Contributed photo
Contributed photo
In this issue:
- Congratulations to Educator and Youth of the Year
- Congratulations to South chess state medalists
- Next Steps: Transition Series focuses on planning for transition to adult life
- Anderson shares takeaway from GPS webinar
- GPS to present individualized approach to challenging behavior
- Care Van in our community this week
- Highlights of Feb. 22 Board of Education meeting
Congratulations to Educator and Youth of the Year
Congratulations to Glenbard South English department chair, teacher and assistant activities director Linette Chaloka on being named Educator of the Year and Glenbard West student Anastasia Jimenez on being named Youth of the Year through the Glen Ellyn Community Awards program.
Congratulations to South chess state medalists
Congratulations to Glenbard South students who earned medals at the IHSA chess state tournament. Andrew Ford-Taggart earned a gold medal and Ben Zima earned a silver medal.
Next Steps: Transition Series focuses on planning for transition to adult life
Join the NEXT STEPS training team of DuPage County as they focus on planning for a student’s successful transition from high school to adult life.
Registration is required. Attend one or all four. Click here to register and the appropriate Zoom link will be emailed to you 12 to 24 hours prior to the event.
● Workshop 1 – Tuesday, March 1, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Advocacy & Family Resources for Transition and Medicaid & Medicaid Waivers: Representatives from the Arc of Illinois will discuss Medicaid and Medicaid waivers in addition to other Arc of Illinois programs.
● Workshop 2 – Tuesday, March 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Finding your way through the Developmental Disability System in Illinois: Service Inc representatives will discuss the PUNS list and the use of Medicaid waivers. A representative from Little City will discuss the services provided by their organization.
● Workshop 3 – Tuesday, April 5, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
What’s in your Neighborhood?: During this workshop, participants will have the opportunity to hear presentations from a variety of community organizations including: NAMI, College of DuPage Access & Accommodations, College of DuPage COACH program, Housing options.
● Workshop 4 – Tuesday, April 19, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Vocational Options: Participants will have the opportunity to hear presentations from a variety of community agencies that provide vocational support including: Parents Alliance Employment Project, WorkNet DuPage, Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS).
For further information, contact Erin Hoving at 630-942-6783 or erin_hoving@glenbard.org or Sara Tatham at 630-548-7174 or statham@sased.org
Next Steps team members include Erin Hoving, Glenbard District 87; Yousef Matariyeh, Lisle High School District 202; Lori O’Connell, Community Unit School District 200; Justin Olson, Elmhurst School District 205; and Sara Tatham, SASED, the School Association for Special Education in DuPage.
Anderson shares takeaway from GPS webinar
On Feb. 8, the Glenbard Parent Series hosted Julie Lythcott-Haims in a webinar titled Respect and Dignity for All, based on her memoir "Real American.” Click here to view the webinar.
Glenbard East Principal Antoine Anderson hosted the webinar and shared the following takeaway: "Julie Lythcott-Haims' personal story asks us to act toward each other with a belief that respect is at the heart of creating a strong community. We all benefit from our collective efforts to create a better educated and more understanding world that treats each person with respect and kindness. We all want to be treated with dignity. Julie's heartfelt story is one that we should all feel. As a community, we can be honest and respectful and treat each other with care. Our students need to know that we are here for them so they do not feel alone with an experience that may make them feel less than they are."
GPS to present individualized approach to challenging behavior
The Glenbard Parent Series: (GPS) Navigating Healthy Families will present Using Brain Science and Compassion to Understand and Solve Children’s Anxiety Disorders, School Avoidance and Other Behavioral Challenges with Dr. Mona Delahooke at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 3, via Zoom. Go to glenbardgps.org for the link to this webinar.
To be placed on a reminder list for GPS events or submit a question in advance, send an email to gilda_ross@glenbard.org.
When parents/guardians shift from trying to secure compliance to supporting connection and balance in the body and mind, they unlock a deeper understanding of their child that results in calmer behavior, more harmonious family dynamics, and increased resilience. Delahooke, who is an internationally known pediatric psychologist, is the author of “Brain-Body Parenting.” She provides an integrated mind/body approach for addressing behavioral challenges like school refusal and developmental differences.
