Hello, our June newsletter is here!

Learn More and Apply for Learning While Leading

Project ECHO and STARQuest Academy celebrated lots of success throughout the month of May. The high school program graduated 19 seniors and our junior high programs had 20 students who were promoted to high school from the 8th grade. We also acknowledged and praised our staff during Teacher Appreciation Week. We are extremely proud of and blessed to have so many wonderful teachers as a part of our team.

Congratulations, Grads!

Back row left to right: Deanna Hamilton, John Geiger, Jim Toms, Brice Evans; front row left to right: Caitlin Spiller, Tammy Atkins, Gina Grant, Sarah Dubach

From left to right: Ashley Overturf, Jeff Hammonds

Congratulations for WINNING the 28th Annual Alcohol/Drug Prevention Poster Contest, sponsored by Illinois Churches in Action!

RON CLARK ACADEMY CONFERENCE

Mrs. Deanna Hamilton and Ms. Caitlin Spiller, teachers at Project ECHO, spent a couple days away in Atlanta, GA attending the Ron Clark Academy Conference. The Academy serves as a private (model) school housing middle-school aged children from a wide range of diverse backgrounds. It has been recognized on an international and national level for offering unique and successful engagement strategies, disciplinary techniques, and learning methods. We can't wait for them to share their newfound knowledge with the team!

Ron Clark and Caitlin Spiller

Ron Clark and Deanna Hamilton

What a great year it has been for Year 2 of the Social Emotional Learning & Trauma Responsive Schools Grant! ROE #21 is so excited about the amazing work taking place in our partnering schools. On May 5th, SEL Leaders from Cohort #1 & #2 came together for a full day of learning and celebration. In the morning, SEL Leaders and members of their school REACH teams experienced a Poverty Simulation facilitated by Robin Ridgley from the U of I Extension Center. In the afternoon, SEL Leaders celebrated the end of the year together with a Wellness Retreat. Thank you for a fantastic year!

POVERTY SIMULATION

A big thank you to all our volunteers who helped facilitate the Poverty Simulation! If your school would like the SEL Hub to help fund a Poverty Simulation for your school, please contact our ROE #21 SEL Coach,

Mrs. Crystal Newcomb at [email protected].

Ensure your Contact Information is up to date!

Have you recently moved, changed phone numbers, or acquired a new email? Then it is a great time to make sure all of your information is accurate in your Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS) Account! This information is the only way your local ROE and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is able to reach out to you with important information and updates regarding your license. If you need help updating your contact information please contact ROE #21 at 618-998-1283.

Check your ELIS Account

June 5th

June 5th - 6th

June 6th

June 7th

June 7th - 8th

Congratulations to Dr. Keith Oates, Superintendent of Marion Unit #2 and Mr. Joe Nighswander, Superintendent of New Simpson Hill #32!

Best wishes on your retirement!

"THE AMAZING RACE" AT REND LAKE COLLEGE

A new two-day career exploration opportunity was held recently for fifth and sixth graders throughout the Rend Lake College district. This event was sponsored by Rend Lake College in conjunction with ROE #21 and ROE #13. Over four hundred students from thirteen Southern Illinois Schools took part in the Career Fair presented in the format of “The Amazing Race” TV show. The Franklin County Regional Delivery System (FCRDS) reached out to Franklin County schools with an offer to cover transportation costs for schools to remove a potential barrier to attending this exciting learning experience.

The students participated in teams of four or five in both individual and group table activities and hands-on challenges throughout the Event Center.

The students were enthusiastic and excited to compete for points while learning about career opportunities they might want to consider in the future. The “Amazing Race” was very successful and plans are underway to make this an annual event.

DRAFTING AND DESIGN COMPETITION

Gavin Suver, Drafting and Woodworking teacher at Benton High School, reported he had twelve students advance beyond the regional competition to the State Illinois Design Educators Association (IDEA) competition at Illinois State University. Casey Pauly earned 3rd place in Introductory Board; Kash Cantrell earned 2nd place in Architecture 2D CAD and Cole Buchanan earned 2nd place in Machine CAD. Congratulations to these outstanding students and to Mr. Suver!

EDGE STUDENTS HOLD ANNUAL TRADE SHOW

Franklin County’s EDGE (Entrepreneurial Development, Growth and Education) program held their Trade Show on Thursday, April 27, 2023, at LaGalarie on the Square in Benton. Students from various high schools participate in the regional EDGE Program offered through the FCRDS which is a division of the ROE #21 in Benton. During the school year, EDGE students are taught the skills necessary to build a more robust economy in Franklin County. They give in-class presentations about a product or service they want to develop. Lee Messersmith, the facilitator for EDGE, assists students in crafting business plans, navigating the lending process, projecting a budget and launching their products or services into the local market at the EDGE Trade Show. The 2023 Trade Show truly showcased some unique products and services as well as the eight talented young entrepreneurs who have developed them. The following photos highlight the EDGE Trade Show presenters and their products or services.

Hailey Sears, Benton High School

Quincy Bates, West Frankfort High School

Hanna Adkins, West Frankfort High School

Aaron Price, West Frankfort High School

Patrice Laur, Sesser-Valier High School

Jase Heiman, Sesser-Valier High School

Ava Hollis, Sesser-Valier High School

Lindan Berthroux, West Frankfort High School

FRANKFORT COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL (FCHS) AUTOMOTIVE STUDENTS VISIT WEEKS CHEVROLET BUICK GMC DEALERSHIP

Josh Billingsley, CTE (Career and Technical Educator) Teacher at FCHS, took a group of Automotive Technology students to Weeks Chevrolet Buick GMC Dealership for first-hand career experience in the service department. Not only did they observe the pleasant environment in the service department, they saw auto technicians servicing cars and trucks. Greg Weeks’ knowledgeable employees led a tour and talked to the students about career opportunities within the automotive industry. Students also learned about the high demand for automotive service technicians in the current economy within Southern Illinois.

CONSTRUCTION TRADES STUDENTS AWARDED

The Regional Education For Employment (EFE) 525 Construction Trades class, taught by Mr. Mark Fitch, had an enrollment of 18 students for the 2023-2024 school year. The students were from Sesser-Valier, Benton, Christopher, and Zeigler-Royalton High Schools. Two students, Talon Mills from Zeigler-Royalton High School and Joe Wycisalla from Sesser-Valier High School, were presented with “Top Performer” awards. Cannon McKee, also from Sesser-Valier, was presented with an award for the “Most improved.”

Talon Mills and Teacher Mark Fitch

Left to Right: Cannon McKee, Mark Fitch, and Joe Wycisalla

Last month's poll ended in a two-way tie: going to the beach and hiking were voted as the number one vacation activity! Let's see what wins this month...

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