From the Desk of the Superintendent | | |
PLEASE NOTE: ROE 4 will be closed December 16 @ 3 p.m. through January 2, 2023. | |
VIEW ENTIRE MESSAGE
If you notice that this email (or any email) is clipped and stops scrolling, just click "View Entire Message" at the bottom of your email to continue reading the newsletter content!
| | |
Social-Emotional Learning | |
The Area 2 Social-Emotional Learning Hub Coaches and Specialists have been conducting in-person visits and following up with schools and districts in Northwest Illinois, guiding SEL support for students and staff. The group, along with Assistant Director Kim Maville, also invested two full days learning together at an ROE 4-based training. In addition, they participated in a Social-Emotional Learning Foundation (SELf) cohort full-day session.
Planning time together for this dedicated group included insightful circle time, celebrating already reaching their FY23 goal of partnering with 40 Illinois schools on The REACH Project. Training then covered nominations for a second SEL cohort, building capacity for their SEL communities, the creation of networking opportunities in all regions of Northwest Illinois, communities of practice, and future focus groups and the quality feedback this could bring to their statewide initiative.
At completion of the first day of training, the SEL Hub shared a meal and participated in a group exchange with a theme of "What brings you joy?" The Hub finished out the day with some fun photo sessions, games of inspiration, and an hour of mindfulness/yoga.
Director Allison Pierson was quick to offer accolades to the small but mighty group of go-getters. "With SELf already looking to expand into a second cohort and schools signing on to dive deeper into social-emotional training to become more trauma responsive, I completely trust that this hardworking team will be a catalyst for SEL change. They are the force behind reaching out, connecting with districts, offering support, and continually nuancing the optimum pathway for each school," she said.
Mrs. Pierson and the ROE 4 leadership team continue to be inspired by the passion the Area 2 SEL Hub brings to work every day. As a bonus, feedback has them excited for things to come as they continue to support education in our region and beyond.
| |
|
ROE 4 Leadership, Professional Learning & School Improvement Present at RSAC 2022 | |
ROE 4 Unveils HS Art Competition:
You Go, Young Picasso!
The Boone-Winnebago Regional Office of Education is proud to announce its very first art competition, You Go, Young Picasso! Recently, we've renovated our offices but still have empty wall space to fill. We're hoping to use that blank canvas to showcase winning art entries created by talented regional high school art students.
The theme this year is “Architecture That Elevates.” Our hope is that each public high school in our region will be represented by a young artist. A winner will be named from EACH high school and will receive a $100 gift card, as well as the opportunity to display their winning entry at a reception to be held at ROE 4. Submission deadline is May 26, 2023, so check out the details TODAY!
Click HERE to Learn More!
| | | |
Yule Love Summit Academy's Holiday Spirit | |
|
No stranger to making every holiday and event special for their staff and students, Summit Academy had a full agenda of holiday-themed celebrations planned leading up to the scheduled winter break.
Nicole Corbett, Summit Academy Executive Director, and her administrative team shared that the school community would be treated to festive decor throughout the campus. She described the main office area as looking like a winter wonderland. The staff also participated in their yearly classroom door decorating competition. It was no surprise that this fun staff got super creative with their entries.
While voting for favorite doors doesn't end until tomorrow (head to the ROE 4 Facebook page to view the entries and cast your vote), the students and community have really enjoyed selecting their top choices. Mrs. Corbett stated, "Our doors are so cute! We felt like everyone was a winner as the entire school felt extra 'merry and bright' dressed up for the holidays."
Frivolity aside, the most heartwarming phase of the seasonal celebration for the Summit Eagles will be students and staff coming together for a meal the week before Christmas. Mrs. Corbett explained that the school will feed all students an entire Christmas dinner the day prior to dismissing for the winter break. The most meaningful moment for all who attend is anticipated to be simply joining together for fellowship at such a special time of the year.
Merry Christmas, Summit Eagles!
| | | |
Learning Technology Center of Illinois Monthly ROE 4 #TechTip
Take a few minutes to learn new technology tips and tricks! Enjoy learning about Google Keep with the December Tech Tip from LTC's Eric Santos.
| |
| | |
|
With 2023 just around the corner and distribution of employee W-2s prior to the tax deadline looming, the month of December rolls along as one of the busiest times for the Human Resources and Finance Departments at Boone-Winnebago ROE 4. Their loaded schedules also include onboarding new employees, payroll, staff meetings, as well as audits and day-to-day processes.
