News from District Office
September 3, 2015
D113A: Strategic Plan and Core Values
View our Core Values and Strategic Plan by clicking here.
OUR VISION:
Innovative Learning.
Collaborative Communication.
Responsive Citizenship.
Engaging, inspiring and developing future citizens of the world.
News from Dr. Orzel's Office
Congratulations on a great start to our school year! I have heard so many positive comments from staff, parents, students and community members about the beginning of the year and the positive tone that you have set. Great job!
The notion of "Collaborative Communication" is part of our Vision Statement, so I felt that I needed to reach out to you about my visits through the school buildings and clarify some potential questions that are out there about our visits.
As you know, I try to be in the buildings and classrooms as much as possible throughout the year. The work that you do in your classroom is at the heart of virtually everything that happens in our district. As a result, I believe it's important for me to see teaching and learning on a regular basis so that the district can provide you and your students as much support as you need.
As was the goal last year, my goal this year is to try to be in your buildings once/week. Sometimes that works, and sometimes my schedule doesn't allow it. However, when I am able to stop by, it is wonderful to see what is happening in our buildings. The energy is infectious!
Yesterday, the principals, assistant principals and I toured all buildings together as a group. When we come together as group, I am working with the principals to have discussions about what they see students doing in classrooms, and we work together to discuss student engagement and monitor inter-rater reliability between the principal and assistant principal.
It is important that teachers receive consistent feedback on student engagement and that the principal and assistant principal see things similarly based on evidence. We try to enter and exit classrooms without disruption, so if we do not engage with you as we enter, it is because we are trying not to interrupt your lesson.
Principals will talk more about this when they have their staff meetings, but I wanted to reach out as well. If you have any questions, please remember that my door is always open to you.
Next week, we will have 20+ community leaders visiting the district. People visiting include the following:
Mayor Brian Reaves, Mayor of Lemont
Mayor Gina Cunningham-Picek, Woodridge
Dr. Mary Ticknor, LHS Superintendent
Mike Shackel, LHS Board President
Eric Michaelsen, LHS Principal
Louise Egofske, Executive Director/Park District
Brian Pepich, Board President/Park District
Glenn Pasiewicz, Executive Director/Chamber
Chief Maton, Lemont Police Chief
Chief Rimbo, Lemont Fire Chief
Victoria Cobbett, Board President, LFPD
Sandi Pointon, Executive Director/Library
Dr. Gineen O'Neil, SWCCCASE Director
Laurel Hanson, Director of Chartwells
Kealy Schroeder, Director of Champions
Terri O'Neill, Hope and Friendship
Steve Rosendahl, Township Supervisor
Melinda Pintozzi, Band Boosters President
Bill Ward, VFW Post Commander
The day will be scheduled as follows:
7:30-8:00am- Guests greeted by Old Quarry Middle School students
8:00am – 8:30am- Future vision presentation and breakfast at Old Quarry Middle School (LRC)
8:30am – 9:00am- Tour of Old Quarry Middle School
9:00am – 9:10am- Travel to River Valley School
9:15am – 9:45am- Tour of River Valley School
9:45am – 10:15am- Tour of Oakwood School
*Times are approximate.
Senator Christine Radogno planned on attending, but the Senate was called to session next week. I have scheduled a separate day for her to come visit the district which will be held on Tuesday, October 13th from 8:30-10:00am. Her day will look like:
8:30-9:00am: Tour of Old Quarry Middle School
9:05-9:35am: Tour of River Valley
9:35-10:05: Tour of Oakwood
*Times are approximate.
Finally, as you know, State Superintendent Dr. Tony Smith will visit us on Tuesday, November 3rd. He will follow this schedule:
9-9:30: Visit at Old Quarry
9:35-10:05: Visit at River Valley
10:05-10:35: Visit at Oakwood
*Times are approximate.
I wanted you to have as much information on dates and times as early as possible.
To have this amount of community and state interest into our school district is a testament to your hard work and the engaging learning opportunities that you provide for our children every day.
We are proud to welcome these visitors into our schools and classrooms. Thank you for your work with our children.
Courtney
State of the District Presentation
Wednesday, Oct 7, 2015, 06:00 PM
16100 127th Street, Lemont, IL, United States
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
District System Assessment
Oakwood: Kristy Blazewski, Shelley Mandarino, Cathy Slee
River Valley: Bridget Esposito, Colleen McNaughton, Angie Thonn, Debby Lynch
Old Quarry: Natalie Brown, Michelle Nevin, Johnny Billingsley
District Office: Dr. Mary Gricus, Susan Wulczyn
Please do not hesitate to reach out to any of these individuals about the process.