District 88 welcomes new staff members for the 2020-21 school year

CLICK HERE TO VIEW A LIST OF THE NEW STAFF MEMBERS FOR THE 2020-21 SCHOOL YEAR

 

District 88 administrators and staff members welcome the newest members of the District 88 family. Meetings took place virtually on Aug. 12 and 13 to help those employees become familiar with the district.

On Aug. 12 and 13, District 88 welcomed 22 new staff members. Because of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the meetings took place virtually.

During those two days, administrators shared information to help those employees become familiar with the district. Topics included:

• Introductions: Community leaders shared messages to greet the new staff members and to support them as they begin their journey at District 88. Click the video above to hear the messages.
  
  
• Equity initiatives: District 88 has been committed to creating and sustaining an equitable and inclusive environment through Deep Equity and Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Youth Equity Stewardship (YES!) series for more than half a decade and has put in place many programs to support these initiatives. The district will continue its work with Deep Equity, YES!, Trauma-Informed Practices and Restorative Practices and has implemented the District 88 C.A.R.E. Team (Committed to Academics, Resiliency and Equity) for students and staff to expand and deepen work in these areas.
  
  
• PBIS: In fall 2007, Addison Trail and Willowbrook implemented the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program to teach students expected behaviors, rules and what it means to be an Addison Trail Blazer and a Willowbrook Warrior. The goal of the program is to develop a positive school climate through creating common language and standards.
  
  
• Professional development: Best practices and instructional strategies were shared to help teachers prepare for starting the 2020-21 school year with Remote Learning. The group discussed innovative ways to create engaging lessons in a virtual environment.
  
  
• Virtual tours: Although the meetings with new staff members couldn’t take place in person, the schools provided them with an inside look at the buildings through virtual tours.