MAKERSPACE!

DID YOU KNOW THAT WE HAVE A MAKERSPACE FOR KIDS AND ADULTS? MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE YOUR PROJECT TO THE NEXT LEVEL!

3d Printer

Transform your digital model into a real, three-dimensional object. The Digital Media Lab can print your model. Our 3D printers use PrusaSlicer tools. Email DML@berwynlibrary.org for more information.

Sewing Machine

Our sewing machine not only stitches fabrics together, it embroiders, too! Sew and personalize any project. The library has a limited supply of practice materials, so feel free to bring in your own.

OTHER TOOLS YOU CAN USE

• Photo printer and scanner for printing high quality images on specialty papers

• Glowforge Pro for engraving

• Cricut Maker 3 for precision cutting

• Vevor Pro Heat Press to make custom shirts, hats and more.

• Boombox with MP3 converter to convert CDs and cassettes to digital files.

HOW CAN I BOOK?

Equipment in the digital media lab must be reserved one week in advance. To reserve a time, all you need is a library card. Equipment can be used for two hours a day, up to three times a week. Users must sign a waiver before using the equipment.

TO BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT OR FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Visit berwynlibrary.org/makerspaces

Email DML@berwynlibrary.org or SCAN THE QR CODE →

SCAN

BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT

Can’t miss these dates for the D100 2023-24 school year:

REGISTRATION IS OPEN! D100 encourages all new and returning families to register immediately so it can effectively plan for next school year. Please contact our district office at 708-795-2300 for any questions

BACK-TO-SCHOOL PICNIC: On August 10th, join us for the big event in partnership with the Berwyn Park District

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL IS AUGUST 23! For all K-8 students

UPDATES at a glance:

The district’s Dual Language program expanded to 7th grade and next year will reach full implementation K-8.

For the first time ever, our mariachi band and choir students performed for the community and shared the stage with the Morton 201 choir at the “Music in Our Schools” event organized by our fantastic music teachers.

Robotics and iSwat students were presenters at IDEAcon, an educational technology conference, along with staff from across the district.

Komensky Elementary School was designated an Exemplary School by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and all other D100 schools received Commendable School designations.

Heritage Middle School teacher Sarah Larson and Emerson Elementary paraeducator Deyse Garcia received Awards of Meritorious Service from ISBE Those Who Excel.

Leticia Valadez was named Principal of the Year for the West 40 Region by the Illinois Principals Association.

Facilities upgrades have continued in District 100, including library spaces and ventilation updates at our elementary schools.

Looking forward:

District 100 is continuing to invest in increasing student engagement through technology integration, updating all middle school iPads, and including keyboards.

School facility upgrades are continuing this summer, including new univents, asphalt, and fencing at Pershing Elementary School.

Our partnership with Youth Crossroads will continue to provide counseling support services at both middle schools.

Why Berwyn South District 100?

Berwyn is a special community. It is a place where people support one another, where diversity is valued and celebrated, and where parents are partners in education. It is a community built on strong traditions, with neighborhood schools being the heart of South Berwyn neighborhoods. It is a community that invests in young people through academics, social-emotional services, and extracurricular and recreational activities, and respects and partners with the educators and staff that serve students.

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District 100 currently has eight schools, all of which were named Apple Distinguished Schools for 2022-25.

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3,100 is the current number of students from Pre-Kindergarten to 8th grade.

20+ number of in-person and virtual events done in 2022-23

Our Mission

Our mission is to create inclusive learning environments where students take ownership of their academic and personal growth, embrace diversity, and strive to be positive influencers in our changing world.

How we connect with the community

School and District events are back in full force in District 100! Schools have hosted numerous events including student recognition events, musical performances, sports and club showcases, events for STEAM, math, reading, and science nights, cultural celebrations, and parent information events, to name a few. District events such as the Health and Wellness Fair and Music in Our Schools have been well-attended by the community.

Events for parents and families, along with Parent University topics, have included:

Día de los Muertos

What’s Possible for Student Learning at Home Healthy Habits, Safe Living, Mental Health

Empowering Parents and Students

Time Management and Routines

COVID-19 and Other Viruses

Cyber Safety

Bullying Awareness Book Release for Bilingual Parent’s Night

“The word ‘community’ truly exemplifies what it means to be a student or staff member in District 100. We consider ourselves a team of educators that partner with families to live our vision of inspiring a passion for learning in every child. We believe our students deserve the very best instruction and resources and we continue to invest in curriculum and professional development that supports rigorous learning environments which are engaging and personalized for our students. I attended D100 schools as a student and I’ve now had the pleasure of serving students and families in the South Berwyn community for more than 25 years. It’s the people who live here and work here that make it such an incredible place for students to learn, grow, and give back to their community.”

