Parent Update Friday, January 10, 2025 |
Dear SD 308 Community,
It's so exciting to have our students and staff back in our buildings as we prepare for a wonderful second half of this school year! With each new year comes an opportunity to try new things, constantly seeking to learn, engage, and inspire. As our students build off everything they learned in the last semester/trimester with a mix of excitement, growth, and anticipation, they can apply greater challenges and embrace fresh goals.
I'm inspired by our staff's continual desire to grow their knowledge and expertise. Our teachers and other school staff engaged in professional development during the Teacher Institute Day this past Monday, furthering their understanding of our district’s Foundational Practices: high-quality instruction, effective systems and teams, and equity and rightful presence. Across our organization, we value ongoing innovation and development for our students and our staff.
I invite you to join me in one of two town halls being offered tomorrow at Oswego East (9:30 am and 12:30 pm), as we collect community members’ voices for the development of our Strategic Plan. This plan includes ideas from students, staff, families, alumni, and other community members so that it's a true representation of our story. On a somber note, we hold in our hearts everyone impacted by the catastrophic fires in California. The loss of life and property across those communities is heartbreaking. We send thoughts of strength and resilience during this difficult time. Take care, |
Superintendent of Schools Community Unit School District 308 |
Dr. Khleghati and other SD 308 staff recently visited the Oswegoland Senior and Community Center, sharing updates on the development of our Strategic Plan. |
January 10: Mobile Food Pantry 6pm January 11: Town Hall Sessions 9:30 am and 12:30 pm
January 13: Board of Education Meeting 7 pm (Staff and Student Recognition) January 15: Diverse Learners Webinar 7:15 am and 4 pm
January 20: No School (District Closed) - Martin Luther King Jr. Day January 25: College Information Night 6pm
January 27: Board of Education Meeting 7 pm |
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| Honoring Dr. King's Legacy |
Each year, the third Monday of January is set aside in remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his lasting impact on civil rights.
This annual celebration of Dr. King's birthday is more than a day off school; it causes us to reflect on his contributions to society and the unique role each of us plays today. In addition to being a federal holiday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is recognized as a National Day of Service, a call to action for us to create change.
There are a number of ways to recognize the legacy of Dr. King. For example, the City of Aurora will be hosting the 40th Annual MLK Ceremony on this holiday. Further, many local organizations have opportunities to serve others in the community in honor of Dr. King. |
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Hazardous Travel Study Underway |
For the first time in 10 years, we are conducting a Hazardous Travel Study of our school areas. This is being done to ensure each student can safely access our school buildings.
Several adjustments will be made to our current transportation plan once all information is collected through this third-party analysis. These changes will be promptly communicated with our families prior to the start of the 2025-26 school year.
Click here to learn about additional ongoing improvements in our district. |
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Attention Parents of Incoming Kindergarten Students! |
Registration for incoming kindergarten students for the 2025-26 school year will open Monday, January 13. Watch for more information coming soon. We are excited to welcome these new faces to our district!
Click here to learn more. |
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Mobile Food Pantry - Friday, January 10 |
No School (District Closed) Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Monday, January 20 |
Reminder that there will be no school for any grades and the District will be closed Monday, January 20 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. |
Board of Education Meetings - Monday, January 13 and 27 |
Our Board Meetings are open to the public and start at 7 pm at Oswego East High School bi-monthly. You can read more about our Board of Education at www.sd308.org/board-of-education.
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A.C.E. 9th Annual Black Professionals Event
Saturday, February 1 |
Accelerate Career through Education (A.C.E.) invites the community to this opportunity to meet engineers, doctors, lawyers, business owners, United Airline Pilots, Tuskegee Next, and an actor. The event is open to all area students and will take place at Oswego East High School from 10 am to 1 pm. Click here to learn more!
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Oswego Foundation for Educational Excellence Fundraiser
Saturday, February 1 |
The Oswego Foundation for Educational Excellence (OFEE) is hosting a Dueling Pianos Picnic Fundraiser. Proceeds will go to classroom grants for SD 308 schools. The event will take place from 7 to 10 pm. Click here to learn more!
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Your Voice in our Strategic Plan |
In phase one of the strategic planning process, ideas from students, staff, families, and our communities are vital. Each perspective is important when it comes to planning the future of our schools. Our strategic plan will evolve as we collect information from online surveys, special focus groups, and parent, staff, and student meetings. This week, we hosted multiple focus group discussions, allowing us to hear from the voices in our community. The feedback we have already received is both highly valued and greatly appreciated.
Our town hall sessions (9:30 am and 12:30 pm) will take place at the Oswego East High School Community Room this Saturday, January 11. Additionally, we will be offering three virtual focus group meeting options that will take place over the next couple weeks: "Special Education" (Thursday, January 16 at 6:30 pm), "Multilingual Learners/Dual Language" (Thursday, January 23 at 5 pm), and "Gifted Education" (Thursday, January 23 at 6:15 pm). The meeting links will be made available closer to the event dates.
Please visit the link below to learn more about these upcoming opportunities for engagement. We are currently encouraging all members of our community to take this brief Community Survey. Additionally, please watch your email as we continue sending survey questions and our website as we post opinion polls. Thank you for your time and feedback as we work together to write the next chapter of our story.
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Join us for our Diverse Learners Webinar, where SD 308 leaders and team members will highlight career paths aimed at supporting students with diverse learning needs. You will learn about available roles in our district, such as special education teachers, paraprofessionals, and related service providers. These virtual sessions will take place at 7:15 am and 4 pm on Wednesday, January 15. |
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Free English Language Acquisition (ESL) Classes |
Beginning Tuesday, January 14, free English Language Acquisition (ESL) Classes will be offered at Old Post Elementary School, located at 100 Old Post Road, Oswego, IL 60543. Classes will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. The course will run through Thursday, May 22. Free childcare will be provided during class times. |
| College Information Night
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SD 308's High School Special Education Department invites students and parents of students with an IEP or 504 plan to a College Information Night. This group presentation is designed to help parents understand more about admissions and accessing accommodations and financial aid for their children when they attend college or a vocational/career school. This event will take place from 6 to 7 pm on Thursday, January 23. |
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Crosstown Challenge Continues After 20 Years |
A rivalry that began 20 years ago will be at the forefront of community members’ minds as Oswego High School and Oswego East High School prepare to face each other on the court. The Wolves will host the Panthers for the 20th Crosstown Challenge boys and girls basketball games this Saturday. This academic year serves as an athletic milestone in Oswego Community Unit School District 308, marking two decades of what has become a rich tradition for many.
“It is special because within the community, so many people know each other from other avenues, from earlier in childhood, or parents that hung out together,” said Dan Arntzen, Executive Director of Athletics in SD 308 and OHS Athletic Director. Click here to read more. |
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Adapting in the Spotlight: Milo's Story |
While touring Alabama A&M University with a group of peers, one student took a brave step into the spotlight.
“They handed out a flyer at the performing arts table and announced the audition to the speakers an hour before,” Milo, a junior at Oswego East High School, said in an email. “I truly auditioned because I didn't want to let the chance of seeing what a college audition process is like pass me by.” Click here to read more. |
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View All of Our Districtwide Announcements |
SD308 regularly posts announcements on our website to inform parents, guardians and community members. View our announcements to stay informed. |
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NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use and the intended recipient(s) regarding the business of the Oswego Community Unit School District. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact SD 308 and destroy all copies of the original message.
The Oswego Community Unit School District promotes mutual respect, tolerance and acceptance of differences. We empower, support, and motivate all students to thrive along their unique educational journey. |
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