Board Briefs May 2024

The Board of Education approved a new strategic plan developed by a team of 54 residents, staff members, parents, and students.

The team created a Mission, Vision, Core Values, and Portraits that define the characteristics of a learner, staff member, family, and system. Superintendent Dr. Jason Pearson said the team also identified four broad goals and 10 strategies that will set the direction for district and school improvement for the next 3 to 5 years.

The plan is the product of three daylong strategic planning team retreats, a community-wide survey, two community engagement forums, and community feedback at each phase of development over the past five months.

“It is a huge commitment to ask people to give up three full days to come together for this work,” Dr. Pearson said. “It is reflective of the pride our community has for our district to have so many people willing to commit to our entire process.”

Board President Jennifer Gallinson thanked the committee members and everyone who participated in providing feedback on the plan.

Now that the framework is complete, district and school teams will develop action plans and timelines for each of the goals, which will be presented to the board in the fall, Dr. Pearson said.

After two years of research and evaluation as part of the district’s curriculum review cycle, the junior high literacy committee has identified a curriculum that best fits the priorities to improve learning, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Kris Raitzer said.

The new curriculum, StudySync ELA, provides common language, assessments and strategies. The program also integrates vocabulary and college and career readiness expectations of the Illinois Learning Standards. There are resources for grammar and vocabulary and a variety of materials to challenge all levels of learners. There are also several opportunities for writing activities and oral projects, Dr. Raitzer said. Teachers are preparing to implement the new program next school year.

The Board of Education will meet as a Committee of the Whole at 5 p.m. on June 25 to review the Facilities Master Plan. The Buildings and Grounds Committee will provide an overview of funded and non-funded projects identified in the plan.

Summer work this year is already underway and will move into full swing following the last day of school on June 4. The board approved $91,000 in concrete and asphalt repairs for this summer, with work at each of the district’s four schools. Renovations to the Greenbriar main office were already approved for more efficient use of space and to accommodate more offices for student support services.

Seven staff positions were filled for the 2024-25 school year. In addition, two support staff members were hired to begin in May. Jenny Kenny is returning to her previous position as a health aide at Northbrook Junior High and Swagata Deb was hired as a 1:1 assistant at Westmoor School.

2024-25 Staff

Kalie Athans, Special Education Teacher at Meadowbrook

Ms. Athans has a bachelor’s degree in special education from DePaul University and is a learning behavior specialist. She previously worked at Park Ridge-Niles District 64.

Anna Solorio, Speech Language Pathologist for Young Explorers Early Childhood Program

Ms. Solorio has a master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders from Elmhurst College and is a licensed speech-language pathologist. She previously worked at Community Consolidated School District 15 in Palatine.

Marcy Mathew, Speech Language Pathologist for Young Explorers Early Childhood Program

Ms. Mathew has a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from Queens College and is a licensed speech-language pathologist. She previously worked in Norridge District 80.

Stacey Partain, Speech Language Pathologist for Foundational at Greenbriar

Ms. Partain has a master’s degree in speech, language and learning from Northwestern University and is a licensed speech-language pathologist. She previously worked at TrueNorth Educational Cooperative.

Rebecca Parkinson, Social Worker at Westmoor

Ms. Parkinson has a master’s degree in social work from Loyola University and is a licensed school social worker. She previously worked in private practice and at Saint Andrew School. This is a homecoming for Ms. Parkinson, who most recently worked for District 28 in the 2018-19 school year.

Montserrat Duarte Mejia, Special Education Teacher at Greenbriar

Ms. Duarte-Mejia has a bachelor’s degree in special education from Dominican University and is a licensed learning behavior specialist. She previously worked at Community Consolidated School District 15 in Palatine.

Rose Hankes, Social Worker at Meadowbrook

Ms. Hankes has a master’s degree in social work from the University of Chicago and is a licensed school social worker. She previously worked at Des Plaines School District 62.

Attention Class of 2024

You are invited to take a walk through the halls of your elementary school "Where It All Began" at 2 p.m. May 31. Come dressed in your cap and gown, and if you choose, a t-shirt representing your next adventure. Gather at the front of your elementary school at 2 p.m. and get ready to walk through the halls to visit teachers, greet students and celebrate your accomplishments. As a graduating senior, you are an inspiration to our young students. Your teachers will be so happy to see you! And, you'll have a chance to celebrate with your classmates.