamwork, and rising to the challenge.   D99 Represented at ISBE Student Summit Students from across Illinois came together to share ideas, lead discussions, and explore topics like College & Career Readiness, Attendance, and Academics & AI. DGS students Smera Kumar and Anvi Krishnardula participated, and Yamil Pacheco helped lead the AI session as part of the student planning team. Yamil and the ISBE State Student Board will present what they learned to the State Board of Education in the coming months.   D99 DECA Students Shine at State! DECA teams competed at the Illinois DECA Career Development Conference (ILCDC), and we are incredibly proud of our students for the hard work and dedication they put into their events while representing District 99. Congratulations to everyone who competed, and good luck to the national qualifiers who will advance to the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in Atlanta in April: DGN Top 10 Finalists Kareem Ahmad, Henry Eide, Jack Enright – Sales Project Brynne Burkhart & Rowan Hurd – Integrated Marketing Campaign (National Qualifier) Max Canner, Reid Johnson, Baker Glomb – Community Giving Project Katelyn Cutright & Jax Lally – Business Solutions Project Eva Davis & Dia Kollintzas – Career Development Project Naya Desai & Brooke Weber – Buying & Merchandising Operations Research Ryan Enright, Vivian Mitropoulos, Yash Garg – International Business Plan Ryan Enright & Vivian Mitropoulos – 5th Place & National Qualifier, Entrepreneurship Team Decision Making Evan Jeschke & Yash Garg – Financial Services Team Decision Making Helen Justice & Kayla Solem – Community Awareness Project Ethan Weiner – 2nd Place & National Qualifier, Human Resources Series Katie Wittmer – 4th Place & National Qualifier, Financial Consulting Katie Wittmer – Accounting Applications Shubreet Kaur – Business Services Operations Research DGS Top 10 Finalists Neha Higa & Saara Raheja 3rd Buying and Merchandising (National Qualifiers) Arden Gajula 4th Principles of Business Management and Administration (National Qualifier) Ali Abdullah, Andjela Culafic & Mustafa Mohajir 7th International Business Plan Nico Fallara 8th Accounting Applications Kristian Zahariev 9th Principles of Entrepreneurship Ali Abdullah 10th Marketing Communications   DGN Science Students Compete at Envirothon Select DGN Science Club students put their knowledge to the test at the Regional Envirothon Competition held at the Morton Arboretum. Teams placed 4th and 6th in DuPage County, with our top team earning 10th overall in the region. This hands-on competition challenges students in aquatics, forestry, soils, wildlife, and current environmental issues, connecting classroom learning to real-world impact and future careers in natural resources.   DGN Holds 2nd Annual Pathways to Professions Career Fair With more than 30 local business partners representing a wide range of industries, DGN students had the chance to explore career pathways, ask questions and make real-world connections about their futures. This event was a collaboration between our CTE and CSSS teams. Thanks to our partners for participating!   DGN Teacher Receives Award Congratulations to Career and Technical Education (CTE) Teacher Andrew Himes. He received the CTE Instructor of the Year Award for D99. The award honors educators who exemplify excellence through innovative teaching strategies and a steadfast commitment to CTE advocacy. CTE Department Chair Brian Veit recognized him at the Technology Center of DuPage at the DuPage Area Occupational Education System (DAOES) formal celebration. DGS Takes the Plunge DGS hosted a Polar Plunge, a fundraiser for Special Olympics Illinois. Participants raised money and then took a quick dip in a pool outside in their show of support. Thanks to everyone, DGS exceeded its goal to raise $10,000!   Sweet Treats for T99 A big shout out of thanks to La Michoacana Ice Cream and the Zunigas family for treating our Transition 99 students and staff to ice cream treats. Your generosity made the day extra special and brought lots of smiles to our students!   District 99 Names New Assistant Superintendent for Learning Resources Dr. Amanda Brode-Rico will become the district’s new assistant superintendent for learning resources. Dr. Brode-Rico on July 1, 2026. She will replace Dr. Travis McGuire, who will become superintendent at Cass School District 63. "I am honored and excited to join District 99 as the Assistant Superintendent of Learning Resources,” said Dr. Brode-Rico. “I look forward to working alongside such a dedicated team of educators and leaders and becoming part of a community that clearly values innovation, collaboration, and student success. I’m eager to support the continued growth of all students.” “I am confident that Amanda will bring strong leadership, operational clarity, and a student-centered perspective to this role,” said Dr. Hank Thiele, superintendent of District 99. “She will provide immediate value to the district’s leadership team as we continue advancing our work across facilities, technology, safety, and district resources.”   Sports Scene Crave sports news? Sign up for "Beyond the Scoreboard" to be "in the know" about our student athletic programs! DGN Newsletter Sign Up DGS Newsletter Sign Up   Mark Your Calendar! Our calendars have everything you need—all in one place. Simply visit our websites and hit “subscribe” to sync events directly to your phone or computer.  D99 Calendar DGN Calendar DGS Calendar  

