- Cass School District 63
- Cass63 Connections
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The Cass63 Connections is communicated to parents and published on Cass School District 63's website weekly throughout the school year.
Cass63 Connections
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Cass63 Connections - January 13, 2022
January 13, 2022
Dear Cass School District 63 Parents,
Yesterday we shared updates regarding the revised CDC and IDPH health guidance for schools, with the key change being the possibility of a shortened isolation and quarantine time to as few as five days when certain conditions are met. A couple of these conditions include proper masking at all times, as well as assurance that students who return to school after the new timeframes remain fever-free without fever-reducing medication for 24 hours, diarrhea/vomiting have ceased for 24 hours and all other symptoms have improved.
While this is the guidance, I want to emphasize that we are not going to take any unnecessary risks with the health of our students, staff or families, with the particular need for everyone to be mindful and respectful of our students, staff and families with compromised immune systems or family health issues. Part of that will be an emphasis on making sure students qualify for being at school during the second five days. The updated Stay Healthy, Stay Smart! Plan references the importance of no symptoms and proper masking at all times, particularly for those returning from isolation or quarantine in days 6 through 10.
Also, under the new guidance, parents are more incentivized than ever to keep children home if there are any risks with close contacts or symptoms. When in doubt, please keep your children home, follow the guidance and they will be back in school soon. What we don't want to do is make the wrong decision and then have that many more kids out. Each positive case at Concord results in about 2 to 5 close contacts, while at Cass each case results in about 10 to 20. For the sake of the health of others as well as keeping our healthy kids in school, let's avoid this if we can, particularly with the community spread at the level it is right now.
As always, please reach out with any questions or concerns you may have. We truly appreciate the incredible kindness, support and understanding that so many people show in adverse situations. Despite the many challenges on our end, we remain fully committed to educating and supporting our children and supporting you as parents in any way that we can. Thank you!
Mark R. Cross, Superintendent
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
On Monday, January 17, our students will be out of school for the day in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.” ~MLK
Facilities Committee Tackles HVAC and Safety Issues
On January 11, the Facilities Committee met with school district staff, Board members and the school district architects and engineer to discuss, ask questions and provide direction on the urgent HVAC issues in the school district, as well as some of the aging safety and security systems. Much progress was made and the committee will meet again after the architect and engineer provide potential solutions for the committee to consider. Superintendent Mark Cross will also update the school community on the committee’s progress after the January 18 Board of Education meeting.
COVID-19 Data Dashboard
Now broken down for each school, here is the current COVID-19 Data Dashboard for both the most recent two weeks, as well as the 2021-22 school year. With the spread of the current COVID-19 variant in the community, we are making every effort to update the dashboard on a daily basis.
Cass Junior High Girls Volleyball Tryouts!
Girls volleyball tryouts are scheduled for Monday, January 31 and Tuesday, February 1 from 3:30-5:00 p.m. If your daughter is interested in trying out, please make sure she has an IHSA Pre-participation Examination Form on file that is dated no more than 12 months from the first try-out date. Please contact Mr. Mitchell with questions at lmitchell@cassd63.org.
Safe2Help Resources for Students
When a trusted adult is not available, Safe2Help Illinois offers students a safe, confidential way in which to share information that might help prevent suicide, bullying, school violence or other threats to child or school safety. This site is an incredible resource that also includes an anonymous tip line in the event children, parents or community members become aware of potential threats to safety.
There are also numbers to call or text for help. Parents are encouraged to review the resources available on the site, and this can also be downloaded as an app. Just look for “Safe2HelpIL” at the App Store or on Google Play.
Winter Weather Reminders
In the even weather-related school cancellations are necessary, we plan to have all students remain at home for e-learning that will count as a school day, while definitely incorporating time to play in the snow as well!
In the event in-person instruction is cancelled, the school district will send a notification to all parents via text and email once that decision is made. The notification will also be posted on our website at www.cassd63.org as well as on the school district’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Full-Time Custodian Vacancy
The district is still seeking a late-shift custodian at Cass Junior High School. The normal work schedule is Monday through Friday from 1:30 - 10:00 p.m. but the schedule is generally during daytime hours when school is not in session. Here is the application and information. Please contact Superintendent Mark Cross with any questions.
CARE Dine to Donate at Chuck's in January
Only two Wednesday’s left in January to take advantage of this opportunity. CARE has partnered with Chuck’s Southern Comfort Café to offer this month’s Dine to Donate every Wednesday in January. Please make sure to print this flyer and bring it with you, or have it available to show on your phone, so that CARE gets credit for your order.
Important Dates to Remember
Monday, January 17 No School – Martin Luther King Birthday
Archives
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Cass63 Connections - January 6, 2022
Dear Cass School District 63 Parents,
We are glad to be back from break and in full swing with our students, despite the challenges we face as it relates to the pandemic. For full disclosure, as of today we have 113 of approximately 950 students and staff excluded under the guidance as either positive cases or close contacts. 9 of our 20 positive cases and 51 of our 143 close contacts this school year have taken place this week.
While at this particular time we have had no known epidemiologically linked cases of COVID-19 at school, these are without question the highest numbers we have seen due to the extremely contagious nature of the current variant. While we are focused on keeping our students safe at school and have every intention of maintaining in-person instruction, we will continue to need your help and support as parents.
How can you help? If you have any doubt about your child’s status due to any symptoms or potential close contacts, we need your child to remain at home. In the vast majority of the situations at school, in hindsight it was often preventable. This is never said to place blame, but just to remain proactive and keep up the cooperative effort between home and school until we get through this stage of the pandemic.
Last but not least, it is critical that we are ALL mindful of our students, staff and families with compromised or weakened immune systems. Parents of children with these conditions should consult with a family healthcare provider to determine when it is safe to be in the school setting. Parents of children with healthy immune systems should keep these families in mind during times like these in particular. I can assure you that we do here at school.
Thank you for your continued communication, cooperation and support. The more we work together, the more successfully we will get through this. Thank you!
Mark R. Cross, Superintendent
Welcome New Cass 63 Staff!
We are excited to welcome Mrs. Sandy Leonard as the new administrative assistant at Concord Elementary School. Mrs. Leonard comes to us with experience in a similar role and will do a tremendous job with our students, staff and parents.
We also welcome Mrs. Michelle Carter who is covering as a substitute in preschool for Mrs. Kara Blatt, as well as Mrs. Lisa Daly who is covering as a substitute in special education for Mrs. Lauren Hodge.
Welcome to Cass 63!
Concord Holiday Fun!
Here are some pictures from Concord's holiday fun on December 17. The kids had a blast right before the holiday break!
Junior High Winter Band Concert
Under the direction of Mrs. Megan Legan, the Cass Junior High School band held its holiday concert the last week before winter break. It was wonderful to have a live band concert. The students did an amazing job.
Long-Term Facilities Planning Meeting
The Board of Education’s Facilities Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 11, at 6:00 p.m. In addition to two Board members, the committee also includes staff and has been expanded to include more parent and community representatives as well.
The committee will be meeting with the school district’s architect and engineer to plan how best to address issues related to Pillar 3 – Student Health and Safety of the Vision 2025 Strategic Plan. Specifically, the committee will consider the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) needs at both schools and develop recommendations for the Board to consider.
Concord Elementary Winter Reminders
With winter weather in full swing, please be sure to review the winter reminders for Concord to be sure your children are fully prepared for school with the cold weather.
Full-Time Custodian Vacancy
The district is still seeking a late-shift custodian at Cass Junior High School. The normal work schedule is Monday through Friday from 1:30 - 10:00 p.m. but the schedule is generally during daytime hours when school is not in session. Here is the application and information. Please contact Superintendent Mark Cross with any questions.
COVID-19 Data Dashboard
Here is the current COVID-19 Data Dashboard for both the most recent two weeks, as well as the 2021-22 school year.
CARE Dine to Donate at Chuck's in JanuaryCARE has partnered with Chuck’s Southern Comforts Café for Dine to Donate every Wednesday in January. Take advantage of this opportunity to let someone else cook every single Wednesday evening, but please make sure to print this flyer and bring it with you so that CARE gets credit for your order.
Alumni Corner
Congratulations to Cass 63 alumni who were named students of the quarter in the following departments: Activities - Andrew Deolitsis and Henry Sullivan, Art - Grace Wilcox, Educational Services - Tremaine Wilson, Music - Lily Levine, Science - Katie Mueller and World Languages - Manal Diab.
Also receiving accolades were Lukas Isberg, Abby O’Connor and Mia Wiley who were named World Language students of the month.
The December athletes of the month were Dana Euske for bowling and Brendan Savage for basketball.
Finally, receiving awards at a recent speech team tournament were Quinn Isberg and Annina Garro placing 6th in Dramatic Duet Acting, Tyler Hallman placing 3rd in both Humorous Interpretation and Original Comedy and Andrea Crisp placing 3rd in Special Occasion Speaking.
Congratulations to our graduates!
Community Connections
DuPage Regional Office of Education presents Building Resilience in our Children
Indian Prairie Public Library Maker StudioGlenbard Parent Series presents Cultivating Genius and Joy
Important Dates to Remember
Monday, January 17 No School – Martin Luther King Birthday
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Cass63 Connections - December 16, 2021
Dear Cass School District 63 Parents,
While this is not the message I would prefer to share as we enter the holiday season and break, we have to acknowledge that we live in a world that is not always safe. While statistically schools are the safest place for a child to be, recent events in other places are stark reminders that we can take nothing for granted.
