Winter break for District 54 students begins at the end of the school day on Friday, Dec. 21, 2012. Students will return to school on Monday, Jan. 7, 2013.

While the District Offices are open for most of winter break, there are a few days we will be closed. District offices will be closd on Dec. 24, 25, 26 and 31, as well as on Jan. 1.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

By now you may have heard about the tragic school shooting that occurred today at an elementary school in Connecticut. No doubt there will be extensive coverage of this on the news and much discussion about it in our communities in the coming days. Our thoughts and prayers are with those families and that community.

I want to assure you that safety of our students is our top priority and that our schools have comprehensive crisis plans in place to guide us through a variety of emergency situations should the need arise. The plans are reviewed annually with law enforcement and updated when needed. We also hold crisis drills with the students each year so they know what to do in case of an emergency.

I also want to share with you some tips from the National Association of School Psychologists for helping your children cope with news such as this.

What Parents Can Do:

1. Focus on your children over the week following the tragedy. Tell them you love them and everything will be okay. Try to help them understand what has happened, keeping in mind their developmental level.
2. Make time to talk with your children. Remember if you do not talk to your children about this incident someone else will. Take some time and determine what you wish to say.
3. Stay close to your children. Your physical presence will reassure them and give you the opportunity to monitor their reaction. Many children will want actual physical contact. Give plenty of hugs. Let them sit close to you, and make sure to take extra time at bedtime to cuddle and to reassure them that they are loved and safe.
4. Limit your child’s television viewing of these events. If they must watch, watch with them for a brief time; then turn the set off. Don’t sit mesmerized re-watching the same events over and over again.
5. Maintain a “normal” routine. To the extent possible stick to your family’s normal routine for dinner, homework, chores, bedtime, etc., but don’t be inflexible. Children may have a hard time concentrating on schoolwork or falling asleep at night.
6. Spend extra time reading or playing quiet games with your children before bed. These activities are calming, foster a sense of closeness and security, and reinforce a sense of normalcy. Spend more time tucking them in. Let them sleep with a light on if they ask for it.
7. Safeguard your children’s physical health. Stress can take a physical toll on children as well as adults. Make sure your children get appropriate sleep, exercise and nutrition.

If you have any concerns about the way your child is behaving, call your school psychologist or social worker. During the school day, we have social workers, psychologists and other professionals available to talk to children. Encourage your children to talk to them, if necessary.

You play an essential role in our efforts to keep students safe. Please do not hesitate to contact my office or your principal with any questions.

Sincerely,

Ed Rafferty, Superintendent of Schools

The Schaumburg Township Council of PTAs is once again offering one-year $1,500 scholarships to eligible seniors graduating in 2013. There are three types of scholarships:

• Junior College/Trade School/Vocational School Scholarships for seniors graduating in the upper 50 percent of their class (up to two available);
• Four-Year College/University Scholarships for seniors graduating in the upper 30 percent of their class (up to five available); and
• The Bonnie Greenberg Memorial Scholarship for a graduating special needs senior with a current Individualized Education Plan (IEP). The student need not be enrolled in special education classes, but must have a current IEP (one available).

For more information and an application, visit http://pta.sd54.org/highschoolscholarship.

The District 54 School Board appointed a new associate superintendent and two new assistant superintendents during its board meeting on Dec. 6, 2012. Dr. Nick Myers was named the associate superintendent; Beth Erbach was named the assistant superintendent of student learning; and Dr. Pete Hannigan was named the assistant superintendent of human resources effective July 1, 2013.

These were the first recommendations from Andy DuRoss, who will be the new superintendent on July 1. In describing these three individuals, DuRoss said “They represent what makes District 54 as strong as it is.”

Dr. Nick Myers

Myers has been the assistant superintendent of student learning since July 2009. He was originally hired in District 54 as the principal of Anne Fox Elementary School in Hanover Park in July 2005. Prior to coming to Fox, he was a principal, an assistant principal, a dean and a junior high teacher in Cary District 26. He also taught at a Nebraska high school.

