La Grange District 102

February 2026 District Newsletter

D102 Parents and Guardians,

As I write this, I think I can see and even hear the snow melting, and with temperatures expected to hit 60 by next week, it’s probably time to start focusing on spring. In a normal year, the most exciting thing about spring is the week-long break, maybe a vacation, and definitely the change in the weather, but this year, I am very excited about breaking ground on several aspects of our Renew D102 construction projects. 

In the coming weeks, our Board of Education will consider bid packages for the first phase covering renewal of all playgrounds, additions, and renovations at Cossitt, Forest Road, and Barnsdale.  We are still on budget and on target for a fall completion date - starting school as scheduled on September 2nd.  

We are also starting to firm up plans for both the transition of 6th-grade students to Park JH in the fall of 2027, as well as the opening of elementary school STEM labs - also in school year 2027-28. We are exploring a new science curriculum over the next year and are currently seeking applications for STEM teachers for the new programming.   

As part of the transition of 6th grade students to Park, and in order to fulfill several of our Strategic Goals focused on effective transitions between elementary school, junior high and high school, the District is excited to announce that we are shifting the role and responsibilities of Dr. Green, our current Park JH Principal, to a role responsible for facilitating smooth transitions between schools, supporting student service needs (504 plans), engaging with community support organizations, expanding K-8 student celebrations and recognition all while assisting with day to day Park JH operations.  This new role fills several identified gaps in student service, family support, and staff needs.  This also means that we will begin the process of finding our next Park Junior High Principal. Over the next few weeks we will begin to engage parents, staff and students for feedback about essential qualities of the next Park Principal, qualities that will include excellent communication, a focus on positive climate and culture building, experience with facility and programming expansion, not to mention an unwavering commitment to student safety and academic success.

I look forward to all of the work ahead and accomplishing so many of the goals of our strategic plan and our facility renewal.

The schools will host Kindergarten Parent Informational Meetings in February for the 2026-2027 school year. We encourage all families who are new to the Kindergarten process to attend an informational meeting. 

Please check the schedule below to attend your neighborhood school. Registration will be available in March. 

Registration opens February 13 at 6 p.m.
Registration closes on May 15, at 6 p.m.

Summer Programming Times: 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Classes will be held at the Congress Park Campus. 

Detailed information about programs and transportation is available in PushCoin. Families with children who qualify for ESY based on their IEP will be contacted by their case manager.

Visit your child's PushCoin account for additional information, transportation options, and registration.

D102 and Hold the Phone present the latest installment of the "2026 Tech Education Series" - a screening of the documentary "Screenagers - Elementary School Edition".

COME WITH YOUR KIDS on Wednesday, February 25th at 6:30pm at the Park Auditorium. The content is tailored to K- 6th graders. THIS IS A FREE EVENT.

The film is approximately 1 hour long. WATCH THE TRAILER HERE

Date: 02/25/2026 (Wed.)

Time: 6:30pm - 7:30pm CST

Location: Park Junior High Auditorium

Spring 2026 — Visit from Lisa Honold, Director of the Center for Online Safety
Lisa Honold will spend several days in our schools engaging students in grades 3–6 on topics such as online reputation, privacy habits, and healthy screen-time practices. She will also lead interactive sessions with 7th and 8th graders at Park. Date to be announced at a later date. 

Hold the Phone will then host a Parent Night featuring Lisa, where she will recap her student presentations and offer guidance on how families can reinforce these principles at home. Stay tuned for the confirmed date and additional event details.

If you have questions or would like to support any of these events, please contact Hold the Phone at info@parentsforholdthephone.org

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As a reminder Semester 1 Mid-Year Progress Reports have been posted. You can review this report under Student Reports in the PowerSchool Parent Portal.

We know how important it is to stay updated on your student’s academic progress without having to manually check a website every day or wait until Reports come out. To make things easier, the PowerSchool Parent Portal offers customizable email notifications that send grades, attendance records, and school assignments directly to your inbox.

Notifications are not on by default so follow the simple steps below to ensure you never miss an important update.

How to Enable Email Notifications

Log In: Visit the D102 PowerSchool Parent Portal and log in with your username and password.

Access Settings: On the left-hand navigation menu, click on the Email Notification icon.

