From the Desk of the Superintendent | | |
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School Improvement to Release
New Blog for Leaders
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We are excited to announce the launch of our new monthly leaders blog focused on all things building leadership. This blog is dedicated to exploring the latest trends, best practices, and insights in the field of leadership in our area schools, with staff teams, and throughout school communities.
As we navigate the complexities of our work, simple, easy-to-implement ideas are needed that will support our job of guiding our teams where they want or need to go. This blog is designed to help you do just that! Our ROE 4 School Improvement Team will share experiences and expertise to help you stay ahead of the curve.
Every month, "Four: For Leaders" will cover a different topic related to the challenges we face in our buildings each day. One monthly topic will be supported with FOUR points to ponder presented in a straightforward format. This will include:
- Visual representation
- Original author/Research base
- Discussion question or thought challenge
- Local leader testimony
- Virtual or in-person discussion forum
- Opportunity to attend a short presentation or professional learning on the selected topic
Our goal is to provide you with practical insights and actionable tips that you can integrate into your building leadership role. The blog will be a succinct read, where you will be provided opportunities to respond and offer feedback on your professional experience with the tips/strategies/research you've implemented in your building.
What points will the blog focus on? First up, we'll look at: "How can we engage ALL members of our team at meetings?"
To stay updated on the release of the Leaders Blog in the next month, be sure to follow @BWROE4 on Twitter and subscribe to the monthly ROE 4 newsletter by clicking the Subscribe button at the top of the page.
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2023 Regional Spelling Bee
Winners Announced
The 2023 Regional Spelling Bee was recently held on the evening of March 8th at the Harlem High School Auditorium.
Julissa Negron, 8th grader from Roscoe Middle School, was awarded best speller accolades at the end of the evening and was named the Regional Spelling Bee Champion for 2023. Julissa received a $400 gift card, a trophy, as well as other prizes in addition to the opportunity to compete at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in the Washington, D.C. area later this year, a 6-night stay at the Gaylord Resort for her and 1 guest; and round-trip airfare for Julissa and her guest. We can't wait to follow Julissa all the way through to the championship rounds in D.C. Congratulations and best of luck, Julissa!
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Also showing incredible spelling expertise was first runner-up, Chelsea Luengas Flores, who attends 8th grade at South Beloit Junior High School. She scored hardware and a $200 gift card. There was also a 3-way tie for third place with those students each receiving a $100 gift card and a trophy for their hard work.
The Regional Spelling Bee is generously sponsored by the Eunice Wishop Stromberg Spelling Bee Endowment Fund of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois.
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New & Noteworthy at ROE 4 | | |
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In an effort to add more licensed paraprofessionals to the local job pool, the ROE 4 Professional Services Team explored different avenues that would update the process and reduce the cost of testing at the Regional Office.
The new option will phase out the previously used test and implement the less expensive ACT WorkKeys format at our testing site. Once the first IT changeover was complete, ROE 4 receptionist Logan W. volunteered to take the new paraprofessional exam to test the system and work out the bugs. We're happy to report that Logan passed the test with flying colors and also officially received his para license. Thanks to Logan for assisting with the process.
The ROE 4 office hopes to have new para testing dates available for registration on www.roe4.org as soon as the first week of April.
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In early March, Leah Blake, Director of Professional Services, attended the statewide licensure officer meeting held in Normal, Illinois. This meeting is intended for licensure officers and Illinois Regional Offices of Education to gain licensure knowledge from the Illinois State Board of Education and other Regional Offices.
Leah shared that she was updated on new changes at ISBE; met several new licensure experts who offered to be available as licensure questions arise; and had the opportunity to ask other ROEs questions pertaining to PELs and updated school code.
This was the second year that the statewide meeting was offered both in-person and virtually. As the virtual option was a huge success, the in-person option may be discontinued for next year's meeting.
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As mentioned in recent ROE 4 newsletters, Brittany Bauer, ROE 4 Illinois High School Diploma Coordinator, spends several afternoons each week at the Winnebago County Jail in order to facilitate GED testing for inmates. As a means to support these individuals in their quest for gainful employment and a more meaningful lifestyle upon release, the Regional Office has coordinated these testing sessions with the WCJ. As more and more individuals have looked to complete their high school education through this process, there is now an extended waiting list to take the test. The culmination of this joint endeavor has resulted in the first class of 2023 scheduled to graduate with their diplomas on March 24th. Brittany was invited and honored to attend the spring graduation held at the Winnebago County Jail. Thanks to Brittany for her investment in education. | |
Testimonials:
What Participants are Saying About ROE 4’s Self-Paced Courses:
“The work was meaningful and applicable.”