Delahooke describes behaviors as the tip of the iceberg – important signals that adults should address by seeking to understand a child’s individual differences in the context of their feelings of safety and security. She integrates perspectives from child development, brain science, mental health and child and parent experiences.
This webinar will offer professionals and parents/guardians the tools and techniques needed to reduce behavioral challenges while promoting psychological resilience and secure relationships.
Delahooke is a senior faculty member of the Profectum Foundation, an organization that supports families of neurodiverse children, adolescents and adults. Delahooke also is a trainer for the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health.
GPS is generously sponsored by the Cebrin Goodman Center, Community Consolidated School District 93 Birth to 5 Community Coalition, Cooperative Association for Special Education (CASE), College of DuPage, DuPage Medical Group, Emmy Gaffey Foundation, Glenbard Early Childhood Collaborative, Kiwanis Clubs of District 9, and Prevention Leadership Team of the DuPage County Health Department.
For further information, visit glenbardgps.org or contact Gilda Ross, Glenbard District 87 student and community projects coordinator, at 630-942-7668 or gilda_ross@glenbard.org.
Care Van in our community this week
The DuPage County Health Department’s Care Van COVID-19 vaccination clinic will be in Carol Stream and Hanover Park on Friday, Feb. 25. The Care Van is a walk-up, free clinic open to everyone 5 and older. The Care Van will offer the Pfizer vaccine or Pfizer booster shot. Check out the health department calendar to see where the van will be each week.
Prinova (Ages 18+)
315 E. Fullerton Ave. in Carol Stream
Friday, Feb. 25
9 to 11 a.m.
COVID-19 vaccine & booster
Pfizer
Prinova (Ages 18+)
6525 Muirfield Dr. Suite 100 in Hanover Park
Friday, Feb. 25
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
COVID-19 vaccine & booster
Pfizer
Highlights of Feb. 22 Board of Education meeting
After each Board of Education meeting, we provide Board Highlights, which feature a brief description of the action items and discussion items on the meeting agenda. Board Highlights do not replace minutes. The minutes are approved by the board and posted after the next regularly scheduled board meeting.
Present – Judith Weinstock, Margaret DeLaRosa, Kermit Eby, Bob Friend, John Kenwood, Martha Mueller and Mireya Vera.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT:
1. We are celebrating Live Life Well Week this week. This year's theme is Grow Through What You Go Through. Activities and events this week will highlight connection, communication and being aware of one’s emotions as protective factors against life's stressors.
2. Congratulations to Glenbard South English department chair, teacher and assistant activity director Linette Chaloka on being named Educator of the Year and Glenbard West student Anastasia Jimenez on being named Youth of the Year through the Glen Ellyn Community Awards program. They will be honored during the Glen Ellyn Community Awards celebration next month.
3. Congratulations to the following students who qualified for the IHSA girls gymnastics state final meet: Glenbard North student Brooklyn McQuillan. Dennis Wellman is head coach. Glenbard West students Alina Bhagwakar, Leah Chapski, Grace Flint, Brooklyn Ford, Breana Gama, Janelle Gama, Samantha Hopper, Meagan McNamara, Skylar Oh and Autumn White. Head coach is Carlos Fuentes.
4. Congratulations to the following students who qualified for the IHSA girls wrestling state final meet: Glenbard East student Dahlia Leighton. Don Pool is head coach. Glenbard North student Gabriella Gomez. Travis Cherry is head coach. Glenbard West students Khatija Ahmed, Ani Navarro and Linnie Saldeen. Nick Posegay is head coach.
5. Congratulations to the following students who qualified for the IHSA boys wrestling state final tournament: Glenbard East student Diego Garcia. Don Pool is head coach. Glenbard North students Paul Woo, Paulie Robertson, Christian Chavez and Kalani Khiev. Travis Cherry is head coach. Glenbard West students Jacob Lachs, Brennan Skoda, Max Konopka, Philip Dozier and Morley Coval. Nick Posegay is head coach.
6. Congratulations to Glenbard East student Jenna Pitts on qualifying for the IHSA bowling state final meet. Dawn Chantos is head coach.
7. Congratulations to the following Glenbard West students who qualified for the IHSA speech state tournament Glenbard West students Kate Bachman: Impromptu Speaking; Madeline Yob: Dramatic Interpretation and Oratorical Declamation; Tommy Sear: Prose Reading and Poetry Reading; and the following students in Performance in the Round: Aditi Vinay, Ava Crawford, Ben Battisto, Caden Gowans, Ella Erickson, Ellie Williams, Elise King, Gabi Fues, Hannah Grogan, Hateem Khan, Hugh Farnum, Ibad Khan, Katie Johnson, Maileigh Cousins, Mansi Jojodia, Shruti Yamala and Will Lafontaine. Kimberly Gwizdala and Grace Rangira are co-head coaches.
8. Congratulations to the following students who qualified for the IHSA chess state tournament: Glenbard South students Jack Bair, Maddie Weber, Colin Sampey, Calvin Scharf, Ben Zima, Karsten Kempfe, Colin Luangrath, Andrew Ford-Taggert, Alex Serrano and Grace Bittlingmaier. Al McWilliams coaches the team. Glenbard West students Lucas Quintos, Peter Ranchero, Jonah Miller, Cameron Keller, Charlie Lange, David Manzke, Matthew Tsai, Jacob Kowalczyk, Nathan Tsai, Aleksander Wrobel and Huzaifah Syed. Scott Liechty is their coach.
9. The community is encouraged to attend the following Glenbard Parent Series webinars. A Zoom link for each is available at glenbardgps.org.
• February 24 at noon Creating a Community and Culture of Care: Moving Teens From Inspiration to Action
• February 24 at 7 p.m. Helping Students Learn to Live Above the Circumstances and Move from Inspiration to Action to Outcomes
• March 1 at 7 p.m. Children’s Resilience and the Importance of Everyday Interactions
• March 3 at 7 p.m. Beyond Behaviors: Using Brain Science and Compassion to Understand and Solve Children’s Anxiety Disorders and Other Behavioral Challenges
10. A summary of information regarding the number of positive cases of COVID-19, individuals quarantined due to COVID-19 exposure, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data and SHIELD Illinois data. Each week that school is in session, this data is shared on our COVID-19 dashboard and through Glenbard News.
11. On January 31, 2022, the district received a Freedom of Information Act request from the Indiana, Illinois, Iowa Foundation for Fair Contracting, Steff Andrew Perez, requesting a copy of the bid results for a construction project that went to bid on 01/14/22 - 2022 Capital Improvements Project. The district has responded to this request.
12. On January 31, 2022, the district received a Freedom of Information Act request from Matthew Fruth, requesting records related to expenses in November 2021. The district has responded to this request.
13. On February 2, 2022, the district received a Freedom of Information Act request from SEIU Local 1, Juliana Broad, requesting copies of current contract(s) with all entities providing food services; janitorial, maintenance, and/or cleaning services; and security and/or school safety services. The district has responded to this request.
14. On February 7, 2022, the district received a Freedom of Information Act request from Lindsay Wright, requesting a copy of District 87’s: Public Official Surety Bond; Errors & Omissions, a Surety Liability Insurance policy, and the Duty of Care policy if applicable; school board General Obligation Bonds if applicable; general long term bond for the school board if applicable; school board Crime Policy if applicable; Risk Management Policy if applicable; the following documents if applicable: ACORD 125, ACORD 126, ACORD 127, ACORD 128. Faithful Performance Bond if applicable; Fidelity Bond if applicable; Public Employee Dishonesty Policy if applicable; Public Employee Blanket Bond if applicable; Statutory Bond if applicable; Official Bond if applicable; power of attorney for the surety bond company; Blanket Bond power of attorney for the surety bond company if applicable; and oath of office. The district has responded to this request.
15. On February 8, 2022, the district received a Freedom of Information Act request from Jennifer Frechmann, requesting all emails between Glenbard87 and SHEILD from January 24th through February 1st. The district has responded to this request.
