COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Message From Superintendent Dr. Keisha Campbell
As we close out another school year, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to our students, families, and staff for your unwavering commitment, energy, and partnership throughout the year. Together, we’ve achieved so much in support of our mission to Educate, Engage and Empower all students to be ready for college, career and life.
In this edition of Community Connections, we shine a light on Amplify ELA, a new resource that’s sparking deeper engagement and learning in our middle school English Language Arts classrooms. This curriculum encourages students to think critically, collaborate, and connect with literature in ways that support both academic growth and personal expression.
We also take a closer look at the work of Foundation 205, whose efforts continue to enrich the student experience in D205 through grants, partnerships, and community support. Their impact reaches every corner of our district, and we’re grateful for the continued collaboration that helps bring innovation and opportunity to our classrooms.
As we strive to improve how we connect and communicate with our community, I invite you to take a few moments to complete the Community Connections feedback survey. Your insights help us understand what’s working well and where we can continue to grow. Your voice matters, and we value your input as we plan future editions.
As we head into summer, I encourage everyone to take time to rest, recharge, and enjoy meaningful moments with loved ones. Whether your plans include travel, reading, or simply relaxing, I hope your summer is filled with joy and inspiration.
Thank you for being an essential part of our journey. I look forward to what we will accomplish together in the year ahead.
We want to hear from you! District 205 invites you to take a few minutes to complete our Community Connections Feedback Survey. Your feedback plays a vital role in helping us understand what’s working well and where we can grow — whether it’s in classroom innovation, communication, or community engagement. Scan the QR code to access the survey and let us know how we’re doing. Thank you for being an essential part of our journey forward! This Is
District 205 Sees Promising Results with Amplify ELA Implementation
Since Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 adopted Amplify ELA in its middle school classrooms, educators have reported a significant shift not just in instructional delivery, but also in student engagement with reading and writing.
The comprehensive curriculum, introduced district-wide in grades 6 to 8, is reshaping classroom culture. Amplify ELA emphasizes complex texts, aligned writing tasks, and academic vocabulary development. These are all designed to deepen students’ understanding of language structures and literary concepts.
According to Colleen Gjataj, Director of Literacy Pathways for District 205, Amplify ELA is more than just a textbook or a series of lessons. “Our sixth through eighth grade ELA classrooms now have a consistent, high-quality resource that focuses on building students’ knowledge across a variety of topics,” she said. “It’s helping us engage students in rigorous, relevant work while building toward long-term literacy goals.”
observed since 2021. Grounded in research, classroom observation, and teacher input, the curriculum was selected after a comprehensive review process led by the Literacy Steering Committee. Amplify ELA stood out for its alignment to District 205’s instructional vision and its capacity to support both teachers and diverse student needs.
At Sandburg Middle School, the implementation of Amplify has also transformed how teachers collaborate. Instructional Coach Ben Loduha described a renewed focus during professional learning communities (PLCs), where educators now work together to unpack each lesson, refine delivery, and analyze student responses. “Our PLCs have become laser-focused on lesson implementation and student outcomes,” he said. “We’re constantly reflecting on what worked and adjusting for what comes next.”
“Now, as we head into a second year with Amplify, there’s this real sense of confidence. We know what’s coming, and we’re ready to make it even better.”
The district’s shift to Amplify was part of a broader effort to sustain the steady rise in reading and writing proficiency
This shift has taken pressure off teachers to build content from scratch. Instead of sourcing novels and creating slide decks independently, teachers are now centering their energy on how to make high-quality materials more accessible and engaging for all students. Amplify’s structure allows for strategic, meaningful planning, and more time for direct student interaction.
EDUCATE
In the classroom, those shifts are visible. Teachers are seeing a more consistent writing routine, improved classroom discussions, and stronger reading comprehension. The curriculum begins each day with vocabulary practice and features a variety of tasks that help students dig into short, focused excerpts of text. Each lesson builds intentionally on the last.
“They’re used to writing every day now. They can find evidence. They can articulate ideas. And they’re not intimidated by writing anymore.”