In Cass School District 63, there is nothing we place a greater value on than the safety of your children. In a recent communication with our staff, I shared that the recent resurgence in school violence and related threats is a good reminder to be extra aware and vigilant with what kids are saying, writing, drawing and doing. Our staff will pass any concerns they see or hear to the appropriate school administrator, and we will follow up and act as needed and appropriate for the situation.
Having said that, it is equally incumbent on you as parents to do the same. Your kids are with you more than they are with us. Are you aware of what they are seeing or sharing on social media? Have you looked at their accounts? Do they know they can come and tell you (and certainly us here at school) if they see something concerning?
"If you see something, say something." This is a national campaign slogan that raises public awareness of potential terrorism, as well as the importance of reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement. It is also a perfect statement for what we need our students, parents and staff to do. Speak up! Don't ignore anything and know that it is okay to share. For every incident of school violence, there have been countless situations prevented because someone spoke up. While we would prefer to be notified directly or have someone call the police, Safe2Help Illinois is a very helpful website with great information, including an anonymous tip line. More information on Safe2Help is provided below.
Threats of harm or violence at school will not be tolerated. If something is shared, please know that we will investigate. We will involve law enforcement whenever necessary. We are aware of some of the vague threats around the country on places like TikTok and are being very vigilant with this as well. We follow what is going on and when information is received, we will act accordingly.
Let's make sure our kids are okay. Perhaps this is the most important reminder of all. We talk as a staff and practice the concept of watching, checking and asking because we know this is critical right now. It is easy to talk about "social and emotional needs of kids", but the most important part of that for so many is setting aside the phones and just talking and especially listening. While I have no proof, I personally believe that social media does far more harm than good when it comes to children and the messages they receive while still growing and developing. While I have yet to find someone who disagrees with that statement, social media isn't going away, but we can be aware of the impact and manage it with our kids if we choose to do so.
Sorry to be long, but this is too important to not talk about. It is something we have and will continue to take very seriously at school, and we need every adult in the lives of our students to do the same. We have the most child-centered staff in Cass 63, but we all know it is a total team effort between home and school. We have to all be on the same team, because when the adults are on the same page, the kids are the biggest beneficiaries. Please reach out to any staff member here at school if you need anything or have any concerns at all. We love our students and will do anything we can to help.
Family time is so important, and we hope you have a wonderful break and holiday season. Otherwise, we look forward to seeing the kids again on January 4.
Happy Holidays!
Mark R. Cross, Superintendent
Safe2Help Resources for Students
When a trusted adult is not available, Safe2Help Illinois offers students a safe, confidential way in which to share information that might help prevent suicide, bullying, school violence or other threats to child or school safety. This site is an incredible resource that also includes an anonymous tip line in the event children, parents or community members become aware of potential threats to safety.
There are also numbers to call or text for help. Parents are encouraged to review the resources available on the site, and this can also be downloaded as an app. Just look for “Safe2HelpIL” at the App Store or on Google Play.
Winter Break Schedule Reminders
As a reminder, we have early dismissal on Friday, December 17 with Concord dismissing at 11:15 am and Cass at 12:00 pm. School resumes for students on Tuesday, January 4, and the Cass63 Connections will resume on Thursday, January 6.
Board Discusses HVAC Needs at Concord and Cass
At our most recent meeting, the Board of Education held an in-depth discussion regarding the urgent need to address the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) needs at both Concord Elementary and Cass Junior High Schools. Details on this as well as the 2021 tax levy and other Board action is available in the most recent Board Briefs.
Chess Tryouts
Cass Junior High will be holding Chess Tryouts in the Cass Junior High Library on Wednesday, January 5 and Thursday, January 6 from 3:35 to 5:00 p.m. You must attend both days of the tryouts to be considered. Please contact Mrs. Karen Mosquera at kmosquera@cassd63.org with any questions.
Staying Healthy through the Holiday Season
We know many of our families are looking forward to a wonderful holiday season and time with family and friends. Have fun and enjoy! Unfortunately, our community’s COVID-19 numbers remain elevated from recent weeks, and some schools in parts of Illinois have been forced to close as a result. This is the last thing we want, so ask that parents remain vigilant with being aware of close contacts and symptoms when students return to school on Tuesday, January 4, particularly after spending time with extended family and friends or if you will be travelling. Let’s keep our kids in school!
AWARE Program – Reminder for 8th Grade Parents
This week, on Friday, December 17, 8th grade students will begin their AWARE (Adolescents with Awareness, Resources and Education) Program. Please see AWARE Program for more information from Principal Christine Marcinkewicz on this program.
Some Special Holiday Music
The Cass Junior High School Advanced Ensemble serenaded our students and staff this week, entertaining everyone with holiday music. What a talented group of young singers. Thank you to chorus teacher Becky Kriz for organizing this special treat and for preparing our students so well!
Cass Junior High Door Decorating Contest
The Cass Junior High Student Council held a homeroom door decorating contest that added a lot of fun to the last week before holiday break. The students did a great job collaborating together to create these festive doorways for all to enjoy!
Administrative Assistant Vacancy
Cass School District 63 is seeking an administrative assistant at Concord Elementary School. This is a 12-month position that will be filled as soon as possible. If you have any interest or know of a potential candidate, here is the application and more detailed information. Please contact Dr. Laura Anderson with any specific questions.
The district is also still seeking a late-shift custodian at Cass Junior High School. The normal work schedule is Monday through Friday from 1:30 - 10:00 p.m. but the schedule is generally during daytime hours when school is not in session. Here is the application and information. Please contact Superintendent Mark Cross with any questions.
January Lunch Menus
CARE Dine to Donate at Chuck's in JanuaryCARE has partnered with Chuck’s Southern Comforts Café for Dine to Donate every Wednesday in January. Take advantage of this opportunity to let someone else cook every single Wednesday evening, but please make sure to print this flyer and bring it with you so that CARE gets credit for your order.
COVID-19 Data Dashboard
Here is the current COVID-19 Data Dashboard for both the most recent two weeks, as well as the 2021-22 school year.
Alumni Corner
Congratulations to Hinsdale South High School students Jenna Cox, Elisa Dooley, Elijah John, Ryan Mueller, Molly Savage, Rayhan Shah and Henry Sullivan for being named Illinois State Scholars!
Congratulations to Cass 63 alumni Collin Caldwell for taking 2nd place in the World Language Week poster and social media contests.
Alumni Olutomiwa Adeeyo, Matt Sagat and Henry Sullivan have successfully launched the Hinsdale South Recording and Broadcasting Club after raising funds to transform the school’s old radio station room into a modern facility; purchasing new equipment and upgrading the space. Well done!
Community Connections
Important Dates to Remember
Friday, December 17 Early Release Day – Concord at 11:15 am/Cass at 12:00 pm
Monday, December 20 No School – Winter Break Begins
Monday, January 3 No School – Institute Day
Tuesday, January 4 School Resumes!
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Cass63 Connections - December 9, 2021
Dear Cass School District 63 Parents,
As we might expect when we see higher numbers in the COVID-19 data within our local community, we are seeing some of that among our students and families as well. The good news is that we continue to see most of this outside of the school setting because our parents are following the guidance and using caution and good common sense when situations arise.
This is appreciated more than you know and on behalf of the students, staff and families, I would simply ask that as parents you continue to be as vigilant as possible with monitoring for symptoms and close contacts within your household. This will be even more important as so many families and friends gather during the upcoming holiday season.
At school, we are also following the guidance and doing our very best as a district to keep your kids safe and in school where they belong. From the efforts of our teachers and staff to the comprehensive onsite testing program to the recent vaccine clinics for our children ages 5 to 11, it has been a true community effort and partnership.
Regarding the on-site testing program with Northshore Clinical Labs, due to high demand it is taking more time to get results. What was expected within a day is now taking two to three days. For our many parents who are participating in the testing program, I just wanted to make you aware of this issue. We will update you more as needed.
As always, please let us know if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you!
Mark R. Cross, Superintendent
Our Core Beliefs and Values in Cass 63
- The health, safety and welfare of our students and staff must never be compromised and will always come first.
- A solid foundation in reading, writing, math, science, social studies, art and music is critical to academic achievement, just as physical fitness, technology and citizenship are essential to life success.
- Kindness, respect, integrity, creativity, curiosity, perseverance and teamwork are characteristics and skills that will be reinforced in our work each day with our students.
- Children are each unique in their background, culture, diversity, experiences, and ability, and barriers to achievement and growth must be eliminated wherever possible so that each individual is empowered to meaningfully contribute to our community.
- A collaborative partnership with open communication between home and school is essential to the academic and emotional growth of our children.
- Financial resources will be used efficiently and equitably to achieve our mission, to provide a safe learning environment and to meet the diverse needs of our students.
Concord Soap Drive Service Project
For their annual service project, Concord Elementary School has partnered with the Darien Woman’s Club and Darien Lions Club. Through December 15, they are collecting bar and body Wash, dish soap, hand soap and laundry detergent for area families to add to holiday food baskets. Please consider participating in this drive by dropping soap products off in the collection bin outside the front office at Concord Elementary and Cass Junior High schools.
Chess Tryouts
Cass Junior High will be holding Chess Tryouts in the Cass Junior High Library on Wednesday, January 5 and Thursday, January 6 from 3:35 to 5:00 p.m. You must attend both days of the tryouts to be considered. Please contact Mrs. Karen Mosquera at kmosquera@cassd63.org with any questions.
Administrative Assistant Vacancy
Cass School District 63 is seeking an administrative assistant at Concord Elementary School. This is a 12-month position that will be filled as soon as possible. If you have any interest or know of a potential candidate, here is the application and more detailed information. Please contact Dr. Laura Anderson with any specific questions.
