2017 Fall Perspective

Perspective EVE

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• Expanded partnership with Moraine Valley Community College to include school and enrichment offerings.

• Reviewed and revised Project Tree identification criteria, scope and sequence • Developed a new long-range strategic plan with input from the entire community • Evaluated K-8 English/Language Arts curriculum • Initiated standards-based grading at the Kindergarten Dr. Machak level • Initiated school-based testing of sinks and drinking fountain water for lead • Completed several key facilities projects, including a new drop-off/pick up drive ay SE School, NE School metal roof coating and parking lot expansion, CMS parking lot paving and landscaping and installation of new flooring in the media center and computer lab at NW and SW Schools • Decreased the number of District-wide student disciplinary infractions for a fifth consecutive year • Implemented a new formal mentorship program for new teachers • Added 10 minutes of instructional time to the students’ school day • Featured several D124 staff members as presenters at local, state and national conferences • Increased the District-wide percentage of students meeting MAP target growth goals

One of the best pieces of professional advice I have ever received came from a veteran teacher at Hawthorn Jr. High School during my first year as an assistant principal there, who told me, “The past is a great place to visit, but you don’t want to live there.”

I think about that teacher and his advice every year around the start of the new school year; there is this somewhat awkward shift – at least for me – between present and past, reflecting on what was and anticipating what could be, the remembrance of old friends and the prospect of meeting new ones. So while I have no desire to “live there,” I did step back these last few weeks to think about the past school year and all that we have accomplished together as a District.

Though it was most certainly not without its challenges, the 2016-17 school year ended on a high note with the announcement by the Midwest PBIS Network that three of our District schools: Southeast, Northwest, and Southwest had attained Platinum status, and that Central and Northeast had attained Gold. Together, we did a lot of great work on behalf of the students in District 124 last year. For example, we:

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• Began the school year with a signed, three-year Collective Bargaining Agreement • Increased Social Emotional Learning capacity (i.e. Second Step, Erin’s Law, Elyssa’s Mission) among students and staff • Successfully implemented a new K-8 District math curriculum • Developed a systemic approach to Diversity training and professional development • Created a Parent University program • Increased the District's presence on social media • Integrated Grades 2 and 3 into the District 1:1 initiative • Increased technology-based opportunities for students (Genius Hour, Tech Crew) • Developed an ESL endorsement Cohort with Olivet Nazarene University for staff • Developed an Early Childhood partnership with St. Xavier University

Evergreen Park, Illinois 60805

ALL POSTAL CUSTOMERS

PA R K S C H O O L D I S T R I C T 124

I N S P I R E , E M P O W E R , A C H I E V E . . . E V E R Y S T U D E N T, E V E R Y D AY

Dear District 124 Families,

EP School District 124 2929 West 87th Street Evergreen Park, IL 60805

EEN RGR

I am as excited about our future together as I am appreciative of our past. But rather than living in the District’s past, we are building upon it. There are more great things on the horizon for the students and staff in D124. With a new long-range strategic plan and a clearly articulated vision of who and what we want our students to be, it’s time to look forward – not back – once again. Happy New Year!

District 124 programs receive special recognition Behavior support efforts earn Gold Circle of Quality District 124 has received special recognition from the Midwest PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) Network for promoting positive cultures and preventing problematic behaviors across all five of its schools.

Southeast School, Northwest School and Southwest School have earned Platinum Recognition status for the 2017-18 school year, while Central Middle School and Northeast School have attained Gold status.

“I am grateful to all of our students, parents and staff for working together through this system to improve the climate for teaching and learning for all of our students,” Superintendent Dr. Robert Machak said.

Platinum Recognition is earned when school teams can document at least 80 percent fidelity on two of the three tiers of the school-wide PBIS Tiered Fidelity Inventory, and at least 70 percent on the third. Other recognition criteria include the number of student office referrals for behavior, the number of out-of-school suspensions and evidence that supports student growth and achievement through the use of the PBIS support system.

The cost of the publication is 65 cents including postage.

District's Preschool for All program honored by ISBE For the second time in the last three years, the District's Preschool for All program has been honored by the Illinois State Board of Education.

