Superintendent's Weekly Update

This is the final issue of the Superintendent Newsletter for the 2023-24 school year. We will still will be very busy as we finish our last week, celebrate the graduation of our 8th graders, and get ready for summer school which starts on June 5th.

So long 8th grade students and 8th grade families and thank you for supporting our schools and your children. Keep D34 in your thoughts; we will be counting on your continued support. Finally, we will be rooting for the success of our 8th grade students in their future journeys at high school and beyond!

Antioch CCSD 34 is staffed with many amazing people from a variety of backgrounds who work with, care for, and are devoted to making our schools a magical place for our students. In each Superintendent Newsletter we will feature a staff member to give you a chance to learn more about these special people.

Regina Brancato

School Nurse at Oakland Elementary School

About Me:

I live in Lake Villa with my husband of 30 years, DJ. We have a 28-year-old daughter, Megan and a 25-year-old son, Shane. Megan is a 3rd grade teacher in Kildeer, IL. Shane is in graduate school studying for a career as a cardiovascular perfusionist. My husband and I are so very proud of them both. I enjoy gardening, bird watching, going for walks in my neighborhood or local forest preserves, watching movies and history. I have lived in New York, Florida, Michigan and Illinois.

Experience:

I have been a Registered Nurse for 37 years. I worked as a medical-surgical nurse for 2 years after college graduation. Then, as an operation room nurse specializing in open heart surgery for 8 years. Then, after being a stay-at-home mom for a while, I returned to nursing as the Oakland school nurse for the past 20 years.

Why I'm a School Nurse:

I started working as a substitute nurse for District 34 to get to know the community and meet people after moving to the area. When my youngest was starting kindergarten, the Oakland School Nurse position became available, which was also the school my children attended, so I believe it was meant to be! It is the perfect work/life balance for me. Even though my children are adults now, I continue because I really enjoy working with students and families in my community.

Training / Degrees:

Florida International University: Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Certified hearing and vision screening technician

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Charles Schultz as the new D34 School Resource Officer (SRO).

"I'm excited to take on this new role. The students of D34 are the future of this community and I hope to help guide them towards the best possible future." ~Charles Schultz

Please join us in welcoming Officer Schultz to the district.

A huge congratulations to our talented students for an amazing performance!

We are pleased to announce that Mrs. Jodi Lax was approved as the next principal of MKM Early Learning Center at the May 21, 2024 Regular Board of Education Meeting.

"I am incredibly excited and grateful for the opportunity to lead MKM Early learning Center. I look forward to working closely with our talented teachers, supportive staff, and dedicated parents to create a nurturing and inspiring learning environment for our students." ~Jodi Lax

Please join us in welcoming Mrs. Lax to ELC!

Students had an absolute blast at the Touch-a-Truck event at Williams Park! They got up close and personal with an ambulance, police car, tractor, bucket truck, and fire truck.

A HUGE thank you to the Antioch Fire Department, Village of Antioch Police Department, ComEd, Lake County Forest Preserves, and the Gundersons for bringing out the vehicles and making this interactive event unforgettable for our students!

Mrs. Kalmus' math class has been working hard on their Fraction Pizza Project, tackling various fraction problems centered around their very own pizza shop to help them master the mathematical concept.

Ms. Pantke surprised her first graders with an amazing Glow Day and it couldn't have been more perfect! Not only was it "Lights Out" day on the ABC Countdown calendar, it was also Ms. Pantke's birthday!

The Let It Glow Family Dance was an absolute blast!

We had an amazing time thanks to the incredible DJ Positive who kept the energy high and the tunes glowing. It was an incredible evening filled with bright activities that lit up the night!

A HUGE thank you to the Hillcrest Hurricane Boosters for organizing such a radiant event! You truly made the evening shine.

5th graders were visited by the amazing Mrs. Sullivan, ELA teacher from Antioch Upper Grade School!

Our 5th graders sat with rapt attention as they got the inside scoop on what life as a 6th grader is all about. They learned about the school, class schedules, and all of the exciting activities waiting for them next year.

A big shoutout to AUGS Associate Principal Dr. Dohrmann, who joined the classes to help students sign up for their Encore classes. Special thanks to all of the 5th grade teachers for helping to make the process smooth and exciting!