The district is also still seeking a late-shift custodian at Cass Junior High School. The normal work schedule is Monday through Friday from 1:30 - 10:00 p.m. but the schedule is generally during daytime hours when school is not in session. Here is the application and information. Please contact Superintendent Mark Cross with any questions.
Winter Gnome Paint Kits AvailableDon’t miss out on this fun family activity that CARE is offering. Winter Gnome Paint Kits are available so please make sure to order yours today to help add to your holiday fun!
COVID-19 Data Dashboard
Here is the current COVID-19 Data Dashboard for both the most recent two weeks, as well as the 2021-22 school year.
Alumni Corner
Congratulations to Cass 63 alumni Wesley Davis, Elijah John, Ryan Mueller and Henry Sullivan on being selected as ILMEA All State Musicians!
Important Dates to Remember
Friday, December 17 Early Release Day – Concord at 11:15 am/Cass at 12:00 pm
Monday, December 20 No School – Winter Break Begins
Monday, January 3 No School – Institute Day
Tuesday, January 4 School Resumes!
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Cass63 Connections - December 2, 2021
Dear Cass School District 63 Parents,
In the most recent Cass63 Connections, I shared that the Board of Education adopted our Vision 2025 Strategic Plan. While all three pillars of the plan certainly carry equal weight, nothing is going to be a bigger priority in our planning than Pillar 3 – Student Health and Safety. Keeping our children and employees healthy and safe will always come first.
We are proud of our nice, clean schools and for the most part, our facilities are sound educationally. However, one of the things we absolutely have to tackle as a district is modernizing and updating some of the infrastructure as it relates to our heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, as well as our safety and security needs. We have some updates and improvements that are long overdue and at least some will need to be addressed sooner rather than later.
To prepare for this, we have been working in the background with key staff and our architect so we can prepare what we need for the Board Facilities Committee to consider and help develop recommendations. This committee not only includes two Board members and several district staff, but also three of our Cass 63 parents.
Whatever we eventually do, we want the process to be open and transparent, and the long-term solutions to be smart and efficient. What matters in the end is that our schools are as healthy and safe as they can be for our kids and our staff.
Never hesitate to reach out if you have any questions and I will continue every effort to keep our school community informed as we go forward. Thank you!
Mark R. Cross, Superintendent
Our Mission in Cass 63
We will help our children achieve their maximum academic and emotional growth by providing a healthy and safe environment, fostering a love of learning, promoting kindness and respect, and valuing all who learn and work in our schools.
Students Rocking Newbery Books
Congratulations to four of our Cass Junior High School students who have already finished all 25 Mock Newbery books! Awesome job!
Musical Artist Shawn Maxwell Joins Cass Junior High Bands
Thank you to Mr. Shawn Maxwell for joining Mrs. Megan Legan and our junior high Jazz Band and clarinet and saxophone students. Our students learned so much about improvisation, embouchure, reeds, and more! Mr. Maxwell is a composer, recording artist, performer and Saxophonist based in the Chicago area.
Administrative Assistant Vacancy
Cass School District 63 is seeking an administrative assistant at Concord Elementary School. This is a 12-month position that will be filled as soon as possible. If you have any interest or know of a potential candidate, here is the application and more detailed information. Please contact Dr. Laura Anderson with any specific questions.
The district is also still seeking a late-shift custodian at Cass Junior High School. The normal work schedule is Monday through Friday from 1:30 - 10:00 p.m. but the schedule is generally during daytime hours when school is not in session. Here is the application and information. Please contact Superintendent Mark Cross with any questions.
Planning for Winter WeatherWeather-related school cancellations can sneak up quickly this time of year. In the event this is necessary, we plan to have all students remain at home for e-learning that will count as a school day AND we will definitely incorporate time to play in the snow as well!In the event in-person instruction is cancelled, the school district will send a notification to all parents via text and email once that decision is made. The notification will also be posted on our website at www.cassd63.org as well as on the school district’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.
December Lunch Menus
Cass Junior High School Lunch Menus
Concord Elementary School Lunch Menus
Winter Gnome Paint Kits Available
Don’t miss out on this fun family activity that CARE is offering. Winter Gnome Paint Kits are available so please make sure to order yours today to help add to your holiday fun!
COVID-19 Data Dashboard
Here is the current COVID-19 Data Dashboard for both the most recent two weeks, as well as the 2021-22 school year.
Community Connections
Darien Woman’s Club and Darien Lions Club Soap Drive
Glenbard Parents Series presents Friendship
Santa’s Drive Through at Benedictine University
Important Dates to Remember
Friday, December 17 Early Release Day – Concord at 11:15 am/Cass at 12:00 pm
Monday, December 20 No School – Winter Break Begins
Monday, January 3 No School – Institute Day
Tuesday, January 4 School Resumes!
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Cass63 Connections - November 18, 2021
Dear Cass School District 63 Parents,
Following through on our collective belief that we need a long-term plan to achieve greater success and keep moving forward, earlier this week the Board of Education adopted the Vision 2025 Strategic Plan. This was an effort that extended over three months and the survey results, feedback and discussion along the way helped us keep the plan clear, simple and focused on our students and our future as a school district.
The areas of Academic Growth and Achievement, Student Services and Support and Student Health and Safety are the pillars of our plan, with seven indicators under each of the three pillars. As part of the plan, the Board also approved our new mission as well as our core values and beliefs, which are provided below and will drive our decisions and planning as well.
In addition to the link above, here is the one-page Strategic Plan Summary. I would encourage everyone in our school community to review our plan, mission, and our core beliefs and values, as this will be essential in our planning and work. As your superintendent, I will periodically share on areas of focus and our progress as we go forward.
On behalf of the Board of Education, thank you to our parents, as well as our recent graduates and staff, who took the time to provide input and direction. We believe it will be time very well spent and we appreciate your support more than you know.
After parent-teacher conferences, have a wonderful Thanksgiving and we will see your kids again on November 29. Thank you!
Mark R. Cross, Superintendent
Our Mission
We will help our children achieve their maximum academic and emotional growth by providing a healthy and safe environment, fostering a love of learning, promoting kindness and respect, and valuing all who learn and work in our schools.
Our Core Believes and Values
- The health, safety and welfare of our students and staff must never be compromised and will always come first.
- A solid foundation in reading, writing, math, science, social studies, art and music is critical to academic achievement, just as physical fitness, technology and citizenship are essential to life success.
- Kindness, respect, integrity, creativity, curiosity, perseverance and teamwork are characteristics and skills that will be reinforced in our work each day with our students.
- Children are each unique in their background, culture, diversity, experiences, and ability, and barriers to achievement and growth must be eliminated wherever possible so that each individual is empowered to meaningfully contribute to our community.
- A collaborative partnership with open communication between home and school is essential to the academic and emotional growth of our children.
- Financial resources will be used efficiently and equitably to achieve our mission, to provide a safe learning environment and to meet the diverse needs of our students.
No School Week of November 22
We hope that you and your family enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving next week. Please note that due to the holiday, there will be no Cass63 Connections next week and we will resume weekly communications on Thursday, December 2.
1st Trimester Progress Reports
Progress reports will be available to all parents in PowerSchool on Friday, November 19. Here are the directions on how to access the progress reports and feel free to contact your child’s school office with any questions.
Music Students Shine at ILMEA
Congratulations to Elliot Davis, Boston Desmond, Wojciech Gilarski, Sammie Knutte, Taylor Mazur, Nora Schaffer, Connor Topf and Ben Wyent, our eight ILMEA Junior Honor Band students who performed at the ILMEA District 1 Junior Festival on November 6. Also congratulations to Antonio Bosiljanov who also performed in the ILMEA Jazz Festival on November 13. We are proud of their hard work and for representing Cass Junior High at this prestigious event!
Special congratulations go to Wojciech Gilarski who was selected to perform with All Illinois Junior Band! This is a huge accomplishment as he was one of 75 musicians chosen from close to 200 students to perform with this prestigious group. He will be performing in the festival at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign on January 14 and 15 with junior high musicians from across Illinois.
November 16 Board of Education Meeting
The Cass School District 63 Board held its monthly meeting on November 16 and the Board Briefs provide an overview of key discussion items and action at the meeting.
Supporting Our Troops Overseas
As an extension of Veterans Day, students and staff at Cass Junior High School were asked to donate various items to a soldier in Iraq, with a personal connection to one of our Cass families. As usual, our students and staff exceeded expectations and brought in over 600 items to donate! Special thanks to 7th grade parent Kerry Baur, who generously paid for the shipping abroad. Thank you for supporting our troops!
Our 8th Grade Scientists
8th grade students worked for several weeks on experiments of their choosing and then discussed and presented their findings with their peers and our guests. On November 9, parents were invited to see the culmination of all their hard work in Mrs. Paszkowski’s classes.
COVID-19 Data Dashboard
Here is the current COVID-19 Data Dashboard for both the most recent two weeks, as well as the 2021-22 school year.
CARE Dine to Donate at Zoup on November 30
CARE is holding its next Dine to Donate at Zoup on November 30 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Please be sure to print and bring this flyer with you, or have it saved on your phone, to ensure that your purchase is credited back to CARE.
Community Connections
Darien Historical Society presents Annual Lighting Ceremony
DLD Dance Center presents Giraffes Can’t Dance
Glenbard Parent Series presents Positive Thinking for Teens
Important Dates to Remember
Friday, November 19 Progress Reports available through PowerSchool
Monday, November 22 Virtual Parent-Teacher Conferences (appointment required)
Tuesday, November 23 Virtual Parent-Teacher Conferences (appointment required)
Monday, November 22 - No School – Thanksgiving Break
Friday, November 26Monday, November 29 School Resumes
Tuesday, November 30 2nd Dose 5-11 Vaccine Clinic at Concord
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Cass63 Connections - November 11, 2021
Dear Cass School District 63 Parents,
This week, I would like to call attention to and honor three distinct and special groups of people.
