District 47 is excited to announce the launch of its new website in August! The initial rollout will include a new look and feel for the District and school sites as well as improvements in features, functionality and organization. According to Denise Barr, coordinator of community relations, the goal of the new-and-improved website is to become the primary source of information about the District for parents, students, staff, and community members. Barr said users should find the site more user-friendly and interactive through updated content, improved navigation, and the use of photos and video. “As a progressive school district and leaders in technology, we look forward to hosting a website that is easier to navigate, more engaging and better reflects who we are,” said Barr. The new website will feature a responsive design format (geared for viewing on mobile devices) and a downloadable app. Barr said both of these enhancements will make it easier for busy families on-the-go to stay connected to the District and their child’s school. In addition, the responsive design and app will offer families who have mobile devices but no home Internet access a new way to connect with the District and their child’s school. Other features include a searchable staff directory and the ability to create a personalized “dashboard” of content. Barr said the dashboard will allow parents to customize the content they receive, such as school calendars and homework assignments, and to sign up for important updates from their child’s school. New teacher

websites are also part of the rollout but a timeline has not yet been determined.In conjunction with the new websites, the District is rebranding as Crystal Lake Elementary District 47 and has updated its logos to reinforce its mission of “educational excellence for all students.” The new logos create uniformity among D47 schools and carry a collegiate flair, reflecting the District’s commitment to prepare students for next steps--high school, college and careers, and beyond.

District 47 is pleased to welcome Cathy Nelson as its new assistant superintendent of business effective with the 2015-16 school year. The Board approved the appointment at the

District’s March board meeting and the change will become effective as of July 1, 2015. Nelson will replace current assistant superintendent of business and operations Kevin Werner, who has served the District for the past three years. Nelson brings more than 22 years of expertise

in school finance to the District and has served in a supervisory/business manager role for more than 15 years. For the past three years, she was the Director of Business and Certified School Business Official (CSBO) for the Special Education District of McHenry County (SEDOM). Prior to that she worked at North Boone and Harlem School District overseeing the business office and related services (food service and transportation) and served as a financial analyst for Rockford Public Schools. “I look forward to working with a great team of administrators and staff to continue providing a quality education to students by maximizing

the limited resources available at all levels--local, state and federal,” said Nelson.A McHenry County native, Nelson grew up in Woodstock and graduated from Woodstock High School. She received her bachelor’s degree from Rockford College (now Rockford University) and her master’s of business administration degree from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee. Nelson currently lives in Loves Park with her husband Nick and daughter Hannah.

Cathy Nelson Joins Administrative Team as Assistant Superintendent of Business

Summer 2015

New

District 47

logos carry a

collegiate flair

and represent

the District’s

commitment

to educational

excellence.

New Website Coming Soon!

District 47’s new website will feature an updated look, a responsive design, better navigation and a mobile app.

2

D47 Welcomes New Administrators for 2015-16Many schools and Wehde Early Childhood Center will have new leadership next year as a handful of principals retire. District 47 is excited to welcome two new principals to the District as well as several current principals who will be taking on new roles:

Monica Petersen

Monica Petersen became principal of Husmann Elementary upon the retirement of Linda Corteen. Mrs. Petersen has seven years of administrative experience serving as both assistant principal and principal in District 15 in addition to seven years of classroom experience at the elementary level.

Beth Klinsky

Kathryn Cruz

Beth Klinsky became principal of West Elementary upon the retirement of principal Marcia Hyma. Mrs. Klinsky has served as assistant principal at West for the past two years. Prior to joining District 47 she worked in Prairie Grove District 46 for two years as an assistant principal and 24 years as a teacher. Kathryn Cruz is the new assistant principal at West, filling in for Mrs. Klinsky. Mrs. Cruz has been with the District since 1998 as a teacher at Coventry and Glacier Ridge and most recently as an extended curriculum teacher at South Elementary.

Stacy Graff

Stacy Graff became principal at Canterbury Elementary. Prior to joining District 47 last year as principal at Hannah Beardsley, Mrs. Graff served as a middle school administrator for six years at Antioch Community Consolidated School District 34. She was also an elementary, middle and high school teacher, as well as a reading coach before moving into administration. Lisa Severns is the new assistant principal at Canterbury. Mrs. Severns, who is fluent in three languages, has served as a high school counselor at Aurora West and McHenry High Schools. Prior to that, she was an academic advisor at the College of Lake County.

Angie Compere

Mindy Merritt

Angie Compere is the new principal at Lundahl Middle School after having served as assistant principal last year. Mrs. Compere was a middle school teacher for 10 years before moving into administration. Prior to coming to District 47, she served as both principal and assistant principal in Antioch Community Consolidated School District 34. Mindy Merritt will serve as assistant principal, replacing Mrs. Compere. Mrs. Merritt taught at Bernotas Middle School for 13 years before serving as an eighth grade learning resource teacher at Lundahl, where she’s been for the past two years.

Cathy Alberth

Cathy Alberth became principal at Hannah Beardsley Middle School. Besides serving as an assistant principal at Bernotas, Mrs. Alberth was an assistant principal at Canterbury Elementary for five years and Hannah Beardsley for three years. Prior to getting into administration, Mrs. Alberth taught at Hannah Beardsley.

Pam White

Pam White has been appointed as the new director of the Wehde Early Childhood Center following the retirement of Nancy McGuire. Mrs. White has eight years of administrative experience in District 47 as assistant principal and has served as principal of D47’s summer school for the past six years. Prior to this, Mrs. White taught first and second grade at Indian Prairie for 14 years and second grade in Oswego for 10 years.

