Student Services

What is the Multilingual Program?

The purpose of the Multilingual Program is to increase English language proficiency.  District 80 teachers create classroom settings where all languages and cultures are valued.   Research-based learning strategies are used to align the Multilingual Program with grade level curriculum to provide a challenging educational program for all students.   The goal of the program is to help students function in the classroom at high levels of social and academic English proficiency.  

How does a student qualify for the Multilingual Program?

All students new to the district are required by state law to complete a Home Language Survey.  When "yes" is answered to one or more of the questions the attending school is required to assess the student's English language proficiency. 

Students must be assessed within 30 days of their first day in the district.  

Kindergarten student are assessed using the WIDA Measure of Developing English Language (MODEL).  For second semester of 1st grade through 8th grade, students are assessed using the WIDA Online Screener to determine eligibility for EL services.   

Parents of students who are eligible for EL services will receive a letter of notification regarding their child's eligibility for EL services.  If there are questions about the services parents should contact the Coordinator of Student Services.  

What does the program look like?

There are a few program models available in the district.  Students qualify for a program model based on the number of students in the school who speak the same language and/or on the assessment results.  The following programs are available:

Transitional Program of Instruction:  this program provides English as a Second Language (ESL).  In this program the majority of the instruction take place in the general education classroom with push-in support form an ESL teacher.   Students with lower proficiency levels in English may receive additional support from an ESL teacher for an additional pull out time.  

Transitional Bilingual Education:  this program provides instruction in both English and a student's native language in order to help students learn the core academic subjects required for all students.    Students qualify for part time or full time support.  

Newcomer: short term program available to recent immigrants.  Students receive ESL and content area instruction designed to address any gaps in learning and help smooth the transition to the classroom.

How does a student exit the program?

The State of Illinois has established exit criteria for Multilingual services.  

A student who obtains an overall composite proficiency level of 4.8 on the ACCESS Assessment.  ACCESS must be taken yearly by all students who qualify for services.  

The ACCESS test measures a student's English Language in four language domains: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing.  

Parents, at any time, may decline English Language services.  Parent must indicate, in writing, to the coordinator of student services.  Students who do not receive services are required to take the ACCESS assessment yearly until a score of 4.8 on the overall composite is achieved.  

The ACCESS assessment is required by the Illinois State Board of Education.  The district can not exclude students from ACCESS.  

Can you tell me about the Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee?

A school district is required to have a Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee (BPAC) when there are 20 English learner students of the same home language.  BPC is made up of bilingual parents with students currently enrolled in the ML program, as well as teachers and other school staff.  The members participate in the planning, operation, and evaluation of the ML program in the district.

Where can I find additional information?

Please contact the building assistant principal for additional information.  

Director of Student Services: Mr. Peter Masters (pmaster@norridge80.net)

Coordinator of Student Services: Mr. Joseph Koletsos (jkotetsos@norridge80.net)

 

School Nurse Contact Information:

Leigh School:

Dolores Fischinger, RN - dfischinger@norridge80.net 

Nurse Office: (708)-722-2747 

Fax: (708)-583-2053 

Giles School:

Patty Lubash, RN - plubash@norridge80.net

Nurse Office: (708)-453-4847

Fax: (708)-780-5611

Health Requirements for Early Childhood Education

• Physical Exam from within 1 year prior to the first day of school (due by October 15th)

• Immunization Requirements:

  • Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus: Three doses of DTP or DTaP by 1 year of age. One additional booster dose by 2nd birthday.

  • Polio: Three doses appropriately spaced

  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella: One dose on or after the 1st birthday

  • Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib): Children 24-59 months of age without series shall show proof of one dose of Hib vaccine at 15 months or older.

  • Invasive Pneumococcal Disease (PCV): Children 24 to 59 months of age without primary series of PCV, shall show proof of receiving one dose of PCV after 24 months of age.

  • Hepatitis B: Three doses appropriately spaced

  • Varicella: One dose on or after 1st birthday

Health Requirements for Kindergarten 

• Physical Exam from within 1 year prior to the first day of school  (due by October 15th)

• Vision Exam from within 1 year prior to the first day of school (due by October 15th)

• Dental Exam from within 15 months prior to May 15th of the current school year (due by May 15th) 

• Immunization Requirements: 

  • Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus: Four or more doses of DTP/DTaP

  • Polio: 4 dose series with the last dose on or after the 4th birthday

  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella: Two doses of MMR vaccine

  • Varicella: Two doses of varicella vaccine

Health Requirements for Second Grade

• Dental Exam from within 15 months prior to May 15th of the current school year (due by May 15th) 