Choose Your Updates: You will see a list of options. Check the boxes for the information you wish to receive:

Set the Frequency: Use the "How Often?" dropdown menu to choose how frequently you receive these emails (e.g., Weekly, Every Two Weeks, or Daily).

Apply to All: If you have multiple students linked to your account, check the box at the bottom that says "Apply these settings to all my students" to save time.

Save: Don't forget to click the Submit button at the bottom of the page!

If you have any trouble accessing your account or navigating these settings, please contact the school’s secretary for assistance, or email district102@dist102.k12.il.us. 

Dear Parent/Guardian,

Students, teachers, and parents across Illinois have an opportunity to participate in the annual Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This survey is designed to provide important feedback about your child’s school. As a parent/guardian, this opportunity will allow you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school efficacy, leadership, safety and academic programming.

The 5Essentials Survey is designed by The University of Chicago and administered online by UChicago Impact. The survey gathers data related to five indicators designed to predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and academic growth. The 5 Essential indicators that affect and predict school success are:

All District 102 teachers and 4th through 8th grade students will be responding to this survey. 5Essentials results are sent to schools and districts in May and are also included in the Illinois School Report Card. District 102 uses the feedback from the 5 Essential results to monitor school and district improvement goals as stated in Vision 2030, our Strategic Plan.

D102 would like to ask all parents and guardians to complete the parent survey. If at least 20 percent of each school’s parents/guardians complete this survey, a separate parent report will also be generated for each school. The parent is not included on the State Report Card, but is reported out by the District as one of the metrics measuring our Strategic successes and areas that need improvement. Parent identities and survey responses are completely confidential and are never connected to you or your child.

The Illinois 5Essentials Survey for students, teachers, and parents will be conducted through March 13th. To take the survey please visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/ and select the appropriate survey to begin.

For more information about the Illinois 5Essentials Survey, or to view previous years’ Reports, please visit https://www.5-essentials.org/illinois. Parents will need to create a personal account with 5Essentials to view school specific results. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact UChicago Impact Survey Support at 1-866-440-1874 or impact-surveys@uchicago.edu.

Illinois State Board of Education School Maintenance Project Grant
D102 (Mark Pavljasevic and Chris Covino) received a grant to replace doors, hardware, and locks at Forest Road, Cossitt, and Ogden. ($50,000 matching grant)

Illinois Digital Educators Alliance Mini Grant
Park Junior High (Erica Wolf) received a grant to support her project, “Makey Makey Flight Simulator: Innovative STEM Learning Takes Flight.” ($630)

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Mathematics Education Trust Grant
Congress Park School (Kim Smith) received a grant to support her project, which incorporates picture books, hands-on manipulatives, and professional development to help students – including English Learners and those from low-income backgrounds – to better understand, retain, and model historically challenging math concepts. ($1,260)

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Schoolyard Habitat Grant
Ogden Avenue School (Julie Pitelka) received a grant to transform an existing raised bed at Ogden into a pollinator garden and butterfly waystation and establish it as an outdoor classroom. ($1,700)

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Schoolyard Habitat Grant
Forest Road School (Julie DiOrio and Andrea Foster) received a grant to create a new pollinator garden at Forest Road, which will serve as an outdoor classroom, providing hands-on learning opportunities for Environmental Club as well as Forest Road classrooms. ($2,000)

Congratulations to Congress Park School on receiving the Julia Rappaport Growing Gardeners Fund Grant from the American Horticultural Society! Thanks to this grant, Kristine Carbray and Aaron Dembowski are working with students in grades 3-6 to learn about the importance of pollinators and the benefits of planting native plants. Students gathered supplies to begin winter sowing some milkweed varieties, blazing star, and purple echinacea, to create habitats to support monarch butterflies and other pollinators.

This hands-on project connects directly to our Dual Language Program themes of cross-cultural understanding and the geography of the Americas. Students will learn about butterfly life cycles and migration patterns while gaining meaningful experiences in nature.

D102 is filled with passionate and dedicated educators who make a difference every day. Let’s show our appreciation by nominating an educator who deserves the spotlight! 📢

#ThankYouD102Educators This month we celebrated Ms. Cummings at Congress Park! Her dedication, care, and commitment to creating a welcoming and joyful learning experience make a lasting impact on our youngest learners and their families. We are so grateful for the heart and passion she brings to the classroom each day! 

