The Communicator
District 47 Newsletter - Spring/Summer 2018
IN THIS ISSUE
Superintendent's Message
Important Dates
District Highlights
In the News
Financial Update
Operations Update
Board of Education Update
Student & Community Activities
Connect with Us!
FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
As the 2017/18 school year came to a close, it was exciting to look back at all that has been accomplished in District 47 over the past school year. This year, the District underwent a strategic planning process, in which a group of 46 stakeholders got together to discuss the current and future vision of District 47. This group included parents, community members, staff, Board members, administrators, and a handful of former D47 students who were District 155 juniors in high school. In January, the Board adopted the new strategic plan brought forward by this group, which includes our new mission statement:
Empowering All Students—Learners Today, Leaders Tomorrow
In the spring, action teams worked on the 10 strategies outlined within the strategic plan to determine our focus and priorities for year one. We are excited to announce that one of the first accomplishments to come out of the action teams is a revised elementary report card for fall 2018. The new, simplified format is only two pages in length and has been redesigned to be a more parent/student-friendly communication tool for sharing student strengths and challenges. We are excited about this change and the future changes to come that will benefit our students and the community we serve.
Another accomplishment during the past school year has been our continued safety planning efforts. While we don’t share the specifics of our plans publicly so as not to compromise the safety of our students and staff, we have added precautionary measures to our planning processes and have expanded our network of community agencies that can offer assistance should the need arise. This year, we revised our building and district-wide safety plans and are appreciative of District 155 for partnering with us to provide a third layer of evacuation sites in our plans. In May, we held our first crisis tabletop exercise with all school administrators and first responders of McHenry County and Crystal Lake to identify strengths and problem-solve challenges and/or areas of improvement in our plans and lines of communication. We thank all who were in attendance that day and look forward to continued partnership and conversations.
Finally, we are excited to be working with our new architect, DLR, who conducted a facilities assessment this spring to not only provide priorities for basic facility maintenance but for optimal learning environments and safety enhancements across the district moving forward.
The 2017/18 school year was a productive year both operationally and academically. I look forward to the 2018/19 school year and the path forward under the guidance and vision of the new strategic plan. We invite you to follow our progress via our newsletters, website, social media channels and annual report.
I hope you and your family enjoy a wonderful, safe summer break!
Dr. Kathy Hinz
Superintendent
IMPORTANT DATES
June 2018
6/18 - Board of Education meeting, 7pm, CORE Center
August 2018
8/1 - D47 school offices open
8/6 - Transportation Open House “Meet the Bus” event for incoming kindergarteners (TJA bus garage, 1204 S. McHenry Ave., Crystal Lake)
8/15 - Teacher assignment and bus route information available on ParentVue
8/21 - Meet the Teacher event at K-5 schools*
8/22 - First day of school for students in grades 1-8; Early Release Day
8/23 - First day of school for kindergarten
8/27 - First day of school for Wehde Early Childhood Education
September 2018
9/6 - Parent Night (all K-5 schools)
9/12 - Parent Night (HBMS/LMS/RBMS)
9/13 - Parent Night (HBMS)
9/26 - Early Release Day
*Middle school orientation and back-to-school dates vary by school. Please visit the school website for details.
Click link for access to the complete 2018-19 school calendar.
SAVE THE DATE: 2018 Parent University
CORE Center and New Family Registration Summer Hours
New family registration will be held this summer at the District 47 CORE Center, 300 Commerce Drive in Crystal Lake. The CORE Center’s summer office and registration hours are listed below. To register your child, please call 815.788.5000 to schedule an appointment. All families are encouraged to register as early as possible as this helps with appropriate staffing and class size. For registration forms and required documents, visit the Registration page of the District website.
June 4 - June 27, 2018
CORE Center hours: Monday through Friday: 7:30 am to 4 pm
Registration hours: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday: 7:30 am to 3 pm
June 28 - July 3, 2018*
CORE Center hours: Monday through Thursday: 7:30 am to 3 pm
Registration hours: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday: 7:30 am to 2 pm
July 9 - August 17, 2018*
CORE Center hours: Monday through Friday: 7:30 am to 4 pm
Registration hours: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday: 7:30 am to 3 pm
*The CORE Center is closed June 29, July 4, July 5, July 6, July 13 and July 20.
