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It is hard to believe that we have entered into the final month of the 2016-2017 school year! I hope you will agree that this has been a very successful year for the children of Keeneyville, one full of academic and social emotional growth and achievement.
I want to take a moment to acknowledge the great work of our faculty and staff. Their dedication to the children of our learning community is what makes it possible to provide a quality education for all. Those who choose to work in schools have truly responded to a calling in their life and I am proud to work with them as we serve the community together.
May is always a busy and exciting month for our students and they look forward to a well-earned summer break. We are very excited for our first district musical production of the Wizard of Oz which will be performed May 11-13 at Lake Park High School's East Campus. Our fantastic music programs will hold their end of year performances and each school will enjoy end of year field days and end of school year activities. We look forward to ending the year on a strong note leaving all of us with great memories and success.
Below, please find information on the state budget crisis and a call to action for your support.
It has been nearly two years since the State of Illinois has passed a full budget. In that time, we have seen critical public services hampered and the financial future of our state put at serious risk.
While Illinois public schools have benefited from a partially-
funded state budget, our schools, students, families and communities will continue to suffer without a full state budget. We also will suffer if Mandated Categorical state payments, which support special education, bilingual education, transportation, and other important services, do not get paid this year.
To date, the State of Illinois owes our District over $870,000 in those Mandated Categoricals, and there is no state budget on the table for approval.
In April, a group of over 400 superintendents from across Illinois joined forces to urge our General Assembly and Governor to #PassILBudget. We are calling on members of the Illinois General Assembly and the Governor to do the following:
- Immediately, and with bipartisan support, end the state budget impasse.
- Improve the state's education funding formula and invest in students and schools, including higher education institutions
- Pay school districts what they are owed this year.
Please join the effort and:
- Contact your legislator! Click here to find your legislator.
- Ask your legislator to take action to address the three items mentioned above.
- Use social media to share your budget concerns with the hashtag #PassILBudget
- Ask your friends and community members to join our efforts.
Let's all work together to #PassILBudget and create adequate and equitable funding for our schools.
Sincerely,
Dr. Michael Connolly
Superintendent
P.S. We are always looking for ways to make sure this newsletter is read by parents and community members so feel free to forward this email on to someone who may be interested in signing up to receive them by clicking the sign up link on our
District Home Page.
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District 20 News
Google for Education Reference District Distinction
Keeneyville Elementary School District 20 is proud to announce that it has earned the elite distinction of being named a Google for Education Reference District. District 20 is the first in DuPage County and one of only six Illinois districts to earn this honor. The program, sponsored by Google, invited schools and districts to enter based on their ability to demonstrate vision and thought leadership through their strong adoption of Google for Education technology to drive positive learning outcomes.
"Your organization is doing exemplary things with Google tools, and you're joining a select group of innovative districts and independent schools," read a statement released by Google. "We know you must have a strong vision and stories of how you're transforming education with technology. We would love to share your experience and expertise with others."
Schools and districts with this distinction are considered educational innovators and asked by the Google for Education program to share their experiences, learnings, and best practices with others. Click
here to read the entire press release.
Excellence Rating for Financial Reporting Announced
Keeneyville School District 20 received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). The recognition, based on the District's comprehensive annual financial report, is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting and represents a significant accomplishment by a District and its leadership.
Sixth Grade Parent Orientation Recap
On April 24, incoming sixth graders and their parents were invited to an orientation held at Spring Wood Middle School. Incoming principal, Dr. Martin and Spring Wood's Dean of Students, Mrs. Flores reviewed school expectations, bell schedules and answered questions. A school readiness check-in sheet was distributed for parents to complete. Click
here to download a copy of the form. Completed forms can be returned to the student's elementary school and will be forwarded to Spring Wood. If you have any questions, please call the Spring Wood main office at 630-893-8900. Click
here to view the Parent Orientation presentation.
Science Olympiad Prepares for Competition
Third, fourth and fifth graders from Greenbrook and Waterbury have been preparing for the Second Annual Elementary Science Olympiad Competition since January. The after school program offers weekly science activities that focus on weather, anatomy, rocks, egg drop, bridge building and more. This year's competition is being held at South Middle School in Arlington Heights and brings students from all over the suburbs to compete in a variety of science events. Last year, Keeneyville students brought home several medals including first place in bridge building.
Children's Day Celebration
On April 28, Greenbrook School hosted a Dia de los Ninos, or Children's Day celebration. The district-wide family event included food, entertainment, games, a face painter and a folkloric dance performance.
Since 1925, Dia de los Ninos has been observed annually in Mexico to celebrate and pay tribute to children.
