D15COVER 15 - A CCSD15 PUBLICATION - Fall 2021

OU R ST RAT EG I C D I R ECT I O N | M OVING 15 FO RWA RD | ACHIEVEMENTS & ACCO L ADE S

DI5COVER A CCSD15 PUBLICATION | WINTER 2022

Some photos included in this magazine were taken prior to the pandemic.

IN THIS ISSUE PAGE 1 A message from Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Laurie Heinz PAGE 2 Our Schools PAGE 3 Our Strategic Direction PAGE 4-7 Our Commitment to Students PAGE 8 Our Commitment to Staff PAGE 9 Our Commitment to Facilities & Finances PAGE 10 Capital Projects and Health-Life Safety PAGE 11 Moving 15 Forward

QR CODES

PAGE 12 Our Commitment to Results

Throughout this magazine, we have shared QR

PAGE 13 Achievements & Accolades

codes that will direct you to our website for more

PAGE 14 Meet the Board of Education

on your smartphone and point the camera at the QR

information. To scan the QR code, open the camera code. Then, tap the pop-up banner to open the page.

PAGE 15 one-five Foundation & Hiring Information

HABLA ESPANOL?

PAGE 16 Our School Locations

Para leer esta revista en español, por favor visite www.ccsd15.net/Discover

D15 COVER

A CCSD15 PUBLICATION | WINTER 2022

ADMINISTRATION

BOARD OF EDUCATION

EDITORIAL

Dr. Laurie Heinz

Ann Scully

Lisa Beth Szczupaj

Rebecca Latham

SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF STUDENT SERVICES

PRESIDENT

EDITOR

Lisa Nuss

VICE PRESIDENT

Dr. Claire Kowalczyk DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

Diana McCluskey

ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES

CHIEF SCHOOL BUSINESS OFFICIAL

Dr. Meg Schnoor

Rebecca Latham

ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF TEACHING & LEARNING

CHIEF COMMUNICATION OFFICER

Dr. Thomas Edgar ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

Renee Urbanski ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF MULTILINGUAL SERVICES

Frank Annerino Samantha Ader SECRETARY

Wenda Hunt Zubair Khan James Taylor Anthony Wang

Some photos included in this magazine were taken prior to the pandemic.

Sandy Cramer EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Kyle Flubacker, Lenspeak Photography PHOTOGRAPHER

Liz Benedetto, Ashby, Inc. GRAPHIC DESIGNER

THE DISTRICT 15 DIFFERENCE A Message from Superintendent of Schools Dr. Laurie Heinz Dear District 15 Community, I am both honored and excited to bring you the inaugural edition of “D15COVER," our newest District 15 publication.

It has been more than 20 years since we last printed and mailed a publication to each and every household within our 35 square mile boundary, which covers all or parts of seven municipalities—all of Palatine, Rolling Meadows, and Inverness, and parts of Hoffman Estates, unincorporated Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, and South Barrington.

This magazine will serve as a key communication tool, much like an annual report to the community, to share what we are proud of, challenges we are facing, and areas of focus within our Strategic Plan (page 2). While this magazine could not possibly include everything happening throughout our dynamic 20-school District, topics such as teaching and learning, student growth and achievement, District finances, our ongoing boundary review and enrollment analysis, and employment opportunities will be highlighted, to name just a few.

As we navigate another school year amidst an ongoing pandemic, we feel it's the right time to initiate a community-wide publication to connect directly with and inform our more than 100,000 stakeholders. We hope you find the publication both exciting and informative, that your support for District 15 is ignited or re-ignited, and that you enjoy learning more about the student experience within our schools. We value your partnership and want you to see how your tax dollars are being invested in our students, our employees, and within the facilities where teaching and learning take place.

If you’d like to stay in touch with District 15 throughout the year, we invite you to subscribe to our e-newsletter publications by visiting www.ccsd15.net/newsletters.

Thank you for being our partners in education. We hope, once you have discovered District 15, that you will share our pride in our strategic commitments and continuous improvement efforts.

Your partner in educating the students of District 15,

Dr. Laurie Heinz Superintendent of Schools @DrLaurieHeinz

#MoreThanEver WINTER 2022

#ProudToBe15 Some photos included in this magazine were taken prior to the pandemic.

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OUR STRATEGIC DIRECTION The Board of Education and Superintendent have established District 15’s Mission, Vision, and Values that provide a comprehensive road map to ensure the students within our community receive a high-quality educational experience that meets the academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs of our District's diverse student body.

District 15’s commitment to students, staff, facility improvement, and financial stewardship and results guides the strategic direction (www.ccsd15.net/ strategicplan) utilized to reach our vision of preparing students to be critical thinkers, effective communicators, engaged community members, and selfreliant, resilient and healthy individuals who are equipped for continued success.

