Regional Office of Education 47

Friday's School Celebration Submitted by Jeffrey Hoese, Principal, Fulton Elementary School Fulton Elementary School Band and Chorus Spring Concerts 5th grade band and 4th & 5th grade chorus had a FANTASTIC performance on Thursday night! @RegionalOffice47 #RegionalOffice47

Congratulations to the following students who participated in the Education Pathway Program ! @RegionalOffice47 #RegionalOffice47

Don't miss the Summer Learning Opportunities offered by ROE 47. Click here to view: https://www.roe47.org/page/pl-opportunities-workshops

ROE 47 would like to say thank you to our community partnerships that support the Nexus Program. Over the next few weeks, we will be thanking those partners. Pictured below is Sauk Valley Voices of Recovery receiving a Certificate of Community Partnership. Nexus is a support program offered by the Regional Office of Education #47 for participating school districts in Lee, Ogle, and Whiteside Counties. Nexus supports the whole child/children by supporting the whole family. Through personal, respectful, and confidential interactions with a trained Family Support Staff, families create goals geared towards social-emotional needs, school readiness, and overall family well-being. The Family Support Staff connects and helps families navigate local community resources, thus creating a stronger community. For more information about Nexus, visit https://www.roe47.org/page/nexus.

Friday's School Celebration Fulton Elementary School FIELD TRIP FRIDAY IN 2ND GRADE The 2nd grade classes were FINALLY able to take a field trip, after COVID restrictions were lifted! The 2nd grade classes went on a bus to Circa 21 in Rock Island to watch the musical, Grace for President. This musical is based on the children’s book, Grace for President, by Kelly Dipucchio. After the play, the students went to Empire Park in Hampton for a picnic lunch and some good old fashion play time. A good time was had by all! We thank the PTO for their generosity in helping us fund our field trip!

Join ROE 47 as we honor all school nurses today, May 11th, on National School Nurses Day!

District Opening Erie High School Erie High School is hiring a Counselor for the 2022-2023 school year. Applicant must have a Type 73 Counseling Certificate. For more information contact , Mr. Tim McConnell, High School Principal, tmcconnell@ecusd.info.

2022 Marigold Award WINNER Tara Propheter, 6th Grade, Rock Falls Middle School If you're looking for the epitome of a marigold, you'll find it in Tara. I have worked with Tara for over 17 years and have experienced her "marigold effect" first hand, but this nomination is based on what I've seen her do over the last 2 school years. The impact she has made in this building starts with the small things: text reminders to our team, late night email exchanges with parents, running extra copies in case someone forgets, or checking in on a classroom with a substitute to make sure the day runs smoothly. She sacrifices her time for the benefit of her students and team. Over the last 2 years Tara has also worked with our mentoring program and has once again gone above and beyond by working not only with her assigned mentee, but by reaching out to other new teachers to make sure they are getting the support they need. During the lockdown she designed ways to track which students had been contacted and which ones were falling behind; she organized a schedule so that the workload could be divided up in a more balanced way. I remember how much anxiety and stress we were all feeling during that time, but she was always solution focused and offered support to everyone who needed it. Those qualities didn't begin with the pandemic, but where it has brought out the worst in many people, it brought out the marigold in Tara. This year brought back some normalcy to our building and Tara has taken on other roles to help solidify that feeling. She splits a lunch supervisor position and works with students who stay after school to wait for our late bus. Additionally, she was selected to work with a student from the Pathways program. They observed her classroom, participated in activities, and planned a lesson to teach with Tara's guidance. Her impact as a "marigold" stretches beyond her one year of math instruction! Many of her former math students come back to her for help, which often means they are studying concepts that she doesn't teach but she ALWAYS finds a way to learn alongside them so they can successfully complete their work. Her students come back year after year (decade after decade) and she maintains meaningful relationships with them: writing letters of recommendation, offering words of advice, or just celebrating successes by their side. Tara's actions will continue to have an impact on her communities for years to come and I will be forever grateful that this marigold was planted next to me. Nominated by : Sharee O’Donnell

