

This Week in Valley View
News and Notes from Around the District
May 9, 2024
News of the Week
Both VVSD High Schools Named to US News Best High Schools List
Both Valley View School District 365U high schools, Romeoville HS, and Bolingbrook HS, are among the high schools across the United States identified in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report Annual Rankings of America’s Best High Schools. Romeoville HS ranks 107th in the state of Illinois and Bolingbrook HS ranks 127th. Those rankings place both schools among the top 17% of the 721 high schools in Illinois.
”Romeoville High School's steady improvement in these rankings reflects our everyday
emphasis on continuous improvement and the unwavering support from the community and district administration,” said Romeoville HS Principal Derek Kinder. “In addition to creating an environment of continuous improvement for students, I have to recognize the work being done in our elementary and middle schools to prepare students for the next level. Our RHS staff constantly looks for ways to improve their practices and processes to best support our students and their families with whatever comes their way.”
Romeoville HS ranks fourth and Bolingbrook HS ranks fifth among the member schools of the
Southwest Prairie Conference. In addition to VVSD’s two high schools, the SPC members are Joliet Central, Joliet West, Minooka, Oswego, Oswego East, Plainfield Central, Plainfield East, Plainfield North, Plainfield South, and Yorkville. (Bolingbrook HS moves to the SPC from the Southwestern Suburban Conference beginning with the 2024-25 school year.)
“We are pleased that Bolingbrook High School is again being recognized among the top high schools in Illinois,” said Bolingbrook HS Principal Dr. Jason Pascavage. “In addition to this being a deserved recognition for our students and staff, the US News ranking should also be a point of pride for our entire community that supports VVSD’s mission to prepare students to be college, career and life ready.”
Both schools are ranked in the Top 130 among Illinois High Schools for the fourth year in a row. Since the 2020 Rankings, Romeoville HS’s ranking has improved 41 places, while Bolingbrook HS’s ranking has improved 39 places.
VVSD Staff Spotlight- Wendy Handrarti, Jane Addams MS Kitchen Manager
On May 3rd, VVSD and schools all around the United States celebrated School Lunch Hero Day. The day is dedicated to food and nutrition service professionals who make a difference in the lives of every student who comes through their school cafeteria.
Among the many outstanding members of the VVSD Nutrition Services team is Jane Addams Middle School Kitchen Manager Wendy Handrarti. Wendy’s path to VVSD involves a rather unlikely tale of how cheesecake led to ownership of a pizza place, and then coming to VVSD in a search for more reasonable work hours conducive to raising a family.
Valley View Council AFT Giving Away 40,000 Books on Sat. May 11 at Bolingbrook HS
The Valley View Council AFT 604 will host a Family Literacy Festival where over 40,000 books will be given out for free to VVSD students and educators. This event is part of a nationwide partnership between the American Federation of Teachers and First Book, a national non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all children, regardless of their background or ZIP code, can succeed by removing barriers to equitable education.
The Valley View Council and VVSD are teaming up to stage this local event on Sat. May 11 from 10 am-2 pm in the Bolingbrook HS Fieldhouse. (Enter through Door 24) In addition to the available free books, there will be a variety of family activities including snacks and giveaways, photo opportunities, and performances by some VVSD student groups.
Books are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so please plan on arriving early. Parents and guardians are welcome to choose up to ten books per child for home libraries with a 30 book per family limit. Educators and school staff members may choose up to 30 free books for their classroom.
For more information, contact Valley View Council at 630-679-3458 or calabreserm@vvsd.org
Registration for the 2024-25 School Year for Returning Students Now Open
Registration for our VVSD returning students for the new school year that begins in August opens on Fri. May 3 at www.vvsd.org Please note that registration fees are not due until July, so you can register beginning on May 3 and pay any fees later. For complete registration information, visit www.vvsd.org/BTS
VVSD Kindergarten Enrollment for the Class of 2037 Now Open
VVSD Kindergarten registration for the Class of 2037 is now open through the online enrollment process. To be eligible to register, a student must be five years old on or before Sept 1, 2024, and the family must live with VVSD boundaries. Families of current VVSD students will be able to register via their Infinite Campus Parent Portal account, while families new to the District will be able to register online.
VVSD Now Hiring for 2024-25 School Year
VVSD is hiring for a wide range of positions for the 2024-25 school year.We are seeking new team members including teachers, guest teachers, bus drivers, paraprofessionals, operations & maintenance, nutrition services, lunchroom & playground aides, 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
Notice Regarding Paid Transportation for the 2024-25 School Year
The application period for paid student transportation for the 2024-25 school year will open Mon. July 1 and will close Wed. July 31. Seating is limited on a first come, first served basis and paid transportation students may be removed from routes due to changes in capacity limits. Paid student transportation application window will close for the month of August for the 2024-25 school year, and will re-open on Tue. Sept. 3, pending availability.
