ISAT Reading results show that D62 fifth and eighth grade student performance mirrored State results. Learn more...
CHICAGO - June 19, 2009 Advance Illinois, the education reform group co-chaired by former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar and former Secretary of Commerce William Daley, today issued recommendations for radical reform of the state's education system to dramatically raise the bar for Illinois schools and reverse an alarming decline in student performance.
The need has never been more acute, as our student achievement is slipping dangerously," said Robin Steans, Advance Illinois executive director. "The opportunities have never been greater, as the federal stimulus is pointing us toward aggressive reform. And never before has such a bipartisan group of people come together around comprehensive, student-focused reform."
Advance Illinois today published a report, We Can Do Better: Advancing Public Education in Illinois. The report calls for setting world-class standards, holding school districts and teacher training programs accountable for results, linking teacher and principal evaluations to academic outcomes, and empowering local schools and districts to stimulate innovation.
Honoring our Partners
During the school year, several civic and corporate organizations donate generously to our schools. The following community partners were presented Certificates of Appreciation from President Murphy. Des Plaines Rotary - John Hecker; Land’s End Inlet - Mike Nelson; Kiwanis - Dr. Mike Bagby; Costco, Target, The Elks, and The Heritage were also honored.
Dear District 62 Family,
Thank you for your hard work, commitment and dedication to the boys and girls in District 62. We have had an outstanding year on so many counts. Last night I had the pleasure of attending ICS's 8th grade promotion ceremonies. It is during this time, the final activity for the students moving on to high school, when one realizes the labor of love that has taken place over 9 years. ICS had an exceptional ceremony last night with a well-behaved audience. It has been reported to me that CMS and AMS also had very nice ceremonies.
Staff and students have a long list of accomplishments this year. Many of these will be highlighted in our summer publications, and will continue to be highlighted on our model website. Members of our administrative staff do not typically toot their own horns, but I certainly am proud of some of their accomplishments this year. A few highlights to mention are: Mike Amadei (going into his 3rd year in district), Julie Fogarty (going into 5th year in district), Paul Hertel (going into his 4th year in district), Leah Kimmelman (going into her 5th year in district), and Diep Nguyen (going into her 4th year in district) all just recently passed the State's test for the superintendent's endorsement. Additionally, Julie and Leah have completed their comprehensive examinations for their doctoral program. Mindy Ward (going into 6th year in district) is the president of INSPRA this year. Paul Hertel has a regional leadership position with AASPA, Diep serves on an advisory board to the State Superintendent, and Brad Voehringer (going into 3rd year in district) also serves on the board for the state special education organization. The consistency that we have on the board of education and administrative staff has allowed us to move forward on some very comprehensive projects. You can rest assured that this administrative team is focused on the best interests of students, and committed to providing the best possible education and environment for our students.
Summer is a time to do a few things for yourself. Relax a little, read a few books, spend time with family and friends, perhaps have a trip or two. It is my hope that you have a safe and healthy summer as well as a fun summer. We are in the process of planning a welcome back get together for all staff on August 21st in the afternoon. You will receive more information about this in your summer mailing.
Thank you again for your service and the nice thoughts that I have received from so many of you. It is a pleasure to serve this district.
Dr. Jane L. Westerhold Superintendent of Schools, CCSD 62
Congratulations to the Class of 2009!
Eighth grade promotion ceremonies are special and exciting celebrations for District 62 students, families, and staff. Congratulations to the 529 middle school students who were promoted on last night. Congratulations on your achievements and best wishes as continue your academic careers!
Valerie Murdy's Life Celebrated
A mother's ability to find something special in each person she met, a friend's zest for life and celebration, and life lessons learned by young adults were some of the anecdotes shared by the students, colleagues, friends, and family of Valerie Murdy on the anniversary of her death during a Memorial Celebration at Iroquois Community School. A poem written by Bill Buczinsky about Mrs. Murdy was read by Judy Kenning and the First Congregational Church Choir sang her favorite hymn. Debbie Shawver presented a memory book to her children, Krista DePasquale and Brian Murdy. On behalf of the family, Krista thanked everyone for their thoughts and prayers and expressed how her mother's separate interests were now collected together in one loving book. The event ended in the dedication of a memory bench and tree on the west side of the school.
