Park School

This summer has been busy with a lot of interviewing and hiring for our Park School team. We are happy to share that we have hired some amazing staff members! We will welcome all of our staff to Institute Days on August 20th and 21st!

School Social Worker

We are excited to welcome Solinna Chong (she/her), our new social worker, to the Park School community. Solinna brings extensive experience working with diverse age groups and settings, including therapeutic environments and special education. She has a strong background in equity work, having implemented initiatives like Unity Day to combat bullying and foster inclusivity, and facilitated affinity groups and restorative practices. Solinna has significant experience with Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), helping students with Autism navigate emotional expressions and social cues. Her dedication to equity and therapeutic support will be invaluable to our community.

Speech Language Pathologists:

We are excited to welcome Olivia Schuette (she/her), our new Speech Language Pathologist, to Park School. Olivia, a recent graduate from Purdue University, has a strong background in Speech Language Pathology with a focus on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and working with non speaking students. She has gained diverse clinical experience, including an externship at a private pediatric clinic and a placement at South Middle School in Arlington Heights, where she thrived in self-contained settings. Olivia values collaboration with various professionals, such as teachers, social workers, and occupational therapists, and is eager to bring her expertise and collaborative spirit to our team. Welcome, Olivia!

Please join me in welcoming Lisa Vanselow (she/her) to the Park School community as another new Speech Language Pathologist! Lisa brings with her 12 years of experience in the field, having spent the last decade at City Kids working with clients who have needs similar to our students, particularly those with physical disabilities and autism. She has extensive experience with Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and has worked with a diverse age range of clients, from infants to college-bound young adults. Lisa is drawn to Park School because of the diversity of our student population and the opportunity to work across different age groups, which she finds enriching and fulfilling. Lisa’s well-rounded expertise includes language, feeding, and oral motor therapy, and she is eager to embrace the school environment and its schedule. She brings a strong philosophy of respecting student dignity and autonomy. We are thrilled to have her as part of our team and look forward to the positive impact she will have on our students.

Physical Therapist:

Ivana Severovic (she/her) joins Park School and the District 65 team as a seasoned physical therapist with a diverse background. She started her career in outpatient orthopedics in orthopedics for ten years before she transitioned to cover a maternity leave in Wilmette. Ivana quickly realized that working in a school environment was her true passion. She loved the energy, teamwork, and the chance to see students grow academically, socially, and personally. Since then, Ivana has gained extensive experience working in the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and at TruNorth, where she served in early childhood, high school, middle school, and transition programs. She brings a wealth of knowledge, particularly in working with students with severe and complex needs, using various positioning equipment and collaborating on individualized learning plans. Ivana is eager to continue her career making a positive impact on her students' lives at Park School.

Adapted PE Teacher:

Please welcome Tyanda Colvin (she/her), our new Adapted Physical Education (APE) teacher at Park School! Tyanda's journey began in athletic training. Her passion for Physical Education (PE) led her to teach K-8 PE and develop APE screening programs in Illinois and even in Germany. Ty’s personal experiences with complex health needs inspired her to gain extensive knowledge in special education, obtaining a certification and teaching in the field. With a Master's in Health, Tyanda is dedicated to creating inclusive and impactful PE programs. We are excited to have her expertise and commitment in our community!

Special Education Teachers:

We are thrilled to welcome Evyn Schaffer (she/her) as a new special education teacher for the High School grade band at Park School. Evyn graduated from ISU in 2017 and has taught high school and middle school students with multiple disabilities at NSSEO. She is drawn to Park’s positive climate and culture and is excited to join our community. Her goal is to make school a fun, safe place for learning and self-expression while building strong relationships with students. She is a strong collaborator who has worked with professionals across various disciplines and is eager to build new relationships at our school. Please join us in welcoming Evyn to the Park School community. We are confident that she will make a significant and positive impact on our students and staff!

Please join us in welcoming Isabelle Vanasco (she/her), our new special education teacher in the elementary grade band. Isabelle completed her master's degree in early childhood education with an endorsement in special education at UIC, where she also gained practicum and student teaching experience at Oakton Elementary in District 65. She has a bachelor's degree in Speech and Hearing from the University of Illinois and has served as the lead teacher in a developmental PreK and early learning center. Isabelle's brother, a former Park student, has influenced her passion for inclusion and advocacy. Her diverse experiences and dedication to special education make her a valuable addition to our team.

We are thrilled to introduce Micheline Kemist (she/her) as another new member of our high school special education team at Park School. Micheline's background is diverse and dynamic, having faced unique challenges that pushed her to learn and grow in remarkable ways. With a deep dedication and passion for special education, Micheline brings valuable experience from her previous position in the Bay area, where she worked with students with significant needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past three years, she has taught students with complex needs and is proud of her continued growth as a life-long learner. Micheline's enthusiasm for teaching special education is evident, and her commitment to collaboration and fostering family growth makes her an excellent addition to our team. We are confident that her passion and experience will greatly benefit our school community, and we look forward to the positive impact she will have on our students.

Paraprofessionals

Our health team will be reviewing medical orders during the week of August 12th. If you have any specific questions about health or medical, please contact our Certified School Nurse, Ingrid Thompson, thompsoni@district65.net, or our full-time building nurse, Janice Gaffin, at gaffinj@district65.net. Karla Smith and JuYoung Lee will also be returning for the 24-25 SY!

If your child uses D65 transportation by bus, a bus aide will contact you during our orientation days on August 21st to introduce themselves and share the estimated pick up and drop off times. Please understand that our students have a wide variety of needs and therefore, transportation times are an estimate.

If you plan to provide pick up and/or drop off, please enter the drive your vehicle to the back circle drive, located off Elmwood Ave. Park Staff will receive your child and escort them into the building.

Out of district transportation, in most cases, will be coordinated with your home school district.

If you have any specific questions about transportation, you may contact the D65 transportation coordinator at transportation@district65.net or the Park Office at 847-424-2300.

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