Greetings, Lake Villa District 41!
Our journey to ELEVATE LV41 is well underway. During the 2023-2024 school year and throughout the summer, staff have been preparing to take District 41 to the next level. Highlights of our work include:
Lighthouse Status: Last spring, Hooper, Martin, Thompson, and Palombi Schools achieved the prestigious Leader in Me Lighthouse Status. This remarkable milestone is a direct result of our dedicated efforts to examine and align each school's culture and systems with The Leader in Me framework. We are proud to announce that District 41 is now the second district in the state to have all its schools achieve Lighthouse Status.
Portrait of a Graduate: District 41 began planning for the Portrait of a Graduate during the fall of 2023, involving students, staff, parents, and community members. The resulting Portrait of a Graduate, alongside our existing mission, vision, and values, guided the development of our three-year Teaching and Learning Plan and district/school improvement plans.
Multi-Year Teaching and Learning Plan: We are excited to share the results of our efforts by presenting the District's Portrait of a Graduate and Strategic Plan in the realm of teaching and learning. Moreover, District 41 is allocating additional staff and resources to enhance our programs, ensuring they effectively meet the needs of our students. The areas of focus include Special Education, English Learners, Response to Intervention, Physical Education, Enrichment Services, and improved Professional Development Opportunities for Staff tailored to the district's needs and preferences.
New Math Resources: Last spring, the district math committee adopted Imagine Learning's Illustrative Math, Number Corner, DreamBox, and Imagine Math resources to enrich math instruction across all grade levels. Illustrative Math emphasizes deep conceptual understanding through real-world applications, while Number Corner fosters daily math routines and problem-solving skills. Imagine Math provides personalized learning experiences tailored to individual student needs. To ensure successful implementation, staff will receive comprehensive and ongoing professional development, supporting their ability to effectively integrate these resources into classroom instruction.
Staff Member Professional Learning: This summer, over 139 staff members participated in the Professional Learning Community (PLC) training to support District 41’s growth. The primary goal of this initiative was to equip our teachers with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively establish and engage in PLCs. PLCs are widely recognized as a powerful and transformative approach to professional development in education. Additionally, the training aimed to provide professional development on Teacher Clarity and Success Criteria. We will also offer strategies for working with the increasing number of students who come to us with trauma in their lives.
District Referendum Work: We are pleased to provide you with an update on the progress and future plans for our referendum bonds, which are critical to the ongoing development and enhancement of our school building infrastructure. As indicated in previous communications, HVAC systems are aging and will require replacement within the next one to four years. By proactively addressing this need, we aim to ensure that our facilities remain comfortable, energy-efficient, and conducive to the well-being of all users. The first bond issuance has already made a significant impact, and with the second bond set for July 2024, we are well on our way to completing the identified projects, particularly the essential replacement of HVAC systems.
We look forward to welcoming and partnering with you as we plan for the future of this great school district.
Kindly,
Dr. Sandra Keim-Bounds, Superintendent
Link to Welcome Back Letter 2024
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