This coming week is American Education Week and we use this opportunity to recognize and thank all educators who work in our schools. This obviously includes our teachers, but also our dedicated teacher assistants, bus drivers, custodians, administrative assistants, clerks, nurses and building administrators. Every day, I am more and more impressed with the dedication of our staff and their focus on our students. If you have a moment next week and wish to do so, a quick email or message saying thank you means more to our people than you will ever know.
School Board Member Appreciation Day in Illinois is November 15, which is a great reason to give a shout out to the seven people on our Board. These individuals take on a thankless but important job with no compensation, all in service to the governance of our school district. Their common voice, leadership and support allows me to do my job and keep the district functioning at a high level and focused on our students.
Last and most certainly not least, we want to thank our Veterans. On this Veterans Day and every other day, there are never enough words to express our gratitude for their service to our country. We would like to especially thank any members of our school and local community who have served in the armed forces. To all of our Veterans, thank you for your service!
Mark R. Cross, Superintendent
Honoring our Veterans at Cass Junior High
Our 7th grade students in Mrs. Malik’s classes and Mrs. Vaci’s class wrote heartfelt letters to veterans and active duty service members residing as close as Darien to as far away as Japan and Iraq in an annual authentic learning experience. Our students thanked all of our veterans and are in awe of their sacrifice and bravery.
5th Grade Egypt Project
Cass Junior High 5th graders, led by teacher Marie Musil, are finishing up their ancient Egypt unit by learning all about the mummification process. These students, using stuffed animals, performed their own mummification including some ceremonial parades.
5th Grade Science Project
The 5th grade students were asked to design a lab experiment to answer the inquiry question of: What is the impact of heat on water as compared to soil samples such as dirt and sand? They used the steps of the scientific method to design their lab in lab groups. They will run several trials, collect and analyze data and write a conclusion that incorporates a CER (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning). They will also incorporate a data table and graph. This is the culmination of three lab activities designed to foster an understanding of the impact that heat episodes have on nature and the environment.
Board Facilities Committee Vacancy
The Board of Education Facilities Committee has a vacancy for a parent or community member. This committee will soon be working on planning long-term to address a number of needs in the school district, including how best to tackle our HVAC, safety and security needs. If you are interested, please contact Superintendent Mark Cross at mcross@cassd63.org by Monday, November 15.
Board Member Appreciation
School Board Member Appreciation Day is November 15 and we appreciate these seven community leaders in Cass School District 63. Thank you to President Shelly Camden, Vice President Kent Absalonsen, Secretary Alice Esposito and Members Lana Johnson, Rinku Patel, Urszula Tanouye and Steve Wyent for their service to our school district and community.
1st Trimester Progress Reports – Friday, November 19
Please make a note that progress reports will be available to all parents in PowerSchool on Friday, November 19. Please see these directions on how to access the progress reports and contact your child’s school office with questions.
Winter Weather Announcements
As much as we would rather not think about it, we are in that time of year when we could see weather-related cancellations of school. In the event this is necessary, we plan to have all students remain at home for e-learning that will count as a school day AND we will definitely incorporate time to play in the snow as well!
In the event in-person instruction is cancelled, we will send a notification to all parents via text and email once that decision is made. The notification will also be posted on our website at www.cassd63.org as well as on school district social media accounts.
No Eating on the Bus
As we remind our students, this is also a reminder to parents that eating is not allowed on the bus to or from school. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s school office.
Cass Junior High Boys' Basketball Tryouts
Tryouts for boys’ basketball will be held on November 18 and 19 in the Cass Junior High gym from 3:30-5:00 p.m. If your son is interested in trying out, please be sure he has a current physical (dated within the last 12 months) on file in the Cass Junior High office. Please contact the Cass Junior High office at 331-481-4000 (x 2) with any questions.
CARE Updates
CARE’s virtual book fair starts today for Concord Elementary School. This is a great opportunity to take care of some of your holiday shopping.
Speaking of holiday shopping, CARE’s Winter Holiday Fundraiser ends on Monday, November 15 so please be sure to place your order today so that you do not miss out!
COVID-19 Data Dashboard
Here is the current COVID-19 Data Dashboard for both the most recent two weeks, as well as the 2021-22 school year.
Cub Scouts Looking for Members
Cub Scout Pack 3097 is looking for members in Kindergarten through 4th grade. If your child is interested in joining Cub Scouts, please email concord3097@gmail.com.
Alumni Corner
Please join us in congratulating alumni Andrea Crisp, Wesley Davis, Elijah John, Ryan Mueller and Henry Sullivan for being selected to the ILMEA All District Band, Choir, Jazz Band and Orchestra.
Community Connections
Glenbard Parent Series presents What Do You Say?
Important Dates to Remember
Friday, November 12 Cass Junior High Parent-Teacher Conference Registration Deadline
Friday, November 12 End of First Trimester
Friday, November 19 Progress Reports available through PowerSchool
Monday, November 22 Virtual Parent-Teacher Conferences (appointment required)
Tuesday, November 23 Virtual Parent-Teacher Conferences (appointment required)
Wednesday, November 24 - No School – Thanksgiving Break
Friday, November 26 -
Cass63 Connections - November 4, 2021
Dear Cass School District 63 Parents,
Earlier today, we provided all Cass 63 parents with the registration portal and detailed information for the pediatric vaccination clinic we are hosting with our provider Osco for newly eligible children in the 5 - 11 age group. The first dose clinic is scheduled for this Tuesday, November 9.
If you plan to have your child participate, please read that message carefully and register by the deadline this Sunday, November 7, at 9:00 p.m. Multiple appointments are available in 15-minute increments on a first-come, first-served basis. For those of you registering more than one child, just register one after the other for the same time. If something is already taken, try to grab the one right before or right after. Once you register, we will make sure we get your family through at the same time, but registration in advance through the portal by the Sunday deadline is required.
All of the other information you need to know is in that message. If you have any questions or need any additional information, please reach out anytime now or over the weekend at mcross@cassd63.org. Thank you!
Mark R. Cross, Superintendent
1st Trimester Progress Reports Coming Soon
It is hard to believe that the end of the 1st trimester ends next Friday, November 12. Please make note that progress reports will be available to all parents in PowerSchool on Friday, November 19. Here are the directions on how to access the progress reports and please contact your child’s school office with questions.
8th Grade Science Fair November 9
Eighth grade students have been working hard on their projects and parents are invited to come and see all that their children have done. Here is information on date, time and location. We hope to see you there!
Fall Festival Celebrations
Concord Elementary was once again able to hold Fall Festival parties this year. While we were not able to have the usual volunteers or offer the public parade to enjoy, students attended an assembly led by Snow White (a.k.a. Mrs. Zurawski) and classrooms participated in holiday activities led by ice cream cones (see above) to celebrate. Here are some fun pictures from the day.
Parent-Teacher Conference Reminder
Virtual conferences are scheduled for Monday, November 22 from noon to 8:00 p.m. and Tuesday, November 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Concord Elementary parents should have received an email from their child’s teacher on how to schedule a conference. Cass Junior High parents may schedule their conferences until Friday, November 12 at noon through the Meet the Teacher application. Here is the Cass Junior High conference registration information.
Cass Junior High Girls' Basketball is Awesome!
The Cass Junior High girls’ basketball team is enjoying a great and busy season competing in three games just this week. Thank you to coaches Landon Mitchell and Shannon Wachowski for leading the squads and congratulations to the girls on a great season so far!
Cass Junior High Boys' Basketball Tryouts
Varsity and junior varsity tryouts for boys’ basketball will be held on November 18 and 19 in the Cass Junior High gym from 3:30-5:00 p.m. If your child is interested in trying out, please be sure he has a current physical (dated within the last 12 months) on file in the Cass Junior High office. Please contact the office at 331-481-4000 (x 2) with questions.
Bus Drivers Needed!
The district is in need of bus drivers! We are seeking a Special Education Driver and Bus Drivers. Here is information on the bus driver positions and the vacancy posting, or reach out to Superintendent Mark Cross with any questions or if you have any interest.
Charlie Nilles is Olympics Bound!
Cass Junior High alum, Charlie Nilles, recently qualified to participate in swimming at the Special Olympics U.S. National Games in June of 2022. Charlie qualified for the games by taking first place at the Special Olympics state level competitions in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Congratulations to Charlie and best of luck in the national games!
Hinsdale South High School Presents Rent
Cass School District 63 alumni Lia Chung, Jenna Cox, Andrea Crisp, Wesley Davis, Ella DeRousse, Peyton Drouin, Maggie Flemming, Annina Garro, Garret Grosskopf, Tyler Hallman, Quinn Isberg, Lilly Levine, Molly Severus and Henry Sullivan are all participating in Rent, the Hinsdale South fall musical, November 11-14. Henry Sullivan and Tyler Hallman have the male leads. The play is open to the public so if you would like to go and support these talented alums, please be sure to purchase tickets in advance.
COVID-19 Data Dashboard
Here is the current COVID-19 Data Dashboard for both the most recent two weeks, as well as the 2021-22 school year.
Community Connections
Hinsdale South Booster Club Fall Craft & Vendor Show
Glenbard Parent Series presents Preparing for Success on the SAT
American Youth Symphony Orchestra Audition Dates
And Don't Forget ...
