Several outstanding students and staff members will be honored during the School Board meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, May 14. They include state qualifiers in the science fair, ACT Stars (students who scored a 30 or higher composite on their ACT exam), AP Scholars, the D300 Foundation's 2012 Distinguished Educator Cynthia Schneider, and D300 nominees for 2012 Kane County Educator of the Year - especially Jill Fox, the Sleepy Hollow Elementary School teacher who was awarded Friday evening in the associate educator category. For a complete listing of the students and staff being honored, or for more details about the meeting, please see pages 1-7 of the Board Meeting Packet here.  The public is always welcome! 

The District 300 Board of Education approved tonight (May 14, 2012) two administrators to fill positions recently vacated in the Central Office and at Gilberts Elementary School.

Craig Zieleniewski, currently the principal of D300's Perry Elementary School in Carpentersville, has been chosen as the new principal of Gilberts Elementary School, effective July 1, 2012.  Zieleniewski replaces Jeff King, who has led Gilberts Elementary since it opened in 2007.  King decided this spring to take a principal position in Burlington School District 301 closer to his home.

Zieleniewski brings to Gilberts valuable administrative experience and expertise, having served as the Perry principal for the past six years.  He earned his bachelor's degree from Michigan State University and his master's degree from Aurora University.  In 1997, Zieleniewski began his educational career as a 6th grade teacher at Westfield Community School in D300, eventually moving to Perry in 2004 to become the assistant principal.  He is an active member of the Dundee Township Rotary Club and a member of the D300 Staffing Committee. 

"His strong instructional leadership and knowledge made him an excellent choice to become the next Gilberts principal," said Assistant Superintendent for Elementary School Teaching & Learning Kristin Corriveau. 

D300 used a rigorous process for selecting the new Gilberts principal.  Corriveau initially joined Superintendent Michael Bregy for a full day at the school in meetings with parents and staff members to discuss the school's needs and the qualities that would be most important to the Gilberts community in their next principal.  A multi-step interview process was then implemented, as follows:

The following is a personal message from Superintendent Michael Bregy in celebration of 2012 National Teacher Appreciation Week.  As part of the local festivities, we hope to see staff and families from all D300 schools enjoying a special, family-friendly opportunity this week (May 7-10) at the Randall Road Brunswick Zone XL, as detailed HERE.

"One of my highest priorities will always be improving educational opportunities for our students and establishing a better future for all of us.  I want to commend all D300 employees who work diligently to increase student performance, and I want to thank all staff members for supporting the leadership within your school and our district.  

I know that your work is stressful, difficult and many times unrecognized.  I understand the sacrifices you make in order to come to work each day and give 100 percent.  You have built a proud profession despite the financial obstacles that have forced all of us to reshape and redeliver our instruction to students.

In the months and years to come, I will continue to rely on your experience, energy and activism to ensure that D300 is treated fairly and equitably at both the state and federal levels.

It is a great honor and privilege to work with each and every one of you.  I respect and value your contributions and the significant impact that you make on our students.  During Teacher Appreciation Week and EVERY week, I am deeply grateful for you.  Each one of you fits into our mutual success.  You should continue to be very proud of what we have done together.  Focus on our many commonalities, rather than our few differences, so we can be sure to continuously achieve in 2012, 2013 and beyond.  Thank you!"

District 300 leaders and community members made good on their promise to remain legislatively active by successfully hosting the district's first Legislative Open House in Springfield this week.

Reflecting on what will now become an annual event, Superintendent Michael Bregy noted that legislative issues have a huge impact on the district's financial stability and student resources.  With this in mind, the district would welcome the partnership of employee groups and community members to an even greater extent.

"The intensity of educational issues currently being discussed by the General Assembly will have a direct effect on our ability to fund all educational resources in our schools," Bregy said.  "Everyone in our school district must become and remain active participants in the legislative process.  Our voices must continue to be heard in order to chart our collective course."

The two primary goals of the Legislative Open House were:

ATTENTION PARENTS/GUARDIANS: Please review the early-release schedule and transportation times for the last day of school, as shown HERE.  ATENCION PADRES/TUTORES: Por favor repasan la información acerca del horario del último día de escuela de este año escolar, AQUí.

To celebrate the National Week of the Young Child (April 22-28, 2012) the deLacey Family Education Center will host a COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE on Tuesday, April 24. Community members are welcome to come between 9 and 10:30 a.m. or 1 to 2:30 p.m. to tour the preschool center, which was built specifically to meet the unique needs of preschool-aged children.  Classroom projects demonstrating what deLacey students are learning will be on display. There will also be information tables set up where visitors can get information about other community services and agencies available to families of young children in the District 300 area.  Come and see how D300 supports early learning in your community!

The deLacey Center is located near the D300 Administration Center, at 50 Cleveland Ave, Carpentersville, IL  60110.  Please call 224.484.2300 if you would like more information.