Back to School

Dear Intermediate District 287 Families and Caregivers,

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! We are excited for the return of your student(s) to our classrooms, with the first day of school scheduled for Tuesday, September 3rd.

At Intermediate District 287, our mission is centered on ensuring every student achieves their full potential through personalized and exceptional educational programs. We are dedicated to students achieving academic success, cultivating equity and inclusion in our community, and promoting social and emotional learning. Our goal is to empower students with the skills and resilience needed to navigate challenges and build meaningful relationships.

We deeply value your partnership in your student's education and the trust you place in us. Together, we can create a positive and enriching educational experience that prepares our students for a successful future.

Below you will find helpful information to start the new school year.

Warm regards,

Marcy Doud

Superintendent

Strategic Plan Focus Area Work Group

District 287 would like to hear from you as we develop our Strategic Plan Year 2 Goals. We developed the 2024-2029 Strategic Plan in collaboration with our families/caregivers, students and staff. We spent last year working with our 287 community to create year 1 goal and we want to thank those of you who participated and gave feedback. If you are interested in participating or joining us again as we develop the goals for 2025-2026, we invite you to participate in one of the following Focus Area Work Group Meetings:

• Thursday October 24, 2024, 4:00-6:00 pm 
• Thursday November 14, 2024, 4:00-6:00 pm 
• Thursday January 23, 2025, 4:00-6:00 pm 
• Thursday February 27, 4:00-6:00 pm 
• Thursday March 13, 2025, 4:00-6:00 pm
• Thursday April 24, 2025, 4:00-6:00p.m.

A meal will be served at each event. Please sign up.

Evolv Weapons Detection System

The District uses Evolv Weapons Detection Systems as an additional layer of safety for our schools. Evolv is very similar to a metal detector; its advantage over a traditional metal detector is that it can identify weapons of mass casualties (i.e. explosives & firearms) that would not necessarily be detected by a metal detector. This system also increases the number of people who can pass through a detector at the same time.

The Evolv systems are solely a weapons detection system (similar to metal detectors). We will not be installing or using any facial recognition technology at any of our sites.

We understand that a weapons detection system affects everyone differently and can be seen as a setback for racial equity and school climate. We want to assure you that we will be closely monitoring our entire screening process to evaluate its effectiveness and its impact on those entering our buildings.

Student & Visitor Screening 

• All students, staff, and visitors entering a 287 school facility will be required to go through one of two entry points where an Evolv Weapon Detection System (WDS) is located. All visitors will be required to go through one entry point and pass through the Evolv WDS.  If the system alerts because it detects a potential weapon on someone’s person or in their belongings, students will have a secondary search conducted of the area the system indicates as a potential location for a weapon. Staff & visitors will be asked to remove any item from their person or belongings that may be alerting and re-enter through the system.

• Any student who exits the building unchaperoned or temporarily leaves their staff member's view while outdoors must go through the screening process again to re-enter the building.

RAPTOR Visitor Check-In

We also have a visitor management system (RAPTOR). The new system is similar to the previous visitor check-in system but is able to do a more comprehensive name search. 

A form of identification will be required to enter a 287 facility and sign in to RAPTOR. The best proof of identification is a picture ID, such as a driver’s license, state identification card, or passport. 

Layers of Safety

A comprehensive approach to school safety means that we must double down on the foundational trauma-responsive practices, such as trusting relationships with students, mental health supports, strong check-in and screening processes, and a rigorous and engaging curriculum. Relationship building is the number one layer of protection. View our layers of safety chart here.

Health Information

Health & Safety of the 287 community is of the utmost importance to us, so we do plan to keep many increased safety prevention measures in place to prevent catching and spreading respiratory illnesses.

Application For Educational Benefits

Meals are free for all students for the 2024-25 school year through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision. Although meals are free for all students, we ask that you still submit an Application for Educational Benefits to potentially qualify for other benefits, including: 

• Summer EBT Benefits
• Possible reduced rates for middle and high school activities in your home district
• Reduced AP testing and college application fees
• Compensatory funds  for the District to reduce class sizes, to provide counseling and social work services, and hire specialists

You may create a School Cafe account and apply online or fill out a paper application found on the meals page of the district’s website and submit it to your students' school.

School Calendar & Notification of a School Cancellation

You can view the 2024-2025 school calendar for this year on our calendar webpage. 

If the District ever decides to move to cancel school, you will be notified using the contact information we have on file for your student. If you ever need to update your contact information, please reach out to your school’s front office. 

Transportation

Transporting District 287 students is contracted through the student’s home school district. Please contact your home school district’s transportation department for transportation questions and needs. Visit our transportation webpage to find their contact information.

Cell Phones

New legislation requires all school districts establish cell phone use policies by March 15, 2025. We have a cell phone policy in our student handbook and we encourage you to read it. Depending on your program, students might be able to carry phones or other electronic devices and other programs require students to turn their cell phones off while in school. You will receive communication from your program about the plan for cell phones. At district 287, the best way to reach your student during the school day is by calling the school front office, not the student’s personal cell phone. If you have any questions please reach out to your school principal.

Questions, comments, or concerns?

If you have any questions or want to reach out to us, please feel free to contact your school’s front office or your school’s family engagement representative, and they will be happy to assist you.