A Board Report of the March 10, 2025 Board of Education meeting
This Board of Education meeting was held in the boardroom at 2801 York Road, Oak Brook, Illinois 60523; the regular meeting place. The public can attend Board of Education meetings in person, access an audio livestream of the meeting on the District’s website, or listen to meeting recordings that are uploaded to the District’s website within the meeting week.
District Updates
Board of Education Approves Butler School District 53 PTO to engage in Community Fundraising to Purchase Equipment for an Inclusive Playground at Brook Forest Elementary
The Board of Education has approved a fundraising plan for a new all-inclusive playground at Brook Forest Elementary School in collaboration with the PTO!
Help fundraise for much needed playground equipment at Brook Forest Elementary School! After months of dedication and collaboration with our community, with valuable input from our students, families, and administration, we have a solid plan in place. The D53 PTO, with the district administration and Board of Education, is committed to turning this vision into a reality. The PTO's goal is to raise $256,117 to fund the playground equipment, ensuring our community can enjoy a fantastic new, inclusive playground!
Over the next couple of months our community is coming together to raise funds. Register here: Family Login Page | Pledgestar to support the inclusive playground fundraiser and win school prizes. It all leads up to the grand finale - The Dolphin Dash, scheduled for May 7, 2025. More information about this initiative can be found by visiting, makewavesd53.com.
Dr. LaTonya Wilks, Director of Student Services, Receives ISBE Award of Excellence
We’re proud to announce that Dr. LaTonya Wilks, Director of Student Services at Butler School District 53, has been honored with the prestigious Award of Excellence through the Those Who Excel program by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).
This award recognizes educators who champion equity, lifelong learning, and student success while fostering strong school-community connections. Since joining District 53 in June 2021, Dr. Wilks has:
- Advocated for all students
- Led the Instructional Learning Classroom initiative
- Implemented the Multi-Tiered System of Intervention Supports
- Overseen student services for 26% of the district’s student population
- Introduced the Special Olympics program, launching this spring
Staff Appreciation & Retirement Dinner
Last month, we celebrated our dedicated staff and bid a special farewell to Brook Forest Elementary PE teacher Todd Beyer, who is retiring at the end of this school year, celebrating 33 remarkable years in District 53. We further recognized the following staff members who celebrate milestone anniversary years with District 53.
5 Years
Courtney Gurke
Nick Krejci
Jenny Marsala
Megan Payne
Karen Schiff
Ashley Shuliga
Emma Underwood
Meg Van Dyke
Liz Zarley
10 Years
Kim Krupicka
Jill Vonnahme
15 Years
Christine Grollo
20 Years
Barb Mini
Kim Pelletier
Board Approved New Physical Education Teacher for Brook Forest Elementary
At the meeting, the Board of Education approved Jaylen Jordan for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year. Welcome, Mr. Jordan to District 53.
School and Department Updates
Brook Forest Elementary
Principal Prola updated the Board on Brook Forest Elementary’s recent activities and upcoming events.
The district continues to align instructional technology with infrastructure and staff training. Teachers receive monthly training on various technology tools to support instruction and data collection, while also sharing strategies at faculty meetings. To enhance onboarding, mentors and mentees meet regularly to review goals for monthly events. Additionally, teachers are working collaboratively to integrate the new Social Studies curriculum with the State Literacy Plan. English Language Arts assessment scores are being aligned with nonfiction reading and writing practices in Social Studies to prepare for upcoming state assessments. The instructional team is also evaluating literacy resources for a pilot program in the 2024-2025 school year.
To support student well-being, the district is exploring evidence-based social-emotional learning practices. Teachers receive professional development from colleagues completing coursework in social-emotional learning and growth mindset strategies. Professional development is further expanded through growth plans and district initiatives, with faculty presenting insights from external coursework and weekly team meetings focused on strategy implementation and improvement.
Upcoming Events at Brook Forest:
- 3/14 – Reading Incentive Assembly (supports IAR Testing)
- 3/17-3/19 – IAR Testing (Grades 3-5 ELA and Math State Testing)
- 3/20 – Reading Night (6:00-7:30 PM at Brook Forest)
Butler Junior High
Principal Hamilton updated the Board on recent and upcoming events for Butler Junior High students.
To expand learning opportunities, the district is leveraging cutting-edge technology by developing a bi-weekly digital citizenship program, set to launch during Advisory next school year. Communication efforts have also been strengthened through weekly BJH messages, ensuring families stay informed about key initiatives like the 5Essentials survey. Additionally, a new pre-screening feature through Verkada now streamlines visitor check-ins, allowing parents, guardians, and community members to submit pre-screen approvals via a shared link.
