WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 25, 2024

As we approach the end of September, we have already seen a wealth of celebrations across our Kane County school districts. We are fortunate to have been able to connect with many educational staff to take part in professional learning, networking, licensure needs, and more. The start of National Hispanic Heritage Month has also spurred festivities and activities across our schools, and it has been wonderful to see how our teachers and students are celebrating their cultures in the classroom.

As recently highlighted in Kane County Connects by the Kane County Governmental Office, our Community Intervention Program and Truancy Intervention Program have been in motion to get students off on the right foot with consistent attendance this school year. Our Youth Outreach team has been working with our school districts to connect families and children with necessary resources to remove barriers that may dissuade students from wanting to attend school.

This week, we are also thrilled to welcome Jeff Aranowski to the Kane County Regional Office of Education. Jeff will serve as our Chief of Executive Services, and brings decades of institutional and historical knowledge regarding education in Illinois.

He will be a vital source of information and a valuable advisor to our leadership team. Through his review of our programs and services, we will be able to strengthen how we serve our Kane County schools and communities. We are delighted to have him with us, and we look forward to continuing to work with you this school year.

Patricia Dal Santo, Regional Superintendent

Kane County Educator of the Year celebrated at State of Education in Aurora

Last week, Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin delivered his State of Education address. Students from West Aurora 129 and East Aurora 131 were involved in the event, with the Dual Language Program in East Aurora 131 being recognized, while Cheer and Step Team members from West Aurora 129 greeted and entertained guests.

The evening highlighted some notable celebrations for both school districts from the past year. Our 2024 Kane County Educator of the Year, Cynthia Martinez of Fred Rodgers Magnet Academy, was among the staff recognized as she was brought on stage to receive the Mayor's Award of Excellence.

(Photo Courtesy: East Aurora 131)

New career opportunities with the Kane County ROE

The Kane County ROE is adding an Assistant Regional Superintendent to assist our leadership in overseeing school districts within Kane County, to act as a liaison between the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and local school districts, and to help coordinate state and regional educational programs and services, among other duties.

Learn more about this position and apply here.

This position will work with guests and school districts on licensure inquiries, provide training to educators on the use of the Educator Licensure Information System, and other duties. The Licensure Specialist will also communicate with ISBE and local school districts on any updates and changes to licensure requirements.

Learn more and about this position and apply here.

Last week marked the beginning of the 2024 Kane County Student Photography Contest, and we are off to a tremendous start!

In the first two weeks of the competition, our team has received 427 total submissions from talented students across 15 Kane County schools. The theme for Week 1 was "Texture", challenging high schoolers to zoom in on their subject matter and capture the details.

Our Weekly Winner was Ben Blackburn, a senior at Streamwood High School in District U-46, with his photo "Sleeping Lizard"! The rest of the top 10 selections from Week 1 are as follows:

• Leighton Feld, West Aurora HS (District 129) - "Patterns in Nature"
• Gizel Ferrer, East Aurora HS (District 131) - "Blue"
• Hannah Hitchings, St. Charles North HS (District 303) - "Curl"
• Johnny Mourafetis, St. Charles North HS (District 303) - "Dirt Road"
• Lilly Grevoy, South Elgin HS (District U-46) - "Fake Grass"
• Yogi Patel, Bartlett HS (District U-46) - "Sanctuary"
• Maia Sappington, Central HS (District 301) - "Fizzle"
• Emily McClaren, Cambridge Lakes Charter School - "Cracking"
• Analeigha Rodriguez, Rosary HS - "Diamond Waves"

Visit our website to view the all top 10 photos from each week. Stay tuned for Week 2 results to be posted there later this week.

Interested in signing your high school class up for our Student Photography Contest? It's not too late! Reach out to our Communications and Website Coordinator, Kourtney Lipps (klipps@kaneroe.org) to get started.

