Dear D53 Families and Staff:
We appreciate and value your partnership with us in educating the children of Butler School District 53. Thank you to our teachers who have prepared for our mid-year Parent Teacher Conferences this afternoon and to our parents who joined us to discuss individual progress for each student.
In follow up to past conversations related to district transportation, an additional route at Brook Forest Elementary began running last week to reduce the length of time students spend on the bus due to higher ridership. Assistant Principal John Hamilton will continue to partner with First Student to monitor route times. We look forward to more efficient transportation service for Brook Forest throughout the remainder of the school year.
Our continued implementation of Otus to enhance individualized student learning moves forward with advanced assessments that have been built by our teachers. Our teachers have aligned these assessments to standards. Standards-aligned assessments give insights into class and individual performance to better target instruction and differentiate. We are pleased with the progress that has been made as a district and how this will inform instructional decisions for this school year and beyond.
The District 53 Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting on Monday, February 13, 2023. At the meeting, the Board approved the 2023-2024 Board of Education Regular, and Committee Meeting schedule as well as the 2023-2024 academic year calendar. Students’ first day of school is September 5, 2023; the Tuesday after Labor Day. This accommodates Phase II of our Capital Vision Improvements projects. Additionally, the FY24 Tentative Budget process has begun.
I hope that you enjoy the long, holiday weekend.
Stay well, be safe!
Dr. Paul O'Malley
Superintendent of Schools