Fall Break is finally here! There is no school from November 21st through November 25th, so we'll see everybody back at school on Monday, November 28th. I hope everyone has a relaxing week away.

We had some teachers share fun activities they do during this time of the year.

At Carpenter, Mrs. Komenda's class is hard at work on their "Turkey Glyphs"!

Over at Washington, first graders enjoyed the annual Thanksgiving Puppet Show. Students listened to the fiction story, "There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie", and fed food to the puppet! Thank you to Washington LIS Brittney Joyce for sharing the below photo of one of her favorite activities.

Washington had a BUSY week of gratitude and giving. Students wrote notes to frontline workers in our community. On Thursday, the Wildcats delivered their messages to the Park Ridge Fire Department; on Friday, it was to the Park Ridge Police Department.

Washington has been adding leaves to the Grateful Tree all week, and there are so many great messages!

The Washington Student Council and the PTO also sponsored a food drive to help the Maine Township Food Pantry. The community came through in a big way, donating so many items that it took two trips to haul it away! You can find more photos from Gratitude Week here.

The District 64 Board of Education held a regular meeting on Thursday, November 17th, 2022, at Emerson Middle School. The meeting highlights included:

VIEW MEETING VIDEO

Student and Staff Recognition

• Superintendent Dr. Eric Olson and Assistant Superintendent for Student Learning Dr. Lori Hinton Lopez recognized our District 64 Curriculum Team.
• “I want to formally thank our team members for all of your hard work and tireless hours,” said Dr. Lopez. “You keep me grounded…and just being able to connect with teachers helps us brainstorm really practical solutions to challenges that teachers have. So I want to thank you again for your efforts!”
• The Curriculum Team members engage in a number of activities, including leading professional development, facilitating department meetings, modeling instruction, brainstorming support for students, maintaining department resources, and managing budgets and inventory.
• The 2022-23 Curriculum Team includes:
• Curriculum Specialists:
• Art: Lee Deines, 6-8 & Tara Marolt, K-5
• General Music: Terry Broeker
• Instrumental Music: Erica Faulhaber
• Intervention Facilitator: Kara Forrest
• K-5 ELA: Meghan Keefer
• K-5 ELA Coaches: Kitty McGrath and Jo Barzowski
• K-5 Math: Tracie Thomas
• K-5 Science/K-8 Health/K-5 Social Studies: Dina Pappas
• Multilingual Learners: Kathy Zajac
• PE: Andrew Bielenda
• Primary Challenge/Channels of Challenge: Helen Gossel Pasley & Kendra Hutchinson
• World Language: Shannon Rodriguez
• Department Chairpersons and Liaisons:
• Language Arts: Lindsey Harrington & Ursi Cosentino 
• Math: Jess Caplis & Christine Thielen
• Science: Chris Corlett & Cathy Murges 
• Social Studies: Mark Schalke & Melissa Johnson

School Board Member Appreciation

• School Board Members Day was this week, November 15th, and District 64 took this as an opportunity to honor the seven members of its Board of Education for their service to the District and community. 
• School Board Members Day is an occasion to recognize board members who serve as unpaid volunteers for the benefit of the students and the community. “We thank them for the partnership they provide to the education community and leadership they provide for local school governance,” said the Illinois Association of School Boards.
• The District 64 Board of Education members are Garreth Kennedy, Phyllis Lubinski, Dr. Denise Pearl, Larry Ryles, Carol Sales, Tom Sotos and Dr. Nicole Woitowich.

Adoption of Resolution #1300 to Approve the 2022 Proposed Tax Levy, and Establishment of Public Hearing

• Motion: Approved
• You can find information on the 2022 Tax Levy Estimate by clicking here. 
• A Truth-In-Taxation hearing was set for December 15th, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. 

Adoption of Resolution #1301 Authorizing the Sale of Real Property

• Motion: Approved
• A notice will be published in the newspaper for three consecutive weeks regarding the sealed bid process. A pre-bid meeting of all interested bidders will be held on December 19, 2022. All bids will be open on January 17, 2023. Finally, per statute, the contract of the successful bidder will be approved at the January 26, 2023 Board meeting to meet the 60-day required timeline.

Overview of the 2021-2022 Illinois School Report Card

• Dr. Lopez gave a presentation on the Illinois Report Cards that were recently published. 
• Dr. Lopez’s presentation and information can be found starting on page 44 of the BOE Agenda. 
• Our District and school report cards are published on the District 64 website. 
• We are proud that all our District 64 schools received commendable or exemplary designations!

Upcoming Board Meetings

• December 15, 2022 - 7pm - regular meeting, Jefferson School
• January 26, 2022 - 7 pm - regular meeting, Jefferson School
• February 16, 2022 - 7 pm - regular meeting, Jefferson School 

Looking to catch up on past meeting highlights? A summary of each meeting is available on our Current Board News webpage.

Please confirm meeting dates and times on the Board meetings webpage.

Click here for more information on the Spelling Bee.

The 35th edition of Field Follies was fantastic! Field Elementary School had more than 160 students participate, dozens of parent volunteers, two casts, and four shows.

The skits, songs, acting, and costumes were all extremely creative. 

There's nothing better than a ticket to a show, so thank you to everyone involved in making us laugh and cheer!

District 64 partnered with the Park Ridge Kiwanis Club and Marianos to help local families who struggle with food insecurity. We are close to the finish line but we still need donations to help a lot of local kids!

The last day to make a donation is Sunday, November 20th. As the deadline nears, you can make a donation at www.kiwanisPR.org or directly to Kiwanis Holiday Food Basket Fundraiser at 19 N. Seminary, Park Ridge, IL, 60068. 

Do you want a job driving school buses? Lakeview Bus Lines is hiring!

• Up to $25/hour
• Sign-on bonus amount of $3000 for yellow bus drivers who are fully licensed to drive yellow immediately. 
• Weekly pay, benefits, 401K
• go to www.sunrisebus.com/careers or call (847)-588-1820 to apply

Comments and questions may always be directed to the Superintendent or Board members through these links:

Email Dr. Eric Olson, Superintendent or contact members of the Board of Education via email links.

Park Ridge-Niles School District 64 | 847-318-4300 | news@d64.org

#engageD64