 |
|
Message from the Superintendent
It is with great pleasure and humility that I announce that we have received the official results of the November 8, 2016 Limiting Tax Rate Increase Referendum. While the results did not change substantially from Election Day, the County has 21 days to count absentee and provisional ballots and certify the election. In the end, the referendum passed by 154 votes; YES 50.6% and NO 49.4%. While close, the fact is that it succeeded.
Asking a community for more money is never an easy thing to do or something that is taken lightly. We live in a state with some of the highest property taxes in the country. While we are seeing a more positive outlook in the economy, some families are still living paycheck to paycheck, some are living in homes with upside down mortgages, and others are struggling to make ends meet and live in this community to provide the best education they can for their children.
District 102 is a district that the community is proud of. They value the education that their children receive and most, if not all (whether they voted yes or no) maintain high expectations of the teachers and administration. We still have decisions to make in order to develop a financial model that will maintain balanced budgets, rebuild decimated reserves, and ensure a long-term trajectory of revenue exceeding expenditures.
The Financial Advisory Committee, Board, and other district committees will be involved in various aspects of the financial planning for next year and the five to ten year projections. We will need to reduce our expenditures over the next couple of years to bring our expenditures under our revenue. This will be a process, and one that I think will set us up, both financially and academically, to meet the challenges of the future.
A democratic republic process is messy, and we may not always like the results but, in the end, I believe in the system and I will continue to hold myself, and this district, accountable to this community. Our students deserve the best educational experiences that we can provide for them so that they, too, in the future can pay it forward.
Winter Tips
As winter finally appears to be upon us, I want to remind families about where to find information regarding school closures, dressing for the weather and other winter tips.
- Please remind your children to dress for the weather and, particularly for the elementary school children, for going outside for recess/lunch. I have a son who would wear shorts year round when he was in grades 1-8, so I understand the challenge that can exist at home. However, we do try to have our students outdoors for recess and they need to be dressed appropriately. Doing frequent "do you know where your coat/jacket/gloves are" checks at home can also help keep track of the many lost and unfound items that I see sitting at the various school offices.
- In the event that school is cancelled due to inclement weather, please understand that it is one of the most dreaded decisions that a superintendent has to make. That decision is made in conjunction with LTHS and the LT feeder district superintendents and the bus company. I can guarantee that should we have to close school, somebody will not be happy and if we keep it open, somebody will not be happy. I accept that and know that none of us make that decision lightly. SHOULD we close, you can find the information on the district and building website, you will receive an email and we will leave messages on the district and building office phones. Emergency school closing lists are also available on local radio and television stations. We try to make these decisions as early as possible, often times the night before. ALWAYS check the website or your email if you are wondering weather school is open. WE WILL ONLY POST and EMAIL IF SCHOOL IS CLOSED.
- On days when there is some snow or rain, please remember that busses may be slightly off schedule. We want our drivers to be as careful as possible and I would rather students arrive a little late to school and be safe than try to rush and encounter trouble. Again, make sure your children dress appropriately while waiting for the bus.
- While we have a service and our own crew that clears snow around the schools and sidewalks, depending on the amount of snow, everything may not get done at the same time, please use extra caution walking to an from the school, remind students, particularly at Park, to be respectful of other adults that may be walking down the sidewalks and move out of the way and walk single file if necessary so other pedestrians don't have to walk in the grass or snow.
- Enjoy the winter and remember that Spring will be here in about four months!
Kyle
|
|
Teaching and Learning Department
The reading organization Quick Reads shared many positive findings from a recent research report on adult reading behavior. Adults who spend just 30 minutes a week reading are 20% more likely to be satisfied with their lives. In addition, reading fosters the decision-making process and capacity in planning and prioritizing. Two-thirds of readers report a better understanding of other people's feelings than those who aren't regular readers. Readers were also found to have a stronger and more engaged awareness of social issues and of cultural diversity than non-readers.
With the weather turning, now is a perfect time to curl up with a good read. In this edition, the Teaching and Learning Department would like to spotlight some titles parents/guardians might consider. You might want to consider planning a regular weekly reading time as a family!
