Trimester 1 Newsletter

Prior to COVID-19, District 146 used to send out a quarterly newsletter. Once the pandemic hit and our buildings went remote, we sent weekly newsletters updating our families about at-home learning. Our dedicated principals then took the reins and began sending weekly newsletters from each of our schools. Our quarterly newsletter seemed redundant.

However, there is District information that is important to our families that might not fit in your school newsletter. So we will be sharing a new District-level newsletter that is aligned with our school calendar. You will begin receiving a newsletter once each trimester. This is in addition to the new Board of Education Notes that you receive by email following each monthly Board meeting.

In the Communications Update below, you will read how the content and frequency of this newsletter was determined.

We hope to use this newsletter as an additional line of two-way communication with families. Not only will we be using it to share information with you, but we will also be asking you for input and ideas. I hope you will participate to make this a truly collaborative experience.

Last spring, families were asked how often they would like to hear from the District office, and what kind of information they would like to receive. The results of that survey have been reviewed and, in response, this new Trimester Newsletter has been conceived.

Families were evenly divided as to how often they would like to receive information, with one-third preferring weekly updates, one-third wanting quarterly updates, and one-third preferring information only when necessary. The District settled on a newsletter each trimester, as schools send newsletters each week.

In each Trimester Newsletter you will find the information families requested most: District-level information from the Superintendent and department heads, news from the schools, and a schedule of upcoming District events. Families will also be asked to participate in two-way communication by answering a specific question or prompt each trimester. These will help shape future District decisions.

The goal of the Trimester Newsletter is not to push information at families, but to open an additional line of communication with families. If there is anything you feel is missing from the newsletter, please reach out at kkociss@district146.org.

At its meeting in December 2021, the Board of Education approved an application for the District to take part in the Property Tax Relief Grant Program (PTRG). The program requires school districts to abate property taxes for two years, in exchange for increased State funding.

The grant requires the District to abate property taxes in the amount of $1.7 million each of the next two years. The property tax bills that were recently sent out reflect the first year of the PTRG abatement. Bills that are sent out one year from now will reflect the second year.

The PTRG abatement comes after the Board of Education abated $1 million in property taxes during tax year 2020. That abatement was in effect for the property tax bills paid during 2021.

The Board of Education approved the FY2023 Budget at its September meeting. The preliminary budget was presented to the Board at the August meeting, and a Public Hearing was held immediately preceding the September meeting.

The Budget Presentation can be viewed here. The full FY2023 budget, along with past budgets, can be found on our website.

The Twisters Leading Twisters (TLT) Club hosted its annual Crazy Cricket Tournament. During Advisory, each team competed against one another until one team remained. This exciting and competitive event brought students together to start the school year on a positive note. This exciting and competitive event had students looking forward to coming to school and being involved at CMS. This year, for the first time in the history of the tournament, a 7th grade team took the Championship with Mrs. Crabbe's Advisory winning over Mrs. Roat/Mrs. Caprio's Advisory! Congratulations to all of those competing!

This year at Fierke, all students and staff were sorted into Hives, similar to the house system in Harry Potter. Each Hive ends up being comprised of students from Kindergarten through 5th grade. The primary focus and purpose of the Hives is to develop student leadership through peer mentoring. The system also aligns with Fierke’s “Character Counts” program. Older students are responsible for teaching and mentoring younger students on character development, leadership, and school-wide expectations. Fun activities are planned throughout the year that allow students to demonstrate leadership while building a sense of community and belonging. Here is a video promoting the Hive system.

Fulton’s Student Council is continuing its tradition of collecting pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House. Since 2014, Fulton has collected half a million pop tabs! Last year alone, they collected 106 pounds of tabs. The Ronald McDonald House sent a letter of appreciation to Fulton’s Student Council expressing thanks for all of the contributions. The Student Council, comprised of 4th and 5th Grade Students, will be collecting pop tabs throughout the year. Collection boxes were sent home with students, and a large bin is placed in the foyer for students to drop off tabs throughout the year.

Students at Kruse recently reviewed and practiced expectations in common areas like the playground, cafeteria, and hallways. All students rotated through seven stations. Staff led the discussions for students in grades 2-5, and some 5th grade students helped the teachers lead the review for kindergarten and 1st grade. This program highlighted Kruse’s Safe and Civil Schools initiatives and helped the older students learn leadership skills.

Memorial started their family "Side by Sides" this trimester. Students in the 4th and 5th grades created SMART goals with their families. They revisited these goals at the recent parent teacher conferences and will continue to review them together throughout the year. Side by Sides are a great approach for parents, students, and teachers to work together to set, monitor, and reach goals.

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?

November

23-25: No School

30: Report Cards Released

December

5: BoE Committee of the Whole Meeting

12: Board of Education Meeting

22: Half-Day Attendance

23: Winter Break Begins

January

9: Winter Break Ends, Students Return

9: Board of Education Meeting

16: No School- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

19: Beginning Band Demonstration

February

3: No School- SIP Day

6: BoE Committee of the Whole Meeting

7: District Spelling Bee

13: Board of Education Meeting

20: No School- Presidents Day

23: District 146 Math Challenge

25: District 146 Music-a-Thon

March

2: End of Trimester 2

2: Math Challenge Awards Night

Darcy Nendza, President

Julie Berry, Vice President

Rick Lloyd, Secretary

Dean Casper, Member

Patty Chlada, Member

Jill Dunlap, Member

John Malloy, Member

Dr. Jeff Stawick, Superintendent

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