Prior to spring break, District 115 hosted a multi-county discussion with our state legislators regarding public education.
Our second annual Education Matters Legislative Luncheon (see video below) provided the venue to continue the conversation about how our actions, our decisions, and our commitment at the local and state level can provide greater opportunities for our students, employees, and communities.
I truly believe that those in Yorkville CUSD 115 serve as role models, influencers, and advocates for students, working hard to make decisions that will support our students’ pursuit of their dreams and aspirations. Our jobs continue to focus on ensuring that students and staff members are provided a safe environment to achieve high levels of learning, where voice and choice is accessible and encouraged for all of our learners, and where our school community can continue to support new opportunities and programs.
In a time when the words "personalization," "flexibility," "accountability," "career pathways," "student voice and choice," "increased transparency," and "community partnerships" are prominent in our conversations regarding educational reform efforts, we must remember the incredible impact and influence our community can have on the youth of today and the leaders of tomorrow.
As the Superintendent, I also know that without action our words will remain that--just words.
True champions of children and the educational system will take those words and use them to formulate tangible, attainable, and empowering actions. Not for one of our schools, not for some of our schools, but for all of our schools, all of our children, and for all the stakeholders we serve.
In a time of uncertainty across the educational system within our state, I am comforted by the certainty that our local partnerships, our relentless voice, and our committed Board of Education, staff members, and administration continue to achieve greater levels of excellence and prosperity for our students and school community. Please help us to continually improve by lending your voice to ours as we work with our legislators to support and advance public education in Illinois.
Sincerely,
Dr. Timothy Shimp
Superintendent of Schools
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Education Matters Legislative Luncheon
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Yorkville CUSD 115's 2019 Education Matters Legislative Luncheon provided 15 school districts within Kendall & Grundy Counties an opportunity to meet with local and state lawmakers, share concerns, and learn about the future direction of education in Illinois.
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Kindergarten Dual Language
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Tuesday, April 2
English 6-7 p.m. | Spanish 7-8 p.m.
Autumn Creek Elementary School
2377 Autumn Creek Dr., Yorkville
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Parents of incoming kindergartners who are interested in learning more about the district's Dual Language Program are strongly encouraged to attend the Kindergarten Dual Language Night.
Flier
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Monday, April 15
6 p.m.
Grande Reserve Elementary School Gym 3142 Grande Trail, Yorkville
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District 115 families are invited to join "Yorkville Reads!" to hear guest author Katherine Roy share stories of her adventures while researching, drawing, and writing about the great white sharks off of the California coast.
Flier
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Gr. 1-8 Summer Camps - Register Today!
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District 115 will offer two camps this year for elementary and middle school students: Camp Imagination in June and the new Camp Acceleration in July.
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June 2019
June 10-28
See Brochure for Locations
Registration Opens: April 1
(D115 Residents)
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More than 30 fun and educational camp sessions are offered during Camp Imagination. All sessions are held in a District 115 school. Register early, as sessions tend to fill up quickly. Camp fees vary by camp session.
Video
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July 2019
July 8-26 | 1-4 p.m. | $50
Yorkville Intermediate School
103 Schoolhouse Road, Yorkville
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Campers will be able to get a jump-start on the 2019-20 school curriculum in a fun and enriching way. Campers will be grouped by ability and will advance their math or language arts skills using technology, games, projects, and conversations.
Video
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Organized & Successful Students
May 1 | 7-9 p.m.
Yorkville Middle School Auditorium
920 Prairie Crossing Drive
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Does your child struggle with planning, organizing, and completing tasks such as homework? Join Clinical Psychologist Dr. Kunal Sachdev to learn how parents can help their children be more organized and successful in school.
Dr. Sachdev is a licensed clinical psychologist who has worked in a variety of settings such as hospitals, higher education, integrated care centers, and outpatient clinics.
Flier
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Apr. 2
Kindergarten Dual Language Night
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Apr. 4
Citizens Advisory Council
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Apr. 8
Board of Education Committees
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Apr. 11
Parent-Teacher Organization Council
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Apr. 16
Yorkville Educational Foundation
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Apr. 17
Superintendent's Student Advisory Council
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Apr. 17
Sixth-Grade Step Up Night
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Apr. 22
Teacher Institute Day
No school for students
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Apr. 29
Board of Education Meeting
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Staff & Student Celebrations
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Two YHS seniors selected for
2019 Honor Band of America
YHS seniors,
Madison Childs and
Jason Wilcox, will join other outstanding musicians from across the nation as part of Music for All’s 2019 Honor Band of America. They were selected from numerous applicants for membership in this prestigious honor ensemble. Childs and Wilcox are members of the Yorkville High School Wind Ensemble and the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra.
Both Wilcox and Childs play the clarinet and were selected by audition to rehearse and perform in concert as part of the Music for All National Festival. Members were selected by recorded audition and evaluated by leading music educators.
