District Updates
Marlas Lunch
Butler School District 53 has partnered with Marlas Lunch as the new food service provider for the 2024-2025 school year. Families and staff need to create an account on the Marlas Lunch online portal to select and order lunches in advance. Orders must be placed by Wednesday at noon each week, and Marlas Lunch customer service is available for any questions or technical support. They can be contacted at marlaslunchinfo@gmail.com or (224) 269-0068.
Final FY2025 Budget Draft
The finance committee finalized a proposed budget for FY2025. The budget proposed will show the district has a balanced budget from the previous year. Also, it represents that the current construction projects are lower than the budgeted $20 million allocation. The district is maintaining a disciplined debt service model as previously outlined. There will be a public hearing held to approve the budget at the next board meeting on September 9, 2024.
School and Student Services Department Updates
Brook Forest Elementary
Principal Andrea Prola updated the Board on recent and upcoming events at Brook Forest Elementary:
New Student Open House:
- August 29, 1:00-2:00 PM
- Details: For Kindergarten, 6th grade, and new district students to meet principals and staff. Followed by an Ice Cream Social from 2:00-3:00 PM on the blacktop behind the Butler Junior High gym.
- Homeroom Teachers: Assignments will be shared on August 28th.
- 2024-2025 school supplies will be distributed to students during the first week of school in September.
- First Day of School: September 3rd, 8:20 AM on the elementary playground for a welcoming event.
- NWEA MAP Testing:
- Grades 1-5: September 10th and 11th
- Kindergarten: MAP Math assessment at the end of September.
- Curriculum Night:
- September 12th, 5:30-8:25 PM
Butler Junior High
Principal John Hamilton updated the Board on recent and upcoming events at Butler Junior High:
- Cross Country:
- Season started with practices at Oak Brook Park District.
- First meet at Clarendon Hills Middle School on August 27.
- Coaches Finke and Vonnahme and the team are looking forward to a great season.
- New Student Open House:
- August 29, 1:00-2:00 PM
- Details: For Kindergarten, 6th grade, and new district students to meet principals and staff. Ice Cream Social from 2:00-3:00 PM on the blacktop behind the Butler Junior High gym.
- Student schedules will be available on PowerSchool on August 28th.
- First Day of School: September 3, 2024.
Student Services Department
The Student Services Department is currently supporting 76 PreK-8th grade students, which constitutes 17% of the district’s student population for the 2024-2025 school year. Recent additions to the team include an English Language teacher, a school nurse, two resource teachers, an ILC teacher, a school psychologist, and a physical therapist. The staff now comprises 8 special education teachers, 2 EL teachers, 8 Related Service providers, and 12 paraprofessionals.
The department offers a comprehensive range of services including full inclusion, resource services, small group instruction, outplacement, counseling, social work, speech and language pathology, state required Multi-Tiered Systems of Support intervention support, and both occupational and physical therapy. They also collaborate with community partners for Child Find, which focuses on early intervention and evaluation.
Two new Instructional Learning Classrooms (ILCs) are being launched at Brook Forest Elementary, increasing the total to three across the district. Each ILC will accommodate 4 students with 1 teacher and 1 full-time paraprofessional. Parents of ILC students have expressed positive feedback, appreciating that their children can now attend school with their same-aged peers.
Student Learning and Staff Innovation
Director Melissa Zaniewski outlined the progress on key goals for the 2024-2025 school year. The District 53 Mentoring Handbook has been drafted, and mentors have been onboarded in preparation for the New Teacher Orientation. Additionally, plans to enhance educational technology with AI tools, integrate VR and AR into the curriculum, and align English Language Arts with the 2024 State Literacy Plan were discussed, with professional development and training scheduled throughout the year.
District Employee Retention: Longevity and Financial Enhancements
The Board of Education approved the reinstatement of a retirement plan for non-certified staff members that aligns with the retirement plan outlined in the collective bargaining agreement. This further demonstrates District 53's commitment to the retention of high quality staff members, recognizing District 53 as a destination district for employees.
Student and Employee Handbooks
The Board of Education approved the Student, Certified Employee, and Educational Support Personnel Handbooks that were finalized by the district attorney.
Upcoming Board of Education Meetings
- September 5, 2024 at 9:00AM: Infrastructure Committee Meeting
- September 9, 2024 at 4:30PM: Policy: Committee of the Whole Meeting (Action may be taken at Committee of the Whole meetings.)
- September 9, 2024 at 6:30PM: Public Hearing/Regular Board of Education Meeting