An IL-EMPOWER approved learning partner  
Dr. Darlene J. Ruscitti
Regional Superintendent
DuPage County Schools
June 30, 2020
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!
It's hard to believe we will celebrate the Fourth of July this weekend! These past few months have been filled with unique challenges for our country, our schools, and our community. It has been an opportunity to pause, to listen, and to learn.

Sadly, for some, it has been a time of disillusionment and discouragement. If you fall into that category, we want to encourage you not to give up. Don't give up on your community. Don't give up on yourself. And don't give up on this nation.

This July 4th we celebrate 244 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence--so we're really a very young nation compared to many countries--and definitely a work in progress. "We the people" must continue to work to form a more perfect Union, establish justice for all people, insure domestic tranquility, and provide for the common defense. We can't give up. We won't give up. We may not get it right on the first, second, or twentieth try, but we have to keep trying. That's what this nation is all about.

So this week, we hope you will count your blessings, serve your community, and celebrate our democracy--flawed as it may be. Be safe, spread joy, and continue to promote peace and unity among all.

Below you will find new resources, learning opportunities, and some of our wonderful DuPage County employees who are retiring from their work at our schools. Please read on, and pass along congratulations to those listed.
NEWS
Blended Learning Support for Educators
The DuPage Regional Office of Education (ROE) is pleased to announce today that they have partnered with Bloomboard to support DuPage County school districts in providing effective blended instruction through a job-embedded approach to professional learning and career advancement using micro-credentials. The partnership will make BloomBoard's Fall Readiness Program available to DuPage County school districts, providing educators with blended learning support and key instruction practices ahead of Fall 2020 in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. For more information about this partnership and the exciting opportunities it affords, please click here.

DuPage ROE Awarded Grant for Drop-Out Prevention Programs
The ROE is proud to announce they were awarded a grant for drop-out prevention programs. These programs, funded by the "Workforce Innovations and Opportunities Act" grant, will provide opportunities for at-risk students to successfully complete their high school equivalency (HSE) or diploma, participate in life-skills training, work with adult mentors, practice work-readiness skills during paid work experiences, and receive support to successfully transition to employment or post-secondary training. Read more here.

COVID-19 Testing
As you may be aware, DuPage County is now offering community-based COVID-19 testing at the DuPage County Complex. Testing is free but limited tests are available per day. For a printable brochure that you can share, click here.

The DuPage County Prevention Leadership Team needs your help gauging parental knowledge about teen substance usage to help protect them and prevent abuse. Please take five minutes and complete this survey.

Save the Date: Legal Lite (August 5 or 12)
As is tradition, and back by popular demand, the ROE will be hosting "Legal Lite for New Teachers." Please save August 5 or August 12 to introduce your educators to just enough legal advice to keep them safe. Familiar topics will be covered such as student records, bullying, online behavior, student discipline, along with returning to work in a COVID-19 Era. Registration link to come.
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
The DuPage ROE is now offering a number of Administrator Academies virtually via the Zoom platform. Please see the attached flyer for dates and course offerings. Additional academies will be added in the coming weeks so check the ROE website for other course offerings.

Check out this trio of timely courses to help you freshen up your skills for fall.

This course, designed for administrators and teacher leaders, will provide strategies to advance educational equity. The course will address practical considerations when systemically shifting and embedding a focus on equity. Fore more information or to register, click here.

KIDS Round Robin Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020
Through facilitated conversations with KIDS Coaches, participants will gain a better understanding of the KIDS instrument and have the opportunity to ask “hot topic” early childhood questions. Work with colleagues to highlight the learning that takes place in some common play-based centers. From wooden blocks to puppets, learn which Illinois Learning Standards are and can be addressed through purposeful play! Watch the KIDS website for updates on training events near you. Register here.


KIDS Implementation Training Monday, Aug. 31 or Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020
A one-day training on how to implement the Illinois Kindergarten Individual Development Survey (KIDS). The KIDS Training introduces teachers to the design of KIDS and provides the opportunity to participate in reviewing and reflecting on evidence to rate student progress along a developmental continuum. This is normally a teacher or administrator’s first introduction to the layout of KIDS. This is a required training for teachers and administrators to gain a login and access to KIDStech. Register here.
RESOURCES


CASEL: Resouces for SEL and much more!

