Archive for category: District Announcements

District #7 has always valued diverse languages and cultures and now we want to celebrate and recognize the many languages spoken within our District #7 boundaries! Beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, we will be participating in the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy. The Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy is an award presented at graduation in recognition of attaining a high level of proficiency in English and in one or more other languages. It is officially designated on a student’s transcript and high school diploma. 

This award is a great way to honor and encourage bilingualism and maintenance of home language for our English learner students as well as an extra incentive for our English-speaking students participating in world language studies. The award is available to students of all backgrounds and can be assessed anytime during a student’s high school career.  

Based on a student’s level of proficiency in English and their additional language, a student may qualify to receive State Commendation Toward Biliteracy or the State Seal of Biliteracy according to the proficiency information laid out below: 

 

State Commendation Towards Biliteracy Requirements	State Seal of Biliteracy Requirements
English Proficiency (choose one):  ACCESS for ELLs: 3.5 literacy  AP English Language and Composition exam: 3  ELA Dual Credit Course  STAMPS 4S: Intermediate Low  ACT: College ready benchmark (English) or 21 Composite  SAT: 480 ELA Score  TOEFL: Intermediate Low	English Proficiency (choose one):  ACCESS for ELLs: 4.8 Composite  AP English Language and Composition exam: 4  ELA Dual Credit Course  STAMPS 4S: Intermediate High  ACT: College ready benchmark (English) or 21 Composite  SAT: 480 ELA Score  TOEFL: 85  TOEIC: 550
World Language Proficiency (choose one):  AP Language and Culture Exam: 3  STAMP 4S: Intermediate Low  AAPPL form B: I-1 (Intermediate Low)  NEWL: Intermediate Low	World Language Proficiency (choose one):  AP Language and Culture Exam: 4  STAMP 4S: Intermediate High  AAPPL form B: 1-5 (Intermediate High)  NEWL: Intermediate High

There are also many postsecondary award benefits to earning the State Seal of Biliteracy, including all Illinois public colleges and universities must accept the State Seal of Biliteracy as equivalent to two years of world language coursework taken during high school for admissions purposes.  This document (Albanian, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese) provides more detailed information regarding public colleges and universities in Illinois. 

In District #7, everyone matters. Every day.  

The district and its schools are committed to fostering a safe and inclusive environment where students can thrive. To further this priority, the district announced its theme for the 2023-24 school year of Everyone, Every day, Edwardsville to staff prior to school starting.

“It builds on our mission and vision statements of each individual student and each individual employee and supporting their growth,” said Superintendent Dr. Patrick Shelton. “The theme also builds on the anti-bullying and harrasment work we have been doing the last few months. We want each student and employee to be treated with kindess and respect – regardless of who they are, their background, or what they believe in.” 

As Shelton and other district leaders unpacked that, the thought was that the theme is also something the community could get behind as well.  

As a result, the district has launched an Everyone, Every day, Edwardsville t-shirt sales campaign with all proceeds going directly towards anti-bullying and kindness in each of its 13 buildings. The campaign was announced at Monday night’s monthly Board of Education meeting, where all board members wore the shirt.

Why t-shirts? 
These shirts are a visible show of commitment to spreading kindness and making it known that every one person matters every day in District #7. By wearing these shirts, we are sending a powerful message that we stand united in promoting positivity and respect to all individuals within our schools.   

T-shirt details 
Youth size: $12 each 
Adult size: $15 each     

How you can participate 
Beginning today, you can purchase these special shirts by simply visiting our online store at https://stores.inksoft.com/ecusd7/shop/home to place your order.  

The store will close at midnight on September 12 and t-shirts will be delivered the following week.   

How your support makes a difference 
Profits from these t-shirt sales will directly contribute to programs and activities in each of our schools that are designed to prevent bullying and promote kindness throughout the district.     

Mark your calendars: Friday, September 29 
On this special day (which is also the Friday of Homecoming week), all those who bought a t-shirt are encouraged to wear their Everyone, Every day, Edwardsville t-shirt as a collective symbol of our commitment to kindness, inclusivity, and positive change.  

 

  

  

On the eve of the first day of school tomorrow, watch this message from District #7 Superintendent Dr. Patrick Shelton. He shares highlights going into the 2023-2024 school year as well as some of the recent challenges.

Read the video transcript here | Watch on YouTube with subtitles

 

 

 

As we gear up for the 2023-24 school year at Lincoln Middle School, we want to keep you informed about some important changes happening on the school campus. As you hopefully know, this past spring our community approved the District’s $100 million bond proposal, with one of the major projects being the renovation of Lincoln. Construction and demolition at and around the northern section of the building is now underway. During the summer, our construction manager worked to separate the building into two sections: the southern half that will be occupied by students and the northern half for demolition.    

To ensure the safety of everyone, including students, faculty, staff, and parents, the area undergoing construction will be surrounded by a fence. This is to prevent any accidents or mishaps during the construction period.   

There will also be changes to drop off and pick up of students. Please see the attached map for a visual.     

• Drop-Off Points: Due to the construction, the entrance from St. Louis Street will be closed for drop-offs. If you drop off your child, please use the circle drive from West Street. Also, kindly remember that parking is only allowed in the front angled parking area, not anywhere else along the circle drive.   
• School Bus Information: If your child uses the school bus, there will not be any changes in their drop-off and pick-up location. They will continue to be dropped off and picked up outside the gym, as they did last year.   
• Special Program Students: For students in special programs, their bus will pick them up and drop them off at the entrance to Floor Zero, as indicated on the provided information graphic.   

Finally, we cannot stress enough how crucial it is for everyone to pay attention to the posted signs and follow the instructions given. This will ensure the safety and well-being of all students, staff, and visitors during this transitional period.   

We understand these changes might be a bit inconvenient, but please know they are necessary to improve the school facilities to benefit our students. Thank you for your cooperation and we look forward to a successful and safe school year ahead.   

   

Scan the QR code below or use this link to request an appointment with the District #7 preschool office.

PRESCHOOL SCREENING