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YIS art students take second place in conference art competition
In the last year of participating in the Northern Illinois Big XII Conference, Yorkville High School art students made a lasting impression by taking second place overall in points.
The following students placed individually:
Andrew Cantu, first place in ceramics-hand built;
Angie Feltz, first place in painting-watercolor;
Jackie Gonzalez, first place in ceramics-wheel thrown;
Austin Kowalczyk, third place in ceramics;
Ashley Malas, second place in drawing-color;
Ashley Mueller, third place in drawing-color; and
Morgan Rutsay, first place in painting-oil and acrylic.
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Jen Waldvogel named ICE's
2019 Educator of the Year
Jennifer Waldvogel, a teacher on special assignment (TOSA) for technology integration, has been named the Illinois Computing Educators' 2019 Educator of the Year for her outstanding integration of technology and the improvement of teaching and learning in the district.
Ms. Waldvogel works alongside students, teachers, and school and district leaders to guide blended programming, design professional development, and coach personalized instruction. She is a National Board Certified teacher who has spent more than a decade teaching writing, literature, empathy, and voice to high school students. After a transformative
blended learning pilot, she shifted into the role of TOSA to support District 115’s journey toward greater innovation, diving into student success at a global level.
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Field Experience Program awarded
by the Yorkville Chamber
The Yorkville Area Chamber of Commerce recognized several businesses during its Annual Dinner Meeting. Yorkville CUSD 115 and its Field Experience Program was awarded the chamber's Community Partner Award for the positive impact the program has had on the local business community.
The Field Experience Program pairs interested students in grades 11-12 with area businesses to prepare students for career success through personalized, realistic learning experiences while earning credit towards graduation.
Pictured above accepting the Community Partner Award were
Melissa Wojowski, YHS Field Experience coordinator, and
Dr. Tim Shimp, superintendent (Chamber Executive Director Sherri Farley pictured, right).
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Yorkville High School earns 2019 Best Communities for Music Education Award
Yorkville CUSD 115 has been honored with a 2019 Best Communities for Music Education designation for its outstanding commitment to music education. District 115 is joined by only 13 other school districts in Illinois to receive this designation for demonstrating an exceptionally high commitment and access to music education.
The NAMM Foundation’s award program distinguishes Yorkville CUSD 115 as a district that is leading the way with learning opportunities that include music and the arts as significant elements of a well-rounded education for all children.
“We are grateful to our Board of Education for its unwavering support of the fine arts in our district and we applaud the outstanding efforts by our teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community supporters for helping us to realize the Board’s vision of music education as an important part of a well-rounded education District 115,” said Superintendent Dr. Timothy Shimp. “The extensive participation in our music program is affirmation that our families value this aspect of education.”
Now in its 20th year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.
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Congratulations to the Yorkville High School Band Students
who performed in the Northern Illinois Big XII Honors Band Festival
: Danica Tuohy, Katie Friel, Chase Evans, Carly Gussman, Tori Cavey, Peter Standaert, Ralph Cobb, Catie O'Connor, Somara Quinones, Jason Wilcox, David Caballero, Ava Rittgers, Nancy Beckley, Madi Childs, Mark Mattson, Brooke Wayne, Zach Egert, Riley Herbst, Caitlin Annunzio, and Zach Karpiel.
Students rehearsed for seven hours in the conglomerate ensembles of 10 different schools and performed during an evening concert
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Board of Education information is available through the district website at
y115.org/BOE with meeting agendas/documents and Board policies on the
eGovernance System site.
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The Board of Education:
- accepted the following reports: Blended Course Evaluation, English Learner Program Update, and Dual Language Summer School Services Report
- renewed its membership with the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) for July 1, 2019-June 30, 2020
- approved the list of Yorkville High School 2019 Early Graduates
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Goal 2: Community of Learners
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The Board of Education approved:
- the Honorable Dismissal of Teachers, and the Non-Renewal of Non-Tenured Teachers
- 4 retirements, 14 resignations, and 2 leaves of absence
- the hiring of the following individuals: Luke Engelhardt, YHS Athletic Director; Emilie Gallup, YHS PE/Health/Driver's Ed Department Chair; and Julia Halsey, GRES Paraprofessional
- the position of a camp administrator to oversee the Camp Acceleration program
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Goal 3: Partnerships with Home & Community
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Special thanks to all the students who have shared the wonderful activities occurring in their schools with the Board of Education through their Heart of the Fox presentations.
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Circle Center Grade School
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Yorkville Intermediate School
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Bristol Bay Elementary School
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Autumn Creek Elementary School
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Goal 4: Operational Excellence
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The Board of Education approved:
- a five-year contract with Lifetouch for photography services
- the purchase of a Dell VxRail Hybrid Chassis for $111,234 to improve reliability for the district's finance and human resources software
- a new copier agreement purchase of 41 copiers with Providence Capital Network, LLC for a monthly lease payment of $5,817.50 (saving the district approximately $200,000 over four years)
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