[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6162875,"mediaKeyId","5437203-11d89b6b0dcc3176b16dcbe4caaafa05","parentId",5437203,"title","Board hears detailed design and construction plans for kindergarten expansions and school renovations","audioSeconds",1415,"startMs",4301000,"endMs",5716000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5437203-11d89b6b0dcc3176b16dcbe4caaafa05&start=4301&end=5716","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5437203-11d89b6b0dcc3176b16dcbe4caaafa05/thumbnail_4301000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6162875/Illinois/Board-hears-detailed-design-and-construction-plans-for-kindergarten-expansions-and-school-renovations","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6162875-f5a6ecc6572c9ed250f112edce419043/orig.mp4?Expires=1770736563&Signature=bCmItVaQdJchI5vd2OIk5JtjsaB-eHhiFrw1~CKFSsj~gDpk-~gPIjr1khlvGYxKvnJ2R-JeraqQndBDo35kurRqiU4AOuJ8vBE~sksAqI920T5QZeSts5nfqn9hrZFoG55yWGepAQHwTuhDKckjEmURrs2PfMDUw5HTm2Qgo257jBe~dnBaZq-YhuGbfMel-RC2xJSAzIXhQOhomUF9G3J4ie7FEQvGTRl9GD6YgEYKl2tCL-wObQCmQxlc6JrPmBI4ijkj5~6G91dqFfcOGoDBKg6dUZJ-Bob2NDR7BsojP7xIwGpAS4O3dT0E7MsNYBNVuq1uwTcv85atSjezDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","CCSD 62","date","2025-07-22T06:10:59.793Z","article","Design and construction consultants and district staff presented detailed plans July 21 for kindergarten expansions, building renovations and additions across District 62, and outlined timelines, bid schedules and permitting risks.

Alan Arbrest of STR and Kirk, project manager at Pepper, briefed the board on a prototypical kindergarten classroom (about 1,100 square feet) developed with teacher focus groups and intended to provide consistent furniture, storage (25 cubbies), an in-class bathroom with scaled fixtures, and flexible, mobile learning spaces. The prototype informed renovation plans at Cumberland, Terrace, Forest, Orchard Place, Plainfield, Iroquois, Central and North schools, the presenters said.

Consultants described site-specific work: Iroquois will receive two new kindergarten rooms, a larger art room (with added windows for natural light), locked and renovated locker-room areas for middle-school physical education, and a faculty washroom and mothering room. Cumberland, Terrace, Forest and Orchard Place will receive two kindergarten rooms each with in-class washrooms; Plainfield’s plan also reconfigures an undersized nurse’s area and adds a teacher lounge. Central’s work includes reconfiguring the library and cafeteria access to reduce lunch scheduling challenges and creating new art and music rooms. North School will receive a five-classroom kindergarten wing, a new cafeteria/multipurpose space and courtyard playground, but consultants warned North faces permitting complexity because the current floodplain elevation is about 10 inches above the existing floor and regulators require new additions to be built above the flood level; the planned additions’ finished floors will sit 3 foot 7 inches above existing floors.

Kirk from Pepper said Iroquois went to bid the week of the meeting, with a site visit and a September bid-opening; district staff hope to use the upcoming intersession to begin noisy demolition and complete high-priority items (for example, a mothering room) before the school year. North and Central were slated for a later bid package (targeting a December–January bid process), but Pepper cautioned that North’s schedule depends on multiple permits from federal and regional agencies (FEMA, MWRD, IEPA and others) and that those approvals are an uncertainty that could require a contingency plan.

Board members asked about playground surfacing, visibility for supervision in the North courtyard, the need for additional adult washrooms in older buildings, and whether the district would present a clearer cost breakout separating full-day kindergarten scope from other renovation costs. Consultants said they will refine cost estimates as Iroquois and subsequent bid packages are finalized and will return to the board with refinements in September.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","7-21-25 - District 62 Board of Education","oneSentenceSummary","Architects and Pepper STR presented a districtwide construction plan including a prototypical 1,100 sq ft kindergarten classroom model, renovations and additions at multiple schools, bid schedules and permitting concerns at North School tied to floodplain approvals.","taxTitle","CCSD 62, School Boards, Illinois","taxId",56874,"location","Illinois","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6162879,"District 62 outlines summer programs and fall launch; new staff professional learning planned",741,3436000,4177000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5437203-11d89b6b0dcc3176b16dcbe4caaafa05&start=3436&end=4177","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5437203-11d89b6b0dcc3176b16dcbe4caaafa05/thumbnail_3436000.jpg","/articles/6162879/Illinois/District-62-outlines-summer-programs-and-fall-launch-new-staff-professional-learning-planned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6162879-9197be0928fd9b568bdbd2d1ac07c2d1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770736563&Signature=f4jfJI3tsUvHYgDPbZPVW~Ukv0RO1QjQbP8SYkJvOZDtKw5IpxEWWH1gGy0NDDQpUCK1dhl2WH-2CzC3cv0Qn5cSIAkUrftahtohypN6Pum5JaBtZGimOXQ2ZZ07HSip~weR-fgOcfiMg9r8rEFBaqmNjSKg6dkvGsdb-NfrsNSpoVccPbfLCbKzdQSFDrbcWC9VGHnIoJquECcvVpMvhkiUAkIT6pzgmhLTdvPRqFH6k0TVnetqBy8lksqfNmF~9ZTnd9f80tY3Imwqxw5-UDtE4g2AHDmdyglACpTixGtmiA0mv4NP3zGuAZ9G-Ab~VHr70QqCgJeL44aYGBLIZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District 62 leaders on July 21 summarized this summer’s student and family programs and previewed professional learning and calendar items for the 2025–26 school year.