OUR MISSION

OUR VALUES

Produce world-class learners by building a connected learning community.

• Innovation • Prepare students for future

OUR VISION Preparing students to be critical thinkers, effective communicators, engaged community members, self-reliant, resilient and healthy individuals who are equipped for continued success.

success

• Meet the needs of every child every day

• Healthy

and supportive culture • Rigorous, personalized learning • Equity and Inclusivity

OUR COMMITMENT TO TS EN

STAFF

OUR STRATEGIC DIRECTION

IALS NC NA FI

S LT U

3

FAC I L ITI ES

RE S

Address the facility and capacity needs of our 20 schools through careful planning and financial stewardship.

4

&

Attract, engage, and retain highquality staff in all schools and departments.

FACILITY IMPROVEMENT & FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP

2

1

F AF ST

Ensure the academic, socialemotional, and personal growth of all learners.

ST UD

STUDENTS

RESULTS Maintain a focus on results to drive continuous improvement and equitable outcomes for all students.

2

Some photos included in this magazine were taken prior to the pandemic.

D15COVER

ABOUT DISTRICT 15 District 15 is the second largest elementary school system in Illinois that proudly educates 11,000+ students with:

• 15 schools serving grades K-6

• 4 junior high

schools serving grades 7-8, and

• 1 therapeutic

OUR SCHOOLS Preschool District 15 educates more than 400 preschool students.

The preschool program is half-day and includes classrooms for special education students and at-risk students ages 3-5.

Our preschool classes have a strong emphasis on learning through play and hands-on experiences with embedded support in the areas of language development, socialemotional skills, sensory processing, and fine and gross motor skills.

Elementary (K-6) District 15 educates approximately 8,000 kindergarten through sixth-grade students.

Elementary-aged students receive daily instruction in reading, mathematics, science, and social studies.

Experiences also include art, music, physical education, and social-emotional learning.

Kindergarten is currently a half-day program. As part of the Moving 15 Forward plan (page 11), District 15 has proposed offering a full-day program to provide more time for instruction, fine art experiences, play-based learning, and socialemotional development. Additional support would be provided through interventions and/or enrichment programs. To view a summary of full-day kindergarten, scan the FDK VIDEO QR code above.

Junior High (7-8) District 15 educates approximately 2,600 seventh- and eighthgrade students.

school serving early childhood students and some junior high learners.

Drawing students from all or parts of seven municipalities, the District’s 35-squaremile footprint includes almost 120,000 residents who speak more than 80 languages.

In District 15, we embrace our diversity and believe it to be one of our greatest assets.

The current junior high program includes: English/language arts (ELA), mathematics, science, social studies, and physical education.

Electives include world languages, art, music, band, orchestra, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), and scholars.

Students also experience a rich complement of extracurricular activities including intra-district competitive and intramural sports, as well as clubs that afford students the opportunity to find and explore their passions outside of the classroom.

As part of Moving 15 Forward (page 11), District 15 has proposed transitioning to a grade 6-8 middle school model that would unite sixth-grade students with other adolescent learners who currently attend our junior high structure. To view a summary of the benefits to the middle school model, scan the MS VIDEO QR code above.

For the full list of the schools in District 15, please visit page 16.

WINTER 2022

Some photos included in this magazine were taken prior to the pandemic.

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OUR COMMITMENT TO STUDENTS STUDENTS

Ensure the academic, social-emotional, and personal growth of all learners.

DISTRICT 15 MANTRA:

MEET THE NEEDS OF EVERY CHILD, EVERY DAY District 15 is committed to meeting the academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs of each of our learners, and we do so in a variety of ways.

We are committed to providing ambitious and rigorous instruction that is responsive to the needs of our students.

This vision is grounded in a belief that all students can and will learn as a result of a District 15 education. Responsive practices that are also culturally informed are at the center of, and embedded throughout, our instructional framework.

As part of every student's District 15 experience, they receive daily instruction in reading, math, science, and social studies that aligns with Illinois State Board of Education curricular standards.

The feedback loop below demonstrates how District 15 teachers utilize Responsive Teaching to adjust how they instruct and interact with students based on their progress.

SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING Prior to, but certainly even more so as a result of the ongoing pandemic, the social-emotional health of our students is of great importance in District 15. We are educators of “the whole child,” teaching students about their emotions, how to deal with conflict, disappointment, and even great achievements are all of high importance to our students’ ability to be well-adjusted and successful in a global society. Reading social cues and situational appropriateness are explicitly taught and discussed in our classrooms. These skills help to provide students with real-life examples, experiences, and opportunities to develop proficiencies in a variety of social situations.

