Community Consolidated School District 146
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Students playing soccer during the Road to Central.
The Horizon
December 2017
Dr. Jeff Stawick, Superintendent
From the Superintendent

We are well into the 2017-2018 school year and our students and staff are having a great time learning. Each school has so many wonderful activities planned for the rest of the year that I am sure parents will love. I am also excited for our parents to continue their involvement in their children’s learning experience.

The District has begun earnestly researching and planning a new Parent University program that will deliver diverse information to our families and community. Information may come in the form of website content, in-person events, online videos, or other formats. The Administration is very excited about the support our parents have shown thus far.

Recently, we asked for parent input on the information desired, and the formats that would work best for their already busy schedules. We will take the information we gathered into consideration as we finalize the Parent University program. The District will send updates as components become available.

We look forward to continuing to partner with our parents in providing the best learning experience possible to our students.

Dr. Jeff Stawick
Superintendent
CMS Reading Teacher Recognized
Mrs. Tuffs advisory class honors her at an all-school assembly.
The District boasts many excellent staff members in all of its schools. One, however, has been recently recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) as one of “Those Who Excel.” Central Middle School teacher Laura Tuffs received the Award of Merit and was honored at a ceremony in October hosted by ISBE.

Beth Collins, a resource specialist at CMS, nominated Mrs. Tuffs for the award. As part of the nomination process, letters of recommendation from staff, parents, and students were collected.

“I nominated Mrs. Tuffs because every day I taught with her, I felt inspired to be a better teacher,” said Ms. Collins. “She brings so much positive energy and engagement to the classroom, and her ability to connect with every student blows me away. Students love being in her class; they feel connected and supported as both students and people.”

Mrs. Tuffs was made aware of the nomination when she had to complete student-centered essay questions as part of the process. At an all school assembly, Mrs. Tuffs’ advisory class informed her she had been honored with the Those Who Excel Award of Merit.

“I genuinely love my job," said Mrs. Tuffs. “Having my advisory students be the ones to share with me that I won the award was very special. It was a great way to find out.”

Mrs. Tuffs has been at Central Middle School for five years and currently teaches eighth grade reading. She is a member of the Quantum Learning Committee at CMS, and participated in a camp at Stanford University this summer that was focused on the topic.

She has coached boys’ and girls’ volleyball and led the girls’ softball team through their undefeated championship season last year.

“We are so proud of Mrs. Tuffs,” said Principal Randy Fortin. “She seeks to meet the needs of all her students by ensuring they are engaged in each and every activity. Mrs. Tuffs represents all the good that this great profession has to offer and her efforts directly support our students.” 

According to ISBE, those recognized with a Those Who Excel award have “made significant contributions to our state's public and nonpublic elementary and secondary schools.” ​​​​​​​​Nomination materials are evaluated by a selection committee comprised of individuals who represent a variety of educational organizations.

“If I’m considered good, it’s because of my peers,” said Mrs. Tuffs. “The District encourages us to co-teach, collaborate, and brainstorm. That teamwork makes what is happening in these four walls a success.”
Kindergarten Pre-Registration Open
Kindergarten pre-registration for the 2018-2019 school year is now open. Eligible students must turn five years old on or before September 1, 2018. No fees are due at the time of pre-registration. Current District 146 Early Learning students do not need to pre-register for kindergarten.

Reminder: Full-day kindergarten is coming to District 146 starting in the fall of 2018! Click here for more information.
Marching Band Takes First!
Marching Band in a parade.
The District 146 Marching Band and Drill Team took first place in this year’s Grundy County Corn Festival parade and won the “Best Band of the Day” award!

The Corn Festival parade capped the marching band season that also included the Worth Days Parade and the Palos Park Parade.

Congratulations to our very talented musicians! 
Business Department Update: D146 Budget
Jeff Charleston, Director of Business Services
The Business Office is responsible for managing the financial affairs of the District. This includes budget planning, payroll, purchasing, investing, debt management, financial reporting and insurance.
The Business Office also administers the transportation, food service and life safety programs. Our goal is to manage the District’s resources to provide the best education possible while maintaining fiscal responsibility to the taxpayers.

District 146 participates in a number of shared service cooperatives, in which a group of school districts band together in order to achieve purchasing power savings and/or greater levels of service than any individual district can do on its own. The District participates in cooperatives for employee benefits, liability insurance, workers’ compensation, special education, and supply purchasing. 