District 62 Retirees Look Forward to the Next Chapter of Their Lives
With only two and half weeks of classes remaining in School District 62, thirty-one staff members will retire. As they begin the next chapter of their lives, the District 62 community congratulates and thanks: Mary Ann Ales, Janet Bahr, Linda Bain, Nancy Bang, Thomas Bodlak, Juliann Cajda, Pamela Culley, Julie Ehnert, Joanne Getzoff, Carolyne Gorgo, Karen Groom, Donna Hendrickson, Linda Herrick, Carol Jannusch, Peggy Klein, Barbara Koller, Sandy Kozlowski, Patricia Lerch, Yvonne Morrison, Mary Beth Petruzzelli, Cynthia Reynolds, Nancy Rock, Dagmar Rutzen, Lyn Schuler, Carol Shepardson, Naomi Shepherd, Nancy Stenzel, Jerry Stonequist, Kathleen Stonequist, Mary Truschke, and Ruth Wunderle.
Central Principal Promoted to Curriculum Directorship The District 62 Board of Education promoted Dr. Janice Rashid, Central School Principal, to the Director of Curriculum and Instruction for School District 62. She begins her duties on July 1, 2009.
Dr. Janice Rashid has served as principal of Central Elementary School since 2006. A former reading specialist, parent organization leader, and successful referendum campaign chair, Dr. Rashid, has guided Central students on a path of continuous improvement.
Dr. Rashid began her teaching career in 1998 as a sixth grade teacher in the Chicago Catholic School System. From 1999-2003, she taught preschool for the Skokie Park District and later as a reading specialist at Fairview School District 72 in Skokie and in Northbrook/Glenview School District 30. As a member of the Enrichment Support Team, Rashid was instrumental in restructuring and revitalizing the reading improvement program. New identification instruments and procedures for advance learners were developed based on early childhood and elementary literacy development research. She also served as the district representative to the Literacy Advisory Board of the North Cook Intermediate Center. She coordinated the Reading First program, secured Reading First Grants, and organized the selection and distribution of professional books on literacy.
Dr. Rashid earned a doctorate in Educational Administration and Supervision from Loyola University. Her master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Psychology were also earned at Loyola. While an undergraduate student, Dr. Rashid was a member of the Psi Chi National Honors Society, listed to the Dean’s List, and an Honors Program student.
Dr. Rashid was awarded the 2004 Raymond Neyrinck Award for Outstanding Volunteerism from School District 72. She recently received a District 62 Lighthouse Award and an Award of Merit in the Administrator Category of the Distinguished Service Awards from the Illinois Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association.
Middle School Students Honored
Each year, District 62 middle school teachers and principals select middle school students (6th, 7th and 8th graders) who deserve to be honored as "Middle School Students You Should Know." The students who were recognized Monday, May 18, 2009 demonstrate outstanding scholarship, inspire others by overcoming difficulties and challenges, volunteer in their school and community, mentor classmates, and are involved in a variety of school activities. They are not content to let the world pass by - they are an active part of it. Each student received an Achievement Certificate from Nestor Zavala, and a Medal of Achievement from Kelsey Hargesheimer, District 62 alumni and Maine West seniors.
Left to Right: Monday, May 4, newly elected District 62 Board members, Steven Adams, Raymond Imig, and Stephanie Duckmann were sworn in by President Brenda Murphy.
Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week
May 3-9, we honor our teachers, support personnel, administrators, and our board members by acknowledging the contributions they make to our lives. By shining the light on the accomplishments of a few of our District 62 family, we recognize the 800 staff members who play a role in making sure that every child receives a quality public education and conveys the hard work they do each day to make public schools great for every child. We honor:
Monday, May 4 - Student Support Personnel Day
Tuesday, May 5 - Classroom Teacher Day
Wednesday, May 6 - Education Support Personnel Day
Thursday, May 7 - School Board/Community Member Day
Business Services Director Appointed to D62 Assistant Superintendent Position
DES PLAINES, IL (May 4, 2009) – Nelson W. Gray, business services director from Kildeer Countryside School District 96, was appointed by the School District 62 Board of Education as the Assistant Superintendent for Business Services, effective July 1, 2009.