2018-19 Early Childhood Registration
Eighth Grade Trip to Washington, D.C.
Lundahl students at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
Bernotas students at the White House
Hannah Beardsley students at the U.S. Capitol Building
Student Art Show
Eighth Graders Teach Digital Citizenship
Hannah Beardsley B3 student leaders visit Canterbury, Coventry and Husmann
Bernotas B3 student leaders visit West, South and North
Lundahl B3 student leaders visit Indian Prairie, Glacier Ridge and Woods Creek
Getting Into the "Spring" of Things - Staying Fit!
Woods Creek Feet Meet
Bernotas Viking Strong 5K benefiting NAMI-McHenry County
HBMS Color Run
Middle Schools Earn Medals in Regional Science Olympiad Competitions
Students from all three District 47 middle school Science Olympiad teams earned medals this year at regional Science Olympiad competitions.
Hannah Beardsley’s team (pictured), led by Beth Theiss, earned a bid to state at the regional competition on March 10th and placed 4th in Division B at the state competition at the University of Illinois on April 21, 2018. The HBMS Science Olympiad team placed among the top five in 11 events.
At the regional competition at Harper College on March 17th, Lundahl Middle School’s team, led by Annette Rafferty, was awarded medals in two categories -- mystery architecture and roller coasters -- and won the spirit award. In January, the Bernotas Science Olympiad team, led by Julie Post, attended the first regional competition in Rockford, where six team members earned a medal. The Bernotas team also attended the regional competition at Harper College and earned medals in such events as disease detective, optics and the solar system.
Woods Creek Fourth Grader Named Finalist in National Culinary Competition
Out of nearly 2,600 entries from students across the country, Emmie Picchi, 4th grader at Woods Creek Elementary, was named a top 5 finalist in the national Sodexo Future Chefs Challenge. With her winning recipe, Crunchy Taco Wonton Cups, Emmie is the only student in Illinois to advance to the national level and receive this honor. The Sodexo Future Chefs Challenge encourages healthy eating habits by actively involving students in good nutrition. To learn more, click here.
District 47 Dual Language Program Expands to Lundahl Middle School in 2018-19
Due to increasing popularity and enrollment, District 47’s dual language program will expand to Lundahl Middle School starting with the 2018-19 school year. There will be two 6th grade dual language sections taught by one dual language teacher. The D47 dual language program started in 2004 with only two classrooms and has since expanded to 44 classrooms, serving approximately 1,000 students district wide. Canterbury, Coventry, and North elementary schools, as well as Hannah Beardsley Middle School currently host the program, which has received recent accolades at both the state and national levels for its implementation of biliteracy instruction and curriculum design.
During the 2017-18 school year, Lundahl staff, who will be teaching dual language classes next year, received training and spent time observing other dual language classrooms across the district. The program will continue to expand at Lundahl the following school year, adding 7th grade dual language classrooms for the 2019-2020 school year and 8th grade classrooms during the 2020-2021 school year.
According to Amy Mosquera, director of dual language and ELL, expansion of the program offers several benefits. “Expanding our dual language program means additional support for English Language Learners district wide,” she said. “In addition, it decreases class size in the current middle school dual language program, providing more opportunities for students to continue to develop their skills in both English and Spanish while mastering the District 47 curriculum.”
“We are so excited to add the dual language program to Lundahl Middle School,” stated Angie Compere, Lundahl principal. “It is an honor to be a part of this growing program and to help impact the lives of more middle school students in a positive way.”
Middle School Schedule Change for 2018-19
In the fall, D47 middle schools will be adding a 35-minute intervention block known as Extended Learning Time (XLT) to benefit all students. On a daily basis, students will be provided this dedicated time slot to help them meet or exceed academic targets through reinforcement, repetition, extension, and differentiation, and learn critical social-emotional skills. During XLT, students will have an opportunity to explore and deepen their understanding of challenging content and concepts, as well as learn and practice interpersonal and executive functioning skills, such as how to organize and prioritize tasks, develop study skills, and manage stress. While some class periods will be shortened slightly to accommodate this change, students will still receive instruction in all core subject subject areas, as well as PE and encore classes (Spanish, FACS, art, music and STEM).
Middle School Students Win 2018 Law Day Essay Contest
Three District 47 students were recently named winners of the McHenry County Bar Association’s 2018 Law Day essay contest. Pictured from left are: Kate Garton, 8th grader, Hannah Beardsley Middle School; Abby Fry, 8th grader, Hannah Beardsley Middle School; and Lucas Nielsen, 7th grader, Lundahl Middle School.
The annual essay contest is open to all 6th, 7th and 8th graders in McHenry County. This year’s theme was “Separation of Powers: Framework for Freedom.” In 800 words or less, students were charged with defining which branch of government -- executive, legislative or judicial -- affects their life the most and why. Approximately 50 entries were received by the McHenry County Bar Association and essays were judged based on content, originality, personal reflection and interpretation of the theme.
Partnership with Bernie's Book Bank Provides 2,000 Free Books to D47 Students
Lundahl Celebrates 20th Anniversary of the 24-Hour Challenge Run
Life Lessons from Celebrities
Skype session with Cubs' Joe Maddon
Author visit from Patricia Polacco
Chicago Bears' George McCaskey Visits South
Husmann Third Grader Wins National Night Out Design Contest
Savannah Lowitzki (3rd grader, Husmann Elementary) was named the 2018 National Night Out T-shirt design contest winner. National Night Out is an event hosted by police departments across the country to unite with residents of the communities in which they serve. Crystal Lake's National Night Out event will be held on Tuesday, August 7th from 5pm to 8pm at Three Oaks Recreation Area and will feature kid-friendly fun and games and an opportunity for residents to meet and greet the police officers that serve the Crystal Lake community. The T-shirt design contest, open to all 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students in District 47, is hosted by the Crystal Lake Police Department and District 47.
District 47 Bands Compete in IGSMA Band Contest and Advance to State
In March, District 47 middle school bands were among 13 area bands to compete in the Illinois Grade School Music Association (IGSMA) District IX band contest hosted at Bernotas Middle School.
This year, the Bernotas Middle School Symphonic Band, Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble each received a Division I rating. The Bernotas Symphonic Band, directed by Kristina Melville, advanced to the state competition.
Lundahl Middle School’s Gold Band, directed by Terry Guynes, and Purple Band, directed by Molly Sedivec, also received Division I ratings and qualified for state. The Lundahl Gold Band advanced to the state competition as did the Monday Night Jazz Ensemble, also directed by Guynes.
Hannah Beardsley Middle School sent all three bands to the IGSMA contest this year. The Cadet Band, a group of 6th and 7th graders under the direction of Keith Hulen, received a Division 2 rating -- an outstanding rating for a group of young musicians. The Concert Band, under the direction of Adam Bell, received a Division 1 rating. Hannah Beardsley’s Symphonic Band, under the direction of Scott Sampson, received a Division 1 rating and achieved the band’s first perfect score.
Title I Family Engagement Initiatives
Canterbury Family Field Trip to the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago
Yoga and Meditation Class
Family Soccer Tournament
Through state educational agencies, the federal Title I program provides financial assistance to public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure all students meet academic achievement standards.
New Leaders for 2018-19 School Year
Director of Math, Science and STEM
Carolyn Stadlman will be the new Director of Math, Science and STEM. Stadlman has served as an assistant principal at Hannah Beardsley Middle School since August 2015. Prior to taking on this role in District 47, she served as an elementary principal in Antioch District 34 for five years and as a general education teacher and English Language Learner resource teacher in Mundelein District 75 for seven years.
Director of Dual Language and ELL
Kari Keith will serve as the District’s new Director of Dual Language and English Language Learner programs. Keith has served as principal at Churchill Elementary in Glen Ellyn, as well as director of the English Language Learner program for Community Unit School District 200 in Wheaton, where she also served as an ELL/bilingual facilitator and teacher.
Assistant Principal at Hannah Beardsley Middle School
Aaron Knoth will serve as assistant principal at Hannah Beardsley Middle School. Knoth will replace Carolyn Stadlman, who is District 47’s new director of math, science and STEM. Besides taking on his new role as assistant principal, Knoth will oversee the District’s Title I and Title III summer school programs as principal. He has spent his 11-year education career in District 47 serving as a math teacher for eight years at Bernotas Middle School, an icoach (technology coach) at Woods Creek Elementary School, and most recently as a full-time instructional coach at Hannah Beardsley Middle School. In addition, he has served on numerous committees, including the district’s curriculum adoption committee and the “Future Ready” task force.