RESPONSIVE TEACHING District 15 has adapted to the changing needs of its student body by making cultural responsiveness a priority in its schools. We have implemented a Responsive Teaching & Learning curriculum within our schools. Teachers use these practices to focus on validating and affirming home cultures in order to build and bridge school relationships and expectations. Responsive Teaching is a mindset for staff and students, which allows for the creation of equitable classrooms in which all students are equal members of the classroom community.

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Teaching is adapted based on student responses.

So that ...

Teaching is responsive

TEACHER

FEEDBACK LOOP

Regular and specific improvement points are used to close the learning gap.

So that ...

STUDENT

Some photos included in this magazine were taken prior to the pandemic.

Learning is informed.

D15COVER

MEETING THE NEEDS OF EVERY CHILD, EVERY DAY A MULTI-TIERED SYSTEM OF SUPPORT No two students are exactly alike. This is true for everything from academic to emotional and behavioral needs. Because students come to us with varying levels of readiness and needs, District 15 uses a differentiated approach to meet students where they are.

This highly personalized learning model, known as MultiTiered System of Supports (MTSS), a common approach and best-practice for districts nationally. Although student supports are broken into tiers based upon need, there is instructional differentiation happening for every child who needs it - each and every day.

1

2

3

CORE

MORE

MOST

Tier 2 support is offered for students needing more targeted assistance that extends beyond differentiation by the classroom teacher. These students may receive reading intervention, behavior plans or small group instruction to boost social skills.

For students who need more intensive or individualized support than what Tiers 1 or 2 offer, students in tier 3 receive a more specialized educational plan. Students at this level could be placed in gifted programming or individual interventions with a specialty staff member such as a speech language pathologist.

Tier 1 core instruction is what the majority of students receive - core instructional curriculum.

Although this tier is the most common, personalized, differentiated instruction is still provided by the classroom teacher to students who need some acceleration or support.

"My child has excelled blah blah blah from Tier X interveions ... "

MEETING STUDENTS WHERE THEY ARE Student achievement is closely monitored each year through assessments, screenings and teacher observations. All of these data points are reviewed annually to determine a students’ academic and social-emotional wellness and readiness levels.

Parents play a critical role in supporting their child’s education through frequent communication with classroom teachers and assisting with educational interventions at home.

WINTER 2022

Some photos included in this magazine were taken prior to the pandemic.

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STUDENT SERVICES District 15 is proud to offer a comprehensive continuum of special education services that allows staff to meet the needs of our students. Unlike many surrounding districts, District 15 proudly educates greater than 99% of our student population in our 20 schools, supporting special and diverse educational needs. Our goal is to ensure all students are successful in school, while receiving any supports or services they may need.

In compliance with federal and state mandates, the Student Services Department currently provides special education programs and services for children in compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Illinois Administrative Code. Special Education programs serve students with academic, communication, cognitive and physical disabilities as well as autism spectrum disorders, social/ emotional/behavioral disorders, health impairments, and visual or hearing disabilities. Section 504 Plans are developed for students with disabilities, including health conditions, which require accommodations within the school environment.

Additional services supported by the Student Services Department include special education/Individualized Education Programs (IEP), health services, Illinois Homeless Act (McKinney-Vento) supports for students experiencing homelessness, supports for students in foster care placements, and enrollment and student records management.

MULTILINGUAL PROGRAMS With roughly 4,000 students who are English Learners (EL), District 15 has the 13th largest EL population in the state of Illinois. We are proud to support students who speak more than 80 languages throughout our District, the top five being Spanish, Polish, Telugu, Japanese, and Korean.

We have a robust offering of programs that meet federal and state mandates. The programs are designed to accelerate language development in speaking, listening, reading, and writing in English while at the same time support mastery of grade level content in students’ native language as needed. Our goal is to ensure students have the skills and confidence to exit English as a Second Language (ESL) programming and succeed alongside their general education peers.

DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAM District 15 proudly provides a growing two-way Dual Language Program to approximately 400 students in kindergarten through third grade at two schools.

Classrooms are composed of both native English and native Spanish speakers who are learning grade level content together in both languages. The goal is to ensure our students develop high levels of language proficiency and literacy in two languages as well as to develop an appreciation for, and an understanding of, diverse cultures.

To learn more about our Student Services department offerings, please visit:

To learn more about our Multilingual Department offerings, please visit:

www.ccsd15.net/StudentServices

www.ccsd15.net/Mul tilingual

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Some photos included in this magazine were taken prior to the pandemic.

D15COVER

JUNIOR HIGH ELECTIVES In District 15, we educate students beyond core academics, by providing students with the opportunity to participate in daily elective classes.

Electives help students expand personal interests through exposure and the development of new experiences.

ELEMENTARY FINE ARTS AND JUNIOR HIGH ELECTIVES In addition to a rich and rigorous core educational experience, students receive opportunities in fine arts throughout their time in District 15. Our art program provides students with hands-on experiences using a wide variety of coursework and activities. Students are offered significant opportunities to choose individual artistic pursuits through their projects.

