November 2022 Family Newsletter

November 9, 2022

Topic: Unassigned

NOVEMBER 2022
SUPERINTENDENT’S MESSAGE

Dear CCSD21 Parents and Community Members,

Respectfully,

Dr. Michael Connolly
Superintendent of Schools

UPCOMING EVENTS
MARK YOUR CALENDAR WITH THESE IMPORTANT DATES
  • Tuesday, November 8 – No School (Election Day)
  • Monday, November 21 – No School (Teacher Conference Day)
  • Tuesday, November 22 – No School (Teacher Conference Day)
  • Wednesday, November 23 – No School (Non-Attendance Day)
  • Thursday, November 24 – No School (Thanksgiving)
  • Friday, November 25 – No School (Non-Attendance Day)
  • Friday, December 23 – No school (Winter Break begins)

For all other school calendar dates, click here.

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One of the bravest things you can do is ask for help.
5th grade Kilmer students Asmita Bhakri, Angel Yousif and Evelyn Paralta and custodian Scott Ouimette
COMMUNICATIONS UPDATES
Calling all student artists!

Parents, your D21 students are invited to participate in a design challenge. See details below.  Submit your entry here.

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Rising Star

She is respectful and kind and participates in several activities.                                                                                                                                                      Meet this month’s rising star — Sofia G.

EQUITY & LEARNING UPDATES
Our Equity and Learning Department has been very busy last month with lots of incredible events and initiatives. See below.
What’s Going on at Riley?
HUMAN RESOURCES UPDATES
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My Why – Bari Bagby

Friends and family members of Bari Bagby would say she is full of adventure. She has traveled the world, documenting her experiences with photos, itineraries, journals, lists of things to see and even better places to eat. She loves to share her knowledge of globetrotting to help others see the world as she does. When she’s not on the road, Bari is at Longfellow Elementary School, sharing many of the same adventures she experienced, simplified for the level she teaches – 4th grade.

Read entire bio here.

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My Why – Steve Hamann

There’s a serene, Zen-like quality to Steve Hamann. When you meet him, he’s relaxed – his clothes, his hair, his manner. Even his classroom is calming. He plays soft music and sometimes dims the lights for a tranquil atmosphere. “I like to keep my classroom in a calm state. It helps students become better thinkers and allows them to be more creative,” says Steve, Holmes Middle School art teacher. “We have a calming corner and students are welcome to use it or take a break when needed. I try to keep a peaceful demeanor myself and reiterate to my students that art personally keeps me centered.”

Read entire bio here.

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Becoming a Substitute in District 21

We had some wonderful new sub candidates that applied to work with us this past spring and throughout the summer. Many of these subs are right from our community!  We’re excited for these additions to our sub group but we’re not done yet. We are continuing to hire subs each month. Please let your neighbors and friends know that we are still hiring throughout the school year.

Whether you want to help us out one day a week or every single day, the choice is yours.

Below is the link for people to apply:

We still have openings in our sub pool for the following positions:

  • Secretary – $100/day
  • Health Assistant – $100/day
  • Teaching Assistant – $125/day
  • Teacher – $131/day
  • Long term teacher (more than 10 days in the same classroom) – $210/day

In addition, any subs who work 100 days this year will receive a $1,000 bonus at the end of the year.

Here is information from the Illinois State Board of Education about becoming a teaching assistant or teacher sub:

INFORMATION SERVICES UPDATES
Storyline Online – Technology Resource
Explore the Daytime Emmy-nominated Storyline Online®, which streams videos featuring well-known actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations. Readers include Oprah Winfrey, Chris Pine, Kristen Bell, Rita Moreno, Viola Davis, Jaime Camil, Kevin Costner, Lily Tomlin, Sarah Silverman, Betty White, Wanda Sykes and dozens more. Storyline Online® is free and available 24 hours a day! Readings are in English, with one Spanish language exception: Los Zombis No Comen Verduras!
SUPPORT SERVICES & SCHOOL SAFETY UPDATES
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Link Together is a community coalition empowering youth to be alcohol and drug free. Link Together is a co-sponsor for The Glenbard Parent Series.

  • The series offers outstanding professional speakers on a wide range of topics. All speakers deliver their talks via zoom and there is no charge or registration required.
  • Check out the upcoming speakers and please share this resource with parents/contacts.

https://www.glenbardgps.org/upcoming-speakers/

BOARD OF EDUCATION 
Last Meeting
The livestream video of the October 20 Board of Education meeting can be viewed here.
Next Meeting
The next regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting of Community Consolidated School District 21, Wheeling, Cook County, IL, will be held on November 10, 2022, 7:00 p.m. at the CCSD21 Gill Administration Center, 999 W. Dundee Road, Wheeling, IL 60090.