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From the Desk of Dr. Dubec
When it comes to a thriving school district, the element of strong leadership cannot be underestimated. Palos 118 has been blessed with the leadership of School Board President, Rick Nogal with his service to the board since 2003. We wish him luck in his new position on the District 230 school board and know he will be a valuable asset to the district.
In our own district, we are happy to welcome newly elected board member, MariJo Calacci to the dedicated Palos 118 School Board. She will be seated on April 26 in a special meeting along with re-elected incumbent members Sheila Pacholski and Nadine Antonini. Welcoming all will be currently serving board members Susan Hennessy, Board Vice President, Cathy Maier, Board Secretary, and Board member Kathy Savancini. Palos School District 118 is successful in so many areas as a direct result of our school board's commitment to excellence.
Another reason why Palos 118 is so successful is because of our wonderful teachers and staff. We will be taking time to show our gratitude for their dedication during Staff Appreciation Week May 2 - 6. Teachers play a key role in every student's academic and emotional development. Our teachers and staff at East, West, and South, make the school environments a place for ambition to thrive through encouragement, creativity, sensitivity and motivation.
With the fourth quarter approaching, there are many upcoming events and activities such as the MPA's Windy City Thunderbolt game, spring concerts, games, NJHS Inductions, and Grandparents'/Special People Days. Please consult your school website often for detailed information about important dates. I look forward to an exciting spring filled with many Palos 118 memorable events.
Sincerely,
Joseph M. Dubec, Ed.D., J.D.
Superintendent of Schools | |
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Incumbents Nadine Antonini and Sheila Pacholski will serve four more years on the Palos 118 School Board. |
Antonini and
Pacholski re-elected
to 118 school board
Newly elected board member MariJo Calacci will join re-elected veterans Nadine Antonini and Sheila Pacholski on the Palos 118 Board of Education when they are seated April 26. They will serve with board members John Faustino, Sue Hennessy, Cathy Maier, and Kathy Svanascini, who were not up for re-election.
Nadine Antonini was first elected to the Palos 118 School Board in 2007 and has served on the Finance, Policy, Legislative, Buildings and Grounds, Landscaping, SCOPE, and the Palos 118 Community Parks and Nature Preserve Committee. Aside from student achievement being her top priority, Antonini will also concentrate on thwarting any state legislation that would create massive county wide districts, and abolish local school districts. House Bill #1886 was introduced February 16 and is now on hold. It would essentially bring an end to neighborhood schools, programs, and local voice. "If a taxpayer or parent has a concern, they can come directly to the Board for a solution," said Antonini, "This new consolidation would eliminate that opportunity as there would be only one county board which would control all schools and all funds in Cook County."
Antonini has been a life long member of the community and attended 118 schools herself as a child. She is married to her husband, Mark, and have three daughters; one at Stagg, one at South, and one at East.
Sheila Pacholski has been a Palos 118 school board member since 1999, and has served as both president and secretary. She has also been the Chairperson of District 118's Finance Committee, Chairperson of the "Go Green" Committee, and recipient of the "Green Earth Achievement Award" from the Village of Palos Park. Additionally, she has also been a member of the Building Committee and Superintendent Search Committee. Pacholski's top priority will be to continue maintaining 118's excellent curriculum and adhering to the budget. She will also focus on efforts to redevelop the fields behind Palos West on 104th Avenue as a member of the Palos 118 Community Park and Nature Preserve Committee. Pacholski, along with her husband John and three sons have been a part of the 118 community since 1984.
Both Antonini and Pacholski's efforts on the Finance Committee have netted Palos 118 the highest bond rating for a district of its size without raising taxes, and helped achieve a balanced budget for 5 years in a row. With the political climate in Springfield, the school board maintains they will have a strong group to maintain the financial stability that Palos 118 has achieved. "Palos 118 has an excellent reputation that has developed over the years, and I feel this is one of the major reasons our community members want to live here," said Pacholski.
The Palos 118 Board of Education's mission and belief is to provide the best possible education for children, and develop life long learners.
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 Students get creative with fundraising efforts for Japan
The images and news in the aftermath of Japan's devastating earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear scare, have captivated everyone, especially children. Wanting to help, students at all three Palos 118 schools launched creative campaigns to raise funds for the people of Japan affected by the tragedies.
Palos East is still selling paper origami peace cranes for $5 each. Art students folded 1,000 paper cranes; fashioning them into pins, magnets and necklaces. Art teacher, Linda Frigo said the fundraising effort was prompted by the book, "Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes," based on the true story of a girl who lived in Hiroshima during the time of the World War 2 atomic bombing. Frigo has maintained contacts in the devastated country from her 2005 trip to Japan as a recipient of the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund. "The schools that I visited were not affected by the tsunami, but there are other villages that hosted Fulbright teachers that were," said Frigo. She is currently in contact with people who have been affected by the disasters, and proceeds from the cranes will benefit a school that Frigo hopes to develop a long-term relationship with in Japan.
Additionally, Frigo posted pictures to the OshKosh B'Gosh website, for their "Cranes for Kids" program. The company has pledged to donate one article of clothing to a child in Japan for every crane made. The unique crane novelties are still available and can be purchased at Palos East's office.
Other Palos 118 schools are getting creative with their fundraising campaigns as well. Palos South's Club Action sponsored a "Helping Hand for Japan" drive, and has raised nearly $400 to date, with donations being be sent to the American Red Cross.
Palos West raised a whopping $2,424 for the American Red Cross relief efforts on "Jammies for Japan Day." In exchange for a donation on April 7, students wore pajamas to school. The student council fundraiser was a hit with students who were all eager to contribute to the relief efforts.
Students at East, South, and West schools have found thoughtful and creative ways to show their concern for the victims in Japan. "I am proud of our students and staff," said Superintendent Dr. Joseph Dubec, "They are very compassionate and it shows in both their actions and deeds."
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Excellence at
Palos East  
Top: Palos East Spelling Bee winners Jacob Snell (3rd), Lawrence Donahue (1st) and Kate Barry, were recognized at the April 19 Board of Education Meeting.
Middle: Certificates were awarded to Palos East Young Authors Contest grade level winners, Sydney Walters, Connor Racaynski, Peter Gordan, Julia Brooks, and Joseph Vasil (building winner.)
Bottom: First grade students in Mrs. Moreau's class enjoyed playing with newly hatched chicks before sending them to a local farm. The entire first grade at East and West learned about the chick-hatching cycle as they nurtured eggs in a classroom incubator and watched them hatch. |
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A Person You Should Know... | |
Newly elected Board Member, MariJo Calacci will be seated April 26 at a special board meeting. Her top priority will be maintaining the financial stability of the district while continuing to provide top quality education to our children. Mrs. Calacci is a board certified CPA and has a B.S. in Accountancy. She is a member of the Palos 118 Educational Foundation Board, and currently serves as teasurer. Mrs. Calacci is also a Cub Scout Den Leader. In her spare time, she enjoys running, knitting, and cooking. Currently reading: "Profiles in Courage" by John F. Kennedy.
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Important Registration Reminder | |
Registration packets will be emailed to parents, and can also be accessed via the districts's website beginning May 1.
www.palos118.org.
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