Friday, Mar 27 2026

D99 Connection: Keeping families informed and connected

February 2026 Hello District 99 community! Thanks to those of you who shared your thoughts about our proposed conferences and calendar changes for the next school year. Overall, the feedback was positive from both staff and families in moving forward with the changes, and the Board of Education approved them at its February 23 meeting. We will communicate more in the coming months, but for now please note that the first day of student attendance for the 2026-27 school year will be Friday, August 14, 2026 and "Meet the Teacher" night wil be August 27. The State of Illinois requires schools to issue a climate survey to students, staff and families every year. If you haven't already done so, please take a few minutes to respond before March 10: DGN Family Survey DGS Family Survey Finally, another critical tool we use to plan our priorities is the D99 Spring Survey. We hope you'll share your input: https://chsd99families.nsightz.com Username: guest  Password: chsd9926parents Thank you for your support, Dr. Hank Thiele D99 Superintendent   Attendance Matters This year our strategic focus has been to boost attendance. With students now scanning into school and into classrooms, we have more data on attendance and tardiness than ever before. We know that while attendance is strong in freshman year, absences tend to increase as students get older, especially by senior year. Please encourage your student to show up and stay connected, no matter what their year in high school. We know that good habits now prepare students for success later. If showing up every day or on time is becoming difficult, please reach out to your student's counselor or our school staff. We are here to support you.   Class of 2026: High Academic Honor Students Announced Congratulations to the 12th-grade students at DGN and DGS who have earned academic honors based on cumulative grade point averages after seven semesters of their high school career. For the 2025-2026 school year: 81 students earned the designation of “Distinguished Honors” by achieving a cumulative grade point average of 4.4 or higher after seven semesters of high school. 205 students earned the designation of “High Honors” with a cumulative grade point average of 4.0 or higher. 367 students achieved “Honors” with a cumulative grade point average of 3.4 or higher.  District 99 uses a 4.0 grade-point scale. Students receive a non-weighted and weighted GPA at the end of each grading period. If a student takes Honors or Advanced Placement classes, the student’s GPA can exceed 4.0, depending on the grades earned. At graduation ceremonies, graduates will wear gold stoles, cords, and/or tassels to indicate their academic achievement.   A Championship Performance at IHSA State for DGS Speech The DGS Speech Team delivered an outstanding performance at the IHSA State Speech Tournament! Nate Clinnin earned the title of State Champion in Original Comedy. 🏆 As a team, DGS was named State Runner-Up (2nd Place Overall). Additional state placers include: Natalie Gay: 3rd, Humorous Interpretation Zoya Siddiqui: 4th, Impromptu Speaking Zoya Siddiqui: 4th, Informative Speaking Jillian Myers: 4th, Extemporaneous Speaking Nate Clinnin & Sofie Cooper-Carrero: 4th, Humorous Duet Acting Carly Bleau: 5th, Oratorical Declamation Charlotte Clinnin: 5th, Poetry Reading Congratulations to our incredible students and coaches on an amazing state finish! 💙   D99 Gymnastics Shines at State with Individual Title and Team Trophy DGS Student Edith Condon is an IHSA State Champion on balance beam, delivering a championship performance on the state’s biggest stage. The success continued with the D99 Girls Gymnastics team, which includes students from both DGN and DGS, earning a 3rd place finish overall at the IHSA State Meet, capping off an outstanding season. 💜💙 DGN Student Caroline Phillip also had an incredible showing, placing 3rd on bars and 5th in the all-around competition. Congratulations to our gymnasts and coaches.   