August 3, 2021

~Hello August~

"August is like the Sunday of summer."

Isn't that the truth? We're trying to cram in all the last minute fun and relaxation, but the reality that something big is about to start is ever present in our minds. Whether you start back at school mid-August, late August, or the first day of September, you are probably experiencing this reality all too well.

In these last few weeks (days?) of freedom, it's a good time to do a mental health self-checkup. Mental health has been in Olympic news a lot lately as well as in educational circles, but are you practicing what you preach? Have you made that phone call to a health professional, reached out to a friend, or admitted you just can't do it all?

Get prepared for your students and your responsibilities by putting on your own oxygen mask first. Don't be too proud to admit when you need help or if you need a minute to breathe. (If Simone Biles can do it on an international stage, we can surely do it in our little sphere of influence!)

As always, the DuPage ROE is here to serve you. If you have any questions, concerns, or problems, feel free to reach out to us!



Congratulations!

The DuPage ROE is pleased to announce the second group of principals who have been awarded Mini-Grant stipends in the amount of $3,000. The principals earned this award in SY20-21 for successfully continuing their school improvement instructional efforts during this most challenging year.
  • Christopher Pietroski, Jay Stream Middle School, CCSD 93
  • Bryan Buck, Monroe Middle School, CUSD 200
  • Steven Kyle, Carol Stream Elementary School, CCSD 93
  • Par Stamatoukos, Pleasant Hill Elementary School, CUSD 200
  • Tim Riordan, Hawthorne Elementary School, SD 205
  • Rachel Bednar, Edison Middle School, CUSD 200
  • David Rojas, Reskin Elementary School, SD 15
  • Shari Lazor, Winnebago Elementary School, SD 15
  • Debra Klein, Emerson Elementary School, CUSD 200
  • Sean Walsh, Longfellow Elementary School, CUSD 200
  • Sarah Rodriguez, Lincoln Elementary School, SD 41
  • Bob Yelaska, Heritage Lakes Elementary School, CCSD 93
  • Christine Trendel, Jackson Elementary School, SD 205
  • Jeff Burke, Franklin Elementary School, SD 41
  • Rachel Solomon, Churchill Elementary School, SD 41
  • Scott Klespitz, Forest Glen Elementary School, SD 41
TIDE
The Fall 2021 offerings for TIDE are now available. Click here for listings, and sign up today!


ADMINISTRATOR ACADEMIES
Check out the latest Administrator Academy offerings here.


SUBSTITUTE TEACHER TRAINING
The next required training for short-term substitute teachers will be held on Thursday, September 9, from 5-7 pm. Please share the attached flier with anyone who might be interested.


SCHOOL VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS

The DuPage Regional Office of Education is pleased to offer powerful training opportunities for students, teachers, counselors, social workers, and administrators—focused on School Violence Prevention and Mental Health Awareness—many courtesy of the Bureau of Justice Assistance Grant. Please click the links below to learn more and sign up for these great learning opportunities.

TRAUMA-INVESTED COMMUNICATION VIRTUAL WORKSHOP
August 25, 2021 (virtual)
We hope you can join us on August 25, 2021 (4:30-5:40 pm) for what promises to be a wonderful virtual learning experience with Kristin Souers, MA LMHC, author of Fostering Resilient Learners: Strategies for Creating a Trauma-Sensitive Classroom Environment (ASCD, 2016) and many other publications and articles. Kristen's presentation will focus on effective communication in establishing and maintaining relations. Please see the attached flyer for more information. Registration is open.
 

WAIT
October 18-21, 2021 (in person)
Washington Aggression Interruption Training (WAIT) elementary version is a social-emotional learning program designed to assist youth with interpersonal skills, self-control in dealing with anger, and the process of problem solving. WAIT is an intensive and impactful intervention, designed to promote prosocial skills, improve anger control, and reduce the frequency of acting-out behaviors. This four-day training is open to all educators and will be held in person at the DROE Center for Professional Learning. Register here. The workshop is limited to 14 participants, so sign up today!  


YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID—TRAIN THE TRAINER
January 24-26, 2022 (virtual)
How can trainers help adults identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness and substance abuse disorders in youth? This course, taught via Zoom by a representative from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, will explore the necessary skills to reach youth, communicate effectively with them, and provide initial support as connections to appropriate care are made. In order to be certified to deliver the standard Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid course to others, participants must attend all three days and pass a short-written exam. (To remain certified as a trainer, participants must deliver the Mental Health First Aid Program three times per year.) This is a free training provided by the Bureau of Justice STOP (Students, Teachers and Officers Preventing) School Violence Prevention and Mental Health Training Program. For more info, click here or to register, click here. The workshop is limited to 16 participants. 24 PD/CEU hrs. are earned.

