This Week In Valley View News

From the Valley View School District:

January 10 2020

Jonas Salk Elementary Named National ESEA Distinguished School

Jonas Salk Elementary School in Bolingbrook is one of just 73 U.S. schools named a 2019 National ESEA (Elementary and Secondary Education Act) Distinguished School for the extraordinary success of their students.

“At Jonas Salk Elementary School, we welcome all students,” said Principal Mrs. Alyson Ewald. “We focus on student growth and learning. We make sure every day our students are here to learn and the instruction they are presented is rigorous, but also appropriate for them. Our staff and teachers are also diligent in providing a welcoming and safe learning environment.”

The National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators (NAESPA)—formerly the National Title I Association—has been selecting examples of superior, federally funded school programs for national recognition through the National ESEA Distinguished Schools program (recently renamed from its predecessor, the National Title I Distinguished Schools program) since 1996. Distinguished School designation celebrates the efforts of schools across the country making significant improvements. The program acknowledges the success of schools in one of three categories:
● Category 1: Exceptional student performance and academic growth for two or more consecutive years
● Category 2: Closing the achievement gap between student groups for two or more consecutive years
● Category 3: Excellence in serving special populations of students (e.g. homelessness, migrant, English learners, etc.)

The VVEEF Brings the Zoo to You at WildFest
The Valley View Educational Enrichment Foundation presents an amazing, fun, and educational opportunity for the whole family when WildFest visits Bolingbrook HS on Sun. Jan. 26.
Attending WildFest will give you the opportunity to experience a menagerie of exotic animals including wolf, alligator, python, bats, lynx, skunks, owls, falcons, and more. Specific demonstrations include: Big Run Wolf Ranch, Jim Nesci’s Cold-Blooded Creatures, Incredible Bats, and K-9 Guardian Dogs. In addition to the demonstrations, there will be concessions, vendors, and opportunities to pet and take photos with the animals.
Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for kids (free for kids up to 3 years old), $5 for high school and college students presenting a school ID.
Proceeds will benefit the grant programs in VVSD schools supported by the VVEEF and are animal rescue programs. If you are interested in being a vendor at WildFest, contact Mrs. Aimee Rupsis at rupsisaa@vvsd.org

Pioneer Elementary 3rd Graders Perform at Winter Concert
Just before the Holiday Break, Pioneer Elementary School welcomed parents and relatives to their annual Winter Concert.
Watch the video to see the Pioneer 3rd grade class perform “Deck the Halls” under the direction of Mrs. Stephanie Suwanski.

Illinois 5Essentials Survey Now Open to Valley View Parents
Valley View School District 365U is joining the Illinois State Board of Education in the Illinois 5Essentials Survey, the seventh statewide survey of school climate and learning conditions. The survey provides a unique opportunity for students, teachers and parents to have a voice in improving their schools. Now through Feb. 14, students, teachers and parents can take a 25-minute research-based survey to help identify strengths and weaknesses in their school’s learning environment. This survey will serve as an opportunity for schools to reflect on progress since the last statewide implementation.Click here to take the 5Essentials Survey

A New Decade Means It is Time for the U.S. Census- Everybody Counts
The U.S. Constitution requires that each decade there is a count— or a census—of America’s population.
The census provides vital information for you and your community.
• It determines how many representatives each state gets in Congress and is used to redraw district boundaries.
• Communities rely on census statistics to plan for a variety of resident needs including new roads, schools, and emergency services.
• Businesses use census data to determine where to open places to shop. Each year, the federal government distributes more than $675 billion to states and communities based on Census Bureau data.
The law requires the Census Bureau to keep your information confidential and use your responses only to produce statistics. The Bureau cannot publicly release your responses in any way that could identify you, nor share your information with immigration enforcement agencies such as ICE, law enforcement agencies such as the FBI or police, or allow it to be used to determine your eligibility for government benefits.
To learn more about Census 2020, visit www.census.gov

Kudos for Noteworthy Achievements
Bolingbrook HS senior Devyn Suggs has been named the 2020 African American Scholar-Athlete of the year for the Midwest Region by the National Alliance of African American Athletes. On Fri. Mar. 13, Devyn and the other regional honorees will gather in Arlington VA for the announcement of the 2020 National African American Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Devyn will attend Yale University beginning next fall to continue his academic and athletic career.
Romeoville HS alumna Paige Rydberg (Class of ‘18) will compete at the United States National Figure Skating Championships in Greensboro NC beginning on Mon. Jan. 20. Paige qualified by winning both the Southwestern Regional Championship and the Midwestern Sectional Championship. In addition to her achievements on the ice, Paige is continuing her education while she trains at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs CO by attending the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.