Sunday, November 7 Vaccine Clinic Registration Deadline
Tuesday, November 9 Vaccine Clinic for Ages 5-11 at Concord
Friday, November 12 Cass Junior High Parent-Teacher Conference Registration Deadline
Friday, November 12 End of First Trimester
Friday, November 19 Progress Reports available through PowerSchool
Monday, November 22 Virtual Parent-Teacher Conferences (appointment required)
Tuesday, November 23 Virtual Parent-Teacher Conferences (appointment required)
Wednesday, November 24 - No School – Thanksgiving Break
Friday, November 26 -
Cass63 Connections - October 28, 2021
Dear Cass School District 63 Parents,
It has been wonderful seeing our students back participating in music concerts, extracurricular activities and just enjoying a much more normal life at school. I hope you are enjoying some of the student-centered highlights of these activities that we share here in the weekly Cass63 Connections. Great communication is one of the things we pride ourselves on the most as a school district and we want to keep the focus on our students where it belongs.
We are seeing a tremendous response to the Cass 63 pediatric vaccine clinic and appreciate the positive feedback. There is a reminder message below with a link to the parent interest survey so that we can plan and coordinate with our partner Osco. More details and registration information will be provided via email early next week.
Last but not least, our CARE organization is kicking off our annual fundraiser, which will run through November 15. CARE provides a tremendous amount of support for our kids and our schools. More information is provided below and will also be sent home with students on the October 29 early dismissal day. Thank you for your support of our kids and our schools.
Have a happy and safe Halloween weekend!
Mark R. Cross, Superintendent
Early Dismissal October 29
As a reminder, Friday, October 29 is a half day school improvement day. Concord will dismiss at 11:15 a.m. and Cass will dismiss at 12:00 p.m. Please contact your child’s school with any questions.
Parent-Teacher Conference Registration
Virtual conferences are scheduled for Monday, November 22 from noon to 8:00 p.m. and Tuesday, November 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. We plan to continue the virtual format as a convenience to many parents, while hopefully maintaining the highest quality of information exchange about your child’s progress.
Regarding registration for your time, Concord Elementary parents will receive (or may have already received) an email from their child’s teacher on how to schedule a conference. Cass Junior High parents may begin scheduling their conferences on Monday, November 1, at 9:00 a.m. through the Meet the Teacher application. We will send out a reminder message to junior high parents on November 1 at 9:00 a.m. Here is the Cass Junior High conference registration information.
Reminder - Vaccine Clinic Parent SurveyIf you have not yet responded, this brief survey is available to parents to determine approximate participation numbers for the Pfizer vaccine clinic for newly eligible children in the 5 - 11 age group. We have the clinic scheduled with Osco on Tuesday, November 9 for the first dose and Tuesday, November 30 for the second dose.
The clinic will be held at Concord Elementary School after school hours into the evening, but specific hours will be determined after we have a better idea of expected participation. We just need one response per household by Saturday, October 30, at 6:00 p.m. Thank you!
Honoring Those Who Serve - Cass Junior High Collection Drive
The Cass Junior High English Language Arts classes are conducting a school-wide collection drive through Friday, November 5 for American soldiers currently deployed in Iraq. Here is a complete list of donations that our students are looking to collect. Thank you in advance for your participation in this collection.
Cass Junior High School Cheerleading
The Cass Junior High School cheerleading squad is off to a great start cheering on the Warriors. Students from all four grade levels are participating. Thank you to coaches Theresa West and Mary Kate Favia for working with our talented team!
CARE Holiday Fundraiser Kicks Off
Get a jump on your holiday home decor, shopping, baking and wrapping needs through the CARE Holiday Fundraiser that runs through November 15! Information will be sent home with students on Friday, October 29. Here is additional information and as always, we appreciate your continued support of CARE and our schools!
Halloween Safety Tips
Halloween is a fun day for so many kids and they should be able to be kids and enjoy every minute! Having said that, it is also a good time for a reminder that safety is very important. Here are some Halloween safety tips from safekids.org.
Concord Picture Retakes November 4
Concord Elementary School picture retakes are scheduled for Thursday, November 4. Your child may participate if they have not yet had their photo taken or if you are unhappy with the first picture and would like a retake. Please contact the Concord office at 331-481-4000 (x1) for more information.
Substitutes Needed!
The district is also in need of substitute teachers! Here is the vacancy posting, or contact Principals Laura Anderson or Christine Marcinkewicz, or District Administrative Assistant Gayle Wilson with any questions or if you have any interest.
Reminders on Proper Masking
Our students do a tremendous job with this at school, but it is always good to have reminders that proper masks are worn at all times and that the masks are properly worn. Guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control provide that masks should have two or more layers of breathable fabric and should NOT have exhalation valves or vents. Masks should completely cover the nose and mouth and fit snugly with no gaps. Following is a simple summary of the guidelines from the CDC. Please let us know if you have any questions and click on the image for more details from the CDC.
COVID-19 Data Dashboard
Here is the current COVID-19 Data Dashboard for both the most recent two weeks, as well as the 2021-22 school year.
November Lunch Menus
Concord Elementary Lunch Menus
Community Connections
Glenbard Parent Series presents Hunt, Gather, Parent
Benedictine University Trunk or Treat Event
Darien Halloween Party - The Darien Lions Club together with the Darien Park District will be having a free kids Halloween Party on Halloween night, Sunday, October 31, from 6-8 p.m. at the Darien Sportsplex. The party features a spooky graveyard, games, prizes and an ice cream social. The Lions will also be serving hot dogs, chips and soda outside for a nominal fee. Join us for a fun safe night.
Friday, October 29 Early Release Day, Concord 11:15 a.m. and Cass 12:00 p.m.
Monday, November 1 Cass Junior High Conference Registration Opens
Thursday, November 4 Concord Elementary Picture Retake Day
Tuesday, November 9 Vaccine Clinic for Ages 5-11 at Concord (registration required)
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Cass63 Connections - October 21, 2021
Dear Cass School District 63 Parents,
For those of you who are potentially interested, work is underway to host a Pfizer vaccine clinic for eligible children ages 5 - 11 once approval is finalized. The final steps are expected from the FDA and CDC by the first week of November and we will be ready as soon as possible to offer this option for our Cass 63 families.
We will likely host the clinic at Concord Elementary School for all eligible children in the 5 - 11 age group. This will be conducted outside of the school day with parents present, and we expect to partner with Osco as the provider. Osco has a long and successful history with flu and other vaccine distributions, and they were our partner when over 90 percent of our staff was vaccinated in a massive cooperative effort with other local school districts in early 2021.
Once information and details are provided, parents will register in advance through a portal and must also agree to return for the second dose three weeks later. There is nothing you need to do now and obviously participation is totally your decision. As a school district, we value health and science and we are excited to provide this opportunity as a convenience for you. As always, you should speak with your child’s pediatrician or family physician with any specific questions.
I will keep you updated as this develops but wanted to pass along the good news. As always, never hesitate to reach out with any questions at all!
Mark R. Cross, Superintendent
Illinois Music Education Association Honors
We are very proud to announce that Cass Junior High had nine students who auditioned for the Illinois Music Education Association honor bands and all were accepted to perform! Eight of the students will be performing with the honor band at the Junior Band Festival on November 6 and one student with the Junior Jazz Band at the Jazz festival on November 13. Congratulations to Mrs. Legan and our ILMEA Junior Honor Band students!
5th Grade Brings Ancient Egypt to Life!
Our 5th grade students recently participated in an Egypt unit which had them creating and building their very own mummies. This is a time-honored project and the kids each year enjoy working on their creations!
Washington, D.C. Informational Zoom Meeting October 26thParents of 8th grade students interested in going on the 8th grade trip to Washington, D.C. should plan to join the Zoom meeting scheduled for Tuesday, October 26, at 7:00 p.m. At this meeting, details and information on the trip will be provided, as well as registration information and an informal Q&A session with our tour leader, Mr. Bob Burnette.
Here is the Zoom meeting link and if necessary, the meeting ID is 814 4606 9304 and the passcode is 811808. For more information, parents may also visit www.academicexpeditions.com, click on “GO TO MY TRIP"” and enter tour code “CSS2022DC”.
Please contact Mr. Kohnke with any questions at kkohnke@cassd63.org.
Parent-Teacher Conference Registration
Virtual conferences are scheduled for Monday, November 22 from noon to 8:00 p.m. and Tuesday, November 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. We plan to continue the virtual format for an additional year as a convenience to many parents, while hopefully maintaining the highest quality of information exchange about your child’s progress.
Regarding registration for your time, Concord Elementary parents will soon receive an email from their child’s teacher on how to schedule a conference if you haven’t already done so. Cass Junior High parents may begin scheduling their conferences on November 1 through the Meet the Teacher application. We will send out information on how to register in next week’s Cass63 Connection.
Fall Concert a Success
Cass Junior High School recently held its fall music concert involving both the Advanced Vocal Ensemble and the Jazz Band. This marks the first in person concert held in almost two years and it was an amazing performance. Congratulations to Choral Teacher Becky Kriz and Band Teacher Megan Legan and all the students who participated.
Concord Fall Festival Parties – Friday, October 29
We are excited to be able to once again hold holiday parties in the classrooms at Concord. For the safety of all please review the fall festival party guidelines prior to October 29 so that everyone may enjoy the day together.
Early Dismissal October 29
Please mark your calendars for Friday, October 29, which is a half day school improvement day. Concord will dismiss at 11:15 a.m. and Cass will dismiss at 12:00 p.m. Please contact your child’s school with any questions.
Board Briefs
The Board Briefs provides a summary of information from the most recent Board of Education meeting held on October 19.