Upon notification of acceptance for paid student transportation Visa, MasterCard or Discover card payments for the full year or the first semester can be accepted over the phone at 815-886-6686 between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
Paid student transportation rates are as follows:
One student- $575 full year ($287.50 per semester - 2nd semester payment due no later than December 15, 2024.
Two or more students $1150 in full ($575 per semester - 2nd semester payment due no later than December 15, 2024.
Pro-rated Paid Transportation will not be available.
VVEEF Nine & Dine Golf Outing Set for Thu. June 6 Golf Foursomes SOLD OUT! Dinner Tickets and Other Sponsorships Available
The Valley View Educational Enrichment Foundation wishes to thank the community for its support in selling out the foursomes for the golf portion of the annual Nine & Dine Golf Outing on Thu. June 6 at Bolingbrook Golf Club.
If you would still like to support the VVEEF and the additional programs for the benefit of VVSD students created by the proceeds of the event, dinner tickets and sponsorships are still available.
The Dinner and Happy Hour Package includes the post golf reception along with raffles and games, and lots of shenanigans along the way!
Follow the link to register your foursome or sponsorship. Spots are limited and sell out fast!
https://VVEEFgolf2024.givesmart.com
Contact Rachel Dellamorte with any questions at dellamorre@vvsd.org or 630-670-3148, but registrations are first come, first served through our online registration.
Family Learning Events
RX Mobile Food Pantry at Bolingbrook HS
Tuesday, May 7, 2024, 09:00 AM
Bolingbrook High School, Raider Way, Bolingbrook, IL, USA
Initial Communication Device (AAC) Training
Friday, May 17, 2024, 09:30 AM
Valley View School District Administrative Center, Normantown Road, Romeoville, IL, USA
Noteworthy Achievements
Six VVSD student-athletes will compete in the IHSA Badminton Championship Fri. & Sat. May 10-11 in DeKalb. Romeoville HS 12th grade student Clarie An will compete in the singles competition along with Bolingbrook HS 12th grade student Emily Calderon. Bolingbrook HS is also sending two doubles teams to the state finals, 12th grade students Maitri Patel and Isabella Yap, and the team of 12th grade student Viviana Garcia and 11th grade student Issa Andora.
Pictured Right: The Jane Addams Algebra Team working at the 2024 VVSD Middle School Math Contest.
The Jane Addams Middle School Math Team took possession of the highly coveted Bust of Pythagoras for the next 365 days by winning the 2024 VVSD Middle School Math Contest. The Mustang Mathletes won the overall competition by finishing first in the 8th grade competition, tied for first in the Algebra competition and second in the 6th grade competition.
Seen Around Valley View-
Independence Elementary 2nd Grade students in Verenis Gallarso’s classroom received their weekly yoga visit from instructor Beth Nuesser. Yoga is taught as a self-regulating technique for students with the help of Guiding Light Counseling.
Many of our VVSD School Facility dogs gathered for a team photo and to deliver the proceeds of a student fundraising drive benefiting Healing Hearts. The dogs are initially trained by Healing Hearts before joining the family of their VVSD staff member. The student fundraising drive raised nearly $600 to assist Healing Hearts in their mission to enrich the lives of others by providing hope and healing through the compassion of canine companions.
VVSD Superintendent Dr. Keith Wood welcomes students to the Those Who Excel Luncheon honoring graduating 12th grade students selected for recognition based on nominations from teachers. Those Who Excel is a more than half-century old tradition in VVSD.
Quick Notes
The next regular meeting of the Valley View Board of Education will be held Monday, May 13 at John J. Lukancic Middle School, 725 W. Normantown Rd., Romeoville IL. This meeting will begin at 6:30 pm, at which time the Board will vote to move to Closed Executive Session. The Public Session of the meeting will begin at 7 p.m.
In accordance with the Open Meetings Act, the Agenda for the meeting will be posted no later than 48 hours prior to the start of the meeting. Click here to view the Agenda The Meeting is available via live stream on the VVSD YouTube Channel, VVSD365U
Romeoville HS Percussion Studio Drum Theater Fri. & Sat. May 10 & 11
The award-winning Romeoville HS Percussion Studio presents their annual Drum Theater on Fri. May 10 at 6 pm & Sat. May at Noon in the RHS David Carlson Auditorium. Drum Theater is a sensory adventure into the creative world of percussion covering nearly every musical genre and incorporating dance and performance theater. The Fri. May 10 performance includes a guest appearance by Feel Beale and Kung Fu DJ will be the special guest on Sat. May 11. Both performances include a “percussion petting zoo” offering guests the chance to bang on the drum all day, especially if they don’t want to work!
