09-04-15

As A Matter of Fact...
District 28’s Newsletter For And About Our Staff
Volume 28, No. 2
September 4, 2015
News from the August School Board Meeting...
Mentor program supports new teachers for t wo years
N
ew teacher orientation is more than a two-day in-service before school
starts. For the past four years, teachers new to District 28 – both veteran
teachers and novices – have been paired with mentors who provide
support and encouragement.
The Mentor Program, facilitated by NBJH Principal Scott Meek and
NBJH Social Studies teacher Brenda Nowitzki, fulfills the District’s
Teaching, Learning, Caring motto. The mentors and mentees participate
in monthly meetings focusing on specific topics such as classroom
management, student need identification, effective assessment and
differentiating instruction.
Mentors also provide support by building an ongoing relationship with
their
mentee and observing the new teachers in the classroom two times
The new teacher
mentor program is in a year. The goal is to pair mentors from the same building and grade level or
its fourth year and specialty area.
has received very “The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Mrs. Nowitzki. Each
positive feedback. year participants are surveyed and adjustments made to the program to ensure
success.
Teachers embrace summer professional development
N
early 90 percent of the District’s teachers participated in at least one
professional development or curriculum project over the summer,
the District’s highest participation rate ever, said Kathy Horvath, Assistant
Superintendent.
Many of the District’s own teachers presented workshops, contributing to a wide
variety of offerings and participation. Sessions ranged from curriculum mapping
of science, reading, world languages, art and health to learning and assessment
strategies. Teachers of all experience levels participated in the sessions, said
Mary Dohmeier, Director of Learning.
Special thanks to summer facilitators, including Wendy Concklin, Debby Morris,
Heather Schultz, Gay Dodge, Nicole Gas, Natalie Krsek, Dexi Karabatsos, Jen
Ladd, Hillary Nasso, Katie Jablonski, Katy Wetter, Kara Barus, Dave Warda, and
Mindi Rench.
Page 2
Important Information, Policies in Revised Handbook
The new ParentStudent handbook
is posted online and
is searchable. There
is one edition for
elementary and one
edition for junior
high.
The Board of
Education supports
Vision 20/20, a
collective group
consisting of
the four largest
education
associations in
Illinois along with
the
Regional Offices
of Education
(ROE’s) and the
Superintendents’
Commission for the
Study of
Demographics and
Diversity (SCSDD).
T
he 2015-16 Student Handbook offers a comprehensive, standardized resource
for parents and staff. There are two versions, one for elementary schools and
one for the junior high.
Superintendent Larry Hewitt and the administrative staff developed the
handbook based on the Illinois Principal’s Association model and advice from
the District attorneys. Some of the handbook items are required by state law and
others represent the policies developed within the District.
The handbook is posted online and is searchable. The online version also allows
for updates as policies change throughout the year rather than once a year in the
printed copy. Parents can also download and print a copy. Parents will receive an
email with a link to the handbook.
Two Vision 20/20 Bills to Support Schools Become Law
T
wo bills sponsored by the statewide public school advocacy group Vision
20/20 were passed into law recently, Board Member Gilmore reported.
District 28 is a supporting member of the advocacy group.
The first law is an Education Licensure Reciprocity bill aimed at increasing the
pool of qualified candidates for teaching positions across the state.
The second law adopts a Balanced Accountability Model for schools that
in addition to using standardized test scores also provides flexibility for
school districts to use an evidence-based framework to demonstrate student
improvement and growth, according to the Vision 20/20 release.
In other news:
;; Ann McElvain was hired as a new kindergarten teacher at Meadowbrook
School.
;; Northbrook Junior High School has a new meeting space adjacent to the
main office. The area was remodeled from the pupil services office into a
conference room over the summer. The pupil services office was moved to the
second floor.
;; Safer, built-in lunch tables were installed at Westmoor and Meadowbrook
schools.
What I Did On My Summer Vacation...
With almost 90 percent of teachers participating in professional development
offered by the District this past summer, it’s obvious many educators take
advantage of time out of the classroom for enrichment and development.
Rebecca Warga, instructional aide, attended two math workshops offered by the
District.
“I learned many new ways to help the students with fractions, which will
benefit us when we break into small groups using different manipulatives,” she
said. “I am new to District 28, and I am proud to have had the opportunity to
improve myself.” Continued...
Page 3
Summer is a time
for enrichment,
personal growth
I
n addition to the District in-service sessions, other teachers volunteered to
share their summer enrichment experiences:
Greenbriar Spanish Teacher Besty Ross attended Encuentros language school in
Cuernavaca, Mexico. She spent two weeks taking intensive, oneon-one Spanish classes to advance her knowledge of the Spanish
language and Mexican culture. During her time in Cuernavaca,
she lived with a family and took several excursions and daytrips to surrounding towns. “It was amazing!! I learned so much
and had such a fantastic experience,” Betsy said.
Mike Govert took a class through VanderCook College of
Music entitled “Teaching Music in a Common Core World.” In
the class he researched the Common
Core State Standards and the National
Core Arts Standards, and how these standards can be
supported in the instrumental music classroom. He
designed lessons for orchestra students that supported
the anchor standards from both the CCSS and NCAS.
He also researched the Illinois laws pertaining to teacher
evaluation and teacher tenure, and tying student growth
to teacher evaluation. He looked at ways to assess
student growth in the instrumental music classroom, and
designed “Type 3 Assessments” using the ISBE model.