A Nation Empowered, Volume I* edited by Edited by Susan G. Assouline, Nicholas Colangelo, Joyce VanTassel-Baska, and Ann Lupkowski-Shoplik
Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain: An Inside-Out Guide to the Emerging Adolescent Mind, Ages 12-24 by Daniel J. Siegel
Chicken Soup for the Parent's Soul: 101 Stories of Loving, Learning and Parenting by Mark Victor Hansen, Raymond Aaron, Kimberly Kirberger and Jack Canfield
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
Just Because It's Not Wrong Doesn't Make It Right: Teaching Kids to Think and Act Ethically by Barbara Coloroso
Parenting Gifted Kids: Tips for Raising Happy and Successful Children by Jim Delisle
Positive Discipline by Jane Nelsen
Raisin' Brains: Surviving My Smart Family by Karen L.J. Isaacson
Smart but Scattered by Peg Dawson & Richard Guare
Yardsticks: Children in the Classroom Ages 4-14 by Chip Wood
* To order a PDF version of the book, please visit the
IDEAL Solutions store. Note: You will need to create a username and password to order the PDF or eBook.
A Nation Empowered is also available on the
Amazon Kindle Store.
|
|
Forest Road Teachers Present at 23rd Annual IETC
|
Carolyn Beumer, Leslie Shapiro, and Courtney Devine of Forest Road presented at the Illinois Education & Technology Conference in Springfield held November 16 through November 18! Their presentation was on SOLE (Self-Organized Learning Environment): Imaginations are sparked by a BIG question in this extraordinary learning session. Children form groups, investigate online for answers, and present discoveries. Inspired by Sugata Mitra's School in the Cloud, the SOLE process, designed for K-3 classrooms using
pebblego.c
om
and
brainpopjr.com
was presented. Their inspiration for this presentation came directly form last February's Institute Day on 21st century learning. The IETC was a three-day professional development conference focused on technol
ogy integration strategies, engaging instructional practices, digital tools and resources, and emerging trends for teachers, administrators, and technology staff.
|
Special Education Department
As we enjoy these mild temperatures, it is hard to conceive that we are in the last month of 2016. The fall has been busy as our teachers have been very focused on the new literacy curriculum, Schoolwide. Although we began implementation of Math Expressions and Digits last year, we still view these additions new to our curriculum as well. We are very lucky to have the opportunity for these programs.
Raising children and keeping them involved in activities both in and outside of school requires dedication, planning, and most of all, time. Parents of our students with special needs often have time set aside for their children for activities, providers, supports and organizations outside of school. In any case, this takes a tremendous amount of commitment as well as time from your very busy lives.
Our children benefit from organized activities, but it is equally important to allow time for them to make free choices in recreation and hobbies. Winter break affords the opportunity for these activities. "Downtime" can be very beneficial for all of us, but children need choice in play and recreation. Promoting opportunities for this, when possible, can be very rewarding.
While it is difficult to place a value on time, I believe it is one of the greatest gifts to have and to give. The time that you offer to our students, schools and community is always greatly appreciated. Enjoy spending time together this Holiday Season!
Dr. Joyce Powell
|
|
District 102 to Hold LADSE Focus Group Forums
District 102 is currently reviewing their relationship with LADSE (LaGrange Area Department of Special Education), the special education cooperative that District 102 and 14 other area districts currently utilize for a wide variety of services to students and families. In June of 2016, as District 102 was evaluating the options to reduce costs and provide services for students in a cost-effective, yet high quality manner, the district began a process to consider withdrawing from LADSE. In our next phase of this process, we will be offering two opportunities for interested parents to hear more about the information District 102 has collected regarding the financial impact of withdrawing from LADSE and for parents to provide feedback, ask questions, and continue the conversations regarding LADSE and the various options moving forward.
The Focus Group Forums for the LADSE withdrawal process will be held on December 7 at 9:00am at the Park District of La Grange, 536 East Avenue in La Grange, and January 11, 2017 at 7:00pm in Park Junior High School's LRC (2nd Floor), 333 N. Park Road in La Grange Park.
Should you have questions about the Focus Group Forums, please contact Dr. Joyce Powell, Assistant Superintendent of Special Education at powelljo@sd102.net or by calling 708-215-7016.
Toys "R" Us Holiday Shopping Guide for the Differently-Abled
|
This month, the week of December 5th through the 11th is Computer Science Education Week. This week was chosen in recognition of the December 9th birthday of Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper, Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, and computer science pioneer.
The featured event during Computer Science Education Week is known as The Hour of Code. Hundreds of thousands of educators, kids, and parents throughout the world participate. They all dedicate one hour during this week to learn the principles of computer science. And, they do this by learning to code.
Coding is all about breaking down problems into much simpler parts, then describing how those parts can be carried out by humans or machines. It is a thinking process, and is not dependent on a computer, or any technology at all for that matter. The point is to learn how to decompose complexity, recognize patterns, and devise solutions through logic and iteration. Clearly, these are invaluable skills for anyone to have, and given today's hectic pace, the Hour of Code provides a great opportunity to intentionally dedicate some time to learn something new, yet still have fun while doing it.
