Curriculum & Instruction

The mission of the Teaching, Learning, & Innovation (TLI) Department is to provide leadership, service, and support in all areas of curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional learning so that all students and teachers perform to their highest potential. We work with teachers, administrators, and support staff across all district schools to ensure a guaranteed and viable curriculum is in place at all schools across grade levels and content areas.

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Academic Subjects

Grading & Reporting

Instructional Handbook

Assessments

Advanced Learning

Early Entrance

MultiLingual Learners

Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS)

Concerns About Curriculum or Materials

District 109 is committed to providing a high-quality education that meets the Illinois Learning Standards and is aligned with our District's mission and vision. In accordance with state and federal laws, a parent or guardian may submit a curriculum objection form to request an exemption for their child from instructional materials or programs. This form is intended for objections based on religious beliefs or other rights guaranteed by Illinois law or Board policy.

Curriculum or Instructional Material Objection Form

Meet the Team

Danielle Arnold, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction

Jason Jezuit
Director of Learning & Instruction

Annette Maloney
Systems & Data Specialist

Patti Kalaytowicz
Administrative Assistant for Teaching & Learning

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School Report Cards

The online Illinois Report Card provides a complete view of public schools in the state of Illinois. It offers a graphic view of PARCC assessment results, as well as measures of school environment, student demographic and staff make-up.

Access District & School Report Cards

Curriculum Review Cycle

It is good practice for a district to be on a formal curriculum review cycle. A review does not need to be synonymous with a program adoption. In some cases, new materials are selected. In other cases, the district may just analyze its curricular resources, data, and teaching models. The goal of a review, no matter the path, is to ensure that instructional practices are maximizing outcomes for students. District 109 curriculum leadership teams, made up of teachers and administrators, are vital to the process. More information about the cycles of review (with corresponding years) can be found in the Instructional Handbook.

Libraries

The mission of the Deerfield District 109 school library media program is to engage with other members of the school and global communities, empower students with the essential skills for using ideas and information effectively, and inspire them to become ethical users of information and lifelong learners. The library program emphasizes four domains:

Love of Reading
Digital Citizenship
Information Literacy
Technology

Flexible scheduling allows for collaboration with staff and students. Our libraries are student-centered active learning spaces with collections that reflect equity, diversity, and inclusion and support social-emotional learning.

School libraries support classroom curriculum continually throughout the year.

Download the DPS 109 School Library Program Guidelines (PDF)

Concerns About Curriculum or Materials

Curriculum or Instructional Material Objection Form

PaCE

Deerfield 109 Postsecondary and Career Expectations (PaCE) Framework

The Illinois Postsecondary and Career Expectations (PaCE) Framework was designed to provide students with guided exploration of postsecondary planning and options in a manner consistent with the developmental stage of each student. In District 109, a majority of activities related to financial literacy are embedded in the social studies curriculum. Activities related to the exploration of career and college begin in the intermediate grades and will continue at Deerfield High School.

By the End of 2nd grade

Each student will be supported to:

Classify objects and concepts as needs or wants. Investigate related costs.
Describe why, how, and where people spend, save, and earn money.
Categorize resources, generate examples, and classify businesses as goods or services.
Begin learning about a variety of careers through class discussion, read-alouds, and activities.
Reflect on their own interests, skills, and what makes them unique.

Students should know:

The basic concepts of money.
The difference between needs and wants.
A basic understanding of consumer demand.
Local goods and services, and goods and services produced elsewhere.
A basic understanding of a variety of careers.

By the End of 5th grade

Each student will be supported to:

Explain the role of producers and consumers in an economy.
Identify their individual academic and personal strengths, as well as areas for growth and development.
Participate in an activity that exposes them to career pathways.
Create a budget that weighs income and expenses.
Complete an interest inventory and begin discussing career goals.

Students should know:

The basic concepts of an economy, including factors that influence behavior (supply and demand).
The role of business and industry in Illinois.
How to set long-term and short-term goals.
A basic understanding of career types that fall within the pathways.

By the End of 8th grade

Each student will be supported to:

Complete a financial literacy unit as part of the social studies curriculum.
Complete a career cluster survey.
Create a basic resume and write a personal statement.
Attend a career exploration day event in their middle school.
Explore high school coursework related to their skills and interests.
Begin exploring post-secondary options, general costs, and requirements.

Students should know:

Basic finance terms and concepts (budgeting, debit, credit, interest, savings, credit scores, etc.)
The career clusters and related careers.
The relationship between school coursework, attendance, and grades to postsecondary plans.
Possible careers of interest.
The connections between choices and education, personal finance, and career paths.

Technology & Innovation

In Deerfield Public Schools District 109, the primary focus of the digital tools is to enhance learning so that students can grow academically at their own place, pace, and path. Digital tools, particularly the learning management systems, can also be used to enhance communication with parents/guardians, providing a window into their child’s learning.

Likewise, as we strive to prepare our students to thrive in a constantly evolving technological landscape, Deerfield District 109 focuses on the ISTE Student Standards which are designed to empower student voice and ensure that learning is a student-driven process.

