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With Winter Break on the horizon, we want to take a moment to express our gratitude to each of you. The educators, students, staff, and families who comprise the Kane County community have filled this year with learning and excitement.
This past year has brought many changes at the ROE. We have said goodbye to some wonderful people that have retired from their long-held leadership positions. Last Friday, Ivars Spalis, who has served as Principal of the educational program at the Juvenile Justice Center (JJC) since 2014, was the latest example. His retirement caps a career with the JJC that has spanned nearly three decades, and he has been an unwavering partner - one that has always advocated for his students and staff. He will be sorely missed, and we wish him well in the future. Dr. Marisa Christoffel, who began with our organization in the fall, will now take over full-time principal responsibilities at the JJC.
In addition to these changes, we have also been honored to collaborate with educators through professional learning and networking opportunities, safety training, our school improvement work, and celebrations such as the Kane County Educator of the Year Awards and our Student Photography Contest. Our staff is honored to serve you, and we remain inspired by your passion for helping your students and each other succeed.
As the new year begins, we look forward to working alongside you again in 2026. Wishing you and your loved ones a joyous holiday season!
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John K. Jonak
Regional Superintendent of Schools
| | REGISTRATION OPENS JANUARY 5 | | |
We are eager to welcome you to the Q Center in St. Charles and our remote sites across Kane County for our countywide Institute Day on Friday, February 27, 2026!
Registration opens for this day of networking, professional learning, and innovation at 6:00 a.m. on Monday, January 5. You can click below to browse a view-only version of our schedule of available sessions now. There, you will also find bios for our Keynote and Featured Speakers, and links to register at remote sites for sessions covering specific content areas.
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There are six more dates in our workshop series, Understanding Your Summative Designation, with the next happening Tuesday, January 13, 2026. The focus will be psychological safety, building collaborative teams, and a follow-up on the Illinois Quality Framework Supporting Rubric discussed during the first session earlier this month.
If you you are a Superintendent, Building Administrator, or part of a School Leadership Team, we invite you to join us and deepen your understanding of the Continuous Improvement Framework and Summative Designation process. You will be able to connect actionable insights, data tools, and collaborative learning to help your team advance its improvement efforts.
Registration for each session will close one week prior to its date. You can attend the full series or pick and choose the sessions that fit your needs. Details and registration for each one are below.
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Location: 28 North 1st St., Geneva, IL 60134
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
PD Hours: 6 per session
Cost: Free
| | | | The 50th Kane County Educator of the Year Awards | As the new year approaches, it's already time to start thinking about who you may want to nominate for Kane County Educator of the Year! | | |
This annual celebration of our county's dedicated educational staff has been around for half a century, and we want you to be a part of this wonderful event on Friday, May 1, 2026! Welcome packets with details on how to nominate someone in your school or district were sent to school offices earlier this month, and this information can also be found at our website.
Click below to view details and download our Save-the-Date.
| | If you're looking for a visual aid, the video below will walk you through want to include in the nomination books that accompany each submission. | |
Teach outside the box this holiday season with Inspire
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Every month, our Professional Learning team puts together and ships each Inspire box with themed, ready-to-use activities that educators can immediately implement in their classroom. Included items and accompanying activities also allow participants to reflect on best practices, plus earn PD credit after completion.
Who do you want to "Inspire"? Click below to see upcoming themes and subscription options.
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Order by December 31 to receive our January box:
Brain-Based Learning: Teaching with the Brain in Mind
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Order by January 31 to receive our February box:
Circle Up: Restorative Tools for Stronger Classroom Communities
| | Join us this "Bee" season! | |
As an official regional partner of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, the Kane County ROE invites you to register and host your own school-level bee this season! You have the opportunity to send school champions on to various levels of competition, including the annual Kane County Regional Spelling Bee on March 18, 2026. The winner of this event is eligible for the Scripps National Spelling Bee, beginning May 26, 2026.
Click below to learn more about the enrollment process and sign up today!
| | Check out the latest episodes of our weekly classroom strategy series, Branching Out, for quick tips from our Professional Learning team! | | Ketchup, Mustard, & Pickles | |
Looking to add a little "flavor" to the way your students work on assignments in class?
Faye Licari, Instructional Coach at the Kane County ROE, shares a fun, structured tool that helps them prioritize tasks!
(*warning: viewing may lead to hunger)
| | Learning Community Agreements | |
As students reflect on what makes their learning impactful, bringing those experiences into the classroom community can help shape their current environment.
Jordan Eggleson, our Professional Learning Supervisor, shares a method to created shared agreements and provide students some ownership of how they will learn.
| | Thank you for attending the 2025 Raising Student Achievement Conference! | | |
The annual Raising Student Achievement Conference wrapped up last week in Oak Brook, it was inspiring to witness hundreds of educators from across Illinois coming together to explore ideas, innovative practices, and strategies to elevate learning for every student. From powerful messages via our Keynote Speakers, David Edward Garcia and Matt Miller, to engaging breakout sessions, both days radiated wonderful energy and collaboration.
We extend our appreciation to all presenters, partners, and participants who helped bring the 2025 Raising Student Achievement Conference to life and make it an engaging success!
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