The Kane County ROE takes pride in helping students find the most effective path to success after high school. For some, that means exploring opportunities in career and technical education. | | Earlier this month, Regional Superintendent John K. Jonak was fortunate to be part of the grand opening of the Technical Education Center at Wauebonsee Community College. The event drew hundreds of community members to tour this 100,00-square foot facility that will house programs for Automotive Collision and Refinishing Technology, Automotive Service Technology, and Welding. | | | We are excited to see how this beautiful space benefits students across Kane County and beyond! | |
September has also been a time to link up with our networking groups, including Directors of Technology, Curriculum, Human Resources, Communications, Operations & Safety, Finance, and others. We've been able to greet new faces in new roles and welcome back longtime colleagues.
These conversations are always valuable to our connections with our districts, and we hope they continue to set a positive tone for the school year!
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Operations and
Technology Specialist
| This role will work to ensure all technological and operational systems of the office meet the needs of both staff and those seeking services through the ROE. By maintaining and improving current systems as well as developing new systems that support our work, this position is a critical link to support those the ROE serves. | | As a member of the Student Services team, this position will help establish connections between at-risk students and their families and the appropriate school counseling, community-based counseling, and similar mental health services. | | |
We're in the midst of Week 3 in this year's Kane County Student Photography Contest, and we have already collected more than 700 submissions!
WEEK 1 (ARCHITECTURE)
Weekly Winner: "On a Hill", Von Lautenschlager, Junior, Geneva HS
The rest of the top 10 from Week 1 are:
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Jack Piggott, St. Charles North HS (District 303) - "Spain"
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Nate Francis, West Aurora HS (District 129) - "The House Hidden in the Trees"
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Emad Ansari, Streamwood HS (District U-46) - "Millenium Puzzle"
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Stefan Misiaszek, Hampshire HS (District 300) - "Into the Sea"
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Julie Calzante, Bartlett HS (District U-46) - "Versailles"
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Kendall Grigg, Central HS (District 301) - "Studs and Nails"
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Annika Ruh, Rosary College Prep - "Red Barn 2.0"
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Alayna Schambach, Jacobs HS (District 300) - "Breathtaking Architecture"
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Faith Maschman, Kaneland HS (District 302) - "Pillars of Tradition"
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Week 2 Winner: "Flying Flags", Lynn Singh, Senior, St. Charles North HS
The rest of the top 10 from Week 2 are:
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Gissell Ontiveros, Rosary College Prep - "Tulip Fest"
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Giancarlo Arroyo-Miranda, Central HS (District 301) - “A Quartet”
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Miles Sheppard, Geneva HS (District 304) - "Game Day"
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Jackson Hearn, Bartlett HS (District U-46) - "In Town"
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Ryan Skibinski, Streamwood HS (District U-46) - “Dundee City Hall”
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Maddy Folloso, Central HS (District 301) - "Fabyan Windmill"
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Bill Voss, Marmion Academy - “The Signs For Marmion”
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Tyler Mahon, Streamwood HS (District U-46) - “Fabyan Villa Japanese Garden”
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Hayden Kropp, St. Charles East HS (District 303) - "Saint Charles"
| Click below to browse through each of these talented students' photos. The Week 3 selections will be posted there by the end of this week, so stay tuned! | If you are interested in signing up, contact our Communications and Website Coordinator, Kourtney Lipps (klipps@kaneroe.org). |
| Applications are open for KCT Credit Union Mini-Grant | |
Do you know an educator in need of some additional classroom resources? Our office, together with the KCT Credit Union, forms the Kane Excellence in Education Partnership to offer grants of up to $1000 for educational materials and tools, field trips, room decor, technology, and other programs.
Any public or private school administrator or PreK-12 educator in Kane County is eligible to apply. Click below to submit your application by October 17.
| | Benefit the Juvenile Justice Center this Giving Tuesday | |
Are you in the market for something new to read before the fall weather comes? Each month, TownHouse Books and Cafe in St. Charles celebrates Giving Tuesday as a way to give back to local organizations.
On October 7, TownHouse Books and Cafe will donate 20% of all sales to the Kane County Juvenile Justice Center.
Visit townhousebooks.com or stop by their storefront at 105 North 2nd Avenue in St. Charles from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. on October 7 grab a new book and benefit the JJC.
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Are you looking for professional development? One of our newest virtual Administrator Academies focuses on learning to use step-by-step guidelines, known as "protocols", to structure professional conversations or learning experiences and ensure that meeting, planning, or group collaboration time is used efficiently, purposefully, and productively.
In this academy, participants will learn:
- The value of and types of protocols, along with how to design various protocols for different types of professional learning conversations
- How to apply specific protocols for groups examining: a teacher's lesson or unit plans; students' work to address the learning and teaching; and a particular, concrete problem or issue from his/her classroom/professional life
- How to apply the use of protocols in planning a meeting with a group
| | Below is a sampling of two new asynchronous, on-demand courses from the Illinois Online Academy that can be completed within 60 days. | | |
Every Day Counts:
Understanding and Addressing Chronic Absenteeism
PD Credit: 8
Price: $50
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Getting Things Done
PD Credit: 5
Price: $271
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Looking for something else from your online learning?
Use this resource to navigate our catalog.
| | Other Upcoming Workshops & Academies | | Would you like to present at Kane County Institute Day? | | | | We are now accepting proposals for breakout presentations for this day of professional development on Friday, February 27, 2026 at the Q Center in St. Charles. The purpose of breakout sessions is to give educators the latest, research-based information and/or strategies that can be used to improve or enhance instruction and student achievement. | | Do you have a proposal that reflects current educational trends and best practices? Click below for guidelines and to complete the submission form. | |
Inspire yourself this school year! | |
Our professional learning subscription box, Inspire, can be part of your development for the 2025-26 school year, with new themes each month and activities that can be immediately used in your classroom. Our team is ready to package engaging activities and ship them directly to you!
Choose your own subscription type, send us your school address, and we'll do the rest. All you'll have to do is unbox and enjoy!
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Order by the end of September to receive our October box:
Creating a Culture of Kindness (Bullying Prevention)
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Order during October to receive our November box:
Teaching Every Learner (The Differentiation Toolbox)
| | *Note: materials in your Inspire box can also guide you through activities to earn PD credits via the Illinois Online Academy | | Check out the latest episodes of our weekly classroom strategy series, Branching Out, for quick tips from our Professional Learning team! | | |
Looking for a different way to help your students process information from a lesson? A little sketch may lend a hand!
This low-pressure strategy from Elsa Glover, one of our Instructional Coaches, can aid students in visualizing and sharing their thought process.
| | This quick strategy from Faye Licari, Instructional Coach at the ROE, gives students a moment to put their thoughts on paper. Allowing time for this exercise in the classroom can be a useful tool to help them retain information! | | | | Discounted tuition opportunity with North Central College | |
The Kane County ROE has launched a partnership with North Central College to provide discounted tuition on continuing education for teachers across Kane County! NCC will be hosting virtual information sessions in October for two program offerings. Click below to learn more and register this opportunity!
| | Joining us for #RSAC2025? | | |
Early bird registration is now open for the 2025 Raising Student Achievement Conference, set for December 8-9 in Oak Brook, Ill. This two-day professional development experience will feature two engaging keynote speakers, over 150 breakout sessions, and opportunities to make connections, share ideas, and to come away with new strategies for your classroom or school.
As attendees put it: "there's something for everyone"!
| | Click for information regarding the conference schedule, hotel, speakers, and frequently asked questions. We hope to see you there! | | | | | |