Kindergarteners had a BLAZING good time with the Antioch Fire Department! Wrapping up a year-long partnership, students participated in a variety of stations, putting their firefighting savvy, skills and know-how to the test! They conquered pretend fires with a REAL fire hose, crawled through tunnels like firefighting pros, explored a firetruck and suited up in firefighter gear!

A HUGE shoutout to the Antioch Fire Department! Thank you for igniting a passion for fire safety and making learning an adventure!

Huge congratulations to Alayna, Amyah, Ariana, Sebastian, Jovie, and Taryn, winners of Battle of the Books!

A big shout out to all of the participants who gave it their all, and a heartfelt thank you to our amazing Battle of the Books sponsors.

Blast Off for Launch Day! After weeks of hard work, creativity, and a whole lot of teamwork, 7th graders began launching their rockets into the sky!

A round of applause for our incredible band members for putting on an unforgettable performance at the final concert of the year! These talented musicians rocked the stage and showcased immense talent.

These are not your children, these are your children's teachers! (And no, we are not filming a low-budget remake of 13 Going on 30 or Big.)

On Opposite Day, our teachers transformed into students for the day, and they absolutely nailed it Just like the students, they're compromising their peripheral vision with their hoodies, sporting that confusing socks and sandals combination, and rocking their backpacks like a Baby Bjorn, all while accessorizing with Starbucks, Takis and Flamin' Hot Cheetos!

Congratulations and best of luck to all of our state bound Track and Field athletes who will be competing in the 2024 Illinois Elementary School Association State Track and Field meet.

Bear Down, Warrior Up! Sixth graders participated in the Chicago Bears Mini Monsters Clinic, a free youth program that stresses the importance of healthy eating, physical activity and proper hydration through fun, non-contact football drills.

The 90-minute clinic kicked off with a pep-talk from former Bears Linebacker and Super Bowl Shuffler, Jim Morrissey, and featured a variety of stations and were staffed by representatives from the Chicago Bears, as well as AUGS teachers and community volunteers.

HUGE shoutout to @bearsoutreach, Mini Monsters Clinic sponsor Advocate Health Care, our D34 parent, staff and community volunteers, and to AUGS PE teacher, Mr. Wieda, for helping to bring the clinic to AUGS.

Camp Invention will be at W.C. Petty Elementary School from June 24th to June 28th!

Open to students entering kindergarten through 6th grade, this unique camp experience encourages collaboration, creativity, confidence, and divergent thinking. Dive into this year's brand-new program where imaginations will light up, curiosity will be sparked, and essential STEM skills will be honed through teamwork and problem-solving.

Campers will engage in hands-on challenges and open-ended adventures, unlocking their creativity and shining bright!

Learn more and check out the program HERE.

Register by May 16th with the code NEW15 or FUN15 to SAVE $15.

Spaces are limited, so don't wait!

Questions? Reach out to Marilyn Carey at mcarey@antioch34.com

Registration is officially open for Band and Orchestra Camp. All students with previous band or orchestra experience are encouraged to join us for an unforgettable musical experience.

Date: August 5th-8th

Time: 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM (see registration form for specific times)

Location: Antioch Upper Grade School

Cost: $65

Don't fret about the fees - they'll be conveniently placed on your PowerSchool account, with payment due by August 1st, 2024.

Ready to register? Click HERE and reserve your spot today.

All incoming 6th grade students are invited to attend the 6th Grade Warrior Academy!

Location: Antioch Upper Grade School
Dates: August 5th - 8th
Times: 8:30-11:30 AM
Cost: $115

Registration is now open!

Fees
- Will be added to PowerSchool within 24 hours of registration
- Can be paid through PowerSchool or at the D34 Administrative Services by credit card, cash or check

- MUST be paid by August 2nd in order to attend camp on August 5th

*Registration must be completed by June 28th in order to receive a shirt.

Transportation
Bus transportation is available for all participants. (After July 3rd, transportation may not be offered.)

We kindly ask that you register as soon as possible to guarantee transportation and a Warrior Camp t-shirt for your child.

Click HERE to register.

