Trimester 1 Newsletter
Trimester 1 – December 2023
From Dr. Stawick...
Dr. Jeff Stawick, Superintendent
As the first trimester comes to an end, I look back on everything our schools have already accomplished in the three and a half months of the school year. Our buildings have been full of learning, service, and fun. Walking through our halls, I can really sense the dedication to whole-child learning.
Families have come out in droves, as always, to our schools’ math, reading, and STEAM nights. These opportunities to involve families in student learning are always successful. Behind the scenes, our curriculum department has been working with teacher teams to create smoother transitions from lower to higher level skills and ensure that each student receives the same content and quality of instruction.
In addition to the math, ELA, and science being taught in the classrooms, our students are also learning how to become conscientious citizens. Classes and clubs have held fundraisers and food and clothing drives, volunteered at community service events, and represented the District in extracurricular activities. Each school also took time to recognize and honor our Veterans through assemblies, songs, and conversation.
If the first trimester is any indication of things to come, we are going to have a very successful school year. I look forward to all our students will accomplish in the second trimester and beyond.
At Central, students presented thank you cards to Veterans during their Assembly.
Fierke's Family Reading Night featured a "Flashlight Reading" room, complete with black lights.
The Kruse Student Council sponsored a food drive, with donations being sent to Together We Cope.
Question of the Trimester
Please click below to answer this trimester's question:
What topics would you like to read more about in upcoming issues of the Trimester Newsletter?
- Community Partnerships
- School-Specific News
- Strategic Goals
- Educational Technology Use
Inside Communications
By Keegan Kociss, Communications Specialist
Last year, we asked our families about the communication they would like to receive from the District. This trimester newsletter, along with other communication enhancements, is a direct result of your responses.
In the survey, families stressed their desire to receive important information via text. This fall, families received that opportunity. Each school, along with the District office, will be able to send important information via SMS text to families who opted-in. If you did not opt-in to texting earlier this fall, you can still do so by texting “Y” to 67587.
We have also improved our translation offerings. Our District translators stay busy working on District documents and important correspondence that goes out to our families. We continue to increase the number of communications our families receive with translated options. Many of the applications and vendors we use offer automated translation options that may be useful to our families.
District 146 strives to provide our families with information in a manner, frequency, and mode that benefits everyone. To continue improving our communications, please complete this short survey so we can assure our vision aligns with the wishes of our families.
Inside Business
By: Jeff Charleston, Director of Business Services/CSBO
The District 146 budget reflects a continuing commitment to “Learning for All” and the District’s priorities of small class sizes and full inclusion. The 2023-2024 Budget was approved by the Board of Education at its September meeting. A public hearing was held prior to the meeting.
Funding the District’s educational programs is achieved with the support of the communities we serve. Property taxes and other local revenues are the primary source of income, amounting to 77% of this year’s budget. The State of Illinois is the source of 14% of District funding, and Federal funding is 9%.
The full District budget can be found on our website, along with the budgets and audits for the last 10 years. The District budget is managed with the goal of providing the best education possible while maintaining fiscal responsibility to the taxpayers of the District.
The District has qualified for the Property Tax Relief Grant (PTRG) for the third year in a row. The PTRG requires the district to abate a portion of property taxes for two years in exchange for permanently-increased state funding. For tax year 2023 (which will be reflected on 2024 tax bills), the District will be abating $1.9 million (the second year of the second PTRG), and $2 million (the first year of the third PTRG).
Inside Bilingual Education
District 146 is once again holding Community English as a Second Language (ESL) and Basic Computer Skills Classes for families and community members. Our partnership with Governors State University allows us to offer three levels of placement: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. This year we expanded our offerings to include an additional class, Digital Literacy. All classes are virtual and each participant receives a Chromebook and study materials to be used throughout the classes.
For the second year, the District is hosting joint Bilingual Parent Advisory Council (BPAC) and Community ESL events. Upcoming events are scheduled for January, March, and May. Families are able to gather in different school buildings to learn together, serve as partners in their child’s education, build a sense of community, and practice their social English skills in a fun and inviting environment.
We have had great participation in both of these programs, and look forward to continuing them. We are always looking at additional ways to enhance our bilingual program and appreciate the support of the District 146 community. If you are interested in joining the BPAC, please email bdundas@district146.org.
Inside the Schools
Central Middle School
On September 9, the CMS Builders Club co-hosted their 2nd annual bed-building event with the Oak Forest Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace. This year, a total of 26 beds were made and donated directly to children in our local communities. In November, the club finished a Winter Clothing Drive. They are currently planning "Good Deeds December" where they will ask CMS students, staff, and parents spread kindness by doing good deeds for others throughout the month.
The Builders Club provides opportunities for students to work together in service to school and community, develops leadership potential, fosters the development of strong moral character, and encourages loyalty to school and community.
Fierke Education Center
Fierke has partnered with the Oak Forest Police Department and Officer Tracy Weiland to deliver a special age-appropriate program to 5th grade students. The “Too Good for Drugs” program builds a social emotional framework for drug-free living. The fun and interactive journey focuses on setting reachable goals, making responsible decisions, managing emotions, refusing negative peer pressure, and building positive friendships.
Fulton School
Fulton’s Family-School Connection creates a sense of community and offers an opportunity to let all families get involved in the school. Families take part in a monthly theme and share photos with the school. The photos are included in the school’s weekly updates and are uploaded to the hallway TVs for everyone to see. Themes have included “Reading takes you to new places,” and “Learning can take us anywhere!”
Kruse Education Center
Coding Club is one of Kruse’s most popular. Different sessions are held for students in 1st through 5th grade. Mrs. Zanayed and Mrs. Snaidauf use the coding apps Kodable, Codespark, and Scratch to teach coding concepts to students. Students then create their own games and share them with each other. Various apps and robots are used based on the skill level and age of the students. Club members have a great time learning in a game-based environment while improving their problem solving and communication skills.
Memorial School
In November, 5th grade students and their parents took part in a side-by-side reading activity. The students have been reading the book Wonder by R. J. Palacio. Students chose their favorite “precept” from the book, explained why it is their favorite and what it means to them, and posted their responses on Seesaw. The writing was also hung on their lockers. Side-by-sides are a chance for families to participate in a school activity and educational experience with their child. This new tradition at Memorial has become popular with students and families alike.
December
11: Board of Education Meeting
22: Half-Day Attendance
22: Winter Break Begins
January
8: Board of Education Meeting
9: No School- Institute Day
10: Students Return to School
15: No School- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
18: Beginning Band Demonstration
February
5: BoE Committee of the Whole Meeting
12: Board of Education Meeting
19: No School- Presidents Day
21: District 146 Math Challenge
24: District 146 Band Music-a-Thon
28: Math Challenge Awards Night
March
1: End of Trimester 2
2: District 146 Wellness Fair
4: BoE Committee of the Whole Meeting
9: IGSMA Band Organizational Contest
District Leadership
Board of Education
Darcy Nendza, President
Julie Berry, Vice President
Rick Lloyd, Secretary
Dean Casper, Member
Patty Chlada, Member
Jill Dunlap, Member
Amy Hamernick, Member
Administration
Dr. Jeff Stawick, Superintendent
Dr. Wendy Wolgan, Director of Curriculum
Kelly Voliva, Director of Student Services
Jeff Charleston, Business Director/CSBO
Vern Bettis, Director of Technology
Matt Shanahan, Director of Buildings and Grounds
Brooke Dundas, Coordinator of Bilingual Education
Brianne Oliver, Special Education Coordinator
Carey Radke, Curriculum Coordinator