Budget
The District 146 budget reflects a continuing commitment to “Learning for All” and the District’s priorities of small class sizes and full inclusion. The 2018 fiscal year budget was approved by the Board of Education at its September meeting. A special public hearing was held prior to the meeting.
2017-2018 Revenue

Funding the District’s educational programs is achieved with the support of the communities we serve. Property taxes and other local revenues are the primary source of income, amounting to 85% of this year’s budget. The State of Illinois is the source of 10% of District funding, and Federal funding is 5%.  
Pie Chart of 2017-2018 District Revenues
2017-2018 Expenditures

As with most school districts, salaries and benefits account for the largest categories of expenses. This year, the District is using accumulated reserves to help pay for a portion of the building projects being planned for full-day kindergarten.
Pie Chart of 2017-2018 District Expenditures
The full District budget can be found on our website , along with the budgets and audits for the last 10 years.
Alumni Spotlight:
Brittany Conway (Kruse, CMS '05)
Photo of Ms. Brittany Conway.
Throughout the years, District 146 has employed many of its alumni. There are currently a number of former students employed at District schools as teachers and support staff.

This issue's Alumni Spotlight features the newest alumni to join the ranks. Brittany Conway has returned to the District's hallways as a Learning Behavior Specialist at Kruse.

Ms. Conway attended Kruse Education Center and Central Middle School, graduating in 2005. She went on to Purdue University where she obtained her Bachelor's Degree, and Governors State University where she obtained her Master's Degree.

We stopped by Ms. Conway's class to talk about the differences between being a student and staff member at Kruse.
 
Growing up, what was your dream job?
Growing up my dream job would change, but always involved helping kids. 
 
What is one of your fondest memories from being a student at D146?
It’s difficult to choose just one memory. Some of my fondest memories from being a student at D146 include participating in the talent show and attending the Fun Fair.
 
Were there any staff members who influenced your style as an educator?
I had so many wonderful teachers when I was a student in District 146. I feel like my teaching style is a combination of many of my favorite teachers I have had in D146.
 
How does it feel to be walking the halls at Kruse as a staff member rather than a student?
I was definitely feeling nostalgic the first time that our principal, Ms. Radde, gave me a tour of Kruse. As a new staff member, I love that I get to work and collaborate with familiar faces from my past. 
 
Is your favorite subject now the same as it was as a student?
My favorite subject as a student was social studies. Although social studies is still one of my favorites, I have developed a love of teaching math.

How is D146 different than other Districts at which you have worked?
There is a strong sense of collaboration in D146 that I have not witnessed in other districts. 
 
What piece of advice do you always give students?
When you think you can’t do it, remind yourself that you can’t do it  yet .
 
What is your favorite part of your job?
Watching my students grow and celebrating both big and small successes with them.
Do you know someone to feature in an upcoming Alumni Spotlight? Contact Keegan at  [email protected] .
Parent English Classes
District 146 is happy to once again offer free English Language Classes to all District 146 parents.

The classes are held at the Zion Center at 17100 69th Avenue in Tinley Park (off of 171st Street). They are held from 9 to 11 a.m. every Monday and Wednesday through the month of April. There is no deadline to register for the classes.

If you are interested in attending the classes, or if you have any questions, please call Laura Gonzalez at (708) 614-4510 ext. 4244.
Parents in the English Language Class.
A student working on a craft with her grandparents at Grandparents Night.
Upcoming Events

December
5: Kruse Winter Concert
11: Board of Education Meeting
13: CMS Choir Winter Concert
14: CMS Band Winter Concert
19: Fierke Choir Winter Concert
21: Fulton Winter Sings
21: Memorial Winter Sings
25: Winter Break Begins

January
8: Return from Winter Break
11: District Spelling Bee
15: MLK, Jr. Day- NO SCHOOL
16: Superintendent/Parent Breakfast
16: Winter MAP Testing Begins
16: Board of Education Meeting
31: Fulton 2nd Grade Concert

February
2: Winter MAP Testing Ends
5: Regional Spelling Bee
7: Fierke Family Math Night
12: Board of Education Meeting
13: District Math Challenge
16: Institute Day- NO SCHOOL
19: Presidents Day- NO SCHOOL
22: Math Challenge Awards
Members of the Fierke Choir preparing for a performance.
Our Schools

18146 S. Oak Park Avenue
Tinley Park, IL 60477
(708) 614-4510

6535 W. Victoria Drive
Oak Forest, IL 60452
(708) 614-4520

6601 W. 171st Street
Tinley Park, IL 60477
(708) 614-4525

7617 W. Hemlock Drive
Orland Park, IL 60462
(708) 614-4530 

6701 W. 179th Street
Tinley Park, IL 60477
(708) 614-4535
Board of Education

John Malloy
President

Dean Casper
Vice President

Darcy Nendza
Secretary

Vince Aiello
Member

Julie Berry
Member

Julie Jackson
 Member

Rick Lloyd
Member
Administration

Dr. Jeff Stawick
Superintendent

Mrs. Nancy Schwab
Director of Curriculum

Dr. Princy Abraham
Director of Student Services

Mr. Vern Bettis
Director of Technology

Mr. Jeff Charleston
Director of Business Services/CSBO

Mrs. Joanne Clyde
Director of Bilingual Education

Mr. Matt Shanahan
Director of Buildings and Grounds
Community Consolidated School District 146
Phone 708-614-4500 | Fax 708-614-8992