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August 2014
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Superintendent's
Message 

 

Welcome to the start of the 2014-2015 school year!  I hope your families have enjoyed a safe, fun, and memorable summer.

 

I know many of our Palos East families are anxious about the continuing work at Palos East School.  Tuesday's rain put us slightly behind schedule and crews will be working up until the start of school to complete the project.  All schools will open on Wednesday, August 20.

 

Due to the reconfiguration of parking lots at Palos East, new safer traffic patterns will be implemented for the 2014-2015 school year.  All parent pickup and drop off will be located in the front of the school.  All bus traffic will be segregated to the rear of the school.  Signs and additional staff will be present during the first week of school to assist parents with becoming familiar with the new traffic patterns.  Please log onto our website and click on the link, "New Palos East Traffic Patterns," to learn more about what to expect during arrival and dismissal this school year.

 

One of the reasons our schools thrive is because of involved, informed parents. I encourage you to take time out of your busy day to attend your child's Curriculum Night. They are set to take place at East on Tuesday, September 2; South on Wednesday, September 3; and West on Thursday, September 4. Evenings will begin with a general parent meeting in the school gym at 6:30 p.m. Parents are urged not to bring children on these important nights. The general meeting will begin with staff introductions and information about the new school year, with an opportunity to visit individual classrooms where teachers will provide additional information about their classroom programs and activities. The PFA will be available before the meeting from 6:00-6:30 p.m. to meet parents and explain the many opportunities to become involved with our schools.

 

To celebrate the new school year, we will hold our annual Back to School Family Picnic on Wednesday, August 20 from 5:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at Palos South. Please come out and join us on this fun family evening to kick off a new school year.  Parking is extremely limited, so we encourage picnic-goers to carpool and to take advantage of the shuttle bus service at St. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Church at 8410 131st St. Rain or shine, I look forward to seeing your family there.

 

Our schools are excellent because of our dedicated staff, parents, PFA, Foundation, Board of Education, and supportive community.  We are looking forward to a wonderful school year. 

 

Sincerely,

Anthony M. Scarsella
Superintendent of Schools


picnic
August 20, 2014
5:00-7:30 p.m. at Palos South 
Rain or Shine. Carpooling recommended.  
Shuttle bus service to/from St. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Church, 8410 W. 131st St., Palos Park.
CARDINAL CHASE
Cardinal Chase 5K 
 
Palos District 118's PFA will be hosting their annual Cardinal Chase Family 5K/1 Mile Walk or Run on Sunday, October 5, 2014.  
 
The one mile race kicks off at 8:15 a.m. and the USTAF certified 5K race follows at 9:00 a.m. Throughout the morning, fun activities and entertainment will be taking place.  All district families are welcome to participate in this event promoting fitness and a healthy lifestyle. 
 
Information regarding registrations, sponsorship, race details, and more can be accessed at www.palos118.org/cardinalchase.
 
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Summer vacation is often a busy time filled with fun and memorable experiences for families.  In District 118, the summertime is a pivotal planning stage for improving curriculum and instruction for our children.  This summer, we had twenty-seven certified teachers (representing all 3 schools) and all building administrators participate in an intensive week-long training for incorporating the best practices associated with the Common Core State Standards into daily instruction.  The content focused on learning how to breakdown and analyze the standards, apply practices to reach a greater depth of knowledge, teach students productive ways to problem-solve and work collaboratively, and formulate assessment questions that will align with the new PARCC assessment.  Each building team has created an action plan that will disseminate these practices to all classrooms throughout the school year. 

 

As parents, you may notice some of these subtle changes in practice, but it is all part of the natural transition process for improving student learning.  To provide an example, a multiple choice question may ask to select the best answers rather than the traditional correct choice.  Or perhaps a writing prompt may include an introductory paragraph from another person's point of view, and your child will be asked to conclude the essay from the perspective of the original author. Our department is in the process of putting together a parent-friendly website to help parents understand the Common Core, and to provide resources that will help you when working with your child at home. The "Exploring the Core" in District 118 website will launch during the first week of school.  

 

People You Should Know...
New Teachers in 118
This year, Palos 118 welcomes seven new teachers to the district. From left to right: 
Natalie Skobel: Spanish, South
Ruth Augspurger: Art, East/West
 Brittney Kmiecik: Resource, South
Lisa Jandacek: 4th grade, East
Rachel Carr-Instructional, East
Rebecca McMahon (not pictured)
3rd Grade, East 
Martin Duggan:
7th Language Arts/SS, South
Eileen Fitzgerald:
8th Language Arts/SS, South

CLASSROOM/BUS ASSIGNMENTS

 

Parents may go to Skyward Parent Access on the district website to confirm bus and classroom assignments prior to the start of school August 20.



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