Gower 62 Community Newsletter
May 16, 2024
Congratulations on an Amazing School Year!
Great job to both of our schools and to everyone that plays a role in providing the wide variety of student services offered in Gower School District! As I share often, 'organizations cannot grow without feedback', and each of our schools are asking for your feedback... Again:) Please take the Gower West and/or Gower Middle Parent Survey to help us dial in on what's working and what's not. Remember, Your Voice. Your School.
Another noteworthy development this year is that a new, 5-year Collective Bargaining Agreement was ratified by the Gower Education Association on May 13th and approved unanimously by the Board of Education on May 14th. Keep in mind, 2024 was also described as a year to be full of 'cooperation, upbeat energy, and understanding' that offers 'opportunities for growth and stability in relationships'. Gower has used the first five months of the calendar year to bring that description to life with a a new teacher contract that offers long-term stability and places the school district in a position to continue to grow and thrive.
Board President, Ryan Asmus, shared his sense of gratitude for an "efficient, professional, and thoughtful negotiation process that held to the collaborative statement of bargaining that was crafted at the first official bargaining session back in December - In order to continue to maintain the benefits of stability within the Gower Community, we will seek creative solutions to attract and retain high quality teachers who are equipped to handle the ever-changing educational landscape and uphold our rigorous education standards while adhering to a model of fiscal responsibility." Board Vice President, Nagla Fetouh, described the overall process as, 'A great team effort that leaned into the true spirit of collaboration and an outcome we can all be proud of!' Noteworthy indeed! 😊
And last, but certainly not least, I made mention over a year ago that Mrs. Rodewald, our fearless leader of Gower West, was heading into her final year before retirement. That time is here. Mrs. Rodewald is an All-Star, a 'Principal with a capital P', and can never be thanked enough for her dedication to the Gower School Community. As shared in the Board meeting Tuesday night, "She is leaving Gower West Elementary School better than she found it and has built a Team - in the truest sense of the word - to take the baton and keep running forward with it." I know this year's 4th Grade Clap Out will be a special one for Gina and I encourage everyone to share their well wishes, thanks, and gratitude to one of the best in the business!
And to that point, the Gower Foundation and PTO co-sponsored video, We are Gower West, does a wonderful job capturing what we mean when we refer to our district motto, Children at their Best! And there is no question that Mrs. Rodewald has served the Gower School Community for the last 13 years in a way that has inspired many to be 'their best'. Enjoy the video and enjoy the upcoming summer that is now only days away! To those students heading on to high school or elsewhere, we wish you all the best. To those returning for another amazing year, we all look forward to seeing you in August.
As always, if you would like to discuss this or any other Gower Community topic further, please reach out to me directly at vsimon@gower62.com. In fact, for anyone interested in being involved in a district-wide 'strategic planning' effort, send me an email or call the district office directly at 630-286-4929. Our district motto will celebrate its 20 year anniversary in 2025 and I look forward to initiating a community effort in the fall to help us develop specific goals and related action plans around a simple, but meaningful motto that has served a generation of Gower Gladiators and stands ready to evolve in whatever ways are needed to best serve the next generation...
Children at their Best!
Dr. Simon
Superintendent of Schools
Board of Education Meeting - Regular Meeting 5/14/2024
Regular Board Meeting Summary: The meeting was called to order and there was no public comment offered from those in attendance. The Board saluted this year's retirees: Mary Thuma (Speech Language Pathologist at Gower West), Michelle Reynolds (Special Education Resource Teacher at Gower Middle), and Gower West Principal Gina Rodewald. We thank them for all they've done for the Gower Community and wish them the best in this exciting next chapter in life!
The meeting continued with the monthly Superintendent's Report. The Board reviewed a series of additional monthly reports, as well as the preliminary FY25 Education Fund budget. A number of Board policy revisions were approved as part of the district's 4-year revision cycle, an update was made to the 2024-2025 Board of Education meeting schedule, and the new 5th-8th grade science curriculum was approved.
The Board also unanimously voted to approve the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the Board of Education and the Gower Education Association (GEA). The contract will run from August 2024 through August of 2029. Thank you to the negotiating committee for their hard work to get this done!
The Board did not enter Executive (closed) session. The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
The next regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting is scheduled for June 18, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. in the Gower School District Board Room, Gower West, south end of campus Door #B22. As always, you are invited to attend and share your thoughts and feedback with the Board.
Board Salute
Congratulations to our wonderful retirees! We wish them the best in this next chapter in their lives and thank them for their collective decades of service to the Gower community! To learn more about Michelle Reynolds, Mary Thuma, and Gina Rodewald (pictured left to right) you can read the formal Board Salute report here.
Important Upcoming Dates!
May 21 - 8th Grade Graduation, Gower Middle, 7 p.m.
May 24 - Early Dismissal and Last Day of School
June 3 - First Day of Summer School
June 18 - Board of Education Meeting, 7 p.m.
June 19 - Juneteenth Holiday (District Closed)
June 27 - Last Day of Summer School
July 4 - Independence Day (District Closed)
There is no Board of Education Meeting scheduled for July
August 20 - Board of Education Meeting, 7 p.m.
August 21 - Meet & Greet (4 - 6 p.m.) and Back to School Bash (5 - 7 p.m.)
August 23 - First Day of School - 2024-2025 School Year