This Week In Valley View School District News, Dec. 16 - 20, 2019

From the Valley View Public Schools:

December 19 2019

AVM Honor Society Shops ‘Til They Drop for Operation Christmas
This fall, students in the A.Vito Martinez Middle School Viking Honor Society have been busy with a flurry of fundraising activities. Among those activities was a change drive that collected over $1000. The top fundraisers visited the Bolingbrook Meijer at the Promenade to select Christmas gifts for children in need in our community.

The students selected gifts for children based on age and gender within a spending limit of funds from the Honor Society fundraising activities. The shopping skills of AVM 8th graders Alexia Zwolinski and Grace Perricone were especially impressive as they used their math knowledge to get the most mileage out of their allotment.

Watch the video for a lesson in effective shopping techniques and to understand the appreciation the students have for how their selections impact kids here in our community.
The AVM Viking Honor Society faculty sponsors are Mrs. Maghan Amodei and Mr. Clark Comstock and guided their students to raise $5000 this fall.

A Humphrey Student’s Surprise Homecoming Visit from His Big Brother
United States Air Force Airman 1st Class Mark Anthony Corona (Bolingbrook HS ’18) made a surprise visit to Humphrey Middle School to see his brother, Humphrey 7th grade student Efren, Jr.

Efren was unaware his brother would be home for the Holidays, from eavesdropping on the conversation there might have been a story about being in Germany, but no matter, we thank A1C Corona and all who serve in the military for their service and sacrifice.

Destined to Become a Holiday Classic! Romeoville HS TV Combines “The Grinch” and “Home Alone”

Everyone will agree the Mt. Rushmore of classic Christmas movies includes “It’s a Wonderful Life”, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”, “Christmas Vacation”, and “Die Hard”. These movies have stood the test of time and are part of the Holiday gatherings of families all over the world.
Get ready to add another epic cinematic production to that list. As part of their December Great Expectations video, the Romeoville HS television production class has created an incredibly innovative film that combines “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “Home Alone”.
The film is stunning in its scope, use of special effects, and deeper examination of characters already familiar to the audience. Plus, it looks like the RHS students had a lot of fun making this!

Lukancic PE Teachers Incorporate Cultural Awareness Into Curriculum
Physical education classes at Lukancic Middle School certainly have the traditional aspects such as team sports & games, leisure activities, and inclusive fitness activities. This year, a fourth unit is part of the curriculum. Students are learning activities from different cultures.

Tabata (Japan), Bean Bags (Europe), Catch the Tail (China) are among the activities from around the world students are learning, along with Tinikling (Philippines). Watch the video to learn about Tinikling and to hear how the students helped determine some of the multicultural activities presented in the class based on their heritage and ancestry.

While Tinikling is usually performed using Filipino music, the Lukancic students started with a simple beat we think most of you will recognize!

The Pillars of Valley View
The Super-Friendly Office Staff at Jane Addams Middle School Also known as the Dynamic Trio, Mrs. Yvette de la Vega, Mrs. Maria Mireles, and Mrs. Zuli Sanchez are the faces that welcome students, staff members, and visitors.

They are the backbone that helps supports Jane Addams’ Exemplary Status. They serve as role models for other professionals with their commitment, positivity, and legendary work ethic. Staff and students describe them as intuitive, accommodating, kind, helpful, engaging, amazing,
dynamic, dependable, magnificent, exceptional, funny, and versatile. Additionally, these three go above and beyond their job expectations. They are often supporting students after hours, helping translate for parents, reaching out to students and families in need, and much more.

Mr. Domenic Pizzuto and Ms. Dale Duplesis- STEP Campus
Mr. Domenic Pizzuto and Ms. Dale Duplesis fulfill integral roles at the Secondary Transition Education Program Campus. Mr. Pizzuto has been a job coach, paraprofessional, guest teacher when needed while at the same time earning his degree in Special Education.

Ms. Duplesis contributes her flexibility to STEP by supporting teachers on leave and filling a variety of guest teacher positions. She is also currently pursuing her degree in Special Education.
Both Mr. Pizzuto and Ms. Duplesis support STEP students by their kindness and continue to have a positive impact on their lives.

Left to right: Mr. Domenic Pizzuto, Board of Education Member Mr. James “JT” Boudouris, Ms. Dale Duplesis, STEP Principal Mrs. Melanie Phelan.

Ms. Kim Donato-Nutrition Services
Ms. Kim Donato is an incredibly talented and valuable kitchen manager that has been a part of the VVSD Nutrition Services team since 2002. She has moved up the ranks to managing the second highest volume kitchen in the District, Lukancic Middle School and Skoff Elementary while also managing the food prepared and delivered to the VVSD Early Childhood Center.

Her team of eleven staff members produces 1,700 meals per day and over 300,000 meals annually. Ms. Donato continually strengthens her knowledge and skills by attending school nutrition conferences and other professional development opportunities. She is always open to new ideas or methods to help provide customers and staff with outstanding products and services.

Kudos for Noteworthy Achievements
Wood View Elementary School Library Media Center Director Mr. Felix Soto has been named a Pillar of the Community by Fountaindale Public Library. The library is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and is recognizing leaders in the Bolingbrook community who promote literacy and showcase the benefits provided to the community by Fountaindale Library.

The Romeoville HS Chorale under the direction of RHS Vocal Music Teacher Mr. Andrew White will be the opening performance for the The Millikin University Choir at 7 p.m. on Wed. Jan. 15 in Grace United Methodist Church in Joliet.

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.

Quick Notes- The Valley View School District Board of Education will conduct a Special Meeting on Friday, December 20 at the Emmie D. Dunn Administration Center, 801 W. Normantown Rd., Romeoville IL. The Board Meeting will convene at 8:30 a.m. with the Public Session. There will be no actions taken by the Board in the Public Session of the meeting. The Board will then vote to move to Closed Executive Session. In accordance with the Open Meetings Act, the agenda for this meeting will be at least 48 hours prior to the start of the meeting

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.

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 Dec. 23- Jan. 3 Winter Break 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)

Events for the Coming Week

Thu. Dec. 19

Pioneer Elementary Winter Cheer 6 pm

King Elementary Winter Concert at Romeoville HS 6 pm

Fri. Dec. 20

Pioneer Elementary Winter Concerts 9 am
Early Childhood Center Winter Frolics 9:30 am

Lukancic Middle School Winter Assembly 1:20 pm

Martinez Middle School Winter Assembly 1:20 pm

Fri. Jan. 3

Hill Elementary Family Fun Zone Fundraiser 6 pm

New This Week in the Community Bulletin Board

Joliet Junior College Kids College

News from Our Community Partners

N.Finite Hands 5th Annual Joy of Giving N. Finite Hands Charity will host it's 5th Annual Joy of Giving on Sun. Dec. 22 from 2-5pm at Bolingbrook HS. The event is for all ages including adults. There will be a host of resources provided to the community at no charge. Those resources include professional headshots, resume building, college application resources, career development opportunities, games, toys, moon jumps, goods, and hundreds of giveaways. N. Finite Hands is centered on education and sustainability and was founded by BHS class of 2009 & 2010 graduates.
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.

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