The program has once again been awarded the Gold Circle of Quality – the state’s highest recognition of early childhood programs. The district’s program, which is led by Coordinator Denise McField, was also awarded the Gold Circle of Quality in 2014.

The Gold Circle of Quality Award recognizes programs that have demonstrated quality on 15 program standards established by the ISBE, as validated by an independent assessor.

Gold Circle programs meet or exceed specific quality benchmarks on learning environment, instructional quality, program administrative standards, group size, staff/child ratios, staff qualifications, and professional development opportunities provided to staff.

The district holds preschool programming at Northeast and Northwest schools, both of which were recognized with the Gold Circle of Quality distinction.

Contact Us... Send your comments, questions or suggestions to Superintendent Robert J. Machak, Ed.D. at the Evergreen Park School District 124 office at 2929 West 87th St., Evergreen Park, IL 60805 or email rmachak@d124.org.

Parents share opinions through Climate Survey This summer, the District asked parents to anonymously complete a Climate Survey that was created to give the administration a better idea of how families view the District in five different areas: Curriculum, Culture, Technology, Financial Health and Facilities. More than 250 parents from across all five district schools took the time to respond to the 70-question survey. Below you will find some of the results discovered as part of the surveying process:

94% of parents would recommend the district to a parent looking

92% of parents agree that the district has made effective use of

96% of parents feel that teachers work collaboratively for the

98% of parents agree that the district does a good job of

93% of parents agree that their child has all the classroom

78% of parents agree that the District has effectively prioritized and

92% of parents agree that the district is doing a good job teaching

66% of parents agree that it benefits their family to have the D124

for a school for their child.

benefit of the students.

resources he/she needs to be successful in school.

their child to be a responsible citizen.

local, state, and federal dollars to enhance educational programming.

working with Village to keep their child safe.

addressed facility needs at their school.

calendar align with D231’s calendar.

New Strategic Plan unveiled for 2017-2020 This spring, Evergreen Park District 124 stakeholders worked collaboratively to craft a new long-range strategic plan for the next three years.

Below you will find the goal and action statements for the five goal areas.

CURRICULUM, INSTRUCTION AND ASSESSMENT Goal: To implement and support a progressive curriculum to meet the needs of a diverse student population that allows all learners to achieve at their highest potential; to deliver high quality instruction that is rigorous, relevant and engaging to maximize learning and empower the whole child; to develop and implement with fidelity a balanced assessment system that provides multiple measures of achievement and student growth.

This goal will be accomplished by: ● Creating a viable written curriculum that ensures that all students have an equal opportunity to learn. ● Developing an evaluation cycle for all curriculum to guarantee that the curriculum is aligned to current standards and that desired results are being achieved. ● Providing planned professional development and collaboration that supports staff in effectively implementing a progressive curriculum. ● Supporting the delivery of differentiated instruction that meets the needs of all learners. ● Ensuring that evidence-­based best practices of instruction are implemented with fidelity. ● Providing planned professional development and collaboration that supports staff in effectively planning and delivering instruction to increase rigor, relevancy, engagement and achievement. ● Designing and implementing assessments that accurately demonstrate a student’s knowledge of content and mastery of skills. ● Strengthening district-­wide data analysis procedures to positively impact student growth and achievement. ● Providing planned professional development and collaboration that supports staff in effectively creating assessments that accurately assess all learning standards and the curriculum.

FINANCIAL HEALTH Goal: To facilitate fiscal and fiduciary responsibility in order to maximize student outcomes.

This goal will be accomplished by: ● Striving for an ISBE financial profile designation of “Recognition.” ● Negotiating salary and benefit levels that attract, retain and reward quality staff within the goals of fiscal stability. ● Developing a community understanding of school finance. ● Evaluating annually the long-­term financial projections to be better prepared for major financial decisions, both capital and operating. ● Investigating methods to maximize revenues and minimize expenditures by pursuing new partnerships with local government, business, industry and community groups.

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CULTURE Goal: To promote a challenging, respectful learning environment that engages each learner, staff, family and community member, while embracing diversity in order to reach higher levels of student achievement.

