VVSD Superintendent of Schools Rachel Kinder provided an update to the Board of Education at the February 12 Regular Meeting. Supt. Kinder’s report includes information about upcoming VVSD Family Connections Learning Events, a reminder to take the 5Essentials Survey, and a reminder that Kindergarten registration opens on Feb. 23.

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Bolingbrook HS Social Studies Teacher Colleen Guccione and BHS Principal Dr. Jason Pascavage received the news via Zoom from the Illinois State Board of Education that Colleen is a finalist for Illinois Teacher of the Year.

Bolingbrook HS Social Studies Teacher Colleen Guccione is a finalist for the 2024 Illinois State Board of Education Teacher of Year award after Colleen was named 2024 ISBE Far South Suburbs Teacher of the Year.

Colleen was hired in 2017 by VVSD to help establish an Advanced Placement Human Geography program at Bolingbrook HS. Her curriculum writing background proved useful as she faced the task of designing open enrollment AP courses for ninth graders in a school where most students are historically underrepresented in AP programs. By the end of the first year, 250 freshmen had taken an AP exam. Now, more than 1,000 students later, a pattern has emerged: Her students regularly outperform school, state, and national averages on the AP Human Geography exam.

In 2022, she was named an American Geographical Teacher Fellow. She was a driving force in launching Bolingbrook High School’s chapter of the National Social Studies Honor Society and service organization Rho Kappa. Her latest achievement is bringing the Illinois Global Scholars program to Valley View School District, launching next year.

Eight VVSD staff members are recognized by ISBE with Awards of Meritorious Service. From Brooks Middle School are: ESL English Language Arts Teacher Amy Baldridge; Paraprofessional Evangelina Caratachea; Bilingual/ESL Itinerant Teacher Claudia Chavez-Miranda; Physical Education Teacher Nathan Fowler; English Language Arts Teacher Karrie Lesac; Continuous Improvement Coaching Coordinator Megg Morgenstern; and Student Resource Team Leader Jessica Petges. Also receiving a Award of Meritorious Service is District Assistive Learning Technology Coordinator Kristen Anderson.

ISBE Awards of Special Recognition are awarded to five Brooks Middle School staff members: Library and Media Center Director Alan Holtz; ESL Math Teacher Amy Matteo, and the Brooks team of middle school deans; Gina Schneider, Mike Sedor, and Rich Transon.

The Valley View Educational Enrichment Foundation’s Annual Dinner and Auction is coming on Friday, March 15 at 6 p.m. at Bolingbrook Golf Club. Join the VVEEF as they “Sail Away'' for a night of fun. Grab your tickets early, so you do not miss the boat! The VVEEF raises money for grants that directly benefit VVSD students and teachers. You can cruise down the aisles of the silent auction and raffle, or you can view and bid online at VVEEF2024.givesmart.com directly from your phone or device. Make sure it’s on your itinerary to eat, dance, and go overboard experiencing all the fun the night has to offer.

To purchase tickets, visit VVEEF2024.givesmart.com (Use this link for donations and to register for the online bidding system)

Jane Addams Middle School claimed the first place trophy at the 2024 VVSD Middle School STEMcathlon. The Mustangs future engineers earned the most points over the four competition events: Lazer Maze, Circuits, Ship the Chip, and Building Bridges with CITGO. VVSD thanks CITGO for their support of the event, especially for providing their staff member volunteers as judges and advisors. Thanks also to the Romeoville HS student volunteers who helped with the STEMcathlon.

The Jane Addams Middle School 8th Grade Boys’ Basketball Team will compete in the IESA Class 8-4A State Tournament third place game Thu. Feb. 15 at Taylorville HS. Jane Addams will play Barrington Rochester at 6 pm.

Four VVSD student-athletes qualified for the IHSA Individual Wrestling Finals. Romeoville HS 12th grade students Brian Farley and Mason Gougis advanced to the IHSA Boys Class 3A Wrestling Championships to be held Feb. 15-17 at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. Romeoville HS 9th grade student Henessis Villagrana and Bolingbrook HS 12th grade student Katie Ramierz-Quintero advanced to the IHSA Girls Individual Wrestling Championships taking place Feb. 23-24 at Grossinger Arena in Bloomington.