Ali Mitchell

Ali Mitchell has been appointed as the new assistant principal at Indian Prairie, replacing Pam White. She has been with the District since 2003, serving as a teacher at Glacier Ridge for six years, a Reading Recovery teacher at Woods Creek for one year, and a literacy coach at North for the past five years.

Lily Smith

Matt Grubbs

Matt Grubbs became principal at Coventry Elementary upon Karen Cragg’s retirement. Mr. Grubbs has spent the past seven years as principal of Lundahl and is excited to expand his leadership experience to the elementary setting. Lily Smith is the new assistant principal at Coventry, taking over for Judy Ferretti, who also retired last year. Mrs. Smith comes to District 47 from Schaumburg District 54, where she served as a teacher for 10 years and most recently as assistant principal at Margaret Mead Junior High.

Rachael Alt

Rachael Alt became principal at South Elementary upon Lisa Gott’s retirement. Mrs. Alt has served as the principal of Canterbury for the past six years. Prior to that, she was an assistant principal at both Lundahl and Husmann and taught middle school language arts and social studies at Lundahl and Bernotas as well as in Woodstock.

Steve Scarfe

Steve Scarfe has been appointed as North Elementary’s new principal. Mr. Scarfe was an assistant principal at Kingsley Elementary in Evanston. Before that, he was an assistant principal in Des Plaines and Rockford and taught math and language arts at Belvidere Central Middle School. Besides being a seasoned educator and administrator, Mr. Scarfe is a former Marine Corps officer and federal agent.

Kellie Marks

Kellie Marks will take over for Mrs. Alberth as an assistant principal at Bernotas. Mrs. Marks comes to District 47 from McHenry District 15, where she has been a sixth-grade language arts and math teacher at McHenry Middle School for the past 15 years.

3

D47 Extends a Warm Welcome and Fond Farewell to Board MembersOne newly elected and two re-elected Board members took the oath of office at D47’s bi-monthly Board of Education meeting on May 4th. Curt Wadlington was sworn in as a new Board member while Ryan Farrell and Rob Fetzner, both attorneys and Board members who have served for the past four years, were re-elected to another term.

Newcomer Wadlington is an Advanced Placement psychology and anthropology teacher at Prairie Ridge High School. “I am truly excited to serve as a District 47 Board member,” he said. “My intention is to bring my educational experience as a high school social science teacher for the past 13 years to this new position.” Wadlington explained that, as educators, both he and his wife strongly believe in the importance of personal growth and lifelong learning. A native of Crystal Lake, Waddington said he wants to ensure his own three small children receive the same high level of education that he did.

Wadlington replaces former Board member Nancy Gonsiorek, who has served District 47 since 2007. According to Board President Jeff Mason, there are many areas where there will be a lasting impact of Gonsiorek’s involvement. Mason said Gonsiorek was a strong supporter and promoter of encore electives in the middle schools to ensure that the District provided challenging and varying options for students. She also was frequently seen in school cafeterias, talking with students and staff about the lunch program and food selections to make sure the District was providing a variety of healthy options. At Hannah Beardsley, Gonsiorek helped spearhead an outdoor classroom project along with science teacher Carol Sevrey, engaging students in the

practice of gardening while educating them about prairie plants and conservation.

“Through the years as a D47 school Board member, parent and mentor, Nancy always strived to keep the District’s curriculum rigorous, hands-on and flexible to changing standards,” said Sevrey. “D47’s curriculum is highly regarded by others in the area due to Nancy’s influence, perseverance, and hard work as an active school Board member.”

According to Mason, above all, Gonsiorek brought financial expertise to the District during a time of great challenges due to economic turmoil and state funding cutbacks. “She was a champion for stringent controls and financial integrity, both of which are critical for any organization,” said Mason. “Beyond that, she was an advocate for the taxpayers and community members, always mindful that the District must be good stewards with the funds provided to us. We will miss Nancy’s involvement and are grateful for her willingness to serve these past eight years.”

After being seated, the D47 Board of Education nominated, voted on and approved the re-appointment of Jeff Mason as president, Rob Fetzner as vice president and Clare Bourne as Board secretary.

Online registration for the 2015-16 school year for returning families is underway. Families should have received a letter in the mail with information regarding the online process, which will require a ParentVue login and password. All families new to District 47 must register at the District’s CORE Center, located at 300 Commerce Drive in Crystal Lake. Please call 815.788.5000 to schedule an appointment. For more information about ParentVue, online fee payment and what to bring to registration, please click http://tinyurl.com/onuhhno. D47 CORE Center Registration Hours

School Year: Monday - Friday: 7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (except June & July)

Summer (June 23rd – July 30th): *New this year! Extended registration hours until 6:00 p.m. on Tuesdays through July 28th.

Monday: 7:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Tuesday: 7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday: 7:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Thursday: 7:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Friday: Closed

Registration Fees

Kindergarten (half day): $56 book fee Kindergarten (full day): $56 book fee plus $1,350 (payable in 10 monthly installments; includes $135 non-refundable deposit) Grades 1-5: $84Grades 6-8: $105Current families: Fees are not required at the time of online registration but the option to pay by credit, debit or electronic check will be available. Fees are due by the first day of school. Payment may be dropped off at the CORE Center during normal business hours or placed in the mail slot at the main entrance after hours. New Families: Fees are expected at the time of registration and may be paid in cash or check. Questions may be directed to the Business Office at 815.788.5020.