National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Candidate Cohort will begin in September. Learn more and sign up today.

CONGRATULATIONS, RETIREES!

Lombard School District 44
Laura Pepke
Teacher
Park View
32 years of service

Judith Barr
Teacher
Manor Hill
14 years of service

Mary Cation
Teacher
Manor Hill
18 years of service

Jane Erickson
Teacher
Madison
20 years of service

Susan Wagner
Teacher
Madison
16 years of service

Catherine Giancana
Teacher
WHS
27 years of service

Heidi Martin
Teacher
Pleasant Lane
24 years of service

Anne Heim
Teacher
Pleasant Lane
23 years of service

Lisa Giuffre
Teacher
Glenn Westlake Middle School
19 years of service

Karen Clay
IAS
Manor Hill
15 years of service

Cathy Neilly
Health Asst
Pleasant Lane
20 years of service

Milto Skrami
Custodian
Pleasant Lane
17 years of service

Maureen Provost
TCH
Glen Westlake Middle School
16 years of service

Karey Costello
IAS
Madison
21 years of service

Paula Heise
IAS
Pleasant Lane
2 years of service


Cass School District 63
Janet Miller
Third Grade Teacher
Concord Elementary School
23 years of service
Future Plans: Family first and as much as possible! Reading, Bible study, studying languages and history, traveling including missionary trips and lots of beaches. Quilting, biking, and whatever door opens before me. Possibly even substitute teaching! Many wonderful memories and more to be made!!

Kerry Foderaro
Superintendent
Cass School District 63
15 years at Cass School District 63 and 41 years in education
Future Plans: To continue to see opportunities to support the profession of Education and all the fine individuals that dedicate themselves to the students of their respective school communities.

Robert Strande
Director of Fiscal Services
Cass School District 63
15 years in Cass School District 63 and over 50 in education
Future Plans: Spending time on my farm and playing golf.


LaGrange Area Dept. of Special Education
Joan Kittler
School Nurse Coordinator

Susanne Vogel
Speech/language Pathologist

Peggy Bell
Education Support Personnel

Jackie Urso
DHH Interpreter

Carol Fawcett
DHH Signing Aide

Kathy Leuenberger
Paraprofessional

Mary Strocchio
RN


Cooperative Association for Special Education (CASE)
Deb Catanese
School Social Worker
32 years years of service

Diane Colley
Physical Therapist
26 years of service

Mary Cyr
Speech-Language Pathologist
28 years of service

Pam Greenagel
School Social Worker
33 years of service

Gail Feltault
Occupational Therapist
7 years of service

Maureen Quirk
Psychologist
25 years of service

Karen Szatalowicz
Occupational Therapist
28 years of service

Maureen Von de Bur
Adapted Physical Education Teacher
18 years of service

Deb Wallenberg
Occupational Therapist
40 years of service


North DuPage Special Education Cooperative (NDSEC)
JoAnn Dunn
Speech and Language Pathologist
31 years of service

Bill Grotthuss
Principal
Lincoln Academy
19 years of service


Butler School District 53, Oak Brook
Jon Frink
Science Teacher
Butler Junior High School/Butler School District 53
31 years
Future Plans: Spend time with family and friends, relax and enjoy

Peter Sompolski
4th Grade Teacher
Brook Forest Elementary School/Butler School District 53
31 years
Future Plans: Projects around the house that my wife creates, spend time with family and friends

Colleen Tarantino
4th Grade Teacher
Brook Forest Elementary School/Butler School District 53
29 years
Future Plans: Enjoy each day, spend time with family and friends, travel


(Don't see your retiree listed? Let us know and we'll recognize them in an upcoming edition of the Tuesday Times!)

SOCIAL MEDIA CONNECTIONS
Have you connected with us on social media? Check out our pages today and subscribe, follow, or like us to have access to the latest news, resources, and information.
‌
‌
‌
Thank you for your dedication and creative, compassionate care for the children of DuPage County.
421 North County Farm Road Wheaton, IL 60187 P: 630.407.5800
Follow the DuPage Regional Office of Education on Twitter @DuPageROE / #DuPageROE