News from Keeneyville Elementary School District 20
District 20 eNews January 2019
On a mission to ignite the power and potential of each student!
District News
5Essentials Parent Survey

The Illinois 5Essentials Parent Survey is being conducted now through February 15 for Keeneyville Elementary School District 20. The link to access the parent survey is available at 5Essentials Parent Survey.

 It is critical for our parents to complete the 5Essentials Survey in order for District 20 to receive important feedback from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).

All District 20 K-8 parents, teachers and fourth through eighth grade students will have the opportunity to take the seventh annual statewide survey. This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of a child's school. The parent survey allows parents to share their thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness.
Parent Cafe, January 24
The first Parent Café of 2019 will be held on Thursday, January 24 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at Spring Wood Middle School located at 5540 Arlington Drive E. The evening will feature a round table conversation with District 20 administrators. A light dinner and childcare will be provided. This event is free and open to all District 20 parents and guardians. Click here for more information and to register.
District 20 Board of Education

The Keeneyville Elementary School District 20 Board of Education held a regular board meeting on December 20, 2018. Meeting highlights are listed below. The next regular meeting of the District 20 Board of Education will be held on Thursday, January 31 at 7:00 p.m. in the Spring Wood Middle School Library. Meetings are videotaped and can be viewed here .

December Board Meeting Highlights

  • Student Ignite Awards
The District 20 Board of Education presented the first Student Ignite Awards of the 2018 – 2019 school year. This recognition program invites staff members to nominate students in grades fourth through eighth who have gone above and beyond in academics, extra-curricular activities, athletics and/or social and emotional competencies. Photos can be found in the District Event section of this eNewsletter.

  • Board Salute Recognition
Spring Wood's Reading Enrichment Teacher, Rita Lawerence, was nominated by Dr. Emmie Pawlak for creating the District 20 Family Reading Night.

The REACH Team at Greenbrook was nominated by John Gustafson for going above and beyond in creating such a valuable program for the school.

  • Traffic Safety Update
A traffic safety update was provided for Greenbrook and Waterbury Elementary Schools. Concepts for newly designed drop off lanes, parking and pedestrian traffic changes were shared. The plan is to finish designs by January and go out for bid in February. Work will begin when school is dismissed for summer vacation.

  • Presentations
Spring Wood's Restorative Justice initiative was presented by Phil Aliano.
McKinney Vento Homeless Law information was shared by Colleen Flores.

  • Action Items
Approval of Finalsite as District 20's new website provider for the 2019 - 2020 school year.
Approval of the Keeneyville SD #20 SSCIP.
Congratulations to Reading Specialist, Rita Lawrence for receiving a Board Salute for her work planing, organizing and implementing the District 20 Family Reading Night.
Congratulations to Greenbrook's REACH Team: Jamie O'Brien, Courtney Anzalone, Joyce Lewis, Jamie Jovanovic and Zac Minelli on receiving a District 20 Board Salute.
District Events
Student Ignite Awards
During the December meeting, the District 20 Board of Education presented the first Student Ignite Awards of the 2018 – 2019 school year. The recognition program invites school staff members to nominate students in grades fourth through eighth who have gone above and beyond in academics, extra-curricular activities, athletics and/or social and emotional competencies. 

Student Ignite Award Recipients
Lizzy Acevedo
Danvirel Akins
Nathan Berkes
Emilia Burzawa
Amari Head
Maya Kycior
Madison McClearn
Alisha Mohammed 
Gianna Owen 
Emily Urius
Donovan Zunun
 
Students in attendance received a certificate and an exclusive Student Ignite backpack. Students are pictured below with staff members that nominated them, Superintendent, Dr. Omar Castillo and School Board President Heather Weishaar. Students who could not attend will be recognized in January.
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Family Reading Night
On December 6, a districtwide family reading night was held at Spring Wood Middle School. Under the direction of Rita Lawrence, Kids Who Read Succeed was led by Spring Wood students from Charger Changers, Dare to Dream and Junior National Honor Society. Students read stories, presented a Reader’s Theater and served refreshments. The Roselle and Poplar Creek libraries were in attendance to share information regarding upcoming winter programming. Literacy Through Movement also participated in the event. 
Hour of Code
During the week of December 3 – 9, District 20 students participated in “The 'Hour of Code™,  a nationwide initiative by Computer Science Education Week and Code.org to introduce students to computer science and computer programming.
Bilingual Parent Advisory Council
On December 7, the District 20 Bilingual Parent Advisory Council (BPAC) hosted a family holiday event at Waterbury Elementary School. The event included food, dancing, games and a special visit from St. Nicholas.
Holiday Highlights
Fifth Grade
Band Concert
Dare to Dream
Hanover Park Tree Lighting
Spring Wood Students
Sunrise Senior Center
Superintendent Castillo
 Early Childhood Center
Greenbrook
All School Sing-a-long
Waterbury
All School Sing-a-long
Early Childhood Center (ECC)
Parent Education Day
On December 7, the Early Childhood Center held a Parent Education Make and Take event. Parents and their children came to school to participate in four different activities: making play-doh, craft activities with beads, file folder math games and creating a snowman mix. Parents received an instruction packet to replicate the activities at home.
Greenbrook Elementary School
Third Grade Musical

On December 3, third grade students presented, ARF! On the HOUSETOP, a holiday musical about caring and sharing. Under the direction of Mrs. Hilliker, the students performed during an all school assembly and in the evening for families. 
Waterbury Elementary School
Good Deeds Club
On December 18, the Good Deeds Club held a sing-a-long for staff members. Superintendent Castillo stopped by and requested one of his favorites, Frosty the Snowman. This was the culminating activity for the first half of the school year for the club. The students worked on a variety of service projects including a sock drive for a local charity helping families in need. 
Spring Wood Middle School
Studying Geometric Transformations
Eighth grade students in Stephanie Fellerath’s math class studied geometric transformations prior to winter break. To extend the lesson, students were challenged to create their own kaleidoscopes. Students not only created the kaleidoscopes but were required to explain how a kaleidoscope uses geometric transformations by using either a written method, Google slides or Flipgrid applications. 
Inclement Weather Information
Keeneyville Elementary School District 20 will utilize a variety of ways to communicate weather related school closing information. District 20 school administrators closely monitor weather conditions and a decision to close schools will be made by 5:30 am. Announcements will be:

· Sent using the District 20 automated phone system
· Posted on the District 20 website  (www.esd20.org)
· Posted on the District 20 Facebook and  Twitter accounts @KeeneyvilleD20
· Added to local television and radio stations school closing lists 

It is important that contact information is up-to-date at your school. Please notify your school office if your telephone or cell phone number has changed. District 20 will notified parents if school is starting late, dismissing early, canceling after school programming or closed for the day. 

School Office Numbers: 
Early Childhood Center                 630-894-4544
Greenbrook Elementary School     630-894-4544
Spring Wood Middle School          630-893-8900
Waterbury Elementary School       630-893-8180
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Keeneyville Elementary School District 20 | 5540 Arlington Drive E | T (630) 894-2250