— Dr. Mary Havis, Superintendent, Berwyn South School District 100

Stay Connected!

Follow District 100 on Facebook (@BerwynSouthDistrict100), Instagram and Twitter (@BerwynSouth100)

Learn more at bsd100.org website or on our learning platforms, Seesaw and Schoology. Parents can also follow along with individual schools and teachers on socials.

6633 W 16th St. | Berwyn, IL 60402

(708) 484-6200 | bn98.org

Havlicek Elementary, Jefferson Elementary, Lincoln Middle School, Prairie Oak Elementary

UPDATES at a glance:

Ms. Abrantes, a 5th-grade teacher at Prairie Oak Elementary School, was awarded WGN-TV’s “Teacher Of The Month” after one of her students nominated her.

D98 worked with Rincon Family Services to offer information to new and incoming families, which assists them in connecting to programs that help improve their quality of life.

Math resources were upgraded from Eureka to Eureka Squared.

Can’t miss these dates for the D100 2023-24 school year:

REGISTRATION IS OPEN! D98 encourages all new and returning families to register immediately so it can effectively plan for next school year. Please contact our district office at 708-484-6200 for any questions

BACK-TO-SCHOOL PICNIC: On August 5th, join us for our major Back-to-School event!

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL IS AUGUST 23! For all K-8 students

D98 held Principal Coffee events that connected principals with those they serve.

ST Math, a brain-based math program, was implemented as a pilot in one of our elementary schools.

D98 opened two new STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) labs in Fall of 2022 — one in Prairie Oak Elementary School and the other in Lincoln Middle School.

The intake process for new students was updated to provide school tours and connect students with our Homeschool Community Liaison.

Looking forward:

Silk Screening Business: Berwyn North District 98 continues to expand offerings to students and families. In 2023, the district will open a silk screen business in the lower level of its culinary arts center. Students from the middle school will design apparel, hats, mugs, and more for the schools in the district. Eventually, it will grow into a business that sells apparel to the community.

Culinary Arts Center: Once renovations are complete, D98 will have a new kitchen that will not only serve students hot meals, but will also act as a Culinary Arts Center for after-school programs that will teach students how to prepare meals.

Why Berwyn North District 98?

“Berwyn North School District 98 has an unwavering commitment to serving all children well. Our staff strives daily to offer every student a world-class education. This education includes a rigorous academic curriculum coupled with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) and a plethora of Fine Arts courses. In addition, we will soon be adding culinary arts as one of our after-school options for students.

We value and honor culturally-defined beliefs, needs, styles, and behaviors of the students, families, and community we serve. We advocate for the rights of every student and their families and see the best in all students at all times.

We acknowledge differences as an asset and we foster a strong partnership among students, staff, families, and the community. Berwyn North District 98 also equips students with the ability to communicate effectively, collaborate, think critically, creatively address problems, and apply technology in order to reach their full personal, academic, and civic potential.”

In-Person and Virtual Event Recap:

D98 held 10 sessions of Parent University, conducted both inperson and virtually. This includes a morning session and an evening session to accommodate the schedules of parents.

Parent-teacher conferences were virtual and in-person based on parent preference.

A bilingual Family Mental Wellness Workshop was held at Prairie Oak School. This workshop focused on the link between mental health and physical health.

A Dia de Muertos event was held in partnership with city community members, such as Berwyn South School District 100, the Berwyn Park District, J.Sterling Morton High School District 201, and more.

Winter showcases, such as Mariachi, Ballet Folkrico, and art exhibits, occurred at all Berwyn North elementary Schools.

There were Pre-K Dual Language in-person parent experiences in January and March.

The Annual Children’s Day Parade was held in April 2023.

2,519 is the current number of students from Pre-Kindergarten to 8th grade.

71.3% is the percentage of teachers with a Master’s Degree or higher.

19:1 is the student/ teacher ratio.

“It is my honor and privilege to serve the students and families of Berwyn North School District 98. As long as I serve as Superintendent, I promise to work tirelessly to ensure that you are proud of the schools in our community.

My passion for education is the same today as it was 30 years ago when I entered the profession. This same passion forces me to reject low expectations and mediocrity as the norm when it comes to educating children. Whether it is the kids I serve in Berwyn North or my own kids, they deserve to attend schools where they feel safe, listened to, loved, and receive a high-quality education daily.