Prairie Ridge High School teacher Curt Wadlington was elected to D47’s board of education in May.

Former D47 Board Member Nancy Gonsiorek (left) and science teacher Carol Sevrey (right) stand in front of Hannah Beardsley’s rain garden, an outdoor classroom project spearheaded by the two women.

Connect with District 47 on social media

2015-16 Student Registration

Official D47 Facebook and

Twitter accounts:

/ D47schools

@crystallakeSD47

4

District 47 rolled out the PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers) test this year to students in grades 3-8. The first round of testing (the Performance-Based Assessment or PBA) was completed in March and the second round of testing (the End-of-Year assessment or EOY) was completed in May.

Illinois was one of 13 states this year to adopt the PARCC test, which replaced the ISAT (Illinois Standards Achievement Test) as a measurement of student academic performance. The PARCC test is designed to assess students’ current performance in language arts and math and to point to what students need to learn by graduation so they are ready for college and/or a career.The tests are computer-based and use interactive questions to determine whether students have mastered the fundamentals, as well as higher-order skills, such as critical-thinking, problem-solving, and analyzing sources to write arguments and informational essays – skills not easily assessed by traditional multiple-choice tests.

Tailored to new federal benchmarks commonly referred to as the Common Core State Standards (and now known in Illinois as the Illinois Learning Standards), the PARCC test has been under fire by critics who claim that the test is too rigorous, intense and time-consuming. In addition, because it is primarily computer-based, PARCC implementation has posed challenges for many school districts from a technology perspective.

Despite these criticisms, District 47 took on the PARCC challenge and embraced the state-mandated test. In the fall, the District rolled out new language arts’ units of study in all grade levels, which challenged both students and staff but proved to be helpful preparation for the rigors of the language arts portion of the PARCC test. In addition, the District ensured the proper supports were in place for testing to run smoothly, which included placing technology support staff in buildings, properly training test proctors, and administering practice tests with students beforehand to reduce anxiety.

From the positive feedback the District has gathered from administrators, staff and students, the advance preparations paid off. Brittany Stefani, Bernotas eighth-grade language arts and social studies teacher, said, “Overall, I thought testing went fairly well. The rollout of the new language arts curriculum has really helped students with their critical thinking skills and this portion of the test.” Stefani went on to say that, although the testing sessions varied in time and

number of questions, most students were able to finish with enough time to go back and check their work.

Administrators and staff agreed that D47 students rose to the challenge of PARCC and that students met the test’s intensity and rigor with confidence

and, in some cases, even enthusiasm. Vinnie, a third grader at Glacier Ridge Elementary, said, “I tried the extended response and it was easy because the more you think the more you can write. In other tests, you only have bubble choices.”

Jamie, a Glacier Ridge fourth grader said, “I liked that I got to use the answer eliminator. It lets you take away to deal with less answers. They should have that on MAP testing.”

There were challenges along the way, however, especially during the first round of testing. According to Brenda Cox, director of district improvement, despite District 47’s ability to troubleshoot problems as part of its participation in the PARCC pilot program last year, a host of new technical issues arose this year as the PARCC interface

proved to be different than the piloted version. In addition, the implementation of the electronic test also posed some logistical issues for the District, as iPad devices needed to be borrowed from the instructional environment to be used for testing. Despite these factors, Cox pointed out the positive. “Some districts decided to test with paper and pencil. We were fortunate to have the devices and support to actually test online.”

Dave Jenkins, assistant superintendent of technology services, oversaw PARCC implementation in District 47. According to Jenkins, “The online test required technical support from numerous staff throughout the District. It was truly a team effort.”

Cox says the State will be working with educators this summer to establish “cut scores,” which determine proficiency levels of the test. According to Cox, this is a time-consuming process that will undoubtedly delay test results. The State is estimating that the scores will be released in late fall 2015. The individual student reports will include scores on each portion of the PARCC test as well as how the student is doing compared to others in his/her class, school and District. PARCC will also report growth scores, but these won’t be calculated until two consecutive years of data are available.

Recently, it was announced that there will be several changes in PARCC testing for next year. The PARCC governing board voted to consolidate the two testing windows into one and reduce total test time for most students by 90 minutes. Like many districts, District 47 was pleased to learn that the State listened to feedback and has taken steps to make adjustments for next year.

District 47 thanks its administration and staff for their patience and perseverance throughout the PARCC rollout, as well as D47 students and families for placing their trust and confidence in the District to carry out this state mandate successfully.

For more information on PARCC, go to http://www.parcconline.org/frequently-asked-questions.

Implementing PARCC Testing 2015-16 Early Release Days

District 47 will implement eight early release days during the 2015-2016 school year. Students are dismissed 90 minutes early on the following Wednesdays throughout the year to allow teachers and administrators the opportunity for professional development, collaboration and curriculum work. This practice has proven to be a productive and worthwhile practice as District 47 continues to strive to improve and refine areas of curriculum, instruction and assessment. See below for early release dates and dismissal times.

August 26

September 23

October 21

November 18

January 27

February 24

April 27

May 18

Students in grades K-5 will be dismissed at 2 p.m.

Students in grades 6-8 will be dismissed at 1 p.m. *AM Kindergarteners will be released at normal 11:30 a.m. dismissal time.

“I thought testing went fairly well. The rollout of the new

language arts curriculum really helped students with their

critical thinking skills and this portion of the test.”

