EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AS A RESULT OF THE

SMALL GROUP WORK ACTIVITY

SESSION #1 SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

TASK #1: CELEBRATE • SURPRISE • CONCERN CELEBRATE

Take some time to discuss with members of your group about what Elmhurst District 205 is doing right—what the District is doing “well”—to educate District 205 students. Maybe think of it in terms of completing this statement: “We are proud of our District because .”

BIGGEST SURPRISE Based on the information provided in the presentation, what was the greatest surprise for your group?

GREATEST CONCERN Based on the information provided in the presentation, what concerned your group the most?

TASK #2: STRATEGIC TOPIC AREAS - QUESTIONS • ISSUES • OPPORTUNITIES

There are three strategic topic areas scheduled to be examined in the upcoming Focus 205 workshop series—Tomorrow’s Classrooms Today, Utilization of Resources for Maximum Student Success and School Facilities in the 21st Century. To make those sessions most relevant to you we need you to tell us the key questions, issues and opportunities that should be addressed in each of these sessions. What are the strengths in each of the areas that the District should build upon in the future? What are the weaknesses in each area that need to be addressed in developing a long-range plan for District improvement?

TASK #3: OTHER SUGGESTIONS

What other suggestions would your group like to provide to the Facilitating Team as we move forward with this community engagement program?

Over 200 participants attended the first Focus 205 community engagement session on September 2, 2015. However, Facilitating Team members, Board of Education members and some District administrators are not asked to sign-in. Focus 205 Co-chairs Kara Caforio and John Morrissey launched the community engagement project sharing their commitment to facilitating a positive conversation and collaborative process. Superintendent Dr. David Moyer provided information about Elmhurst CUSD 205 and the concepts to look for in the future of public education in a presentation entitled "Next Generation Learning." Then, participants worked in 33 small groups to complete the three tasks listed above. Following is a summary of the response from the groups.

ELMHURST CUSD 205

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM

A Planning Process

TASK #1: CELEBRATE • SURPRISE • CONCERN CELEBRATE

Participants at the first Focus 205 community engagement session identified several items they believe are sources of pride for Elmhurst CUSD 205. Each group shared a high level of overall satisfaction with the District in key areas including academics, curriculum, finances, staff and extracurricular activities. Groups recorded phrases like the following to indicate pride in District 205: “Continuous improvement of ACT scores;” "Diverse opportunities open for all;” "Teachers that care;” "There is a sense of innovation and forward thinking;” “Legacy of learning, comparative rankings of Elmhurst schools vs. other districts;” “Involvement of the community;” Several ‘Blue Ribbon’ schools;” and “Focus 205—this forum to learn about the district and focus on constant movement forward.” Above anything else, the performance level (especially the ACT scores) of Elmhurst students was noted by a majority of the groups (19 of 33). Participant groups (18 of 33) were proud that the District worked to provide a program that was inclusive of all students providing diverse opportunities to all students." Eighteen of the groups sited parent/community participation and support of Elmhurst schools as a point of celebration with nine of the groups mentioning community involvement via Focus 205 as a positive for the District. Ten of the groups provided specific comments about the quality of staff as a point of celebration. Several groups listed the Elmhurst 205 reputation and the District’s vision of moving forward as celebratory. BIGGEST SURPRISE

Without question, Elmhurst CUSD's changing student demographics surprised a significant number of groups. Three fourths of the groups (25 of 33) indicated the District's increasing levels of poverty as a surprise and over a third of the groups were surprised at the number of languages spoken by Elmhurst school families. While academic issues were a source of pride, many of the groups were surprised to learn how well District 205 test scores compared to benchmark districts especially in lieu of the changing demographics. Participants also sited various aspects of funding (local revenues the main source of funding to the District and lack of or dwindling state funds) as a surprise. GREATEST CONCERN

The top area of concern (almost two-thirds of the groups) focused on various aspects of funding and potential financial issues. Eleven of the groups noted it was a concern that the District make sure appropriate education was being provided for all kids—“don’t lose the kids in the middle” commented some of the groups. Five or more of the groups listed the following as items of concern: staffing turnover, testing, technology, articulation/disparity among schools and class size.

TASK #2: STRATEGIC TOPIC AREAS - QUESTIONS • ISSUES • OPPORTUNITIES TOMORROW’S CLASSROOMS TODAY

Almost three-fourths of the groups provided some comment or question about technology. Sample phrases from verbatim document included the following: need for “continuity in implementation of technology;” “balancing technology vs. interpersonal;” “do not substitute technology for teachers;” “bandwidth needs to increase;” “is there a plan for skills and knowledge for students to progress w/technology;” and, “technology should support curriculum.” Other topics mentioned by groups included: the need for appropriate staff development/teacher training relative to technology and application of new curriculum/instruction demands and opportunities; Common Core and the 4 C’s; testing/assessments—what is too much…how is it used to improve instruction; the ‘Future Ready Classroom’—what does it look like for each grade level. UTILIZATION OF RESOURCES FOR MAXIMUM STUDENT SUCCESS

Here is a sampling of comments from the groups that reflect some of the topics that could be addressed in this session. “Lack of state funding;” “equity in the distribution of resources across all schools in the district;” “concerned about cost of resources needed to assist with ELL and low income students;” “unsustainable staffing numbers;” “hiring/retaining quality staff in the future;” “cost for educating students at various levels;” “what opportunities for grants;” “what professional development is available for our teachers…are we utilizing staff development the best way;” “school improvements/facilities;” “reliance on property taxes;” “future financial plans for district; and, “can we be more creative with how we spend and raise funds?”

SCHOOL FACILITIES IN THE 21ST CENTURY

The following is a sampling of comments from the groups reflecting some of the key topic areas that could be addressed in this session. “Aging buildings/many need repair;” “space to house anticipated new students and staff,” “facilities are maxed out;” “full-day kindergarten (mentioned several times),” “disparity between some schools;” “improve infrastructure with improvements going forward in technology;” “is there a 20-year plan for buildings;” “flexible learning spaces;” “adapting technology to buildings;” “is on-line courses an option for the future—not to be confined to brick and mortar of schools;” “how do population trends of Elmhurst impact facilities;” and, “modify/reconfigure the building needs.”

TASK #3: OTHER SUGGESTIONS OTHER SUGGESTIONS

At the end of the workshop, participants were asked to share additional suggestions for the Focus 205 community engagement program. The suggestions covered a wide-variety of topics—school funding from the State, school scheduling, use of social media by the schools and District, curriculum, compensating staff, facilities, technology, how the District will deal with the changing future, the District vision and the Focus 205 process.

For a complete listing of all responses, see the September 2, 2015 CES-1 Verbatim Response Document found at this link:

http://elmhurstcusd205-il.schoolloop.com/file/1234751321630/1279994092054/3181291017524220844.pdf