

This Week in Valley View
News and Notes from Around the District
July 11, 2024
News of the Week
VVSD Class of 2024 Spotlight- Tejas Patnaik, Bolingbrook HS Valedictorian
Bolingbrook HS Class of 2024 Valedictorian Tejas Patnaik may be one of those students whose interests perfectly align with an emerging field of study. Tejas has always been interested in computers and how their use can improve the human experience.
Tejas will attend Harvard University beginning in the fall, studying electrical engineering and computer science. Tejas is committed to taking emerging Artificial Intelligence technology and incorporating AI into programming to further improve how humans interact with each other and share ideas.
VVSD Class of 2024 Spotlight- Natalie Goc, Romeoville HS Salutatorian
Romeoville HS Class of 2024 Salutatorian Natalie Goc is a person with interests that span a wide spectrum. In school, self-imposed expectations originally caused challenges in math, until Natalie overcame those expectations to excel in the subject. In after school activities, Natalie is just as likely to wear dance shoes as she is to wear hockey skates.
Natalie will attend Villanova University in the fall and will study finance. One reason Natalie is choosing that path is because finance offers a variety of disciplines for a career choice.
VVSD Summer Library Program
Please join us this June and July for VVSD’s annual Summer Library Events, open to all VVSD students, regardless of the building they attend. These events offer an array of engaging activities and opportunities. Students will be able to check out library books, participate in STEM activities, join insightful book talks, and much more! Visit www.vvsd.org/summerlibrary to see available dates/times and descriptions of each event. If you have any questions, you can reach out to your building library media center director for further information.
VVSD Job Fair, Tue. July 16 9:30 am- 2:30 pm at Fountaindale Library, Bolingbrook
Valley View School Community Unit School District 365U will be hosting a Job Fair on Tuesday, July 16 from 9:30 am- 2:30 pm at the Fountaindale Public Library, 300 W. Briarcliff Rd. in Bolingbrook. Immediate interviews will be offered at the Job Fair and some hiring decisions will be made on-the-spot for those who qualify.
Those attending the Job Fair should dress professionally and make certain to bring their valid driver’s license and Social Security card.
VVSD is currently making immediate hiring decisions for a variety of part-time and full-time positions for the 2024-25 school year. Current available job categories include Lunchroom Aides, Lunchroom & Playground Aides, Nutrition Services staff, Paraprofessionals, Security personnel, Substitute Teachers, and Transportation Services.
VVSD offers a competitive pay scale for all jobs, and a range of benefits depending on the position. The hours for most of the positions being presented at this job fair are within the regular school day, which makes the work hours conducive for applicants who have school age dependents.
To apply now, visit www.vvsd.org/jobs
Returning Students Can Register Now for the 2024-25 School Year
Registration for our VVSD returning students for the new school year that begins in August is available 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 Continues
VVSD Kindergarten registration for the Class of 2037 continues 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.
VVSD Nutrition Services Shares Information Regarding USDA SUN Bucks Summer Program
SUN Bucks is a new permanent nutrition program authorized by the United States Department of Agriculture to help families buy food for their school-aged children during the summer. SUN Bucks 2024 will provide a $120 annual benefit to eligible children, via an Electronic Benefit Transfer issuance by the Illinois Department of Human Services later this summer. More basic information on the new federal program is available on the USDA website at www.fns.usda.gov/sebt/household Illinois is one of 36 states that have announced their intent to launch Summer EBT in summer 2024.
Households should visit the DHS website www.dhs.state.il.us/ for information about Illinois Summer EBT. IDHS will be setting up a SUMMER EBT May 2024 customer help line at (833) 621-0737 to assist families. The agency will be able to assist with such things as the card distribution timeline, usage, allowable expenses, and lost or misplaced cards.
Family Learning Events
RX Mobile Food Pantry at Bolingbrook HS
Tuesday, Aug 6, 2024, 09:00 AM
Bolingbrook High School, Raider Way, Bolingbrook, IL, USA
Seen Around Valley View-
Summer is prime time for slime making at the Tibbott Elementary School Summer Library.
Summer Library days at R.C. Hill Elementary School are a good time for students to pick up a book and for both students and parents to get a little fun activity time.
Romeoville HS recently conducted their first ever girls flag football summer camp. This will be the first year that flag football is an IHSA sanctioned, state championship series sport.
Quick Notes
The next regular meeting of the Valley View Board of Education will be held Monday, July 15 at John J. Lukancic Middle School, 725 W. Normantown Rd., Romeoville IL. This meeting will begin at 6 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
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Important School Calendar Dates
Mon. Aug. 12
Teacher Institute Day- No Student Attendance
Tue. Aug. 13
Teacher Institute Day- No Student Attendance
Wed. Aug. 14
Teacher Work Day- No Student Attendance
Thu. Aug. 15
First Day of School Grades K-12
Mon. Aug. 19
First Day of School Early Childhood
Mon. Sept. 2
Labor Day- No Classes
Wed. Sept. 11
Early Release (Elem 2:15, MS 1:20, HS 12:43)
Events for the Coming Week
Tue. Aug. 6
RX Mobile Food Pantry at Bolingbrook HS 9 am
Thu. Aug. 8
Independence Elementary Summer Bridge 1-4 pm
Independence Elementary Ice Cream Social 4 pm
Community Connections
Office of State Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel
Illinois State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel is teaming up with the Fountaindale Library and the White Oak Library District to offer a Summer Book Club in cooperation with the State of Illinois. To participate, students are asked to read eight books through the summer and send in the form which can be downloaded here from Sen. Cappel’s website.. Senator Cappel hosts an ice-cream party for all students who complete the program. The form needs to be completed and submitted by Thu. Aug. 16.
Office of State Rep. Dagmara “Dee” Avelar
Illinois State Representative Dagmara “Dee” Avelar is hosting a Back to School Fair for VVSD students on Sat. Aug. 3 from 10 am- 2 pm at the Bolingbrook Park District Annerino Center. In addition to free school supplies, the Back to School Fair will also feature free food, games, and representatives from a wide range of community organizations with information about the services they provide.
UChicago Medicine/AdventHealth Bolingbrook
UChicago Medicine/AdventHealth Bolingbrook is performing its triannual Community Health Needs Assessment and invites you to participate via an online survey about health needs in our community. Through this survey, UChicago Medicine/AdventHealth Bolingbrook learns more about our community’s strengths, resources, and service gaps. Most importantly, the results of this survey assist in addressing needs and gaps impact our community’s health. Please scan the QR Code below to take the survey.
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
Sign up, earn points and get prizes with Fountaindale Library's Summer Adventure: Reading Through the Eras, June 1–July 31. You and your family can get in on the fun by exploring the library, community and world at large through reading, creating, playing and more. Fountaindale Library cardholders of all ages can participate. To learn more and sign up, visit fountaindale.org/summer.
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.