Continuing its tradition of meeting on-site at every school each year, the May 20, 2019 meeting was conducted at Emerson Middle School. Emerson Associate Principal Samantha Alaimo and Assistant Principal Tim Benka highlighted the projects sponsored by the school's Quality Improvement Team (QIT) this year focused on building community both within and outside of the school walls. Events planned in the #WeAreEmerson effort to build relationships included the first-ever family outdoor movie night in September and the first family STEAM night in April; joining with Lincoln Middle School for the first time in a St. Baldrick's pediatric cancer research fundraiser; and an all-school family Feed My Starving Children day to pack food supplies for African children, among the wide-ranging activities successfully launched this year.
Superintendent Laurie Heinz then presented students and staff for special recognition this month, including:
- Young Authors winners for 2019;
- D64 Special Olympics team; and
- Roosevelt School Eagle Scout projects (reading garden renovation and Roosevelt School history).
In addition, Music Curriculum Specialist Terry Broeker described the wide range of choral performances grades 4-8 students delivered in the 2018-19 school year. She noted that D64's middle school singers shared the limelight with our musicians as winners of the highest honor, the Esprit de Corps award for spirit and professionalism -- at the recent Music in the Parks festival.
Interscholastic sports - Continuing its presentation of D64 middle school interscholastic sports teams, this month boys volleyball athletes and coaches from both Emerson and Lincoln were introduced to the Board. (PHOTO) Lincoln's team celebrated the conclusion of a successful season.
21st Century Student Learning Showcase - Washington School third graders (PHOTO) were among the almost 50 students selected from all D64 schools to present 18 projects chosen from across the grade levels to demonstrate their future-ready skills in the 4C's (communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity) at the fourth annual D64 Innovates! Student Learning Showcase, which preceded the Board meeting.
D64 grants tenure to teachers and announces other career milestones - Having completed a rigorous four-year probationary period, 10 teachers received tenure (PHOTO), a major career milestone as they join the ranks of District 64's professional educators. As the 2018-19 school year draws to a close, District 64 also announced that 38 employees would be retiring or had reached 25 years of service.
ELF grants focus on younger learners for 2019-20
District 64's younger learners will benefit from five grants totalling more than $21,500 awarded for the 2019-20 school year by the District 64 Elementary Learning Foundation (ELF), as announced at the May 20, 2019 Board of Education meeting. Read more about Focus on younger learners This year's grants will advance ELF’s total direct support to over $814,500 since 1994, when ELF began inspiring innovative educational programs by awarding grants to teachers and staff who are committed to excellence in education.
In other action:
- Washington School space needs discussed - The Board received a recommendation from the Temporary Washington Space Solution Committee of teachers, parents, school and District administrators, and two Board representatives for a short-term, least disruptive solution to deal with potential overcrowding for the 2019-20 school year in grades K, 1 and 4. Following extensive discussion of the committee's proposal, the Board reached agreement on an alternative to add a full-time teaching assistant to a classroom if enrollment exceeds the District's class size guideline for any grade to avoid opening a new section next year at the school. In addition, the Board approved the preparation of bid documents to level the auditorium floor and accompanying construction necessary on stage at Washington for summer 2019.
- Policy updates adopted - The Board approved regular updates to a series of policies, which had been reviewed and discussed at a previous meeting.
Administrators appointed
The Board also confirmed four appointments, which will be effective July 1. Emerson Middle School Associate Principal Samantha Alaimo (right) has been selected to become its next principal, while David Szwed has been named as Lincoln Middle School’s new principal. Read more of New Principal
(BELOW) Administrators selected for D64 elementary schools are: Mrs. Angela Brito (left) as principal of Washington Elementary School and Dr. Marybeth Whitney-DeLaMar as the new principal of Franklin Elementary School. READ MORE HERE
