National - Sunnybrook School District 171

2014/2015 School Board
the
Solomon Davis, President
David Lilly, Vice President
Cozette Pettigrew, Secretary
National
Dennis Altgilbers
Jada Curry
Lance Lape
David Lopez
Sunnybrook District 171
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The Superintendent’s Corner
Welcome back to the 2014-15 school year. The summer was filled with a great deal of work
and preparation for your return. The Principal Remodel Project is complete. All staff
involved and affected by the project are to be commended for a great job. Additionally, the
Lock/Door replacement upgrade was also completed. Instructional staff conducted a four
week summer school program with 178 of our Kindergarten through seventh grade students at
Nathan Hale. Eighth grade students were encouraged to participate in the eighth grade
Transitional Summer School Program at TF South. As we celebrated the success of the
previously mentioned projects, we also celebrated the life transition of several of our staff members.
At the end of the 2013-2014 school year, five (5) staff members made the difficult life decision to call it quits and
retire. The following staff members retired after a combined 133 years of dedicated service to the staff, students,
parents and community of SD 171: Barbara Beiner, Annette Bruce, Lorraine Dombrowski, Lillian Mercer and
Merry Funston. These individuals are to be congratulated for successfully educating generations of students.
Although, the above individuals will be difficult to replace, we were able to recruit and hire some talented
individuals who have joined the Sunnybrook 171 Family. Later in the newsletter you will be introduced to these
outstanding new staff members.
Something new this year. The District will pilot the implementation of an Activity Bus. The idea for this is that we
want each student to have access and an opportunity to participate in extra-curricular and co-curricular activities. It
is our goal that every middle school student will be involved in at least one extra- or co-curricular activity this year.
Also new this year, are the Six Minute Solution and Imagine Learning curricula, as well as a Multi-tiered System of
Support that includes Response to Intervention (RtI) for academics and Positive Behavior Supports and
Interventions (PBIS) for behavior. Additional information can be found on the District’s website at www.sd171.org
or by contacting your child’s building administrator.
As always, we continue to invite your participation in the education of your children through volunteer
opportunities. You are encouraged to join the Parent Teacher Organization or simply complete a volunteer packet.
The PTA has partnered with the District in seeking ten (10) volunteers who are willing to assist with tutoring in the
area of reading at the elementary level. The District and the PTA will cover the cost of the background check. If
you are interested, please contact Heather Rosinski, PTA
President, at (708) 297-8135 or sunnybrookpta@yahoo.com.
We look forward to another outstanding year here at Sunnybrook
School District 171.
Yours for better schools,
Hughes B. George, Ph.D.
Superintendent
(Continued on page 2)
Inside this Issue
The Superintendent’s Corner ....................... 1
Summer School ............................................ 2
Summer Professional Development ............. 2
New Faces at Sunnybrook ............................ 2
Google Takes the Show on the Road ............ 4
Calendar of Upcoming Events. ..................... 4
Volume 1, Issue
1
Volume
December 2013
2, Issue 3
Fall 2014
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Sunnybrook Corner
Summer School
Sunnybrook School District held summer school at Nathan Hale elementary this year. It was an overwhelming
success. Over 178 students attended. The four week program was geared to provide students with academic, social,
and personal enrichment. Students utilized Imagine Learning, a computer based literacy program and Six Minute
Solution, a fluency program. We look forward to providing summer school again next year.
Summer Professional Development
More than forty teachers took advantage of this summer’s professional development series hosted at Nathan Hale
Elementary School. Topics included: “Differentiated Instruction” and “Common Core Standards Based Training.”
Workshop topics were chosen from the professional development survey completed by teachers earlier in the year.
We would like to thank teachers for their attendance and look forward to having another successful week of
professional development next summer.
New Faces at Sunnybrook
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Ryan Capriotti – 8th Grade Learning Counselor
My name is Mr. Capriotti, and I am the new 8th Grade Learning Counselor at Heritage
Middle School. I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Education at Illinois State University.
I am currently in the process of earning my Master’s Degree in Special Education at
Governor’s State University. This is my first year joining the Heritage team. I have spent
the past two years working in the Special Education department at T.F. South High
School, where I also coached the freshman baseball team and was a sponsor of T.A.C.T.
(Student Climate Committee). In my spare time I am an avid reader. I also enjoy bowling
and golfing, and I am a big baseball and basketball fan.
Megan Cleary – 5th Grade Art Teacher
Megan Cleary recently joined the Heritage family as a 5th grade art teacher. Before coming
to our school, Megan taught at Warren Elementary School in Highland, Indiana. Prior to
working for the School Town of Highland, Megan worked for the Parks Department in
Munster, Indiana. Her role there was to design and implement art, music, and early
childhood education classes for preschool students. Megan received her undergraduate
degree from Indiana University in Education. Megan was born and raised in Lansing,
Illinois and attended school in Sunnybrook District 171 and graduated from T.F. South High
school. She has a degree in culinary arts and enjoys cooking, running, drawing and painting. Megan will encourage
her students at Heritage to be creative and enjoy both academics and the arts!
