Superintendent of Schools, Woodridge School District 68

Congrats to Jen Riskus, Symetra Hero in the Classroom and Justin Warnke for getting a $20,000 grant for Jefferson Junior High School! Thanks to Chicago Bears for their hospitality at Halas Hall to recognize Jen! Thanks to Rashaad Coward for spending time with us! Woodridge School District 68

Congratulations to the Woodridge School District Board of Education for achieving the 2018 School Board Governance Recognition from the Illinois Association of School Boards.

"The "School Board Governance Recognition" program acknowledges school boards that learn and practice effective governance behaviors as identified in IASB's Foundational Principles of Effective Governance, through participation in and support for board development programs and events. The primary focus of this program is on full board development and participation rather than individual board member efforts. Effective school boards understand that excellence in local school board governance requires full board commitment to obtaining the knowledge, skills and abilities critical to good governance."

Yadi, Maria and Kim getting those kids registered! Great work team!

Thank you to the Board of Education of Woodridge School District 68 for taking the time to congratulate me at last night's board meeting. I appreciate all the support I have received!

With Woodridge Deputy Chief of Patrol, Ken Ostarello; Mayor Cunningham; and Deputy Chief of Police Tom Stefanson at Dunkin Donuts at 75th and Janes celebrating Cop on a Rooftop to support the Special Olympics, Illinois. Come out and support a great cause!

Miguel Castillo and the students at Sipley Elementary School did an amazing job building this beautiful kayak. D68 staff and students never cease to amaze me!!

I am incredibly proud of the students that gave a wonderful performance this afternoon at the Goodrich Elementary School Chorus Program!

Woodridge School District 68 new office wall decorations! Best Schools!

Great article on the value of play! Woodridge School District 68

https://qz.com/1217146/child-development-kids-that-play-more-often-are-better-prepared-for-employment/

If you want your kid to get a good job, let them play more Too much scheduled activity prevents kids from developing creativity, empathy, and imagination.

The senseless tragedy this week at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School impacts us all on a most profound level, and Woodridge School District 68 stands with the Parkland, Florida community. We send our thoughts and prayers, and though important, they aren’t enough.

Here in Woodridge 68 we do our best to prepare how to react to these situations and provide social emotional resources to students who may need help, both before and after these incidents.

Our schools all have secured entrances, and all visitors must present government issued photo ID. Safety drills are conducted at each of our schools throughout the year, and staff receive additional training. A crisis committee made up of district and school administrators and representatives from the Woodridge Police Department, Lisle-Woodridge Fire Protection District, Woodridge Park District, and others meet every year to review plans and procedures to ensure coordination in the event of an emergency. We also routinely work closely with our Police Department to prepare for any level of security threat.

However, it’s abundantly clear school districts can’t do it alone. A better approach to school violence is prevention, which is in the hands of our elected officials who have the responsibility to pass laws that protect our children.

Unfortunately, these tragedies are now becoming so commonplace that when they occur we react with sadness and resignation instead of outrage followed by action. While discussing with my staff as to whether we should send out a communication on this tragedy, I was reminded that we typically don’t because we would have had to send out 18 communications so far since January 1, 2018. That’s incomprehensible. Our mindset must change from one of resignation to one of advocacy. We must act to make those changes that reduce the chance it will happen in the future. We must have the courage to choose our children and protect the future of our nation. Contact your representatives today and let them know the time for action is now.

Happy Valentine's Day! This morning our administrators put on their barista hats to show their appreciation to our district staff by preparing and serving them coffee! Thank you for all you do!

So proud of Ryan Gustis Woodridge School District 68 receiving the Mayor’s Spirit Award, getting donations from the West Suburban Pantry, McDonalds, National Title Services, Crafting for a Cause, and receiving a proclamation from the Village of Woodridge making today Ryan Gustis Day! The Backpack Project Meadowview
ElementarySchool

I just received a letter from the West Suburban Community Pantry that the district office staff collected and donated 483 pounds of dry goods over the holidays to help needy families! I know that we don't do this for the accolades, but your generosity will help hundreds of families that struggle to make ends meet. I am so incredibly proud to be part of an organization that cares so much for its community! Thank you again! You all are the best!

Happy New Year!

We must work relentlessly to truly know our students...
Woodridge School District 68

Educational Leadership:Mental Health in Schools:The Iceberg Theory of Teaching The first class in a course I teach at the university often begins with an analysis of several young characters from children's books and writing from children themselves. The authors of the children's books simply and artfully take us inside the lives and minds of school-aged children—an English ...

Great job on the Kayak! Can’t wait to see it in action! So proud of John L Sipley
ElementarySchool! Woodridge School District 68

After-School Kayak Project Empowers Clasroom A group of students is building a kayak as part of an after-school program aimed at teaching history--and they're not using any nails. Anayeli Ruiz explains how this project is making a difference in the kids' lives and empowering them in the classroom

Interesting article on the evolution of 150 years of public schools!

What 150 Years of Education Statistics Say About Schools Today Even before there was a federal education department, there was a federal education statistics agency. The National Center for Education Statistics turns 150 this year and a look at its studies over those years shows just how much American schooling has grown and changed.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Hattie’s latest on factors influencing student achievement. Woodridge School District 68

Hattie's 2017 Updated List of Factors Influencing Student Achievement In Hattie's 2017 updated list, you can discover new factors and the things that have changed since Hattie published his book Visible Learning.

From Woodridge School District 68 Thank you to our Veterans.

A quick thank you to our dedicated and hardworking teaching and support staff. Next week, from November 13-17 will be American Education Week. On Monday night our Board will be recognizing both the teachers and support staff with a proclamation and certificate in recognition of their work. Every day our teachers and support staff work tirelessly to make a positive impact on our 3000 Woodridge D68 students. Again, to our Woodridge D68 staff, thank you.

Also, November 15th is Board Member Appreciation Day. Our Board Members are given the heavy responsibility of providing direction and governance to our District throughout some of the most trying times in education. They see it as a calling and a civic duty, and as a community we should be proud to have such great advocates on the side of our children. A personal thank you for all that you do!

Are we encouraging responsible and engaged citizenship in our schools?

Interesting article ...

Educational Leadership:Citizens in the Making:Seizing the Civic Education Moment To bolster students' understanding of politics and democracy, schools must couple experiential projects with in-depth content study.

Interesting article on classroom and student-led discussions.

Response: 'Trust, Challenge & Wonder' Are Needed for Classroom Discussions Kara Pranikoff, Laura Robb, Sky Sweet, Tricia Ebarvia, and Patty O'Grady contribute their commentaries about facilitating classroom discussions.

After completing our annual tour of the schools with the Board of Education, I am struck by the dedication of our staff and students. Learning as we know it is changing so rapidly that the practices of only five years ago may no longer be effective in preparing our students with 21st Century skills to be college and career ready.

Case in point…one of the common refrains I heard today from students was how grateful they were to have their 1-1 Chromebooks. I also saw the Socratic method being used at Meadowview in 6th grade, and students in 2nd grade at Goodrich estimating weights and measures through use of everyday manipulatives. I saw kindergarten students at Murphy adding by tens and by ones, in addition to finding repeating patterns using the calendar and symbols. Students and leaders showed us their buildings and classrooms with pride and ownership.

Suffice it to say that I am privileged to be part of this District, and on my behalf and on the behalf of the Board, I want to thank each and every staff member and student for showing us what it means to be a member of the Woodridge community. It was truly a wonderful day to be part of Woodridge School District 68! Woodridge School District 68

Thomas Jefferson Jr High School Woodridge School District 68

Great student rehearsal at JJH for James and the Giant Peach! JJH again tonight at 7 pm! Don’t miss it!

Woodridge School District 68 Superintendent Staff takes a stand against bullying! Million Misfit Sock March!

Community-based problem solving. What a way to go! Woodridge School District 68

Educational Leadership:Unleashing Problem Solvers:Making a World of Difference by Looking Locally In 1992, Blossom Preschool and Adventures, an in-home preschool program in Ann Arbor, Michigan, that Ethan's daughters attended more than a decade later, adopted part of a local creek in collaboration with the Huron River Watershed Council's Adopt-A-Stream program. As teacher Jeannine Palms and the…

Engaging article on engaging students in class! Woodridge School District 68

Educational Leadership:Unleashing Problem Solvers:From Answer-Getters to Problem Solvers It often surprises people when they find out that, although I'm now a math educator, I never really liked mathematics when I was a student. It wasn't that I was bad at math. I just never found any joy in the subject. My teachers demonstrated procedures that made it easy to arrive at solutions, and m...

Good introduction to “grit” and growth mindsets. Woodridge School District 68

True Grit: How to Foster Perseverance in the Classroom Growing up in the country, I often heard, “When you fall off a horse, get right back on again!” Although my family did not have horses, only chickens and cows, I appreciated the message about...