DGS Students Take the Stage with Original Drama Students at DGS had the opportunity to attend a viewing of "Black Voices Presentation: What We Pass Down," an original performance created and performed by DGS Drama students. This meaningful production featured student-created pieces centered on food, culture, and family traditions. The performance transformed interviews, recipes, and personal memories into monologues, scenes, poetry, and music that explore identity, heritage, and the power of shared stories.   DGN Students Gain Insights about Optometry Dr. Brianne Hobbs from the Chicago College of optometry at Midwestern University shared information about the field of Optometry with our students. Students learned about career pathways in the profession, Midwestern University’s dual acceptance program, and helpful strategies to prepare for their post-secondary goals. We appreciate Dr. Hobbs taking the time to connect with our students and inspire future healthcare professionals.   Current Mustangs Welcome Future Voices DGS choir students were recently joined by O'Neill Middle School, Lakeview Junior High and Jefferson Junior High students for an evening of collaboration and concert. Students had the opportunity to learn, work and connect with Choir Directors Joy Belt-Roselieb (DGS), Janet Hecht (O’Neill), Jennifer Rickert (Lakeview) and Alyssa Buena (Jefferson).   Honoring Israel Blackburn’s Legacy in Downers Grove For Black History Month, DGN learned about Israel Blackburn, one of the founders of Downers Grove. An enslaved man for 48 years in Kentucky, Blackburn enlisted in the Civil War and then settled up north and became a vegetable farmer. Marty Acks, president of the Downers Grove Historical Society, presented Blackburn's story to students. Acks has conducted extensive research on Blackburn by using genealogy websites, school and census records and newspaper articles.   Celebrity Chef Visits DGN and DGS Chef Jonathan Zaragoza stopped by our DGN and DGS culinary classrooms to share his love of cooking, his story, and his passion for Mexican cuisine. Students learned how to make chilaquiles while hearing how Chef Zaragoza grew up on Chicago’s South Side, first learning to cook birria at just 12 years old in his family’s backyard using a wood-burning oven. That early spark turned into a remarkable journey—from opening Birrieria Zaragoza to cooking across Mexico, the U.S., and even around the world in London, Dubai, and Paris. Thanks to Chartwell's, District 99's food services partner, for arranging to bring in this guest speaker.   Distinguished D99 Alumni News DGN alum Charlie Rohlf, Class of 2001, is the recipient of the school's Alumni Award of Excellence. He served as a four-year student manager for Duke University's men's basketball team under legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski and now works as VP of stats technology product development for the National Basketball Association. The school will present the award to him at an all-school assembly on March 6. In 2024, DGS alumni Jon Hansen (Class of 2002), Lee Ann Kim (Class of 1988), Paul Kludac (posthumous award, Class of 1997) and Michael Taylor (Class of 1985) were named distinguished alumni. Now through March 27, DGS is seeking nominations for its Class of 2026 Distinguished Alumni. The program recognizes alumni who have made significant contributions to society and whose accomplishments, affiliations and careers have honored the legacy of excellence at the school. Alumni who are selected will be recognized at the all-school homecoming assembly, parade and reception on Friday, October 16, 2026.   Summer Camp Sign-Ups are OPEN! Looking for a fun way to stay active this summer? Our summer camps are back and open for registration! Whether your student wants to sharpen their skills, try something new, or just have fun with friends, there’s a camp for them. Visit https://buff.ly/vnRycQQ to explore camps and register.   Sports Scene Crave sports news? Sign up for "Beyond the Scoreboard" to be "in the know" about our student athletic programs! DGN Newsletter Sign Up DGS Newsletter Sign Up   Mark Your Calendar! Our calendars have everything you need—all in one place. Simply visit our websites and hit “subscribe” to sync events directly to your phone or computer.  D99 Calendar DGN Calendar DGS Calendar  