“We are proud of the work our district does and that all emanates from the vision you have for our school district,” Myers told the School Board. “We have tremendous talent in this room, tremendous talent in our classrooms and tremendous talent in our leader.”

Myers has a doctorate from Roosevelt University, a master’s degree in educational administration from Northern Illinois University and a bachelor’s degree in education from University of Nebraska – Lincoln.

Beth Erbach

Erbach has been the principal at Armstrong Elementary School in Hoffman Estates since 2010 and before that was the principal at Fairview Elementary School in Hoffman Estates from 2004 to 2010. She also served as the assistant principal of Collins and Fairview elementary schools for three years and as a special education teacher at Stevenson Elementary School for four years.

“As I move into this next role, I realize there are many important colleagues and coaches who have helped me excel,” Erbach said, thanking many of them before addressing her new staff. “To be an effective principal you must rely on the Department of Student Learning to get your job done. I am looking forward to being part of such an amazing team.”

Erbach has a master’s degree in educational leadership from Northern Illinois University and a bachelor’s degree in special education from Northeastern Illinois University. She will replace Myers.

Dr. Pete Hannigan

Hannigan has been the principal at Mead Junior High School in Elk Grove Village since 2010. He was originally hired by the district in 2006 as principal at Dirksen Elementary School in Schaumburg. Previously he served as a principal and building assistant in Palatine School District 15 and as a teacher at Gwendolyn Brooks Elementary School in Aurora.

“I’m very excited and looking forward to working together with our SEA, our SEEO, our nonrepresented staff and everyone across the district,” Hannigan said. “To Cabinet and my administrative colleagues, I’m looking forward to working with you as we continue to meet the high expectations we currently have and exceed those expectations into the future.”

Hannigan has a doctorate in educational administration and a master’s in education from Northern Illinois University. He has a bachelor’s degree in education from Aurora University. Hannigan will replace DuRoss.

All three candidates thanked their colleagues, their staffs and their families. They also all thanked Superintendent Rafferty for his support of them during their professional careers in District 54.

District 54 will now search for individuals to fill the open principal positions.

People interested in serving on the District 54 School Board now have until 5 p.m. Dec. 26 to file their nominating petitions for the April 9 election. The original deadline had been Dec. 24.

Individuals may pick up nominating petitions at the District 54 Administrative Center, 524 E. Schaumburg Road in Schaumburg, during normal business hours, which are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. Four District 54 board member positions will be on the April ballot, each for a four-year term.

A school board candidate’s petition must be filed in the same office between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17 and Friday, Dec. 21, 2012, or between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Wednesday Dec. 26, 2012. The offices will be closed Dec. 24 and 25. No petitions will be accepted before Dec. 17 or after Dec. 26. Candidates’ names will appear on the election ballot in the order in which their nominating papers are received.

In the event simultaneous filings are received at the open of business on Dec. 17, a lottery will be held at 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 27 at the administration center to determine the order of those candidates’ names on the ballot.

To be eligible to serve, a school board member must be, on the date of the election, a citizen of the United States, at least 18 years old, a registered voter and a resident of Illinois and the school district for at least one year immediately preceding the election. Elections are nonpartisan and board candidates do not indicate a political party affiliation. Candidates should be aware of financial conflict-of-interest limitations set forth in The School Code.

Further information on becoming a candidate in the April 9 school board election is available by calling Ric King, local election official, at (847) 357-5011.

The Village of Hoffman Estates, in conjunction with School District 54, has been awarded the 2012 Illinois Governor’s Hometown Award for its Community Resource Centers. The Hometown Awards were presented to 30 groups from across the state during a ceremony Nov. 29 at the Executive Mansion in Springfield.

“The Governor’s Hometown Awards honor the efforts of 30 remarkable groups who have selflessly dedicated their time and efforts to making their communities a better place to live,” Governor Quinn said.

The goals of the resource centers are to provide meaningful programs and a beneficial link between government resources and the community in order to foster a safer and healthier environment.

The original resource center opened in 2000 in the Salem Ridge Apartments in Hoffman Estates. However, the need for services quickly grew. When a new police station opened in 2009, the village included space for another community resource center.

