Since assuming the role of your Superintendent last May, I have had the opportunity to spend more time in each of the schools and witness the students in action first hand.  I can tell you our schools all have a positive and engaging climate that fosters learning and creative thinking. Family and community engagement plays a crucial role in the quality education our students are receiving. Palos 118 is a consistently high performing school district because teachers, parents, our school board, and community all have a shared vision of what our schools should be.

 

The Parent Faculty Association (PFA) is an integral part of enhancing the entire educational experience at each school. Their numerous fundraising events throughout the year including Shop/Eat n Earn Days, the Cardinal Chase 5K, and the popular Sham Rock n Roll, provide so many enriching opportunities for the students. The Art Awareness program, theme lunches, Mother/Son Bash, Daddy/Daughter Dance, Meet the Author Visits, and so much more are possible because of the PFA's efforts. They also bring safety assemblies and educational opportunities like Civil War Days and Spirit of the Eagle directly to the schools that tie in with grade-level curriculums.

 

Students at each of our schools benefit greatly from the Palos 118 Educational Foundation. Over the past several years, their fundraising efforts through Laps for Literature, Trivia Night, and the Spring Plant Sale have allowed us to purchase iPads for learning and instructional use at each school. Without the Foundation's generosity, the district would not be able to provide students with so many important digital tools. I encourage you to visit their webpages via www.palos118.org and consider sharing your time and talent.

 

In addition to our district support organizations, the Palos Community also plays an important role in the success of our schools. Volunteers from the Palos Heights Women's Club visit Palos East each Wednesday to read and offer extra help with reading. During Fire Prevention week, the Palos Fire Department makes it a point to visit the schools to discuss fire safety and promote an essay contest. Students feel special that such important people care enough to spend time with them and share their knowledge. The PFPD and other community organizations also attend the annual Back to School Family Picnic where we all enjoy kicking off a new school year together.

 

Community involvement is also active at the middle school level. When kids are given the tools and expectations to integrate learning into their daily activities, the school becomes a creative force in a community. Students can then produce outcomes that demonstrate their abilities, and make a difference in their communities. Palos South eighth grade students will have an opportunity to make such an impact by participating in the new Capstone program this fall.  I'm excited to see the outcomes of their endeavors as a result of working with community leaders to solve problems.

 

Family and community engagement is a vital part of truly successful schools that develop the whole child.  Taking the time to simply ask your child how their day was, check their backpack for important papers, or logging onto Skyward to look up their grades, makes a huge difference in their educational development. Palos 118 is fortunate to have a shared vision of excellence with parents, support organizations, and the community that contribute to the success of each student.  Thank you for everything you do to make Palos 118 a great place to learn.

 

Warmest regards,

 

Anthony M. Scarsella,

Superintendent of Schools