16. On February 8, 2022, the district received a Freedom of Information Act request from Betsy Kateyiannis-Dale, requesting: Regarding your COVID funds received by the Federal government of almost 10 million dollars including invoices showing money spent; Secondly, how much ESSER funds received and how they were spent; Also any funds paid to GEA or funds received from GEA. The district has responded to this request.
THE BOARD APPROVED:
- minutes of the Feb. 7 regular board meeting and Feb. 7 closed session meeting.
- the following personnel items:
LICENSED STAFF – SUMMER SCHOOL EMPLOYMENT:
Name School/Position Effective Date
Jercich, Sheila DO/ESY Coordinator 02/22/2022
Mayo, Justin East/SS Speech S1 06/06/2022
SUPPORT STAFF – EMPLOYMENT:
Name School/Position FTE Effective Date
Baird, John DO/Director of Buildings and Grounds 100% 07/01/2022
Haywood, Rhonda West/Study Hall-BIA Supervisor 100% 02/09/2022
Shaw, Nolan West/Instructional Asst-Lunch Intervention 87.5% 02/10/2022
Taylor, Vanessa East/Bldg. Attendance Office Clerk 100% 02/07/2022
LICENSED STAFF – POSITION CHANGE:
Name School/Position FTE Effective Date
McGrane, Mary West/SpEd Tchr & Asst Athl Director 60%/40% 08/08/2022
Gwizdala, Kimberly West/English Department Chair/Teacher 100% 08/08/2022
SUPPORT STAFF – POSITION CHANGE:
Name School/Position FTE Effective Date
Hatzos-Skintges, Catherine East/SpEd Assistant
to Instructional Tech Secretary (revised) 100% 02/14/2022
Mirka, Peggy West/Bldg. Attendance Office Clerk to
Secretary to Dean 100% 02/09/2022
LICENSED STAFF – LEAVES OF ABSENCE:
Name School/Position Term Reason
Gabbidon, Nisa West/School Psychologist (extension) 02/28/2022-03/04/2022 Personal
Okerman, Mara West/Special Education Teacher 02/16/2022-03/01/2022 Personal
- accepting the following donations: Carol Stream Youth Basketball, $1,000 for Glenbard North girls basketball; Carol Stream Youth Basketball, $1,000 for Glenbard North boys basketball; Glen Ellyn Titans Basketball Association, $1,000 for Glenbard West girls basketball; and Glen Ellyn Titans Basketball Association, $1,000 for Glenbard West boys basketball.
- two educational tours.
- one-year renewal contract for custodial, grounds and maintenance and foreman services for the 2022-2023 school year. There have been significant challenges in the labor market this year. This has prevented the district from being fully staffed. Despite measures taken in the fall to increase wages, vacancy rates for custodian positions have hovered around 20% district-wide.
The net total increase to the proposed contract is 2.75%. The proposed renewal includes higher than typical wage increases to custodians and 3% increases to all other categories. There is a reduction of custodial full-time equivalents to help offset the wage increases, but we are confident we have sufficient staffing to keep the high standards in place for our students and staff.
- the proposed 2022-2023 school calendar. The 2022-23 Glenbard District 87 school calendar was reviewed by district administrators; the Glenbard Education Association (GEA); and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). It was approved by the board on October 12, 2021. It is now being presented for revision to accommodate Public Act 102-0015, which mandates November 8, 2022 shall be a state holiday known as 2022 General Election Day. The last day of student attendance will be Monday, May 22, 2023, sans any emergency days.
- second reading and adoption of Policy 3:50 Administrative Personnel Other than the Superintendent; Policy 4:15 Identity Protection; Policy 4:165 Awareness and Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Grooming Behaviors; Policy 6:15 School Accountability; and Policy 6:20 School Year Calendar and Day
BOARD INFORMATION/DISCUSSION ITEMS INCLUDED:
- presentation of the Inspire … Empower … Succeed Awards, which recognizes faculty and staff members who:
· Demonstrate exceptional levels of initiative or innovation
· Exceed expectations and make a positive difference for students
· Demonstrate outstanding student service or achievement
Congratulations to the following Glenbard North award recipients: Jennifer Buck-Castañeda, teacher;
Katie Maday, school psychologist; and Freya Standridge, substitute coordinator.