Bolingbrook HS 12th grade student Shawna Fizer qualified for the IHSA Girls Bowling Championship. The state finals take place Feb. 16-17 at Cherry Lanes in Rockford.

Bolingbrook HS 11th grade student Seanmichael Opoku-Agyemang qualified for the IHSA Speech Championships. Seanmichael will compete for a state championship in Dramatic Interpretation at the state finals Feb. 16-17 at the Peoria Civic Center.

Two VVSD teachers have joined the ranks of National Board Certified Teachers. Brooks Middle School Applied Technology Teacher David Burke, and Salk Elementary School Fifth Grade Teacher Natalie Scibior completed the rigorous process of earning NBCT status.

The next meeting of the Valley View Board of Education will be held Monday, February 26 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

A.Vito Martinez Middle School will host a community event showcasing Black owned businesses in the Romeoville area on Tue. Feb. 27 from 5:30- 7 pm. to feature your business and products, please contact Dorothy Andrews at andrewsdj@vvsd.org or Christopher Lawson at lawsonck@vvsd.org

Upcoming Important School Calendar Dates

Mon. Feb. 19- Presidents’ Day- No Classes

Wed. Feb. 28- Early Release (Elem 2:15, MS 1:20, HS 12:43)

Thu. Feb. 29- Evening Parent/Teacher Conferences Early Childhood & High School Only

Fri. Mar. 1- Parent/Teacher Conference Early Childhood & HS Only- No Student Attendance

Events for the Coming Week

Thu. Feb. 15

RC Hill Elementary Valentine’s Dance 5:30 pm

Romeoville HS Choir Pop Concert 6 pm

Fri. Feb. 16

Bolingbrook HS Lunar New Year Festival 5 pm

Brooks MS Sweetheart Social 6 pm

Sat. Feb. 17

VVSD Middle School Solo & Ensemble Contest at Lukancic 9 am

Tue. Feb. 20

Brooks Middle School World Read Aloud Day 9:30 am

Thu. Feb. 22

Bolingbrook HS Give Something Back for 11th Grade Students Event 8:00 am

Lewis University Office of Multicultural Student Enrichment

The Office of Multicultural Student Enrichment at Lewis University is hosting the Fulfilling the Dream Conference on Sat. Feb. 17 from 8:30 am- Noon at the Lewis Academic Science Center in Romeoville. This free event has been inspiring African American high school students since 2005 by providing them with the tools they need to succeed after graduation. The conference is a great opportunity for students and their families to learn and grow.

There will be workshops for students and families to attend, where they can learn important aspects of college and listen to a special guest speaker. Lewis University is also providing free breakfast and transportation to and from the event for students and families. Families with small children are welcome, but they must be accompanied by an adult. All parents need to sign a waiver, which will be provided on the day of the event.

Transportation to the event will be provided from the main entrance of Bolingbrook High School at 7:30 am. To reserve transportation, please email smcdonald5@lewisu.edu The registration form for the conference is available at https://www.lewisu.edu/studentservices/multicultural/fulfillingthedream/index.htm Please register by Sat. Feb. 3.

Healing Hearts Needs Puppy Raisers

Healing Hearts Comfort Dogs is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that raises and trains working dogs to interact with individuals who are experiencing trauma, stress, and physical and emotional uncertainty in their lives. Healing Hearts has trained many of the facility dogs that are now members of the VVSD staff, including Blair in the adjacent photo who is a beloved member of the Oak View Elementary School community.

Healing Hearts is seeking volunteer puppy raisers as first families for dogs who will be trained to be facility dogs. Puppies are placed in a volunteer home to learn about the world and learn basic obedience skills, which helps form that important first bond with humans for 15-18 months. After that time, the puppy is matched with a permanent handler in schools, courthouses, and police and fire departments. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a volunteer puppy raiser, contact Healing Hearts at info@healingheartscomfortdogs.org

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.