Our music program offerings are equally as rich and provide students with opportunities to learn about great composers and musicians while also making music with their classmates, trying new instruments, and for some, eventually joining our band or orchestra programs.

CLUBS Clubs offer an opportunity for exploration in a variety of topics driven by the interests of students. Students are encouraged to share their ideas for a club with school administrators in order to ensure clubs meet the needs and interests of students within the school.

Some of our offerings include running, art, chess, graphic arts, and board and video game clubs!

WINTER 2022

EXTRACURRICULAR OFFERINGS District 15 boasts a proud history of extracurricular activities and athletics.

Our students enjoy intramural sports in sixth grade, as well as competitive sports in junior high including basketball, cross country, soccer, track and field, volleyball, and wrestling.

This year the District piloted a partnership with the Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA), and in its first year, Winston Campus Junior High's cross country team finished 13th out of 27 teams.

Students also compete in academic opportunities such as the District Spelling Bee, as well as local and national competitions such as MathCounts, You Be the Chemist, and the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA). We are proud to offer these opportunities that augment our students’ educational programs and make their school experience well-rounded and exciting!

Other electives include, but are not limited to, World Languages, Band, Orchestra, and Visual Arts.

Some photos included in this magazine were taken prior to the pandemic.

A popular elective offering is STEM which allows students the opportunity to explore careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Our STEM program provides a choice of four courses for students to choose from.

In Computer Science for Innovators and Makers, students learn about computer programming and they design and develop code for microcontrollers which bring their designs to life.

Automation and Robotics allows students to apply critical thinking and problem solving skills during a series of hands-on design challenges.

In Medical Detectives, students assume the role of a real-life medical detective as they solve medical mysteries through hands-on projects and labs.

Design & Modeling gives students the opportunity to learn and utilize methods for communicating design ideas through sketches, solid models, and mathematical models, and use 3D printers to bring their creations to life.

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OUR COMMITMENT TO STAFF STAFF

Attract, engage, and retain high-quality staff in all schools and departments.

District 15 works collaboratively with our staff represented by five unions—teachers, transportation, service personnel, support personnel, and therapists—to meet the needs of every student and employee group daily. Professionals from within and across our schools are all committed to moving District 15 forward.

1,900

5

58

70%

10

45%

STAFF MEMBERS

UNIONS

NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFIED TEACHERS

OF STAFF WITH ADVANCED DEGREES

DIFFERENT LANGUAGES SPOKEN BY STAFF

LONG-TERM STAFF (10 YEARS OR MORE)

ATTRACT District 15 has implemented many efforts to attract staff and ensure District 15 is a destination where staff want to pursue their career. This school year, the District has hosted five job fairs with additional fairs scheduled throughout the 2021-22 school year.

For all open positions, please scan the QR code to the right.

District 15 has also partnered with outside organizations such as the U.S. Department of State to implement the teacher exchange program, welcoming four visiting teachers for the 2021-22 school year.

RETAIN

ENGAGE District 15 staff continue to team together in support of our 11,000+ students. Thanks to our dedicated Nutrition Services

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and Transportation Departments, District 15 was able to serve our families 1.3 million meals in the 2020‑21 school year. Our Technology Department dropped everything at the beginning of COVID-19 to move District 15 to a 1:1 (one technology device per student) district. Our teachers and paraprofessionals continually adjusted to the changes in guidance and practices throughout the pandemic to support every child, every day. Our school and District administration, nursing team, and all staff in District 15 continue to put the safety of our students and staff at the forefront during a global pandemic.

Ongoing professional development is a fundamental commitment in District 15 because it is our teachers working closest to our students who make the critical difference in student growth and achievement.

The District offers year-round professional development to meet the needs of staff and to ensure we remain a world-class, high quality educational community.

Some photos included in this magazine were taken prior to the pandemic.

D15COVER

OUR COMMITMENT TO FACILITIES & FINANCES

FACILITIES & FINANCES

Address the facility and capacity needs of our 20 schools and three support facilities through careful planning and financial stewardship.

Like all school districts in Illinois, District 15 relies heavily on local property taxes for the majority of its funding. For the fiscal year ending June 2022, 73 percent of the approximately $196 million in budgeted revenues came from local property taxes. State and federal revenue sources are also a critical source of funding for our schools, accounting for almost onequarter of our budgeted revenues.

District 15 is committed to meeting the academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs of every student, every day.

That’s why 85 percent of District 15’s overall expenditures directly support educating our diverse student body, including salaries, benefits, supplies, and services ranging from high-quality teachers and support staff, challenging curriculum and innovative educational materials, to safe transportation and nutritious food services. The remaining 15 percent is primarily used for capital improvements and debt service.