This goal will be accomplished by: ● Developing, implementing, and strengthening school programs and services to ensure a focus on emotional, social, physical, as well as intellectual growth of all students. ● Enhancing communication efforts to increase stakeholder awareness and engagement in district initiatives, activities and curriculum. ● Recruiting, retaining, and supporting quality personnel who reflect the diversity of our community. ● Introducing and broadening methods to continually improve the climate and culture of the district. ● Creating stronger relationships with community partners. ● Fostering an appreciation for the diversity of our school community.

FACILITIES Goal: To provide safe, state o ­ f ­the art facilities that support the expansion of all educational and extracurricular programs and student growth.

This goal will be accomplished by: ● Recommending plans to address need for additional space at current facilities K-­5. ● Continuing mechanical system upgrades in all buildings. ● Creating a welcoming exterior environment. ● Upgrading security and accessibility to reflect best practices. ● Maximizing educational and recreational space at each school.

TECHNOLOGY Goal: To cultivate responsible and resourceful problem ­solvers who are skilled in critical thinking and empowered to embrace future opportunities.

This goal will be accomplished by: ● Integrating a professional development system to enhance knowledge and application of technology into the curriculum as a tool to improve learning. ● Communicating more effectively to the stakeholders using technology. ● Developing critical thinking skills in students to solve relevant challenges. ● Providing comprehensive, direct instruction in the areas of digital citizenship and media literacy. ● Improving systems for personalized learning and data reporting to allow students to be challenged at their own level. ● Optimizing the technology infrastructure to support the growing needs of the district through any fiscal climate.

Evergreen Park Elementary School District 124 publishes

PERSPECTIVE

for parents and residents.

Fifth annual Back 2 School Bash is district’s largest to date

This year’s Back 2 School Bash was the most highly attended Bash in the five-year history of the annual event.

The free community event served as the official kickoff to the 2017-18 school year. Entertainment included a live D.J., fire and police department activities, a wide variety of games, and exciting giveaways such as a free limo ride to school, a quadcopter drone and much more.

“We established the Bash as a way for friends to get excited about the start of the school year. It’s sort of a ‘Happy New Year’ party,” D124 Superintendent Dr. Robert Machak said. “One of the wonderful things about the district is the love that our families have for their ‘home’ elementary school. This event pulls in parents, students and staff from all of our schools and brings them together to celebrate the district.”

The Back 2 School Bash is organized each year by the D124 Foundation, a nonprofit, volunteer organization that raises and distributes charitable contributions from a variety of sources to enhance the educational experience of the students in the district.

In addition to the fun-filled activities, the Back 2 School Bash also gives community members the opportunity to connect with local organizations. This year, Little Company of Mary Hospital was on hand to talk to parents about fall sports physicals and the Evergreen Park Library registered families for library cards, for example.

“It’s a great way for parents to access some important services all in one spot,” Machak said.

CMS celebrates positive behavior with Block Party

Connor Quigley connects with a softball during Central's Block Party on Sept. 1.

Keyaira Moore shows off her skills by twirling three Hula Hoops at the same time.

Evergreen Park Elementary School District 124 publishes

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(Left to right) Molly Alexander, Gwen Hohman and Karla Fort dance together at the CMS Block Party.

for parents and residents.

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District continues to offer Adult Education programming In an effort to continue to strengthen relationships with families and community partners, the district will once again be offering free adult education classes this fall.

Please find a brief description of the courses below.

days of class to receive your CPR certification card. A $10 deposit (cash or check made out to Evergreen Park Elementary School District 124) is required to hold your space.

Deposits will be returned to you during your class.

Registration and Waiver forms can be found on the District 124 website under the ‘Community’ tab by clicking the ‘Adult Education’ link. Participants are asked to drop off or mail in their registration form (waiver if applicable) and check/deposit to the address listed on the form. If you are interested in attending one of the free classes, which does not require a deposit, simply send an email to jwittleder@d124. org with the following information: name of course(s) you wish to register for, your name, phone number, email address (and number of children attending childcare if applicable). Registration closes one week prior to class.

