Community Relations Commission

Wednesday, August 7, 2024 7:00 to 8:30 pm Gamon Room, Wheaton City Hall In-Person or Virtual Attendance I. Call to Order a. Meeting was called to order at 7:01 II. Welcome Mission: The Community Relations Commission’s purpose is to foster and promote understanding, mutual respect, cooperation, and positive relations in a diverse inclusive community. The Community Relations Commission is also to promote increased participation in all aspects of community life and a sense of shared community among all residents. III. Roll Call In person: Meg Beasley, Kathy Bushong, Scott Chidester, Andrea Clayton, Yvette Diecrix Mike Hodel, and Shauna Thornson Zoom: Erica Nelson Absent: Laura Peccarelli, David Sohmer, Ben Waterman IV. Welcome New commissioner: Yvette Diericx V. Community Presentation, CUSD200 - Dr. Jeff Schuler, Superintendent of Schools and Alyssa Barry, Director of Community Engagement and Communications Dr. Shuler has served CUSD200 for 11 years. This year, the district welcomes 114 new teachers. The district employs almost 2,000 teachers. There was an uptick in enrollment last year, and Dr. Shuler anticipates steady increases. Demographic of district has changed - almost 90 languages spoken among student population. Financial support is also increasing. Ninety percent of students pursue post-secondary studies. District emphasis on graduates attaining jobs and self-sufficiency. Over the past three years, outcome scores have increased and there are additional college core pathways to ensure that students can align experiences through high school to set them up for future pathways. The district has expanded early college opportunities, including dual credit opportunities. Students can earn up to 12-15 hours of credit at no cost, which includes Internships and learning opportunities. Other areas of focus include social emotional learning and wellness and an increased level of connection and engagement. The district is committed to investing in staff as having high-quality teachers benefits both students and the community. This fall the district will outline its facilities plan for three middle schools, which includes a proposed referendum question on the November 5 ballot. The timing is aligned with the previous referendum debt set to expire in 2025. Dr. Shuler pointed out that these older schools have remained relatively unchanged for the past 20 years. COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES May 1, 2024 There are new opportunities for students in new areas including work-based learning within the community. Some of the organizations that Alyssa Barry works with through her engagement role are the Lions, Rotary, Wheaton Park District, local libraries and municipalities, mobile food markets, and the Student Excellence Foundation. The district’s efforts to address food insecurity include working with the Northern Illinois Food Bank. Food is provided in a drive-through format. Regarding Good Citizens it was suggested that we contact the activities directors at each of the high schools: Melissa Nelis and Matthew Stellwagen. VI. Approval of Minutes a. Approval of minutes from June 5, 2024. Andrea moved that the minutes be approved as presented; Shauna seconded. Minutes were approved. VII. Old Business a. D-Day Recap - Partner program b. Engagement through social media and city web page i. Facebook: In addition to the 438 likes and 38 comments, the post reached, which was 13,184 people, and 1,232 people engaged with the post (either clicked on it to read more, looked through the pictures, shared it, etc.) ii. Instagram: The post had 61 likes, reached 1,930 people, and 63 accounts engaged with the post. iii. CRC webpage on City’s Website: There were 270 visits to the page by 205 users. c. Erica emphasized how this program developed as Paul Bischoff, Sr was connected with the CRC because of his conversation with the mayor. She wants to ensure that we continue to encourage these connections and asked members to continue to bring forward events and ideas. VIII. New Business a. Festival of Cultures Cultures (Sunday, September 15) - WCRC event – Erica i. Assignment updates 1. Entertainment a. Three main groups (Funkadesi, Traditional School of Irish Music, Costas Colectivo) b. Other entertainment - 20 minutes each: Belarusian dance art and Wheaton College Gospel Choir will be the closer) 2. Sponsors - First Trust, Innovator ETFs, Amplify ETFs 3. Mural project - Shauna and Kathy a. Hello in the different languages represented at the festival was the initial idea, however, it was deemed to be a difficult project to execute. b. Instead, there will be a paint-by-number mosaic tile look (a mosaic of different cultures coming together) c. Need a table, paints, and brushes for the project d. Student volunteers will help smaller children with the painting e. The mural will be on display at the library and the city council chambers during a council meeting f. Communications i. Flyers are in production 2 COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES May 1, 2024 ii. 300 handouts will be printed for the French Market and other distribution channels iii. Program deadline is Friday, August 30, but artwork willl be added on September 2 iv. Two additional banners were created. One is on display in front of City Hall and one at Memorial Park v. Quick video vignettes using video from past two years will be shared by the city. Using a TikTok video format has been very successful with city communications efforts (as opposed to a long video with a voiceover) g. Deadline - 4. T-Shirts - Ben a. Need sizes for new commissioners (Andrea and Scott too) i. Student volunteers - 12 ii. Brad Clousing 5. Information table - Laura a. Erica and Laura will look in the Annex for FOC items b. Information table - programs and prizes c. We will have two information tables 6. Cultural Booths - Scott and Mike a. So far eight are confirmed with seven maybes b. There is not a sense of urgency from cultural groups i. DuPage Hispanic Alliance has not responded c. Erica will brainstorm with Scott and Mike and reach out to Tony Asta to help recruit groups d. Erica will reach out to World Relief for storytelling between groups 7. Art Competition - Andrea a. Andrea is receiving submissions for artwork b. The winning submission will be used as the front of FOC program c. A graphic advertising the art competition - was sent to city and CUSD200 for general distribution, middle and high school teachers, St. Francis, Wheaton Academy, and is being promoted through the city’s newsletters and social media platforms nowd d. Kathy, Shauna, and Yvette will vote on the winning artwork e. Posters will be created of all submissions 8. Student volunteers - Andrea a. Two student volunteers will pass out flyers on September 7 at the French Market from 9:30 - 11:30 am b. Day of the Festival : 12-2 pm, and 4-6 pm (six in each shift) i. Students will help set up booths (move tables, set up displays) ii. They will move tables and take down displays at the conclusion of the event 1. Kids will want to help; need to ensure they’ll have things to do 2. Other: stage work, black curtain set up, art projects c. CRC will purchase food for students 9. Food trucks - maybe ice cream; nothing confirmed as of yet 3  COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES May 1, 2024 10. Table Rental - Erica is awaiting on table quantity 11. Local officials - will be invited, but only the mayor will speak due to time constraints of the staging crew 12. Meg will Send information to Terra Costa-Howard and Amy Grant ii. Budget review 1. No concerns about cost thus far. Sponsorships came in early this year 2. Use tax exempt letter for purchases 3. Send Mike and Erica estimates of costs iii. Invite friends and neighbors - word of mouth iv. Wheaton Gives Back - Meg needs a volunteer to help out and will discuss at the next meeting IX. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 8:27 pm by consensus. Septebmer 5, 2024 Date Chairperson 4