For this week's Classroom-Close Up feature, we're stepping into the world of business at Edison Middle School, in Ms. Usha Iype's Entrepreneurship class.

Think "Shark Tank" for middle schoolers. Just like the INCubator program at the high school, this class challenges students to use the engineering design process to identify a problem and customer need – all with the ultimate goal of presenting a viable start-up plan to local stakeholders. Parent mentors and guest speakers are invited throughout the semester to share their expertise; whether in business, problem-solving, or just providing a fresh perspective. This is invaluable in helping our students develop their entrepreneurial skills.

In this week's class, students were testing their knowledge of business finances by calculating fixed and variable costs, profit and break-even points. After completing the worksheet, they moved on to applying their knowledge in an interactive game called Visa Financial Football to help teach financial concepts and money management skills.

In addition, two groups of students were working on their business product development. One group brought in samples of their lower sugar, higher protein brownies for their peers to taste test against their competitors. The students provided this group with valuable feedback via a Google Form. Another group practiced their business pitch with Assistant Principal Mr. Jim Zimmerman.

Ms. Iype's class is giving these students a real-world experience in entrepreneurship, teaching them valuable skills in business, finance, and product development, while sparking their creativity and problem-solving abilities.

Online registration is now open for the 2025-26 school year for new students, kindergarteners, and new and returning Jefferson Early Childhood Center tuition students. Click here for more information and to begin the online registration process.

Registration for all returning students for the 2025-26 school year is scheduled to open in the spring. More information will be forthcoming. 

CUSD 200 is looking for engaged community members to join the Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CAC) for the 2025-26 school year. The CAC works to provide valuable input on educational and district-related initiatives to district administration and the Board of Education.

Candidates must reside within CUSD 200 boundaries and shall not miss more than two meetings without first notifying an officer of the CAC or the superintendent’s office. Members serve one-year terms (up to five consecutive years) and meet regularly (usually monthly) throughout the school year.

Applications are due by March 28, 2025, and can be filled out and submitted online by clicking here or visiting the CUSD 200 website.

Questions? Please contact: Dianna Hutchison at (630) 682-2002 or dianna.hutchison@cusd200.org.

CUSD 200 hosted the 8th Annual Special Games at Wheaton North High School on Friday, March 21. The event kicked off with an opening ceremony welcoming teams from the Transition Center, Wheaton North High School, Wheaton Warrenville South High School, Hubble Middle School, Monroe Middle School and Glenbard West High School. Following the opening ceremony, teams dispersed to compete in the following activities:

• Sprinting on the Track

• Kan Jam

• Ladder Ball

• Basketball

• Golf

• Bowling

• Target Throwing

• Hockey

We are so proud of the athletes who demonstrated such incredible spirit and sportsmanship at the 8th Annual Special Games. Thank you to everyone who helped create such a positive and supportive experience.

A creative initiative by Mrs. Lopez and Ms. Hazen has brought the magic of Readers Theater to Bower Elementary School's third graders! Their new club, which quickly drew 40 eager students, recently gave teachers a lunchtime treat with a lively performance of "The Lion King." In April, a second group of students will take the stage with their own performance. What a fantastic way to showcase our students' talent and enthusiasm for reading.

Earlier this month, the Flying Tigers Basketball Team had the chance to compete at the State Tournament! Prior to leaving for the tournament, the Transition Center, Wheaton North and Wheaton Warrenville South high schools each celebrated their athletes who are members of the Flying Tigers team that was heading to State. The team earned third place! Congratulations!

Recently, Johnson and Wiesbrook elementary schools welcomed families to their buildings for a night of fun and learning!

At Johnson, more than 70 families came together to learn about math and reading. Families received math and reading packets with interactive games and information related to what students are working on in class.

At Wiesbrook, students shared their grade level Illustrative Math games with family and friends. Other activities included tangram and pentomino puzzles, math books, vertical whiteboard questions, estimation jars, and a collaborative math/art project.

Throughout the month of February, more than 35 Wheaton North High School staff participated in an annual voluntary peer observation cohort called "Falcon Flyovers". Participating staff ranged from varying grade levels, content areas, and years of experience in the classroom. The purpose of the Falcon Flyovers is to provide an informal, non-evaluative opportunity for teachers to showcase the innovative instructional practices and the engaging student learning happening in their classrooms. Teachers signed up to “host” other teachers in their classroom and signed up to observe their peers, oftentimes, in a different content area than their own.

By getting into different classrooms and watching the way colleagues teach, teachers picked up tricks and techniques that they were then able to take back to their own classrooms. In addition, seeing students with another teacher generates ideas one may never have come up with on their own. 

Mr. Aaron Pearlman, found that through observing “You will pick up useful methods for improving your instruction, management, and overall teaching approach. More importantly, this time spent with other teachers across the building has led to a greater sense of connectedness to the school as a whole. Not to mention, students love seeing their teachers drop into their other classes.”

A collaborative luncheon was organized where teachers further cultivated a spirit of experimentation and learning together by asking questions and discussing what they experienced in one another’s classroom. Overall, it was an incredible learning experience that the Wheaton North Staff looks forward to growing and expanding next year.