Homework Without Tears, Arguments, or Headaches

6:30-8 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 26; Administrative Office, 2929 West 87th Street This workshop will help parents assess why homework completion is so challenging and offer strategies for improvement in the future. Child care and snacks will be provided.

English Classes

6-8 p.m., Tuesday & Thursday, Sept. 12-Dec. 7; Northeast School, 9058 South California If you do not speak English or if you want to improve your English speaking ability, please consider joining this free class. Child care is provided for your children while you are in class. Additionally, transportation is provided from Southeast School to Northeast School.

Current Events

6:30-7:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 19; Administrative Office, 2929 West 87th State Representative Kelly Burke and Senator Bill Cunningham will provide updates from Springfield and answer questions. A member from the State’s Treasurer’s Office ICash Program will also be available (beginning at 6 p.m.) to offer those in attendance an opportunity to see if they have any unclaimed property (cash) with the State of Illinois.

Learn How to Make Homemade Pizza

6:30-7:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 3; Administrative Office, 2929 West 87th Street Middle school teacher Camille Dicky has had a Sicilian pizza recipe in her family as long as she can remember and she would like to share this treasured recipe with you! She will teach you how to make your own pizza (to take home) while sampling pizza made

by Camille for those attending her class. Through the generous donation of Meijer Foods of Evergreen Park we are able to provide this class for you free of charge. A $10 deposit (cash or check made out to Evergreen Park Elementary School District 124) is required to hold your space. Deposits will be returned to you during your class.

Basic First Aid

6:30-8:30/9 p.m., Monday & Tuesday, Nov. 6-7; Southeast School, 9800 South Francisco Learning First Aid can provide you and those you care for with a lifetime of advantages.

Upon completion of both days of class you will receive a certification card from the American Heart Association. A $10 deposit (cash or check made out to Evergreen Park Elementary School District 124) is required to hold your space. Deposits will be returned to you during your class.

Cake Decorating for the Holidays

6:30-7:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 16; Administrative Office, 2929 West 87th Street An expert Cake Decorator from Mariano’s of Evergreen Park will teach you how to use a piping bag with a variety of tips and show you ways to create amazing decorated cakes/ cupcakes for the holidays. You will have the opportunity to sample the many delicious cakes Mariano’s sells at the Evergreen Park store after they are decorated.

Designing with Paper Friday

CPR Training

6:30-8:30 p.m., Monday & Tuesday, Oct. 23-24; Southeast School, 9800 South Francisco Take the time to get CPR certified and enjoy the peace of mind of knowing you can help someone in need. This training will be provided by an American Heart Association certified instructor from the Evergreen Park Fire Department. You must attend both

1 p.m., Oct. 27; Evergreen Park Senior Center, 9547 South Homan Join others at the senior center and learn how to create a 3-D work of art with colored card stock paper. This class is for beginners and will be taught by Barb Thompson, a retired EPSD 124 art teacher. Through the generous donation of Michaels of Evergreen Park, we are able to offer this class to you free of charge.

EPFD donates five Bleeding Control Stations to D124 Evergreen Park Elementary School District 124 has proudly accepted the donation of five North American Rescue Public Access Bleeding Control Stations from the Evergreen Park Fire Department.

These stations provide bystanders and initial first responders with quick and easy access to essential medical equipment to stop life-threatening bleeding in public buildings and populated areas. Each of the Bleeding Control Stations donated to the District are valued at $885.

The District’s Bleeding Control Stations will be placed in the main offices at each D124 school. Chief Kleinhaus and the Evergreen Park Fire Department were recognized formally by the D124 Board of Education at its August 16 meeting. Chief Kleinhaus received a standing ovation from those in the audience when he was introduced.

“On behalf of the students and staff in District 124, I would like to thank the Evergreen Park Fire Department, and especially Chief Kleinhaus, for this generous donation,” EPSD 124 Superintendent Dr. Robert Machak said. “I am extremely grateful for this donation, which supports the District Crisis Plan and could literally mean the difference between life and death in a school emergency. The Evergreen Park Fire Department has been such a great partner with us in ensuring the safety of our community; I appreciate these kits very much, even though I hope we never have to use them."

