Regional Office of Education 47

CONGRATULATIONS to Carmella McNeil, nominated for the Marigold Award! Carmella is a 6th grade teacher at Challand Middle School in Sterling and was nominated by Linda Brown. “Carmella McNeil seriously dedicates her days to the betterment of the children she serves. I have witnessed her passion and compassion on a daily basis. Carmella believes every child she teaches has the potential to do great things. Ms. McNeil commands respect without demanding it. Her students view her as their mentor and supporter. Carmella is straightforward and real and the students not only see that, they appreciate her for it. No matter how chaotic her day is going, she stops to hug, high five, laugh with and lift up her students. Ms. McNeil knows what is going on behind the scene and puts her heart into helping all her students including those who may fly under the radar. I truly believe Ms. McNeil takes her students successes and failures very personally and therefore gives her utmost on a daily basis to prevent the latter.” Thank you for being a marigold in our schools!

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Watch ROE47's posts, as we share how we are addressing the mental health concerns with our students, throughout the month of May. @RegionalOffice47 #RegionalOffice47

Happy Teacher Appreciation Day! We appreciate our educators, not just today, but everyday. Thank you for all you do for our students! @RegionalOffice47 #RegionalOffice47

This week, ROE 47 will be honoring a very dear friend, as we celebrate the memory of Jen Banks by recognizing educators in Whiteside County with the Marigold Award. Please watch for posts throughout the week celebrating the 'marigolds' within our school buildings! Many experienced gardeners follow a concept called companion planting: placing certain vegetables and plants near each other to improve growth for one or both plants. For example, rose growers plant garlic near their roses because it repels bugs and prevents fungal diseases. Among companion plants, the marigold is one of the best: It protects a wide variety of plants from pests and harmful weeds. If you plant a marigold beside most any garden vegetable, that vegetable will grow big and strong and healthy, protected and encouraged by its marigold. Marigolds exist in our schools as well – encouraging, supporting and nurturing growing teachers on their way to maturity. If you can find at least one marigold in your school and stay close to them, you will grow. Find more than one and you will positively thrive. Jen Banks was a beloved teacher and school improvement coach who passed away as the result of a tragic automobile accident in December 2015. Her love for learning and the students that she worked with was an inspiration to many. Jen’s positive, supportive, and energetic attitude nurtured those around her and helped them to grow. In celebration of Jen’s life and dedication to learning, ROE 47 has created an award in her honor. As Jen worked with many elementary and middle schools in the Sauk Valley area, this award is open to K-8 Whiteside County teachers. Marigolds exist in our schools - encouraging, supporting and nurturing teachers. They are leaders in their community, class rooms, and families. They have a loving of learning and sharing that learning with others. We are so honored to recognize these educators!

Digital Safety Webinar May 2nd @ 6pm Mark your calendar ! @RegionalOffice47 #RegionalOffice47

Today we are celebrating our School Principals ! May 1st is National School Principal Day. Thank you for all the time and effort you pour into our students, families and communities. We appreciate you! @RegionalOffice47 #RegionalOffice47

REGISTER NOW - SUMMER BOOK STUDY Engage Every Family: Five Simple Principles Five Simple Principles, Second Edition, outlines a pathway and process for any educator or group of educators to engage every family in the academic lives of children and acts as a framework for implementing best practices to increase the likelihood of engaging every family, including those families that have been traditionally disengaged or disenfranchised from schools. * Principle # 1: A Culture That Engages Every Family * Principle # 2: Communicate Effectively and Develop Relationships * Principle # 3: Build Family Efficacy * Principle #4: Engage Every Family in Decision Making * Principle # 5: Engage the Greater Community Participants will need to purchase the book on Amazon Register athttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSePDMpGd3hXjR6-50pVexXoYBEBKoqdupsRBuB4jKr61F4h-Q/viewform

REGISTER NOW : How2INFORM: Media Literacy Kids spend 6-9 hours online daily, excluding school and homework. Harmful information persists on social media, including falsehoods that enable harm and targeted violence. How2INFORM (H2i) was designed to curb the spread of misinformation through social media. Passage of HB 0234 requires public school educators at the High School level to offer at least one unit of media literacy training, however, it is a training relevant for all K-12 students. This training provides educator tools and resources to aid in determining truths from fiction, critically analyzing media, and taking action when they encounter dangerous misinformative material. June 13, 2023 - Sauk Valley Community College; Room 1H16/18T Register at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfxSCsntq6wLuHhxE-SVVRfWyg8JaPy6iGAEce3IKWft6Jy8g/viewform

ROE 47 would like to say thank you to all the administrative proffessionals in our 3 county area. A special thank you to the special ladies that work at our office. You keep things moving and we are so grateful! @RegionalOffice47 #RegionalOffice47

SUMMER BOOK STUDY - REGISTER NOW! Making It: What Today’s Kids Need for Tomorrow’s World By Stephanie Malia Krause With so much changing so fast―accelerated by the impacts of COVID-19―the most in-demand jobs and skills of today may be obsolete by the time our youngest become adults. For kids to be ready for this new reality, they must acquire four critical "currencies" that will serve them well, whatever their future holds: credentials, competencies, connections, and cash. This book focuses on how to prioritize these four key outcomes whenever and wherever learning happens. The author shares research and experience to help you understand and apply a human-centered and future-focused lens directly to your classroom, school, program, or at home. Register athttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe_5c9KZBZVBp-QnyW0_bQq4CVrsvlnGk72hXuji3Zkz09KCg/viewform.