“It was a lot of work, but well worth it! I look forward to sharing what I’ve
learned with the instrumental music team,” Mike said.
Accomplishments of Note
Alumni and Retiree
News
Mike Delaney was
director of bands
for 27 years
and continues to
perform at the age
of 80.
Nathan Salstone, son of Judith Salstone (MB) and a Westmoor and NBJH alumn, is
studying musical theater at Carnegie Mellon University. He was an acting intern
this past summer at the Texas Shakespere festival in Kilgore Texas.
Retiree Updates
Mike Delaney, director of bands in District 28 for 27 years (1964-1991), is still performing on various wind instruments (flutes, piccolo, clarinet, saxes) and played
in two community musicals this summer, “Singin’ In The Rain” and “Once Upon
This Island.” Mike has over 80, one-hour video programs he presents to senior
groups throughout the year.
He is Secretary/Treasurer of the musical organization the Association of Professional Orchestra Leaders (APOL) and musicians union local 10-208.
He and his wife, Wilma, live in Elmhurst and have three adult children and one
5-year-old grandchild. Mike has been a member of the Elmhurst College Alumni
Cabinet for over 30 years and is now holding Emeritus status. He regularly attends District 28 retired teacher luncheons and still purchases his holiday wreaths
from the District each year, a fund-raising program he directed during his teaching career. Mike can be reached at [email protected].
Page 4
New Arrivals
Births
Welcome Baby Parsons! Both Sarah Parsons (NBJH) and husband Josh are doing
well as they welcome their baby girl, Nora Louise Parsons into the world! Nora
was born Aug. 27, weighing 8 lbs. and 21 inches long.
Sarah Conrad (MB) is celebrating the birth of her first grandchild. Her daughter,
Martha, and husband, John Gavin welcomed Caroline Lilly Gavin on Aug. 26.
Caroline, her mom, and dad are doing fine and are home now in Chicago.
Parker Jay Montes was born Aug. 31 to Molly Montes (GB) and her husband,
Ryan. After a long and adventurous labor, Mom and Baby are doing great.
Wedding Bells
New Names
Summertime means wedding time. Congratulations to the following brides!
Please take note of their name changes:
• Meg Crockford (WM) is now Meg Sullivan
• Lauren Fernan (NBJH) is now Lauren Mulkerrin
• Jeri Hockensmith (NBJH) is now Jeri Muehleise
• Brenda Cichon (GB) is now Brenda Gradishar
• Lindsay Karlin (WM) is now Lindsay Andrukaitis
In Sympathy
• Tracy Ferraro’s (WM) stepfather passed away Aug. 27.
Condolences
• Susan Horine’s (MB) father, Russell G. Hallquist, 86, passed away on Aug.
31 in Dixon, IL, where he farmed and was a lifelong resident. He is survived
by one son, two daughters, four grandchildren, one great grandson, three
step-great granddaughters, inlaws, cousins, nieces and nephews. Russell was
preceded in death by his wife of nearly 65 years, Frances.
Celebrating Birthdays in October
Birthdays
Ellen Chapman
Arlene Singer
Pam Mendelson
Haesook Baek
Bryan Kyrouac
Jean Ott
Susan Friedlander
Stephanie Badzioch
Jennifer Moran
Liz Cucco
Chris Beese
Debra Klarfeld
Jess Hudson
Erin Niehus
Hollie Oh
Kristin Cash
Oct. 02
Oct. 02
Oct. 04
Oct. 05
Oct. 05
Oct. 05
Oct. 06
Oct. 08
Oct. 08
Oct. 09
Oct. 13
Oct. 16
Oct. 17
Oct. 18
Oct. 18
Oct. 21
Laurie Geiger
Natalie Skobel
Amanda Zabel
Lori Meek
Maria Scott
Jeremy Shea
Wendy Gould
Dana Nasiakos
Anne Dowd
Brenda Gradishar
Karen Kelly
Alissa Knox
Esther Basok
Colleen Getz
Stacey Verne
Sarah Wippman
Oct. 22
Oct. 23
Oct. 23
Oct. 24
Oct. 24
Oct. 24
Oct. 25
Oct. 26
Oct. 29
Oct. 29
Oct. 29
Oct. 30
Oct. 30
Oct. 31
Oct. 31
Oct. 31
Page 5
Happenings Around The District
The Young
Explorers
Program, housed
at Westmoor
School, has
morning and
afternoon
sessions for 3- to
5-year-olds
New Early Childhood Program Opens
The Young Explorers Early Childhood Program offers new learning
opportunities in District 28 for children ages 3 to 5. Located in newly constructed
space at Westmoor School, the program can accommodate 90 students.
The program follows the regular school calendar meeting Monday through
Friday, with a morning and an afternoon
session. Each blended classroom includes
special education, at-risk and typical
students.
Students are enrolled in the program
through a special education evaluation or
District developmental screening. Screenings
occur once a month. Typically developing
students are enrolled on a tuition basis.
The program’s goal is to be able to serve
more special education preschool students
within the District, while also providing
early intervention services to local at-risk
students, according to Jenna Duffy, Assistant
Director for Student Services/Elementary. Typical students provide a balanced
student mix and offer an early childhood option for all parents in the District.
Good News and Professional Items
Don’t forget to share professional accomplishments and other good news about
your school and staff with As A Matter of Fact. Terry Ryan is working as interim
Communications Coordinator while Sara Kladis is on maternity leave. Send
information to [email protected].