-Brittany Stefani, Bernotas eighth grade language arts and social studies teacher

5

New ProceduresDistrict 47 will be implementing a variety of procedural changes starting with the 2015-16 school year. The majority of changes involve efforts to “go green” and reduce costs. Additional changes pertain to photo/video permissions and electronic network access. Questions about these upcoming changes can be directed to stuinfo@d47.org. A letter was mailed in June about student registration for the 2015-16 school year and included ParentVue login information. For help with ParentVue, contact hd@d47.org or 815.788.5080.

Emergency Cards

Schools will no longer send home emergency cards at the beginning of the year to obtain updated demographic information (phone numbers, emergency contacts, etc.). Going forward, all demographic information must be updated via ParentVue. Homeroom Placement/Class Schedules/Bus Information

Homeroom placement/class schedules will no longer be printed and mailed. Instead, this information will be available in ParentVue as of August 17th. Bus information can also be viewed via ParentVue. If you do not have Internet access and need to receive a printed copy of this information, please contact your child’s school office after August 17th. Student Handbooks

District 47 will no longer print and distribute the k-5 student handbook. Instead, the handbook will be made available electronically as a PDF in both English and Spanish and will be sent out to parents via email at the beginning of the school year. The handbook will also be available under the Parents & Students tab on the District and elementary building web sites. The middle school handbook, which also functions as a planner, will continue to be available in print in both English and Spanish and will be sent home with students at the beginning of the school year.

Student Progress Reports

Progress reports for students in all grades (K-8) will be accessed online via ParentVue rather than sent home with students. Student progress reports can be printed from ParentVue for those who are interested in a hard copy. Please note there will still be a brief delay from the end of the trimester to when grades will be available for viewing online. Progress reports will remain in the District database throughout a student’s enrollment in District 47 schools.Photo/Video Permissions

To celebrate student success, District 47 wants to be able to share news of notable achievements with the various communities it serves. As such, it reserves the right to use and/or produce photographs, video, movies and voice recordings of any student in any legal manner for the internal and external promotional and informational activities of the District. Photos and/or video may be published on the District web sites, newsletter and social media sites, as well as shared with media outlets (both print and online). If you do not want your child photographed or videotaped for District 47 use, please send a signed statement in writing to Denise Barr, Coordinator of Community Relations, Crystal Lake Elementary District 47, 300 Commerce Dr., Crystal Lake, IL 60014. Please note that this opt-out statement must be filed annually with the District and will also prohibit a student’s photo from appearing in the school yearbook.Student Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) - Network Access

Parents will no longer be required to sign and return the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) as in previous years in order to grant a student access to the District’s electronic network. Instead, all students will be granted authorization for electronic network access that is consistent with the District’s goal of promoting educational excellence. The failure of any user to follow the terms of the AUP as stated in the student handbook will result in the loss of privileges as well as appropriate disciplinary and/or legal action. If, at any time, you do not wish your child to have network access in District 47, you must submit a signed statement to your child’s school.

A Shift in Reporting Grades have long been tied to student academic performance and have been helpful indicators for parents as to where their student falls along a certain spectrum. Recent discussions, however, point out that traditional grading systems fail to tell parents, students and teachers what students have actually learned and what they are able to do. District 47 wanted to find a way to provide more meaningful feedback so that both students and parents can track student progress toward mastery of key academic concepts, reflect upon strengths and weaknesses, and identify pathways to deeper learning. To accomplish this, a committee was formed to examine the District’s current progress report and to evaluate contemporary thought and practices on grading. Committee findings resulted in two significant changes for next year. While D47 practice has been to assess students three times a year based on District-set benchmarks, the new Illinois Learning Standards are based on end-of-the-year targets. To better align to these standards, the District will now assess students based on end-of-year standards

starting next fall. Second, past practice has been to issue letter grades in addition to numbers corresponding to standards for students in fourth and fifth grades. Going forward, the District will eliminate the process of assigning letter grades for these students and provide only scores that represent proficiency in a number of specific learning goals or standards. This practice, known as standards-based grading, has been effectively in place in the District for students in grades K-5 for a number of years. With standards-based grading, parents are informed as to whether their student is beginning or approaching a standard, secure in a standard, or exceeding a standard in all content areas. Learning outcomes are clearly articulated to students throughout instruction and parents and students are able

to see which learning outcomes the students have mastered and which ones need re-teaching or re-learning. “The big change with standards-based grading for District 47 next year is that students will now be evaluated based on end-of-year standards,” said Jean Bevevino, assistant superintendent for student learning. Bevevino went on to say that, given this change, it will be important for parents to keep in mind that their student may not receive a “secure” or “exceeds” score at the beginning of the school year but rather will be working toward that end throughout the year. “The idea is to show progression,” she said. “Our goal is to provide good communication that will help students learn more effectively through better feedback.” More information on the topic of standards-based grading will be provided to parents and students at the beginning of the 2015-2016 school year.

