From the Desk of the Superintendent

Hello Friends,

Everyone who knows me knows I love winter. But for those who regard it as a long season to shovel through, let's be optimistic and instead think of February as a time of transition. We’re all coming off the busy Christmas/New Year holiday season, winter cannot decide if it wants to stay or go, educators are looking ahead to spring break, and the days are growing lighter and longer rather than just plain gloomy. Change is in the air!

For the Regional Office, we also begin to notice transitions right in front of our eyes. We note the students who have been with us all year at Summit Academy exhibiting positive changes, which are becoming strikingly evident and increasingly consistent. Our At Risk Student Services Team is recognizing the fruits of their labor, with families and students they have been supporting becoming more education-centric and grounded, utilizing available resources. The Social-Emotional Learning Teams are partnering with an increasing number of Area 2 schools, which are moving toward action plans to provide new levels of support for their students. And, the ROE can’t help but prepare for our next season of service, remaining intentional as we make our way through transitional February while impatiently waiting for March.

In this edition of our ROE 4 Connections monthly newsletter, we continue to update you on what we've been up to, as well as to share great stories of the impact our teams are having in our region. Behind every story is another educator or student from our communities who is ready to transition from their own winter into a hopeful spring and on to even brighter days ahead.

OVERVIEW

February Updates

At Risk Student Services - Meet Student Z

Summit Academy

School Improvement - Women in Leadership Network

Social-Emotional Learning - Presenting at D122 + SEL Pod

Professional Learning - Harlem Institute Day
Human Resources - HR Advisory Group Updates + New Hires

Professional Services

ROE 4 Connections is a monthly snapshot of Boone-Winnebago Regional Office of Education news and updates for our 13 districts, students, staff, and communities in Northern Illinois! We'll keep you informed of what we've been up to as well as upcoming events. We are grateful for the opportunity to advocate, educate, and serve.

Email Us

Call Us

VIEW ENTIRE MESSAGE

If you notice that this email (or any email) is clipped and abruptly stops scrolling, just click "View Entire Message" at the bottom of your email to continue reading the newsletter content!

At-Risk Student Services

Success Story: Meet the Z Family

As an attendance interventionist, I see a wide variety of traumatic circumstances and barriers to education for students and families in our region. With consistent contact and follow up, we are often able to find a solution that will achieve our ultimate goal of creating an environment where the student will safely return to the classroom. This was the case recently with a student and her family experiencing a catastrophic life event, which, sadly, led to attendance issues.

The Z Family consists of a single mother with two children, a younger child not yet of school age and a sixth grader, who we’ll call Student Z. The single mother and her children had moved into several different residences within the school district since the beginning of the school year, creating an unstable home. During this time, Student Z had been absent from school a great deal.

Once being alerted to the chronic absenteeism of Student Z, I discovered that her father had been killed in a tragic accident within 2 weeks of Student Z beginning her sixth grade school year. This was not only obviously extremely traumatic for Student Z but also caused the excessive amount of absences.

I proceeded to contact Mom and did home visits with the family, attempting to establish a trusting rapport with both Mom and Student Z. I was eager to help the student and her mother understand that there were resources available that could help them deal with the grief they were experiencing.

At first, Mom was very reluctant to have anyone involved because she felt that another adult or person “to talk to” would result in her daughter shutting down. Mom felt that we were only trying to get in her business.

I subsequently reached out to Mom several times and again did a home visit at their new home, to which they were just getting acclimated. It was at this home visit that Mom was finally willing to talk. As a result, we were able to set a date for a meeting with Student Z’s school.

At the school meeting, Mom was receptive to our collective goals. Mom was given multiple resources, and an action plan for Student Z was agreed upon. Mom began utilizing this support for her daughter, as well as for herself.

With the assistance offered and the connection we formed with the Z Family, we’re happy to share that Student Z’s attendance has significantly improved. We are thrilled that she is doing much better academically and appears to be truly thriving.

Summit Academy

Education and More:

News from Summit Academy

Executive Director Nicole Corbett and her administrative team have been in the planning process for an important opportunity coming up in the very near future. Student Behavior and Attendance Interventionist Kevin Anderson, Assistant Diretor of Operations Denise Hooks, and Assistant Director of School Improvement Faith McNamee will join her as they deliver a 90-minute presentation during the statewide Illinois Coalition for Educating At-Risk Youth (ICEARY) conference. Quickly becoming experts on educational change in the alternative school world, they have been invited to share Summit Academy's story. They will also offer strategies on how other schools can integrate components of the Summit program into their own in order to create a school-wide system of structure. We can't wait to hear the team's update of their conference experience.

The Second Chance Program at Summit has been working with partnership districts to create dynamic transition plans for students who have found success at Summit and are ready to return back to their home school. This newly implemented middle school program of intensive intervention continues to grow and is showing early success with respect to the program's goals and vision. Congratulations on the positive trajectory they are seeing in the Second Chance Program.

School Improvement Hosts

Women in Leadership Network

The simplified definition of school Improvement is making schools better places for learning. Of course, every community can get behind that idea, but the follow up is always: how?

No one enjoys this question more than Chris Collins, Director of School Improvement at ROE 4. In his role, Chris' expertise revolves around solution-driven processes and partnerships. His answer for this question is: who better than superintendents to join in the discussion of improving our school communities? With this in mind, he has taken the initiative to lend support to a unique demographic in our regional schools: women leaders.

Chris and the Regional Office have partnered with the DuPage ROE and Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA) to host a monthly virtual network called Women in Leadership. It includes women who are currently sitting superintendents across four counties in Northern Illinois.

This particular network was created as past experience shows that women land in a superintendency role only after encouragement from other administrative mentors. Those mentors often note leadership characteristics and abilities in women who may not recognize these traits on self-evaluation. The creators of the WIL Network felt this had been the case for them as well.

Noting the rising number of women in educational leadership roles, our own Allison Pierson, ROE 4 Assistant Superintendent of Schools, was 100% on board with developing a strong network of support for this group. In fact, twice yearly, the WIL group also invites aspiring women leaders to attend in order to grow the active females in leadership in our region. These special guests were present at this month's meeting.

Focusing on a different topic each month, the February 9th WIL session was facilitated by Dr. Kellie Sanders and Dr. Kristine Servais, Co-Founders of Lifeline for Courageous Leadership. Following a welcome by Dr. Lynn Gibson, the group of 36 attendees, including both superintendents and aspiring school leaders, did a deep dive into crucial conversations and how to prepare for them. Many also chimed in to discuss what this looked like for them in day-to-day operations and how they personally handle this difficult task.

ROE 4 hosted and closed the day, noting that the topic seemed to resonate with all involved. Chris Collins and the network leaders also wrapped up the event by encouraging participants to remember to encourage and support other women on similar professional journeys.

You can also find information on ALL networks at Boone-Winnebago ROE 4 by visiting this page on the ROE 4 website. If you’re interested in customized school improvement projects, please connect with Mr. Collins at ccollins@roe4.org.

Social-Emotional Learning Presents at D122

In an effort to offer as much guided support as possible to the staff and students in our communities, the Regional Office SEL Team, along with the #Area2SELHub, recently presented breakout sessions during the Harlem District #122 Institute Day. These presenters manned four teaching sessions each over the course of the day on February 17.

First up was Kim Maville, Assistant Director of Area 2 SEL Hub. Her session began with an instructional presentation to a class of administrators, social workers, and several dozen elementary teachers. Entitled, "Responsive Classrooms: Morning Meeting," attendees discovered this circle concept is an excellent way to establish a foundation of community and trust, which can be adjusted to work with students of every grade band. It also offers a sense of belonging and togetherness for students, while the educator models respect as well as social, emotional, and academic learning.

Ms. Maville went on to explain that the Morning Meeting does not have to necessarily occur in the morning, but can be scheduled at a time that works best for the students and teacher. One part of the practice that must remain intact is establishing norms, such as greeting each other by name, speaking honestly, and listening respectfully.

The Morning Meeting approach is gaining steam as a much loved activity in many classrooms in our area. It is a solid school-wide classroom management practice that enables the teacher to address SEL needs on a daily basis. Kim concluded her time by stressing that the Morning Meeting allows educators to teach communication and people skills that can be carried on for life, stating, "Keep in mind that classes are communities."

The day also saw Restorative Practices Training with Heather Hall, Area 2 SEL Hub Coach based out of ROE 4. Her session began with an explanation that a restorative circle is not used to isolate bad behavior but to repair the behavior. Much like the Morning Meeting, this is a positive experience that can help to build community with students.

Along with introductions, she had attendees form a circle, discussing how there is safety there. Three different variations of the circle were demonstrated, followed by explanation of several circle norms. Those included a starting sound, a centering pause, the leader leads by beginning the exercise, and the "talking stick" is used to control the environment. She then explained that a circle could be concluded with a quote, closing sound, or intentional breathing.

The class had an opportunity to ask question, and Heather answered by sharing her expertise as a certified trainer through the Institute for Restorative Practices. While the participants admitted they felt exposed and vulnerable in the activity, one word that was used by the class to categorize the Restorative Circles concept was value. Thanks to Heather for the valuable content!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! The SEL Team's next session of "The Pod" happens on March 14th. This virtual meeting facilitated by Area 2 SEL Hub Specialist Kelly Duncan and SEL Coach Heather Hall is for any school counselor, administrator, social worker, psychologist, interventionist, or SEL team member who would like to share social-emotional learning ideas and solutions. Click this link to register to receive the Zoom link!