Health Requirements for Sixth Grade

• Physical Exam from within 1 year prior to the first day of school (due by October 15th)

• Dental Exam from within 15 months prior to May 15th of the current school year (due by May 15th) 

• Immunization Requirements:

  • Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus: One additional dose of Tdap

  • Hepatitis B: Three doses of hepatitis B vaccine administered at appropriate intervals

  • Meningococcal Disease: One dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine

Health Requirements for New Students 

• Physical Exam from within 1 year prior to entry (due by October 15th or 30 days after enrollment) 

• Vision Exam from within 1 year prior to the first day of school (due by October 15th or 30 days after enrollment)

• Up to date on all immunizations, please reference the IDPH chart

Health Forms 

• Immunization & Physical Form 

• Immunization Religious Exemption Form

• Sports Physical Form

• Dental Exam Form 

• Dental Waiver Form

• Eye Exam Form 

• Eye Exam Waiver 

• Medication Authorization Form 

• Student Self Administration Medication Form

• Asthma Action Plan

• Seizure Action Plan 

• Allergy Action Plan

Hearing & Vision Screening Information

Hearing screenings are provided annually for preschool children 3 years of age or older, children in kindergarten, first, second and third grade; are in special education class; have been referred by a teacher; or are transfer students.

Vision screenings are provided annually for preschool children 3 years of age or older, children in kindergarten, second and eighth grades; are in special education class; have been referred by a teacher; or are transfer students.

Please reference the IDPH Website for more information on hearing and vision screenings or reach out to the school nurse with any questions. 

Please reference Chapter 5 of the Parent-Student Handbook for additional information. 

Please reference the IDPH Minimum Immunization Requirements Chart for vaccine requirements.

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law that ensures educational stability for homeless youth and allow homeless youth to enroll in school.  The Act defines homeless children as "individuals who lack a fixed regular and adequate nighttime residence". 

• Children sharing housing due to economic hardship or loss of housing
• Children living in models, or hotels due to lack of accommodations
• Children living in shelters 
• Children living in cars, public spaces, or whose residence is not usually used as a regular sleeping accommodation

This ACT guarantees homeless children the following:

• Immediate enrollment in school 
• To attend school in the attendance area the family is currently residing
• Removal of all barriers to receiving educational services 
• To attend school along with peers 
• Services comparable to those received by peers 

Please contact Michele Guzik - Homeless Liaison at 708-583-2068

Norridge School District 80 serves free meals each day to qualifying students who:

• Receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or Medicaid (reduced or free)
• The total household income is the same or less than the amounts on the Income Chart below (reduced or free)
• A foster child may receive free meals regardless of income

 

Illinois Income Guidelines 

Effective from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025

 

Household Size	Annual	Monthly	Twice Per Month	Every Two Weeks	Weekly
1	19,578	1,632	816	753	377
2	26,572	2,215	1,108	1,022	511
3	33,566	2,798	1,399	1,291	646
4	40,560	3,380	1,690	1,560	780
5	47,554	3,963	1,982	1,829	915
6	54,548	4,546	2,273	2,098	1,049
7	61,542	5,129	2,565	2,367	1,184
8	68,536	5,712	2,856	2,636	1,318
For each additional family member, add	6,994	583	292	269	135

                                 

You may apply for free meals anytime during the school year.  Pease use the following link to apply: https://www.nslpapp.com/#/   Search for your child’s school (James Giles or John V Leigh) and complete the application. 

Please contact Tammy Dicintio (tdicintio@norridge80.net) if you have any questions.  

In accordance with 105 ILCS 5/2-3.130 and Public Act 102-0339​,​ each school district must develop a district-specific plan that seeks to reduce and eventually eliminate the use of physical restraint, time out, and isolated time out (RTO). This plan is reviewed by a team that may be comprised of, but is not limited to, the following professionals: 

1. Teachers
2. Paraprofessionals
3. School service personnel
4. Administrators 

The RTO plan for Norridge School District 80 provides further information about the district's procedures.

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Physical Restraint, Time Out, and Isolated Time Out (RTO) Bill of Rights is a resource that further explains procedures in the event of an RTO.

PBIS Videos

In accordance with Public Act 103-0504, Illinois school districts are committed to supporting students with disabilities through the PUNS (Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services) list. This list helps identify students who may require services related to specific developmental disabilities. Each school district must have a trained employee to provide information and guidance on how to access and understand the PUNS process. If you have any inquiries regarding the PUNS list for Norridge School District 80 students, please contact: