North Cook ISC
September 2021 News Chat
A Message from Dr. Kevin Jauch
I hesitate to say welcome back, because I know that many of you really didn’t get the break that you needed this summer. I, too, was lulled into a sense of normalcy in June as community metrics trended in the right direction and mitigation efforts began to lift, only to get slammed in August as the impact of the Delta variant forced us to take a giant step back.
For many, your summer was mired in guidance documents, FAQs, webinars and executive orders; contentious Board meetings, parent protests, and letters to the editor; plus all of the actual nose-to-the-grindstone work of getting your schools prepared for the start of a new school year.
We've started with a shortage of bus drivers, substitutes and other essential staff, but an abundance of angst, nerves and trepidation. However, as I look at pictures of children’s smiling eyes, hear stories of reunions between classmates and teachers, and feel the energy and excitement that can only be generated by children at this time of year, I am reminded that it is all worth it!
Thank you for all you have done and will continue to do to serve our children. You are amazing!
kjauch@ncisc.org / 847.824.8300
4,800 Backpacks Given Away
More than 4,800 backpacks filled with school supplies and hygiene kits were distributed to 40+ school districts and other agencies for students experiencing unstable housing. The event was held August 4th at Sandburg Jr. High and made possible with McKinney-Vento grant funds. Thank you to Palatine School District 15 for help with receiving, storing and distributing the gifts that will help so many of our homeless students succeed!
FALL into PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Administrator Academies
- September 21, October 19, November 16 - Superintendents' Book Club (AA-1782) • IN-PERSON
- September 24 - Effective Communication Skills and Public Relations Strategies for Success in Educational Leadership (AA-1129) • IN-PERSON
- October 4 - Gathering Evidence During Observations and Conferencing Using the Danielson Model, Teacher Evaluator Professional Practice Retraining Academy (AA-1801) • ZOOM SESSION
- October 6 - Addressing Racial Disparities in Special Education: Working for More Equitable Outcomes for Students of Color (AA-3799) • IN-PERSON
- October 12 & 13 - Initial Principal Evaluation Training (AA-2000) • ZOOM SESSION
- October 15 - The Administration of Professional Growth Programs for Interscholastic Athletics Programs (AA-1323) • ZOOM SESSION
- October 22 - The Evolution of Education: Shifting From Traditional Classrooms to Personalized Learning (AA-1805) revised summer 2021 • IN-PERSON
- October 26 - Principal Evaluator Competency Skill Building (AA-1865) • IN-PERSON
- October 28 - Problem Solving and Collective Bargaining Using an Interest-Based Approach (AA-3782) • ZOOM SESSION
There's more! See our complete list of Administrator Academies.
Educator Workshops
September 28
October 5
2021 Illinois School Safety Conference, 7:30 am-4:00 pm
October 25
Free Informational Meetings
TRS Informational Session for Human Resources Staff - September 28, 9:00 - 10:00 am
TRS Benefits for Educators: Start to Finish - October 13, 3:30 - 4:30 pm
Although these events are free, registration is required.
Collaborative Series (aka Networking)
October 19 • HYFLEX • 1:00-3:00 pm - Student Services
HYFLEX is a hybrid or blended model of learning/collaborating where some participants attend the sessions in-person while other participants are simultaneously remote, streaming "live" into the session.
National Board Certification Cohort
Personalized vs. Individualized Learning
Licensure Department News
A reception was held August 25th to honor Shirley Bloom, North Cook ISC's Director of Certification and Licensure, who retired after 19 years of service. We want to thank Shirley for her many years of dedication to North Cook educators.
For assistance with anything licensure related, please continue to contact Izabela Kuczek, (ikuczek@ncisc.org) who has worked in our Licensure and Fingerprinting Department for the past two years.
Help for McKinney-Vento Students
Mary Nyaema, Academic Navigator for McKinney-Vento students, works with Dr. Tom Bookler to help homeless students succeed in school. If you have McKinney-Vento students who don't regularly participate in school or are having a rough start to the school year, please complete the referral form and Mary will work with you. She can be reached at 319-400-1658 or mnyaema@ncisc.org.
Mary has worked with McKinney-Vento students during the pandemic, offering support for remote learners and making sure they have resources to enhance their learning experience both before and after school. She continues to help as many North Cook students and families as possible reunite with their school and be successful.
Please join our Zoom Roundtable meeting on September 23rd at 10:00 a.m. to meet Mary, along with Paula Miller, NCISC Truancy Officer, who will discuss strategies for student success and ways they can serve you and your district. Register Now.
As a reminder, Dr. Tom Bookler, our Regional McKinney-Vento Educational Liaison, can assist North Cook districts with training on-site or via Zoom. tbookler@ncisc.org or (630) 386-0883.
School Improvement Projects
Lincoln Jr. High, Skokie D69
Joseph Sears School, Kenilworth D38
Romona School, Wilmette D39
Hub for Employment
In addition, our Virtual Resume Fair for educators, paraprofessionals, aides and substitute teachers provides candidates with a forum to record a video version of their professional resume that can be shared with all school districts in the North Cook ISC area.
There's more! We also recently added links to Bus Driver jobs because of the extreme shortage of drivers.
Teacher Institute (TI) Day Approvals
- File and submit online forms to North Cook ISC for approval of your Teacher Institute Day.
- We will email you a TI Day Letter of Approval if all requirements are met.
- Make sure the Teacher Institute dates are listed and coded as TI Days on your IWAS calendar.
- Maximum 4 Teacher Institute Days per year + minimum 5 hours duration each (excludes registration, lunch, breaks)
Background information and online forms can be found on our website.
NCYAA Offers Two Options
The Regional Safe School Program (RSSP) is for students in grades 6-12 at risk of suspension or expulsion from their home school. The Alternative Learning Opportunities Program (ALOP) is designed for students struggling with a traditional education setting, academics or attendance.
We are happy to partner with you and we welcome new students to our programs.
View the NCYAA informational brochure available in English or Spanish, or contact Lisa Fornwald, NCYAA Director, with any questions. lfornwald@ncisc.org or 847.803.3702.
We're Open to Serve You
In accordance with State mandates, when visiting our office, masks must be worn at all times unless eating or drinking. You can also contact us by voicemail or email. For information about specific departments see our Contact Info.
Whether entering via the east frontage road or from the west on Touhy Avenue, our office and school are now easier to locate on the northwest corner of the 1001 E. Touhy Avenue building, thanks to new signage.
North Cook Intermediate Service Center
Special Holiday Hours:
CLOSED October 11 - Indigenous People's/Columbus Day
CLOSED November 11 - Veterans' Day
CLOSED November 24-26 - Thanksgiving
Email: newsletter@ncisc.org
Website: www.ncisc.org
Location: 1001 E. Touhy Av. Suite 200, Des Plaines, IL, USA
Phone: 847-824-8300