Girl Scout Troop Creates CJH Scarecrow!
A local Girl Scout troop, which consists of nine girls from Cass Junior High School, built a scarecrow they named Alex. The scouts then placed Alex in the Cass Junior High gardens just south of the building to watch over all of the student’s hard work!
Help Wanted - Special Education Driver, Teacher Assistant and Substitutes
Cass School District 63 is seeking a part-time before or after school driver to transport special needs students safely to and/or from school in a district passenger vehicle. Being qualified to drive a large school bus is not required for this position. Here is the job vacancy, or contact Superintendent Mark Cross or Transportation Director Keith Monaco with any questions.
The district is also seeking a full-time teacher assistant at Concord Elementary School. If you do not have your license to be a paraprofessional but do have an associate degree or higher, it is a simple thing to obtain your license. Here is the job vacancy, or contact Principal Laura Anderson or Superintendent Mark Cross with any questions.
The district is also in need of substitute teachers! Here is the vacancy posting, or contact Principals Laura Anderson or Christine Marcinkewicz, or District Administrative Assistant Gayle Wilson with any questions or if you have any interest.
CARE Dine to Donate at Portillo's
Mark your calendars for October 26 when Dine to Donate at Portillo’s is scheduled. We look forward to seeing everyone there!
COVID-19 Data Dashboard
Here is the current COVID-19 Data Dashboard for both the most recent two weeks, as well as the 2021-22 school year.
Community Connections
Cub Scout Pack 97 Trunk or Treat Event
Friday, October 22 Prekindergarten Screening (appointment required)
Tuesday, October 26 8th Grade Washington, D.C. Trip Virtual Information Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Friday, October 29 Early Release Day, Concord Elementary 11:15 a.m. and Cass 12:00 p.m.
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Cass63 Connections - October 14, 2021
Dear Cass School District 63 Parents,
This week we wanted to share some great academic news about our schools.
U.S. News and World Report recently released rankings of more than 80,000 elementary and middle schools across the country. In the state of Illinois, Concord ranks 115 out of 2,568 elementary schools, which is the top 5 percent of all elementary schools. Cass ranks 158 out of 1,788 middle schools, which is in the top 9 percent of all schools at the junior high level.
Concord has a Reading Proficiency Rank of 168 and a Math Proficiency Rank of 109. In both categories, U.S. News categorizes performance as “Well Above Expectations”. Cass has a Reading Proficiency Rank of 124 and a Math Proficiency Rank of 184, both of which fall in the category of “Somewhat Above Expectations”. Here is additional information on the methodology used for the rankings, which focuses on math and reading proficiency on state assessments. If you want to view the rankings and detail, here is the U.S. News K-12 Portal.
To have both of our schools in the top ten percent of their respective categories is awesome and we should all be very proud of our teachers, administrators and staff, and obviously you as parents as well. This is certainly something to celebrate within our school community, and everyone should be proud of the success of our students!
Having said that, a good school ranking is not something that we will rest upon. The most important data is not what makes a list or news article, but what we use internally to drive improvement. Our goal is not to just beat the average, but to perform among the highest tier while making sure that each individual student grows as much as possible, and that our students are ultimately well-prepared for high school and life.
So today we celebrate some great news, while keep digging in and working to help each child grow as much as possible. While it won't make a national publication, it is the growth of the individual student over time and helping each achieve his or her individual potential that is worth celebrating more than anything else.
Thank you for all you do to support our kids and for the great partnership between home and school that we have in Cass School District 63.
Mark R. Cross, Superintendent
Cross Country Runners Advance to State!
The Cass Junior High cross country team recently participated in the Class 2A sectional meet and Kaydence Brazzille, Anna Wilcox and Wojtek Gilarski all qualified to advance to the IESA State Cross Country meet on October 16 at Maxwell Park in Bloomington-Normal. Congratulations to Coaches Damrow and Kondraschow and best of luck to these exceptional runners!
8th Grade Washington, D.C. Trip Informational MeetingPlanning is under way to provide an opportunity for our current 8th grade students to take a trip to Washington, DC in 2022. Interested 8th grade parents should plan to join our Zoom meeting scheduled for Tuesday, October 26, at 7:00 p.m. At this meeting, details and information on the trip will be provided, as well as registration information and an informal Q&A session with our tour leader, Mr. Bob Burnette.
Mark your calendars for the meeting. The Zoom meeting link will be provided at a later date. For more information in the meantime, parents may also visit www.academicexpeditions.com, click on “GO TO MY TRIP"” and enter tour code “CSS2022DC”. Please contact Mr. Kohnke with any questions at kkohnke@cassd63.org.
Cass Junior High Math Team Starts October 20
Cass Junior High School teacher Mr. Mike McLean is looking forward to working with our math team! The team will meet every Wednesday starting Wednesday, October 20 after school until 4:30 in Room 222. If your child is participating, please make sure to arrange a ride home at 4:30. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. McLean at mmclean@cassd63.org. Yay math!
7th Grade Family and Friends Veterans Day Project
Each year on Veterans Day, our 7th grade English language arts classes participate in a special letter writing project. Teachers Audrey Vaci and Lauren Malik would like students to honor family and friends of district families as much as possible. If you have anyone you would like to recommend to receive one of these letters, please complete this Veterans Day letter information form no later than Friday, October 15 so that we may include them in this project.
Help Wanted - Concord Elementary Teacher Assistant
Cass School District 63 is seeking a full-time teacher assistant at Concord Elementary School. If you do not have your license to be a paraprofessional but do have an associate degree or higher, it is a simple thing to obtain your license. Here is the job vacancy, or contact Principal Laura Anderson or Superintendent Mark Cross with any questions.
Prekindergarten Screening October 22
Concord Elementary will be hosting a Prekindergarten Screening on Friday, October 22. Your child must be preregistered to participate. Here is more information on ages of qualification and how to sign your child up for screening.
Cass Junior High Picture Retakes October 28
Cass Junior High picture retakes are scheduled for Thursday, October 28. Your child may participate if they have not yet had their photo taken or if you are unhappy with the first picture taken and you would like a retake. Please contact the Cass Junior High office at 331-481-4000 (x2) for more information.
Virtual Parent-Teacher Conferences
Virtual Parent-Teacher conferences are scheduled for Monday, November 22 from noon to 8:00 p.m. and Tuesday, November 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Mark your calendars and more information and details regarding conferences will be provided soon.
Cass63 Alumni Corner
Cass 63 alumni are excelling in golf at Hinsdale South High School. Tommy Gneiser was recently named male athlete of the week while Billy Gneiser qualified to compete and then placed 4th at the IHSA State Finals. Dana Euske qualified to compete and placed 71st overall at the IHSA State Finals. Congratulations to our high school golf stars!
COVID-19 Data Dashboard
Here is the current COVID-19 Data Dashboard for both the most recent two weeks, as well as the 2021-22 school year.
Community Connections
Indian Prairie Public Library Writing Competition
Glenbard Parent Series presents That Crumpled Paper Was Due Last Week
Tuesday, October 19 Board of Education Meeting, District Community Room 7:00 p.m.
Friday, October 22 Prekindergarten Screening
Tuesday, October 26 8th Grade Washington, D.C. Trip Virtual Information Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Friday, October 29 Early Release Day, Concord Elementary 11:15 a.m. and Cass 12:00 p.m.
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Cass63 Connections - October 7, 2021
Dear Cass School District 63 Parents,
Last week, we included a brief reference to the issue with TikTok Challenges that are causing some unfortunate situations in schools locally and across the country. While there are positive aspects to social media, this is a reminder of both the nonsense and potential harm it can perpetuate as well. Our intent is to simply bring awareness to the issue and also to remind parents of the importance of being dialed in to what your child is seeing or doing on social media. We want to be proactive and help in any way that we can, and the best way to do that is open and honest communication between home and school.
Our school year is off to a tremendous start, but we have had to deal with some other behavioral concerns as well. This presents challenges and disruptions to the learning environment, but we also want you to know that much of this is also kids acting out as they readjust to the structure of the normal school day. While we are all obviously aware of the timelines, Concord Principal Dr. Laura Anderson shared this.
When you consider that the youngest ones in particular have never gone through a full "normal" school year, it puts some of the behavior issues in perspective with all students at school every day, some for the first time. Our teachers, administrators and school service personnel will do whatever we can to be proactive and get certain behaviors under control, but our biggest concern is making sure we meet the social and emotional needs of our students. This is very situational and based on individual needs, but we will help, support and teach at every opportunity. We will be patient and positive, while continuing to run a tight ship and provide the structure that is needed for our kids to be successful.
Never hesitate to reach out to the appropriate staff if you have any questions or concerns, but I felt this was an important issue on which to share openly. We are blessed to have supportive parents who want what is best for their children, and a school district and staff who share the same values and goals for our children. Thank you for your support of our students, staff and schools and have a wonderful weekend!
Mark R. Cross, Superintendent
Early Dismissal October 8, No School October 11
We have an early dismissal tomorrow, Friday, October 8, with Concord dismissing at 11:15 a.m. and Cass 12:00 p.m. Also, there is no school on Monday, October 11 for the Columbus Day holiday.
Screening Testing TuesdayDue to the Monday holiday, students participating in a weekly COVID screening will be tested on Tuesday, October 12.
Seventh Grade Veterans Day Project
Each year on Veterans Day our 7th grade English language arts classes participate in a special letter writing project. Teachers Audrey Vaci and Lauren Malik would like students to honor family and friends of district families as much as possible. If you have anyone you would like to recommend to receive one of these letters, please complete this Veterans Day letter information form no later than Friday, October 15 so that we may include them in this project.