HOW IS DISTRICT 15 FUNDED?

HOW IS DISTRICT FUNDING UTILIZED? 56% SALARIES

85%

73% PROPERTY TAXES 13% 73% FEDERAL PROPERTY

TAXES

11% STATE

13% FEDERAL

3% OTHER

85% 85%

11% STATE

OF DISTRICT FUNDING IS EDUCATION UTILIZED TO EDUCATION EDUCATE STUDENTS

3% OTHER

15%SALARIES BENEFITS 56% 15% 7% BENEFITS SERVICES 7% SERVICES

7% SUPPLIES

7% SUPPLIES

9% CAPITAL EQUIPMENT

9% CAPITAL EQUIPMENT

3% PRINCIPAL & INTEREST

3% PRINCIPAL & INTEREST

2% NON-CAPITAL NON-CAPITAL EQUIPMENT 2% EQUIPMENT 1% 1% DUES DUES

GOOD STEWARDS OF TAXPAYERS RESOURCES

PRUDENT USE OF DEBT

Disciplined financial stewardship means the District pays careful attention to how every dollar is spent. District 15 has maintained a strong financial position with an Aa2 Moody’s rating (second highest rating). Organizations rated “Aa” are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.

District 15 has a relatively low amount of outstanding debt. Elementary school districts are authorized to have statutory debt limit of 6.9 percent of equalized assessed value (EAV) or roughly ⅓ of the assessed value of all property within District boundaries. Our current outstanding debt is under 1 percent of EAV. This is one indicator of financial health measured by ISBE in its annual Financial Profile. In recent years, District 15 has FIELD received a top score of 3.9 (of RECOGNITION 4.0) “Financial Recognition” SCORE from ISBE. The District’s fund balance and debt capacity remain strong in spite of the large-scale capital improvement projects completed over the last several years.

Aa2

MOODY

The Illinois State Board of RATING Education (ISBE) recommends that districts maintain a minimum of 25 percent fund balance (an accumulation of revenues minus expenditures) for emergency use. District 15 has maintained between 25 and 39 percent fund balances as a percent of expenditures over the last five years.

WINTER 2022

Some photos included in this magazine were taken prior to the pandemic.

3.9 4.0

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CAPITAL PROJECTS AND HEALTH-LIFE SAFETY

20

3

1,700,000

SCHOOL BUILDINGS

SUPPORT BUILDINGS

SQUARE FEET OF PROPERTY TO MAINTAIN

District 15 maintains 20 school buildings and three ancillary facilities. They range in age from 29 to 75 years old and require continuous maintenance and replacement of aging building systems. Each year the Board of Education allocates approximately $5 million of the annual operating budget to maintain and improve our facilities. In addition, the District authorized the issuance of over $40 million in life-safety bonds during the last five years to begin accelerating critical deferred maintenance.

District 15 takes a holistic approach to our buildings and recognizes that they are essential and visible hubs of activity within the neighborhoods they serve. Funds for improving and maintaining our facilities fall into three categories:

1,900

STUDENT LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS

5

58

BUILDING EXTERIORS

NATIONAL HVAC,STAFF boilers, painting,UNIONS Roofs, windows, fascia, MEMBERS BOARD flooring, school library tuckpointing, secure resource centers, entries CERTIFIED TEACHERS lighting, ceilings, student storage cubbies

70%

SCHOOL SITES

10

OFSidewalks, STAFF playgrounds DIFFERENT WITH LANGUAGES and equipment, parking ADVANCED SPOKEN BY lot paving DEGREES STAFF

In addition to what has already been accomplished, the District recently completed a 5-Year Facility and Maintenance Plan for FY2023-27 that includes $76 million of vital work that still needs to be addressed. This plan prioritizes a blended combination of HealthLife Safety projects, school improvements, modernizations, and maintenance and repairs.

The District anticipates continuing to earmark $4-5 million each year from the operating budget for these essential facility and maintenance improvements. At the same time, the District is also working with the Board of Education to identify other potential funding sources for this work in tandem with the proposed Moving 15 Forward (formerly Beyond Just Boundaries) plan (page 11) to address these shared high value priorities of our District 15 community.

