Community Leaders Tour Facility Upgrades in District 58

The following article was submitted by Downers Grove Grade School District 58. 

On September 23, Downers Grove community leaders joined District 58 board members, administrators and staff to celebrate the capital projects completed throughout the District this summer. In addition to reviewing the District’s accomplishments, participants also toured Hillcrest and Pierce Downer schools.

“Each year, members of the District 58 Board of Education tour the schools on various evenings throughout the school year to experience first-hand the buildings and classrooms,” said District 58 Superintendent Kari Cremascoli. “This year, in recognition of their support and partnership, we invited several of our community leaders to attend our first building tour of the year, and to celebrate with us the completion of our many capital improvement projects.”  

Among those in attendance were representatives from the Downers Grove Village Council, the Downers Grove Park District, local community organizations including the Grove Foundation, past and current members of the District’s Financial Advisory Committee, District 58 staff, including the co-presidents of the Downers Grove Elementary Education Association, and the Hillcrest and Pierce Downer PTAs. 

Also in attendance were Sen. Christine Radogno (R-41st District) and a representative from the office of U.S. Rep. Bill Foster (D-IL 11th District).

District 58 Superintendent Kari Cremascoli thanked those in attendance for their support throughout the process.

In the foyer at Hillcrest, photographs of projects completed at each of our schools district-wide were on display. This included flooring and asphalt replacements, security and fire alarm upgrades, painting, and an addition at Pierce Downer.  

The tour at Hillcrest spotlighted the colorful new carpeting and tile that was installed in the classrooms, hallways and library, and the tour at Pierce Downer School featured the three-classroom addition and library remodel, as well as colorful new flooring.

“It’s really been a complete facelift all the way through the building,” said Pierce Downer Principal Justin Sisul. 

“It’s amazing. Our classrooms are bright and clean--the kids love it, the parents love it, and we work better under great conditions,” said Hillcrest Principal Paula Thomas.

Cremascoli said that each of the capital improvement projects completed in District 58 will help continue to ensure safe, nurturing, child-centered environments for all students.

“We recognize that our district and our students could not achieve such tremendous accomplishments without the support and partnership of our parents, staff and community,” Cremascoli said. “Our students are very fortunate to live in a community where the care and education of our youth is of paramount importance, and District 58 is proud to work hand-in-hand with our community partners to provide the very best experiences for the children of Downers Grove.”

Building tours also are set for Monday, Oct. 21 at Herrick and O’Neill, and on Monday, Jan. 27 at Whittier and Henry Puffer. Tours begin at 7 p.m. The public is always welcome to attend.