“District 54 is honored to partner with the Village of Hoffman Estates to provide Community Resource Centers for our families,” District 54 Early Childhood Director Jen Mursu said. “By opening its buildings to us, the village has supported District 54 in its efforts to bring preschool services and parent education to families, thereby helping our students prepare for kindergarten and beyond.”

School District 54 employs child and family educators who provide classes and workshops to promote literacy for children from birth to age 5 at District 54 schools, as well as at the resource centers. They also perform home visits for the participants in the program. The educators are a multilingual group speaking English, Spanish, Polish and some Indian dialects, enabling direct assistance to the variety of participants at the CRCs.

The CRCs’ services include early childhood literacy education, childcare assistance, student education, finance education, local transportation, English as a second language (ESL) courses, and many other programs. The village and School District 54 have cultivated meaningful relationships with residents, and have provided valuable early childhood education to at-risk children. The centers house books, puzzles and parent resources

There are currently three resource centers in District 54 (at the police station, at Salem Ridge and at Woodfield Crossing in Rolling Meadows). In addition, District 54 provides similar programs at the Hoffman Estates and Hanover Park branch libraries, as well as at the Hoffman Estates Village Hall.

“It is a major focus of the village to work collaboratively with other government agencies and service providers to deliver the best amenities to meet our residents’ needs in the most cost-effective way,” Hoffman Estates Mayor William D. McLeod said. “On behalf of the Village Board and staff, we are honored to receive this recognition alongside our partners at School District 54.”

The most fascinating aspect of the resource centers is that the entire community has embraced its mission. Private businesses, nonprofit organizations, the municipality, townships, libraries, community colleges and school districts have all played a part in the CRC’s success story. Even participants in programs have found non-monetary ways to give back to the facility as a thank you for the services they received. This tremendous effort by the public is evidence that creative civic partnerships are possible, and that the CRCs are an exemplary model of community service.

The Governor’s Hometown Award recipients are selected by volunteer judges who review and rank applications based on a variety of factors, including local need, volunteer participation, use of resources and the results achieved. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) administers the Governor’s Hometown Awards program. Each winning group receives a road sign for its community and plaque recognizing its efforts.

Visit our early childhood website to learn more about the FIND (Family Involvement Nurturing Development) program offered at resource centers in District 54.

The Illinois PBIS Network recognized 15 District 54 schools this year for their success in implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) during the 2011-12 school year.

PBIS is a proactive, schoolwide system that teaches appropriate behavior throughout the school – in the classroom, on the bus, in the hallways, in the restrooms and on the playground. The entire staff team focuses not only on individual students with challenging behavior but on providing positive behavior support to all children.

Schools that wish to be recognized for their implementation of PBIS must submit an application in June along with supporting documentation. The levels of recognition are Start-Up, Emerging, Implementing, Fully Implementing and Exemplar.

• Campanelli Elementary School and the MacArthur International Spanish Academy are recognized as Fully Implementing — “sustaining schoolwide PBIS implementing, maintaining Tier 2/Secondary Level interventions and building the foundation for Tier 3/Tertiary level interventions.”
• Frost Junior High School and Aldrin, Blackwell, Collins, Dirksen, Hanover Highlands, Lakeview and Muir elementary schools are recognized as Implementing – “maintaining the schoolwide PBIS foundation and building the foundation for Tier2/Secondary level Interventions.”
• Link and Stevenson elementary schools and Addams, Keller and Mead junior high schools are recognized as Emerging – “building the foundation for school-wide PBIS implementation.”

PBIS has several components:

• Behavioral expectations are defined:  A small number of clearly defined behavioral expectations are stated in positive and simple rules. For example, some of our schools use the Three B’s: Be Respectful, Be Responsible and Be Safe. Most schools kick off the school year with an assembly, whole school meeting or series of stations that introduce students to these concepts and reinforce the ideas for returning students. 
• Behavioral expectations are taught:  The behavioral expectations are taught to all students in real context and reinforced throughout the school year. Students often refer to them as “cool tools.” All staff throughout the building uses the same language to speak to students about behavioral expectations.
• Appropriate behaviors are acknowledged: Once appropriate behaviors have been defined and taught, they need to be acknowledged on a regular basis. Staff looks for opportunities throughout the year to recognize students who are meeting their expectations. Many schools will give out tickets and enter students’ names in a drawing to win rewards. Rewards include trinkets, extra gym time and reading to younger children.
• Behavioral errors are corrected proactively: When students violate behavioral expectations, clear procedures are in place to explain to students their inappropriate behavior and to prevent continued disruptions to the instructional environment.
• Program evaluations and adaptations are made by a team: District 54 schools collect data on student behavior and use that information when making decisions about behavior systems. By tracking changes in student behavior, staff can evaluate and adjust its own practices.
• Administrators provide active and ongoing support.

Traditional discipline typically contains reactive procedures that focus on control with punitive consequences. This perspective is incomplete because the process lacks attention to the development and strategic reteaching of positive social behaviors. Research suggests that punishment by itself is ineffective in achieving long-term suppressions of problem behavior.

More information about PBIS and the list of schools recognized in Illinois can be found on the PBIS Illinois website: http://www.pbisillinois.org.

District 54’s Community Closet has been extremely busy this year and is looking for donations of winter coats, hats and gloves for the families in need in our school community.

The Community Closet is a place where our families in need can visit to select free clothes for all members of their immediate family. Students cannot be expected to reach their full potential if their basic needs are not met.

The Closet is located in the basement of Addams Junior High School and is open to families two nights and one Saturday morning each month. Before visiting the Closet, families must obtain a voucher from their school social worker.

People may support the Community Closet in several ways:

1. If you know of a District 54 family who could use some assistance, encourage them to talk to their school social worker.
2. Donate gently used clothes, including spiritwear, shoes, coats and other outerwear. Clothing can be dropped off at any District 54 building during school hours or at the District Office, 524 E. Schaumburg Road in Schaumburg from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
3. Donate gift cards, cash or checks (payable to District 54) so that we may purchase new underwear and socks for the families.
4. Organize a clothing drive with your own school, club or group and donate items to the Community Closet already sorted by size and gender.

Should you have any questions about the Community Closet, please contact Community Relations Director Terri McHugh at TerriMcHugh@sd54.org or (847) 357-5028.

November is typically a time when we take a few minutes to reflect upon our many blessings and let those who have been vital in making our lives better know how much they are appreciated. It is not surprising that American Education Week and School Board Recognition Day fall within this month. Like Thanksgiving, the opportunity to thank our teachers, support staff and school board members has become a part of District 54’s annual November traditions.

Special Thanksgiving ceremonies have been common practice in our country for almost four hundred years. The Thanksgiving holiday is thought to be closely tied to an English tradition which was introduced by the early settlers dating back to 1621. History tells us that the first Thanksgiving feast was held not only to celebrate a bountiful autumn harvest, but also a way to say thank you to those who helped the early settlers survive in the new world.

Similar to Thanksgiving, celebrating American Education Week began many years ago. As veterans returned home from fighting in World War I, our country was looking for a way to support our war heroes and at same time generate increased awareness of the importance of receiving an education. Given the high illiteracy rate in our country at that time, it became readily apparent that something needed to happen to alleviate this problem.

Representatives from both the American Legion and the National Education Association began working together to address this problem and generate greater support for public education. The first American Education Week observance occurred in 1921, cosponsored by both organizations. Within a few years, the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and other national organizations joined the effort. Today, American Education Week is always celebrated during the week prior to Thanksgiving.

During November, School District 54 not only honors our exceptional teachers and support staff members, but also gratefully acknowledges the efforts of many individuals who support us throughout the year. We deeply thank our PTA and the Schaumburg Township Elementary School Foundation, along with the many community and business partners who are passionately committed to working closely with us in providing incredible opportunities to our students.

To recognize the countless hours of dedication and volunteer service that school board members provide, Illinois has designated November 15 as School Board Members Day. Our seven elected board members are committed to making great learning opportunities happen for all 14,000 of our students by continuing to raise the bar, setting high expectations for both students and staff alike and holding each of us accountable for meeting the district’s rigorous annual targets.

