This Week in Valley View
News and Notes from Around the District
April 18, 2024
News of the Week
VVSD Staff Spotlight- Amanda Sedys, Secondary Transition Experience Program Teacher
As a high school student attending Plainfield South, Amanda Sedys was a typical high school student for the time. Going to class. Participating in activities such as dance. Preparing for adulthood that was coming on quickly.
In one way, Amanda was ahead of her time because of learned experiences with a cousin born with special needs. Amanda didn’t like how others saw her cousin as disabled, rather than seeing the abilities her cousin possessed. That led Amanda to write an article for her school newspaper about accepting special needs students, and it led to Amanda becoming a special needs teacher.
Valley View Council AFT Giving Away 40,000 Books on Sat. May 11 at Bolingbrook HS
The Valley View Council AFT 604 will host a Family Literacy Festival where over 40,000 books will be given out for free to VVSD students and educators. This event is part of a nationwide partnership between the American Federation of Teachers and First Book, a national non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all children, regardless of their background or ZIP code, can succeed by removing barriers to equitable education.
The Valley View Council and VVSD are teaming up to stage this local event on Sat. May 11 from 10 am-2 pm in the Bolingbrook HS Fieldhouse. In addition to the available free books, there will be a variety of family activities including snacks and giveaways, photo opportunities, and performances by some VVSD student groups.
Books are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so please plan on arriving early. Parents and guardians are welcome to choose up to ten books per child for home libraries with a 30 book per family limit. Educators and school staff members may choose up to 30 free books for their classroom.
For more information, contact Valley View Council at 630-679-3458 or calabreserm@vvsd.org
VVSD Kindergarten Enrollment for the Class of 2037 Now Open
VVSD Kindergarten registration for the Class of 2037 is now open through the online enrollment process. To be eligible to register, a student must be five years old on or before Sept 1, 2024, and the family must live with VVSD boundaries. Families of current VVSD students will be able to register via their Infinite Campus Parent Portal account, while families new to the District will be able to register online.
VVSD Now Hiring for 2024-25 School Year
VVSD is hiring for a wide range of positions for the 2024-25 school year.We are seeking new team members including teachers, guest teachers, bus drivers, paraprofessionals, operations & maintenance, nutrition services, lunchroom & playground aides, and special education staff.
VVSD’s employment opportunities offer schedules for staff members that are in synchronization with school schedules, making VVSD a great choice for parents who need to have their work schedule match up with the school hours, and Winter and Spring Break for their children. To see all VVSD job opportunities and to apply, visit www.vvsd.org/jobs
VVEEF Nine & Dine Golf Outing Set for Thu. June 6
Join the Valley View Educational Enrichment Foundation for the annual Nine & Dine Golf Outing on Thu. June 6 at Bolingbrook Golf Club. Proceeds support additional programs created by VVSD teachers for the benefit of VVSD students.
In addition to nine holes of golf in the highly social and forget-about-those bad shots scramble format, you’ll also have chances to win various raffles and games, and lots of shenanigans along the way!
The VVEEF Nine & Dine is more than a fair-way to spend a beautiful Thursday afternoon; it’s an ace! Try not to miss the target or take a penalty stroke by not joining a foursome on June 6.
Here are our options for this year’s festivities:
Golfer Package includes 9-hole green fees with cart, beer/wine/soda all day, post golf dinner and awards, and a golfer goody bag.
For those not golfing, we have a Dinner and Happy Hour Package, which includes happy hour beverages beginning at 4 pm and dinner at the post golf reception around 5:30 pm.
There are various sponsorship opportunities available as well!
Follow the link to register your foursome or sponsorship. Spots are limited and sell out fast!
https://VVEEFgolf2024.givesmart.com
Contact Rachel Dellamorte with any questions at dellamorre@vvsd.org or 630-670-3148, but registrations are first come, first served through our online registration.
Humphrey Middle School Drama Club Presents “Legally Blonde, Jr.”
Humphrey Middle School Drama Club presents their spring production, Legally Blonde Jr. Thu. Apr. 18 and Fri. Apr. 19, both shows begin at 6:30 pm. Legally Blonde Jr is adapted from the Tony Award nominated Broadway show. The story follows Elle Woods as she travels across the country and enrolls in Harvard Law School, all just to win back her boyfriend, while bringing her signature pink color and unique style to both the classroom and courtroom General admission $8 cash at the door, children under three years old are admitted free of charge.