We are all accustomed to hearing the common narrative that students in low-income communities often have lower academic achievement. I, personally, know the challenges of growing up poor. However, I am convinced that a family’s finances should never determine the quality of the education that a child receives. Therefore, we are working diligently to ensure that the students in Berwyn North School District 98 receive an education similar to that of their peers in more affluent schools. Our students deserve nothing less.

Join us as we show the world that our students are not only capable of doing well academically, but they are resilient, persistent, and creative which adds to their brilliance. Let’s co-create the conditions that support all students in achieving their greatness.

— Dr. Michelle Smith, Superintendent, Berwyn North School District 98

Stay Connected!

Follow District 98 on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (@Berwyn98)

Learn more at bsd98.org and through the district’s app.

UPDATES at a glance:

621 Freshman visited a college campus on a field trip initiative led by the Freshman counselors.

Morton West had 111 state scholars.

The school has 48 clubs, including four new clubs added this year: Girls Flag Football, Dungeons and Dragons, ESports, and Music Made Loud.

117 students received Seal of Biliteracy awards, and 81 received commendations — including 3 French commendations, 1 Tagalog Seal, and 1 Italian Seal. All others are Spanish awards.

This school year saw the implementation of the very first Unified P.E. class, with 42 students participating in the program. You can follow along with the class on Twitter at @WestUnifiedPE!

Athletics and Activities welcomed two new Illinois High School Association-approved clubs — ESports and Bass Fishing. Girls’ Flag Football also had a successful first year, and Girls’ Bowling, Girls’ Wrestling, and Boys’ Wrestling all produced state qualifiers.

Kim Arthur and Kennedy Irmen were recognized as Those That Excel winners by the Illinois State Board of Education.

86% is the current graduation rate.

3,281 is the current number of students 9-12.

4,621 of service hours that students from Key Club, National Honor Society, and Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica completed.

Can’t miss these dates for the 2023-24 school year!

JUNE 30: Registration deadline

JUNE 8-30: Summer School Session 1

JULY 10-28: Summer School Session 2

AUGUST 14: First day of school

Message From The Superintendent

“District 201 is proud to be part of the Berwyn community. We do our best to not only provide the best educational and extracurricular opportunities to our students, but also to be of service to our community. Morton continues to increase opportunities for students in Advanced Placement courses, career and technical education, and activities and athletics. Just some recent examples include Advanced Placement Chinese, Advanced Placement Human Geography, Welding, Commercial Drivers License partnership with Morton College, a Pre-Pharmacy pathway, and more. This year we added Boys’ Bowling to our athletic program. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the Berwyn community as we prepare students for a bright future.”

— Dr. Timothy Truesdale

Message From The President

“Morton College’s mission “to enhance the quality of life of our diverse community through exemplary teaching and learning opportunities, community service, and life-long learning” is a vital asset to the residents of Community College District 527.

In 2024, the college will celebrate its 100th year of service as a public 2-year institution of higher education in the state of Illinois. As the second oldest community college in the state, and one of the oldest in the country, the college has provided educational opportunities to tens of thousands of students for nearly a century, serving as a gateway to greater prosperity for individuals and families while strengthening the vitality of our community.

In recent years, Morton College facilities have been transformed to exceed our students’ and community’s needs and expectations. The campus is now a hub of activity, offering career and transfer degrees, certificate programs, and community events.”

As we prepare to enter another 100 years of service, we are excited about our future plans to continue reimagining campus spaces and services to make Morton College the premier destination in the community — not only for education, but also for innovative health and wellness, social, recreational, entertainment, and even culinary experiences.”

— Dr. Stanley Fields

UPDATES at a glance:

Opening of the One-Stop Center, which provides all essential student services under one roof.

Opening of the Student Union, which is triple the size of the former space and allows multiple activities to go on at one time.

Revamping of science lab spaces.

In 2022, Men’s Soccer placed second at the NJCAA Division II national tournament with a record of 19-1-1.

In 2023, Women’s Basketball placed fifth at the NJCAA Division II national tournament with a record of 34-1. The team is ranked No. 1 in the country for the first time in school history.

Actor Danny Trejo’s appearance headlined Rick Najera’s Latino Thought Makers series at Morton College. There was a Social Media Internship partnership with the Berwyn Development Corporation which saw 12 Morton College students help 12 Berwyn small businesses with their social media presence.