Libby Jeskiewicz, director of multilingual programs, described the Title I summer school run in June at Plainfield and Orchard Place, which served 431 students (incoming kindergarten through incoming eighth grade) over three weeks and added STEM activities to reading, writing and math instruction. Jeskiewicz also summarized Parent University sessions at Forest School (June 9–20) for 24 families, which included adult ESL, summer safety in partnership with local police and fire departments, parenting in the digital age and a field trip to Wagner Farm and one to the Museum of Ice Cream.

Heidi Rudy, director of student services, reported the district’s Extended School Year (ESY) program served 158 students (kindergarten through seventh grade) at Cumberland Elementary and preschool ESY and a summer enrichment program at Westerhold Early Learning Center with 61 preschoolers enrolled.

Assistant Superintendent Amy Segel and other instructional leaders reviewed summer work for staff. Committees prepared for full-day kindergarten transitions; a new position, district professional learning leads, was created to co-plan and co-facilitate professional development; middle-school ELA and social studies teachers prepared for pilot curriculum rollouts; math interventionists worked on tools to monitor progress for struggling students; and principals completed literacy-focused training (LETTERS) and leadership workshops.

The district’s calendar and kickoff events were previewed: Iroquois Community School staff returned July 14 and students had staggered starts mid-July. New teacher orientation is Aug. 11–15; Teacher Leadership Institute Aug. 14; institute days Aug. 18–20 with a keynote from Dr. Jenna Ruffo on inclusive practices; and first day for 10-month schools’ first–eighth graders is Aug. 21 with pre-K and kindergarten starting Aug. 22. Segel also said the district will pilot new middle-school math resources in winter and expand structured literacy professional learning.

Administrators said they will continue family engagement work around literacy and will provide more detailed plans to principals and school communities ahead of the fall start.","Administrators reviewed summer Title I, ESY, early-learning enrichment, Parent University attendance, and staff professional learning; they previewed August institute days and school start dates for 2025–26.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6162884,"District 62 introduces SEL screening and systems measurements, reports early gains",945,1860000,2805000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5437203-11d89b6b0dcc3176b16dcbe4caaafa05&start=1860&end=2805","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5437203-11d89b6b0dcc3176b16dcbe4caaafa05/thumbnail_1860000.jpg","/articles/6162884/Illinois/District-62-introduces-SEL-screening-and-systems-measurements-reports-early-gains","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6162884-e16ceea13006c70443700eab086632e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770736563&Signature=hh1Fc6KUlGpmz~wrS1ua7wtoDEU5gxI4cs67LUNxTNihD0iUO4m-9WIZGU5Jh~9BtevnOf01GLWgCEsZWhy0fSZIeuBT4pLzyXnrv0SiXVJl1JnFEN~uZ~PYcHzIZH~12bx9bOpaWR~QhojpOn9EHyPRT5eyv1z3MceNovW7jcAgBxRQyDD3qdOXUUfoj-H889MqW78gBdk1I7LUxRyujyvDmK0gXji4T0WUk0UvRNzC5w9B1PcQC04i-jE0IYzxsuIHTYL4VRmHTOQRAnOH2GsT19589qaFyrHXP~UYCWWG1fQOKhxJBqI1KndOrbK5ZJaDtEYX0sf5t3Qvkp2ePA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District 62 officials on July 21 described new social-emotional learning (SEL) measurement tools and early results, saying the district saw strong initial outcomes and is working to build systemic supports to translate SEL screening into interventions.

Colin Mayer, director of social emotional learning, told the Board of Education the district administered the Savers screening tool to students and teachers — students in grades 2–8 self-assessed; teachers rated K–8 — and that spring results showed about 82% of students in the low-risk category from the student perspective and roughly 86% from teacher ratings.

Mayer said Savers assesses three domains: social skill development, academic behaviors (for example, class participation or preparedness) and emotional skill development. He reported that from fall to spring, seven of the nine grade levels captured by teacher ratings showed increases in the low-risk category. He noted the same sixth-grade cohort that showed dips in academic measures also showed some declines in SEL indicators, and urged thoughtful analysis rather than assuming one cause.