Gray currently serves as the Director of Business Services in Kildeer Countryside CCSD 96, a high achieving school district feeding into Stevenson High School District. Gray has served in this capacity since 2005. Prior to that, he served as the Director of Facilities and Transportation in Kildeer from 2001-2005. He entered the school district business after several years in the private sector. From 1991-2001, he was an Environmental Services Manager. Gray also served as vice-president for a national environmental consulting company, as well as senior consultant for Asbestos Controls Methods, Inc.
Gray earned a B.S. in Philosophy and Psychology from the University of Wisconsin and an M.S. in Education as a Chief School Business Official from Northern Illinois University. He was recently elected to serve on the Illinois Association of School Business Officials’ governing board.
Algonquin Hosts Arbor Day Celebration
It has been over 135 years since J. Sterling Morton founded Arbor Day. His simple idea of setting aside a special day for tree planting is now more important than ever. Today Algonquin Middle School students, District 62 administrators and the school board president, and Des Plaines elected officials joined thousands of school students, administrators and elected officials across the country in celebrating Arbor Day.
The Chanticleer Pear, which was donated by Lurvey Garden Center and planted by the Des Plaines Public Works Department, will serve as a reminder of the seeds of wisdom that are planted every day in our schools.
Celebrating Administrative Professionals Day
Honoring District 62's Lifesavers
When people want school information, they say they call “the school.” What they really mean is that they call the administrative professionals. To many, administrative assistants, secretaries, clerks, and other school support personnel are “the school.”
Administrative professionals are among the most credible school employees. Their high regard is easy to understand. The administrative professional generally lives in the community and has daily contact with students, teachers, and members of key external audiences such as parents, business people, those without school-age children, and others.
They are the building’s hello and good-bye person. They typically greet school visitors and bid them farewell. And, they are the voices of schools – the one that answers the phone and says, “Thank you for calling.”
Administrative professionals set the tone in our offices, ease parental concerns, soothe critics, help students, and–sometimes- tend to cuts and bruises. No wonder people think of them as “the school.”
Thank you to our Administrative Professionals for being the Lifesavers of District 62.
Lighthouse Award Winners Announced
D62 Staff Recognized for Service
Seventeen District 62 staff members and one Board member will receive Lighthouse Awards from the School District 62 Board of Education. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., Monday, April 20 in the Forest Elementary School Multi-Purpose Room, 1375 Fifth Avenue in Des Plaines. This annual award program recognizes the performance excellence of a select group of staff and administrators that were nominated by their peers. Members of the D62 Community Advisory Board will select one nominee from each category for Those Who Excel Awards sponsored by the Illinois State Board of Education.
School Administrator
Milagros Bravo, Director of Second Language Programs
Julie Fogarty, Principal, Forest Elementary School
Dr. Janice Rashid, Principal, Central Elementary School
Student Support Personnel
Laura Gonzalez Coloccia, Psychologist, Orchard Place Elementary School
Leigh Radnitzer, LMC Specialist, Central Elementary School
Dana Yala, Speech/Language Therapist, Forest Elementary School
Classroom Teacher
Mary Fink, Elementary Teacher, Central Elementary School
Eileen Finnander, Elementary Teacher, Forest Elementary School
Betty Giannasi-Walsten, Elementary Teacher, Forest Elementary School
Kathy Giambeluca, Elementary Teacher, Forest Elementary School
Laura Kubiak, Elementary Teacher, Iroquois Community School
Cindi Proffitt, Elementary Teacher, Forest Elementary School
Early Career Educator
Stephanie Hajdu, Teacher, Orchard Place Elementary School
Allison Wolfe, Teacher, Forest Elementary School
School Board Member
Stephanie Duckmann, Vice President, Board of Education
Educational Support Personnel
Wendy DeVitto, Teacher Assistant, Forest Elementary School
Maria Pat Hanley, Teacher Assistant, Algonquin Middle School
Eileen Maloney, Administrative Assistant, Iroquois Community School
The Board of Education approved the following district-wide goal for the 2008-2009 school year on October 20, 2008
Community Consolidated School District 62 will analyze, and begin implementing the recommendations developed during the Master Planning Process for continuous improvement in teaching and learning, while maintaining financial stability.
