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 From the Desk of Dr. Dubec
I would like to welcome our students and staff back from what I hope was a restful winter break. While we have much work yet to do, I look forward to the second semester with many upcoming celebrations and activities.
With great anticipation, South's drama production, "Back to the 80's" will take place at Stagg High School January 27 and 28. I hope you have an opportunity to see what promises to be another great performance. Another major event on the Palos 118 calendar is our annual "One District-One Book" event that will be culminating on the evening of February 8 at South. There will be activities and games that celebrate Grace Lin's "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon" that we have enjoyed reading these past few weeks.
Throughout these busy times, our teachers will be preparing students for the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) to be administered March 6-16. Palos 118's overall test score in 2010 was 95.2 placing us in the top 5% of Illinois school districts. I am confident our students will again perform exceptionally well because of both dedicated staff, and parents.
While economic times continue to be difficult, I wanted to take the opportunity to acknowledge our Board Finance Committee and Assistant Superintendent for Business Services, Anthony Scarsella, for continuing to make sound economic decisions that keep Palos 118 prosperous, and on solid financial ground. Standard & Poor's has assigned District 118 an AA+ long term rating with a stable outlook. This is an upgrade from the District's current Aa2 rating from Moody's and one rating below AAA. According to S&P, the rating reflects our district's participation in the deep and diverse Chicago metropolitan area economy. Additionally, Palos 118 has received the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting and Budgeting for fiscal year end June 30, 2011, and has again received the Certificate of Financial Recognition from the Illinois State Board of Education, the highest financial ranking for school districts in the state.
I am enthusiastic about the second semester, and wish you a new year filled with peace, health, and happiness.
Sincerely,
Joseph M. Dubec, Ed.D., J.D.
Superintendent of Schools | |
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Mark Calendars for February 8:
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
Reading Event | |
Is your student joining Minli's journey in Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin?
On the evening of February 8, 2012, our journey will conclude. All are invited to gather at Palos South Middle School to celebrate our quest together and demonstrate what each of us has learned along the way.
Students, parents, staff and community members were invited to embark on the reading expedition earlier this fall. The story is about a young girl named Minli who lives in a ramshackle hut with her parents. Her father is a wonderful story teller; he tells Chinese folktales of the Jade Dragon and Old Man on the Moon who is said to have the answers to all of life's questions. Read by yourself, with your family, or follow along with our chapter podcasts as we come together in search of the ultimate answer.
Visit our One District One Book web page for schedules, special activities, discussion questions, chapter podcasts, and an overview of our culminating event. |
 What's up Doc?
Palos West Principal
Ron Cozza, Earns Educational Doctorate
Congratulations to Palos West Principal, Ron Cozza, who earned his doctorate in Educational Leadership, and will graduate this April from National-Louis University. Last month, Dr. Cozza successfully defended his dissertation on the Impact of Student Engagement at the Elementary School Setting. He began the program in the spring of 2008.
Dr. Cozza has been in the education field for over 20 years, having received his B.A. in Education from Northern Illinois University, and his M.A. in Education Administration from Governors State University. He embarked on his doctorate program in the spring of 2008.
Currently, Dr. Cozza resides in Plainfield with his wife Michele and their two children, Nick and Makenzie. In his spare time, Dr. Cozza likes to cheer for all of the Chicago sports teams, and spend time with family and friends. |
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Flashing Safety Signs Installed at Schools
Palos East Assistant Principal Robert Meyer, Principal Karen Mrozek, third grader Maeve Moran, and fifth grader Jake Yelland proudly show the newly installed flashing safety sign at Palos East. All three Palos 118 schools now have functioning flashing signs as added safety precautions for district students. |
Former Palos Principal,
Pat Creevy
We are saddened to inform the Palos 118 family that Patricia Creevy, Palos Community Consolidated School District 118 longtime principal and faculty member, has passed away. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 21, at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. Please see below for details.
12:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Visitation at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
7800 McCarthy Road, Palos Heights
2:00 p.m.
Memorial Service at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd |
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People You Should Know...
PALOS 118 PARTY CHAIRS | |
Palos 118 is very fortunate to have an outstanding group of PFA volunteers who organize seasonal parties throughout the school year. Students can look forward to an afternoon filled with exciting games, including relays and team challenges, winter themed crafts, and fun with their classmates at the mid-year parties January 27.
Mrs. Shawn Erickson is spearheading party efforts at Palos East. She is CFO of C.J. Erickson Plumbing and lives with her husband Matt and two children, Owen and Mimi who go to Palos East. Mrs. Erickson enjoys volleyball, quilting, and spending time with family and friends. Currently reading "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets" by Stieg Larsson and "Mere Christianity" by CS Lewis.
Mrs. Donna Burns is the party chair at Palos West. She is married to Mike and has three children; Peter, Margaux, and Ava, who attend Palos West. Mrs. Burns spends her free time creatively through photography, painting, writing, and upcycle art. She aspires to have one of her stories published in the future. Currently reading "Steve Jobs" by Walter Isaacson. |
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