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Dear Dawes Community,

I am truly honored to share the exciting news that Dawes has been invited to apply for the 2026 Governor’s Blue Ribbon School designation! This recognition highlights schools that demonstrate strong academic achievement or meaningful progress in closing achievement gaps. 

While this is not the final designation, being selected as one of just 50 schools across Illinois to apply is a reflection of the hard work and commitment of our entire community. Over the past two years, we have been focused on helping every student grow and succeed. When I stepped in as principal in the 2023–2024 school year, we worked together to strengthen our school-wide goals and take a more intentional approach to teaching and learning.

This has included making sure students experience consistent, high-quality standards-aligned instruction in every classroom while also supporting our educators through ongoing professional learning and collaboration. Our educators have spent time planning together, learning new strategies, and using approaches like Building Thinking Classrooms that encourage students to think deeply, stay engaged, and take ownership of their learning.

Most importantly, we have continued to build a school where students feel socially and emotionally safe, supported, and confident. When students feel that sense of belonging, they are more willing to take academic risks, ask questions, and challenge themselves. We celebrate not only what students achieve but the effort and perseverance it takes to get there. That same mindset is reflected in our staff, who are always learning, reflecting, and growing alongside our students. They are truly elevating student thinking and learning every day!

Dawes is truly a community effort. From the families who ensure their children arrive each day ready to learn, to the custodians whose care for our building communicates to every student that they matter, to the educators who build lasting relationships that extend well beyond a student's years at Dawes. 

We are excited for this opportunity to apply for this incredible honor. Applications are due later this summer and honorees will be announced this fall. We are Rising Eagles, and we will continue to soar. Thank you for your continued partnership!

Principal Quinn