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Community Connection
Students Participate at the Hanover Park Resource Fair
On Saturday, April 22, students participated in the Hanover Park Community Resource Fair. Spring Wood Middle School choir students performed and students active in the Dare to Dream club volunteered during the four-hour event. The event, held at the Hanover Park Park District, provided free family activities while local service providers were available to share programs and services.
The event, held at the Hanover Park Park District, provided free family activities while local service providers were available to share programs and services.
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Greenbrook Elementary School News
Earth Day Celebration
On Friday, April 21, Greenbrook partnered with Habitat for Humanity for a day-long celebration. Habitat for Humanity provided t-shirts for the entire school and organized activities throughout the day.
Students also decorated paper bags that were used at Caputos Grocery Store, collected trash during PE and went on virtual field trips using Google Expedition technology that focused on pollution and trash collection sites.
Camp Learn - A - Lot
On April 20, Greenbrook hosted a reading and math night with a camping theme. A variety of stations were set up to allow families to work together on math and reading activities. Click here to view a photo
album of the event.
Dance and Cheer Performance
On April 25, the Greenbrook Dance and Cheer club performed for family, friends and staff members. The after school club has been practicing twice a week since November. Under the direction of Mrs. Woods, the group of over 40 third, fourth and fifth graders learned dance routines, cheer techniques and participated in team building activities.
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Spring Wood Middle School News
Builders Club Volunteers at H
ands of Hope
The Spring Wood Builders Club is an after school program
that is chartered in partnership with the Kiwanis Club. The program allows students to lead local and/or worldly service projects to help make the world a better place.
One of many service events the Builders Club members lead is the Hands of Hope Food Pantry in Hanover Park. This food pantry serves over 200 families within the surrounding communities, allowing visitors to choose food items and necessities they would like, based on the options provided.
Dare to Dream Visits Elmhurst College
On April 3, students active in the Dare to Dream program along with school staff and parents attended a special event at Elmhurst College. The students took a tour of the campus, discussed the college application process and learned the importance of maintaining good grades and participating in extra-curricular activities and athletics in middle school and high school.
Admissions Counselor, Paulette Lopez, also discuss other opportunities such as studying abroad, pre-professional programs and the Elmhurst Nursing Simulation Center that is available to nursing students.
Students, Staff and Parents Volunteer Together
On Monday, April 17, students active in Dare to Dream, Builders Club and student Council were joined by parents and Spring Wood staff members to volunteer at Feed My Starving Children in Schaumburg. Over fifty volunteers, including Dare to Dream alumnus, packed 102 boxes which is the equivalent of 22,032 meals for 60 children. The Dare to Dream students also donated $500 to the organization.
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Waterbury Elementary School News
Earth Day Celebration
Students and staff members at Waterbury recognized Earth Day with a week-long celebration. Following the guidelines set by The Earth Day Network, each grade level set out to study and research climate change on an assigned plant or animal group. The Earth Day Pledge was shared and students learned about the small actions that can make a big difference for the environment.
Students Make a Global Impact
Mrs. Sopocy's second grade and Mrs. Trippiedi's fourth grade classes partnered with the Tabora League for Children (TLC) to raise funds to help support a library project in Tanzania. TLC is a nonprofit organization that provides assistance to orphaned and vulnerable children living in Tanzania. The idea for the project came from a former District 20 teacher who visited Tabora last summer. Mrs. Sopocy read about it on Twitter and knew it would be a great opportunity to involve students and demonstrate how they could make a difference in the lives of children who live far away.
A Special Visit with an Engineer
Waterbury fourth graders got a glimpse into engineering as a career when Mrs. LaFortune, a fourth grade parent and engineer at Northrop Grumman, gave an outstanding presentation to all fourth grade classes.
The students learned about the different types of engineers and what jobs they perform. Mrs. LaFortune shared the many projects she has worked on, and the students were truly impressed!
After speaking with each group, the students set to work on building the highest tower out of just two sheets of newspaper and tape. As the students collaborated, they followed the engineering process of defining a problem, proposing a solution, and testing it.
As a culminating activity, the students wrote about their experience and what they learned about engineering. The fourth grade students and staff would like to give a huge thank you to Mrs. LaFortune and Northrop Grumman for giving our students such a wonderful educational experience!
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Preschool / Kindergarten Registration
Registration is underway for District 20 preschool and kindergarten programs. Due to the upcoming summer construction, parents are urged to register their children by May 25.
For more information regarding preschool call the Greenbrook office at 630-894-4599. This applies to all preschool students currently in the program who will not be five by September 1, 2017.
For students who will be five by September 1 and will attend kindergarten, questions should be directed to the school the child will attend: Greenbrook: 630-894-4599 Waterbury: 630-893-8180
Click
here for additional kindergarten information.