Softball Team Sees Growth
Under the direction of Coach Danielle Trezzo, the Cass Junior High School softball team made tremendous growth this fall after a year-long hiatus. The girls showed great improvement and look forward to the 2022 season.
Coach Trezzo said, “The team showed a great deal of effort, commitment, and heart throughout the entire softball season. No matter the outcome of the game, the girls fought each day for each other and took the field with a smile on their faces and the determination to be their best. Throughout the season, we have witnessed extreme progress and growth from each individual player, and also from them as a team. I am so proud of how far they have come and all that they have accomplished this year, and I cannot wait to build upon this next year!”
Keep up the great work, girls!
Help Wanted - Special Education Driver and Substitutes
Cass School District 63 is seeking a part-time before or after school driver to transport special needs students safely to and/or from school in a district passenger vehicle. Being qualified to drive a large school bus is not required for this position. Here is the job vacancy, or contact Superintendent Mark Cross or Transportation Director Keith Monaco with any questions.
The district is also in need of substitute teachers! Here is the vacancy posting, or contact Principals Laura Anderson or Christine Marcinkewicz, or District Administrative Assistant Gayle Wilson with any questions or if you have any interest.
Prekindergarten Screening October 22
Concord Elementary will be hosting a Prekindergarten Screening on Friday, October 22. Your child must be preregistered to participate. Here is more information on ages of qualification and how to sign your child up for screening.
Virtual Parent-Teacher Conferences
Many parents expressed appreciation for the convenience of virtual conferences last year, so we are going to do it again this year. Conferences are scheduled for Monday, November 22 from noon to 8:00 p.m. and Tuesday, November 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. More information will be provided soon!
Reminders on Proper Masking
Our students do a tremendous job with this at school, but it is always good to have reminders that proper masks are worn at all times and that the masks are properly worn. Guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control provide that masks should have two or more layers of breathable fabric and should NOT have exhalation valves or vents. Masks should completely cover the nose and mouth and fit snugly with no gaps. Following is a simple summary of the guidelines from the CDC. Please let us know if you have any questions and click on the image for more details from the CDC.
CARE BBQ Bash and Dine to Donate at Portillos
The CARE Annual Fall BBQ Bash is coming up on October 13. Orders are due no later than tomorrow, Friday, October 8, so please be sure to see the CARE Fall BBQ Bash flyer today so you don’t miss out!
Mark your calendars for October 26 when Dine to Donate at Portillos is scheduled. We look forward to seeing everyone there.
Community Connections
Hinsdale South Booster Club Fall Craft & Vendor Show
DuPage Forest Preserve Halloween Happenings
Friday, October 8 Early Release Day, Concord Elementary 11:15 a.m. and Cass 12:00 p.m.
Monday, October 11 No School – Columbus Day
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Cass63 Connections - September 30, 2021
Dear Cass School District 63 Parents,
We are grateful for the success of the start of our school year and thank you for your support as we roll into the month of October. While we have commenced with the testing program as it relates to the pandemic, we are just as focused on more traditional testing with the successful administration of the Assessment of Readiness (IAR) for many of our students. We hope this year’s state assessment gives us some actionable data to help identify areas where students need to grow, as well as where we can do better.
Despite any challenges, we will continue to emphasize the academic growth of our students. Never hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher, principal or school office if you have any questions or concerns.
Mark R. Cross, Superintendent
Early Dismissal October 8, No School October 11
We have an early dismissal on Friday, October 8, with Concord dismissing at 11:15 a.m. and Cass 12:00 p.m. Also, there is no school on Monday, October 11 for the Columbus Day holiday.
Prekindergarten Gold Circle of Quality Designation
The Concord Elementary School prekindergarten program has once again earned the ExceleRate Illinois Gold Circle of Quality designation. This designation is difficult to achieve and we are extremely proud of Dr. Laura Anderson and the Prekindergarten team, Ms. Pam Worth, Mrs. Kara Blatt and Ms. Lauren Grochowski, along with all the teacher assistants and support staff who work hard each year to ensure that we are providing the best possible start in education to our youngest students. Congratulations!
Prekindergarten Screening October 22
Concord Elementary will be hosting a Prekindergarten Screening on Friday, October 22. Your child must be preregistered to participate. Here is more information on ages of qualification and how to sign your child up for screening.
A Little (Art) Perspective
Cass Junior High School art teacher Matt Etherington has been working with students on perspective using the junior high hallways as a base. He then asks students to insert a surrealistic image onto their realistic drawings. Mr. Etherington brings out their best and our students do amazing work!
On a side note, Mr. Etherington will be taking a leave of absence to spend time with his new baby. Savanna Miska will be stepping in to teach his classes while he is out. Congratulations to Mr. Etherington and welcome Ms. Miska!
Board Briefs
The Board of Education held a meeting on Thursday, September 23. Information about that meeting can be found at Board Briefs on the District website.
Reminder - Symptom Checks and Self-Reporting
We have done so well so far this school year in large part due to the cooperation of our parents in keeping our children safe at school, as well as giving our kids the best chance to remain in school. Please continue to check daily and keep your child home and report to the school if he or she is sick or exhibits any potential COVID symptoms, including a fever (100.4°F or higher), headache, shortness of breath, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, new cough, new loss of sense of taste or smell, muscle or body aches or fatigue from an unknown cause. Please do likewise if your child is a close contact to a positive or potentially positive case. We truly appreciate your cooperation!
Zero Tolerance for TikTok Challenges
Parents, please be alert to some of the things going on with the TikTok app. The “slap a teacher” challenge is the October “challenge” and will be dealt with as a serious offense. At a minimum, any offenses will result in serious disciplinary consequences. We just want to make sure our parents are aware of this in advance.
Recycling Rally
Cass Junior High science teacher, Susan Paszkowski, has taken her dedication to recycling and turned it into a school wide competition and a lesson on the environment. Each year homerooms at Cass compete to see who can bring the most recyclables in to school and the school as whole also competes in the Recycle Rally which is a nationwide competition sponsored by PepsiCo Recycling. Through this program, Cass Junior High has earned two bottle filling stations that have been installed for student use. Our students are already off to a great start this year!
National Merit Scholarship Program
Please join us in congratulating Cass School District 63 alum Elijah John on becoming a national semifinalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program. This is no small feat, and we are proud of his achievements.
CARE BBQ Bash and Virtual Book Fair
The CARE Annual Fall BBQ Bash is coming up on October 13. Don’t miss out on this great event with some fantastic food. Orders are due no later than Friday, October 8 so please be sure to see the CARE Fall BBQ Bash flyer to find out how to order!
If you are interested in purchasing books from the CARE Cass Junior High book fair, the deadline is fast approaching as the fair closes on October 6.
Community Connections
The Community Series presents The War for Kindness
Montini Catholic High School Registration Information
Important Dates to Remember
Friday, October 8 Early Release Day, Concord Elementary 11:15 a.m. and Cass 12:00 p.m.
Monday, October 11 No School – Columbus Day
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Cass63 Connections - September 23, 2021
Dear Cass School District 63 Parents,
Patriotism has been a key theme in our schools over the last two weeks. Obviously, the recent 20th anniversary of September 11 weighed in our memories this year, even if our students are far too young to recall the events of that time. We are proud of the performance of our junior high music students at Darien Remembers to commemorate this event and at Concord, our students held their annual patriotic assembly in commemoration of Constitution Day. It is wonderful to see our students at all levels participate in such meaningful activities to better appreciate and understand our American freedom.
Tomorrow I plan to share some updated information regarding our testing program. As questions come up, we always try to sharpen our communication and make sure you have all of the information you need to make an informed decision that is best for your family. Please keep an eye out for this.
We have had amazing success over the first month of the school year, and I thank you for the open communication and the effort at home to avoid any risk at school to the health of others, as well as to protect our learning environment. Masks and social distancing aside, things are way more normal that not. Thank you for your support and keep up the great work!
Mark R. Cross, Superintendent
Stay Healthy, Stay Smart and Testing Updates
On Friday, September 24, several updates to the district’s plan will be provided to parents. This will include clarifications and updated information on the testing program.
Cass Students Take Part in Darien Remembers
Band and choir members from Cass Junior High participated in the Darien Remembers events held on September 12. We are proud of all of our students and staff who participated in remembering such an important day in our history.
Constitution Day at Concord
On Constitution Day, Concord Elementary School held its annual Patriotic Assembly. The assembly was held outside and it was a beautiful day and a wonderful assembly. Please take a look at some photos from the day.
Darien Woman's Club We HeART our Heroes
In the spring, our students were asked to participate in the Darien Woman’s Club We HeART our Heroes project. Both Cass and Concord Students contributed enough squares that they were able to create two separate art exhibits, including one from each school. These were displayed in three local fire departments and the library over the course of the summer. Our local heroes appreciated the thoughtfulness and recognition, and it was a great opportunity to display the talent of our students. We hope to display these in our schools soon as well!
PSAT Information for 8th Grade Students
District 86 will be giving the PSAT to all current 8th grade students who plan to attend Hinsdale South on Saturday, October 30, 2021. Students should plan to arrive at Hinsdale South between 7:30 – 7:45 AM, with testing beginning at 8:00 AM. The PSAT will not be used for placement into 9th grade coursework, but rather a baseline datapoint to measure growth on future PSAT & SAT tests. Testing is not required, so no make-up testing will be administered. You will receive additional communication from Hinsdale South in the coming weeks.
