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Newsletter pan khaan tang ah, na duh mi holh ah na thu thuhna kong a sim khawh ding i button pakhat na hawng khia a si.
CUSD 200
Amplifying Student Voices: Insights from Student Leadership Conversations
In Community Unit School District 200, we truly believe that our students are at the heart of everything we do. With this in mind, we're not only committed to teaching them, but also to listening to what they have to say. We know that great schools and teachers make students a priority, and a big part of that is giving them a real voice and taking their ideas and feedback seriously.
Our dedicated teachers and staff work hard every day to build strong connections with students and make them feel like they belong. At the district level, the administrative team has also created opportunities for students to provide feedback to the Senior Leadership Team members as well. One of those opportunities is through “Student Leadership Conversations.” Three times a year, at every middle and high school, Superintendent Dr. Schuler, and other members of the Senior Leadership Team, sit down with groups of student leaders (selected by their principals), to get feedback on a variety of topics.
This year, the conversations have focused on areas tied to the district’s Vision 2026 Strategic Plan. Students have shared valuable feedback on student learning, rigor, relationships, and student safety. In May, conversations will focus on the celebrations and impactful moments that our students have had this year and during their time in CUSD 200.
Many times, the feedback has affirmed the great work that our schools and educators are doing on a daily basis. The student feedback has also provided administration with ideas and insights for continued improvement.
Some of the main themes or takeaways from our conversations with students this year include:
Teachers that prioritize building relationships with students help students to learn at the highest levels while simultaneously creating memorable moments in their classrooms.
Connecting to school through relationships with peers and educators contributes greatly to students feeling safe and happy at school.
Students feel that there are ample opportunities to be involved in extracurricular activities.
Student attendance is influenced by a student's connection to their school.
Peer relationships are strongly valued by our students.
Students desire learning environments where they are challenged, respected, and cared for by the teacher.
These conversations have also highlighted the amazing students that we have in our district. We have so much to be proud of in CUSD 200, and seeing our students grow and succeed is paramount. For the 2025-26 school year CUSD 200 plans to expand Student Leadership Conversations to the elementary level, giving our youngest learners an opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas with district administrators.
Returning Student Registration Now Open for 2025-26 School Year
Last year, Community Unit School District 200 launched a new online registration portal for families to use when enrolling their students for school. CUSD 200 will continue to utilize the online registration process for the 2025-26 school year.
Registration for returning families for the 2025-26 school year is now open with a deadline of Friday, May 9.
To begin the online registration process for returning students, parents/guardians can navigate to our district website (www.cusd200.org) and then click <Enrollment> found in the upper right portion of the page, or click this link. Then, select the <Register Returning Student> button.
If a family has children that span across multiple CUSD 200 buildings, the receiving school of your oldest child will ensure all documents submitted in person are sent to the other appropriate buildings so that families only have to visit one location.
If you have general questions about the enrollment process, please contact the school your child will be attending. If you experience any issues during the online portion of the enrollment process, please email SynergyParentSupport@cusd200.org.
CUSD 200 PushCoin Fee Reminders
As we near the end of the 2024-25 school year and prepare for the next school year, CUSD 200 wants to remind families about a few upcoming fees in PushCoin Accounts:
The All Day Kindergarten Tuition Deposit for the 2025-26 School Year - Posted in PushCoin on April 25
Early Bird Registration fee - Will be posted in PushCoin May 2
Senior Graduation Cap & Gown fees - Will be posted in PushCoin May 2
Please click the links below for a detailed list of fees for the 2025-26 school year:
Classroom Close-Up
For this week's Classroom-Close Up feature, we visited Mrs. Sophie Shaw's first grade class at Washington Elementary where she was joined by bilingual teacher, Mr. Brian Clark. During this Bookworms unit, students were working on writing their own mystery stories.
Students began the writing process by plotting their narratives, outlining the missing item and the three key places their characters searched before the mystery was solved. This structured approach provided a solid foundation for their writing.
