State Superintendent of Education Visits Pleasantdale School District 107

Tony Smith, Ph.D., Illinois State Superintendent of Education, set a goal to visit 100 school districts during his first year in office and one of the stops on his tour included Pleasantdale School District 107. On April 11, Smith observed and interacted with students at Pleasantdale Elementary School in La Grange by visiting early childhood, art and music classrooms as well as art and STEM classes at Pleasantdale Middle School in Burr Ridge. Two middle school students who won the Pleasantdale PTA raffle to serve as Superintendents of the Day led Smith’s tour through the schools.

“I truly enjoyed the opportunity to receive a student-led tour of some of the exceptional programs that make Pleasantdale District 107 unique, from the district’s high-quality Early Childhood initiative to its middle school STEM classes,” said Smith. “Learning begins long before a child sets foot into a classroom – it’s a journey that starts at birth and continues as families and communities partner to promote healthy development for all children. Observing innovative teaching and learning in the classroom is a significant highlight of my role as state superintendent.”

Photo Caption 1: State Superintendent of Education Tony Smith, Ph.D. (center) featured with Principal John Glimco, Superintendent Dave Palzet, Ph.D. and Pleasantdale PTA raffle winners Tatiana Vidakovich and Alex Vidakovich who served as Superintendents of the Day.

Photo Caption 2: State Superintendent of Education Tony Smith, Ph.D. visited Pleasantdale Elementary School in La Grange and interacted with students in art class, including fourth grader Peyton O’Flaherty.

Photo Caption 3: State Superintendent of Education Tony Smith, Ph.D. visited the early childhood program at Pleasantdale Elementary School in La Grange.

Photo Caption 4: State Superintendent of Education Tony Smith, Ph.D. visited Pleasantdale Middle School in Burr Ridge and took time to interact with students in art class.