Cass 63 Alumni Thriving
Some of our Cass 63 alumni have started the 2021-22 school year off right at Hinsdale South High School! Former students Rachele Cameli, Alexandra Cima, Parth Joshi, Fatima Qureshi and Katie Spytek were all recognized by the language department for their high performance in a contest held over the summer on Duolingo and Kamile Zinis and Billy Gneiser were both named Athletes of the Week.
Congratulations to our high achieving high school students!
School Lunch Options Expanding
Beginning on Monday, September 27, the lunch program will begin offering four options per day for students in both buildings. At this time, all full lunches are free to all students who wish to take a lunch at school.
Also beginning on September 27, Cass Junior High will begin offering some a la carte items. There is a charge for all a la carte items and no cash will be taken at the registers during lunch. If your child would like to purchase any a la carte items, parents must deposit money on your child’s My School Bucks lunch account. This can be done online with a credit card or via a check to the school office.
October Lunch Menus
The October lunch menus are available under these links for Cass Junior High School and Concord Elementary School, and are also available on our website. Like many food service providers, Aramark is experiencing some shortages and lack of availability of certain items. We will avoid this as much as possible, but changes may have to be made to lunch menus without prior notice. Whenever possible, the district will communicate this information to parents in advance.
CARE Virtual Book Fair and Dine to Donate
After you are done shopping online at the virtual book fair for Cass Junior High, treat your family to dinner at Burrito Paradise where CARE is holding its next Dine to Donate event on Wednesday, September 29, 2021.
Community Connections
Indian Prairie Public Library Fall Information
Mighty Oak Athletic Youth Strength & Agility Training
Important Dates to Remember
Friday, October 8 Early Release Day, Concord Elementary 11:15 a.m. and Cass 12:00 p.m.
Monday, October 11 No School – Columbus Day
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Cass63 Connections - September 16, 2021
Dear Cass School District 63 Parents,
Our great start to the school year continues, and we thank each of you for your part in making this happen! Several important updates follow and while there is always business to address and reminders you will need, we plan to dedicate more space in the Cass63 Connections to highlighting our awesome students and staff.
Clear and open communication is essential to our success and that goes both ways, so never hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher, Dr. Anderson, Mrs. Marcinkewicz or me if there is anything you need. We are here for you. Thank you!
Mark R. Cross, Superintendent
Bringing Science to Life
As part of her curriculum, Cass Junior High School science teacher Theresa West utilizes a garden planted outside the school each year. Students do real work in the garden while taking part in hands-on learning activities. This is a great example of science at its best when it is brought to life.
Meeting Social and Emotional Needs
As we work to meet the social and emotional learning needs of our students, we will also share those opportunities with parents whenever we can. The Glenbard Parent Series has three excellent upcoming events: Under Pressure: Taking Control of Stress & Anxiety, Maybe You Should Talk to Someone and Behind Happy Faces.
CARE Cass 63 Dash
On September 10, CARE held its annual Cass 63 Dash at Concord Elementary. The students and staff had a wonderful time and the weather was perfect for this highly anticipated event. Here are some great pictures from a great day!
Cross Country Team Update
The Cross Country season is underway and last week the Cass Warriors competed in their first meet. Congratulations Anna Wilcox who placed 5th overall at the meet.
Concord Patriotic Assembly
On Constitution Day, Friday, September 17, Concord will be holding its patriotic assembly. Students are invited to wear red, white and blue to school to show their patriotic spirit!
Dr. Laura Anderson, Principal
TikTok Challenge Beware
In recent days, schools everywhere have identified an increase in vandalism in schools by students. These incidents are believed to be the result of the “TikTok Bathroom Challenge”, which promotes vandalism in school restrooms by students. Unfortunately, we have experienced some of these issues and will continue to monitor. We are hopeful that these behaviors will cease.
Thank you for your collective efforts in speaking with your student about the importance of respecting school property and reporting vandalism as we work together to foster pride in our school. Thank you for your support!
Mrs. Christine Marcinkewicz, Principal
Stay Healthy, Stay, Smart! Updates
As communicated earlier in the week, the Stay Healthy, Stay Smart! plan has been updated to reflect information on our testing program through Northshore Clinical Labs for any parents interested. We will continue to update our plans whenever we can clarify or improve our mitigation strategies.
Proof of Vaccination Reminder
If your child is 12 or older and has had their vaccination, parents may wish to provide proof of that vaccination so that your child may be able to avoid quarantine should they be a close contact. Last week, Principal Christine Marcinkewicz sent a message to 7th and 8th grade families with instructions on how to share your child’s vaccination card. If you did not receive that email and would like to share your child’s vaccination card, please contact Gayle Wilson at gwilson@cassd63.org.
CARE Virtual Book Fair at Cass Junior High
CARE will be hosting a virtual book fair for Cass Junior High beginning September 23 through October 8, 2021. Please take advantage of this great even as 25% of all sales go back into our schools.
September 23 Board of Education Meeting
The Board of Education’s September meeting will be held on Thursday, September 23, at 7:00 p.m. Meetings are normally held on the third Tuesday of the month, but we will announce whenever there is a departure from the usual schedule.
Community Connections
Darien Woman’s Club Fall Children’s Clothing Resale
Important Dates to Remember
Thursday, September 23 Board of Education Meeting – 7:00 p.m., Cass Junior High School Gym
Friday, October 8 Early Release Day, Concord Elementary 11:15 a.m. and Cass 12:00 p.m.
Monday, October 11 No School – Columbus Day
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Cass63 Connections - September 9, 2021
Dear Cass School District 63 Parents,
On behalf of our Board of Education in Cass School District 63, thank you to the hundreds of people who took the time to respond to our recent strategic planning surveys. With over 400 responses, we could not have had a better turnout from mostly our parents, but also our staff and our graduates who are currently sophomores, juniors and seniors at Hinsdale South High School.
While the feedback was extremely positive, our mindset is one of growth and improvement. At a later time, I will hare more about the collective survey results, but the feedback is beyond helpful. At our strategic planning meeting this past Tuesday, the Board reviewed this information and continued with the deep work necessary to establish goals and chart a course forward. We are not hiring a firm or paying a fancy consultant, but just rolling up our sleeves and getting it done. From the beginning, our plan has been to keep it simple, have broad goals and provide a system for monitoring our progress.
Every successful business or organization has a vision and a plan to get there. We are well on track, and your support is very much appreciated. I will continue to keep you updated on this as we move forward, and the Board will approve the final plan later this fall. More information is also provided through the Board Briefs, which are typically updated within one to two days after each meeting.
Peace to you and your families as we commemorate September 11 and honor those we lost, as well as the brave men and women who protect the great freedoms we enjoy here in America. More on that below, and never hesitate to reach out to us here at school if you need anything at all.
Mark R. Cross, Superintendent
September 10 Early Dismissal Schedule
As a reminder from the 2021-22 school calendar, we have early dismissal on Friday, September 10. Dismissal on all school improvement days throughout the year is scheduled for 11:15 at Concord and 12:00 at Cass.
It’s Been 20 Years…Remembering September 11
This Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of the events that took place and so many lives lost on September 11, 2001. While there are some limitations to what we are able to do in a group setting, in our shortened school day on Friday, September 10, our Cass Junior High School students will be engaged in learning activities to commemorate the day.
At Concord Elementary School, on September 17 (Constitution Day), the children are encouraged to dress up in red, white and blue for school activities and a patriotic assembly. This includes what we hope will be a beautiful rendition of “This Land is Your Land”. We also have the CARE D63 Dash during the school day on September 10, and the kids are encouraged to wear red, white and blue for this as well!
While enjoying the upcoming weekend, please reflect on the freedoms we enjoy in this great country, express our appreciation and support for our men and women who protect our freedom and consider participating in local events with your family, including through Darien’s commemoration events.
Proof of Vaccination Reminder
If your child is 12 or older and has had their vaccination, parents may wish to provide proof of that vaccination so that your child may be able to avoid quarantine should they be a close contact. Principal Christine Marcinkewicz sent a message to 7th and 8th grade families with instructions on how to share your child’s vaccination card. If you did not receive that email, please contact Gayle Wilson at gwilson@cassd63.org.
Take a Look! Awesome Community Speaker Series
Parents, we strongly encourage you to take advantage of the incredible speakers our friends at Hinsdale Township High School District 86 and Community Consolidated School District 181have put together. Their resources and sharing allow all local school districts to participate in the Community Speaker Series. There are three upcoming events, including The War for Kindness: Building Empathy in a Fractured World, The Price You Pay for College, and The Addiction Inoculation.
Separately from this, our parents can also tap into the Glenbard Parent Series which also has two excellent upcoming events: Under Pressure: Taking Control of Stress & Anxiety and Maybe You Should Talk to Someone.
September 23 Board of Education Meeting
The Board of Education’s September meeting is going to be held on Thursday, September 23, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. Meetings are normally held on the third Tuesday of the month, but we will announce whenever there is a departure from the usual schedule.
Coming Soon…Important Updates to Stay Healthy, Stay, Smart!
Very soon, we expect to provide some key updates to the Stay Healthy, Stay Smart! plan. This will include information regarding our testing program through Northshore Clinical Labs, guidelines regarding family travel and also clarifications with the length of quarantine times. We are also hopeful that we will soon be allowed to implement some form of the test-to-stay strategy here in DuPage County.
Important Dates to Remember
Friday, September 10 Early Dismissal – 11:15 a.m. Concord, 12:00 p.m. Cass
Saturday, September 11 Patriot Day (in Honor of 9/11)
Monday, September 13 CARE Meeting – 7:00 p.m., Cass Junior High School Gym
Thursday, September 23 Board of Education Meeting – 7:00 p.m., Cass Junior High School Gym
