Supt. Dr. Keith Wood’s Update at the September 23 Board of Education Meeting
VVSD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Keith Wood provided an update to the Board of Education at the September 23 Regular Meeting. Supt. Wood thanked the Bolingbrook and Romeoville Police Departments for their support in investigating social media threats against our schools and discussed the impact of sharing of unsubstantiated threats in cyberspace as opposed to reporting these threats to VVSD administration and law enforcement.
VVSD Staff Spotlight- Veronica Garduno, Multilingual Department Executive Secretary
As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate our staff members of Hispanic heritage and introduce you to VVSD Multilingual Department Executive Secretary Veronica Garduno.
Veronica began her career in VVSD as a translator and continues in that role as an executive secretary in the VVSD Multilingual Department. Veronica takes pride in serving as a bridge over the language gap that exists for some of our VVSD families. She experienced that gap when she began going to school as a 13-year-old after coming to the United States from Mexico with her family.
Physicals and Immunization Records Due by October 15
For the 2024-25 school year, all Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, 6th, and 9th grade students, and students new to Valley View School District, must have a current physical examination and required immunization forms turned into their school’s nurse, no later than October 15, 2024. Current physicals must be dated within 12 months of the school start date, on/after August 15, 2023
All 12th grade students must show proof of having received the meningococcal vaccine.12th-grade entry: two doses of meningococcal conjugate vaccine.
Minimum intervals for administration:
● For 6th-grade entry: the first dose received on or after the 11th birthday
● For 12th-grade entry: second dose on or after the 16th birthday and an interval of at least eight weeks after the first dose
Only one dose is required if the first dose was received at 16 years of age or older. No proof of immunity is allowed.
In addition, according to Illinois law, children entering kindergarten or the Illinois school system for the first time must have an eye exam within one year before the first day of school and provide proof to their school by October 15 of that year.
If these documents are not in possession of the school nurse by October 15, your child will be excluded from school until the required documents are received.
If you have any questions, please visit the Valley View School District Website, or contact the school nurse. Appointment cards will not be accepted as proof of a physical exam or immunization. Visit the Student Health Information page at www.vvsd.org for more information.
VVSD Hiring Now for 2024-25 School Year
VVSD is still hiring for a wide range of positions for the 2024-25 school year with an emphasis on adding to our teams of paraprofessionals, lunchroom/playground aides and special education teachers.
We are also seeking new team members including guest teachers, bus drivers, operations & maintenance, nutrition services, and special education staff.
VVSD’s employment opportunities offer schedules for staff members that are in synchronization with school schedules, making VVSD a great choice for parents who need to have their work schedule match up with the school hours, and Winter and Spring Break for their children. To see all VVSD job opportunities and to apply, visit www.vvsd.org/jobs
VVSD Nutrition Services to Provide Free Meals to Students During 2024-25 School Year
VVSD students pre-kindergarten through 12th grade are offered both a free breakfast and lunch meal each school day during the 2024-25 school year. These meals are offered for free by the National School Lunch Program administered by the United States Department of Agriculture through the Community Eligibility Provision for the 2024-25 school year.
No form is needed to receive these free meals. For more information, visit www.vvsd.org/food Households may complete a Fee Waiver Form to apply for school fee waivers and other financial benefits. The 2024-25 Fee Waiver Form can be found here: https://www.vvsd.org/families/pay-school-fees.
VVSD Family Reading Night Hosted by Lukancic Middle School
The VVSD Library Media Center Directors are the hosts for VVSD Family Reading Night on Thu. Nov. 21 at Lukancic Middle School. This District-wide event is a celebration of reading and the vital role that libraries play in fostering a lifelong love of learning, all under the theme “Readers are Leaders.”
The goal of Family Reading Night is to inspire family engagement in reading activities and emphasize the significance of reading in our students’ lives. The evening will feature a variety of engaging sessions for students from kindergarten through 12th grade and their families.
Event Schedule:
5:00 PM: Doors open
5:30 PM: Keynote speaker Adi Alsaid at the Lukancic Auditorium
6:10 – 6:30 PM: First concurrent session
6:35 – 6:55 PM: Second concurrent session
7:00 – 7:20 PM: Final concurrent session
Our keynote speaker, Adi Alsaid, is a renowned local author recognized for his contributions to middle-grade and young-adult literature. The breakout sessions will be interactive and designed to inspire and engage participants of all ages.
Kudos for Noteworthy Achievements
Jane Addams Middle School Principal Sonia Ruiz is now the Illinois Principals’ Association Diversity and Equity Co-Chair. Sonia had previously served in the same role on the IPA Three Rivers Region level. IPA Executive Director Jason Leahy visited Jane Addams for a visit and school tour led by Jane Addams students.
On Mon. Sept. 23, Brooks Middle School students celebrated the 161st birthday of Mary Church Terrell. Mary was a civil rights advocate, college professor, journalist, author, and suffragist. Brooks students honored Mary’s memory with a birthday party, where the students got the gifts, free books donated by various vendors.
The Walls are Closing In (in a manner of speaking) at the Dr. James A. Mitchem, Jr. Early Childhood Center–Bolingbrook Extension. The last month's dry weather may have been bad for area lawns but has been very helpful to the progress of this project.
Simple things can provide a world of wonder and discovery. At the Dr. James A. Mitchem, Jr. Early Childhood Center, they combined an oscillating fan, a large plastic tube, and lightweight fabric to create a “toy” that has an amazing ability to hold the attention of students as the fabric is blown out of the open end of the tube.