Mayer also described the district’s use of the Tiered Fidelity Inventory (TFI), a systems-level tool from the Center on PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports), which measures whether Tier 1, whole-school SEL systems are in place. He said sites self-assessed three times during the year: a district average of about 38% implementation in August, 64% in January and 66% in May. Mayer said PBIS guidance suggests roughly 70% implementation is the threshold at which student outcomes typically improve.

Mayer and administration outlined next steps: develop “data-decision rules” that combine Savers with other indicators (behavior referrals, suspensions, attendance, nurse visits, parent/teacher reports) so schools can act proactively; align Savers with tiered instruction so site teams can adapt core instruction; continue professional development and coaching through regional PBIS partners; expand family communications so parents understand scores and steps to help at home; and begin Tier 2 SEL team development.

Mayer said principals and site leaders led much of the TFI work and noted the district expects a multi-year build (three to five years) to reach sustained Tier 1 fidelity. Board members asked whether some middle schools need additional staffing; Mayer said staffing decisions (for social workers, psychologists and contractual partners) depend on attendance, student minutes of special services (IEP/504), and building-level needs and that the district will bring more detailed building-level data to principals and site teams for planning.","District 62 presented first-year results from its Savers SEL screener and Tiered Fidelity Inventory (TFI), reporting most students low-risk on SEL measures and district-level growth in systems implementation, and outlined next steps for tiered supports and family engagement.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6162889,"District 62 reports mixed academic gains, plans new curricula and assessments",491,971000,1462000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5437203-11d89b6b0dcc3176b16dcbe4caaafa05&start=971&end=1462","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5437203-11d89b6b0dcc3176b16dcbe4caaafa05/thumbnail_971000.jpg","/articles/6162889/Illinois/District-62-reports-mixed-academic-gains-plans-new-curricula-and-assessments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6162889-eee5084b20281f26616562850d8189e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770736563&Signature=fqXytvmDTBSG-4mYddC7Oeiwb08-cUdwHvRAJ00SozQqto7yZK97Iov9KnVG5APVCk152YJuiRc4jHOuPHzuN9MQHstDfyi0fWKcG7w7ECeGC~erGiZh8fVwE38ivaCC2KvbCq2Sx3cpakkLSaTeRvgnpa~iuZEyAIilE6oU9FlzOWviVueQefrbRiUZ10dhQ3S5uJ-XWFiB5CM0IvQ25zc4h5UNjYg0L4NubE8dFoW6ymUWoh6rm3QA3tp6MhETQ-hZus1-Q8oaSFQyNxZwUBhy5P9xScM0dccY1oCSqV6PJN3c~ksezRKeQssmQpxzjaxujqFNKJNfD7MXShAzqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District 62 officials reported July 21 that students showed measurable academic growth from fall to spring in math and reading but that significant opportunity gaps remain for multilingual learners and students with individualized education programs.

At the Board of Education meeting Amy Segel, assistant superintendent for instructional services, said districtwide math growth was “over 10%” in the youngest grades and that first- and second-grade students showed the largest gains. Segel said kindergarten performance dipped slightly but attributed that to differences between fall and spring assessments.

Segel said third- through eighth-grade MAP assessment results also showed gains overall but smaller than in primary grades, with a notable dip in the sixth-grade cohort. On reading, FastBridge measures for K–2 rose from 51% to 56% of students meeting grade-level expectations overall; first grade showed particularly strong gains after receiving systematic phonics instruction since kindergarten, she said.

Segel emphasized the district’s continuing focus on multilingual learners and students with IEPs, noting those groups “represent our largest opportunity gaps in District 62.” She said both groups made growth in several grades but remain substantially behind their peers.

To address gaps, Segel said the district will pilot new middle-school math curricular resources this year with full implementation planned next fall and will adopt an updated primary curriculum with more tiered tasks and differentiation. She also announced the district will move to a single universal screener, I-Ready, for next year to provide more actionable data and individualized learning pathways.

Segel said the district will reallocate some interventionists and adjust schedules to support implementation and will prioritize early intervention for students at or below the 10th percentile in reading. She said buildings will develop family-engagement plans around literacy and that professional learning will focus on structured literacy across preschool through eighth grade.

Board members pressed for building-level breakdowns and for causes behind midlevel dips. Segel said principals and site teams will review student-level data and that the district will return with further analysis.

The district did not propose a motion at the meeting tied to these changes; Segel described planned pilots, staff reallocations, and an assessment change rather than board-level actions.","District 62 presented spring-to-fall growth data showing notable gains in early grades, persistent opportunity gaps for multilingual learners and students with IEPs, and plans to pilot new curricula and adopt I-Ready for districtwide assessment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board hears detailed design and construction plans for kindergarten expansions and school renovations

District 62 outlines summer programs and fall launch; new staff professional learning planned

District 62 introduces SEL screening and systems measurements, reports early gains

District 62 reports mixed academic gains, plans new curricula and assessments