• May 27 | NO SCHOOL, Memorial Day
  
• May 31 | Last Day of School, Follow Early Dismissal Schedule
• June 4 | Summer School Open House
• June 5-27 | Summer School at Oakland Elementary School
• June 13 | Popsicles with the Principals
• June 18 | Regular Scheduled Board Meeting at Administration Offices

• May 27 | NO SCHOOL, Memorial Day
  
• May 31 | Last Day of School, Follow Early Dismissal Schedule

• May 27 | NO SCHOOL, Memorial Day
  
• May 29 | 5th grade Picnic
• May 31 | Community Meeting
• May 31 | Last Day of School, Follow Early Dismissal Schedule

• May 24 | Boosters Eagle Extravaganza 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
  
• May 27 | NO SCHOOL, Memorial Day
• May 31 | Last Day of School, Follow Early Dismissal Schedule

Get ready to conquer the new school year with ease! The Oakland Eagle Boosters are thrilled to offer you a hassle-free solution for back-to-school shopping!

Order your pre-packaged school supply boxes now for the 24/25 school year and say goodbye to the stress of hunting down individual items in those crowded store aisles.

Each box comes fully equipped with all the required school supplies for every grade level, straight from the district school supply list, ensuring your child is fully prepared from day one. Plus, you can save both time and money (up to 30%!) by ordering through us!

And the best part? Your box will be waiting on your child's des at Meet and Greet Night, ready to kick off the school year on the right foot!

Rest assured, all items are of the highest quality brand products, guaranteed to last the school year. Optional items can be added on and shipped directly to your home for ultimate convenience.

But wait, there's more! Each box includes personalized name labels, making organization a breeze!

Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity - order deadline is July 1st!

Order your school supply box now by clicking HERE and get ready to shine bright this school year!

• May 27 | NO SCHOOL, Memorial Day
  
• May 29 | 5th grade Movie Day
• May 30 | Rain Date for Field Day
• May 31 | Last Day of School, Follow Early Dismissal Schedule

We're challenging our students to grab those books and get reading, all to raise funds for an amazing cause - creating an outdoor learning space for our students and staff!

Here's how it works:

• Get Sponsored: Ask friends and family to sponsor your reading. They can pledge per minute or give a fixed amount.
• Track Your Minutes: Each student gets a bookmark to log their reading from Friday to Thursday every week.
• Read Everything: Whether it's for fun, homework, or listening to an audiobook - even reading to your pet counts!
• Earn Cool Bracelets: Hit your reading goals and collect bracelets! Wear them with pride to show off your reading achievements!
• Win Prizes: The more you read, the more you raise, the more prizes you can win! There are rewards for individuals and classes too!

Let's get those pages turning and support our Petty Bobcats. Read, read, read, and let's hit those goals together!

Click HERE to donate.

The clock is ticking and you don't want to miss out on capturing all the memories of this unforgettable school year!

Order your 2023/24 yearbook TODAY for just $20!

From heartwarming student photos to action-packed snapshots, this yearbook is your ticket to relive all the highlights of the school year! So don't delay, secure your copy now before it's too late! Visit the online store to ensure you don't miss out on this timeless keepsake!

Click HERE to order.

• May 27 | NO SCHOOL, Memorial Day
  
• May 28 | 6th grade to Action Territory
• May 28 | 8th grade graduation practice
• May 28 | 8th grade Picnic
• May 28 | 8th grade Dance, 6:30-9:30 PM, Gym/Cafe
• May 28 | Last day of school for 8th grade students
• May 29 | 7th grade to Launch Trampoline Park
• May 29 | Graduation Ceremony at ACHS, 6 PM
• May 30 or 31 | 7th grade Picnic
• May 31 | 6th grade Picnic
• May 31 | 6th grade End of Year Awards
• May 31 | Last Day of School for 6th/7th grade students, Follow Early Dismissal Schedule

The AUGS Warrior Boosters have announced a matching program to help raise funds to pay for end of year activities for the Class of 2024.

Please make any donations by clicking HERE.

Beginning in summer 2024, Illinois will participate in a NEW federal nutrition program that provides a grocery benefit during the summer months to help families with children eligible for free or reduced-price school meals.

SUN Bucks offers families $120 in grocery benefits per eligible child during summer break. Families can use it along with benefits like SNAP to help children reach their full potential.

Stock up on information HERE.

Our open positions can be found on our website under Departments > Human Resources > Employment > View Our Open Positions or by clicking here.

Amy Mahr

Director of Human Resources

AMahr@antioch34.com

847-838-8457

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