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Important School Calendar Dates
Mon. May 20- Bolingbrook HS Graduation 6:30 pm
Tue. May 21- Romeoville HS Graduation 7:00 pm
Wed. May 22- Middle School Promotion Ceremonies 6:30 pm
Fri. May 24- Last Day of School (If no emergency days are used)
Early Release (Elem 2:15, MS 1:20, HS 12:43)
Events for the Coming Week
Thu. May 9
Wood View Elementary Spring Concerts at Brooks MS 6 pm
Fri. May 10
Independence Spring Concerts 9:30 am
Skoff Elementary Spring Concerts at Lukancic 9:30 am
STEP Students vs. Staff Basketball Game 10 am
Romeoville HS Percussion Studio Drum Theater 6 pm
Jane Addams Middle School Beginning Band Concert 7 pm
Sat. May 11
Romeoville HS Percussion Studio Drum Theater Noon
Wed. May 15
Independence Elementary Multicultural Fair
Fri. May 17
Hermansen Elementary Spring Concerts 9:30 am
Mon. May 20
Bolingbrook HS Graduation 6:30 pm
Tue. May 21
BJ Ward Elementary Field Day 9:30 am
Romeoville HS Graduation 7 pm
Wed. May 22
Salk Elementary Field Day 9:30 am
STEP Alumni Picnic 10:30 am
VVSD Middle School Promotion 6:30 pm
Thu. May 23
STEP Exiting Ceremony 5:30 pm
Fri. May 24
BJ Ward 5th Grade Awards and Clap Out 1:30 pm
RC Hill 5th Grade Clap Out 1:45 pm
Community Connections
VVSD Schools Fundraising Drive for Healing Hearts and the ICAN Therapy Dog Program
VVSD wants to give our thanks to Healing Hearts, and the ICAN Therapy Dogs for bringing joy, hope and support to our students. The following schools during the week of April 22- April 26 will be collecting Dollars for Dogs! We want to give back to their agencies so they can continue to fill more of our schools and our homes with support dogs.
If you would like to contribute to their programs you can drop off donations or send them with your student to any of the participating schools during that week. The participating elementary schools are: Hermansen, R.C. Hill, McGee, Oak View, Skoff, and BJ Ward. The participating middle schools are Jane Addams, Humphrey, Lukancic, A.Vito Martinez, along with Bolingbrook HS.
Bolingbrook Park District
Bolingbrook Park District residents and Valley View School District students are now able to register for the REACH All-Day Care program. All the information and how to register is located at the following: http://www.bolingbrookparks.org/en/programs/reach-extended-school-care/
Fountaindale Public Library
Did you know you can get free or discounted admission into many Illinois museums and cultural attractions with your Fountaindale Public Library Card? Grab a Museum Adventure Pass or search Explore More Illinois to visit museums, zoos, aquariums, gardens, historical societies and more. It's a fantastic way to delve into the rich cultural offerings of Illinois and make lasting memories with your family. Learn more at fountaindale.org/museum.
West Suburban Community Pantry
West Suburban Community Pantry provides emergency food services to people in DuPage and Will Counties through both our in-person and virtual food pantries. We also connect families with other vital resources so they can pursue a brighter future. We are breaking down barriers that prevent our neighbors from getting the nourishment they need to succeed by offering a variety of services. Find out more at WSCPantry.org, or shop for groceries online at VirtualFoodPantry.net
Romeoville Community Pantry
The Romeoville Community Pantry is a community service organization operated by volunteers in the Romeoville community. The Pantry serves anyone who lives in Romeoville, Bolingbrook, Lockport, Plainfield, Lemont, and Crest Hill. The pantry is open every Saturday 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Clients are asked to provide a current photo ID and proof of residence in order to participate in our services. The location is inside the United Presbyterian Church located at 2 Belmont Drive in Romeoville. Please check the Romeoville Community Pantry Facebook page for any further updates https://www.facebook.com/romeovillecommunitypantry/
Northern Illinois Food Bank
The Northern Illinois Food Bank is conducting mobile food banks and micro pantries in the vicinity in the near future. Please bring bags or boxes. Micro Pantries are designed to allow anonymous food pick-up for those in need and a drop-off point for those who wish to help. Micro pantries are accessible 24 hours a day. To find a Micro Pantry near you visit: http://arcg.is/04LijC
Will County MAPP Food Micro Pantries
Will County Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships conducts micro and mobile food pantries throughout Will County. Click here for more details and a map of locations.