Superintendent's Message
While I was standing on a ladder last weekend, my nine year old son asked me why we put up lights in December. I think he was actually asking why our family, in particular, bothers to put up lights when the neighbors do such a better job, but I chose to take this question as an invitation to chat with him about this holiday season in general.
The months of November, December and January carry with them so many traditions that families of all backgrounds look forward to, including giving to others, reconnecting with family and friends, enjoying delicious meals and treats, and most universally, spreading light (literally and symbolically) in the darkness. We see these themes and traditions in the celebrations of Hanukkah, Diwali, Kwanzaa, The Feast of our Lady of Guadalupe, Christmas, and New Years - just to name a few. December is simultaneously and universally a time of reflection, celebration, generosity, resolution and light. My son started backing away slowly to play his Switch somewhere between ‘so many traditions’ and ‘delicious meals’. Maybe I’ll try again next year…
Based on visits to a lot of classrooms and sitting with many teacher and parent groups over the last few months, I am very confident that the D102 staff and this entire community practices ‘spreading light’ all throughout the year, and very impressively during the holiday season. I am so appreciative of all the ways that you spread generosity and joy to our students and each other. In a wonderful coincidence, I wrote this message the same morning that I visited a fourth grade art class at Congress Park. A special thank you to Isaac Diaz, Elenor Ewell, Gianna Fry and Ms. Holdman for sharing their light(s) with all of us.
While we have a couple weeks left of school before our winter break, I want to wish all families a restful and joyous break. And I want to encourage everyone to take a minute to reconnect or just check in on your neighbors, family and friends. Happy Holidays!
Snow Day Communication Procedures
As the winter season approaches, we want to ensure that our community is well-informed and prepared for any potential disruptions due to inclement weather. Our priority is the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and families.
Snow Day Communication Plan:
In the event of a snow day, we will promptly communicate the closure through various channels to keep everyone informed. Our primary communication channels include:
School Website: Visit our school website for the latest updates. We will post official announcements regarding school closures on the homepage.
Email: Parents, guardians, and staff will receive an email notification with details about the closure, including any relevant information.
Phone Notification: We will utilize our automated phone notification system to send out a recorded message to parents and staff.
Text Notification: Parents, guardians, and staff will receive a text notification with details about the closure, including any relevant information.
Important Note:
In the event of a snow day, please be aware that it will not be an e-learning day. Students and staff are not expected to engage in remote learning activities on these days. The focus will be on ensuring the safety of everyone, and any missed instructional time will be appropriately addressed by the school administration.
We understand that changes to the school schedule can be inconvenient, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation in prioritizing safety during adverse weather conditions.
Thank you for your continued support, and please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Introducing ParentView Bus Tracking App
We are excited to announce the introduction of the ParentView App, a powerful tool developed and operated by First Student, designed to provide real-time tracking of our school buses. ParentView gives you direct access to the status of your child’s bus. Whether deciding the best time to meet at the stop, or seeking detailed delay notifications, ParentView gives you the information you need to plan your day and stay connected.
Our partnership with First Student to enhance information and accountability for our bus service has been in development for the last few months. We are launching this new tool at Park Jr. High this month, and at all our Elementary schools after winter break in January.
Key Features of the ParentView App:
View ParentView Flyer - English
Ver el folleto ParentView - Spanish
Real-Time Tracking: Stay informed about your child's bus location in real time. No more waiting in uncertainty – track the bus and plan accordingly.
Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA): Receive accurate ETA updates, ensuring you know when to expect your child's arrival home or at the bus stop.
Notifications: Get instant alerts about any changes in the bus schedule, ensuring you're always in the loop.
Secure and Confidential: The ParentView App prioritizes the safety and security of your child. Rest assured, the app is designed with privacy in mind.
How to Get Started:
View Quick Start Guide - English
Ver la Guía de inicio rápido - Spanish
Download the App: Visit the App Store or Google Play on your mobile device and search for "FirstView – School Bus Tracking". You can also visit their desktop version of the website at: https://web.firstviewapp.com/
Create an Account: Follow the simple registration process to create your account. You'll need to input some basic information to get started.
Select La Grange D102: Once your account is set up, choose La Grange D102 as your school district within the app.
Open the ParentView app from your home screen and begin the registration process. You’ll be asked to:
Select State/Province: Illinois
Select District: Hodgkins
Student ID: Enter your student’s ID number from Powerschool
Add Your Child's Bus: Input your child's bus number to start tracking. You can add multiple buses if needed.
To find your student's bus number, view the Quick Start Guide above which has information on bus codes.
Frequently Asked Questions:
View ParentView FAQs - English
Ver las preguntas más frecuentes de ParentView - Spanish
Important Note: The ParentView App is designed to enhance communication and safety. However, it does not replace regular communication from the school regarding bus schedules or changes.
We believe that the ParentView App will be a valuable addition to our school community, providing you with peace of mind and making the transportation experience more efficient for everyone involved.
