A new champion was crowned this week at the District 64 Spelling Bee. Congratulations to Victoria Antyufeeva, a 4th-grader at Franklin, for taking home the win! It was only fitting that Victoria won in the 13th round of the 13th annual D64 Spelling Bee. The first-place medal was secured after Victoria successfully spelled “installation.” 

Here are the top three from the District Spelling Bee:

• 1st place: Victoria Antyufeeva (Gr 4, Franklin)
• 2nd place (TIE): John Hayashi (Gr 6, Emerson) and Micah Cronin (Gr 4, Field)

These three did a fantastic job, as did the 21 spellers who advanced from the school-level spelling bees. In total, 151 students across the District in grades 3-8 participated in their school’s contests.

Next up? Victoria will go on to represent D64 at the North-Cook ISC Regional Spelling Bee on March 15th. This round is held at Lincoln Hall Middle School in Lincolnwood. We’ll be cheering Victoria on as the spelling odyssey continues!

Read more here.

District 64 Spelling Bee top 3 finishers (left to right): Micah Cronin (2nd place - Field 4th grader), Victoria Antyufeeva (1st place - Franklin 4th grader), John Hayashi (2nd place - Emerson 6th grader).

St. Baldrick's: #1 Spot

The Park Ridge-Niles community continues to show up in a BIG way for our Lincoln/Emerson Baldies. Their St. Baldrick's Foundation fundraiser is #1 in the world! Check out the leaderboard:

The Lincoln/Emerson Baldies have already helped raise nearly $200,000 for childhood cancer! Let's keep that momentum going as we get closer to our goal of $500,000. For more information on how to donate or help you can go to d64.org/stbaldricks.

Part of the fundraising efforts involved two 6th grade teachers getting a pie in the face this week, live on the Lincoln Middle School announcements. Thank you to Michelle Wasilewski (in purple) and Kelly McCall (in pink)!

Congratulations to District 64’s winners in this year’s ISBE Those Who Excel Awards! The Illinois State Board of Education started the Those Excel Awards to honor educators who have made significant contributions to our state's public and nonpublic elementary and secondary schools.

Below are the three honorees selected from D64:

Early Career Educator Category (Teachers of 1-4 years)

• Natalie Briggs - Meritorious Service Award - Music Teacher at Carpenter, Emerson, Field and Franklin

Teacher Category 

• Georgette Demarinis - Meritorious Service Award - Teacher at Jefferson Early Childhood Center
• Alex Teater - Special Recognition Award - Music Teacher at Emerson, Field and Franklin

Can you believe we've already been in school for 100 days?! That's 💯 days of learning and fun! Thanks to Ms. Lombardi (Roosevelt) and Mrs. Komenda (Carpenter) for letting us in on the excitement.

The District 64 Board of Education will hold its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, February 16th, in the Hendee Rooms at the Jefferson Early Childhood Center. There will be a closed meeting at 6:30 pm, with the regular meeting starting at 7:00 pm.

Below is a look at the agenda:

• Closed Meeting [5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) & (10)]
• Pledge of Allegiance
• Opening Remarks from the President of the Board
• Student/Staff Recognition: Park Ridge Community Fund Holiday Drive; District Spelling Bee
• Spotlight on Field School
• Public Comments
• Approval of Meeting Agenda
• Approval of Mediation Agreement with Student 2022-2023 (2)
• Approval of 2022-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Board of Education and Student Staff Council (SSC)
• Preliminary Enrollment Projections & Discussion of Staffing Plans for 2023-2024
• Discussion & Approval of Quest Food Management Services Contract Renewal 
• Approval of Recommended Personnel Report
• Consent Agenda: bills, payroll, and benefits; approval of financial update for the period ending December 31, 2022; approval of BWP contract for the superintendent search; destruction of audio closed recordings (none)
• Approval of Minutes: closed meeting on January 26, 2023; regular meeting on January 26, 2023; special meeting on February 1, 2023; closed meeting on February 1, 2023; special meeting on February 9, 2023
• Other Discussions & Items of Information: upcoming meeting agenda; FOIA requests; memorandum of information: organizational meeting of the board; and public comments emailed on January 26, and February 1, 2023. 
• New Business
• Adjournment

Upcoming Board Meetings

• February 16, 2023 - 7 pm - regular meeting, Jefferson School 
• February 27, 2023 - 6 pm - special meeting, Jefferson School 
• March 16, 2023 - 7 pm - regular meeting, Jefferson School 
• April 20, 2023 - 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.

Online registration for WOW 2023 will open on Tuesday, February 21st at noon. 

Classes for students who have completed K-3 will be held at Washington Elementary School, while classes for students who have completed 4-7 will be held at Lincoln Middle School. 

• Session 1: June 14th - June 30th (No School Monday, June 19) 
• Session 2: July 5th - July 20th (No School Monday, July 3rd and Tuesday July 4th)

You can find all the Course Descriptions, Info, and Registration Links for WoW here on our website.

We're looking for WoW summer school teachers!

With the 2023 school year set to start for students on August 23, this gives summer school teachers a whole month of summer vacation before returning to work!  

Full-time summer school teaching salary is $2,736 (for only 24 half-days!)

If you are interested in teaching summer school, please complete one (or both) of these forms:

• I am interested in teaching Gr K-3 summer school at Washington! 
• I am interested in teaching Gr 4-7 summer school at Lincoln! 

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

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