Last Monday night’s downpour did not deter around 50 educators from making their voices heard at the meeting of Evanston/Skokie School District 65’s Personnel, Building & Grounds and Finance Committee. District 65 Educators’ Council (DEC) President Maria Barroso served as the group’s spokesperson Oct. 11, as she did at the Sept. 27 Board meeting, beginning […]
Author Archives: Bessie Mbadugha
Posted inEn Español
La inscripción se acerca más a las proyecciones en el Distrito 65, pero aún por debajo de los niveles pre-pandémicos
El Distrito 65 está experimentando un regreso de estudiantes gracias al aprendizaje en persona, según una presentación de Sarita Smith, Gerente de Asignaciones Estudiantiles. En la reunión de la Junta Escolar del 27 de septiembre, Smith informó que en esta época del año pasado, había grandes variaciones (diferencias en la matrícula proyectada frente a la […]
Posted inSchools
Enrollment closer to projections in District 65, but still below pre-pandemic levels
District 65 is experiencing a return of students thanks to in-person learning, according to a presentation by Sarita Smith, Manager of Student Assignments. At the Sept. 27 School Board meeting, Smith reported that at this time last year, there were large variances (differences in projected versus actual enrollment) in five grades throughout the District – […]
Posted inSchools
District 65 approves e-learning plan that could end snow days
Snow days and extended school years that alter summer schedules may become obsolete in District 65’s near future, thanks to e-learning opportunities that were developed during the pandemic. At Monday’s Board meeting, the proposed e-learning plan was unanimously approved for submission to the State for final approval. Board President Anya Tanyavutti explained that the “plan […]
Posted inSchools
Special Education Parent Council hopes to widen sense of ‘belonging’ at District 65
“So, I understand he has Down syndrome,” stated a young boy as he approached Kelly Baldrate and her son, Sean, at a lakefront playground. Baldrate affirmed his statement and the boy proceeded to engage Sean in a conversation about pets and movies. The boy revealed that he had a school friend who has Down syndrome, […]
Posted inSchools
District 65 educators protest outside Board meeting: ‘Listen to our teacher voice’
Those attending the Sept. 27 Board meeting of Evanston Skokie School District 65 were greeted by a large group of District educators, dressed in black and holding signs outside the Joseph E. Hill Early Childhood Center, which houses the District’s Board meeting room. Because of COVID-19 capacity restrictions, the large number of demonstrators were unable […]
Posted inSchools
Five years after petition from District 65 parents, new State law says kids must get 30 minutes of recess
Miriam Barnett was among a group of parents who attended the District 65 Policy Committee meeting on Jan. 11, 2016, a petition in hand with over 300 signatures asking the District to enact a policy on recess. “We weren’t even asking for additional recess time … our main goal was to protect it,” Barnett said. […]
Posted inSchools
District 65 schools set to start COVID-19 testing
After a short delay, COVID-19 testing in District 65 schools is set to begin, with a potential start date of Monday, Sept. 20, according to a written communication from Superintendent Devon Horton on Sept.11. Along with public schools throughout the State, District 65 will be provided free Shield Illinois COVID-19 testing through the Illinois Department […]
Posted inSchools
Excited to be back at King Arts School
As school buses lined up at the curb and parents arrived on foot and bicycle, a palpable sense of anticipation was in the air outside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Literary and Fine Arts School yesterday afternoon. All eyes were on the front doors. One of the first parents to arrive, Arvin Hutcherson, was excited […]
Posted inSchools
COVID-19 vaccination mandate for all District 65 employees passes with unanimous vote
Evanston/Skokie District 65 Superintendent Devon Horton asked for the School Board’s support in requiring that all District 65 employees provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination by Oct. 15 or submit documentation to the Superintendent for a medical or religious exemption, no later than Sept. 15. At Monday night’s District 65 School Board meeting, the Board […]