News From CLA!

Hello ABLE and REACH Families,

May is here, and spring is in full bloom! As we approach the end of the school year—with just a few weeks remaining—it’s a great time to reflect on all the exciting adventures we’ve had. Our students have learned so much and created lasting memories, and we’re proud of all they’ve accomplished.

But the fun isn’t over yet! We still have plenty of time to learn, grow, and celebrate together. We’re looking forward to our upcoming Spring Talent Show, where some of our ABLE and REACH students will have the opportunity to showcase their amazing skills. We’ll also be holding our annual Field Day, a special event filled with fun, friendship, and laughter.

In June, we’ll celebrate our 8th grade graduates as they prepare to take the next big step into high school. We’re so proud of their progress and excited for what lies ahead.

As we wrap up the school year, we’re grateful for the time we’ve shared and the continued opportunity to learn and grow with one another.

Thank you for your continued support throughout the year.

Sincerely,

Matt Stary

Principal, Conyers Learning Academy

March of this year marked the 40th anniversary of Music In Our Schools Month (MIOSM)—a nationwide celebration recognizing the vital role of music education. The 2025 theme, “United Through Music,” highlights the power of music to bring people together. In that spirit, we’re excited to spotlight our incredible band instructor, Mrs. Vanessa Thomsen, and the talented students from the ABLE and REACH programs who meet with her each week to explore the joy of music.

Mrs. Thomsen has been the band instructor at CLA for the past seven years. She loves being part of something that brightens her students’ day and provides them with a creative outlet. Playing an instrument gives students the chance to express themselves in a positive way and be part of something meaningful—opportunities they might not otherwise have.

Our band students play a variety of instruments, though this year, the drums seem to be the most popular. I had the chance to sit down with some of our student musicians to hear what they enjoy most about band. Ki’Wanis shared that his favorite part is getting to play alongside his friend Emiliano. Emiliano, in turn, said he enjoys picking the music they’ll perform together. Bryston said he enjoys band because “Mrs. Thomsen is so nice,” and he especially loves practicing the 16th notes because he likes the faster rhythms. Gus said, “Band is fun. I get to move around,” and added that he enjoys rocking out. Cameryn’s favorite part of band is playing along to the songs from Moana.

Xavier is one of our few students who plays a brass instrument. He started on the trumpet but later switched to the trombone, which he feels is a much better fit. “My whole life I wanted to play in band,” Xavier said. He hopes to continue developing his musical talent and dreams of one day appearing in a music video. His trumpet playing counterpart, Eli likes the trumpet because its challenging. "You have to move your fingers a lot and focus really hard."

We are incredibly proud of our ABLE and REACH students and the hard work they put into their practicing and playing each week. We’re equally grateful to Mrs. Thomsen for sharing her passion for music and helping our students grow and thrive through this unique and joyful experience.

May 5th - 9th

• Staff Appreciation Week

May 14th

• Spring Festival @ CLA 5:30 - 7:00 pm
• Board of Education Meeting (7-10 pm @ Walter R. Sundling Junior High)

May 22nd

• ABLE/REACH Talent Show 2-3:30 pm
• Dine & Share at Daisy's 5:30 - 6:30 pm - (See flier for details.)

May 26th

• Memorial Day - No School

June 11th

• ABLE/REACH Graduation 12:30 - 1:30 pm

June 13th

• Last Day of School - Half-Day - 12:20 pm

On Thursday, May 22nd, 2025, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., the ABLE and REACH program will proudly host their Spring Talent Show! Some of our amazing students will take the stage to showcase their unique talents—from singing and dancing to joke-telling and more. It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate their creativity and confidence outside of the classroom setting.

Families are welcome to attend! However, please note that not all students will be performing. We encourage you to reach out to your child’s classroom teacher to find out if they will be participating.

If you plan to attend, please RSVP directly with your child’s teacher. All visitors must check in at the main office with a valid state-issued ID. To ensure we begin and end on time, no visitors will be admitted after 1:50 p.m., and the performance will begin promptly at 2:00 p.m.

We look forward to seeing you there and celebrating our talented students!

Please click on this link for the D15 School Calendar.

Did you child lose something at school? Please check out our virtual Lost and Found to search for and claim your child's missing items. CLA Virtual Lost & Found

All of your transportation information can be found in the My Ride K-12 App, district 15's new GPS Bus Locator. For more details and directions on how to download, follow the link to our district page.

Hello ABLE and REACH Families,

The CLA PTA is excited to invite all Conyers families to our Spring Festival on Wednesday, May 14th, 2025, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. This free event promises an evening of fun, community, and entertainment for the whole family!

We’ll be showing the animated family film “Migration”—a heartwarming adventure from the creators of Minions and The Secret Life of Pets. The movie follows a family of ducks who set off on a vacation of a lifetime, only to get swept up in unexpected challenges and unforgettable moments. It’s a story about stepping out of your comfort zone, facing your fears, and discovering the world together.