2022 Marigold Nominee Mar’Kelly McCoy, 4th Grade, Lincoln Elementary School, Sterling This is the first year I have had the pleasure of working with Mar'Kelly McCoy. She is a para-educator for a student in my classroom. Ms. McCoy has been an employee of the Sterling school district for several years, starting as a recess supervisor. She also works three additional jobs in the community and is a single mom of two wonderful children. Ms. McCoy goes above and beyond everyday for our students and staff at Lincoln. She has a sixth sense of when students and staff need support. Throughout the day, Mar'Kelly jumps in when needed. Whether it's helping a student become regulated or surprising a staff member with lunch or coffee, Mar'Kelly makes working at Lincoln a brighter place to be. She advocates for her students and others around her. She constantly shows empathy and respect for students and staff alike. Mar'Kelly is thoughtful and kind and jumps into help at a moment's notice. She is trustworthy, loyal, always available for a must-needed hug or even a shoulder to cry on. Mar'Kelly is an amazing human being on the inside and outside. The staff and students at Lincoln are so fortunate to work with Ms. McCoy, and she truly is a Marigold to our Lincoln family. Nominated by Julie Bridges Thank you for being a marigold and helping others to bloom and grow where they are planted.

2022 Marigold Nominee Mar’Kelly McCoy, 4th Grade, Lincoln Elementary School, Sterling This is the first year I have had the pleasure of working with Mar'Kelly McCoy. She is a para-educator for a student in my classroom. Ms. McCoy has been an employee of the Sterling school district for several years, starting as a recess supervisor. She also works three additional jobs in the community and is a single mom of two wonderful children. Ms. McCoy goes above and beyond everyday for our students and staff at Lincoln. She has a sixth sense of when students and staff need support. Throughout the day, Mar'Kelly jumps in when needed. Whether it's helping a student become regulated or surprising a staff member with lunch or coffee, Mar'Kelly makes working at Lincoln a brighter place to be. She advocates for her students and others around her. She constantly shows empathy and respect for students and staff alike. Mar'Kelly is thoughtful and kind and jumps into help at a moment's notice. She is trustworthy, loyal, always available for a must-needed hug or even a shoulder to cry on. Mar'Kelly is an amazing human being on the inside and outside. The staff and students at Lincoln are so fortunate to work with Ms. McCoy, and she truly is a Marigold to our Lincoln family. Nominated by Julie Bridges Thank you for being a marigold and helping others to bloom and grow where they are planted.

2022 Marigold Nominee Michelle McDonnell, Preschool, Franklin Elementary School , Sterling Michelle is one of the most dedicated teachers I have met. Michelle is dedicated with love and compassion for all of her students. The ability to work with all aspects of each child on top of helping her aids as well is outstanding Nominated by Penny Redell Thank you for being a marigold and helping others to bloom and grow where they are planted.

Julie Bridges 4th Grade, Lincoln Elementary School, Sterling Julie has positive student and parent relationships. She is always looking for the best interests of her students. She challenges them everyday, and her high expectations are known from the very first conference with students and parents. She understands our students' home lives and helps them feel safe, secure, and loved at school. She equally gives students tough love when she knows students' potential and aren't performing to her expectations. Nominated by: Emily Minor Thank you for being a marigold and helping others to bloom and grow where they are planted.

