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November 2013
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DR DUBEC
From the Desk of 
Dr. Dubec

 

How appropriate it is to observe American Education Week in the same month as Thanksgiving. In acknowledgement of this special week, I began Monday morning by visiting each school to personally say thank you to all of our educators, support staff, and volunteers in Palos 118. It was gratifying to be surrounded by teachers, aides, and parent volunteers in such positive learning environments.

 

Parents have been the backbone of Palos 118's accomplishments; from encouraging good study and nutrition habits, to attending open houses and conferences. Parent Visitation Days are being held this week at all three schools, and the high attendance is a testament to our parents' dedication.

 

In addition to our staff and parents, I am also grateful that our district has strong support organizations. The PFA enriches the school experience for students through programming such as art awareness, theme lunches, and more. Our Educational Foundation raises much needed funds through Laps for Literature and Trivia Night, and parent volunteers have really stepped up this year to help make the Music Program thrive. Thanks to all of our organizations for their dedication.

 

Our learning community demonstrates reasons to be thankful each day. Providing an excellent education to children of Palos 118 in a safe and nurturing environment is our sole purpose. I am thankful we have the people and resources that allow us to achieve this goal.

 

I wish each of you a Happy Thanksgiving.  May your week be filled with a dash of well-deserved rest, a pinch of over-indulgence, and a heap of comfort and joy with family and friends. 

 

Sincerely,

 

Joseph M. Dubec, Ed.D., J.D.

Superintendent of Schools


Celebrating our Staff 
Palos 118 Thanks Teachers and Staff during American Education Week 
In observance of American Education Week November 18-22, Superintendent Dr. Joseph Dubec and School Board President Sheila Pacholski visited every classroom at each school to personally thank teachers and staff for their service.  Pictured above is Palos West Principal Stuart Wrzesinski, ALPS teacher Carrie Martinez, Mrs. Pacholski, Dr. Dubec, and Student Council Board members Maddie Rieland and Julia Reedy with third grade ALPS students at West.

Palos South Honors Veterans


  Army veterans stand as the Cardinal Band plays "The Caissons Go
Rolling Along."
Madelyn Helson (gr. 8), gives her great uncle, Darwin Kueltzo a hug.  Kueltzo is also a Palos 118 operations staff member.
Student Council President Faris Ziyad addresses the student body, staff, and invited guests at the assembly.

Palos South's Annual Veterans Day Ceremony took place Friday, November 8. For  the complete story and more photos, visit Palos 118's blog on the Palos Patch.
Thank You Palos 118 School Board 
November 15 was School Board Members Day. Every day the children and community of Palos School District 118 benefit from the dedication and commitment of our board members. Pictured above are John Faustino, Nadine Antonini, Vice President Cathy Maier, President Sheila Pacholski, Secretary MariJo Calacci, Katie Thomason, and Meredith Marran.

People You Should Know...
Palos 118 Alumna Kendall Coyne 

 

Many kids dream of representing their country in the Olympics, but few actually achieve their goal. Class of 2006 Palos 118 alumna Kendall Coyne is the exception. This coming February, she will realize her dream and play in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia for the USA Women's Hockey Team. The U.S. has their sights set on their first gold medal in women's hockey since 1998.

 

Before Coyne even dreamed of competing in women's hockey at its highest level though, the Palos Heights little girl was lacing up her skates at the Orland Ice Arena. Initially, she was brought to the ice rink when she was a pre-schooler to watch her older brother Kevin play hockey. Her parents bought her figure skates, but it was hockey that she loved. She then sped through all phases of developmental skating and played in boys' hockey leagues.


Today, the standout forward and elite scorer is a junior at Northeastern University in Boston, MA., and is taking a one year hiatus as she trains for the Olympics. 
"Being a good student has always come before being an athlete," said Coyne. While there are other powerhouse women's collegiate hockey programs Coyne could have attended, she chose Northeastern because of its strong academic program in an urban environment. She will emerge from their five-year program with a master's degree in communications and minors in both Spanish and business.

 

While at South, Coyne participated in softball, baseball and basketball as well.  Her most memorable experience was the eighth grade trip to Springfield, but recalls other happy memories at West as well. "My favorite teacher was Mrs. Pope in fourth grade," said Coyne, "And my favorite part (of school) was always the first day." Her older brother Kevin, and younger siblings Jake and Bailey also attended Palos 118.

 

"When I was younger, I wanted to play in the NHL." said Coyne. It wasn't until she was 15 years old and met '98 gold medalist Cammi Granato at a hockey camp in Downers Grove, that Coyne believed girls could get to a higher level in the sport. Since then, she has become a standout women's hockey player and has earned many distinctions: Played for the U.S. Women's Under-18 National Team from 2008-2010. Member of the U.S. Women's National Team at three IIHF Women's World Championships (2011-13). Played in the Four Nations Cup in 2010 and 2011. Participated in the 2009 Women's National Festival.

 

Coyne's advice to students is simple. "Love what you do, because its not considered work if you truly love it." Her parents are making the trip to Sochi, Russia to watch Kendall compete in February. Palos 118 is proud of her accomplishments and wishes her luck in the 2014 Olympics.

 

Currently reading: "Outliers: The Story of Success" by Malcolm Gladwell.

 

Read about the USA Olympic Hockey team at olympics.usahockey.com, or follow Kendall on Twitter at @KendallCoyne.
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