Jenna Jameson – English Language Learner Teacher
Before coming to Heritage, Jenna Jameson was a 3rd and 4th grade multi-age teacher at a
private school in Chicago. Jenna is currently teaching ELL for Heritage’s fifth through
eighth grade students. She attended Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois
earning her B.A. in Education and is currently pursuing her Master’s in ELL and Curriculum
Instruction at Governors State University. Jenna hopes to give back to the community in
which she went to school and give Lansing students the same engaging education she
received growing up here in town!
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New Faces at Sunnybrook
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(continued from page 2)
Elizabeth McCrorey – 6th Grade Science Teacher
Hi my name is Elizabeth McCrorey and I am from Lockport, Illinois. I received my
M. Ed from DePaul University and my B.A from Cedarville University in 2007.
Previous to my employment at Sunnybrook 171, I worked in the Chicago Heights
School District as well as a teacher/case manager with high school students in crisis in
Waukegan, Illinois. Through this experience, I learned how to handle students in at risk
situations and how to develop intervention plans to enhance students' learning potential.
I am very honored and privileged to be the new sixth grade Science teacher at Heritage Middle School and I am
looking forward to a school year full of tremendous learning potential!
Marquetta Phillips – 6th Grade Language Arts Teacher
Hi! My name is Marquetta Phillips and I am the English Language Arts teacher at
Heritage Middle School. As an educator, I like to describe myself as a life-long learner,
one who strives to stay abreast to the latest research and technologies that is sure
to optimize student's educational experiences. I received a Master’s Degree in Elementary
Education and a PEL (Professional Education License) for grades K-9 with endorsements
that enabled me to become a "highly qualified" teacher. Since I was a little girl I've
always had a passion for teaching. Over the years I was able to develop that passion into
a career with a mission that is focused on keeping the students best interest at heart. I am honored to be a part of
the HMS family as I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with you and your child.
Andrea Warner – School Nurse
Hi, my name is Andrea Warner. I have worked the past six years at St. Margaret’s Hospital in
different capacities, as both a nurse and a patient care technician. I have worked on an
Oncology, Medical Surgical, and Renal unit. When not working at the hospital, I was a
substitute nurse in a couple different school districts. My passion is to care for others and I
am looking forward to working closely with both the faculty and students at both Nathan Hale
Elementary School and Heritage Middle School. I look forward to caring for the students, as
well as educating them on living a healthy lifestyle.
Amy Dornbos – Elementary Art Teacher
My name is Amy Dornbos. I graduated from Carroll University in Wisconsin with a
degree in Art Education. I taught high school art for 2 years, student taught elementary
art, and I’m excited to work with the younger students here at Nathan Hale. I take a
standards-based approach to teaching, and my main goals for students are to enjoy
creating art and to develop an appreciation for the art around them. This year we will be
studying artists from all around the world and talk about the art we see in everyday life
such as illustrations and graphic design.
Donna Kostellorizios – English Language Learner Teacher
It’s great to be at Nathan Hale School, and I am very happy to have the opportunity to
help our students as they learn English. Language learning is challenging, but it can also
be a lot of fun! A little about me…I am currently working on an MA in Library and
Information Science. During my years of teaching, I taught subjects including Language
Arts and Social Studies in grades 5th-8th, and I was the 7th grade homeroom teacher. I
also taught English as a Second Language in grades K-8, at the community college level,
and in Greece. I am looking forward to my first year at Nathan Hale!
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New Faces at Sunnybrook (continued from page 3)
Mark Peebles – 5th Grade Teacher
Before joining the Heritage Middle School family, Mark Peebles was a dedicated longterm substitute teacher for Sunnybrook District 171 dating back to 2006. He is also a
proud graduate of Heritage Middle School. His mother, Dr. Charlotte Reed-Peebles,
served as a board member, Vice President, and President during her 10 years of service
to the community and district. He is currently finishing a Master’s Degree in Secondary
Education. As Mr. Peebles fully embarks on his journey in education, he is eager to
become more involved with school activities, as well as becoming an agent for positive change throughout the 2014
-2015 school year and
beyond!
Rachel Amadio – 2nd Grade Learning Counselor
I'm excited to work with the students in my classroom. It has been such a fun first month
getting to know them and exploring the exciting worlds of reading and math with them!
My education includes a Bachelor's of Science at Eastern Illinois University. I graduated
with a degree in Communication Disorders. I worked as a paraprofessional for four
years, and completed my Master of Arts in Teaching Special Education at Lewis
University in Romeoville. I graduated this past May.
Misty McCullough – 2nd Grade Teacher
My name is Misty McCullough and I am excited to be teaching at Nathan Hale. I
graduated from Governors State University in 2008 with my Bachelor's Degree in
Elementary Education and I am in my 4th year teaching. I have experience teaching many
grades ranging from preschool to 4th and am thrilled to be teaching 2nd grade this year! I
recently went back to school for my English as Second Language endorsement. When I
am away from the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my husband and family and
reading. I look forward to a successful year at Nathan Hale Elementary School.
Google Takes the Show on the Road
Our State Representative, Marcus Evans, selected
Sunnybrook SD 171 to host the Google Road Show. 6th-8th
grade students were taught online safety by these internet
gurus. Students learned about internet sharing, settings,
protection and avoiding scams. We encourage parents to
continue the discussion about online safety. Information can
be found at: http://www.google.com/safetycenter .
Calendar of Upcoming Events
October 30th- Parent Teacher Conference
(12:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.)
December 3rd- Gingerbread House Night
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