District updates: dual-language transition, restorative practices, Panorama survey, staff training and Feb. 7 institute
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Summary
Administrators described ongoing work to shift to a dual-language kindergarten entry model, expand restorative-practices training (including a repair-the-harm pilot), roll out the Panorama culture survey to staff and students, and host a district institute Feb. 7 with a keynote and 17 staff-led sessions.
Berkeley SD 87 administrators updated the board on several instructional and staff-development initiatives, including a transition to a dual‑language model, expanded restorative practices, a district staff culture survey and an upcoming professional-institute day.
Administration said the district is transitioning from a TBE bilingual early-exit model to a one-way dual-language model beginning in kindergarten next year. The stated program goals are bilingualism, biliteracy, grade‑level academic success in both languages and socio‑cultural competence. Administrators said staff training is ongoing and parents’ information evenings are scheduled; they do not expect a large change in the population served but said the program will intentionally increase academic English and Spanish over time. The district is arranging additional training from the Illinois Resource Center for staff in the spring.
On restorative practices, administrators reported the district has completed foundational and advanced cohorts and will pursue a training‑of‑trainers opportunity this summer. The district plans a scripted “repairing the harm” restorative experience in the next month for an incident the administration referenced, and officials noted the approach is more intensive and designed to address situations after harm has occurred.
Administrators also said the Panorama survey will open next week for staff culture and climate measures; the district’s FCL committee recommended extending the staff survey to all employees to better understand culture and climate across groups (district office, school staff, sports staff). Panorama student results flagged belonging concerns in seventh grade at MacArthur and Newark; the district is exploring targeted seventh‑grade supports and team‑building opportunities before the end of the year.
The district will host an institute day Friday, Feb. 7, with a keynote by an invited presenter (identified in materials as Jimmy Hazes) and 17 staff-led sessions; a hot breakfast will be provided and staff will have sessions across the day, with keynote starting around 8:30 a.m.
Administrators also noted the recommended school calendar for the next year has been shared with the board and reviewed with the teachers’ union; the administration intends to bring the calendar to the board for approval at its February meeting.
Board members and administrators emphasized training for adults as a prerequisite to student work, and administrators said they will continue to communicate with families about immigration-related issues and welcome feedback.