Technology/Devices

District 109 is a 1:1 teaching and learning environment. Students in grades K-1 are issued an iPad for educational purposes. Students in grade 2-8 are issued a touchscreen 2-in-1 Chromebook. As a 1:1 school district, classrooms utilize online tools to promote collaboration, communication, critical thinking, creativity, and digital citizenship.

The primary focus of the digital tools is to enhance learning so that students can grow academically at their own place, pace, and path. Digital tools, particularly the learning management systems, can also be used to enhance communication with parents/guardians, providing a window into their child’s learning.

Teachers further their ability to use technology to enhance their teaching through various professional development opportunities provided by technology partners and at the district. DIstrict 109 is a Google for Education learning environment with many staff having gone through training to become Google Certified Educators and/or Google Certified Trainers.

Net 56 technicians manage technology infrastructure and provide support to staff and students.

two students sitting side by side wearing headphones using ipads

Innovation

Innovation in 109

As we strive to prepare our students to thrive in a constantly evolving technological landscape, Deerfield District 109 focuses on the ISTE Student Standards which are designed to empower student voice and ensure that learning is a student-driven process.

The ISTE Student Standards help our students become an:

Empowered Learner
Digital Citizen
Knowledge Constructor
Innovative Designer
Computational Thinker
Creative Communicator
Global Communicator

Throughout the district our students have opportunities to experience learning which focus on the ISTE Student Standards. Empowering learners through setting goals, gathering feedback, choosing their learning product, and transferring their learning. Learning digital citizenship lessons using resources such as Commonsense Media and Google Be Internet Awesome throughout the year recognizing the rights, responsibilities and opportunities of living, learning and working in an interconnected digital world. By learning to act and model in ways that are safe, legal and ethical by exploring and learning how to use informational databases, by learning research and media literacy our students become knowledge constructors. Students learn computational thinking through opportunities such as learning to code robots and various coding languages and creating their own virtual and augmented reality using CoSpaces Edu and Merge Cubes.

student in a white crewneck sitting at a chromebook while a younger student shows them something

eLearning

The Teaching and Learning Department and school teams have prepared for eLearning and we are pleased to provide the following guidance.

During eLearning days, our families/students will receive daily communication from their classroom teachers. Here are some details of what an eLearning day includes in District 109:

An eLearning day, per Illinois State Board of Education guidelines, is to include 5 hours of instructional time-on-task. This time will include meeting with the teacher(s) via Google Meet; and, it may also include activities such as reading, using online tools, researching, completing practice assignments, and more.
When an eLearning day is announced by the district, families can expect to receive an email from the building principal to provide details about the school day. Information about assignments will come directly to students from the classroom teacher through Seesaw or Google Classroom.
Students may use any device to participate in the eLearning day(s). The Deerfield 109 Chromebook and iPad are preferred, as this will provide access to the appropriate digital tools. If heavy snow or extreme cold is predicted, and an eLearning day is a possibility, students will be sent home with their iPad or Chromebook and encouraged to charge it overnight.
Families who do not have access to Wi-Fi should contact their building principal for options. The district can provide a Wi-Fi hotspot for families in need. Offline activities may also be provided.
Students who receive special education services, per an Individualized Education Program (IEP), will receive additional guidance on eLearning days from their case manager.

Download the eLearning Day Plan (PDF)

Download the eLearning Program Filing (PDF)

eLearning Quick Tips

1. Set a Reminder!

Students will begin at the following times:

Elementary Schools: 8:40 a.m.
Middle Schools: 8:30 a.m.

Be ready to log in five (5) minutes early! A principal email will include eLearning day information, reminders, and links.

2. Get Logged In!

Teachers will post a Google Meet link in the learning management platform. The learning management platforms are:

Elementary Schools: Seesaw
Middle Schools: Google Classroom

3. Learn!

The student day is as follows:

Elementary Schools: 8:50 - 2:00 (11:30-12:30 lunch)
Middle Schools: 8:30 - 2:00 following an eLearning bell schedule.
6th lunch: 10:11 AM - 10:41
7th lunch: 11:17 AM - 11:47
8th lunch: 12:40 PM - 1:10

Students will meet with their teacher virtually and be given synchronous and asynchronous activities. Assignments will be posted.

Frequently Asked eLearning Questions

What is eLearning?

eLearning days are district-wide days that permit students to receive instruction electronically while not physically present in schools.

What is eLearning?

What are the legal requirements to host eLearning days in a school district?

How will the school district announce an eLearning day?

How do children or parents find out about assignments or activities for the eLearning day?

What activities/classes will my child complete on the eLearning day?

An eLearning day, per Illinois State Board of Education guidelines, is to include 5 hours of instructional time-on-task. Activities may include reading, using online tools, researching, completing practice assignments, watching educational videos, and more.

Kindergarten through 5th grade students will be engaged in ELA, math, science/social studies activities, and scheduled specials. 6th through 8th grades will follow their daily schedule.