Upcoming Changes for 2015-16

6

District 47 School Calendar for 2015-2016Monday, August 24 Teacher Institute Day- No school for students

Tuesday, August 25 Teacher Institute Day- No school for students

Wednesday, August 26 First day of attendance – Early Release for students in grades 1-8

Thursday, August 27 First day of Kindergarten attendance

Monday, September 7 Labor Day – NO SCHOOL

Wednesday, September 9 First day of attendance – Wehde Early Childhood Center students

Wednesday, September 23 Early Release Day

Monday, October 12 Columbus Day – NO SCHOOL

Wednesday, October 21 Early Release Day Parent-Teacher Conferences Grades K-8; 5-8pm

Thursday, October 22 Parent-Teacher Conferences Grades K-8; 12-8pm NO SCHOOL for students K-8

Friday, October 23 Parent-Teacher Conferences Grades K-8; 8-11am NO SCHOOL for students K-8

Tuesday, November 3 Teacher Institute Day –NO SCHOOL for students K-8

Wednesday, November 18 Early Release Day

Wednesday, November 25 Thanksgiving Break – NO SCHOOL

Thursday, November 26 Thanksgiving Day – NO SCHOOL

Friday, November 27 Thanksgiving Break – NO SCHOOL

Friday, December 18 Winter Break begins at the END of the school day

Monday, January 4 Classes resume after Winter Break

Friday, January 15 Teacher Institute Day – NO SCHOOL for students K-8

Monday, January 18 Martin Luther King Jr. Day- NO SCHOOL

Wednesday, January 27 Early Release Day

Friday, February 12 Half-Day School Improvement Day-Half Day for students Grades K-5 (noon dismissal) Grades 6-8 (11 a.m. dismissal)

Monday, February 15 Presidents’ Day- NO SCHOOL

Wednesday, February 24 Early Release Day

Friday, March 25 NO SCHOOL - Not in Attendance

Monday, March 28 Spring Break begins

Monday, April 4 Classes resume after Spring Break

Wednesday, April 27 Early Release Day

Wednesday, May 18 Early Release Day

Monday, May 30 Memorial Day – NO SCHOOL

Wednesday, June 1 Last day of kindergarten and Wehde Early Childhood attendance

Thursday, June 2 Last day of student attendance if no “Snow Days” are taken – Early Release Day

Friday, June 3 “Snow Days” to be added if necessary through June 9

Please note:

8th grade Honors Night and graduation date to be determined after Spring Break of 2015-16.

Early release day schedule: 1 p.m. dismissal for students in grades 6-8; 2 p.m. dismissal for students in full-day kindergarten through grade 5.

7

Year one of the District 47 STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) program is in the books. Over the past year, D47 STEM teachers and iCoaches have worked to create a K-8 STEM program that exposes students to real-world technologies, cross-curricular challenges, and provides future-ready skills. The overall goal of the STEM program is to develop student awareness of areas of study outside of core classes and increase advanced knowledge in the STEM fields.

K-5 STEM program: “Launch”

K-5 STEM classes are based on Project Lead The Way’s (PLTW) Launch curriculum. In Kindergarten, students focused on such topics as structure and function, and forces and interactions. They built structures, such as The Three Little Pigs’ houses and Jack’s beanstalk, and observed forces through pushes and pulls. First graders investigated light and sound, as well as the sun, moon and stars. They built models using light and sound, and built a shelter that could cover a playground to protect them from UV rays. Second graders investigated matter and pollination, building coolers that kept a popsicle from melting, and a seed dispersal machine to spread grass seed across a field (see photo below). Third graders learned about forces by investigating the four forces of flight on gliders and building simple machines to solve a problem. Fourth graders studied collisions and conversion by protecting a raw egg enduring a car crash, and finding a way to quickly unload boxes for a food pantry. Fifth graders learned about robotics and automation--building, testing and programming robots to simulate moving material after the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

The modules have been challenging for students and teachers, and have led to the creation of truly amazing student work. Two new PLTW modules will be added for next year, allowing students to further explore the STEM fields. As the program evolves, there will be more overlap of concepts between the District’s rigorous core curriculum and STEM course, which will help forge a truly interdisciplinary program for all students.

Grades 6-8 STEM: “FUSE”

Middle school STEM teachers have had a unique opportunity to work directly with Northwestern University to create a challenge-based curriculum called FUSE to meet the needs of District 47 students. Middle school students experience a one-hour STEM class once a week for 12 weeks. With the main goal of igniting curiosity and extending student influence into a broader community, the middle school STEM program has given students the opportunity to explore robotics, 3D printing and design, electronics, coding, and solar energy. Emerging from these experiences, students have become motivated, self-induced learners. As an outcome of programming, teachers have observed in students the development of deeper thinking, problem solving, leadership, creativity,

and increased collaboration in the classroom and community.

“Once we got into challenges, I realized we were doing something different...we were learning on our own and finding the steps involved,” said Bernotas eighth grader Ridhi. Ridhi stated that because she wears glasses and is interested in eyewear, one of her favorite challenges was a program called Eye Candy. “I started making little versions of eyeglasses and it was really fun!” she said. “There are so many challenges in that one challenge. At first you don’t understand the program because it’s brand new, but once you get it, it feels like you can do anything with it!”

According to Colin, another Bernotas eighth grader, “I’ve learned concepts like programming, coding, and 3D printing and have utilized apps I had never heard of before like Google Sketchup.” Colin says he now “messes around” with projects for other classes using his knowledge of these concepts. “What I’ve learned here is probably going to help me as I move forward with Project Lead the Way in high school and has sparked my interest in a future engineering career,” he said.

One of the unique things about the STEM classroom is that the STEM teacher functions more as a facilitator than teacher. Students are encouraged to do their own research, solve their own problems, and to experience failure as part of the learning process.

Bernotas eighth grader Katy said, “[STEM class] is like organized chaos...Mrs. Liebenow is more like a guide who puts us on a path to where we want to go. It’s about the learning experience and how much we can accomplish. We have the freedom to fail and be okay with that.”

In response to this, Bernotas STEM teacher Jennifer Liebenow said she thinks of herself more as a lifeguard than a guide or facilitator. “I try to direct from above and rarely find the need to jump in to rescue anyone,” she said.

District 47’s partnership with Northwestern University is crucial in the crafting of an authentic STEM experience for middle school students. Based on student feedback, the District continues to work closely with the Northwestern team to tweak the current curriculum and create new classroom challenges for students that will further peak their interests and career-oriented spirit. Over the next few months several new challenges will be added to the current curriculum, with student interest at the core.

Creativity and Problem-Solving Thrive in STEM Environment

Objects designed by students and produced with 3D printer.

Hannah Beardsley students Jacob P., Moises Y. and Sidney L. (left to right) anxiously await their finished products from the STEM lab’s 3D printer.

At the May board meeting, Husmann second graders Arianna R. and Elise R. presented their seed dispersal machine while fifth graders Brody V. and Aiden S. showed off their robotic car.

Middle school STEM class 3D printer

“I try to direct from above and rarely find the need to jump in to rescue anyone.”

- Jennifer Liebenow, Bernotas STEM teacher

8

TJA Open House: Kindergarteners “Meet the Bus”

Second Annual Transliteracy Conference: August 5-6

Upcoming Events

The Transportation Joint Agreement (TJA), the bus service shared by Districts 47 and 155, will host its third annual open house on Wed., Aug. 12th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the TJA “bus garage,” located at 1204 S. McHenry Avenue in Crystal Lake.

The open house is an opportunity for incoming Kindergarteners and their families to meet the bus drivers, learn about bus safety, ask questions and even board the bus and take a brief ride around the parking lot before the first day of school. Various stations feature first aid and bus safety equipment, a safe seating demonstration and fun activities, such as bus tattoos and coloring books. Kindergarteners won’t want to miss the interactive bus safety show featuring Buster, a miniature “talking” school bus! The event is free and open to all incoming D47 families.

The second annual D47 Transliteracy conference, “Connect and Unleash Your Potential,” will be held on August 5th and 6th at Hannah Beardsley Middle School.

Like last year, this year’s Transliteracy conference will continue to explore the integration of technology in the classroom and involves strategies that will improve any classroom setting in all content areas. Each day will offer half-day workshops and one-hour breakout sessions, where participants can delve a little deeper into such topics as Google and iPads, digital literacy, Google Apps for the classroom, eBooks, technology integration with the Common Core, and integrating technology with classroom instruction. Sessions will be flagged as novice, intermediate and expert to accommodate the needs of all educators, tech savvy or not, or somewhere in between.

This year’s scheduled presenters include District 47 iCoaches--Corey Holmer, Kristin Thorsen, Amy Frank, Jamie Michelau, Jill Pearce and Marguerite Parker; Jimmy Juliano, a technology coach from Lake Forest High School and former D47 iCoach; Chad Kafka, Apple Distinguished Educator and Google Certified Teacher; Henry Mann, staff member of Northwestern University’s STEM program and D47 FUSE liaison; R.J. Gravel, director of instructional technology for Johnsburg School District 12; and Jordan Garrett and Ramona Towner, instructional coaches for South Berwyn District 100.

Approximately 300 attendees are expected, most of which will be teachers and staff from District 47 but will also include staff from Johnsburg District 12 and Crystal Lake parochial schools.

D47 Educators Share Passion and Expertise for Tech and Science iCoaches Present at ICE Conference

From hosting the annual Transliteracy conference in August to seeking opportunities to share their knowledge and expertise with others, District 47 Integration (“i”) Coaches continue to keep the District at the forefront in the area of technology. In February, several D47 educators had the honor of presenting at the annual four-day ICE (Illinois Computing Educators) conference in St. Charles. ICE is a statewide organization for computer-using educators and is an organizational affiliate of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE).Kristin Thorsen, iCoach for Woods Creek and West, and Marguerite Parker, iCoach for Lundahl and South, presented tips and tricks for incorporating Google Classroom in the primary grades. The session explored

how teachers can expose students in grades K-2 to document creation with Google Documents, Slides, Forms and Drawings, helping to prepare them for the digital world. Students from Mrs. Winsor’s first grade class at West Elementary helped demonstrate the concepts taught during the presentation. In a second session, Thorsen and West Elementary STEM teacher Teresa Wolf presented ways in which to integrate Next Generation Science Standards with the Common Core State Standards.The presentation included tips on how to incorporate science into an elementary literacy block by using technology resources. “From text sets, to apps, to websites, there are so many ways students can explore science while still reading, writing, speaking and listening,” said Thorsen.Thorsen said she thoroughly enjoyed the experience of presenting at the conference. “Each session allowed me to share my passion for technology integration and to interact with other educators who share similar passions. It was amazing to be part of an experience where educators can collaborate and share ideas that are working in classrooms,” she said.Corey Holmer, iCoach at Hannah Beardsley and Husmann, and Jamie Trow, language arts and social studies teacher at Hannah Beardsley, also presented at the conference, teaching a session on digital storytelling. The workshop introduced apps, such as Storehouse, Adobe Voice and Google

StoryBuilder, that bring stories to life and allow students to develop creative, authentic and collaborative multimedia projects.In addition, iCoaches Jill Pearce and Amy Frank presented on the topic of close reading, which is the practice of uncovering layers of meaning that lead to deep reading comprehension. The iCoaches introduced technological tools, such as the Explain Everything, Subtext and Notability apps, to assist in navigating, explaining and annotating complex text. “Participants had the opportunity to not only learn about the apps but also to practice using them with a passage, similar to an experience they would have in a classroom setting,” said Frank. Attendees included technology integration specialists, administrators, classroom teachers and even a superintendent. Lundahl Science Teacher Presents at NSTA Conference

In March, eighth-grade Lundahl science teacher George Nelson presented on the topic of modeling instruction to 40 high school science teachers from around the country at the annual National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) meeting in Chicago. During the presentation, led by Nelson’s former professor Dr. Megowan from Arizona State University, participants conducted a generic modeling lab where they collected data to share for whiteboard discussions. The presentation concluded with sharing how modeling relates to the Next Generation Science Standards.

Left to right: iCoaches Amy Frank, Jillian Pearce, Marguerite Parker, and Kristin Thorsen presented at the ICE (Illinois Computing Educators) conference in February.

9

All Nine K-5 Schools Earn Healthier U.S. Schools Challenge AwardRecognizing the connection between good health and nutrition and increased student academic performance and attendance, Crystal Lake Elementary District 47 decided to take on the Healthier U.S. Schools Challenge (HUSSC) several years ago. The challenge is a voluntary national certification initiative for schools participating in the National School Lunch Program and the National School Breakfast Program.Sponsored by the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and supported by First Lady Michelle O’Bama’s Let’s Move campaign, the initiative encourages all schools to take a leadership role in helping students make healthier choices with regard to nutrition and exercise. District 47’s Husmann Elementary served as a pilot school several years ago acquiring HUSSC status in 2011. The District’s other eight elementary schools that have now met the HUSSC challenge criteria include: Canterbury, Coventry, Glacier Ridge, Indian Prairie, North, South, West and Woods Creek. All nine elementary schools have earned bronze status, one of four levels of recognized superior performance. The criteria for the bronze-level award includes teaching nutrition education, serving only food that has met USDA-approved nutrition standards, meeting participation thresholds for breakfast and lunch programs, and offering opportunities for weekly physical activity throughout the school year. The HUSSC application process was spearheaded by West Elementary STEM teacher Teresa Wolf and Allison Brown, director of food services for Arbor Management. “It was an intensive process but so well worth it,” stated Wolf. “After Husmann received the recognition, we worked hard to get the rest of our elementary buildings awarded.”The bronze award entitles each school to receive $500 along with an

award plaque signed by a USDA official, a banner to display in each school, and an opportunity to have the school’s name listed on the Team Nutrition website.Besides the HUSSC challenge, District 47 has taken other steps toward improving the health of its students and school environment. It has applied for and received grants from community partners like Advocate Good Shepherd and the McHenry County Department of Health, which have provided significant funding for other health-related programs, such as Coordinated Approach to Child’s Health (CATCH), the Cooper Institute’s Fitnessgram (a comprehensive tool used to assess student physical fitness and activity levels), physical education equipment, and many other wonderful items and programs. “We are so lucky to have the community’s support in helping us with this and other health-related initiatives as it has enabled us to help our students make healthier lifestyle choices,” said Wolf. Both Brown and Wolf pointed out that the community resources have also enriched family evening events, such as the District’s health fair, CATCH programs, and open houses, all of which have helped spread the healthier message to families. “Without the continued support of community partners and families,” noted Wolf, “this award would not have been possible.”

Parent volunteers helped run West Elementary’s annual “Body Walk,” where students learned about good nutrition and the various functions of the body. The portable, interactive display was purchased through a grant awarded by Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital.

Dollars & SenseLike many Illinois school districts, Crystal Lake Elementary District 47 faces challenges due to a continued shortfall in state funding and the possibility of additional budget cuts proposed by Senate Bill 1. In response to this challenge, the District continues to implement cost containment initiatives and innovative ideas to offset education funding cuts while still finding ways to enhance programs focused on student achievement.

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is well aware of these financial challenges and has developed the “School District Financial Profile” to better monitor the situation. This annual assessment objectively reviews key fund balance, liquidity and debt ratios. A detailed explanation of the process utilized to develop the financial profile can be found at www.isbe.net/sfms/afr/profile.pdf.

For fiscal year 2014, District 47 was awarded the status of “Financial Recognition,” the highest level of designation. A district in the financial recognition category requires little or no review by ISBE.

In addition, District 47 won the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) International’s “Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting.” This award represents a significant achievement and reflects the District’s commitment to the highest standard of school system financial reporting and transparency.

As these continue to be challenging financial times for the state’s public education system, District 47 greatly appreciates and relies on local taxpayer support. In return, the District pledges to continue to explore ways to creatively fund projects and streamline costs while supporting its mission of educational excellence for all students.

$6,119 $5,953 $5,734 $5,734

$7,992 $8,360 $8,561 $8,672

2011 2012 2013 2014

Educa�on Funding Advisory Board (EFAB) Recommenda�ons Versus State Appropria�ons Opera�onal Dollars Per Student

Appropria�on A�er Prora�ng EFAB Recommenda�on

FundingGap of $2,938

Per Student

Source: ISBE Fiscal Year 2015 Proposed Budget Source: Illinois Educa�on Funding 2013 Recommenda�ons

10

Celebrating the Arts in EducationOn May 1st, approximately 800 attendees filled the historic Dole Mansion and galleries at Lakeside Legacy Arts Park for the annual D47 student art show and Lakeside Legacy’s First Friday event. Students, teachers, administrators, parents and community members roamed the exhibit halls, taking in the creative displays and enjoying refreshments, light fare and even live music by D47 musicians. This year’s event featured delightful performances by several Lundahl middle band ensembles, the Lundahl middle school choir and the Glacier Ridge Elementary chorus.