We are kicking off the Education Symposium at Sauk Valley Community College today with keynote speaker Dr. Lindsey Jensen, 2018 Illinois Teacher of the Year! @RegionalOffice47 #RegionalOffice47

Friday's School Celebration - 2nd Grade Field Trip Submitted by Jeffrey House, Principal , Fulton Elementary School The 2nd grade went on their annual field trip to Circa 21 and saw the musical "Junie B.'s Essential Survival Guide to School." It was full of silly characters and fun music and dance numbers. The students all had a great time! After the musical we headed to Empire Park, where we had lunch and played on the playground before returning to school. Shout out to the PTO who fully funded our field trip! We are very appreciative for the opportunity!

Join us for summer learning! ROE 47 Summer Learning Opportunities 2023 are live on https://www.roe47.org/page/pl-opportunities-workshops. Check it out! @RegionalOffice47 #RegionalOffice47

We are excited to honor one of our ROE 47 staff this month, Nicole Oberg. Nicole is the recipient of the 2023 Crete Dillon Bowman Award for Community Leadership at the YWCA Women of Achievement Luncheon. This award is given to women who have exhibited outstanding volunteerism or leadership that has strengthened the community. Nicole has been with the Truant Alternative Program for three years and has been recognized for her effort and dedication in the position as well as other activities she is involved with. Congratulations Nicole!

We are excited to be hosting the 2nd annual Education Symposium on Friday, April 21st at Sauk Valley Community College. Area students who have earned their Education Endorsement will be honored for their hard work in the Education Pathway Program. What is the Pathway Playground ? Watch this video for more information: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDsMvFKfmZw

Spring is coming and that means flowers will be in bloom. Now is the time to nominate educators for the 2023 Marigold Award. Each nominee will be recognized on social media and will receive a certificate, a marigold, and a special book. Our overall winner will also receive a $100 Amazon gift card to continue to build their classroom library. Jen Banks was a beloved teacher and school improvement coach who passed away as the result of a tragic automobile accident in December 2015. Her love for learning and the students that she worked with was an inspiration to many. Jen’s positive, supportive, and energetic attitude nurtured those around her and helped them to grow. In celebration of Jen’s life and dedication to learning, ROE 47 has created an award in her honor. As Jen worked with many elementary and middle schools in the Sauk Valley area, this award is open to PK-8 Whiteside County teachers, para-educators & administrators. Marigolds exist in our schools - encouraging, supporting and nurturing teachers. They are leaders in their community, classrooms, and families. They have a love of learning and sharing that learning with others. Help us to honor Jen and these exemplary leaders in your school communities. An informational flier and copy of the nomination questions are attached. Please nominate your “marigold” today using the link below by April 14, 2023. Google Nomination Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfBo40UhHTKm9IMekUh8qVydmSvGuw9MPUyVA0Q4KJVajqnmw/viewform Note: Nominations may also be submitted by email using the attached form.

OPEN POSITION: ROE #47 Education Outreach Program Program Coordinator/Case Manager - Full-Time Position OVERVIEW : Manage all aspects of the Education Outreach Program which provides adult education and employment training for 17–24-year-olds in Lee, Ogle and Whiteside County. This position works closely with BEST, Inc. and is grant-funded through federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds. Provide direct assistance and individualized case management to participants in all areas related to earning their Illinois High School Diploma (GED) and gaining and/or retaining employment. For more information, contact Chris Tennyson, ctennyson@roe47.org

Sauk Valley Community College is seeking innovative individuals for an opening as a part-time Learning Commons Instructional Assistant. This is a 25 hour a week position. Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry or related and experience which provides relevant knowledge and skills required. Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with staff and students required. Apply Online: https://jobs.svcc.edu/postings/1673 If you have any questions please contact Kelsey Head, HR Specialist at 815-835-6477 or kelsey.m.head@svcc.edu

Parent Educators participated in the Coloma Township Easter Egg hunt on Saturday. Happy Easter to everyone! @RegionalOffice47 #RegionalOffice47

ROE47 is celebrating Music Monday by joining the chorus for change! We are past the point where elected officials must value, support, and compensate early childhood educatorsfor the complex and important work they do! #SolveChildCare #ChildCareisEssential #WOYC22