Lombard District 44 Update
Message from Superintendent Ted Stec
Follow This: D44 "Unselfies" Remind Us What is Important
Dear Lombard District 44 Community,
In Lombard District 44, we are surrounded by students and staff who selflessly commit themselves to giving back every day, every season. From volunteering at local clinics, to donating to food pantries, to fulfilling wish lists, their reach has extended far beyond our classrooms and directly into the homes and organizations in need of their support.
While they certainly do not need a "Giving Tuesday" to remind them of the importance of giving back, we wanted to take this day to shine a bright spotlight on these wonderful individuals who we have named our "D44 Unselfies."
We coined the term "D44 Unselfie" because these stories are not ones of self promotion. They are selfless and genuine, and, when witnessed by others, provided a moment of inspiration or simply a reminder of the kindness that exists in our D44 community.
We need more of these individuals in our world and more of these types of conversations taking place on our social media channels.
In this digital age where the term "follower" has taken on new meaning, let us bring it back to this group of people and follow their behavior, not just their Twitter handle.
Wishing you and yours happiness and gratitude that has no season.
Sincerely,
Ted Stec
Superintendent
Join the Conversation
If you have a story of selflessness to share, please e-mail a brief description and photo to communications@sd44.org. Please use the word "D44 Unselfie" in the subject line. Submissions can be completely anonymous. We will continue to feature these stories throughout the year. We also encourage you to share what acts of kindness you have witnessed by posting to Twitter using #D44Unselfie. Help us focus our social media conversation on the good that happens in our world and local community.
D44 Unselfie: Rachael Gates
Unselfie Act: Sponsoring Children in Need
The season of giving has not been lost at Manor Hill Elementary School. Just ask Rachael Gates, Primary Structured Teacher. Gates is currently looking for interested sponsors to support a child in need who has lost a loved one to gun violence. Her efforts are directly connected to the 6th Annual Chicago Survivor’s Gift Drive. Chicago Survivors is an organization that offers a variety of supports to families who have been tragically impacted by gun violence.
Those interested in sponsoring will receive the name, age and gender of a child. They will then be asked to purchase two gifts totaling $25 or less, one “practical” gift such as winter weather accessories and one “fun” gift. Gifts, which should not be wrapped, can be dropped off at Manor Hill and Gates will deliver them to the organization.
For more information, please click here or click the image above.
D44 Unselfie: Members of the Lombard Rotary & Wells Fargo
Unselfie Act: Donating Winter Weather Items & School Supplies
Thanks to the generous donations of our local Rotarians as well as officials at Wells Fargo, several students now have winter coats, boots, hats, gloves and a needed replenishment of school supplies.In the last two weeks, dozens of donations were provided to the Lombard District 44 Administration Center to be distributed to students in need. Both the Rotary and Wells Fargo collected donations based on specific needs provided by each school. Lombard District 44 would like to specifically thank the following individuals for their incredible generosity:
Deanna Wilkins, Lombard Rotary
Ed Seagraves, Lombard Rotary
Connie Gessner, Lombard Rotary
Tiffany C. Wells, Wells Fargo
Pennie Morris, Wells Fargo
D44 Unselfie: Kathryn Crawford
Unselfie Act: Volunteering at Local Clinic
On Saturday, November 10, Crawford volunteered along with members of her family and 342 other volunteers at the 12th annual "Clinic" in Roselle. This was her fourth year participating as an advocate and assisting families in need.
Throughout the day, she helped support 501 guests from 290 families by connecting them with services such as haircuts, dental checks, vision tests, medical screenings, attorney referrals and more. All families also received a food box containing items necessary to make a complete Thanksgiving dinner.
Crawford is a sixth grade science teacher at Glenn Westlake Middle School.
D44 Unselfie: Members of the Lombard District 44 Board of Education
Unselfie Act: Serving on the Board of Education
Members of the Lombard District 44 Board of Education were recognized last week for their ongoing service and volunteerism to the children of the district. Every November, school districts from throughout the state take a moment to thank their board members for giving back to the local community by serving in these critical roles.Serving as a member on the Board of Education is completely voluntary and requires a high-level of commitment and dedication in order to provide important oversight and governance of the district.
D44 Unselfie: Park View Families & Staff
Unselfie Act: Gifts for Families in Need
Park View School is collecting community donations to make the holidays a little bit better for their families in need. Each family in need will receive a gift certificate for each of their children to make the holidays a little bit brighter.D44 Unselfie: Teachers from Lombard Education Association (LEA)
Teachers from the Lombard Education Association (LEA) have begun their 3rd year of support for Community Table, a local charity with support from the Northern Illinois Food Bank and the Outreach House of Lombard. Last year, approximately 100 teachers from the LEA spent over 180 man hours volunteering to support Lombard area families through Community Table. Teachers have found the experience both fun and rewarding.
Community Table serves dinner to over 100 guests every Wednesday at 5:30 PM, and believes that a community that shares a meal together will become a stronger, closer community.
D44 Unselfie: Students and Staff Throughout D44
Students and staff throughout Lombard District 44 worked together to gather donations to the local food pantry for families in need. Donation boxes were placed at several sites through the district for weeks leading into Thanksgiving. Students then helped our Maintenance Team load up the food for delivery.
About Us
Email: communications@sd44.org
Website: sd44.org
Location: 150 West Madison Street, Lombard, IL, USA
Phone: 6308274400
Twitter: @tweetsfrom44