- recognition of the following Glenbard North parent leaders for their support and dedication to Glenbard District 87: Glenbard North Athletic Boosters President Klaudia Czernek; Glenbard North Music Boosters President Christine Housour; and Glenbard North Theatre Boosters Mary Ellen Graf, Lori Kent and Violeta Paunov.
- memorandum of understanding with College of DuPage, dual credit. Renewal of our 2021-22 memorandum of understanding with the College of DuPage (COD) will allow us to offer students the opportunity to participate in dual credit course offerings.
This dual credit partnership helps our students and families (1) reduce college costs, (2) speed up the time to degree completion, (3) improve curriculum alignment to college and workplace expectations, (4) facilitate the transition between high school and college, (5) enhance communication and collaboration with COD, and (6) offer opportunities for improving degree attainment for underserved student populations.
This agreement will allow us to offer students the opportunity to enroll in the following dual credit courses:
1. English 1101: English Composition 1 (IAI C1 900)
2. English 1102: English Composition 2 (IAI C1 901R)
3. Speech 1101: Fundamentals of Speech Communications (IAI C2 900)
4. Math 1218: General Education Math (IAI M1 904)
Each of these courses is part of the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI), which means they are transferable for college credit among more than 100 participating colleges and universities in Illinois.
These dual credit courses will be offered to Glenbard students at no cost, and will allow students the opportunity to earn three college credit hours per course.
We have seen an increase in dual credit enrollment from the Class of 2021 to 2022, and there are 922 course requests for dual credit courses for the Class of 2023.
- renewal of intergovernmental agreement with Glen Ellyn Park District. We have met with the Glen Ellyn Park District to discuss a renewal to the cooperative agreement whereby each entity is granted access to each other’s facilities and/or fields for programs throughout the year.
The contract is set to expire June 30, 2024; however, both parties agree there are considerations that were not contemplated in the agreement that are important to include moving forward. These items include the omission of the George Ball tennis courts that we use for tennis programming and considerations for capital improvements (replacement costs of shared use facilities / sites).
While both parties use each other’s facilities and sites, we have a significantly higher demand for the space as compared to the park district. Due to the nature of the Glenbard West campus, it is essential to have additional recreation spaces to support extracurricular programs for our students. The contract stipulates Glenbard make a $68,000 annual contribution for facility access and no costs for capital improvements.
The proposed contract would increase costs to $78,800 in year one of the contract to account for the omitted use of the George Ball tennis courts. In year six of the contract the amount would increase $4,000 to a total of $82,800. Additionally, we would contribute $16,000 per year (with an increase for inflation of $500) for capital improvements. We believe the modifications included in this renewal are equitable to both sides and continue our history of collaboration to benefit our shared stakeholders.
- resolution directing the school treasurer to transfer funds from the Operations and Maintenance Fund to the Debt Service Fund. The Illinois Program Accounting Manual (IPAM) requires that all debt expenditures, principal and interest, be paid out of the Debt Service Fund.
DuPage County levies tax dollars for our previously approved referendum debt. We cannot levy dollars for non-referendum debt, such as our Alternate Revenue Source Bonds, etc. Therefore, we need to make a permanent fund transfer from the Operations and Maintenance Fund to the Debt Service Fund to ensure there are sufficient dollars on hand to pay non-referendum debt out of the Debt Service Fund. This prevents the fund from going into a negative position. A permanent fund transfer of $2,524,842.50 is required to support operating debt payments.
- first reading and discussion of Administrative Procedure 6:280-AP3 Grading System; Policy 6:282 Course Offerings; Policy 6:330 Achievement and Awards; Policy 9:20 Storage, Copying and Streaming of District Owned Electronic Media; Administrative Procedure 9:20-AP1 Storage, Copying and Streaming of District Owned Electronic Media; and Policy 6:60 Curriculum Content.
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