North Cook ISC
October 2020 News Chat
North Cook Intermediate Service Center
LOOK to NORTH COOK for the latest news and updates!
A Message from Dr. Kevin Jauch
I hope this note finds you and your loved ones healthy and safe. During the summer, many district leaders I talked to were eyeing the month of October as the time to bring students back for in-person learning - which, at the time, seemed so far off. Yet here we are nearing the end of the month, and many districts are stepping back as others move forward. Unfortunately, the community metrics have trended in the wrong direction lately, and while we’re all struggling with COVID fatigue, we must stay diligent!
As a reminder, North Cook ISC has posted many helpful COVID-related resources to our website. Under Other Services, you’ll find About Coronavirus (COVID-19). The Return to School/Work subtab receives the most updates. There you’ll find the latest information from IDPH, CCDPH, CDC and ISBE. Check out the Metric Guidance and Relevant Data Sources link for websites sharing up-to-date metrics data that impact schools the most.
Hang in there, everyone!
kjauch@ncisc.org / 847.824.8300
P.S. Huge thank you to Director of Facilities Dave Ulm and Superintendent Dr. Ken Wallace of HS District 207 for accepting delivery of PPE from IEMA and storing it at their facility prior to distribution to North Cook schools. (see photo above)
Professional Development
Doug Reeves: Moving Beyond Conversations About Race
This four-part series begins October 26th, with brief 1.5 hour sessions, and is based on the book Challenging Conversations About Race by Doug Reeves (to be published in 2021).
Learn how to engage students, faculty, parents and community members on the challenging issues of race and racism. Using realistic scenarios, participants will encounter diverse perspectives in a safe environment.
Dr. Douglas Reeves is the author of more than forty books on education and leadership. Twice named to the Harvard University Distinguished Authors Series, Doug is the recipient of many national and international awards for his contributions to education. REGISTER NOW.
Administrator Academies (virtual through December 2020)
- Leading With Collective Efficacy
- Leading for Equity and Excellence
- Recognizing & Assisting Homeless Students: What Administrators Need to Know
- School Security: A Proactive and Holistic Approach
- Proactively Dealing With Difficult Conversations: Bringing Out the Best in People at Their Worst
- Compassion Fatigue: Is Your Staff at Risk?
- Leading the Education for English Learners
Remember: We can also bring an Administrator Academy to your team, virtually or in-person with proper Covid safety protocols. Contact Dr. April Jordan at ajordan@ncisc.org or 847.803.5604 to schedule a session.
Virtual Educator Workshops
November 3-17, series
November 10 or December 11
Self-Paced Online Courses & Book Studies
We offer many self-paced online courses and online book studies. Course titles and descriptions can be found under Online Courses and Book Studies on our website. Courses are continually added, so check back frequently!
Current Online Courses
Designing NGSS Aligned Learning Activities and Assessments
Engagement By Design
Manage Your Time or Time Will Manage You
Student Voice: From Invisible to Invaluable
The Teacher Clarity Playbook
Unlearning Leadership - Based upon the Unlearning Leader: Leading for Tomorrow's Schools Today
Using Bibliotherapy in the Classroom: The Right Book Can Make a World of Difference
Coming Soon
Action Research: Elevating Educators
How Implicit Bias Keeps You from Reaching Every Student - Learn Better Then Do Better!
The Joyful Teacher
Being the Change: Lessons and Strategies to Teach Social Comprehension
COLLABORATE. ENGAGE. LEARN. SHARE.
- Buildings & Grounds
- Curriculum & Instruction
- Instructional Technology Coaches
- Student Services
- Technology
It's Award Season!
Justin Johnson - ISBE 2021 Teacher of the Year - Niles West HS, District 219
Veronica Rodriguez - Bilingual Teacher of the Year - Juliette Low Elementary School, CCSD 59
Katie McGarvey - Special Education Teacher of the Year - Hoffman Estates HS, District 211
Kate Lee - Outstanding Early Career Educator, Maine East HS, District 207
National Blue Ribbon School - Field Middle School, West Northfield D31
Illinois Art Education Association
Joanna Angelopoulos - Art Educator of the Year - CCSD15
Deanna Sortino - Secondary Art Educator of the Year - Niles West HS, District 219
P.A. Ford - Art Administrator of the Year - Niles West HS, District 219
Niles West HS, District 219 - Best Art Program of the Year
2021 Best High School Districts in America - Niche Rankings
New Trier HS District 203 - #4
Glenbrook HS District 225 - #5
Thank You, Principals!
Happy Principal Appreciation Week from North Cook ISC!
Multi-Tasking 101
Health/Life Safety Inspection
NCYAA Receives SEL Award
North Cook Young Adult Academy (NCYAA) is one of 105 recipients out of nearly 800 applicants to receive the SEL in Action Award, sponsored by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. The purpose of the grant is to support students with Social Emotional Learning and create conditions for SEL to thrive in our classrooms.
SEL has always been an important component of the NCYAA program, and is especially needed during this time of change and uncertainty due to COVID. Our stated SEL goals include development of self-awareness and self-management skills, increased positive social relationships, developing lifelong strategies to think critically and improvement in decision-making.
We created The 3 R’s of Mindfulness - Resilience, Reflection and Renewal program to focus on the stated goals. Once a week, NCYAA staff and students meet with a certified yoga instructor. The yoga class focuses on mindfulness, breathing, meditation and basic yoga moves. Yoga has many positive effects, including increased energy, decreased feelings of anxiety and depression, better sleep quality, and improved overall health.
An additional opportunity provided through the SEL in Action Award is our partnership with Chicago Voyagers, an adventure program for students that includes fun, adventure, and a break from everyday routine. Students learn to identify and practice transferable skills from the program to school/home life, practice finding peace within themselves and discover their potential. Our first activity involved canoeing; future events will include hiking and stewardship, biking, cross-country skiing, and sailing.
We are grateful for this generous award and are excited to see how students will benefit and grow throughout the year.
Yoga Promotes Energy
Canoeing with Chicago Voyagers
Weekly Yoga Class
Guidance on Homeless Students
The impact of COVID-19 on jobs, health, and housing may leave many more families homeless or at risk of homelessness. As a result, more students are expected to be eligible for McKinney-Vento services during the 2020-21 school year.
ISBE hosted a webinar in September for Supporting Homeless Students based on the Guidance Document that all superintendents received in August. ISBE reminded school districts that all McKinney-Vento students must receive help with distance learning, including access to Wi-Fi, computing devices, and school meals if students are taught remotely for any part of the school year.
Liaisons to Train School Staff
In addition of their required duties, McKinney-Vento Liaisons are to develop a clear plan and timeline to train all school staff on rights of students eligible for McKinney-Vento services. This staff training should include strategies to sensitively address trauma that students experiencing homelessness may face.
Dr. Tom Bookler, NCISC’s Regional McKinney-Vento Liaison, is available to assist with professional development in your district or offer technical assistance on materials and information regarding in-district training. Contact Dr. Bookler at tbookler@ncisc.org or 630-386-0883.
small Talk. BIG Ideas.
Can you spare 3-5 minutes to share tips, personal reflections or creative ideas? Contribute to small TALK with North Cook ISC! Go to our smallTalk page to contribute and see sample videos.
Annual Spelling Bee is On!
The 11th Annual Scripps Spelling Bee will continue with a new platform (online testing or in person). The enrollment fee per school is $157 with a deadline of December 20, 2020. Once enrolled, Scripps provides access to everything needed to organize classroom and school spelling bees.
If safe to conduct the North Cook ISC Spelling Bee, it will be held at Gemini Junior High School Auditorium, East Maine SD 63 in Niles on March 11, 2021 with the snow date of March 18, 2021. The Pronouncer for all of our bees will be Dr. Robert Sloan.
The Regional ISC Scripps Championship will be held at McClure Junior High School in Western Springs at the end of March 2021, involving our 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners from North Cook ISC, South Cook ISC, and West 40.
As we address the ongoing public health crisis, the Suburban Cook County ISC Scripps Spelling Bee planners will explore a range of scenarios to administer the competition safely while following social distancing and group assembly guidelines.
The 2021 Regional Spelling Bee Champion and one parent will be sent to the National Scripps Spelling Bee in Washington D.C. on June 1-3, 2021 as a result of a generous grant award funded by our corporate sponsor ComEd. See spellingbee.com for more information.
District Reimbursement Available for Evaluator Training
- Teacher Evaluators: AA-2001
- Principal Evaluators: AA-1865 and AA-3000
- Teacher and Principal Evaluators: AA-1448, AA-1451, AA-1452 or AA-1801 and the required AA-1865 and AA-3000.
More information is on our website under PERA Training and a complete list of our Evaluator Training and Retraining courses can be found at Administrator Academies.
Licensure Update
Our Licensure experts continue to be available to answer questions and offer assistance to school district personnel, current educators, and prospective educators. Contact Shirley Bloom sbloom@ncisc.org / 847-803-3704 or Izabela Kuczek ikuczek@ncisc.org / 847-803-5614 with any questions or concerns.
REMINDER: Teacher Institute Days
Visitors Welcome by Appointment Only
Visitors to North Cook ISC and North Cook Young Adult Academy are required to schedule an appointment (no walk-ins allowed at this time) and submit a Health Pre-Check Questionnaire beforehand. Masks must be worn at all times and social distancing maintained while on site. Read more and view the pre-check questionnaire at: Contact Us.
North Cook Intermediate Service Center
Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
CLOSED November 11 Veterans' Day
CLOSED November 25-27 Thanksgiving
Email: info@ncisc.org
Website: www.ncisc.org
Location: 1001 E. Touhy Av. Suite 200, Des Plaines, IL, USA
Phone: 847-824-8300