Lukancic Middle School Presents “Tapestry”
The award-winning play Tapestry by Craig Sodaro tells the tale of the Queen, grieving over the death of her son, who demands that a weaver create a tapestry that will provide comfort. The woman weaves six tales into her tapestry. The first tells the story of a young woman who must learn about herself. The second concerns two farmers who have a chance at a tremendous fortune, but it may cost them everything. Other tales teach more lessons. Performances are Thu-Sat April 18-20 starting at 6:30 p.m. in the Lukancic Auditorium. Tickets are available at the door: $5 for adults, $3 for students
A Vito Martinez Middle School Presents #ROMEO
The AVM Drama Club presents a modern interpretation of Romeo & Juliet set in a school that challenges the audience to consider if texting, social media, and community activism could have prevented one of literature’s greatest tragedies.
Performance Dates are Fri. Apr. 19 6:30 pm and Sat. Apr. 20 at Noon in the AVM Theatre-In-the-Round. Cash admission at the door is $3 for students and $5 for adults. Children under the age of six years are welcomed for no charge.
Jane Addams Middle School Drama Club Presents “Shrek, the Musical, Jr.”
The Jane Addams Drama Club will present Shrek the Musical - Jr. on Fri. Apr. 26 at 7 pm and Sat. Apr. 27 at 2 pm.
Everyone's favorite ogre is back in this hilarious stage spectacle, based on the Oscar-winning smash hit film and outrageous Broadway musical.
Tickets are $5 for adults; admission is free for children under 18.
Family Learning Events
Logoterapia, técnica de escritura terapéutica para el control de la ansiedad y la depresión en niños
Tuesday, Apr 30, 2024, 05:00 PM
B J Ward Elementary School, Recreation Drive, Bolingbrook, IL, USA
RX Mobile Food Pantry at Bolingbrook HS
Tuesday, May 7, 2024, 09:00 AM
Bolingbrook High School, Raider Way, Bolingbrook, IL, USA
Initial Communication Device (AAC) Training
Friday, May 17, 2024, 09:30 AM
Valley View School District Administrative Center, Normantown Road, Romeoville, IL, USA
Noteworthy Achievements
Independence Elementary School students in the 3rd grade classroom of Yesenia Arteaga and Paola Vieryra posed for this photo celebrating perfect attendance and thanking parents and guardians for sending them to school prepared to learn.
Seen Around Valley View-
BJ Ward Elementary School rewarded motivated readers by staging Staff vs. Students basketball games. One class each in grades levels 3rd, 4th, and 5th who showed the most improvement in their class wide Achieve score took to the floor for a basketball game against staff members. In the photo above, the staff team turns the ball over at mid-court, which meant there was no chance they could catch the 5th graders taking the ball the other way!
Wednesday morning, A. Vito Martinez Middle School students were greeted upon arrival by Asst. Principal Bill Normand with his Question of the Day. “What one word would you use to describe the clouds in this morning’s sky?”
It is hard to tell who is happier that physical education classes can go outside again. Is it the students or the teachers? The answer is probably both. At Brooks Middle School, students participated in a tennis unit.
Quick Notes
The next regular meeting of the Valley View Board of Education will be held Monday, April 22 at John J. Lukancic Middle School, 725 W. Normantown Rd., Romeoville IL. This meeting will begin at 6:30 pm, at which time the Board will vote to move to Closed Executive Session. The Public Session of the meeting will begin at 7 p.m.
In accordance with the Open Meetings Act, the Agenda for the meeting will be posted no later than 48 hours prior to the start of the meeting. Click here to view the Agenda The Meeting is available via live stream on the VVSD YouTube Channel, VVSD365U
STEP Family Support Night Wed. May 1
STEP Family Support Night gives parents and guardians of students with disabilities to connect with local agencies and programs that provide support services for individuals with disabilities. Families of students of all ages are invited to attend and child care services will be provided. The VVSD STEP Campus located on the west side of Brooks Middle School, 350 Blair Lane in Bolingbrook will host the event on Wed. May 1, beginning with a family social at 6 pm, followed by an informational presentation at 6:30 pm which will include plenty of time for questions.