The co-teachers then encouraged a deeper level of storytelling, prompting students to include genuine feelings and realistic dialogue within the story. Throughout the writing process, the focus remained on crafting clear, sensible stories with attention to essential writing conventions like spelling and punctuation.
By the end of the lesson, students were enthusiastically reading their mystery stories to their peers! This engaging writing activity in Mrs. Shaw's first-grade class, with the support of Mr. Clark, helps foster imagination and essential writing skills in Washington Elementary's youngest learners.
CUSD 200 Staff/Student Celebrations
CUSD 200 Seniors Recognize Former Teachers
As graduation approaches, our CUSD 200 seniors have been reflecting on the people who helped shape their journey. A few weeks ago we invited seniors to share the name of a former teacher who made a lasting impact—someone who inspired them, believed in them, or helped them grow during their time in our schools.
What followed was truly heartwarming.
Seniors had the opportunity to visit and surprise these teachers with an “Impact/Inspiration” award and took a moment to personally express their gratitude. Many of these teachers had taught the students in elementary or middle school, leading to hugs, happy tears, and heartfelt stories that reminded everyone just how powerful the student-teacher connection can be.
To bring it full circle, these seniors also invited their former teachers to attend their upcoming graduation ceremony—to witness the moment they receive their diplomas, and to celebrate the role they played in helping them get there.
Take a look at the video below for a glimpse into these unforgettable reunions across the district—moments filled with joy, gratitude, and deep connection.
Student Excellence Foundation Honors CUSD 200 Educators
Each year, CUSD 200 teachers are named Distinguished Educators by the Student Excellence Foundation. Additionally, one retired CUSD 200 teacher is named a Golden Star. The following CUSD 200 educators were honored during the Foundation's Celebrate Our Stars event on Wednesday, April 30, at Wheaton North High School:
Julie Braun: Edison Middle School (6th Grade Math)
Kelley Heatherington: Washington Elementary School (3rd Grade)
Joanne Lang: Wheaton North High School (Spanish)
Jonah Lather: Bower Elementary School (5th Grade)
Katie Turner: Monroe Middle School (8th Grade ELA)
Brianna Yarwood: Wheaton Warrenville South High School (English)
Sally Keith: Golden Star Award
During the event, the Student Excellence Foundation also awarded scholarships to the following students:
Sultan G. - Wheaton North High School
Fernando G. - Wheaton North High School
Faheed N. - Wheaton North High School
Soe M. - Wheaton North High School
Grace B. - Wheaton Warrenville South High School
Miles D. - Wheaton Warrenville South High School
Eunice R. - Wheaton Warrenville South High School
Christopher W. - Wheaton Warrenville South High School
CUSD 200 BPAC-sponsored Spanish parent workshop
Last week, Hubble Middle School hosted a Spanish Parent Workshop sponsored by our Bilingual Parent Advisory Council (BPAC). The evening was filled with delicious food, colorful folklore dancing, student recognitions, and an engaging guest speaker. It was a wonderful celebration of culture, community, and connection.
Emerson Meet the Author Event
Emerson Elementary School recently welcomed families for a Meet the Author Event where third graders proudly shared their writing with their families - an opportunity to celebrate their growth and come together as a community.
Franklin Orchestra Groups Compete at IGSMA State Contest
Congratulations to two of Franklin's orchestra groups, Chamber Ensemble and the seventh and eighth Grade Orchestra, for their phenomenal performances at the IGSMA State Contest on Saturday, April 26. Chamber Ensemble received a Superior Rating and the seventh and eighth Grade Orchestra received a Superior Rating with High Honors, the highest rating of the day. This is the fourth year in a row that Franklin's seventh and eighth Grade Orchestra has received this honor. Congratulations on this achievement!
CUSD 200 Important Dates
Board of Education Reorganization Meeting - 7 p.m. Thursday, May 8 at the School Service Center
Board of Education Meeting - 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 14 at the School Service Center
Free Mobile Food Market - 4:30-6 p.m. Thursday, May 15 at Johnson Elementary School
