(In Photo) Bolingbrook HS FACS Teacher Erin Clifford, surrounded by her students, as she accepts the 2025 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching

Bolingbrook High School Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher Erin Clifford was summoned to the BHS Cafeteria on Tuesday morning having been told she was needed for a meeting with the VVSD Nutritional Services staff. Instead, the 20-year teaching veteran received quite a surprise.

Upon arriving in the cafeteria, Erin was enthusiastically greeted by her students, fellow teachers, BHS and Valley View School District administrators, VVSD Board of Education Members, and Village of Bolingbrook Mayor Mary Alexander-Basta. Also in attendance were members of the Golden Apple Foundation who delivered the news that Erin is one of eleven teachers in Illinois recognized as a 2025 Golden Apple Award Winner for Excellence in Teaching.

“I am honored to be selected for the Golden Apple,” Clifford said. “But most of the credit goes to my students. They allow me to be creative and they keep me young, and they show me they deserve every ounce of energy that we put in as teachers. They are my “why,” and I am so thankful for all of them.”

The Golden Apple Foundation is the leading Illinois-based nonprofit committed to preparing, mentoring, honoring, and retaining great educators who advance educational opportunities for students. Following a highly competitive process, the 2025 teaching award recipients were selected from more than 470 nominations of high school teachers.

"Exceptional teachers ignite curiosity, build confidence, and create pathways to lifelong success for their students," said Alan Mather, President of The Golden Apple Foundation. "Erin Clifford exemplifies teaching at its finest. Erin blends passion with expertise and innovation with compassion. As she joins our community of excellence, Erin will help us strengthen the teaching profession across Illinois, inspiring and mentoring emerging educators who will shape countless young minds for generations to come."

Erin is also the Preschool Lab Coordinator at BHS, which is also known as “The Little Raiders Pre-School” program. Erin has created a classroom that is described as a “welcoming space that students bring their friends to and return to, even after completing her class.” Those who work with Erin describe her as inspiring, admiring the way she gets to know her students, understanding their interests and goals, and tailoring her lessons to make sure all students can engage in meaningful ways.

Watch The Video to Join the surprise announcement.

(In Photo) VVSD Board of Education President Steven Quigley (right) formally thanks and presents gifts to departing Board Members Victor Zack (left) and Debbie Sykora (center) at the April 28 meeting of the VVSD Board.

At the Monday, April 28 Regular Meeting of the VVSD Board of Education, the VVSD community said “thank you” to Debbie Sykora and Victor Zack as their terms ended after a combined 21 years as VVSD Board members.

Mrs. Sykora and Mr. Zack were formally thanked for the donation of their time and for their service to VVSD by Board of Education President Steve Quigley.

“Mrs. Sykora brought to the Board her invaluable experience as a retired middle school mathematics teacher,” Quigley said, “enriching her contributions with firsthand classroom insight and a passion for academic excellence.”

Mrs. Sykora was sworn in as a VVSD Board member on May 6, 2013, and also served as VVSD Board Secretary.

Mr. Zack began his official Board duties upon being sworn in on Dec. 12, 2016, and also served as VVSD Board Vice President.

“Mr. Zack prioritized expanding post-high school opportunities by supporting initiatives that prepare students for both college and career pathways,” Quigley said, “including access to work-based learning experiences and vocational training that reflect the evolving needs of today’s workforce.’

Jennifer Shroba and Victoria Pipkin were sworn in during the April 28 Board meeting to assume the seats once held by Debbie Sykora and Victor Zack. Also at the April 28 meeting, sitting Board members Elizabeth (Liz) Campbell and Scott Heil were sworn in for new terms they earned by way of the April 1, 2025 election.

VVSD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Keith Wood provided an update to the Board of Education at the April 28 Regular Meeting. Dr. Wood shared a wrap-up of the first ever VVSD Spirit Week which took place April 14-17 and a reminder that there is now one month left on the VVSD school calendar for 2024-25.

Watch the Video

The week of May 6-12, 2025 is National Nurses Week, celebrating the effort, dedication, and sacrifice nurses make every day. Specifically, May 7 is School Nurse Day which was established to foster a better understanding of the role of school nurses in the educational setting.

In VVSD, our school nurses are a vital part of our student services team who support our learners every day. At Bolingbrook High School, Rebecca Shivers is part of a team of school nurses who meet more than just the medical needs of students. Our school nurses are an important part of the entire Student Services team supporting the social and emotional well-being of VVSD students. Rebecca started our Spotlight visit by explaining how being an empathetic citizen is the basis for being an effective school nurse.

Watch The Video

The Valley Educational Enrichment Foundation Nine and Dine Golf Outing is fast approaching, and VVEEF would love for you to join in for a day of golf for a great cause. Help VVEEF support the staff and students of Valley View School District on Thu. June 5 at Bolingbrook Golf Club. Shotgun start for the 9 hole scramble will be at 2 pm, with dinner and awards to follow. Raffles and on-course games and contests will all be part of the fun. Spots fill up very fast, so organize your foursome and be ready to register when the site goes live for golfers on Mon. May 5. There are dinner only and sponsorship opportunities available now.

Follow this link https://VVEEFgolf2025.givesmart.com for registration and additional details.

Online enrollment for all returning 2025-26 students and students entering kindergarten is now open.

To be eligible to register for kindergarten, 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 are 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.

