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Oswego Community Unit School District 308

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Welcome to one of America’s most outstanding educational organizations. I especially welcome our district's citizens and parents to this website, and I urge you to frequently utilize it as a primary source for information. Read More

 
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Home : Resources for Parents

Parent Resources

Character Counts
The purpose of the CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition is to fortify the lives of America’s young people with consensus ethical values called the “Six Pillars of Character.” These values, which transcend divisions of race, creed, politics, gender and wealth, are: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.
Visit Character Counts 

Children and Family WebGuide
The WebGuide is a directory that evaluates, describes and provides links to hundreds of sites containing child development research and practical advice. Topics are selected on the basis of parent recommendations; they cover all ages, from early child development through adolescence. Visit Children and Family WebGuide 

Children's Literature - Resources for Parents
The Children's Literature Web Guide is an attempt to gather together and categorize the growing number of Internet resources related to books for Children and Young Adults. Much of the information that you can find through these pages is provided by others: fans, schools, libraries, and commercial enterprises involved in the book world. Visit Children's Literature 

Everyday Math K-5 Math Resource Guide
Oswego School District parents now have online access to a new K-5 math resource guide packed with valuable information on mathematics standards, concepts, goals and expectations for students at each grade level, tips for at-home success, including a sampling of math problems that parents and students can work on together, and more. Visit Everyday Math 

Family Watchdog
Our goal at Family Watchdog is to provide you with the information you need to protect your loved ones. Our service allows you to view known registered offenders and predators in your area. Visit Family Watchdog 

Food and Nutrition Information Center USDA
FNIC's web site provides a directory to credible, accurate, and practical resources for consumers, nutrition and health professionals, educators and government personnel. Visitors can find printable format educational materials, government reports, research papers and more. Visit Food and Nutrition Information Center 

GetNetWise
The Internet is an increasingly important place to work, play and learn for both adults and children. At the same time, we are concerned about the risks we face online. Visit GetNetWise  

Illinois Internet Safety
While exploring the Internet, children may be exposed to inappropriate material and conduct through the World Wide Web, e-mail, and chat rooms. Visit Illinois Internet Crime Against Children 

International Food Information Council
The IFIC Foundation is the educational arm of IFIC. IFIC's mission is to communicate science-based information on food safety and nutrition to health and nutrition professionals, educators, journalists, government officials and others providing information to consumers. IFIC is supported primarily by the broad-based food, beverage and agricultural industries. Visit IFIC 

Kid Info
Parenting Tips, College, Culinary, Health, Shopping, and Travel Resources, Free Stuff, and More. Visit Kid Info 

PBS Parents
Get practical parenting advice from noted experts. Find fun ways for your child to learn using our Activity Search and Bookfinder tools, printable activities, online games and much more! Visit PBS Parents 

Scholastic Parents
Scholastic, the global children's publishing, education and media company, has a corporate mission supported through all of its divisions of helping children around the world to read and learn. Visit Scholastic Parents

Social and Emotional Learning
Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the way children become aware of, manage and appropriately express their emotions; make and meet personal goals; develop positive relationships; make good decisions; and become good citizens.  Illinois was among one of the first states to adopt SEL standards for all Illinois school-aged children. The I-KAN Regional Office of Education developed brochures to help parents understand these standards and the stages of social and emotional development of their children.  Visit SEL

State of Illinois - Sex Offender Information
The Sex Offender Registry was created in response to the Illinois Legislature's determination to facilitate access to publicly available information about persons convicted of sex offenses. ISP has not considered or assessed the specific risk of re-offense with regard to any individual prior to his or her inclusion on this Registry and has made no determination that any individual included in the Registry is currently dangerous. Individuals included on the Registry are included solely by virtue of their conviction record and Illinois state law. The primary purpose of providing this information is to make the information easily available and accessible, not to warn about any specific individuals. Visit Sex Offender Registry 

State of Illinois - State Police Child Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Registry
The Violent Offender Against Youth Registry was created in response to the Illinois Legislature's determination to facilitate access to publicly available information about persons convicted of certain offenses against youth. ISP has not considered or assessed the specific risk of re-offense with regard to any individual prior to his or her inclusion on this Registry and has made no determination that any individual included in the Registry is currently dangerous. Individuals included on the Registry are included solely by virtue of their conviction record, Illinois state law and proof the offense was not sexually motivated. The primary purpose of providing this information is to make the information easily available and accessible, not to warn about any specific individuals. Visit the CMVO Registry 