MAJOR CAPITAL PROJECTS FY 2022 • Library Resource

Center modernization at seven schools

• HVAC replacement at two schools

• Paving overlays and construction at multiple schools

45%

• Concrete and

sidewalk repairs at multiple schools LONG-TERM

STAFF (10 YEARS FY 2021 OR MORE) • Library Resource

Center modernization at Gray M. Sanborn (pictured below)

• Boiler and HVAC replacements at eight schools

• Univent replacement at two schools

• Carpet and flooring replacement at several schools

FY 2020 • Playground installation at one school

• Univent replacement at one school

• Secure vestibule

installations at six schools

• Roof replacement Kimball Hill Elementary Library

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Gray M. Sanborn Elementary's Library was updated in the summer of 2021

Some photos included in this magazine were taken prior to the pandemic.

at one school

D15COVER

EVERY DISTRICT 15 STUDENT, SCHOOL, AND COMMUNITY WOULD BENEFIT. Three Critical Areas of Improvement

Moving 15 Forward is a community-driven plan focused on addressing District 15's highest priority educational and school facility needs. The plan is a game changer for every student, school, and community we serve.

Repair & Restore Facilities

Anticipated benefits of the Moving 15 Forward plan include:

√ Making D15's schools healthier, safer, and more secure

√ Extending the useful life of existing school buildings

√ Reducing costly emergency repairs

√ Improving ADA accessibility √ Enhancing energy efficiency √ Updating classrooms and libraries

√ Offering full-day kindergarten and creating middle schools

√ Reducing overcrowding √ Protecting property values WINTER 2022

Address repairs, maintenance, and critical upgrades to keep schools secure, address health/life safety needs, improve energy efficiency, and enhance ADA accessibility for students, staff, and visitors. Preventing costly emergency repairs and extending the useful life of school buildings saves taxpayer dollars.

Update Learning Spaces Update classrooms and libraries to leverage instructional technology and improve hands-on learning, create space for full-day kindergarten, and establish middle schools. More time in school improves outcomes for young learners while middle schools address the unique needs of adolescents and extend the time between transitions.

Improve Student Transitions Align feeder patterns with high school boundaries so students can attend neighborhood or nearneighborhood schools and progress from building to building with their classmates. Access to programs and services would be improved, time on buses would be reduced, and overcrowding would be addressed.

Some photos included in this magazine were taken prior to the pandemic.

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COMMITMENT TO RESULTS RESULTS

Maintain a focus on results to drive continuous improvement and equitable outcomes for all students.

To ensure continuous improvement for all students, District 15 carefully monitors student progress through various tests and systems to track both academic and social-emotional growth. The information gained from these tests and assessments drives our efforts as we work to achieve equitable outcomes for all students.

The student outcomes we track fall into four main categories:

1. ACHIEVEMENT AND ACADEMIC GROWTH The District utilizes a variety of assessments to identify priority skills and ensure students are receiving instruction that matches their needs. The data gathered from these assessments helps teachers identify skills to focus their instruction, identify students who may need enrichment or additional support, and determine how much progress students are making in a given subject area.

2. STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) protects and nurtures our learning environments. District 15 uses a social-emotional program that helps students understand everyday feelings and overwhelming emotions. Through the Erika’s Lighthouse Program, students learn how to respond to feelings and when to ask for help for themselves or a friend.

3. STUDENT BEHAVIOR AND DISCIPLINE District 15 has implemented Life Space Crisis Intervention (LSCI) within our schools as a strategy that provides a systematic, comprehensive approach to addressing escalating behavior to ensure students can be prepared for learning in the classroom.

4. EQUITABLE ACCESS AND REPRESENTATION IN OUR PROGRAMS The District has a process in place for ongoing review of its programs, materials, and instruction to ensure we are meeting the needs of all students and to ensure all students are represented in the educational materials they utilize each day. This review ensures wall students receive opportunities and access to programs, content, and practices that provide them a rigorous education, meeting them where they are.

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Some photos included in this magazine were taken prior to the pandemic.

D15COVER

ACHIEVEMENTS & ACCOLADES Student and Staff Accomplishments

Walter R. Sundling Junior High School (WRS) has been designated as a 2021 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. WRS welcomed Dr. Miguel Cardona, Secretary for the Department of Education, Dr. Carmen Ayala, State Superintendent, and Governor J.B. Pritzker for the announcement in September.

Martín Da Costa, Principal of Winston Campus Junior High, was selected as one of the winners of the highly competitive Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Leadership.

This award honors exemplary performance in school leadership by a principal or head of school who has had a significant and sustained positive impact on the school, created a culture of inclusivity, and delivered dramatic student growth.

WANT TO RECEIVE DISTRICT 15 E-NEWSLETTERS? Sign-up for our newsletter publications by visiting

www.ccsd15.net/newsletters

Keep up with District 15 news and celebrations by following us on social media!

@CCSD15 @D15Schools @D15Schools ccsd15

WINTER 2022

Some photos included in this magazine were taken prior to the pandemic.