“I appreciate having an online course that allows me to work at my own pace.”
"Thank you so much! I am hoping to get a book study [based on what I have learned]! Thank you for providing this course!"
"I really enjoyed [The EmpowerED Educator Book Club], and I would definitely do another!"
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Learning Technology Center of Illinois Monthly ROE 4 #TechTip
Looking to be more efficient during your planning time? Here's your chance to explore how! Get on board with the newest trends with "Create Interactive, Standards-Aligned Lessons in Seconds with AI" with the March Tech Tip from LTC.
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Hawkinson Wins 2023 ICEARY State Award
In mid March, the entire At-Risk Student Services Team traveled to the annual Illinois Coalition for Educating At-Risk Youth (ICEARY) Conference. It was at this conference that Meghan Hawkinson of the Regional Office was surprised with ICEARY's state award, Excellence in Education.
The yearly ICEARY seminar includes training for all levels of teams, focusing on support of at-risk youth. For the Boone-Winnebago ROE 4 group, this included training for attendance interventionists, McKinney-Vento navigators, and department leads.
Little did Director Meghan Hawkinson know her team had nominated her weeks prior for the Excellence in Education Award. The idea was initiated by attendance interventionist Alexandra Zimmerman, and At-Risk Student Services submitted a heartfelt summary of Hawkinson's awesome work, both in support of area at-risk youth and as director of their department. In a field of the top four state nominees, and in just her third year at the helm of ARSS at the Regional Office, Hawkinson's professionalism plus state and regional efforts rose to the occasion. Zimmerman read her nomination letter, following which an extremely surprised Hawkinson accepted the award in front of the entire conference on its final day in session. She was also surprised by her parents, her husband, and ROE 4 Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Allison Pierson, who were all in attendance at the conference. The ROE 4 work family was able to watch a livestream online.
Congratulations to Meghan Hawkinson on this amazing achievement!
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Meghan Hawkinson
ROE 4 At-Risk Student Services Director &
2023 ICEARY Excellence in Education Award Winner
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Success Story: Meet Student M
I am currently an attendance interventionist for ROE 4 at the elementary school level. After a second grade student in my district, Student M, was absent from school for two days in a row, I was notifed. I then reached out to Mom to find out what was going on. Mom informed me that Student M was refusing to attend school. Mom also mentioned that Student M was displaying excessive anxiety when it came to going to school.
After discussing the situation with Mom via an extensive phone conversation, I offered to set up a meeting with school staff to see what we could do to help Student M, and Mom agreed.
During that joint meeting, we discovered that Student M’s severe anxiety with school was stemming from an issue with other students in her class. I asked if it was possible to switch Student M to a different class as I thought this might be the best option for her. Mom was supportive of this suggestion, and school staff approved the switching of classes for Student M.
Since making the change to this new environment, Student M has not missed a single day of school. She has attended every day since the beginning of December. Mom also reports that Student M is no longer having severe anxiety regarding going to school.
Thank you to our attendance interventionist, Student M's family, and the school staff for recognizing there was an easily implemented change to support this student and for following through to ensure the adjustment was a success. Awesome job, Everyone!!
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Summit Student Celebration
Angel Estrada Mujica came to Summit Academy in the Fall of 2022 as a very humble young man. Unlike some other students, he was able to reflect on the very reasons he was being enrolled at Summit. Not only did Angel need a full 1-1/2 years' worth of credits, but he also needed a second chance to showcase that we are all human, that humans can make poor decisions, and that those types of decisions should never define us - or define HIM - as a person.
While at Summit, that is exactly what Angel received - a second chance to demonstrate that he had reflected on his previous decisions. He quickly became a role model student for all others to follow, working his way up to Summit's "Eagle" classroom, which is the highest tiered level of success Summit offers. There, he earned the title of Student Ambassador.
If there was an award for Pinnacle Student of the Year, Angel Estrada Mujica would definitely be that student. For that reason, Angel has been invited to be the guest speaker for Summit Academy's Class of 2023 graduation ceremony. Summit administrators and staff are honored to highlight Angel's dedication to his education and can't wait to celebrate him, as well as the graduating class, at the upcoming commencement festivities.
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Recently, a group of Summit Academy staff (four administrators plus three staff working toward their Master’s in special education) were able to attend the Illinois Coalition for Educating At-Risk Youth (ICEARY) Conference.
At the gathering, Summit's administrative team gave a presentation on the Summit Success Story. They shared the unique Summit Academy alternative school framework, including "Who We Are" and "What We Do".
The team described their session as "amazing." The group who attended was engaged and asked meaningful questions. Following the presentation, they felt their feedback could not have been better.
Participants in their workshop included personnel from all school levels, from principals to social workers, teachers, and paraprofessionals. The attendees emphasized how excited and motivated they were to bring some of the Summit Academy ideas and methods on systems and structures for school-wide leveling systems back to their own schools. Many participants were visibly moved by this presentation and the success stories shared.
The group of seven was quick to explain that they were extremely proud to be a part of Summit before ICEARY and that this experience took those feelings to the next level. Congratulations, Summit!
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Summit Academy Staff Testimonial
"I can say this is a place where I love getting up and going to work and having dialogue with staff. This is also important: getting to know staff on a personal level. The school is safer now than in all the years I spent at the previous regional school. I feel that my role is much better now and my heart IS Summit. I enjoy the opportunity that stands out for every employee and student.
Nicole (Corbett) has done amazing work in this building and has always been straight up. Additionally, her administrative team is doing a wonderful job managing the staff. They stand with the process and believe change will happen, and children will have a second opportunity for education." ~ Kevin Williams, Summit Academy Paraprofessional
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Social Emotional Learning Updates | |
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Celebration at RPS 205 Featured School: The SEL Team at ROE 4 brought cake, balloons, and an entire celebration to Whitehead Elementary for Social Emotional Learning Week 2023. Whitehead was chosen for the 2023 "SEL-ebration" as they've engaged with the TRS-IA process, implemented ALL of their action plan items, AND utilized free professional development trainings! Thank you to Whitehead Elementary School for ALL you do to support your students, staff, and entire school community!
- State & Area SEL Hub News: The Illinois State Board of Education recently shared that the seven state Social Emotional Learning Hubs will continue in the current format for FY 24. Future planning is currently underway at both the state and area levels.
- Training Announcement: The ISBE SEL Hubs' Spring Retreat will be held April 26-27. Members of the Area 2 SEL Hub will be participating in this event.
- National Update: State Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Tony Sanders, spoke at the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) meeting in Washington D.C. on March 21, 2023. The focus of Dr. Sanders' presentation was to spotlight the efforts of the State of Illinois on Mental Health and Student Well-Being through The REACH Project as implemented by the seven state Social Emotional Learning Hubs. This includes the Area 2 SEL Hub headquartered at Boone-Winnebago ROE 4 in Loves Park.
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
The Area 2 SEL Hub and ROE 4 Professional Learning just released information about its very first annual Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Symposium, which is scheduled to be held on June 15 at Rockford University. The all-day event will bring national presenter and author Heidy LaFleur to Rockford to deliver the keynote, as well as an additional two dozen thought leaders and community presenters. These SEL experts will teach breakout sessions and an administrator academy. This is just a sneak peek. Our symposium influencers and their guests will have first dibs at registration, followed by sign-ups opening to the public next week. Check out the ROE 4 catalog of events for all class registration options!
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Human Resources & Finance | |
Rachelle Blitch, Director of Finance at ROE 4, and Jamie Watts, Assistant Director of Human Resources & Finance, both attended a Skyward Training Conference during the month of March. The 3-day gathering took place in sunny Florida. Skyward is the data platform utilized at the Regional Office to implement all finance and HR procedures.
Rachelle and Jamie attended the robust Skyward training sessions on position control, process manager, and purchasing. These focuses were chosen so that the two departments could more effectively use the current system and create efficient workflow processes specific to the needs of ROE 4 within the software.
Also, the next Human Resources Advisory Group will take place the second Tuesday of April. If you'd like more information about the monthly HR networking opportunity, please contact Jamie Watts at jwatts@roe4.org to connect.
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Fred Kunz Memorial Scholarship Application Deadline Quickly Approaching
Do you know an aspiring teacher? The Fred Kunz Memorial Scholarship application window will soon be closing. Up for grabs are TWO $2,500 scholarships. These are intended for students interested in obtaining professional teaching certification. The last day to submit an application is April 3rd!
Simply head this way for more information and for instructions on how future education professionals can easily apply!
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Quote of the Month:
"Begin today. Declare out loud to the universe that you are willing to let go of struggle and eager to learn through joy."
~ Sarah Ban Breathnach ~
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300 Heart Boulevard, Loves Park, IL 61111 • (815) 636-3060
www.roe4.org
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