State of Illinois - Health Care for All Kids
The All Kids program will offer Illinois’ uninsured children comprehensive health care that includes doctor’s visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, vision care, dental care and medical devices like eyeglasses and asthma inhalers. Parents will pay monthly premiums for the coverage, but rates for middle-income families will be significantly lower than they are on the private market. Visit All Kids Covered 

Straight Talk About Underage Drinking
Visit Straight Talk About Underage Drinking

Talking to Teens Booklet
This booklet is designed to help prevent underage drinking by encouraging open, honest communication. Along with parents, tackling underage drinking requires a team approach: teachers, community groups, businesses, members of the alcohol beverage industry and many others. The Illinois Principals Association and the Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois have joined together to develop this booklet not only because underage drinking can cause harm to children, but more importantly, because many of us are parents ourselves. And just like most parents, we want our children to live happy, healthy lives by making smart choices, resisting peer pressure, respecting the law and avoiding underage drinking.  Visit the Talking to Teens Booklet

U.S. Department of Education
Promoting educational excellence for all Americans. Visit Ed.GOV-Parent Resources

High School Parent Resources

Preparing for College - The Parent Path
During your son's or daughter's high school years, he or she will begin to think about long-term interests and career goals, and make many important decisions. This checklist will help you to help your student during one major decision-making process - the search for the right college.

  • Freshman Year
    • Discuss the importance of lifelong learning and the value of a college education.
    • Create a space and time for your student to establish good study habits.
    • Promote extended, well-paced study rather than short-term cramming.
    • Discuss the impact of grades and course selection on college admission.
    • Check curriculum requirements for college entrance.
    • Encourage involvement in extracurricular activities, volunteering, and internships or other work experiences.
    • Engage your student in decision-making so that he or she learns to look at options carefully, to act decisively, and to take responsibility for final decisions.
    • Plan for college expenses... explore your savings options.
  • Sophomore Year
    • Start to network with your son's or daughter's teachers and counselors.
    • Talk about his or her interests and career possibilities.
    • Begin exploring appropriate college options with your student.
    • Continue your support of extracurricular involvement and encourage participation in leadership roles.
    • Inquire as to whether your student should take the PLAN (pre-ACT) or the PSAT exam.
    • Keep college correspondence in a well-organized file.
  • Junior Year
    • Your student should develop and follow a plan of college search.
    • Attend information sessions and college nights sponsored by the high school.
    • Consult with your son or daughter's high school counselor for college search ideas and advice.
    • Review all options... if a school seems too costly, find out what scholarships and other financial assistance may be available to you.
    • Your student should prepare for and take the ACT/SAT exams.
    • Find out if your student should take the Advanced Placement or SAT II exams.
    • Network (check progress and commiserate) with other parents.
  • Summer Before Senior Year
    • Help your son or daughter to sort through college mail as it arrives.
    • Review ACT/SAT results and discuss whether your student should retest.
    • Visit different types of schools: small and large, vocational and liberal arts, private and public.
    • Develop a list of questions for colleges and take them with you on your visits.
  • Senior Year
    • Send in applications and be aware of deadlines.
    • Make additional visits and encourage your student to spend the night and attend classes at the schools that spark his or her interest.
    • Remain open-minded as the short list develops.
    • Stay positive - the search for the right school can be exhausting and stressful at times.
    • Meet deadlines when applying for merit-based scholarships and need-based assistance (for example, FAFSA).
    • Collect all of your tax information and file for financial assistance in a timely fashion (and keep copies).
    • Remain helpful and supportive while the final college choice is made.
    • Notify the chosen school of the final decision and send in the tuition deposit. It also is common courtesy to notify all other schools that granted acceptance.
    • Take a deep breath and relax! You and your college-bound student will encounter new decisions and create new checklists during the summer ahead.
  
 
 
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District Administration Center   |  4175 Route 71   |  Oswego, IL 60543   |  Phone: 630.636.3080   |  Fax: 630.636.3688