Naperville Dist. 203 celebrating improvements for new school year

It's back-to-school time at Naperville Unit District 203 and we couldn't be more excited.

The 2014-15 school year is all about celebrating what's great about our district.

"Celebrate 203" is our theme for this year - and we have a lot to celebrate. For starters, you will notice some changes, including that our district logo and website have been "refreshed" to reflect a more modern aesthetic and the excellence of our district with a platinum and green color palate.

And that's only the beginning.

All-day kindergarten is available at all of our elementary schools this year, an important foundation for academic and social-emotional growth in our students. A new English/language arts curriculum is being introduced on the heels of our new math curriculum implemented last school year. A new science curriculum and course pathway are being developed. And a facility master plan, mobile app, digital learning initiative and a blended learning consortium with Indian Prairie Unit District 204 and Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200 are all new.

A Report to Our Community being sent shortly to all District 203 households will include key information about the district, including more reasons to Celebrate 203.

While we are celebrating many positive changes at the district, what remains the same is our unwavering commitment to advocating for the needs of all our students and promoting a passion for lifelong learning. We also will continue listening to you and acting on feedback about the district through our Focus 203 sessions.

Upcoming Focus 203 sessions will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, at Naperville Central High School, 440 W. Aurora Ave., and at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, at Grace United Methodist Church in Naperville. These sessions are a result of the Future Focus sessions held last school year, which helped the District develop our Focus 2020 strategic blueprint - a document that will guide the district's efforts through 2020.

Thank you for your support of District 203 and our community. We hope you will join us in celebrating the start of a great school year and Celebrate 203!

• Dan Bridges is superintendent of Naperville Unit District 203. His column will appear regularly throughout the school year.