Sandburg teacher Lauren Vazquez shared that the built-in differentiation tools have been especially helpful. “Whether we have struggling readers or students who need an extra challenge, the system gives us what we need to keep every student on track,” she said. “It’s changed the way kids respond to reading and writing. They’re more confident. They’re more capable.”
Discussion in ELA classes has evolved too, with formats like fishbowl conversations, Socratic seminars, and whole-class debates now part of the weekly routine. These approaches not only help students engage more deeply with texts, but also provide structured ways to express their ideas and learn from one another.
“Each discussion gives students a chance to practice speaking and listening skills, support their thinking with evidence, and collaborate with their peers,” said Vazquez. “It’s made a huge difference.”
Daily writing has also become a norm. Short responses, 10-minute writes, and more formal prompts are all part of Amplify’s structure. These activities build stamina and sharpen students’ ability to cite evidence and construct arguments. “They’re used to writing every day now,” said Sandburg teacher Terri Cohen. “And it’s showing. They can find evidence. They can articulate ideas. And they’re not intimidated by writing anymore.”
Cohen noted that students now read a greater variety of texts, including multiple genres and formats across each unit. Instead of focusing on a single novel per quarter, students are engaging with a wide range of content that helps them make connections, explore themes, and build reading fluency through repetition and analysis.
These instructional shifts have led to growth in both skill and mindset. “At the beginning of the year, it was a challenge,” Vazquez said. “But now, students walk into class and know what to expect. They’re ready to write. They’re ready to talk. They’re ready to think.”
District leaders recognize that implementing a new curriculum at scale is no small task. Teachers were asked to engage with hundreds of new lessons, adapt to new systems, and lead students through new learning routines in real time. But that work is paying off.
“I think our biggest celebration is that we made it through the first year with momentum,” said Loduha. “Every day felt like the first day at times, but our teachers stepped up. And now, as we head into a second year with Amplify, there’s this real sense of confidence. We know what’s coming, and we’re ready to make it even better.”
Scan the QR code with your phone to watch interviews with the teachers, staff and students
Elmhurst Foundation 205: Powering Innovation, Expanding Access, and Fueling Joy in Elmhurst Schools ENGAGE
In a district known for academic excellence, Elmhurst School District 205 benefits from more than dedicated teachers and rigorous curriculum. A group of committed volunteers is helping amplify classroom experiences and expand opportunity through Foundation 205.
Led by Executive Director Kate Knicker, Lauren Johnson and a board of 23 parent volunteers, Foundation 205 is best known for its Thiems Grants, annual awards that bring innovative, teacher-driven ideas to life. From high-tech robots and broadcast studios to ukuleles and adaptive furniture, the grants support enhancements that go beyond what is covered in the district’s core budget.
“Our mission is to fund innovative educational projects for Elmhurst Public Schools, and we really do that primarily through Thiems Grants,” Knicker said. “They’re open to anybody in the district — parents, teachers, administrators, even students. We usually fund between 10 and 20 per year, depending on what comes in. Often we’re funding educational enhancements — the extra icing on the cake. The district provides the cake, and we provide the enhancements like middle school drones, music equipment at the elementary level, or tech for the high school broadcast program.”
For Matt Cotton, music teacher at Sandburg Middle School, a 2024 Thiems Grant opened the door to students who hadn’t previously participated in music classes by helping launch a rock band program.
“When I first applied for my 2024 Thiems Grant, my idea was to expand music education here at Sandburg,” Cotton said. “We have a really strong band, choir, and orchestra
program, but I’d walk through the hallways and see kids I didn’t recognize. I’d think, ‘Why are you not in a music class?’ I believe they should be. Getting this grant and having access to popular music, instruments, and equipment has allowed us to reach more students and bring them into the program.”
Cotton said the impact extends beyond students. “It can be lonely sometimes being a guitar player, drummer, or bass player who’s just playing by yourself in your bedroom with no one to jam with. By creating a space for this music to happen, we’ve seen so much more participation. Even staff members who play instruments have joined in and played alongside students at our after-school club and variety show. It’s been incredible.”
Foundation 205 Board Chair Heather Stotts, who has served on the board for five years, said seeing those kinds of results is what makes the work so meaningful.