 
NAMI: ENDING THE SILENCE
Video Presentation
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is offering their “Ending the Silence” program by working directly with high schools in DuPage County. "NAMI Ending the Silence" features individuals and family members whose lives have been affected by mental illness. They visit high schools to provide real-life perspectives based on personal experiences. This free 50-minute presentation is designed to complement health, science, or psychology classes and is typically presented in the freshman or sophomore year of high school. Each trained presentation team includes a young adult in recovery. With this movie presentation, NAMI hopes to raise awareness about mental illness and promote dialogue. It encourages students to take care of themselves and each other. If you are interested in learning more, email Misty Javan.
TRUANCY & SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
August 10, 2021 (Online)
Patracia Graczyk, an assistant professor of clinical psychology at the University of Illinois at Chicago, will provide a multi-part series on School Refusal, which refers to students who refuse to go to school or who resist going to school due to emotional issues like anxiety or depression. School Refusal Professional Development for DuPage Educators will be based on the MTSS 3 Tiered Approach. Her August 10 workshop is now open to any DuPage educator who deals with school attendance, including attendance teams, principals, assistant principals, and deans. This event will provide a broad overview of what is effective for ALL students. For more information, or to register, click here.

And Save the Date for these Upcoming Workshops from Dr. Graczyk:
  • October 27: Elementary only-Tier 2 approach for at-risk students. For anyone from the August 10 group as well as school psychologists.
  • October 28: Secondary only-Tier 2 approach for at-risk students. For anyone from the August 10 group as well as school psychologists
  • January 2022 (TBD): Elementary-Tier 3 Chronically Absent Students
  • January 2022 (TBD): Secondary-Tier 3 Chronically Absent students
Get these networking dates on your calendar before your schedule fills up! [Please note: We are planning for many networks to return to the Center for Professional Learning at the ROE in September, with a possible virtual option. However, see the website for exact details. After registering, you will be notified if there are any changes.
· September 17, 2021
· December 10, 2021
· February 18, 2022
· April 8, 2022

· October 1, 2021
· December 3, 2021
· January 28, 2022
· March 11, 2022
· May 6, 2022

· August 31, 2021 
· November 2, 2021 
· February 1, 2022 
· May 3, 2022 

· September 28, 2021 
· December 1, 2021
· February 15, 2022
· May 12, 2022

· September 14, 2021 
· November 10, 2021
· February 1, 2022
· April 5, 2022

· September 7, 2021
· November 16, 2021
· January 11, 2022
· April 19, 2022

· September 1, 2021
· March 7, 2022

· August 5, 2021 
· September 9, 2021
· November 18, 2021
· January 13, 2022

· September 10, 2021
· October 1, 2021
· November 5, 2021

· August 26, 2021
· October 21, 2021
· December 9, 2021
· February 17, 2022
· April 21, 2022
SCREENING, ASSESSMENT, AND SUPPORT SERVICES: This Week
The DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) Crisis Services program is hosting a webinar this week for DuPage County school administrators, social workers, counselors, and teachers to provide an overview of SASS (Screening, Assessment, and Support Services) ahead of the start of the school year. SASS is a statewide program for youth experiencing a mental health crisis, and DCHD responds to the individuals presenting in crisis in DuPage County. As these crises can occur in the school setting, we want to ensure that school administration and staff are aware of this important program available to youth in crisis, and how our departments can work together to serve youth in DuPage. 
 
The Zoom webinar is scheduled for the following dates, with a running time of 75 minutes:
  • Wednesday, August 4 at 3pm. Zoom info here.
  • Thursday, August 5 at 10 am. Zoom info here. 


CHARACTER INITIATIVES AT NORTH CENTRAL
This fall, North Central College is offering two new start dates for the first module of the online Character Education Certificate. This enables flexibility with educators who may want to take the first 5-week module, take a break, and then return for the next module later. When completed, the Character Certificate provides 45 professional development hours.

North Central is also offering an initiative on Leadership Academy. Offered in partnership with IL ASCD, it will feature 6 professional speakers, reflective discussions guided by professional facilitators, and opportunities for developing a professional leader network to support and sustain the character and leadership themes introduced. 


ESL COHORT AT MARQUARDT DISTRICT 15
Marquardt District 16 is offering courses for ESL endorsements and bilingual education endorsements. More information is here.

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.
421 North County Farm Road Wheaton, IL 60187 P: 630.407.5800