Thursday, Feb 26 2026

D99 Connection: Keeping families informed and connected

Hello District 99 community! Welcome back to the second semester, and thank you for your partnership throughout the first half of the school year. As we begin this next semester, we will continue to emphasize that “Every Day” matters at District 99. Regular attendance is one of the most important commitments we can make together to support student learning, and we appreciate your continued support in helping students be present and engaged each day. I heard positive feedback from both teachers and families that our e-Learning Day last Friday was successful. While we never want to close our schools, we are grateful to have a strong alternative option that allows us to continue instruction when needed. As we move into survey season, the annual state-required climate survey will open next week. In addition, we will be sharing our district survey to gather feedback from our community. Students will participate during their Access period, and families will receive a separate email with a link to the family survey once it becomes available. We value your input and hope you will take a few minutes to participate. Thank you, as always, for your support.   Dr. Hank Thiele D99 Superintendent   Honor Rolls Announced Congratulations to the students who were named to Honor Roll for Semester 1 of the 2025-26 School Year! DGN Honor Roll DGS Honor Roll   Schools Welcome Class of 2030 On Monday, January 26, both North High and South High welcomed the Class of 2030 and their families into the schools. Current students, coaches, teachers and department chairs helped showcase all the academic and extracurricular opportunities we offer!   Making Music at State Congratulations to our Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) participants! We are proud of our talented student musicians who were selected to perform. DGN ILMEA All-State Musicians Andre Cheng (Violin) Paxxton Rehman (Tenor I)  Briley Steffes Student Composition (Singer-Songwriter) Ryan Perry (Trombone) DGS ILMEA All-State Musicians Taylor Ciucci (Alto I) Geovanni Cruz-Romero (Euphonium) Jurate Davies (Soprano I) Herbert Eli Dojoles (Viola) Olivia Dulik (Soprano II) Emilia Galdun (Soprano II) Gretchen Haselhorst (French Horn) Abby Heavrin (Soprano II) Cristina Mariano (Soprano I) Jack Melie (Bass I) Eliza Monjes (Trumpet) Sadie Novosel (Alto II) Maya Peterson (Tenor II) Jonathan Robinson (Tenor II) Evangeline Selking (Flute) Amari Thomas (Bass II)   Extra! Extra! D99 Shines at IHSTF! Students and staff from Downers Grove North and Downers Grove South participated in the 2026 Illinois High School Theatre Festival, celebrating its 50th anniversary. District 99 students Tess Lerette (DGN), Rain Heller (DGN), and Mo Harris (DGS) were selected for the All-State production of Newsies—an honor earned by only 100 students statewide out of 525 applicants! William Hunter Evans, South High’s performing arts center coordinator and technical director, served as the production’s scenic designer. This is Evans’ sixth time serving as an All-State scenic designer.   Local Hospital President Visits DGN President and CEO of Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Eric Rhodes shared his career journey with DGN students. He encouraged students to be open to all career options, to find a mentor who can help coach them along the way, and to prioritize developing relationships.   Inspire the Next Generation! DGS is looking for professionals to join its Career Speaker Series (Feb–April). It’s a 50-minute, informal session with a short talk and student Q&A. Please sign up if you are interested in participating!   DGN Teacher Receives "Cool" Fellowship DGN Science Teacher Jeff Grant has been selected as a 2026 Polar STEAM Fellow. He’ll collaborate with a polar research team in Alaska, bringing real-world science experiences back to students.   New District Leader Named On July 1, Dr. Kate Morris will be the district’s new assistant superintendent for student learning.  She will replace Gina Ziccardi, who is retiring after this school year after working at District 99 since 2005.    “I’m excited for the opportunity to become part of the District 99 community and to serve in this role, bringing my learned experience in data analysis, resource management and systems leadership,” said Dr. Morris. “I’m deeply committed to District 99’s mission and look forward to supporting schools through strategic, data-informed decisions that help close achievement gaps and expand opportunities for all students.”   DGN/DGS Sports Scenes Crave sports news? Sign up for "Beyond the Scoreboard" to be "in the know" about our student athletic programs! DGN Newsletter Sign Up DGS Newsletter Sign Up   Mark Your Calendar! Our calendars have everything you need—all in one place. Simply visit our websites and hit “subscribe” to sync events directly to your phone or computer.  D99 Calendar DGN Calendar DGS Calendar  

Friday, Jan 30 2026