Although the official event runs one week in December, all of the resources are available at any time throughout the year. If you are interested to learn more or get started, visit the official Hour of Code website at http://www.hourofcode.com, or the official Code.org website at http://code.org/learn.
|
Congress Park Playground Update
Improving the Congress Park playground has been a priority for the PTO this year. We partnered with local business owner and Brookfield resident, Sara Kreiss of Spaces for Play Inc. and she helped us develop a plan for our playground renovations. We will remove old, wooden play equipment and install swings, a new climbing structure and additional benches. We will repaint existing equipment and improve the borders and landscaping of the playground area. This renovation will make our playground safer and more fun for the whole Congress Park community!
The estimated cost of these renovations is about $50,000. Some installation costs will be offset with the help of volunteers. The PTO had already allocated $16,000 to this project. This school year, we did playground-specific fundraising, including a cash raffle, bake sale, gymnastics nights, and soliciting donations from individuals and businesses. We are thrilled that these fundraising efforts have been successful! We are on track to achieve our goal of completing these renovations this summer. Also, we are still seeking business donations and grants that would ensure 100% funding. For business sponsorship letter and form, please
click here.
For more information regarding this project, please visit our website:
www.congressparkpto.net
|
Doing the Right Thing at Park
Every year at Park Junior High we partner with the Community Support Services in efforts to give back to others in need. Community Support Services provides a better quality of life for those families in need. Due to financial limitations or burdens many families are unable to celebrate Thanksgiving during this season. We asked our students to help create a Thanksgiving basket that can provide a hearty meal for one of these less fortunate families. Park students gathered stuffing boxes, potatoes, vegetables, bread, desserts, fruit, and so much more. They created at least 28 laundry baskets filled with goods for other families. In addition, they raised nearly $1,000.00 within a week's time to purchase turkeys to go along with the baskets! We had many students reaching into their pockets to donate some of their hard earned money. I am so very proud and THANKFUL for our students and staff as they came together to create such generous and meaningful baskets. ~Phil Abraham, Principal
|
Barnsdale Road Family Reading and Math Night
On the evening of November 10th, Barnsdale Road School hosted a Family Reading and Math Night for its preschool and kindergarten families. Students were invited to come back to school in their comfy pajamas and visit multiple stations with their families. The students were able to show their family what they were learning in school and demonstrate various games or activities that could be replicated at home. The evening helps parents get a perspective of the different reading and math standards that are being covered in classes, as well as, learn about different ways they can help their child practice skills at home in a fun and engaging way.
~Kathy Boxell, Principal
|
great holiday and winter reading selections from the
District 102 LRC Directors!
Happy holidays and happy reading!
|
Dates to Remember
(Please visit a school or the
district site
for additional dates.)
December 3: Forest Road PTO Breakfast with Santa, 9am
December 3: Gingerbread House Workshop @ Ogden, 10:30am
December 6: Congress Park PTO Fundraiser with Q BBQ, 11am-9pm, 70 S. La Grange Road, 20% of purchase will be donated!
December 6: Ogden Winter Concerts @ 2pm and 6:30pm
December 6: Cossitt Winter Concerts @ 1:30pm and 6:30pm
December 6: Forest Road Winter Concert, 7pm, Gym
December 7 & 14: Parent Bilingual Advisory Committee Presentation with Dr. Ferney Ramirez,
Congress Park School, 5:45pm (
Click here
for flyer)
December 7: LADSE Focus Group Forum, 9am, Park District of La Grange
December 8: Board of Education Meeting, 7pm, Park Jr. High LRC
December 8: Congress Park Music Concert, 7pm (at Park Jr. High's Auditorium)
December 10: Congress Park PTO Pancake Breakfast (8-11am) & Winter Wonderland Holiday Shop (8am to Noon)
December 14: Enlightenment @ Night: "Celebrating Science" at 6:30pm, Park Jr. High Auditorium. For more information, click here.
December 20: Annual Winter Concert - PSO/Concert Band/Chorus, 7pm, Park Jr. High Auditorium
December 22: Kindergarten Holiday Lunch Party @ Barnsdale Road, 11am
December 23 - January 6: Winter Break (Building and district offices will be closed)
January 11: LADSE Focus Group Forum, 7pm, Park Jr. High LRC
February 25: Congress Park Sports Resale, click here for info and to register!
|
|
|
La Grange School District 102 | 708-482-2400 | 333 N. Park Road |
La Grange Park, IL 60526 |
www.dist102.k12.il.us
|
|
|
|
|
|