2022 Marigold Nominee Katie Wilcox , School Nurse, Franklin Elementary School, Sterling Where do I begin with Katie Wilcox. Nurse Katie has worked at Franklin School for the past 5 years. From day one, she embraced the fun, crazy antics our staff and students are always doing. She once said " she knew she would fit in when the secretary was wearing a Superhero cape when she came to interview." The Franklin students took to Nurse Katie instantly. They often come down just to feel extra special. Her office is always full of kids who needed bandaids and sometimes just a little extra TLC:). Then Covid hit... Remember her office full of kids who just needed a Nurse Katie hug? They were told they could not come to the office unless they were really sick. The world was trying to stop Covid, but it stopped so much more. Nurse Katie went from being a school nurse, counselor, and school mommy to the person parents did NOT want to talk to, some staff avoided the spreadsheet police, and only saw kids if they were really sick. This took a toll on everyone, but Nurse Katie still managed to show all of the kids how much they mattered and that they were loved. She couldn't give her hugs or cups of magic water, but she always worked hard to keep the Covid chaos out of Franklin as much as possible so the students could have some normalcy in their lives! Every Student at Franklin School knows, loves and respects Nurse Katie. They know her smile, kind words and always enjoy the little bit of special time they get to spend with her when they do not feel good. Life seems to be getting a little more back to normal at Franklin and the students are already flocking to see her just to get the special Nurse Katie smile and kind words. Nominated by : Amanda Mohr Thank you for being a marigold and helping others to bloom and grow where they are planted.

2022 Marigold Nominee Nicole Tupper, 5th Grade, Merrill Elementary School , Rock Falls Nicole continually strives to work harder for her kids. She does not care only about helping them to learn her subject. She cares about supporting and encouraging them in all aspects of life so that they leave her having grown in all areas of life. She wants to see them be good people. She is always thinking of ideas that she could to help support them better. She thinks of them outside of work such as thinking to bring them each a seashell from the beach, knowing many of her students have not had the privilege to go to the beach. She is a joy to work with. She encourages those are around her. She is always willing to listen and help when help is needed with the team. You can always count on the fact that when she signs up for something that it will get done, and it will be done well. We are all better because of her. Nominated by Becky Baker Thank you for being a marigold and helping other to bloom and grow where they are planted.

2022 Marigold Nominee Michelle Jagitsch, 1st Grade, Franklin Elementary School, Sterling Michelle has a heart of gold. She is a true ally for all students and loves each one as if they were her own child. You will find bags of clothes in her room for those that come without proper clothing. You will find her at the local stores picking up items for a child to take home to help them with basic hygiene needs. She goes above and beyond to make sure that they feel loved so that they can start their day at Franklin feeling good about themselves. This carries over to her lessons and the time she spends with them throughout the day, She wants them to leave her room knowing they are cared for. Nominated by : Becki Edmondson Thank you for being a marigold and helping others to bloom and grow where they are planted.

2022 Marigold Nominee Mary Wendland, K-5 Librarian, Tampico Elementary School My nomination is for our school librarian, Mrs. Mary Wendland. Mary is currently in her second year as our school librarian, but she’s a longtime staff member at TES serving as a paraprofessional prior. Mary’s disposition is and always has been kids first. Going back to my first memory of working with her, her first comment that I can recall was about how she appreciated a change I supported that allowed kids to talk more. The context of this appreciation was one of morale-boosting among students and she wanted me to know she noticed it and, thus, supported it. Mary’s demeanor, even when experiencing personal challenges, is always one full of energy and enthusiasm. She’s always eager to jump in and help, even when it comes as an inconvenience to her. For instance, the library can be a time intensive assignment, but she will ALWAYS volunteer to work with a student, whether that is in a tutoring or intervention role or reading a test. She steps up voluntarily for fill roles left vacant due to staff absences and the ever-present COVID-related sub shortage. Mary begins her day early, way before her actual start time. She then greets our first student arrivals with a smile and supervises them until the bell to begin school. She develops a strong rapport with so many of the kids just by talking to them and learning about their interests and passions, which then she is able to use again when in the role of librarian in helping students find books of interest. She added motivation to read by housing a mosaic poster where for each book returned on time a student got a colored square sticker and got to place it on the template mosaic until an image appeared. She encouraged this by talking up what it could be and routing kids to books they would be interested in. This process had kids excited for reading and returning books for months! In addition to this, she also does everything she can to make the library a warm and welcoming environment, including festive decorating for Read Across America Day. Mary also has a table set up with a rotation of staff members and their favorite books to inspire students to check out something new. Mary hasn’t always been our librarian. For years she was our building’s preschool aide, accompanying the teacher on all of the home visits, helping run the night events, and communication with parents. She’s had other aide assignments, too, and always going above and beyond the assignment to ensure kids are helped with the whole child in mind. Though COVID put an end to the program, for many years she ran what was called “Tiger Club” at the village hall, an after-school program for the community. Mary also has volunteered her time and energy into campus beautification, in particular the front garden bed. She used her own equipment and materials to make a sign for it and regularly visits to weed, re-spread mulch, and general maintenance like watering. Mary is a wonderful human being we’re blessed to have on staff. She shares her love through service to students and staff, and is an asset to the community as a whole. Consequently, we will never allow her to retire, though no one I know would deserve it more! Mary truly fits the definition of a “Marigold”. Nominated by : Jim Geer Thank you for being a marigold and helping others to bloom and grow where they are planted.

