News

Dear Parents and Guardians, 

Did you know that District 27 has more than 35 languages and 30 countries represented among its families? In addition, 36 percent of the students in our district speak a language other than English at home. 

District 27 has long stood behind its mission of “Educating Students to Succeed in a Changing World.” In 2022, we set out to develop a district-wide Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan because we want our schools to be a place where students, staff, and families feel seen, heard, and have a sense of belonging. We know that our students are preparing for college and careers in an international society where they will study, live, and work with people from all different backgrounds. To optimize their educational experiences, we must provide our students with opportunities to see their own cultures represented in their learning as well as the cultures and experiences of others. Please visit our new DEI webpage for information about District 27’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion work. 

National Heritage and Awareness Months 

One way to make our schools more inclusive is to recognize National Heritage and Awareness Months. In the United States, these months are designated to recognize various ethnic and historically marginalized groups. They serve as an opportunity to commemorate and educate communities on various groups’ histories and contributions to American history. We will highlight these months in a way that is developmentally appropriate for the age groups at each school, with experiences ranging from student broadcasts to read-alouds and online interactive activities. 

The following months will be recognized during the 2023-24 school year based on instructional mandates from the Illinois School Code or because they include historically marginalized people: 

• Sept. 15 - Oct. 15: Hispanic Heritage Month 
• November: Native American Heritage Month 
• February: Black History Month 
• March: Women’s History Month and Disability Awareness Month 
• April: Arab American Heritage Month 
• May: AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) Heritage Month, Jewish American History Month, and LGBTQ+ History Month. 

*Students will continue to have opportunities to learn about other cultures and populations beyond those listed. 

Our principals will provide information about each National Heritage and Awareness Month as they are recognized throughout the year. Thank you for your partnership in creating and sustaining a welcoming and inclusive learning community here at District 27. 

Sincerely, 

John Deiter, Ph.D. 
Superintendent of Schools