North Cook ISC

• A Message from Dr. Kevin Jauch
• Student Services Teams Get Results
• Homeless Emergency Fund Welcomes Donations
• Youth Mental Health First Aid Training: At NCISC or In Your District
• Student Art Display: Deadline Extended to December 22
• NCISC Releases Annual Report
• 2023 Professional Learning
• Spelling Bee Reminder

Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in IARSS’s Raising Student Achievement Conference (RSAC) in Schaumburg. I was reminded of how fortunate we are in the North Cook region to have access to so many talented and knowledgeable educators and leaders to help us hone our craft and guide us as we engage in the essential work of educating our students.

It was exciting to see fellow educators who present for the North Cook ROE/ISC leading breakout sessions and even serving as the keynote speaker for this event. As impressive as the presenters were, I also took note of the engagement and contributions from audience members who shared their own experiences and elaborated and built upon what was being discussed. Those collective contributions made the event that much more valuable.

If there was an essential takeaway that I can share it is to let you know that the work you do matters, the connections you make with students are life changing, and your impact is beyond measure.

As we head into Winter Break, I hope you are able to take some time for yourself, with family and friends, and have the opportunity to recharge. You deserve it! Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

Dr. Kevin Jauch

kjauch@ncisc.org / 847.824.8300

The NCISC Student Services Department has expanded and now includes 8 Student Advocates, in four teams of two each, to reach students and families, review their strengths and areas of opportunity, and devise plans to increase school success in behavior, academics and/or attendance.

It's working! One middle school student who had missed more than 20 days showed up for class 5 days in a row after beginning to work with a Student Advocate. The Advocate calls home in the morning, and will even go to a student's home to get them moving on the way to school, if needed.

When asked why they're excited to do this work, the Advocates said they'd like to make a difference for students, families and the community, and start a cultural shift around education, schools and mental health. They hope to be the model Alternative Learning Opportunities Program (ALOP) and can't wait to watch North Cook's program grow. We couldn't agree more and we share in their enthusiasm. Be a part of this exciting team making a difference!

We are hiring additional Student Advocates.

We are also hiring another Student Attendance Liaison to work with students, families and schools to improve attendance. The Liaison will provide resources and attendance incentives, maintain and enforce attendance contracts, help remove barriers that might impede school attendance, and conduct home visits when necessary.

North Cook ISC is the McKinney-Vento Regional Liaison for homeless children and at-risk youth in north suburban Cook County. We are the recipient of a grant to assist with students' educational needs, but there are many times when families have emergencies and we are unable to help with, for example, securing a temporary motel room, an essential car repair, bedding or other necessities because of grant fund restrictions.

Requests for emergency funds are handled on a case-by-case basis and referred to us through our school districts or other homeless agencies that work with North Cook ISC. There are no administrative costs, so 100% of donations will go to families that need emergency assistance. We welcome Donations of any amount. Thank you.

Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach educators, all school staff, peers, parents, family members, caregivers, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing 1) a mental health or addiction challenge or 2) is in crisis.

The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-Step Action Plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders.

Our new certified trainer, Julie Revello, has over 35 years of experience in the field of special education. She recently retired from her position as Director of Special Education for Northbrook School District 27. Prior to that, she was a Director of Special Education for Kenilworth School District 38 and a Special Education Coordinator for North Suburban Special Education District (NSSED). Throughout her career, Julie worked to develop academic and social/emotional supports and services that would meet the needs of special education students and students considered to be at-risk within the school setting. In her role, she worked closely with other administrators, teachers, school social workers and school psychologists. NCISC is thrilled to share the Mental Health First Aid program with others.

The first session with Julie will take place at the NCISC Des Plaines office on February 24, 8:00 - 4:00 (lunch and manual included). Use this link to register in advance. Contact April D. Jordan if you would like to bring this training to your district and staff members (ajordan@ncisc.org).

The North Cook Intermediate Service Center (NCISC)/Regional Office of Education #5 is looking for student artwork to adorn the interior walls of our office. We want to highlight our North Cook districts and students through the joy of the visual arts! Themes of the entries should center around PEACE, HOPE and/or POSITIVITY. Learn more.

Key Dates:

• *NEW DATE* December 22 - Finished art due to NCISC (digital image of the artwork)
• January 12 - NCISC staff select artwork
• February 8 - Art Walk-Through & Reception

• January 18 - McKinney-Vento Advanced Training [two parts] (AA-3733) • ZOOM
• January 24 - Building a Resiliency Program for At-Risk Students (AA-1514) • IN-PERSON
• January 25 - Leading for Equity in the School Setting (AA-3010) • ZOOM
• February 6 - Leading the Education of English Learners (AA-1795) • IN-PERSON
• February 15 - Enhancing Culturally Responsive Teaching Through Relevance & Relationships (AA-3791) • ZOOM

See all Administrators' Academies, including many Evaluator Trainings & Re-trainings.

Dr. Jenni Donohoo will facilitate a five-part virtual series on Collective Efficacy starting February 2, 2023. If you heard Dr. Donohoo, keynote speaker at the Raising Student Achievement Conference (RSAC) December 12-13, this is your opportunity to dive deeper into this important topic.

SPECIAL OFFER: Register four (4) people in a single transaction and the 4th person is FREE. Take advantage of this best selling author and national speaker plus a special discount! Learn More/Register Here.

January 26 - Safe2HelpIL: Addressing 21st Century Threats Facing Students, 12-1 pm • ZOOM

Do you know about Safe2Help Illinois, the 24/7 program for students that uses a free app, text/phone, website & other social media to report school safety issues confidentially? Safe2Help aims to get students to Seek Help Before Harm.

If you're so inclined over the holiday break, you can continue learning with any of our self-paced, asynchronous courses and book studies on topics such as NGSS, leadership, time management and more.

The buzz is getting louder! The 13th Annual Regional Scripps Spelling Bee for the North Cook, South Cook, and West 40 ISC offices is fast approaching. This year, the North Cook area bee takes place on March 15, 2023 at Lincoln Hall Middle School in Lincolnwood District 74.

For $175 per school, receive everything needed to organize classroom and school spelling bees plus the pathway for your school champion to compete in the regional spelling bee program. Enrollment Deadline is December 31, 2022. We encourage all elementary schools to ENROLL. See this Flyer for more details and dates.

Thanks to the generous funding of the Suburban Cook County Spelling Bees from Wight & Company and Pepper Construction, an an all expense paid trip for the regional winner to participate at the National Scripps Spelling Bee Competition in Washington D.C. during the 2023 Memorial Day week will be provided.

Monday - Friday, 8 am - 4 pm

* CLOSED *

December 23 - January 6 • Winter Break

January 16 • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

February 20 • Presidents' Day

Email newsletter@ncisc.org
Website www.ncisc.org
Location 1001 E. Touhy Av. Suite 200, Des Plaines, IL 60018
Phone 847-824-8300