Meeting with Machak earlier this summer, Evergreen Park Fire Department Chief Ronald L. Kleinhaus explained that the department had co-authored a grant request through Region VII Healthcare Coalition, and requested funding for 80 "bleeding control stations", which are essentially durable plastic boxes that contain emergency medical supplies such as gauze, scissors, tape, bandages, and tourniquets.

Besides the D124 schools, the Fire Department has offered these kits to Evergreen Park High School and all parochial schools within the village as well.

"It is not physically possible for individual responders to carry all the equipment and supplies they might need to an [emergency] event," Chief Kleinhaus explained.

By placing a fully-stocked station in an easily accessible area in each school office, Kleinhaus said, first responders have a better chance of having all the supplies they might need on hand. Chief Kleinhaus further explained that the idea to pursue these stations arose out of joint training sessions with the police and fire departments from other municipalities.

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Chief Kleinhaus (center) with Board President Kim Leonard (left) and Superintendent Dr. Robert Machak.

Evergreen Park Elementary School District 124 publishes

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for parents and residents.

Students in Grades 4-8 head outdoors for glimpse of historical solar eclipse

Central Middle School students (left to right) Abe Flores, Daniel Amaro and David Peralta check out the solar eclipse while wearing their safety glass on Aug. 21 Evergreen Park Elementary School District 124 students in fourth through eighth grade had the opportunity to get outside and view the solar eclipse on Aug. 21.

purchased NASA-approved glasses for our students. We also educated them on the dangers of viewing without protective eye wear to insure their safety."

"We were very excited to be able to experience this event with our students. It was truly unique opportunity for our students,” said Kathleen Prado, EPSD 124’s Director of Curriculum and Instruction. “Safety during the viewing was our top priority. We

The students and staff members wore protective viewing glasses during their entire time outside. The District purchased glasses from Rainbow Symphony that are ISOcertified for this event and satisfy proper requirements.

Erin Degnan (left) Nora Brusek get a good look through their glasses.

Tyrell Major (left) and Deijon Feliciano look up at the solar eclipse.

Northwest Elementary celebrating 50th anniversary Northwest Elementary School is celebrating its 50-year anniversary this year.

The school opened in 1967 with an enrollment of 342 students. Mrs. Mary Margaret Moore was the original principal of the school. Today, the principal is Dr. Matthew Banach.

Northwest is planning on hosting a variety of fun and exciting events to celebrate this historic milestone and welcomes alumni of the school to participate in the celebration. Each classroom will do a special activity in honor of the anniversary and the Mustangs in Action Booster Club will host an anniversary event.

Alumni are invited to email their favorite Northwest pictures to Dr. Banach at mbanach@d124.org. The photos will be placed on an anniversary web page that will be launched later this year.

For more information on Northwest’s anniversary celebration, please contact Dr. Banach at (708) 425-9473.

Evergreen Park Elementary School District 124 publishes

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for parents and residents.

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New teachers join D124 family for 2017-18 school year Get to know the educators who will ensure every student receives a quality education Kathryn Adolfo

Alana Lieske

Natalia Barajas

Susana Lujano

Bree Billow

Susan Phillips

Sara Bledsoe

Alexandria Pierik

Jamie Cachor

Lisa Pringle

Christina Cartwright

Daisy Song

Katelyn Diaz-Valdez

Sarah Swiecicki

Vanessa Dulla

Kristina Wallner

Samantha Johnson

Ann Waranoski

School: Central Middle School Position: 8th Grade English Language Arts Kathryn arrives at Evergreen Park School District 124 from Pennsylvania, where she has taught reading and language arts for the last four years. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Penn State University in 2013.

School: Central Middle School Position: Special Education Natalia comes to District 124 with a wide variety of clinical and field experience. She earned her bachelor's degree from Trinity Christian College with licensures in Special Education and Elementary Education.

School: Central Middle School Position: 7th Grade English Language Arts Bree arrives in Evergreen Park after working as an English and reading teacher at Lockport High School. She received her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she was an Evans Scholar.