It's Showtime!
District 20 is proud to present:
The Wizard of Oz: Young Performers Edition. Performances will be held at the Lake Park High School East Campus Auditorium located at 600 South Medinah Road in Roselle. Tickets are five dollars and can be purchased at the main offices at Greenbrook, Spring Wood or Waterbury. No tickets will be sold at the door.
Wizard of Oz Performance
Parents Only Night
May 11
7:00 p.m.
Lake Park High School
Wizard of Oz
Performance
May 12
7:00 p.m.
Lake Park High School
Wizard of Oz Performance
May 13
3:00 p.m.
Lake Park High School
Elementary
Enrichment Exposition
May 17
7:00 p.m.
Spring Wood
SW
Band Concert
May 18
7:00 p.m.
Spring Wood
Half Day Attendance
May 19
Morning preschool classes only / No afternoon preschool
SW Coffee House Band Concert
May 23
7:00 p.m.
Spring Wood
Last Day of Regular Classes for Preschool
May 24
Spring Wood Eighth Grade Promotion Ceremony
May 24
5:00 p.m.
Lake Park High School
West Campus
Preschool Picnic
May 25
Heritage Park
Click
here to view the 2017 - 2018
District Calendar
April Board Briefs
The Keeneyville Board of Education held its regular board meeting on Thursday, April 27. Board business included:
- Recognition of the Spring Wood Seventh Grade Team: Michelle Milligan, Eleni Vrettos, Clint Andersen, Ethan Escareno, Justin Harris, Emily Harris, Melissa Swanson and Phil Aliano and Spring Wood Eighth Grade Math Teacher, Stephanie Fellerath
- Recognition of retiring board members
- Oath of office for new board members
- Election
of new officers
- Master Facilities Presentation
New Board Members
Mrs. Jennifer Kuban was sworn in for her full term of service to the Board of Education. Mrs. Kuban was appointed to the Board in October 2016 and was elected to a full four-year term in the election held
on April 4.
Mr. Terry Walloch was sworn in for his first term on the Board of Education. Mr. Walloch has been an active parent volunteer in District 20 and served on the Parent Transportation Advisory Committee.
New Officers Elected
Board President:
Heather Weishaar
Board Vice President:
Sara Bruno
Board Secretary:
Andrea Schnorr
Celebrating Retired Board Members
District 20 bid a fond farewell to retiring Board President Scott Williams (2009-2017) and Board Member Jim Nowak (2013-2017).
"Both are outstanding examples of the civic pride and altruism it takes to be an effective member of a Board of Education. Their work on the Board strengthened District 20 and we are extremely grateful for their service."
-Dr. Michael Connolly
Pictured from left : Jim Novak, Scott Williams, Terry Walloch and Jennifer Kuban
Board of Education Vacancy
A vacancy remains on the District 20 Board of Education due to a lack of three declared candidates for three open positions in the recent election. The Board of Education has 45 days to appoint a new member to the Board who will serve until the April 2019 Municipal Election. Please click on the documents below for additional information.
The next regular meeting of the District 20 Board of Education will be held on Thursday, May 25 at 7:00 p.m. in the Spring Wood Middle School Library.
Event Highlights
Second Annual Fun Run Hosted By Greenbrook
On Saturday, April 29, students and staff participated in the Second Annual 5K Fun Run. Greenbrook PE
teacher, Mr. Loda applied and received a Billion Mile Race Fun Run Grant. Only seven percent of applicants were awarded the grant which included numbered race bibs, finish line banner, wristbands, Bluetooth speaker, airhorn and a $50 gift card to purchase healthy snacks for race day.
Science Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)
Program Sponsored by the Regional Office of Education (ROE)
Spring Wood Middle School students had three opportunities this school year to attend an after school STEM club sponsored by the ROE. Students pictured are using a root hormone to plant a variety of cuttings in different ways. Previous workshops included a unit on robots and toys made from simple machines.
Technology in D20
To follow technology activities throughout District 20, search for the hashtag #ESD20learns on Twitter. Here are a few recent posts with students using Google Exploration technology to take virtual field trips. Oceans, earthquakes, volcanoes and visiting trash collection sites are just some of the places our students explored.
In late March, Waterbury hosted their annual International and Potluck Dinner. Student performers represented a variety of countries and an international recipe book was created. A special performance was given by the Dionysios Greek Dance Troupe. Click
here to view a photo album of the event.
Taking Math Outside
Ms. Stroder's class took advantage of the favorable weather conditions and and took their math class outside. The students worked on equivalent fractions and geometric shapes while enjoying the warm weather.
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Keeneyville District 20 is now on Facebook and Twitter! Please follow us for up to date news and information about our schools and events!
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