I know I speak for everyone in District 15 when I say thank you for help and support as we wrap up another exciting year of teaching and learning in District 15.

Although the 2021-2022 school year was another atypical year, it was made successful thanks to the partnership of all of you! We have so much to celebrate as a District and here are a few highlights:

• We educated our 11,000+ uniquely diverse students through another school year under ever-changing pandemic conditions;

• New curriculum in the area of 6-8 math was put in place this year. 6-8 science, 7-8 ELA, and K-5 math were piloted by a teacher committee this year and will be implemented next year;

• Our Moving 15 Forward initiative was under development and presented within our schools this spring. If you weren’t able to make the roadshow – please visit our Moving 15 Forward website to review our presentation.

• Walter R. Sundling was awarded the distinction as a National Blue Ribbon School;

• Thirteen District 15 teachers obtained or renewed their National Board Certification, known as the gold standard for professional educators;

• Avyay, a Plum Grove Junior High student, placed 13th in the National Spelling Bee;

• Henry, a student at MJ, received the Infinitec Technology Achievement Award;

• Jason Dietz, Principal of Walter R. Sundling Junior High, was chosen to join the Board of Directors for the Association of Illinois Middle Grade Schools (AIMS);

• Phil Georgia, Director of Human Resources, received the Illinois Association of School Personnel Administrators (IASPA)’s New Member Award;

• WCJH IESA track & field athletes ranked 2nd best team in the State;

• Mary Beth Knoeppel, Principal of Lincoln School received the Those Who Excel Meritorious Service Award for the Administrator category;

• Winston Campus Junior High Climate & Culture Team received the Those Who Excel Meritorious Service Award for the Team category;

• Danielle Guardino, Accountant for the District, received the Those Who Excel Meritorious Service Award for Educational Service in the Personnel category;

• All District 15 schools were recognized as platinum status award recipients for their Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) work;

• All four junior high schools received national recognition as a 2021-22 Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Distinguished School;

• Walter R. Sundling JHS was selected as one of 80 schools that received the 2022 Support Music Merit Award (SMMA) from The NAMM Foundation;

• From the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB), Wenda Hunt, Board of Education member, received the Master Board Member recognition award, Level 1. Lisa Szczupaj, Board of Education President, received the Master Board Member Program recognition award, Level 2.

• …And this is just a quick summary of all of the amazing things we accomplished together!

• Wednesday, June 8, 2022

• *Thursday, August 11, 2022

At the August 11 meeting, the Board will have an in-depth discussion of the Moving 15 Forward proposal and determine whether or not to grant the administration the green light to proceed with the plan.

If the Board approves the plan, this means they will adopt a referendum question that will appear on the Tuesday, November 8 ballot.

If the Board does not approve the plan, the administration will not proceed with the Moving 15 Forward initiative into the upcoming school year. The Board will then provide the administration with any next steps they would like the District to take.

All meetings are held at Walter R. Sundling and begin at 7:00 pm. We will continue to livestream the Board meeting to our Youtube channel and send Board Briefs following each meeting.

Our teachers continued to teach with heart this year and have remained committed to finishing this year strong despite another exhausting year. I am immensely proud of and thankful for the way in which everyone continued to come together in order to ensure the educational and social-emotional needs of our students remained at the center of their daily work with students. Please enjoy the video below that represents the joys of teaching and learning during the 2021-2022 school year.

Everyone has certainly earned a well-deserved summer break. I hope you enjoy all that summer has to offer.

When our elementary students return this Fall, their libraries will be staffed with full-time librarians. We can hardly wait!!

We are looking forward to completing these much-needed building improvements! Please note that Stuart R. Paddock will be closed due to HVAC work being done at their school. If you need to reach the staff, you will still be able to reach them via phone or email.

• We will welcome first - eighth graders back to school on Wednesday, August 17, 2022.

• We will welcome preschool and Kindergarten learners on Thursday, August 18, 2022.

As we head into summer, I hope you take advantage of the months ahead to recharge, relax, and reconnect with friends and family. Summer is a great time to carve out time to read each day, find time to write about summer adventures, put down the computer and get outside and enjoy the sunshine. Please make sure you're following District 15 on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to stay in touch with the District over the summer – from planning, to summer school, and summer construction updates – we will be busy!

I want to again offer a sincere and heartfelt thank you to our students, parents/guardians, and our staff for all of your efforts and support this school year. We could not have had such a successful year without everyone working together with one common goal - the education and support of our 11,000+ students. Your partnership helped us make it through another complex year together and we are stronger as a result.

Many thanks for your continued support! We look forward to seeing you in August 2022!

Your partner in education,

Laurie Heinz