School: Southeast Elementary School Position: English Language Arts Teacher Sara is taking over for a teacher on a full-year maternity leave. She has previously served as a substitute teacher in the district. Sara earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Saint Xavier University.

School: Central Middle School Position: 6-8th Grade English Language Arts Jamie joins the district after eight years in Chicago Public Schools. She earned her bachelor’s in elementary education from Eastern Illinois in 2008 and her master’s degree in Teacher Leadership from Concordia University in 2015.

School: Central Middle School Position: Interventionist Christina comes to D124 after spending the last four years as an ELA teacher in Lansing, Ill. She received her bachelor’s in English from the University of Illinois at Springfield and master’s in teaching and reading from Olivet Nazarene.

School: Central Middle School/Southwest Elementary School Position: English as a Second Language Teacher Katelyn joins the district after previously serving as a student teacher at the Washington Gifted Academy in Rockford. She earned her bachelor’s in political science from the University of Oregon and a master’s in teaching from Northern Illinois.

School: Central Middle School Position: 8th Grade Social Studies Vanessa comes to Evergreen Park with experience teaching language arts and social studies in Aurora and Elmhurst.

She earned her bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois and continues to further her education at North Central College.

School: Central Middle School Position: 7th Grade Math Samantha joins the EPSD team after previously working at the Monee Education Center in Crete-Monee District 201-U. She has received both her bachelor’s degree and her master’s in education from The Ohio State University.

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School: Central Middle School Position: Long-Term ELA & Social Studies Sub Alana, who has worked with D124 students in various capacities for several years as a substitute teacher and Extended Day assistant, completed her first semester of student teaching last fall. She attended St. Xavier University.

School: Northeast Elementary School Position: Technology Teacher

Susana has been teaching technology at various schools across Chicagoland since 1998. She has a master’s degree in elementary education from Lewis University and a bachelor’s degree in animation filmmaking and 3-D computer graphics.

School: Northeast Elementary School Position: Social Worker Susan joins the EPSD team after spending the previous year at Taft Elementary in Harvey, Ill., where she was a social worker and case manager. She has earned her master’s degree in social work and her bachelor’s degree in psychology.

School: District Position: Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Coach

Alexandria joins the district after serving as an MTSS coach in Flossmoor School District 161 for the past four school years.

She has earned her bachelor’s in child development and master’s degrees in teaching and reading.

School: Northeast Elementary School Position: Early Childhood Teacher

Lisa comes aboard at EPSD 124 after previously serving as an early childhood/special education teacher in South Holland District 150. She has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Governors State University.

School: Central Middle School Position: 6th Grade Math Daisy comes to Evergreen Park after spending the last three years as a math teacher at St. George School in Bourbonnais.

She received a bachelor’s in mathematics from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a master’s from Lewis University.

School: Northwest/Southeast Elementary School Position: Bilingual Teacher

Sarah joins Evergreen Park District 124 after spending the previous four school years as a second-grade teacher in Blue Island, Ill. She earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Illinois State University in 2010.

School: Central Middle School Position: 6th Grade English Language Arts Kristina joins the district after teaching fifth and sixth grade at Hodgkins Elementary School and The Barack Obama Learning Academy over the last two school years. She earned her bachelor’s in Elementary Education from St. Xavier University.

School: Northwest Elementary School Position: Interventionist

Ann joins the district after spending the last four years as a first-grade teacher at Lyons School District 103. She has a bachelor’s in elementary education and is working toward a master’s degree from National Louis University.

Evergreen Park Elementary School District 124 publishes

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for parents and residents.

Getting to know D124's new Assistant Principals

The District added two new faces to its administrative team this year, hiring two assistant principals to support the four elementary school buildings. Learn more about the new APs below ...