Family Resource Page
This page is dedicated to assist you with some of the most common questions throughout your child's school experience. Our goal is to address some of the most pressing questions you have as a parent. As we continue to develop this page we look forward to expanding the content of videos offered to families.
The Parent Video Resources can be found on the main page of the website along the right hand side of the photo gallery.
You can also access the Parent Video Resource page from the menu under the "Families" section listed as Parent Video Resources.
Quick Guide to MAP Scores
Quick Guide for FastBridge Scores
Ways to give to the community!
In the spirit of fostering a stronger sense of community and compassion, we proudly introduce our new section dedicated to Community Giving. At La Grange D102, we believe in the power of collective generosity to create positive ripples that touch every corner of our district.
Why Give? Because #KindnessIsContagious!
About Us: Here in La Grange D102, we recognize the importance of coming together to support one another. Our Community Giving initiative is a heartfelt endeavor to nurture a culture of giving, sharing, and caring. Through this platform, we invite community members and families to contribute to the greater good, making a meaningful impact on the lives of those around us.
What We Do: This dedicated space serves as a hub for all donation opportunities within the district. Whether it's supporting providing resources for families in need, or providing monetary donations, your generosity will directly enrich the lives of La Grange D102 families. Together, we can make a difference!
How to Get Involved: Participating in our Community Giving is easy and impactful. Explore the various donation opportunities listed below, each one representing a chance to make a positive change in our community. Your contributions, big or small, are valued and appreciated.
Spread the Word: Join us in spreading the word that #KindnessIsContagious! Share your giving stories, inspire others, and let the spirit of generosity flourish throughout La Grange D102. Together, we can create a community that thrives on compassion and support.
Get Started: Visit our Community Giving page regularly to stay updated on initiatives. Your involvement makes a difference, and we can't wait to see the positive impact we can achieve together.
Thank you for being a part of the La Grange D102 community, where kindness is not just a gesture but a way of life. Together, let's make our district an even more vibrant and compassionate place for everyone.
#KindnessIsContagious 💙
The La Grange D102 Community Fund aims to bridge the gap between donated supplies and additional resources needed to meet the diverse needs of our students. Recognizing that some families in our district face economic challenges, we believe in the power of unity and collective support. When you donate, you contribute to a general fund, which would be used to purchase supplies otherwise not donated through Cheri’s Caring Closet. Some examples of how these funds might be used would be to purchase items such as food, clothing, school supplies, beds, etc.
By coming together as a district, we strive to provide assistance and create a reliable donation center where families can find the resources they need. Our ultimate goal is to foster a caring community that uplifts and empowers every child, ensuring they have the necessary foundation for a successful educational journey.
In support of our vocalized commitment, the district has a new initiative in Cheri’s Caring Closet located at Congress Park Elementary School. It is a physical closet that accepts clothing donations from our communities; with the purpose of providing needed clothing items to D102 students.
La Grange D102 APP!
We’re thrilled to announce the new app for LaGrange District 102! It’s everything LaGrange 102, in your pocket.
Download the app on Android: https://bit.ly/3zbalhW
or iPhone: https://apple.co/3sHUGnZ.
Barnsdale Preschool Enrollment
We're Hiring!
La Grange Park is Hiring School Crossing Guards
Referral GPS - Connecting People to Treatment: We are committed to creating a culture of well-being for students, staff, parents, and the community. In an effort to continuously support this commitment, the district has entered an agreement with ReferralGPS.
ReferralGPS is a web-based service focused on assisting our students, staff, and community in finding local mental-health and substance use-related treatment. The service compliments the districts existing systems of support as a tool for student service teams and families to connect with treatment. Along with a searchable database of treatment options, ReferralGPS provides Care Navigation to assist families in triage, appointment setting, and follow-up care.
School families may access ReferralGPS in two ways:
1) Visit this link at https://referralgps.com/find-help/dist102 to search for treatment resources or connect with a Care Navigator anonymously.
2) Contact Student Services (social workers, psychologists, counselors) to seek out treatment options.
ReferralGPS takes into account all types of private and public insurance including PPO, HMO, Medicaid, Medicare, and families who are uninsured or underinsured. The platform also filters by age, gender, zip code, and special requests.
ReferralGPS is available for use by district students, staff, and families at no cost. All information entered on the ReferralGPS tool is completely confidential and securely stored.
If you are interested in seeking counseling-related services at this time, please consider visiting https://referralgps.com/find-help/dist102 or reaching out to the Student Services team.
Community Page
Looking to get you or your family involved in activities? Check out our community page for activities and programs within the area. Here are some activities currently on our community page.
Upcoming Events
District Events
Upcoming District Events
Dec 14: Board Meeting
Dec 19: Annual Winter Concert
Dec 23 - Jan 7: Winter Break (No School)
Jan 8: Return to School
Jan 15: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (No School)
Jan 18: Board Meeting