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MEET THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

LISA SZCZUPAJ

FRANK J. ANNERINO

SAMANTHA ADER

PRESIDENT

VICE PRESIDENT

SECRETARY

Elected: April 2021 Term Expires: April 2025

Elected: April 2021 Term Expires: April 2025

Elected: April 2019 Term Expires: April 2023

SzczupaL@ccsd15.net

AnnerinF1@ccsd15.net

AderS@ccsd15.net

WENDA HUNT

ZUBAIR KHAN

JAMES TAYLOR

ANTHONY WANG

Elected: April 2019 Term Expires: April 2023

Elected: April 2019 Term Expires: April 2023

Elected: April 2021 Term Expires: April 2025

Elected: April 2021 Term Expires: April 2025

HuntW@ccsd15.net

KhanZ2@ccsd15.net

TaylorJ1@ccsd15.net

WangA1@ccsd15.net

The Board of Education is an elected governmental body made up of seven Board Members who work to provide quality education opportunities for all students in our District.

Board duties include, but are not limited to:

• Hiring & evaluating the Superintendent of Schools • Authorizing employment of staff members & setting salaries

• Setting educational standards & goals & monitoring district performance

• Authorizing curriculum development & revision • Adopting & monitoring a budget sufficient to carry out district goals

• Establishing district-wide policies How does the Board of Education work together to accomplish its goals and objectives?

The majority of the work of the Board of Education is done at public Board meetings, typically held the second Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. Board meetings are held at Walter R. Sundling Junior High School. These meetings are public meetings and community members are welcome to attend.

114 4

Board members also have positions on Board committees.

Board committees in District 15 include the Finance, Facility/ Moving 15 Forward, and Equity Committees. Additionally a Board representative is part of the Education Research Development (ED-RED) Organization, and the District’s one-five Foundation.

How can community members share their thoughts & feedback with the Board of Education?

If community members have thoughts and opinions they’d like to share with the Board, they are invited to communicate via their District 15 Board of Education email accounts listed above.

Additionally, all Board of Education meetings have a designated time for public comment, where citizens can directly address the Board during the Board meeting. Board meetings are live streamed to the District’s YouTube page and website.

To view Board meeting dates, past minutes, or recordings, please scan the QR code.

Some photos included in this magazine were taken prior to the pandemic.

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COMMUNITY PARTNERS In District 15, we are fortunate to have a variety of community partners who support not only our schools, but our students, their families, and our communities as well.

Our Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) (led by the Northwest Suburban Council-NWSC PTA/PTSA) are groups of dedicated parents and staff members who work continually to make a difference for the education, health, and welfare of children and youth in our schools. If you’re interested in joining your school’s PTA, please visit your school’s website for more information.

Partners for Our Communities (POC) connects people with local resources and provides a pathway for their integration and success.

Community Closet is located at the POC and provides clothing for the community all year long.

Our Parent Advisory Committees help to establish a clear and collaborative voice between the multilingual community of English language learners and District 15 schools.

Special Education Parents Accessing Resources and Knowledge (SPARK) is a group designed to give parents information to help them in their current and future steps in the journey of parenting children with unique needs.

The one-five Foundation supports programs and projects to enhance and supplement the educational experience of District 15’s students. Read more about the one-five’s initiatives below.

Thanks to the generosity of a teacher donor and Mikes Bike Shop of Palatine, we have two fantastic bikes to help out some of our visiting international teachers!

The Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee (BPAC) hosted a picnic which included a special performance of a traditional Mexican dance by some of the moms!

ONE-FIVE FOUNDATION The one-five Foundation has raised more than $2 million for District 15 since it was founded in 1989. Thanks to generous donors, Foundation contributions continue to fund countless initiatives not otherwise covered by the District’s annual budget including LEGO Robotics, grief support, special education sensory rooms, and more.

This year, the Foundation is taking its efforts further than ever before by pledging nearly $200,000 to District 15 for two specific initiatives: Blessings in a Backpack and flexible seating for every school’s library.

BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK More than 2,400 elementary students in District 15 rely on free breakfasts and lunches at school through the Federal Free & Reduced Price Meal program. Through Blessings in a Backpack, students are sent home with a bag of healthy food at the end of the week to help provide nutritional meals when school is not in session. Annually, this program has been able to serve about 700 students District-wide.

District 15 currently has more students with food insecurities than are currently receiving the additional financial support of our donors.

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The one-five Foundation cannot do this important work without your generous support.

REIMAGINING SCHOOL LIBRARIES If you step into one of our school libraries, they don’t look very different than they did 20 or 30 years ago. Heavy square tables, rows of bookshelves, and large wooden chairs are what furnish most of District 15’s library spaces. Libraries are not just used for reading anymore.

Libraries or library resource media centers (LRC) are the learning hubs of our schools, utilized for everything from STEM activities to club gatherings to guest speakers, to teaching students current research methodologies to solve “real world” problems.

The one-five Foundation wants to support that. The Foundation has a goal to raise nearly $200,000 to outfit all of District 15’s school libraries with flexible seating, so these spaces can be used more effectively, resulting in improved outcomes for District 15’s students.

