Trimester 3 Newsletter

Dr. Jeff Stawick, Superintendent

I hope you are enjoying the beginning of your summer break. Our buildings are very quiet without students and staff filling the hallways. However, our summer cleaning crews, tech team, and office staff are already busy making sure we are ready for August 19 when staff returns for the 2024-2025 school year.

Although we are looking towards the next school year, we have a lot to celebrate from the 2023-2024 school year. Our schools held successful family engagement nights, our district musicians and singers performed beautifully for families, and our teachers and staff made sure students had fun learning throughout the school year.

We also got to celebrate the 248 eighth grade students who are moving on to high school. Our graduating class made us proud throughout their time at District 146, and we know they will go on to do great things. Leaving with the 8th grade class are 11 staff members who retired at the end of the year. Their compassion, professionalism, and knowledge have touched thousands of students throughout their time at the District, and we thank them for their dedication.

I wish you all a happy, relaxing, and safe summer break. We can’t wait to welcome our students back on August 21.

Please click below to answer this trimester's question:

What would make Inside146 more valuable for you?

District 146 congratulates the Central Middle School Class of 2024!

By Brooke Dundas, Coordinator of Bilingual Education and Brianne Oliver, Coordinator of Special Education

This summer, District 146 is once again hosting Extended School Year (ESY) and Summer Intervention Programs. ESY and Summer Intervention programming will be Monday through Thursday, July 8 through August 1.

Extended School Year (ESY) is designed for students who are eligible through their IEPs. ESY programming is led by Learning Behavior Specialists and include services such as speech, occupational therapy, social work, and physical therapy to support student learning. The ESY programs have a functional academic and language focus while embedding play, social learning, and recreation throughout the day.

Summer Intervention is a general education intervention program offered to students who need additional academic support in the areas of reading and math. Programming is also offered to special education students who are not ESY eligible. Students were previously identified and invited to attend based on their current academic performance and existing assessment. Summer Intervention Programming will be led by general education teachers and supported by specialists in the areas of reading, math, ESL, and special education. Art, Music, Library, and STEM will also be integrated into this year’s summer programs.

By Carey Radke, Curriculum Coordinator

As we celebrate and enjoy the summer, we acknowledge the importance of continuous learning. In the last Trimester Newsletter, families expressed their desire for information on continuing learning into the summer.

The District has published a list of online resources crafted to enrich your child's educational experience throughout the summer season. These websites will allow our families to continue student learning together. We have resources for literacy, science, social studies, and even virtual field trips. These fun and educational resources and games will help continue your child’s learning throughout the summer.

We are lucky to live in an area that offers a number of educational opportunities for our families. Chicago offers world-class museums and destinations that will keep children excited about learning. Many have free days throughout the summer for Illinois residents, including The Adler Planetarium (every Friday from 4-10 p.m.), Chicago Botanic Garden (June 19; July 9, 11; and August 6, 8), The Chicago Children’s Museum (last Thursday of each month), The Chicago History Museum (June 23, 26, 29; July 4, 17), DuSable Museum of African American History (every Wednesday), The Field Museum (June 19, 26; July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; August 7, 14), Illinois Holocaust Museum (last Friday of each month), and the Lincoln Park Zoo (always free).

*Kindergarten families will be contacted to make an appointment for their Meet-and-Greet.

The 2024-2025 Academic calendar can be found on our website.

Here are the highlights of the calendar:

First Day of School (Half-Day Attendance): August 21, 2024

Winter Break Begins (Half Day Attendance): December 20, 2024

Students Return: January 7, 2025

Spring Break Begins: March 24, 2025

Students Return: April 1, 2025

Last Day of School (Half-Day Attendance), with no emergency days: June 4, 2025

This year, a new Garden Club was organized by teacher Mrs. Meadows. The club met weekly throughout the year to harvest and plant seeds indoors. Students took care of the plants throughout the year and had the opportunity to take them home. They also prepped the three courtyards by pulling weeds, and then planted seeds, flowers, bushes and a tree. The club received plant donations from JDR Garden Center in Markham and supply donations from Saunoris’ Garden Center in Frankfort.

The Buildings and Grounds Department supported the club by adding weed barrier, installing mulch, and removing some old planter boxes.

Each year, the 5th grade students at Fierke vote on who gets to design and make the 5th Grade Banner. The banner is then made by the students and displayed in the media center for six years before it is retired to the Fierke archives. This year, Paige Brighton, Kennedy Brighton, Alli Yerkes, Olivia Considine, and Adeline Hamernick won the vote of the class with their Taylor Swift- themed banner. Fifth grade teachers Mrs. Coots, Mrs. Zimny, and Mrs. Szalko sponsor and lead the activity for the students.

Fulton held their first Cultural Feast this year. Approximately 15 families brought in food representing their family origin. More than 100 students participated in the feast. They thought the food was delicious and shared that they had never tried most of the dishes prior to the event. Families who volunteered to bring in food and help with the feast appreciated the event and were grateful to be a part of it.

In May, Kruse opened its doors to some amazing community volunteers who shared their professions with students. Students in Kindergarten through 5th grade were able to visit with, learn from, and ask questions of several professionals including a police officer, a veterinarian, a lawyer, and Kruse’s very own Nurse Jenny who also works as a beekeeper! Students gained a great idea of different careers they can choose from.

Teachers Mrs. VonBorstel and Ms. Cumbo, and paraprofessional Mrs. Brown helped Memorial students prepare for and present amazing projects at this year’s Science Fair. Some students moved their experiments outside, resulting in neighbors coming over to watch the excitement. Participants presented to all grade levels before presenting to parents and judges in the evening. In addition to all of the fun, participating students practiced experimentation, public speaking, art, and writing.

June

19: District Closed- Juneteenth

July

4: District Closed- Independence Day

8: First Day of Summer School Programming

August

1: Last Day of Summer School Programming

13: Kruse New Family/Kindergarten Open House, 3:30-5:30 p.m.

14: Fulton New Family Tours, 3:30-5:30 p.m.

15: Fierke Kindergarten Meet and Greet (by appointment)

15: Fierke New Family Tours, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

15: Fulton Kindergarten Meet and Greet (by appointment)

15: Kruse Kindergarten Meet and Greet (by appointment)

15: Memorial Kindergarten Meet and Greet (by appointment)

15: Memorial New Family Tours, 6-6:30 p.m.

19: School Improvement Day (No Student Attendance)

20: School Improvement Day (No Student Attendance)

21: First Day of School (Half-Day Attendance)

Darcy Nendza, President

Julie Berry, Vice President

Rick Lloyd, Secretary

Dean Casper, Member

Patty Chlada, Member

Jill Dunlap, Member

Amy Hamernick, Member

Dr. Jeff Stawick, Superintendent

Dr. Wendy Wolgan, Director of Curriculum

Kelly Voliva, Director of Student Services

Jeff Charleston, Business Director/CSBO

Vern Bettis, Director of Technology

Matt Shanahan, Director of Buildings and Grounds

Brooke Dundas, Coordinator of Bilingual Education

Brianne Oliver, Special Education Coordinator

Carey Radke, Curriculum Coordinator