Name: Scott Liska Elementary Schools: Southeast and Southwest College(s) Attended: Wabash College (B.A. History Education), National Louis University (M. Ed Urban Education), Dominican University (M. Ed. Educational Administration) Prior Positions: CPS - Special Ed., Case Manager Hometown: LaGrange Park, IL

Name: Patricia Johnson Elementary Schools: Northeast and Northwest College(s) Attended: Southern Illinois University, Carbondale Prior Positions: District 124 PBIS/SEL coach, School Social Worker, Elementary and Secondary Education Counseling Program Coordinator Hometown: Geneseo, IL

What made you want to become an Assistant Principal in the district?

I am very excited to join District 124. I love the community feeling that runs throughout the district. Staff and students are dedicated to continuous growth and improvement. I am excited to add my experiences to the district and to learn and grow as a professional from all the amazing things that are already taking place here.

What made you want to become an Assistant Principal in the district?

Evergreen Park Elementary District 124 has allowed me to grow as a professional in the past four years, while I was the District PBIS/SEL coach. I am thankful to have the opportunity to continue to grow professionally in a district that is innovative and encourages all to meet the high expectations.

What are you most looking forward to this year?

Getting to know the students. So far, they are so kind and intelligent. I can't wait to see all of the amazing things that we are going to accomplish this year.

What are you most looking forward to this year?

This year I am looking forward to continuing to work with our staff to support rigorous learning and student engagement, and to challenge each student to be successful by setting high expectations.

What’s the best piece of advice you can offer to elementary school students?

The first thing I would say is to "Be Kind." Our words and actions have a tremendous impact so we always want to make sure we use them for good.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Spending time with my wife, Kristin, and our baby girl, Margaret. To relax, I love getting lost in a good book or watching the Chicago Bulls. I also love food!

What’s one thing the remains on your bucket list?

I'd love to see more of the world. I've been fortunate to travel a little bit but there is so much more to explore. Seeing other countries and meeting the people that live there exposes you to different perspectives, cultures,and ideas.

What’s the best piece of advice you can offer to elementary school students?

Learn as much as you can, challenge yourself and set goals. Celebrate when you reach your goal. Share kind words and support your classmates.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

During my free time I enjoy exercising, spending time outside (hiking, enjoying nature), spending time with family and riding my motorcycle.

What’s one thing the remains on your bucket list?

I would like to travel to every continent. I have Africa, South America, Australia and Antarctica left to see.

Students enjoy weekend in the classroom

Luke Brady (left) and Billy Buchanan participate in the Accelerated Weekend Experience on Aug. 12 at Central Middle School.

The district hosted an Accelerated Weekend Experience for Project TREE students in fifth through eighth grade from Aug. 12-13.

Students arrived with mixed opinions about spending the last weekend of summer vacation at school, but soon realized how much fun they would have.

Accelerated Weekend Experiences are offered through Northwestern Center for Talent Development. They are short, intensive, one-weekend long academic experiences that allow students to delve deeper into single topics.

The fifth and sixth grade students participated in Materials Design and Engineering: Sports Materials and the seventh and eighth grade students participated in Design

Evergreen Park Elementary School District 124 publishes

Studio: Engineering for Sustainability.

Students were engaged in hands-on activities to determine, for example, which material on a ball allows for the most bounce. Participants were also challenged with creating a tool that would use the power of water to lift a cup of beans from ground level to counter level.

During these activities, the students had the opportunity to question themselves, problem solve and work collaboratively in teams.

If the weekend was any indication of what these students might do in the future, it appears as if there may be some future engineers in District 124!

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The revenues and expenses of EPSD 124 Have you ever wondered how school district finances work? At Evergreen Park Elementary School District 124, we use taxpayer money, state aid and federal aid to cover the costs of providing our students with a high-quality education.

Here is a breakdown of the district’s projected revenues and expenses for the 2017-18 school year, along with a brief description of each category: Federal Grants 4.5%

Other Local Sources 3.4%

General State Aid 7.1%

Corporate Property Tax 1.6%

Purchased Services 2.4%

Information Services 2.0%

Supplies & Materials 3.6%

Utilities 2.6% Insurance 0.8%

Debt Service 6.2%

State Grants 6.0%

Interest Income 0.6%

Other 0.9%

Special Education 7.0%

Capital Improvement Projects 2.6%

Tax Levy 76.6%

Benefits 15.1%

Revenue Sources - $27.3 million Property Tax Levy - $20.9 million (76.6%) By far the largest revenue source for the district, these funds come from real estate taxes paid by Evergreen Park residents and businesses.