Seen Around Valley View This Week
Left- Mr. Marc Camden (left in photo) and Mr. Andy Wysocki (right in photo) of the Romeoville Knights of Columbus presented a donation of four cases of brand new winter coats for students in need. Accepting the donation on behalf of Irene King Elementary was Executive Secretary Mrs. Patti Zack (center in photo). Students at R.C. Hill Elementary and B.J. Ward Elementary will also benefit from the kindness and generosity of the Knights. VVSD greatly appreciates the kindness the Romeoville Knights of Columbus demonstrate every year with their various fundraising efforts for our students.
Center- STEP Campus students and staff welcomed veterans from our community to an annual veterans luncheon. The STEP students make treats for the vets who in turn present to the students a plaque of appreciation. The vets also give every student an American flag and speak for a few minutes about their service to our country.
Right- Second semester at Oak View Elementary begins with Art Teacher Mrs. Olga Morgan explaining the classroom expectations to kindergarten student-artists. The #1 expectation is to let your creativity shine!
Quick Notes- The next regular meeting of the Valley View School District Board of Education is on Monday, January 13, at John J. Lukancic Middle School, 725 W. Normantown Rd, Romeoville IL. The meeting will be called to order at 6:30 p.m. and the Board will vote to go into Executive Session. The Public Session of the meeting will begin at 7 p.m. In accordance with the Open Meetings Act, the Agenda for the meeting will be posted no later than 48 hours prior to the start of the meeting. Click here to view the Agenda
The Romeoville HS Baseball Team is offering a 3-Session Winter Baseball Skills Camp for players in grades 3rd-8th. The cost of the Camp is $20 per session or $50 for players pre-registered for all three sessions. Dates are Jan. 12 (fielding; Jan. 19 hitting; and Jan. 26 pitching and small games). For more information, contact Romeoville HS Baseball Coach Mr. Mike Skroch at skrochmr@vvsd.org

The Valley View Educational Enrichment Foundation presents Wild Fest, an up-close look at wildlife on Sun. Jan. 26 from 10 am- 4 pm at Bolingbrook HS. Wild Fest will gives kids and families a chance to encounter snakes, lizards, owls, hawks, falcons and more. Admission is $8 for parents and $5 for kids (kids under three years old admitted for no charge) and $5 for college and high school students presenting their school ID. Proceeds from the event will support the VVEEF’s educational grant program and animal rescue programs.

Upcoming Important School Calendar Dates Mon. Jan. 20 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday- No Classes Wed. Jan. 29 Early Release (BHS 12:43, RHS 12:45, MS 1:20, Elementary 2:15) Fri. Feb. 14 Parent Teacher Conferences- No Classes for Students
Events for the Coming Week Wed. Jan. 15 Lukancic Middle School Torch of Excellence Breakfast 7:55 am Thu. Jan. 16 Pioneer Elementary Family Math Night 6 pm

New This Week in the Community Bulletin Board White Oak Library Romeoville Branch January/February Event Calendar Lockport Township HS Prom Dress Resale
News from Our Community Partners
DuPage Township DuPage Township Youth Committee is hosting an open forum Parent Summit to address concerns regarding youth in our community on Thu. Jan. 16 at 6 p.m. at the DuPage Township Center at 251 Canterbury Lane in Bolingbrook. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, contact the DuPage Townships Administrative Office at (630) 759-1317.

Northern Illinois Food Bank The Northern Illinois Food Bank is conducting mobile food banks and micro pantries in the vicinity in the near future. Please bring bags or boxes. Micro Pantries are designed to allow anonymous food pick-up for those in need and a drop-off point for those who wish to help. Micro pantries are accessible 24 hours a day. To find a Micro Pantry near you visit: http://arcg.is/04LijC

West Suburban Community Pantry in association with the Northern IL Food Bank will be hosting a Community Mobile Pantry in Bolingbrook every first Monday of the month. Each Community Mobile Pantry will offer fresh produce, proteins and staple items for those struggling to put food on the table. Different organizations from the community will also be present to connect community members and their families with services that can help put them back on your feet.

Will County MAPP Food Micro Pantries Will County Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships conducts micro and mobile food pantries throughout Will County. Click here for more details and a map of locations.

This press release was produced by the Valley View School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.