Student Alejandro Joleanis was named “Top Speaker” at two different speech competitions across the country.

Looking forward:

Morton College will open a new Tutoring Center.

Several additions have been made to math and science programs, such as: A dedicated space for emporium-style math courses

Installation of a seismometer and weather computer in the STEM Center

Purchasing a telescope for the physics/ astronomy courses.

Morton College’s Science Department updated the cadaver lab space to house a new virtual anatomage table and equipped a brand-new laboratory space to offer a wider variety of biology courses. Funding came from a U.S. Department of Education Title III Grant.

Can’t miss dates for the 2023-2024 school year:

Start of Summer Sessions:

May 30 5-week session

June 12 8-week session

July 3 5-week session

August 21

Start of Fall Semester

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Number of current students:

3,612 degrees, including university transfer and career programs in fire science, computer science, law enforcement, early childhood education, office management technology, and more!

38 certificates in areas such as automotive, computer science, health care, HVAC, office management, cannabis dispensary technician, welding, early childhood education, and more!

AND 50+ IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL EVENTS, INCLUDING:

$2.4 million scholarship dollars awarded in Fall of 2023.

$$$

Rick Najera’s Latino Thought Makers, the annual Women’s Empow-HER-ment Conference, a job fair, summer STEAMers camp for area youth, live theater productions at the Jedlicka Performing Arts Center with A Christmas Story, The Musical, Driving Miss Daisy, and Working, and programs for those wanting to learn English or complete their high school degree.

Assisting future students with events like Future Panther Night, Dual Enrollment Open House, Parent Information Day, Tuesdays with Morty, application events, financial aid/FAFSA workshops, and orientation sessions for nursing, physical therapist assistants, cannabis dispensary technicians, and fire science programs.

Supporting current students with New Student Orientation, Welcome Week events, Undocumented Student Support Services, and fun finals and mid-term stress-relieving events.

Free programs also include access to food, pop-up closets with access to job-related clothing, laptops, short-term transportation, and tuition balance forgiveness grants.

Education and cultural events for students such as Artist Talks, a Women in STEM panel discussion for Women’s History Month, a visit from urban Chicago historian Shermann “Dilla” Thomas for Black History Month, and Hispanic Heritage Month events.

On October 31, 1963, President John F. Kennedy signed into law the Community Mental Health Act, which drastically altered the delivery of mental health services and inspired a new era of optimism in mental healthcare. This law led to the establishment of comprehensive community mental health centers throughout the country. It helped people with mental health conditions, who were until then effectively “warehoused” in hospitals and institutions, move back into their communities.

In Illinois, the Community Mental Health Act led to the creation of “708” boards, which are community mental health boards established by a community, municipality, or township for the purposes of planning and funding mental health, developmental disability, and substance abuse services. Through the hard work of area residents and social service agencies, the Berwyn Township 708 Community Mental Health Fund was established in 1974 by referendum.

The Berwyn Township 708 Community Mental Health Board (CMHB) promotes quality, community-based mental health, developmental disability, and substance use disorder services for the people of Berwyn. The CMHB fulfills this mission by making grants to local agencies that provide these services. Moreover, the CMHB fosters alliances and collaboration among the agencies themselves and among the agencies and various governmental departments and other community organizations that serve Berwyn.

Berwyn Township 708 Community Mental Health Board Today

In 2023, the CMHB granted $563,842 in support of 16 agencies and their provision of 26 community-based programs that improve the mental health of Berwyn Township residents with mental health conditions, developmental disabilities, and/or substance use disorders. These organizations are, in mental health: Beds Plus Care, Children’s Center of Cicero and Berwyn, Family Service and Mental Health Center of Cicero, Housing Forward, Infant Welfare Society Children’s Clinic, NAMI Metro Suburban, Pillars Community Health, Proviso Children’s Advocacy Center, Sarah’s Inn, Solutions for Care, and Youth Crossroads; in developmental disabilities: Community Support Services, Oak-Leyden, UCP Seguin, and West Suburban Special Recreation Association; and in substance use disorders: Way Back Inn.

WE’RE LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS

The Community Mental Health Board (CMHB) is continually looking for Berwyn residents from diverse backgrounds - including individuals who have used and/or provide mental health services- to serve among its seven volunteer members, who are appointed by the Berwyn Township Supervisor.

For more information about the process of becoming a member of the Berwyn 708 CMHB, visit www.berwyn-mental-health-board.com or contact Executive Director Allen Doederlein at (312) 731-5912 or b708cmhb@yahoo.com.