District Update – Nov. 15
Gripp Grants Awarded
Yesterday, the D39 Educational Foundation awarded two Gripp Grants to District 39! We are grateful to the Educational Foundation for their ongoing support of innovation within our schools as we continue to provide a well-rounded education for our students. Congratulations to the following Gripp Grant award recipients.
• Audio-based learning tool at McKenzie - This grant will be used for a Yoto device, a versatile, audio-based learning tool that offers students a screen-free alternative to engage with educational content. The Yoto device offers audio stories and music that can significantly improve students' listening, comprehension, and language skills, just one of the many ways that this tool can support District 39’s vision for diverse learners.
• Toniebox audio players and accessories at Romona - These audio players will be available for our EC-4 students to access auditory media. Access to these devices will support auditory comprehension, calming strategies, academic independence, and reduce segregation of students with disabilities. These devices will allow students to auditorily access education curriculum that they previously were not able to access. The Tonies will fit into literacy, math, science, social studies, and our SEL curriculum standards across the EC-4 grade levels.
The awarding of these Gripp Grants for auditory learning tools will encourage collaboration and information sharing between the two schools, as D39 continues to strive for creative and innovative ways to support all learners.
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Fall parent/teacher conferences will take place on Nov. 20-22, immediately preceding Fall Break (Thanksgiving Week).
The sign-up window for families to schedule their parent-teacher conference appointments remains open and will close at 11:59 pm on Monday, Nov. 18. Please visit our D39 webpage for more information.
Parent Education Event – Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Monthly Themes
Make plans to join us on Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 11 am for our next Parent Education event titled “Substance Use Trends Parents Should Know About.” Families can join us in-person at the Mikaelian Education Center or virtually via Zoom.
Registration for this event is open now.
Please visit our Parent Education webpage for our full schedule of events as well as archived recordings of past events.