Geneva 304 elementary named National Blue Ribbon School

We send a round of applause to Heartland Elementary of Geneva 304 for being one of 18 Illinois schools to be named a National Blue Ribbon School for 2024.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, National Blue Ribbon Schools represent the diverse fabric of American schools. Leaders not only articulate a vision of excellence and hold everyone to high standards, but they also stay close to the real action of teaching and learning. Faculty are valued and supported through meaningful professional learning and opportunities to work as colleagues and peer supporters. Data from many sources drive instruction and student support services to ensure every student is set up to succeed. Families, communities, and educators work together toward common goals.

Congratulations on this prestigious honor, Hawks!

Let's get on the move! Making Kane Fit for Kids is sponsoring the 2024 Kane County Walk & Roll to School Day, and your school can join in on the fun.

Evidence shows that children who are physically active on the way to school can focus better in classes after burning off excess energy and also show improved mental health and well-being. There are currently 36 schools across Kane County signed up to take part in this event on Wednesday, October 9, 2024!

There is still time to plan an event for your building. Visit the Walk & Roll to School website for tips on how to plan your event, no matter how big or small. If you are interested in registering your school for the event, please contact Nathan Ritzema with the Kane County Health Department at ritzemanathan@kanecountyil.gov or at (630)-895-0700.

Collect PD hours on your time with microlearning through P.L.A.Y.

Free time can be slim in this early portion of the school year. The Illinois Online Academy has a professional learning option that works with your schedule!

P.L.A.Y. (Professional Learning and You) is our newest catalog that lets you choose the content that matters to you. This platform offers microlearning, meaning every 15 minutes spent completing activities can be submitted for .25 PD hours. Some activities can be completed in as little as five minutes!

This quick video can walk you through the benefits of microlearning and how P.L.A.Y. can work within your available time.

Click below to view hundreds of available topics for you to select from and see how you can control what you learn.

Giving Tuesday and the Juvenile Justice Center

Your digital footprint refers to everything you do on the internet. Every click, share, and post adds to your digital footprint... and everything is still traceable!

In the latest Tuesday Tech Tip, Phil Morris, Director of Operations and Technology at the Kane County ROE, revisits this important topic, reminding you to always think carefully before sharing anything online.

The Illinois Online Academy has expanded its catalog of fully online courses.

These offerings can be completed online within 60 days. 

Shifting the Balance: 6 Ways to Bring the Science of Reading into the Balanced Literacy Classroom

PD Credit: 8

Cost: $50

Harassment, Bullying &

Cyber-Intimidation

in Schools

PD Credit: 30

Cost: $200

See our full list of courses here.

Looking to start off the fall season with inspiration for new strategies to implement in your classroom? Check out the latest episodes of Branching Out for some complimentary tips!

If You Can Hear Me, BREATHE

One of the greatest daily challenges for any educator is simply getting the attention of the class. Jordan Eggleson shows how encouraging a breathing technique can help your students focus and listen for your next instructions.

The Fast & The Curious: EduProtocol

Join Faye Licari as she walks you through a repeated strategy that doesn't eat up too much class time. This activity allows students to work on their fluency of recall in any subject and get immediate feedback so they can connect it to the content.

New episodes of Branching Out are released every Thursday across our social media platforms and our website. You can also browse our full catalog below. With over 100 episodes and counting, there's a video for every educator looking to branch out!

Are you excited for the Raising Student Achievement Conference (RSAC) in Oak Brook? It’s the perfect time to register with our early bird rates!

RSAC offers educators across Illinois a wonderful professional learning opportunity with excellent keynote speakers and timely, topical breakout sessions that provide attendees with a mix of reflection, inspiration, and practical strategies to implement in the classroom.



Click here to register before October 19 to take advantage of this discount. As always, you can visit rsac.iarss.org to see our full list of speakers and schedule. We hope to see you there!

Have a question? Want to connect?

hello@kaneroe.org l kaneroe.org