For more information or to make a donation, please visit www.one-five.org.

Some photos included in this magazine were taken prior to the pandemic.

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OUR SCHOOL LOCATIONS JOHN G. CONYERS LEARNING ACADEMY

2800 Central Road Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 847-963-3400 www.ccsd15.net/CLA GRAY M. SANBORN SCHOOL

101 N. Oak Street Palatine, IL 60067 847-963-7000 www.ccsd15.net/GMS KIMBALL HILL SCHOOL

2905 Meadow Drive Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 847-963-5200 www.ccsd15.net/KH MARION JORDAN SCHOOL

100 N. Harrison Avenue Palatine, IL 60067 847-963-5500 www.ccsd15.net/MJ 16

CENTRAL ROAD SCHOOL

3800 Central Road Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 847-963-5100 www.ccsd15.net/CR HUNTING RIDGE SCHOOL

1105 W. Illinois Avenue Palatine, IL 60067 847-963-5300 www.ccsd15.net/HR LAKE LOUISE SCHOOL

500 N. Jonathan Drive Palatine, IL 60074 847-963-5600 www.ccsd15.net/LL PLEASANT HILL SCHOOL

434 W. Illinois Avenue Palatine, IL 60067 847-963-5900 www.ccsd15.net/PH

FRANK C. WHITELEY SCHOOL

4335 Haman Avenue Hoffman Estates, IL 60192 847-963-7200 www.ccsd15.net/FCW JANE ADDAMS SCHOOL

1020 E. Sayles Drive Palatine, IL 60074 847-963-5000 www.ccsd15.net/JA LINCOLN SCHOOL

1021 N. Ridgewood Lane Palatine, IL 60067 847-963-5700 www.ccsd15.net/LS STUART R. PADDOCK SCHOOL

225 W. Washington Street Palatine, IL 60067 847-963-5800 www.ccsd15.net/SRP D15COVER

THOMAS JEFFERSON SCHOOL

3805 Winston Drive Hoffman Estates, IL 60192 847-963-5400 www.ccsd15.net/TJ WINSTON CAMPUS ELEMENTARY

900 E. Palatine Road Palatine, IL 60074 847-963-7500 www.ccsd15.net/WCE WALTER R.SUNDLING JUNIOR HIGH

1100 N. Smith Street Palatine, IL 60067 847-963-3700 www.ccsd15.net/WRS

VIRGINIA LAKE SCHOOL

925 N. Glenn Drive Palatine, IL 60074 847-963-7100 www.ccsd15.net/VL CARL SANDBURG JUNIOR HIGH

2600 Martin Lane Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 847-963-7800 www.ccsd15.net/CS WINSTON CAMPUS JUNIOR HIGH

120 N. Babcock Drive Palatine, IL 60074 847-963-7400 www.ccsd15.net/WCJH

WILLOW BEND SCHOOL

4700 Barker Avenue Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 847-963-7300 www.ccsd15.net/WB PLUM GROVE JUNIOR HIGH

2600 Plum Grove Road Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 847-963-7600 www.ccsd15.net/PG JOSEPH M. KISZKA EDUCATIONAL SERVICE CENTER

580 North 1st Bank Drive Palatine, IL 60067 847-963-3000 www.ccsd15.net

CCSD15 is the second largest elementary district in Illinois, serving a wonderfully diverse population of all or parts of seven municipalities—all of Palatine, Rolling Meadows, and Inverness, and part of Hoffman Estates, unincorporated Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, and South Barrington.

District 15 has 15 elementary schools, four junior high schools, and one therapeutic public day school.

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Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Plum Grove

580 N. 1st Bank Drive, Palatine IL 60067-8110

2160 Stonington Ave. Hoffman Estates, IL 60169

Moving 15 Forward is a community-driven plan focused on addressing District 15’s highest priority educational and school facility needs. Read more about the plan on page 11 or join us for one of the Community Information Sessions listed below:

Community Information Meetings February 2022

March 2022

April 2022

2/08 – Carl Sandburg Junior High

3/02 – Winston Campus

4/04 – Walter R. Sundling Junior High

2/10 – Kimball Hill

3/14 – Lake Louise

4/06 – Gray M. Sanborn

2/14 – Plum Grove Junior High

3/16 – Jane Addams

4/18 – Stuart R. Paddock

2/15 – Thomas Jefferson

3/28 – Virginia Lake

4/20 – Pleasant Hill

2/22 – Central Road

3/30 – Lincoln

4/25 – Marion Jordan

2/23 – Willow Bend

4/26 – Hunting Ridge

2/23 – Conyers Learning Academy 2/28 – Frank C. Whiteley

Some photos included in this magazine were taken prior to the pandemic.