Heart Haven Outreach/VVSD Operation Snowball
VVSD Operation Snowball, powered by Heart Haven Outreach (H2O) will be hosting their annual youth conference on Sat. April 27 & Sun. April 28 at Romeoville HS. This conference is planned and led by VVSD high school students and will include influential keynote speakers, small groups, workshops, fun games, and lots of food! This year's theme is "What's Stopping You?" The cost is only $5 and includes a t-shirt as well as breakfast and lunch both days. This event is for high school aged students. To register, visit https://bit.ly/H2OSnowball
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Important School Calendar Dates
Wed. Apr. 24- Early Release (Elem 2:15, MS 1:20, HS 12:43)
Fri. May 3- Teacher Work Day (No Student Attendance)
Wed. May 8- Early Release (Elem 2:15, MS 1:20, HS 12:43)
Events for the Coming Week
Thu. Apr. 18
VVSD Middle School Writer’s Conference at Bolingbrook GC 9:30 am
Humphrey Middle School Spring Play “Legally Blonde, Jr.” 6:30 pm
Fri. Apr. 19
STEP Multicultural Day 10 am
Brooks Middle School Spring Fling Social 6 pm
Humphrey Middle School Spring Play “Legally Blonde, Jr.” 6:30 pm
Martinez Middle School Spring Play #Romeo 6:30 pm
Lukancic Middle School Spring Play Tapestry 6:30 pm
Sat. Apr. 20
Martinez Middle School Spring Play #Romeo Noon
Lukancic Middle School Spring Play Tapestry 6:30 pm
Tue. Apr. 23
Wood View Principal’s Award Breakfast 8 am
Brooks Middle School Career Fair 8:30 am
Wed. Apr. 24
Salk Elementary Kindergarten & 1st Grade Donuts with Adults 8 am
Hermansen Elementary Multicultural Fair 6 pm
Thu. Apr. 25
Brooks Middle School College & Career Fair 8:30 am
VVSD Middle School Math Contest at Bolingbrook HS 4 pm
BJ Ward Elementary Earth Day Celebration 4:30 pm
RC Hill Elementary STEM Night 5 pm
Bolingbrook HS 9th Grade & Concert Bands Concerts 6 pm
Salk Elementary PTO STEAM Parent Engagement Event 6 pm
Lukancic Middle School Jazz & Beginning Band Spring Concerts 6:30 pm
Bolingbrook HS Wind & Symphonic Band Concerts 7:30 pm
Fri. Apr. 26
Irene King Elementary College Prep Reading Students Visit 1st Grade 9:30 am
Community Connections
VVSD Schools Fundraising Drive for Healing Hearts and the ICAN Therapy Dog Program
VVSD wants to give our thanks to Healing Hearts, and the ICAN Therapy Dogs for bringing joy, hope and support to our students. The following schools during the week of April 22- April 26 will be collecting Dollars for Dogs! We want to give back to their agencies so they can continue to fill more of our schools and our homes with support dogs.
If you would like to contribute to their programs you can drop off donations or send them with your student to any of the participating schools during that week. The participating elementary schools are: Hermansen, R.C. Hill, McGee, Oak View, Skoff, and BJ Ward. The participating middle schools are Jane Addams, Humphrey, Lukancic, A.Vito Martinez, along with Bolingbrook HS.
Bolingbrook Park District
Bolingbrook Park District residents and Valley View School District students are now able to register for the REACH All-Day Care program. All the information and how to register is located at the following: http://www.bolingbrookparks.org/en/programs/reach-extended-school-care/
Fountaindale Public Library
Did you know you can get free or discounted admission into many Illinois museums and cultural attractions with your Fountaindale Public Library Card? Grab a Museum Adventure Pass or search Explore More Illinois to visit museums, zoos, aquariums, gardens, historical societies and more. It's a fantastic way to delve into the rich cultural offerings of Illinois and make lasting memories with your family. Learn more at fountaindale.org/museum.
West Suburban Community Pantry
West Suburban Community Pantry provides emergency food services to people in DuPage and Will Counties through both our in-person and virtual food pantries. We also connect families with other vital resources so they can pursue a brighter future. We are breaking down barriers that prevent our neighbors from getting the nourishment they need to succeed by offering a variety of services. Find out more at WSCPantry.org, or shop for groceries online at VirtualFoodPantry.net
Romeoville Community Pantry
The Romeoville Community Pantry is a community service organization operated by volunteers in the Romeoville community. The Pantry serves anyone who lives in Romeoville, Bolingbrook, Lockport, Plainfield, Lemont, and Crest Hill. The pantry is open every Saturday 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Clients are asked to provide a current photo ID and proof of residence in order to participate in our services. The location is inside the United Presbyterian Church located at 2 Belmont Drive in Romeoville. Please check the Romeoville Community Pantry Facebook page for any further updates https://www.facebook.com/romeovillecommunitypantry/
Northern Illinois Food Bank
The Northern Illinois Food Bank is conducting mobile food banks and micro pantries in the vicinity in the near future. Please bring bags or boxes. Micro Pantries are designed to allow anonymous food pick-up for those in need and a drop-off point for those who wish to help. Micro pantries are accessible 24 hours a day. To find a Micro Pantry near you visit: http://arcg.is/04LijC
Will County MAPP Food Micro Pantries
Will County Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships conducts micro and mobile food pantries throughout Will County. Click here for more details and a map of locations.