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March, 2012

board business recognition calendar  presidents report  pfa/fdn

dr dubec
From the Desk of Dr. Dubec

Our district's dedication to excellence is mirrored by the awards we are privileged to present to our students. I was very proud at the Board of Education meeting Tuesday night at Palos South, where 120 eighth graders received Presidential Academic Fitness Awards for academic excellence. We also had students recognized for representing District 118 at the National Geographic Geography Bee and the Palos South Young Authors Contest.
 

Parent volunteers have been working hard these past few months planning major events for our school district. All who attended the PFA's Sham Rock 'N Roll event March 10 had a wonderful time, and enjoyed great music and bidding on unique raffle items. The Foundation's Phantom Ball is currently in progress, so be sure to visit the Foundation's webpage for more information.

 
Palos 118 is committed to learning, and it shows in the consistently high Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISATS) scores our students continue to earn. I would like to take this opportunity to thank parents for preparing students for the standardized test earlier this month, by sending them to school each morning well rested and properly nourished. A special thanks also, to our district staff for their efforts during ISATS and every school day.
 
Finally, I would like to wish everyone an enjoyable, safe, and well-deserved spring break. With the unseasonably warm weather, there will be more outdoor activities. Please make an added effort to stay safe on these warm days. I look forward to the last few months of the school year filled with many fun activities and events, with a renewed spirit for learning.

 

 Sincerely,

   

Joseph M. Dubec, Ed.D., J.D.
Superintendent of Schools
   

Proposed 2012-2013 School Hour Change
for Palos South

Dr. Dubec announced that current busing needs require a change in school hours at South Middle School beginning in the 2012-13 school year. Palos 118 buses are used to transport pupils at Palos East, West, and South. Routing is based upon using the same buses for multiple runs. This reduces costs and the need for additional buses. Over the past few years, traffic on 111th street has increased, especially by Stagg High School and Moraine Valley. The expansion at Palos Hospital has also added to traffic issues. At the west end of our district, buses must transport pupils and have enough time to return for their next run. At this point, it is necessary to increase the time differential between South and the elementary schools by fifteen minutes. The recommended hours for South would move the school day 15 minutes earlier.

 

Zero Hour 7:29 a.m. - Ending Time 8:12 a.m.                      

Regular 8:15 a.m. - Ending Time 2:40 p.m.

 

This will provide time to permit bus operations to follow a consistent scheduled time and to better manage our transportation costs. State of Illinois funding for transportation has been reduced each year for the past 2 years and this trend is expected next year. The Board of Education will act on the new time for South at the April 17, 2012 board meeting.  Elementary school times will remain the same.

Trivia Night Tops Expectations 

 

Palos South Student Council sponsored its first ever Trivia Night on March 14, with proceeds benefiting the Grace Kelly Regan Education Fund.  The event was very well attended by students, parents, and faculty.
 

The exciting competition had 26 tables of 10, with seven rounds of trivia and three bonus rounds.  Trivia Night ended with a tie for first place between tables 1 and 2.  After a run-off, team 1 consisting of South teachers, Superintendent Dr. Dubec, and Educational Foundation Chairperson Mrs. Manglano, emerged victorious.  

 

Many volunteers pitched in to make the evening special.  South teachers, Mrs. Swan, Mrs. Shem, Mr. Bentley, Mr. Bullard, Mrs. Murphy, Mrs. Satler, Mrs. Andrekus, and Mrs. Zdralavich all helped run the event along with Mr. Shem and Ms. Stanisha.  Palos South Student Council officers Lauren DeAngelis, Lizzie Nolan, Kelli Thielmann, Rachel Ulaszek, Jenny Stamos and Julia Brodecki set up the event.  Palos East's Student Council with Ms. Angela Turner ran the concession stand. 

Palos Board of Ed Approves Resolution Opposing Shifting State Share of TRS Contribution to School Districts

 

The Board of Education approved a resolution opposing shifting  the state's share of the Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) of the state of Illinois, to local school districts.  Shifting the state's portion of  TRS onto local school districts would have a significant negative impact on our schools. Under consideration is a 7.9% payment, based upon TRS payroll employees or about $800,000 annually for Palos 118.  This is money that currently supports student programs.  Please contact your legislator and voice your opposition to any legislation that would shift responsibility for paying any portion of the state's share of the TRS contribution to school districts and their  local taxpayers.  Most importantly, tell your legislators that you expect them to  carefully and thoughtfully engage in a dialogue with all stakeholders, including representatives of local school districts before taking action on this important topic.  For complete resolution and representative contact information click here.

 

Palos South Recognizes Student Achievements

young authors

geo bee

TOP: Palos South Young Authors award winners.

BOTTOM: Palos South Geography Bee award winners.

 

 In addition, Palos South recognized 120 Presidential Academic Fitness  award winners. For a complete list of award recipients, click on the recognition button above.

IMPORTANT DATES:

Graduation: 

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Eighth Grade Dance:  Thursday, May 31, 2012

People You Should Know...
Palos East and West Student Council Sponsors

toni hotzfieldMs. Toni Hotzfield has been teaching for 20 years, with five of her most recent spent at West teaching fifth grade.  Ms. Hotzfield holds a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education, and Masters Degrees in both Educational Administration and Reading.   In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors; walking, riding horses, gardening, and coaching softball.  Currently reading "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins. 

 

West's Student Council sponsors Red Ribbon Week, Alliance for the Children clothing drive, Souper Bowl of Caring food drive, Pennies for Pooches, Earth Week Celebrations, and Walking West for Wellness and the ISAT pep-rally (with the Wellness Council). 

 

Mr. Tim Pritchard has been teaching for eight years, with his last six at East teaching fifth grade. Mr. Pritchard has a  Bachelors  Degree in Finance, and a Masters in Education.  When he's not teaching, Mr. Pritchard enjoys sports, and is  preparing to participate in the Chicago Triathalon in August.   Currently reading "Anything but Typical" by Nora Raleigh Baskin. 

 

angela turnerMs. Angela Turner has been a fifth grade teacher at Palos East for eight years.  She holds a Bachelors degree in Deafness Rehab Counseling/Communicative Disorders, and a Masters in Education. In her spare time, Ms. Turner enjoys basketball and volleyball.  Currently reading The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins.

 

West's Student Council visits Alden Nursing home, sponsors food drives, runs the school store, coordinates hallway safety patrols,  and sells bracelets for the Susan G. Komen Foundation and making informational safety videos for the school.



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