Parent Update Friday, April 4, 2025 |
Dear SD 308 Community,
Spring is a season of change and growth—and here at SD 308, that spirit is in full bloom. We’ve officially begun the important work of implementing our Strategic Plan as we write the next chapter of “Our Story” together. With Board approval now in place, district teams are actively developing detailed work plans to outline the steps, timelines, and resources needed to achieve our shared goals. We’re committed to keeping our community informed and engaged throughout every phase of this process.
As part of this season of transition, we are preparing to welcome four new Board of Education members on May 5th. Change can be bittersweet—while we are excited to bring in fresh perspectives and individuals eager to serve, we are also saying goodbye to incredible Board members whose dedication and leadership have meant so much to our district. Serving on the Board is a significant, volunteer-based commitment that requires both time and continuous learning. We are grateful for the selfless service of both our incoming and outgoing members.
I am so proud of the amazing work of our students and staff, some of their accomplishments are highlighted below. Looking ahead, there are many exciting opportunities and events for students of all ages in the coming weeks. We encourage you to explore them.
Finally, a quick reminder: if you haven’t yet registered your student for next school year, please do so as soon as possible. Early registration helps us plan more effectively for staffing, class sizes, and scheduling. More details about registration can be found here. Thank you for being such an important part of our SD 308 community. Have a wonderful weekend.
Warm regards, |
Superintendent of Schools Oswego Community Unit School District 308 |
On Wednesday, staff members at Southbury and Lakewood Creek Elementary Schools dressed to raise awareness for World Autism Day! |
April 3: Policy & Legislative Committee BOE Meeting 5 pm
April 4: Oswego Satellite Kendall County Community Food Pantry 6 pm April 7: School Improvement Day - No School
April 7: Board of Education Meeting 7 pm
April 18-21: District Closed - No School
April 28: Board of Education Meeting 7 pm Check out the 2025-26 academic calendar here! |
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Grande Park's Hope Squad Promotes Positivity Among Peers |
At Grande Park Elementary School, a group of students gathers in the morning once every week, eager to listen and share during their Hope Squad lesson.
Hope Squad, a peer-to-peer suicide prevention group, provides a comprehensive curriculum to schools that house their programs.
“I have witnessed a growing need to address the increasing mental health challenges among our student population,” said Sean Smith, principal of Grande Park, in an email. “Implementing Hope Squad provided an opportunity to proactively support our students in several critical ways.”
Read more here! |
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| Dual Credit Courses Boast Significant Cost Savings |
For years, Oswego Community Unit School District 308 has offered Dual Credit course options to high school students interested in taking college-level classes for both high school and college credit.
During the 2023-24 school year, SD 308’s Dual Credit course offerings resulted in cost savings of over $550,000 in Waubonsee Community College tuition dollars. With the same calculations applied to the average rates of nearby four-year universities, students and their families saved $1.5 million in tuition in the last year alone.
“Any time we can prepare students for their futures, regardless of what that path is now, that is really important,” Mr. Owen said.
Read more here! |
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Pathways Proudly Prepares Students for the Next Chapter |
For many students in Oswego Community Unit School District 308, their educational journeys have not concluded once completing high school.
Some students have the opportunity to continue in SD 308 through their 22nd birthday as part of the Pathways Transition Program. Here, young adults learn functional academics, vocational and life skills, and independent living in addition to enjoying the occasional leisure experience with peers. The Pathways Transition Program offers an individualized learning experience for each student, equipping them with the skills they need to accomplish their future goals. “The unique thing about transition programming is that it really does look different for every student,” said Mr. Mecklenburg, principal of the Pathways Transition Program.
Read more here! |
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All Returning Students Need to Register! |
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Registration for both new, incoming kindergarten students and ALL returning students for the 2025-26 school year is OPEN! If students are not registered by May 23, 2025, their enrollment will be impacted for the 2025-26 school year. Click here to learn more about kindergarten registration, and click here to learn more about returning student registration.
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Important Senior Event Reminders |
As the school year comes to a close, the district wants to remind seniors and their parents/guardians about the expectations surrounding different end-of-year activities.
Students should exercise caution around "senior pranks" and other activities that are not sponsored by the district. For example, weapons of any kind (including water guns) are not permitted on school property, nor should they be included in photos of students wearing district-issued uniforms posted to social media. We ask our students to comply with these requests to prevent any disciplinary action or school community disturbances from taking place. Together, we can ensure the remaining weeks of senior year are a safe and memorable experience. Thank you for your understanding! |
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Courageous Connections Learning Series Wednesday, April 9, 16, & 23 |
Courageous Connections presents "Raising Changemakers: A Parent University Family Learning Series." All community members are invited to join us for these virtual sessions that will offer helpful tools to guide family conversations about diversity, fairness, and understanding. These sessions will take place from 6 to 7 pm. Click here to learn more and register!
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Mobile Food Pantry - Friday, April 4 |
Kindergarten Dual Language Informational Night
Wednesday, April 9 |
This meeting will take place at Hunt Club Elementary School from 6:30-7:30 pm. Click here for more information. |
College & Trade Expo - Thursday, April 24 |
This expo will provide the opportunity for students and families to learn about career and training options that do not require a four-year degree. The event will take place at Oswego High School from 5 to 7 pm. Click here to learn more!
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Senior Graduation Walk - May 14-16 |
SD 308 Elementary Schools would like to celebrate their graduating seniors! Click here to learn more about the timing, location, and more of these upcoming events for the Class of 2025! |
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Dr. Howerton Named Golden Apple Finalist |
Dr. Amy Howerton, English department chair and teacher at Oswego High School, was recently named one of 30 finalists for the Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching. Although honored by this recognition, what really warms Dr. Howerton's heart is knowing that she is making a difference in her students’ lives.
“That’s what I’ve built my career around,” she said.
Read more here! |
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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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