District 203 celebrates successes
It's hard to believe we're well into the 2015-16 school year. It's been an exciting two months at Naperville Unit District 203, and we have a lot for which to be proud. I'd like to take a moment and share some of our 203 Pride.
We kicked off the new school year with our inaugural Welcome to 203 Picnic. A rainy day couldn't ruin our fun as more than 600 people filled the cafeteria and hallways of Naperville Central High School to connect with their schools and community organizations, meet new friends, and enjoy food, music and fun.
The event aimed to build relationships among families new to the school district with established families and to provide information on a variety of community resources. All 22 schools, along with dozens of community organizations such as Loaves and Fishes Community Services, Naperville CARES, Literacy DuPage and the city of Naperville, had booths with information, games and prizes.
We successfully implemented Phase I of our Digital Learning Initiative by providing Chromebooks with Google Apps for Education to every student at Naperville Central and Naperville North high schools, personalizing and individualizing learning for our students through technology-enhanced curriculum. This initiative will be phased in over the next three years, first to junior high then to elementary. The pilot also has expanded this year to select junior high and elementary classrooms.
The community is invited to delve into digital learning at the schools, including hands-on demonstrations and lessons at the next Focus 203 sessions: from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, in the cafeteria at Naperville Central High School, 440 W. Aurora Ave.; and 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, at Grace United Methodist Church, 300 E. Gartner Road, Naperville.
In addition to an overview about digital learning at Naperville 203, including information on digital citizenship, the current Digital Learning Initiative at the high schools, and expanded junior high and elementary pilots, participants will break into groups to take part in a teacher/student led lesson using technology to enhance the curriculum. For information, visit naperville203.org.
Meadow Glens Elementary School recently was named among 335 schools nationwide as a 2015 Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. The school was recognized as an Exemplary High Performing School, those that are among their state's highest performing schools. Highlands Elementary School and Kennedy Junior High have been named as Blue Ribbon Schools in prior years.
Naperville Unit District 203 is proud of the many achievements of our students, teachers, administrators and community supporters. We look forward to continuing to share our 203 Pride with you.
• Dan Bridges is superintendent of Naperville Unit District 203. His column runs monthly in Neighbor during the school year.