For nearly a decade, Lakeside and District 47 have partnered on the student art show to celebrate the arts in education.

“District 47 is fortunate that our Board and administration understand the importance of the arts for our students and support our programs with qualified, certified staff,” said South assistant principal and art program coordinator Kristen Cannon. “This art show is a wonderful opportunity to share the hard work and dedication of our experienced art teachers and to celebrate the creative talents of our young people,” she added.

This year’s exhibit showcased a wide range of student artwork as chosen by D47 art teachers. Techniques displayed included printmaking, weaving, sculpture, ceramics, painting and drawing, as well as collage and digital imagery. Pieces chosen reflected the diversity of art media, cultural learning, artistic influences and a higher level art learning and philosophy.

On May 12th, families were provided another opportunity to view the exhibit as participation awards were presented to students whose artwork was on display.

District 47 thanks all art teachers and students, whose hard work and creativity made the event possible, as well as Kristen Cannon and South art teacher Sue Jensen, who coordinated the event along with Lakeside Legacy’s Erin McElroy and Terrance Maule.

“We are grateful for our longstanding relationship with Lakeside and to have the opportunity to showcase our students’ creativity at such a fine venue,” said Denise Barr, coordinator of community relations.

D47 student art remained on display at Lakeside for public viewing throughout the month of May.

Indian Prairie third-grader Zuzanna proudly displays her ribbon and penguin artwork at the D47 art show at Lakeside Legacy Arts Park.

Art teachers Susan Brazao (left, Glacier Ridge) and Lori Freund (right, Canterbury) enjoy the annual D47 art reception at Lakeside on May 12th.

Lundahl’s trumpet ensemble kicked off the evening’s festivities and D47 art show at Lakeside’s First Friday event on May 1st.

North Elementary’s and Lundahl Middle School’s “walls of fame”

Indian Prairie’s display of student creativity

CORE Center • 300 Commerce Drive • Crystal Lake, IL 60014 • Phone: 815.788.5000 • Fax: 815.459.0263 • www.d47.org Denise Barr • Community Relations Coordinator • DCBarr@d47.org • Facebook: /D47schools • Twitter: @CrystalLakeSD47

Canterbury Elementary School875 Canterbury Drive | 815.788.5650

Stacy Graff, Principal Lisa Severns, Assistant Principal

www.d47.org/can Twitter: @CanterburyD47

Coventry Elementary School820 Darlington Lane | 815.788.5500

Matt Grubbs, Principal Lily Smith, Assistant Principal

www.d47.org/cov Twitter: @CoventryD47

Glacier Ridge Elementary School1120 Village Road | 815.444.4850

John Jacobsen, Principal Anastasia Gruper, Assistant Principal

www.d47.org/grs Twitter: @GlacierRidgeD47

Husmann Elementary School 131 W. Paddock Street | 815.356.3400

Monica Petersen, Principal Guy Sromek, Assistant Principal

www.d47.org/husTwitter: @HusmannD47

Indian Prairie Elementary School651 Village Road | 815.788.5700

Jim Kelley, Principal Ali Mitchell, Assistant Principal

www.d47.org/ipsTwitter: @IndianPrairie47

North Elementary School500 Woodstock Street | 815.356.3450

Steve Scarfe, Principal Christina Moran, Assistant Principal

www.d47.org/nor Twitter: @starhuskies

South Elementary School601 Golf Road | 815.788.5400

Rachael Alt, Principal Kristen Cannon, Assistant Principal

www.d47.org/souTwitter: @SouthD47

West Elementary School100 Briarwood Road | 815.788.5550

Beth Klinsky, Principal Kathryn Cruz, Assistant Principal

www.d47.org/wesTwitter: @D47West

Woods Creek Elementary School1100 W. Alexandra Blvd. | 815.444.4800

Amy Marks, Principal Melissa LaShelle, Assistant Principal

www.d47.org/wdsTwitter: @WoodsCreekD47

Bernotas Middle School 170 N. Oak Street | 815.788.5600

Jeff Prickett, Principal Scott Meyer, Assistant Principal Kellie Marks, Assistant Principal

www.d47.org/rbm Twitter: @BernotasVikings

Hannah Beardsley Middle School515 E. Crystal Lake Avenue | 815.788.5750

Cathy Alberth, Principal Amy MacCrindle, Assistant Principal

Glen Gabel, Assistant Principal www.d47.org/hbm

Twitter: @HBMBears

Lundahl Middle School560 Nash Road | 815.788.5450

Angie Compere, Principal Jim Stone, Assistant Principal

Mindy Merritt, Assistant Principalwww.d47.org/lms

Twitter: @LundahlLions

Wehde Early Childhood Center1120 Village Road | 815.788.3100

Pam White, Directorwww.d47.org/ecTwitter: @D47ec

Board of EducationMr. Jeff Mason

President

Mr. Rob Fetzner

Vice President

Mr. Ryan Farrell

Board Member

Dr. Betsy Les

Board Member

Mrs. Eileen Palsgrove

Board Member

Mrs. Donna Ricci

Board Member

Mr. Curt Wadlington

Board Member

Mrs. Clare Bourne

Board Secretary

AdministrationDr. Kathy Hinz

Superintendent

Mrs. Denise Barr

Coordinator of Community Relations

Mrs. Jean Bevevino

Assistant Superintendent of Student Learning

Dr. Greg Buchanan

Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources

Mr. Dave Jenkins

Assistant Superintendent of Technology Services

Mrs. Cathy Nelson

Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations