Kristen Beckett began her teaching career as a kindergarten teacher, became a 5th grade teacher, and realized the place she really wanted to be was in a kindergarten classroom. Kristen thrives on seeing the rapid growth in student learning that happens with kindergarten students.

Kristen is dedicated to making children’s lives better both in the classroom and in her own home. In addition to their own child, Kristen and her husband also serve as foster parents.

VVSD will open Kindergarten registration for the Class of 2038 on Fri. Feb. 28 through the online enrollment process. To be eligible to register, a student must be five years old on or before Sept 1, 2025, 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. Click here for more details about the enrollment process.

VVSD is still hiring for a wide range of positions for the 2024-25 school year with an emphasis on adding to our teams of paraprofessionals, lunchroom/playground aides and special education teachers.

We are also seeking new team members including guest teachers, bus drivers, operations & maintenance, nutrition services, 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

Illinois legislation allows individuals with 60 hours of college credit to apply for a short-term substitute teacher license. The DuPage Regional Office of Education offers the required training, which must be completed prior to licensure. Topics include curriculum, classroom management techniques, school safety, and more.

For more information about becoming a VVSD Guest Teacher, visit https://www.vvsd.org/careers/be-a-substitute

Romeoville HS 12th grade student Raed Slim is the winner of the Veterans of Foreign Wars District 18 Voice of Democracy Essay/Speech Competition. The theme for this year’s competition was “Is America Today Our Forefathers’ Vision?”. Raed also holds the rank of Cadet Major in the Romeoville HS United States Marine Corps Junior ROTC and next will compete in the VFW Illinois Voice of Democracy Competition Feb. 7-9 in Springfield.

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

Businesses across Will County are partnering with the Will County Center for Economic Development to offer over 140 paid internships for Will County High School students. Applications are available now and must be submitted by Fri. Feb. 21. VVSD has set up a Google Classroom to support students through the resume building and application process. Student can use this code to join the Google classroom: zumz6a7

Will County CED will also have informational tables during lunch at Romeoville HS on Wed. Jan. 22, and Bolingbrook HS on Thu. Jan. 23 to answer any questions students would like to ask.

Upcoming Important School Calendar Dates

Wed. Jan. 29

Early Release (Elem 2:15, MS 1:20, HS 12:43)

Wed. Feb. 12

Early Release (Elem 2:15, MS 1:20, HS 12:43)

Mon. Feb. 17

Presidents’ Day- No Classes

Events for the Coming Week

Thu. Jan. 23

BJ Ward Elementary Family Fitness Night 5:30 pm

Fri. Jan. 24

Hermansen Elementary PTO Pastries with Parents 7:30 am

Thu. Jan. 30

Hermansen Elementary Family Math Night 5 pm

Thu. Feb. 6

VVSD Middle School STEMcathlon at Romeoville HS 5 pm

Bolingbrook HS 9th Grade & Concert Band Concerts 6 pm

Bolingbrook HS Wind & Symphonic Band Concerts 7:30 pm

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

Take flight with Reading Dragons & Friends. Earn unique trading cards and battle your friends. For every 30 minutes you read, you will receive one card. The more you read, the more cards you earn. You can also earn cards by attending special events and completing reading challenges throughout the year. For kids in grades K–5. Stop by Fountaindale Library's Children's Services Desk to sign up today! Learn more at fountaindale.org/dragons.

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.