Celebrating 2018 Retirees and Quarter Century Club Members
Congratulations to this year's retirees and Quarter Century Club (QCC) members! We appreciate your years of service and dedication to our students.
Retirees: Ann Aiello, Joyce Bell, Kathi Black, Cindy Brackett, Armando Campos, Luis Carbajal, Connie Chapman, Melinda Chapman, Brenda Cox, Caroline Crane, Michelle Glass, Diane Greenman. Deb Kwayzer, Faye Lomen, Kathleen Lutz, Denise Lemieux-McDonald, Deb McLean, Jan Miller, Gina O'Conner, Nancy Perez, Heidi Rothermel, Roseanne Tozi, Curt Youel, and Mariann Zimmerman
QCC members: Jen Crowley, Erika Ferguson, Julie Grabner, John Jacobsen, Fred Kaiser, Carrie Kondrad, Cindy Leli, Jennifer Massie, Jose Salas, Lynn Weber, and Pam White
D47 Board Member and Administrators Receive Distinguished Service Awards
In May, three individuals from Crystal Lake Elementary District 47 -- Glacier Ridge Principal John Jacobsen (left), Indian Prairie Assistant Principal Alison Mitchell (center) and Board Vice President Dr. Betsy Les (right) -- were recognized with Distinguished Service Awards by the Illinois Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association (INSPRA). The annual event recognizes Individuals around the state for their support of public education and their local school districts.
2018 Bilingual Parent Leadership Academy
Rosa E. Aranda
Maria Avilés
Rita M. Gamboa
Vianney Rodríguez Garcia
Nori Gonzalez
Pamela Pineda Lagunes
Virginia Ayala Ménez
Roberto Muñiz
Sandra Romo
Claudette Valencia
Rigoberto Zavaleta
District 47 Receives Recognition for Backpack Program
District 47 Recognized for Outstanding Financial Reporting
Crystal Lake Elementary District 47 has been awarded a Certificate of Excellence in financial reporting for the 2017 fiscal year by the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO). ASBO recognizes school districts that have met the program’s high standards for financial reporting and accountability.
Sponsored by VALIC, the Certificate of Excellence (COE) award confirms a school district’s commitment to financial accountability and transparency. By participating in the COE program, school districts demonstrate their commitment to financial transparency.
2018 TJA Bus Driver of the Year
D47 IN THE NEWS
June 2018
Daily Herald: Bernie's Book Bank Delivers Free Books to D47 Students
Northwest Herald: Our View/Skype with Joe Maddon
Northwest Herald: Skype with Joe Maddon
CL Patch: National Night Out Art Contest Winner
May 2018
Northwest Herald: New D47 Math/Science Director
Northwest Herald: Letter to the Editor - RBMS Service Learning #2
Sangamon Sun: D47 Per Pupil Spending
Northwest Herald: Law Day Essay Contest
Northwest Herald: Letter to the Editor - RBMS Service Learning
Northwest Herald: Lundahl 24-Hour Run
Northwest Herald: Lundahl 24-Hour Run
Daily Herald: D47 Appoints New Director of Math, Science & STEM
CL Patch: D47 Appoints New Director of Math, Science and STEM
Northwest Herald: LMS Raises $10,000 for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Northwest Herald: D47 Middle Schools Earn Medals at Science Olympiad Competitions
CL Patch: LMS Raises $10,000+ for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
CL Patch: Science Olympiad Competitions
Northwest Herald: D47 Art Show
April 2018
Northwest Herald: Bernotas Viking Strong 5K
The Black Tortoise Blog: Sodexo Future Chef
Northwest Herald: Sodexo Future Chefs
Northwest Herald: Bernotas Service Learning
CL Patch: Sodexo Future Chef Competition
Daily Herald: Sodexo Future Chef Competition
Northwest Herald: D47 Schools Raise $39,000 for American Heart Association
CL Patch: D47 Schools Raise $39,000 for American Heart Association
Black Tortoise Blog: Author Visit - Patricia Polacco
CL Patch: D47 Middle School Bands Advance to State
Northwest Herald: D47 Middle School Bands Advance to State
March 2018
McHenry County Times: D47 Receives Top Financial Rating
The Black Tortoise Blog: Future Chef Competition
CL Patch: Service Learning at RBMS
Northwest Herald: Future Chef Competition
Northwest Herald: RBMS St. Baldrick’s Fundraiser
FINANCIAL UPDATE
In August 2017, the state of Illinois passed Senate Bill 1 (evidence-based school funding), which is intended to create equitable school funding across the state. The new funding formula creates an adequacy target for each school district by applying research-based elements to unique district demographics, such as percentage of low-income, special education and ELL students. The formula also takes into account a community’s capacity to fund its schools. School districts are placed in one of four tiers scaled by farthest from the adequacy target (Tier 1/greatest need) to at or above the target (Tier 4/least need). Additional state funding is prioritized starting with districts in greatest need that fall in the Tier 1 category. Under this formula, District 47 is at 78.7% of the adequacy target and falls in the Tier 2 category. In 2018, District 47 received an additional payment of $240,000 from the state and expects to receive a similar amount again in 2019.