General State Aid - $1.9 million (7.1%) State funds that support Illinois school districts.

State Grants - $1.6 million (6.0%) Administered by the state, these grants help the district support programs such as early childhood education, special education and transportation.

Federal Grants - $1.2 million (4.5%) Funds awarded by the federal government that support districts in various areas, such as low-income students, teacher development and the national lunch program.

Salaries 56.6%

Expenses - $27.9 million Salaries - $15.8 million (56.6%) Funds to pay teachers and administrators.

Benefits - $4.2 million (15.1%) The cost of providing employees with medical and dental insurance.

Special Education - $1.9 million (7.0%) This represents the cost of educating students with special needs.

Debt Service - $1.7 million (6.2%) Principal and interest payments made on money borrowed on outstanding bonds.

Supplies & Materials - $1.0 million (3.6%) Papers, pens, notebooks, ink, etc.

Other Local Sources - $940,000 (3.4%) Activity fees, paid lunches, Extended Day program, etc.

Utilities - $735,000 (2.6%) The cost of electricity, gas, water, etc.

Corporate Personal Property Tax - $445,000 (1.6%) Funds received from a portion of corporate income tax.

Capital Improvement Projects - $722,000 (2.6%) These are the major construction projects being paid for by the district.

Interest Income - $169,000 (0.6%) Funds accumulated through interest earned on the operating fund balance

Purchased Services - $677,000 (2.4%) Costs of hiring outside assistance, such as auditors or consultants.

Perspective Evergreen Park Elementary School District 124 District Office 2929 W. 87th Street Evergreen Park, IL 60805 Phone: 708/423.0950 Fax: 708/423.4292 www.d124.org Administration Robert J. Machak, Ed.D. Superintendent Phone: 708/423.0950 ext. 2102 Kathleen Prado Director of Curriculum and Instruction Timothy Kostecki Director of Business Services Veda Newman Director of Student Support Services Alex Mayster Communications Coordinator Evergreen Park Elementary School District 124 Board Members Kimberly Leonard, president Julie Egan, vice president Gina Canon, secretary Sean Hynes Robert Kelly Kathryn Fontaine Colleen Klimczak

FA L L 2017

OUR MISSION...

Information Services - $564,000 (2.0%) Managing and processing information technology and the District's 1:1 program.

Other – $247,000 (0.9%) Small expenses that do not fall into other categories.

Insurance – $224,000 (0.8%) Property and liability.

Inspire, Empower, Achieve ... Every Student, Every Day Central Middle School 9400 South Sawyer Avenue, Evergreen Park, IL 60805 Phone: 708/424.0148 Fax: 708/229.8406 Northeast Elementary School 9058 South California Avenue, Evergreen Park, IL 60805 Phone: 708/422.6501 Fax: 708/229.8410 Northwest Elementary School 3630 West 92nd Street, Evergreen Park, IL 60805 Phone: 708/425.9473 Fax: 708/229.8407 Southeast Elementary School 9800 South Francisco Avenue Evergreen Park, IL 60805 Phone: 708/422.1021 Fax: 708/229.8413 Southwest Elementary School 9900 South Central Park Avenue, Evergreen Park, IL 60805 Phone: 708/424.2444 Fax: 708/229.8416

Mark Your Calendar: Oct. 9

Columbus Day - No School

Oct. 10-11

Parent/Teacher Conferences - No School

Oct. 20

End of Quarter 1 - Students dismissed at 11:30 a.m.

Oct. 27

Quarter 1 Report Cards Distributed

Oct. 31

Halloween Celebrations

Nov. 22-24

Thanksgiving Vacation - No School

Dec. 25-Jan. 5

Winter Vacation - No School

Jan. 8

Teacher Institute Day - No School

Jan. 9 Classes Resume Additional calendar dates and information are available on our website at www.d124.org.

Evergreen Park Elementary School District 124 publishes

PERSPECTIVE

for parents and residents.