Visit the Area 2 SEL Hub Website

Harlem Institute Day with Professional Learning

Harlem educators were treated to several sessions with Casey Veitch, ROE 4 Director of Professional Learning. She brought "Introduction to Trauma and Trauma-Informed Practices" to the halls of Harlem High School on February 17.

Ms. Veitch shared the definition of trauma, barriers created by trauma, the impact of trauma on students and classrooms, and strategies the particpants could use as trauma-informed educators. Always a compelling presenter, her information was conveyed with a keen focus of trauma from both the educators' and the students' perspectives.

As emotions in the room were summoned by watching an intense video, Casey taught different techniques for de-escalation. The group practiced these techniques and explored how they could be translated into practice in the classroom.

Attention was then turned to learning about the invisible backpack and how students (and sometimes teachers and staff) carry burdens with them to school that are not readily visible. This requires teachers, social workers, psychologists, etc., to be aware of behavior and language that could signal that a student is carrying the effects of trauma into the classroom. This is common in our world of education as statistics show that only 25% of children receive the mental health care they need.

Following a display of children's literature that could be helpful in the school setting, the remainder of the class was spent strategizing responses to many issues with which students are burdened. Alongside mental health care for our youth, Casey reiterated ways educators could also pause and regroup so they could be the best professional possible. She emphasized the importance of this, noting that the power of impact on students and colleagues starts with a healthy individual and a connection.

March Workshops:

Check out a few upcoming opportunities to earn professional development or administrator academy credit in person or online with ROE 4. Visit the ROE 4 event catalog for classes and courses with impactful content that fit your schedule and budget. There are currently 10 credit-earning opportunities during the month of March with new workshops being added all the time.

Foundations of Restorative Justice

Presented by Kristin McKay

of A Just Approach, LLC

Begins March 10

Everyday IAR

Presented by Elizabath Hand

Begins March 10

Mindful Foundations

Presented by Casey Veitch

Begins March 15

On a wonderful twist to a day exploring education strategies, Linda DeYounge, ROE 4 Professional Learning Facilitator, came prepared to impress with "Creating Calm: Using Art to Relieve Stress for Educators." With almost every seat filled in her four breakouts, Harlem D122 had a chance to experience Linda's guided painting instruction first hand.

A trained artist, Ms. DeYounge very clearly shared that being creative does not only mean art or crafting. She explained that every educator in her art room that day was creative by building anything, speaking to a group, implementing technology, planning, teaching, gaming, and so many more everyday occurences. She noted that the act of creating improves health and well-being, gives a sense of purpose and enjoyment, requires personal discipline and practice, can instigate novel problem-solving solutions, and gives a person identity.

Before dipping into the actual project at hand, she went on to explore the impact of trauma on the body and mind and noted that engaging in creativity in school groups can give students a sense of belonging and community. She supported this with research that has shown that immediate sense also lasts into the next day.

Linda then instructed the class on several painting techniques as everyone completed their own acrylic painting of lilypads floating in a gently rippling pond. As the group followed along step-by-step from her larger project, there was further conversation about art, freedom to express, enjoyment at the end of a day of studies, and just plain decompressing after a long day.

The group walked away with their own individual masterpieces, created with corals and greens and blues...and an awesome learning experience.

Learning Technology Center of Illinois Monthly ROE 4 #TechTip

Here's your chance to explore a few new technology tips and tricks! Enjoy learning "How to Build Healthy Phone Habits" during the February Tech Tip from LTC's Ben Sondgeroth.

Professional Services

Fred Kunz

Memorial Scholarship Information

Do you know an aspiring teacher? The Fred Kunz Memorial Scholarship application window is OPEN. There are TWO $2,500 scholarships available. These are intended for students interested in obtaining professional teaching certification.

Simply head this way for more information and for instructions on how future education professionals can easily apply!

Human Resources

Education entities in the districts we serve look to Boone-Winnebago ROE 4 for more than just classroom support. The Regional Office's Human Resources Division hosts a monthly online HR Advisory Group, where education HR professionals can exchange ideas. Discussion topics often include hiring, onboarding, termination, contracts, benefits, state mandates, and policy changes.

Each month, the HR Advisory features a special speaker, offering insight into pressing issues or legal updates in the world of education. February's presenter was Attorney Sara Boucek. She shared information on both Erin’s Law and Faith’s Law. These are Illinois mandates pertaining to child sexual abuse and grooming prevention in education for children in pre-K through 12th grades. It's interesting to note that Illinois was the first state to mandate Erin's Law. The group also shared thoughts on the newest licensure news, answering questions and offering suggestions.

If you'd like more information about the monthly Human Resources Advisory Group, please contact Jamie Watts, Assistant Director of HR at ROE 4, at jwatts@roe4.org to connect.