#ThankYouD102Educators This week, we are recognizing Mr. Gust, the Music Teacher at Ogden Ave. He has shown great passion, creativity, and dedication to students. We’re grateful for the inspiring learning environment he creates each day!

STEM EXPO offers students from Kindergarten to 6th grade the opportunity to explore a science topic of their choice. We encourage you to use your creative and inventive skills to create a project at home and share what you learned with other students, families, and teachers at EXPO. Projects range in complexity from simple observations to full experiments, inventions, or technology projects. 

Congress Park School was selected as an official school visit site for the National Association of Bilingual Education Conference, which was held in Chicago this year.

As part of the conference experience, approximately 30 bilingual educators from across the country visited Congress Park to observe our dual language program in action. Guests had the opportunity to see firsthand how our Two-Way, Two-Teacher model supported students in developing bilingualism, biliteracy, and cross-cultural understanding.

We were proud to showcase the dedication of our staff and students and to highlight the strong teaching and learning happening every day at Congress Park. Being chosen as a visit site was an honor and a reflection of the outstanding work of our bilingual education team.

The Mighty Patriots wrapped up their season in unforgettable fashion at the annual “Heroes vs. Heroes” game, taking on members of our local police and fire departments in a night filled with laughter, teamwork, and community spirit.

It was a spectacular, joy-filled evening that was as heartfelt as it was exciting. Every single player made a basket. Every single player heard the cheers. The energy in the gym was electric as families, friends, and community heroes celebrated the athletes’ hard work and growth throughout the season.

The event also included a special moment honoring our 8th grade students, recognizing their dedication and leadership as they prepare for their next chapter. It was a meaningful tribute during a game that perfectly captured what the Mighty Patriots are all about — inclusion, perseverance, and pride.

George, Sebastian, Carter, Kaley, Jake, Brianna, Paulie, Aria, Fiona, Nora, Katy, and Jayde — along with their incredible coaches and spirited mascots — extend their heartfelt thanks to everyone who came out to support them this season. The applause, encouragement, and unwavering belief from the crowd meant more than words can express.

We are excited to announce that Park Junior High School is kicking off a school-wide Special Olympics fundraiser with a “Cool School” Polar Plunge right here on school grounds on February 20th!

This event is more than a plunge into cold water. It’s a plunge into empathy, compassion, and leadership. With the generous help of the LaGrange Park Fire Department, participants will take a quick dip for an incredible cause. All participants who plunge will receive an official Polar Plunge sweatshirt as a small thank you for making a big difference.

How you can help:

Plunge with our students. There is no greater example than seeing trusted adults step forward and show that giving back can be just as powerful, if not more than receiving.

Support a student or staff member by donating on their page.

Contribute to our Angel Fund, which helps ensure that students who fall just short of their goal can still succeed and plunge.

Join us on February 20th around 2:45 p.m. to cheer on our school team and celebrate this moment together.

To sign up for this event, you can use the following link and click “register as an individual”: https://support.soill.org/parkjuniorhigh26

As your Family Liaisons, we seek to facilitate communication between families, district staff, other families and community partners to better meet the social and academic needs of our students’ families. Our deliberate community-building approach is designed to forge partnerships throughout District 102. We are eager to collectively enact strategies that realize and develop our strengths as a whole.

As your Family Liaisons, we're here to support you and connect you with helpful resources throughout the year. Whether you're looking for food assistance, housing support, mental health services, or enrichment opportunities for your children, we've gathered a variety of community resources in one easy-to-access document.

This guide will be updated throughout the year as new opportunities and services become available. We encourage you to bookmark it and check back often!

The Family Liaisons will once again coordinate Career Day events throughout La Grange School District 102 for the fourth year. We are excited to introduce students to a wide variety of career paths. Career Day aims to provide students with a close-up view of different career options, helping them connect their learning to the real world. This experience allows students to explore a broad range of careers and understand how a good education can lead to success in these fields.

We are currently looking for speakers to share their experiences with our students, and we would be delighted if you could commit approximately 75 minutes for elementary schools and 120 minutes for Park Junior High. This one-day event will take place in April-May 2026. In the form below, you may select the school(s) where you are interested in speaking.

If you have any questions please contact Lupe Del Real, Family Liaison at delrealgu@dist102.k12.il.us. Thank you!

Welcome, parents and family members of the D102 community! This is your dedicated space to discover the sports and activities available for your young scholars within the community of La Grange, La Grange Park, and Brookfield.

Here, you'll find an array of flyers highlighting engaging programs tailored to every age and interest. Whether your child is a sports enthusiast, an aspiring artist, or simply eager to explore new adventures, there's something here to captivate their curiosity and nurture their passions.

From youth sports leagues to creative arts workshops, from educational clubs to community events, we're committed to providing enriching opportunities for your child to learn, grow, and connect with their peers. Our aim is to foster a sense of belonging and camaraderie within our diverse community while promoting physical activity, creativity, and personal development.

The 2026 Run for 102 is scheduled for Sunday, April 19 with the start and finish line at Ogden Avenue school. The 1-mile race will start at 8:00am followed by the 5k at 8:30. This is the only district-wide event benefitting all six D102 schools! Registration opens March 2 and we look forward to a fun event with lots of runners & walkers followed by post-race music and fun. Want to help out even more? Checkout the website for information on sponsoring the event or volunteering on race day. 

Black History Month Event - Systemic Racism & Restorative Practices: An Interactive Discussion

The OPEN Committee, in partnership with the La Grange Public Library, is hosting an interactive, community‑focused conversation on the complex and important topic of systemic racism.

When: Thursday, February 19, 7:00 p.m.

Where: La Grange Library, 10 W. Cossitt Ave.

Register on Library's website

The discussion will be moderated by College of DuPage Justice and Criminal Studies professors Tauya and Richard Forst. Participants are encouraged to come prepared to listen, reflect, and engage. Parents and community members are welcome. Please visit the Library's website to register.

For questions and accommodations, please contact Sara Johnson.

We hope you'll join us for this important discussion!

Welcoming Our LGBTQ+ Friends and Neighbors: A Program for Youth and Families

Join the OPEN Committee for our 4th annual event with Youth Outlook, an organization that celebrates, empowers, advocates for, and provides services to meet the ever-evolving needs of LGBTQ+ youth. The evening will offer parents the chance to hear from others who are raising LGBTQ+ children, while kids participate in age‑appropriate activities focused on self‑expression, inclusion, and what it means to be an ally. All are welcome at this event, including friends, family and neighbors from surrounding communities. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided.

When: Wednesday, March 11, 6 to 8 p.m.

Where: Grace Lutheran Church, 200 N Catherine Ave.

RSVP on the SUG

Additionally, we will have a snack drive for kids at Youth Outlook Drop-In Centers. If you would like to make a donation, please bring any of the following snacks to the March 11 event (please no snacks with nuts):

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully. To request an accommodation, inquire about accessibility or for any other questions, please contact Sarah Knight.

Referral GPS - Connecting People to Treatment:  We are committed to creating a culture of well-being for students, staff,  parents, and the community. In an effort to continuously support this commitment, the district has entered an agreement with ReferralGPS. 

ReferralGPS is a web-based service focused on assisting our students,  staff, and community in finding local mental-health and substance use-related treatment. The service compliments the districts existing systems of support as a tool for student service teams and families to connect with treatment. Along with a searchable database of treatment options, ReferralGPS provides Care Navigation to assist families in triage, appointment setting, and follow-up care. 

School families may access ReferralGPS in two ways: 

1) Visit this link at https://referralgps.com/find-help/dist102 to search for treatment resources or connect with a Care  Navigator anonymously. 

2) Contact Student Services (social workers, psychologists,  counselors) to seek out treatment options. 

ReferralGPS takes into account all types of private and public insurance including PPO, HMO, Medicaid, Medicare, and families who are uninsured or underinsured. The platform also filters by age, gender, zip code, and special requests. 

ReferralGPS is available for use by district students, staff, and families at no cost. All information entered on the ReferralGPS tool is completely confidential and securely stored. 

If you are interested in seeking counseling-related services at this time,  please consider visiting https://referralgps.com/find-help/dist102 or reaching out to the Student Services team.