Even so, Maria Diestelmeier (HR Director), Rachelle Blitch (Finance Director), and Jamie Watts (Finance/HR Assistant Director) made time for extensive Skyward Applicant Tracking System training sessions throughout the month of December. Joined by Scott Bloomquist, Regional Superintendent of Schools, the 2 combined ROE 4 teams received education on the procedures required to operate this powerful system. The group also received guidance and coaching as they customized the software to meet their needs as employment applications are submitted to the Regional Office.
As Boone-Winnebago ROE continues to grow, with dozens of new employees already onboarded for the first half of FY23, it became clear that a more efficient application process would be required going forward. The company-driven programming will allow both internal and external applicants at ROE 4 to apply for open positions and will permit Human Resources to track the applications with attachments, make notes, make inquiries, designate priority, and set up in-person interviews. Applicant Tracking will also offer electronic signatures for offers of employment and will act as a permanent file throughout an employee’s tenure at the Regional Office, including evaluations and promotions.
The efficiency of this format will free up much needed time for this extremely busy department at ROE 4, and the entire team is looking forward to the integration of the newly created system in the very near future.
Plus, ROE 4/Summit Academy is still hiring! Summit currently has three open positions to fill at their Machesney Park campus. Visit www.indeed.com and search “Boone-Winnebago Regional Office of Education” under the Find Jobs tab to learn more or to easily apply.
| | |
ROE 4 At-Risk Student Services Adds Team Members
Meghan Hawkinson, ROE 4 At-Risk Student Services Director, is excited to introduce two new team members to her department.
Kelly Kolodzik comes on board as the second Intensive Attendance Interventionist. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Law Enforcement/Justice Administration from Western Illinois University, she has always worked with at-risk youth in Rockford and the surrounding areas. Her proudest accomplishments to date in her profession have been the relationships she has built with local families. She is hoping to bring assistance, communication, and a good attitude to the various districts we serve in an attempt to make a positive difference as an intensive attendance interventionist. We're happy to have Kelly join the ROE 4 work family.
Paula West comes on board at the ROE in an expanded roll as the full-time ARSS Administrative Assistant. Paula will bring hard work and dedication to her position, knowing that working full-time will personally give her a true sense of purpose. She is proud to have been the first and only female maintenance person at OSF St. Anthony's in the past. Her openminded personality shines through with her passion for Reiki healing and learning other forms of alternative healing. Welcome to the team, Paula!
The awesome news is that both Kelly and Paula are already considered top-notch additions to the busy attendance department. Congratulations to the growing ARSS team!
| |
Kelly Kolodzik
Intensive Attendance Interventionist
|
Paula West
ARSS Administrative Assistant
| |
At-Risk Student Services Team
Volunteers Time During the Holidays
The At-Risk Student Services Team partnered with Christ United Methodist Church in Rockford to provide 20 complete Thanksgiving meals to families that are part of the attendance interventionists' caseloads. Each meal consisted of three boxes filled with food, enough for a Thanksgiving meal as well as food for approximately an additional week or more.
Interventionists picked up the meal packages from the church bright and early and delivered them to the homes of the families they had identified and who agreed to accept the kind donation. There were many "thank yous" and smiles upon delivery of this generous helping hand.
Some of the interventionists have also partnered with other local organizations and churches independently to provide Christmas gifts to families who have indicated they are not able to provide for their children.
Thank you to the Boone-Winnebago ROE 4 At-Risk Student Services Dream Team for investing professional time as well as personal time to support students and families in our communities.
| | | |
Even though our time in the office during December was shortened due to the Christmas and New Year holidays, we still have some pretty impressive numbers to share from our Professional Services Department. Check out the data below, and then enjoy a few pictures taken by the ROE 4 office elves.
We hope this festive time of year finds you and your family happy and healthy!
| |
The 39th Boone-Winnebago
Regional Spelling Bee
THERE'S STILL TIME! The FY23 Regional Spelling Bee is set for March 8, 2023. The school enrollment period deadline is December 31, 2022, with a registration fee of $175. Your school MUST enroll with the Scripps National Spelling Bee at www.spellingbee.com by 12/31. This will also serve as your registration with the Boone-Winnebago Regional Office of Education. Please note, your school's bee MUST be completed and the results submitted prior to the March 3, 2023, deadline. Contact Denise Rux with questions!
| | | |
Happy Holidays from Everyone at ROE 4! | |
Quote of the Month:
"Remember this December, that love weighs
more than gold."
~ Josephine Daskam Bacon ~
| |
300 Heart Boulevard, Loves Park, IL 61111 • (815) 636-3060
www.roe4.org
| | | | | |