Special thanks to Board of Education members Peggy Brothman, Bill Harper, Barbara Hengels, Teresa Huber, Charlotte Kegarise, Mary Kay Prusnick and Karen Strykowski for their commitment to making District 54 be one of the most successful in Illinois.

Please join me in also thanking our parents, community members, business partners and employees for all they do to ensure that District 54 is a great place for students to learn and grow.

En Espanol

Noviembre es generalmente el tiempo en el que tomamos unos minutos para reflexionar acerca de nuestras muchas bendiciones y dejamos saber cuánto los apreciamos a aquellos que han sido vitales en hacer mejor nuestras vidas. No es una sorpresa que la Semana de Educación Americana y el Día de Reconocimiento de la Mesa Directiva caigan en el mismo mes. Como el Día de Acción de Gracias, la oportunidad para agradecer a nuestros maestros, personal de apoyo y miembros de la junta directiva se han convertido en parte de nuestras tradiciones anuales de noviembre para el Distrito 54.

Las ceremonias especiales de Acción de Gracias han sido una práctica común en nuestro país por casi más de cuatrocientos años. La festividad de Acción de Gracias se cree que está estrechamente vinculada a una tradición inglesa, que fue introducida por los primeros colonos que se remontan a 1621. La historia nos dice que la primera fiesta de Acción de Gracias se llevó a cabo no sólo para celebrar una abundante cosecha de otoño, pero también una manera de decir gracias a los que ayudaron a los primeros colonos a sobrevivir en el nuevo mundo.

Al igual que en acción de gracias, la celebración de la Semana de Educación Americana comenzó hace muchos años. Mientras los veteranos regresaban a casa después de pelear en la Primera Guerra Mundial, nuestro país buscaba maneras de apoyar a nuestros héroes de la guerra y al mismo tiempo crear una mayor conciencia de la importancia de recibir una educación. Dada la alta tasa de analfabetismo en nuestro país en ese momento, se hizo evidente que algo tenía que suceder para aliviar este problema.

Representantes tanto de la Legión Americana y la Asociación Nacional de Educación comenzaron a trabajar en conjunto para resolver este problema y generar un mayor apoyo a la educación pública. La primera observación de la Semana de Educación Americana ocurrió en 1921, copatrocinada por ambas organizaciones. En pocos años, la Asociación Nacional de Padres y Maestros (PTA) se unieron al esfuerzo. Hoy en día, la Semana de Educación Americana se celebra siempre una semana antes de Acción de Gracias.

Durante noviembre, el Distrito escolar 54 no sólo honra a nuestros maestros excepcionales y miembros del personal de apoyo, pero también reconoce con agradecimiento los esfuerzos de muchas personas que nos apoyan durante todo el año. Agradecemos profundamente a nuestra PTA y a Schaumburg Township Elementary School Foundation, junto con la comunidad y muchos socios de negocios que están apasionadamente comprometidos a trabajar estrechamente con nosotros para ofrecer oportunidades increíbles para nuestros estudiantes.

Para reconocer las innumerables horas de dedicación y servicio voluntario que los miembros de la junta escolar proporcionan, Illinois ha designado el 15 de noviembre como Día de los Miembros de la junta Escolar. Nuestros siete miembros elegidos de la Junta están comprometidos para hacer posible que nuestros 14,000 estudiantes tengan grandes oportunidades de aprendizaje y continúan elevando el nivel, estableciendo las mismas altas expectativas para los estudiantes como para el personal y haciéndonos responsables a cada uno de nosotros de cumplir con las metas rigurosas anuales del distrito.

Un agradecimiento especial a los miembros del Consejo de Educación Peggy Brothman, Bill Harper, Barbara Hengels, Teresa Huber, Charlotte Kegarise, Mary Kay Prusnick y Karen Strykowski por su compromiso por hacer del Distrito 54 uno de los más exitosos en Illinois.

Por favor únase a mí para agradecer también a nuestros padres, miembros de la comunidad, socios comerciales y empleados por todo lo que hacen para asegurar que el Distrito 54 sea un gran lugar para que los estudiantes aprendan y crezcan.

In English