Brenda Murphy President
Stephanie Duckmann Vice President
The recommendation formally presented at the regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting on March 16, 2009 was the final stage of the evaluation process. District administrative personnel met weekly since October with representatives from the District’s architectural firm to synthesize all of the information that had been previously collected, analyzed, and discussed into a series of conceptual building improvement options for the Board of Education to adopt and implement in subsequent years.
Steven Adams Member
Sharon Lynch Member
Raymond Imig Member
Robert Suriano Member
James Poskozim Member
The Comprehensive Plan Analysis (CPA) Committee gave great care to ensure that the recommended projects provided program equity across the district, using available resources. The recommendations are defined by the following categories:
Health, safety, and security
Infrastructure upgrades
Programs and services, including educational delivery modernization improvements
Given the overall ages of the buildings, the first two categories reflect 75% of the work scope. The third category provides an opportunity for the district to transform each facility into 21st Century learning environments.
The Board of Education will consider the proposed plan at the regularly scheduled meeting on April 20, 2009. The comprehensive plan is now available on the District’s website.
Central and Plainfield Listed to 2008 Illinois Honor Roll
As students and teachers prepare to take the 2009 Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT), two District 62 schools received news from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and Northern Illinois University (NIU) that they made the Illinois Honor Roll for continued academic progress.
“We are very proud of the students and staff of our 2008 Illinois Honor Roll schools,” announced Dr. Jane L. Westerhold, Superintendent of Schools. “We celebrate their success and share this accomplishment with our students, parents and community partners.”
Central Elementary School earned an Academic Excellence School Award. Academic Excellence Awards recognize 388 schools that have sustained very high academic performance over the past three years. Some of these schools often receive national recognitions placing them among the nation's most outstanding. The number of Academic Excellence awards more than doubled in 2008, rising from 166 to 388. Research is not yet available to explain this dramatic increase, especially in middle schools.
In these elementary schools, at least 90% of students met or exceeded state standards both in reading and in mathematics for at least 3 consecutive years. All Academic Excellence schools achieved Adequate Yearly Progress for the past two years.
Plainfield Elementary School received a Spotlight Schools Award. Spotlight Schools Award winners are high poverty schools where high academic performance is closing the "achievement gap." Located throughout the state in urban, suburban, and rural locations, 499 Spotlight Schools earned honors in this year. They exhibit achievements that are contrary to the conventional wisdom that test scores will reflect demographics despite local efforts.
At least 50% of students in the schools are reported as being from low income families in 2008.
At least 60% of students met or exceeded standards in both reading and mathematics in 2008.
At least 50% of students met or exceeded standards in both reading and mathematics in two previous years (2007 and 2006).
Made Adequate Yearly Progress in the two previous years as required by No Child Left Behind, which in 2008, meant the following:
At least 62.5% meeting and exceeding standards in both reading and mathematics
95% participation rate in state assessments for all students and each subgroup
Attendance rate of at least 90% for elementary and middle schools and graduation rate of at least 75% for high schools
On February 20, the School District 62 Foundation Board hosted a Benefit Dinner at Grazie! Ristorante in Des Plaines. On behalf of the children in the District 62 schools, the Foundation Board thanks every community member, business, state and local official, teacher, and parent who supported this fundraising effort. More than 200 individuals enjoyed a lovely dinner, outstanding musical entertainment provided by AC ROCK, a silent auction, and raffles. Many thanks to all who attended and to our major donors-- R. C. Wahl Jewelers of Des Plaines, the Des Plaines Education Association, the Estate of Robert Cowell, the Zicarelli Foundation (in honor of Robert Reinke), Wight & Company, Franczek Radelet & Rose, Jeanine LaCerba of Gigi’s Blossoms and Baskets, and Nick Mitchell of Grazie! Ristorante and Banquets. Thanks to your generous support, the Foundation was able to raise over $15,000 for our mini-grant and other programs that will benefit every child in grades K-8 in the District 62 schools. Anyone interested in more information about the Foundation can contact us at 847-824-9556 or via e-mail at maxhub@aol.com.