As financial resources are limited, unfunded mandates placed upon school districts by the state continue to be a challenge as is funding ongoing building maintenance and improvement projects and providing resources to fulfill the District’s mission to “empower all students.” School districts throughout Illinois rely on local taxpayer support and District 47 is no exception. Local property tax support accounted for 76.4% of the district’s budgeted revenue for the 2018 fiscal year. The community is the backbone that supports the District, especially during continued financial uncertainty at the state level.
The District is in the second year of continued work to complete approximately $48 million of capital projects across all facilities over a five-year period. In June, the District sold debt certificates for $9.5 million to help finance these projects. District 47 will not be increasing the debt service tax levy, but will use operating funds instead to make annual payments. The District will also be completing payments on two prior bond issues that will eliminate the current debt service tax beginning with the 2018 tax levy. This will reduce the tax rate by $0.21 based on the 2017 tax levy.
For additional financial information, such as budget and annual financial statements, visit the District 47 website at www.d47.org.
OPERATIONS UPDATE
Current planned projects for summer 2018 can be found in Board Docs on the District website. The projects outlined, which were selected based on immediacy, are estimated at $11,844,249 and fall within budget parameters.
BOARD OF EDUCATION UPDATE
May 2018 Board Meeting Highlights
On the consent agenda, the Board approved 2018/19 lunch fees; laminating film, copy and offset paper bid for 2018/19; 2018/19 art supply bid; sale of 930 Chromebooks to District 155; and a Title I school-wide waiver for North Elementary School.
The Board also approved the dismissal of employee #939768; bus transportation fuel bids; the District's membership in the Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA); 2017/18 School Improvement Plans; 2018/19 school-wide waiver for Hannah Beardsley Middle School; 2018/19 District Title I Plan; a 2018 camera systems proposal; the issuance of General Obligation Debt Certifications (Limited Tax) Series 2018; and various 2018 operations bids, including landscaping, professional moving services, and painting.
For details, click May 21, 2018 Board Meeting Agenda and Minutes.
April 2018 Board Meeting Highlights
On the consent agenda, the Board approved the District's participation in the McHenry County Regional Safe Schools Program; changes to three policies; and a resolution to prohibit sexual harassment. The Board also approved 2018 bids for civil engineering projects, flooring, lockers, and custodial supplies.
In addition, the Board heard a capital projects financing and bonding options presentation; D47 middle school 2017/18 School Improvement Plans; and recommendations from the D47 Plan Time Committee.
For details, click April 16, 2018 Board Meeting Agenda and Minutes.
March 2018 Board Meeting Highlights
The Board approved the 2018/19 Board meeting calendar; the 2018/19 Life Safety projects; a state-approved director of special education; an intergovernmental agreement between Districts 3, 26, 46, 47, 155, & 158; the superintendent's contract for 2018-2023; the 2018 mechanical and general trades bids; asbestos and abatement bids; a new middle school schedule for the 2018/19 school year; the first reading of policy; a new vendor for musical instruments and service; the honorable dismissal of educational support personnel and teachers; and a resolution to partially abate and permanently transfer monies from Working Cash to the Operations & Maintenance fund.
The board heard 2017/18 School Improvement Plans from Woods Creek, Glacier Ridge, and Indian Prairie Elementary Schools and was presented with findings and recommendations from the D47 plan time committee. In addition, the Board was presented with the District’s Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Association of School Business Officials International.
For details, click March 19, 2018 Board Meeting Agenda and Minutes.