January 31, 2025

student and woman sit at a table doing a STEAM activity — Bonnie McBeth Early Learning Center preschoolers enjoyed a night where art meets science at the annual STEAM Night on January 23. More than 50 Bonnie McBeth Learning Center students and their families attended the annual event. It featured a variety of STEAM activities (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) in the classrooms.

This Week's Highlights around District 202

Superintendent: All students have a right to learn

Dear Plainfield School District 202 Families,

We are committed to providing every student with a safe, welcoming, and inclusive learning environment. Recent federal policy updates have raised questions about potential impacts on schools, and we want to offer clarity and reassurance.

The Illinois State Board of Education has confirmed that these federal actions do not require immediate changes at the local level. No federal laws, regulations, or funding policies that would affect our district have changed. Additionally, Illinois state laws protecting students remain in place.

We want to emphasize the following:

Student Privacy – Federal and state laws protect your child’s educational records, and we do not collect information on immigration status.

Our Commitment – We have protocols to protect students' rights and ensure safe learning spaces for all.

Your Rights – Every child has the right to attend public school, regardless of immigration status.

Plainfield District 202 board policy, the Illinois State Board of Education, and Illinois State Law provide many important protections.

Many resources are available, including the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights and ISBE Non-Regulatory Guidance on Immigration Enforcement Actions, which has created a “Know Your Rights” Fact Sheet in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Chinese, and French. Other community resources are also linked directly on our website.

We remain steadfast in our commitment to equity, inclusion, and nondiscrimination, ensuring that all students have equal opportunities to learn and succeed regardless of background. Thank you for being a valued part of our school community.

Sincerely,

Glenn Wood, Ed.D

Superintendent

PSHS cross-country team honors brother of coach

The Plainfield South High School cross-country team rallied around one of its coaches, who lost his brother in a tragic accident last year.

John “Ryan” Thompsen, PSHS assistant cross-country/track and field coach and a physical education teacher at Aux Sable Middle School, lost his brother, Illinois State Police Trooper Corey Thompsen, in a motor vehicle accident in October.

Trooper Thompsen was on duty driving a police motorcycle at the time of the accident.