Per Illinois Law (Child Health Examination Code, 77 ILL. Adm. Code 665), all children in kindergarten, 2nd, 6th, and 9th grades of any public, private, or parochial school shall have a dental examination. Each child is required to present proof of School Dental Examination or a Dental Examination Waiver by a dentist prior to May 15 of the school year.

The Will County Community Health Center provides regular exams, cleanings, fluoride treatments, sealants, fillings, extractions, and education to understand proper dental care.

Call 815-774-7300 for questions or appointments.

The application period for paid student transportation for the 2025-26 school year will open Tue. July 1 and will close Thu. July 31. Seating is limited on a first-come, first served basis and paid transportation students may be removed from routes due to changes in capacity limits. Paid student transportation applications will close for the month of August for the 2025-26 school year and will re-open Tue Sept. 2, pending availability.

Upon notification of acceptance for paid student transportation Visa, MasterCard or Discover card payments for full year or first semester can be accepted over the phone at 815-886-6686 between the hours of 8 am and 4 pm Monday through Friday.

Paid student transportation rates are as follows:

One student- $575 full year ($287.50 per semester - 2nd semester payment due no later than December 12, 2025.

Two or more students $1150 in full ($575 per semester - 2nd semester payment due no later than December 12, 2025.

Pro-rated Paid Transportation will not be available.

VVSD is still hiring for a wide range of positions for the 2025-26 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

VVSD’s facilities operations has several summer temporary job opportunities currently available. These positions are for eight hours per day, five days a week, late spring through summer. For most positions, the hours are 6:30 am- 3 pm, Monday-Friday with starting pay at $15 per hour. Additional dates may include VVSD’s fall and spring breaks, as needed.

The positions being offered will assist in a variety of functions under the direction of supervisors, including general maintenance, grounds, painting, moving, carpentry, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and other duties in support of District-wide operations.

To view the job openings, full description 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

SUN Bucks is a nutrition program authorized by the United States Department of Agriculture to help families buy food for their school-aged children during the summer. SUN Bucks 2025 will provide a $120 annual benefit to eligible children, via an Electronic Benefit Transfer issuance by the Illinois Department of Human Services. Complete information on this program is available on the IDHS Summer EBT Webpage.

Illinois Summer EBT information is also available via the customer help line at (833) 621-0737. The agency will be able to assist with such things as the card distribution timeline, usage, allowable expenses, and lost or misplaced cards.

Free Summer Meals for VVSD Students Enrolled in VVSD Summer Programs

VVSD Nutrition Services is once again offering FREE summer meals for students attending our summer programs. For more information, visit www.vvsd.org/food

Looking for Summer Meals, but Not Enrolled in a VVSD Summer Program?

For Free Summer meals for student 18 years old and younger, call (800) 359-2163, or visit www.WeGotYouIllinois.org

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

VVSD offers a school-based health center for students to receive immunizations, school physicals, and sports physicals. The VVSD School-Based Health Center operated by the Will County Health Department is located at Brooks Middle School, but is open to all VVSD students. Call 630-679-3844 for an appointment today. The VVSD School-Based Health Center also provides mental health services for students who attend Brooks Middle School.

Upcoming Important School Calendar Dates

Wed. May 14

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

Sun. May 18

Bolingbrook HS Graduation Ceremony 11 am

Romeoville HS Graduation Ceremony 2 pm

Wed. May 21

STEP Exit Ceremony 6 pm

Tue. May 27

Middle School Promotion

Wed. May 28

Last Day of School (if no emergency days are used)

Events for the Coming Week

Thu. May 8

BJ Ward Multicultural Night and Sing-a-Long 5:30 pm

Fri. May 9

Romeoville HS Drum Theater 7 pm

Jane Addams Beginning Band Spring Concert 7 pm

Sat. May 10

Romeoville HS Drum Theater 2 pm

Wed. May 14

Independence Elementary Multicultural Fair 6 pm

Thu. May 15

VVSD Staff Retirement Dinner at Bolingbrook Golf Club 6 pm

Fri. May 16

Pioneer Elementary Spring Concerts (See School for Grade Level Times)

Salk Elementary Spring Concerts (See School for Grade Level Times)

STEP Students vs. Staff Basketball Game 10 am

Sun. May 18

Bolingbrook HS Graduation Ceremony 11 am

Romeoville HS Graduation Ceremony 2 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.

White Oak Library District

The White Oak Library District operates branch libraries in Romeoville, Crest Hill, and Lockport. We have a lot of fun and free activities for tweens and teens, and you can check out our program offerings here. If you still have little ones at home, make sure to check out our free morning programs geared towards pre-school aged kids. We also have books, magazines, movies, and video games you can borrow. We even have a ton of virtual content you can borrow right from home. Check our website for all that we have to offer.

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.

Midwest University Dental Institute

Join the Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine–Illinois for a day of FREE dental care and education for children ages 5 to 15 Tue. April 1 - Fri. April 4. Free dental care may include oral exams, fluoride, and possible x-rays. Services will be provided by appointment only, by dental students supervised by our faculty dentists at the Midwestern University Dental Institute. Plan on being at the event for approximately one to two hours depending on treatment provided. In order to ensure that your child receives treatment during the event, you must arrive at the scheduled time. A legal guardian of the child must be present at all times during the event. Register by Fri. April 1. For questions or to register, call: 630-743-4500. Please state that you are calling for the Give Kids a Smile Event