Betty Murphy and Maxine Hubbard, Co-Presidents
School District 62 Foundation
Taking the Show on the Road
Stephanie Wubbena, General Music Teacher and Band Director, showcased the talents of some of her students at a recent Des Plaines Lions Club meeting. Singles, duos, and trios performed excerpts from the various styles of music that they are working on in class. Forest, Plainfield, and Orchard Place Schools were represented. Carol Shepardson, Plainfield Vision Teacher, hosted the group.
Lincoln's Birthday Celebrated with Simultaneous Read
President Abraham Lincoln delivered what would become one of the most famous speeches in world history on November 19, 1863. Thursday, February 12, District 62 students will take part in a simultaneous reading of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address on his 200th birthday.
The live reading will originate at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, February 12, 2009 from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield, Illinois and will be carried on a live webcast. Illinois school children, who are in class that day, have been encouraged to read the speech aloud at the same time, and all school children in the nation are invited to join in the reading as well. Commemorative posters with the words to the Gettysburg Address were provided by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).
The February 12 Gettysburg Address reading, entitled the Four Score and Seven Project, is generously supported by Chase and The Chicago Community Trust.
Lincoln's Birthday is officially a state holiday; however, District 62 will be in session on the holiday since receiving approval from the ISBE to do so. Currently, about 93 percent of school districts in Illinois have received that approval.
"We feel that having students in class on this year's observation of Lincoln's Birthday will allow them to feel as if they are a part of history," said State Superintendent of Education Christopher A. Koch. "We know that teaching and learning become more effective when students are engaged and participating in what they're studying. We hope that the activities that day will whet the appetites of future historians."
On February 12, 2009 the Chicago History Museum will kick off its Bicentennial celebration with a day of Lincoln-inspired activities and the opening of the exhibition, Lincoln Treasures, which runs through August 16, 2009. Lincoln Treasures will highlight key artifacts and documents from the Museum's Lincoln collection that will rekindle visitors' emotions and excite memories about the man and his legacy. One of five manuscript copies of the Gettysburg Address in Lincoln's own hand, on loan from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, will be on display at the Chicago History Museum during March 2009.
"The Chicago History Museum is proud to partner with the Illinois Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission in celebrating Lincoln and his contributions to American history. The Bicentennial provides the opportunity for the public to empathize with and to be inspired by the many aspects of Lincoln's life and to understand his legacy," said Gary T. Johnson, Chicago History Museum president.
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library today opened a new exhibit entitled The Gettysburg Address featuring 35 pieces of art by famed illustrator Sam Fink. The exhibit may be viewed free of charge in the Library through February 1, 2009. The hand-drawn and hand-lettered illustrations each measure 16 by 23 inches and include an additional piece of art and a chronology of events leading up to the ratification of the 13th Amendment that abolished slavery.
"Lincoln's brief speech reminds Americans that the ideals of equality and freedom are foundational to healthy democratic government. A moving testament to the honored dead, the address also is a challenge to contemplate what was the ultimate cause for their sacrifice," said Illinois State Historian Thomas Schwartz. "Lincoln urges Americans to expand their understanding of American equality through a 'new birth of freedom' for the former enslaved peoples. The Gettysburg Address remains a speech for the ages."
Educational materials concerning Lincoln Bicentennial activities are now available to teachers at PresidentLincoln.org. In addition, Illinois teachers will now have access to a special curriculum that focuses exclusively on Abraham Lincoln. The Bicentennial Resource Guide covers lessons about the 16th President's life, from his early days in Kentucky and Indiana, to his time in Illinois, his Presidency and assassination. The ISBE is making this special Lincoln curriculum available to teachers in conjunction with the Indiana Department of Education. The lessons, developed by the Indiana Department of Education, align to the Illinois learning standards and teachers can download them at no charge from ISBE Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial website.
The Illinois Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission is working closely with numerous organizations, tourism agencies and institutions in 2008 and 2009 to organize events and programming for the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth. The commission is also partnering with local communities on their bicentennial plans. Visit lincoln200.net for more information.
District 62 now uses Twitter. Click on the image above to read updates from the Superintendent of Schools.
