Rainbow Opens ELC

Rainbows and Well-Wishes Signals Open House

Yesterday evening, a glowing rainbow that framed the Forest Early Learning Center (ELC) addition, signaled the start of the community open house that was hosted by the School District 62 Board of Education and the beginning of numerous academic careers for Des Plaines three, four, and five year olds.

After welcoming attendees, Dr. Jane L. Westerhold, Superintendent of Schools, introduced the Board of Education, District 62 administrative team, and representatives of Wight and Company, architect and construction management firm.  Board of Education President Brenda Murphy, Wight Chairman and CEO Mark Wight, and Wight Vice President Brad Paulsen spoke about the master planning process, the legacy of providing the community with instruction-based and child-centered schools, and the impact that the Early Learning Center and its programs have on building a firm foundation for its young students.

Following Mark Wight and Brad Paulsen’s presentation of the addition to the District 62 Board of Education and Dr. Westerhold, tours were given to more than 200 guests by the ELC director Margarite Beniaris and her staff. 

The centralized Early Learning Center (ELC) at Forest Elementary School consolidates the District’s programs and services for 3-5 year-old students prior to entering Kindergarten.  This consolidation also improves the District’s efficiency and effectiveness in providing these programs to students. It also recaptures vacated instructional space at each elementary school to create Technology Integrated Learning Environment (T.I.L.E.) that provide a dynamic, technology-rich learning hub serving students and the larger community with a focus on collaboration, project-based learning, and program flexibility.

Dr. Westerhold called the unveiling “a huge success,” giving credit to the board of education, Wight and Company, District 62 administrators, and the Early Learning Center staff.

The addition features an outdoor center courtyard/play surrounded by learning areas and classrooms featuring nature themed shapes and colors.

For more information about the ELC, please visit http://www.d62.org/elc/index.html or call 847-824-1025.

District 62 educates 4,666 kindergarten-eighth grade students in one community, two middle and eight elementary schools.