Parent University 2016-17

District 64 Innovates! 21st Century Student Learning Showcase - See our photo gallery

District 64 celebrated innovation at the second annual showcase, which was held on May 22 at Emerson Middle School in advance of the regular Board of Education meeting. District 64's 1:1 learning initiative provides tools for students to amplify their learning opportunities and practice skills that will help them be future ready learners and leaders. Community members of all ages visited with more than 60 students -- selected from all schools and grade levels -- who demonstrated the exciting progress they have made this year in the 4 C's of communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity. The showcase wrapped up the 2016-17 Parent University series.

Putting Your Best Foot Forward: Creating a Positive Digital Footprint
Now Available! View on demand video podcast here

At District 64, we teach and talk to students about digital citizenship. How does this apply to the larger world, not just our school experiences? How can you consider the impact your posts/ shares/ likes might have in the future? Putting Your Best Foot Forward: Creating a Positive Digital Footprint video on demand, we'll discuss how our digital actions might create a first -- and lasting -- impression. We'll also discuss ways to create a positive online culture for ourselves and the people we interact with on a global level. Join us with your student, and get the conversation started! You will be able to view the video discussion on your own time!  This is geared towards families with students in grades 3-8. This video was produced by District 64 Instructional Technology Coaches: Tiffany Costa (Roosevelt), Rachel Labuz (Washington), Kevin Michael (Carpenter), Kara Pottinger  (Emerson), Megan Preis (Lincoln), Elizabeth Rihtar (Field), and Allison Sobotka (Franklin).

Take Care of You: Social-Emotional Learning and How it Impacts Digital Citizenship
Now Available! View on demand video podcast here

How do students protect themselves when they're interacting with others online? In this modern age, students may have many types of interactions while online: positive, negative, friendly, hostile. How can we teach our children to deal/ cope with the actions of others, and their reactions to a digital world? Social worker Linda Mirza (Roosevelt School), Psychologist Jocelyn Ortiz (Field/Roosevelt schools), and Instructional Technology Coach Beth Rihtar (Field School) discuss online interactions, and respond to questions from students submitted anonymously. You will be able to view the video discussion on your own time!  This is geared towards parents of students in grades 3-8 and is a great opportunity for a family viewing and discussion, too. Read more here.

Family Evening: Making, Coding & STEAMing

This event was held on November 9, 2016 from 6-7 p.m. at Lincoln Middle School (Learning Resource Center), 200 S. Lincoln, Park Ridge. Members of the District 64 Technology Team facilitated a hands-on night of exploration in Making, Coding and Science-Technology-Engineering-Arts-Math (STEAM)-ing together! Grades K-8 families explored our first elementary and middle school MakerSpaces, tried coding together, and learned the fundamental ideas behind our innovation and design mindset. Families had the opportunity to learn and problem-solve through exploration and play. The evening wa facilitated by District 64 Instructional Technology Coaches Megan Preis and Kevin Michael. View a Photo Gallery of the Event Here

The Climb to Mastery: Understanding Formative Assessment

This event was held on October 12, 2016. It was presented by Instructional Technology Coaches Rachel Labuz and Allison Sobotka. The Climb to Mastery focused on formative assessment, the method teachers use to assess student learning in real-time, and offered a hands-on experience that demonstrates some of the formative assessment strategies and technology tools that teachers and students use to gauge learning and understanding.

Google Apps for Education

This event was held on September 13, 2016. It was presented by District 64's Instructional Technology Coaches Allison Sobotka (Franklin School) and Kevin Michael (Carpenter School). Google Apps for Education have become an integral part of District 64's learning in our 1:1 learning program. Students have been given the opportunity to use this powerful productivity tool in their learning environments. In this session, parents learned about Google Drive, how it works and the awesome suite of apps students use to be creative, to think critically, to communicate to a variety of audiences, and to practice collaboration skills. The basics of Google Drive were reviewed and some of the great ways Google Apps are used for student learning were highlighted.