2022 Marigold Nominee Jennifer Masini, Dillon Elementary, Rock Falls) I would like to recognize a fellow teacher, Jennifer Masini, from Dillon Elementary School in Rock Falls District 13 as Marigold. Ms. Masini welcomed me with open arms in the fall as I transitioned into the math intervention role and split my time between two buildings. I had never really been in the Dillon building beyond a meeting here and there and when I toured Dillon the year prior with my youngest daughter who attended 2nd grade at Dillon. Ms. Masini helped me assimilate to the building, find materials, and join in the Dillon family. Jennifer invited me to join in her room during the beginning of the year to join in with lessons, observe students, and see how things run in the building. She is always encouraging me and is eager to share information and ideas with me and her 2nd grade team. While observing Ms. Masini as she teaches, it is easy to see why students love her and love being in her classroom. She is student centered, kind, and fair in her teaching style. In fact, last year when my daughter was at Dillon, there would be days that Jennifer would call me at the other building to let me know she gave Emma some extra TLC even though she was not her teacher. Jennifer would notice when my daughter was having a rough day and let her chat a bit before heading back to class. My daughter Emma still talks about how wonderful Ms. Masini was and how great it was to have so many people who cared for her at Dillon. Rock Falls District 13 is lucky to have such a kind and loving teacher in Jennifer Masini. She truly is a marigold at Dillon. Nominated by Jenna Dempsey Thank you for being a marigold and helping others to bloom and grow where they are planned.

2022 Marigold Nominee Stacey Sechrest, 7th Grade, Challand Middle School, Sterling Stacey is truly one-of-a-kind. She is always willing to step in and help in whatever capacity she is able. This school year (and semester specifically), I have had the pleasure of having Stacey work in my classroom and spend lunch with her daily. Any time that anyone has a positive story to share, she celebrates along with them. Even when something may not be the best, Stacey shares her thoughts and wisdom to provide advice to make the situation better. Students are drawn to Stacey for her loving, caring, and enthusiastic attitude. She always has a smile on her face and a genuine frame of mind. Stacey ensures her students have what they need, being the nurturing person that she is. She is always seen taking notes, completing school work to better assist her students, and reading for better understanding of whatever topic is being studied. Stacey will continue to be a lifelong marigold. Nominated by Laci Halverson Thank you for being a marigold and helping others to bloom and grow where they are planted.

2022 Marigold Nominee Amber Celletti , 2nd Grade, Jefferson Elementary School, Sterling Amber is our school Secretary. She has kids everyday come up that might be having a bad day or just not themselves. She has them doing homework and she talks to them and asks them what’s going on. Amber takes over some of the nurses duties, and just plain runs the front of the school. She has many hats that she wears but every time I go to the office she has such a pretty smile! That’s important nowadays to see a smile. Amber does so much and gives so much of herself that is why I’m nominating Amber. Nominated by : Jody DeSchepper Thank you for being a marigold and helping others to bloom and grow where they are planted.

Click N Go - Tuesday, May 10th - 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Early Childhood Expansion Community Based Planning Facilitators: Lois Meisenheimer & Diana Merdian Please join us for our Community-Based Planning for Expansion Project work. Click here for the link : https://www.roe47.org/page/pl-opportunities-workshops