Education Partners - September 11, 2009

District 202 Education Partners, hello...

Hope you're enjoying this great late summer "heat wave." Soon enough most of us will be shivering and wishing for days like these...

Lots of news and photos this week, but first, these important notes:

• The Board of Education will meet in regular session on Monday, September 14, 2009 at Plainfield North High School, 12005 S. 248th Street, Plainfield. The public part of the meeting will start at 7:30 p.m. The full agenda will be posted later today on the district web site (www.psd202.org) under "Board Docs."
• The Jon Balke Art Gallery is proud to feature a unique exhibit this month, called "Picturing America." This is a collection of 40 high-quality reproductions of American art, courtesy of John F. Kennedy Middle School art teacher Connie Murray. The pieces were acquired through a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
• Our friends at the Plainfield Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring a Diaper Drive to benefit the Plainfield Interfaith Food Pantry. They need any size and brand of diapers diaper creme and baby wipes. The Food Pantry currently serves over 150 families from the District 202 area, many of whom need these basic supplies. Donations can be made at the Chamber office, 24047 W. Lockport Street, #109. Contact Liz Collins for more information at (815) 436-4431.
• The Edward Hospital Plainfield Harvest 5K Run/Walk will be held Sunday, September 27, 2009 at 9 a.m. in the Village Green in downtown Plainfield. The event will also include a Kidz Miler at 8:15 a.m. Register online at www.plainfieldharvest5k.com
• Check out the Plainfield Television Group's broadcast this weekend to see footage of District 202 student art work on display at last weekend's "Art in the Park" exhibit, presented by the Plainfield Art League. The Plainfield Television Group is Plainfield's community access television outlet. It is available on Plainfield village cable television systems on Channel 6. Or, visit the PTG web site at www.plainfieldtv.com
• All parents and guardians of 8th grade and high school students are invited to a drug prevention and intervention parent summit, presented by the Will County Schools Networking Group from 6:30-9 p.m. Wednesday, September 16, 2009 at Lockport East High School, 1333 E. 7th Street, Lockport. This is a free event. See the item below for more information.  

New Photos This Week
Please click on the "District 202 Photos" icon to see these photos of our students and staff in action:

• Community - Art in the Park
• Grand Prairie Elementary School - Patriot Day
• Plainfield High School-Central Campus - Yellow Ribbon Run Awareness

Virtual Backpack
We've posted seven new fliers this week on the District 202 "Virtual Backpack." Check out the Virtual Backpack section of this newsletter to review and download this week's materials.  

Finally...
District 202 is seeking applicants for its first-ever District Equity Advisory Council, which will help build on and guide the district's work to improve academic achievement by better serving all parts of its increasingly diverse community. This initial Equity Advisory Council will include 25-30 community members, parents and staff representing all races, ethnicities and geographic areas of the district. An application is available on the front page of the District 202 web site (www.psd202.org) Or, click here: http://www.psd202.org/Documents/DEAT_Application.pdf

This is a very important and significant step in our continuing diversity initiative. Thanks to everyone who considers applying.  

Have a great weekend.

Tom Hernandez
Director of Community Relations
Plainfield CCSD 202
(815) 577-4008 (office)
tahernan@psd202.org
"We Prepare Learners for the Future"