In addition to the movie, there will be crafts, games, and pizza and snacks available for purchase. We encourage families to bring foldable chairs, blankets, or beach towels for comfortable seating during the film.

Please note: This is not a drop-off event—students must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, please refer to the event flier. We look forward to seeing you there!

Not a member yet? It’s never too late to join our small but mighty CLA PTA!

By joining, you’re helping support our school with activities, events, and so much more. Membership doesn’t require you to volunteer or attend meetings (though we’d love to see you there!). Sign up today to make a difference!

Sign up here: https://cla.givebacks.com/store

Follow us on Facebook at CLA PTA FACEBOOK PAGE

Any questions? Email us at conyerspta@gmail.com

Did you know? Good attendance is a predictor of future employment success.

Tip: Make school attendance a priority in your household. Keep absences to 9 days or less for a brighter future!

Please click on this link for the latest D15 newsletter!

We are hosting literacy nights, and all are welcome!

May 13th

Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu will be at Central Road

Ukrainian will be at Lincoln

May 20th

Japanese will be at Pleasant Hill

Russian will be at Hunting Ridge

Please see this flier for more information.

Hello D15 Families!

Get ready for an exciting summer reading adventure! Sign your child up for a FREE virtual book club where they’ll dive into amazing stories!

Led by passionate teachers from across the district, this book club will spark your child’s love for reading. Plus, they’ll receive their club books absolutely free!

Please limit your sign-ups to one book club per student to ensure as many students as possible have a chance to join a book club.

Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity! Click Here to learn more.

Interested in joining the District 15 team? Mark your calendar for an upcoming CCSD15 Job Fair!

Date: Every Wednesday

Time: 10 am to 1 p.m.

Location: Educational Service Center, 580 N. 1st Bank Drive, Palatine

For more information: Contact Andy Elbert, Director of Human Resources, elberta@ccsd15.net, 847-963-3020 or Jamie Randell, Human Resource Specialist, randellj@ccsd15.net, 847-963-3014

This month, we’re shining a spotlight on our incredible ABLE and REACH Middle School teachers; two dedicated professionals who bring passion, persistence, and purpose to their classrooms each and every day.

Our middle school teachers are not only hard-working, they are deeply committed to helping students succeed both academically and socially. They set high expectations for their students and work tirelessly to ensure those expectations are paired with the strategic support and individualized planning our students need to grow. Whether it’s differentiating instruction, teaching executive functioning skills, or building independence, these teachers are intentional in every move they make; always with an eye toward preparing students for high school and life beyond CLA.

Courtney Milner is our amazing REACH Middle School teacher. While Ms. Milner is in just her second year at CLA and in District 15, she brings with her over 13 years of experience, primarily in middle school classrooms. She may be new to our building, but she’s certainly no rookie when it comes to teaching.

For Ms. Milner, CLA is more than just a school, it’s a community. “For me, it’s the feeling I get being at CLA,” she shared. “It’s the support from my PAs, other teachers, admin, and clinicians. It’s the way we all find something positive and fun even on the toughest days. When we have breakthroughs with our students and see that what we do, day in and day out, really matters and makes a difference.” That’s what makes CLA so special.

Outside the classroom, Courtney enjoys reading, going for walks with her son, and practicing Jiu Jitsu. Her favorite things include her son, her cat, good food, and a great cup of coffee. Whether she’s leading a classroom or rolling on the mat, Courtney brings heart, humor, and resilience to everything she does. We’re lucky to have her as part of the CLA team!

Jenny Orth has been a proud member of the CLA family for 11 of her 12 years in District 15. Jenny has a gift for making a very difficult job look effortless. She is always willing to collaborate with others, bringing a student-centered approach to everything she does and working tirelessly to do what’s best for her students.

When asked what she loves most about CLA, Jenny didn’t hesitate: “Graduation day is such an amazing day! As a teacher, it’s filled with all the emotions—pride in how hard the students have worked to get to this point, sadness in saying goodbye, and excitement for all that lies ahead for these amazing kids.”

Outside of school, Jenny enjoys spending time with her family, especially cheering on her son at his sporting events. She’s always up for soaking in the sunshine, enjoying warm weather, or ordering her favorite sushi.

We are truly lucky to have Jenny as part of the CLA team. Her dedication, warmth, and heart make a lasting impact on our students and staff alike.

Come check out our new and improved website!

Our wonderful administration and office team are here to support our students and families however we can. We are looking forward to connecting with you at CLA at the events we have planned for the upcoming year. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the office or email us directly.

Matt Stary - Principal (starym@ccsd15.net)

Christy Loh - Assistant Principal (lohc@ccsd15.net)

Jamin Blancarte - Secretary (blancarv@ccsd15.net)

(Se habla español)

Lynn Erdmann - Clerical (erdmannl@ccsd15.net)

Debbie Vojak - School Nurse (vojackd@ccsd15.net)

Principal - Conyers Learning Academy - Therapeutic Day

Email: starym@ccsd15.net

Website: https://cla.ccsd15.net/

Address: 2800 Central Road, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008

Phone: 847-963-3480