Elmhurst CUSD 205

Who We Are

The REACH Parent Group (RPG) is a committee organized and funded by the District 205 PTA Council. We are a parent group dedicated to supporting gifted and talented programs in District 205 and to encouraging higher level educational opportunities for ALL D205 students. Our areas of focus include:

Providing parent and student resources for gifted and advanced learners
Organizing advocacy at local and national levels
Sponsoring and/or promoting academic-based extra-curricular activities that are accessible to all students
Collaborating with REACH teachers to provide additional resources and student opportunities.

Upcoming REACH Parent Group Meetings

December 4, 2024, 7:00 - 8:30pm, Edison Elementary - Gym, 246 Fair Ave., Elmhurst.

Academic Transitions: Middle School-to-High School:
Freshmen/Sophomore student panel; Adam Roubitchek-Ed.D. -
Assistant Principal for Instruction - York High School; and Executive Function Expert Jen Zacharias from Beyond the Classroom.
Check back on our Meetings page for an Agenda.

February 20, 2025, time and location TBD

Illinois Association for Gifted Children - Annual Conference
Learnings and Supporting 2E Learners.

March 20, 2025, 7:00pm, location TBD

Elementary School Reach Teachers

April 25, 2025, 7:00 pm, location TBD

Middle School Reach Teachers

May 15, 2025, 12:00 pm, location TBD:

Leadership Board & School Rep Meeting : Feedback on spring math enrichment, planning for next school year.

See our Meeting Information page for more detailed information on upcoming meetings.

Last REACH Parent Group Meeting

October 17, 2024, 7:00 pm, D205 Building-Rm. #216-217

Changes to Grade 6-12 Math Curriculum, Instruction, and Programming:
Dave Beedy, D205 Director of STEM Education. See our Meetings page for Mr. Beedy's presentation and the Meeting Minutes.

Summer New-to-REACH Parent Meetings

The District hosted two virtual "New-to-REACH" Parent Information Sessions this summer. The meetings included an overview of REACH programming, expectations, and summer bridge opportunities. See the District's REACH website. for more information.

REACH Identification Process & Appeals

Families were notified of REACH placement in the 2024-25 school year by Friday, 2/16/24.

Appeals questions? Please see the D205 REACH website for more information. To view REACH appeals timelines and placement guidelines for the 2023-2024 appeals window (for placement in the 2024-2025 school year), click the grade-specific rubrics.

REACH Parent Group Communications

Please see the REACH Parent Group Directory to contact your school's REACH teacher/s, REACH Parent Group Leadership Board, and/or your REACH Parent Group school representative. We are here to help you.
Subscribe to the REACH Parent Group Communication List - this is the best way to keep up with what is going on. (To unsubscribe, please go into your Parent Square app, click on GROUPS and you can unselect REACH Parent Group.)
Follow our REACH Parent Group social media groups (currently under construction):

Advocacy

GET INVOLVED!
Advocacy is an important part of ensuring that your child is provided the best learning environment based on their learning abilities. The National Association for Gifted Children is an excellent advocacy resource for working with your teachers, school, administration, and/or congressman.

The federal government plays a small role in gifted education policies and funding. Decisions are made at the state level, which then requires localities to follow the state’s guidelines on identification and programming, or allows localities to make independent decisions about gifted education. Each state, and, in some states, each district or school will have differing policies and practices related to advanced learners - The Illinois Association for Gifted Children has information on advocacy at the state level.