Efforts to enhance school climate and student well-being continue through weekly SEL lessons focused on character development during Advisory. Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) are also being introduced at Butler Junior High, with teachers participating in monthly training sessions to prepare for a fully implemented PLC system in the 2025-2026 school year.
Upcoming Events at Butler:
- 3/25 – Spanish students will take the National Spanish Exam.
- 4/8 - 4/10 – IAR testing for all students.
Student Services Department
Team Updates
The Student Services team recently completed and presented the Workload Plan to the Education Committee of the Whole on February 14th. On the same day, district social workers shared the Social-Emotional Learning curriculum and curriculum maps with the committee. Additionally, teachers and related service providers participated in spring parent-teacher conferences to support student needs.
Looking ahead, the fourth IEP Bootcamp for Parents will take place on Tuesday, March 25th, at 2:30 PM, covering Transition Planning, Spring Testing, and supporting children during school breaks. Parents can also continue to provide confidential feedback through the Student Services Suggestion Box, available on the district website.
Health Services Update
In February, the Health Services team reviewed and updated enrollment documentation on PowerSchool and the Health Services website to ensure all procedures and student health requirements reflect the most up-to-date policies.
ELL Update
All English Language Learner (ELL) students have completed ACCESS testing, which assesses listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. These results will determine students' eligibility for ELL services in the upcoming school year.
Departmental Professional Development
- Special Education Teachers: Attended an IXL training to enhance skill assignments, smart scoring, and student engagement tools. They also received training on administering the Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM), an alternative state assessment.
- Paraprofessionals: Completed training on the district-wide CHAMPS classroom management initiative and proactive behavior support strategies, including providing choices and using verbal praise.
- School Psychologist: Participated in training on best practices for Section 504 Plan evaluations and compliance, as well as professional development focused on increasing efficiency and effectiveness in school psychology.
Student Learning and Staff Innovation
The Butler School District 53 is making significant progress toward its goal of implementing unified core competencies across all subject areas, including social-emotional learning (SEL). Teachers in K-8 Science, STEM/STEAM, and K-5 ELA are currently reviewing resources for a pilot program set to launch in the 2025-2026 school year. Additionally, the district's collaboration with Northwestern’s Center for Talent Development is advancing as part of the ongoing review of advanced learner programming. To ensure community involvement, the district has scheduled multiple surveys, focus groups, and classroom observations throughout February and March, leading up to a final report and presentation to the Board of Education on May 12.
Expanding professional development remains a key priority, with K-8 teachers participating in an NWEA MAP-led workshop on data-driven instructional insights on March 28. Butler Junior High teachers will also engage in professional development with District 86 to strengthen their partnership with Hinsdale Central High School, ensuring a smooth transition for junior high students. Meanwhile, the district is reviewing educational software to assess its safety, effectiveness, inclusivity, and overall impact on the learning experience. These initiatives reflect the district’s ongoing commitment to academic excellence, teacher growth, and student success.
PTO Updates
Brook Forest:
- Valentine’s Day Sale Fundraiser – Students enjoyed shopping for fun gifts. Thank you to Ashley Stout and our parent volunteers for making it a success.
Butler Junior High:
- Glow Party (Sock Hop) – Junior high students enjoyed an evening of food, music, dancing, and games. Thank you to Nadia Kalish, Ami Shah, Abby Jung, and Kathy Pollack for organizing.
Boosters:
- Drama – Boosters are assisting Ms. Marsala and Ms. Zarley with makeup, backstage support, and other production needs.
- Music – Working with Mr. Krejci and Ms. Marsala to support music programs. Boosters also funded instrument repairs at Brook Forest.
District Events & Fundraisers:
- Parent-Teacher Conferences – PTO provided meals from Wildfire to teachers.
- Altamura Pizza Fundraiser – Raised $400. Thank you to all who participated. Feedback is welcome.
- Family Night – Chicago Wolves Game (March 21) – Butler and Brook Forest families are invited to a fun night. Each ticket includes a free Wolves hat and a Zamboni raffle entry.
- Family Carnival – April 25 – Pre-order forms for games, attractions, and food were sent home. Orders are due by March 26 to avoid long lines.
Next PTO Meeting: March 14 at 9:00 AM, Butler Junior High Multipurpose Room.
Upcoming Board of Education Meetings
April 14, 2025 at 6:30PM: Regular Board of Education Meeting