“It’s probably one of the most rewarding volunteer opportunities I’ve ever had,” Stotts said. “We really get to see how our fundraising directly impacts the students, not just our own kids but all the students in the community. When you see what we’ve been able to give back and the resources we’ve provided, it just makes the volunteer work that much more fulfilling.”
Equity is a driving principle for Foundation 205, emphasized by Vice Chair Marc Marini. He sees the foundation’s work through the Mission Fund as helping ensure every student in Elmhurst has access to enriching educational experiences.
ENGAGE
“We’re ensuring that classmates of my children and of my neighbors’ children aren’t being held back by a lack of resources,” Marini said. “From a humanitarian perspective, it’s incredibly rewarding to know we’re helping students succeed. We moved to Elmhurst in part because of the quality of the schools, and there should be no reason why any child comes to school and can’t take full advantage of everything available to them.”
Each spring, Foundation 205 celebrates Thiems Grant Day, a surprise prize patrol that announces winners across the district. For Knicker, it’s the highlight of the year.
guitar for the first time, getting that opportunity I never had — I just imagine what their future might hold. I want to keep opening those doors for students, because I know how powerful music is and how much it’s shaped my life.”
“It’s not just about funding projects — it’s about building a culture of curiosity, creativity, and inclusion that makes District 205 stronger for every learner.”
“Thiems Grant Day is my favorite day of work,” Knicker said. “The teachers never know when it’s coming, so they’re completely surprised. They’re always so thrilled to be supported. We often talk about the student experience, but Thiems Grants also support teachers. It gives them a chance to try something new, be creative, and potentially inspire something bigger. Teachers are thrilled. Principals are thrilled. It’s a day of celebration.”
Looking ahead, Foundation 205 has a clear vision for the future: fund innovation, support students in need, and collaborate on bold, district-wide ideas.
“Foundation 205’s vision is to continue providing innovative resources and tools to our students to ensure an exceptional academic experience,” Stotts said. “We do that in three ways: by funding Thiems Grant proposals, continuing our Mission Fund to support students in financial need, and partnering with district leaders on ambitious new projects.”
For Cotton, those innovations can change a child’s life. “When I see students using the instruments we received through our grant, I think about my own beginnings. I’m a violinist, classically trained, but I’ve always been a rock band wannabe,” he said. “Seeing kids pick up an electric
The foundation’s impact reaches well beyond the classroom. Through events like the annual Showcase fundraiser, community members come together to support innovation in education. The foundation also runs a popular holiday tree sale and golf outing, with all proceeds going back into classrooms, programs, and student supports.
“Every dollar we raise goes directly into helping kids thrive,” Knicker said. “It’s not just about funding projects — it’s about building a culture of curiosity, creativity, and inclusion that makes District 205 stronger for every learner.”
As Foundation 205 looks to the future, board members say they remain focused on expanding access, supporting teacher creativity, and ensuring every school benefits from the foundation’s efforts. With continued community involvement and a strong partnership with District 205, the foundation is poised to keep enhancing the educational experience for students across Elmhurst.
Scan the QR code with your phone to watch interviews with the teachers, staff and students
YORK GRADUATION RECAP
Congratulations to the York High School Class of 2025! On Sunday, May 18, families, friends, and staff filled Clarence D. East Stadium to celebrate an incredible group of graduates. The ceremony honored the hard work, perseverance, and growth of the Class of 2025, who have shown resilience and determination throughout their high school journey. From heartfelt speeches to joyful cheers, the afternoon was filled with pride, reflection, and hope for the future. We are so proud of all our graduates and can’t wait to see what they do next. Once a Duke, always a Duke!
EXCELLENT EDUCATORS EMPOWER
Meet Gina Lascody! She has spent 18 years in District 205, including the last six as an English Language Specialist at Madison Early Childhood Education Center.
She loves the daily excitement of watching young students grow and achieve new milestones. One of her favorite moments was teaching alongside a former preschool student through the Invite to Teach program.
Scan the QR code to learn more about what advice Gina would give to future educators!
BOARD OF EDUCATION
NIKKI SLOWINSKI