May 2012 - School District U-46

Monthly Plus Newsletter
Themes for Months Seven and Eight
Spring Can be a High Risk Time. With some of the high
stakes testing behind us, we have lower levels of stress
on students and school personnel. The question to ask
ourselves regarding our juniors and the PSAE is “How
we prepare them to do their best on the test?” As I have
written earlier, we need to help them develop a growth
mindset where they see tests and assessments as opportunities
for feedback not as declarative or conclusive
evidence of what they are able to achieve, or have
achieved. (For more ideas, see http://smhp.psych.ucla.
edu/schoolsupport.htm.)
Helping Students and Families Plan Transition to a New
Grade/New School. As we begin to think and plan for
closing out the year, we need to keep in mind that transitions
can be great opportunities for fresh start. New
teachers, classmates, and challenges can provide a new
and fresh start to re-envision ourselves. We need to provide
closure to the past and provide information to the
future to have a strong articulation with the next grade
and or teachers. (For more ideas, see http://smhp.psych.
ucla.edu/schoolsupport.htm.)
Personal Reflection -
Ownership and Commitment
I really enjoy this time of year. It seems every
week something is happening that highlights
the result of the hard work of our staff,
students, and families. I would just like to
mention some of them.
The Superintendent’s Scholarship is an idea I
had that, through the work and generosity of
many people, came to fruition. We were able
to provide $1,000 scholarships to 21 students
who will be the first in their immediate family
to continue their education beyond high
school.
District U-46 partnered with Elgin Community
College to recognize 2,300 Class of
2012 students that have earned their National
Career Readiness Certification at a
reception held on May 3. District U-46 is the
first school district in Illinois to provide the
opportunity for all seniors to graduate with
a national certification, a credential that
provides evidence of mastery of reading,
math and location information core skill sets
needed for college and workplace success.
We recognized the Top 2% of graduating
seniors in each of our high schools at a Board
of Education ceremony. These 72 students
are an example of what our children can do.
Their futures will take them on many diverse
roads, but all are continuing to challenge
themselves to meet their dreams.
We joined Elgin Community College in a
reception for our students earning their
National Career Readiness Certificates. 2,300
U-46 seniors will leave with a certificate in
hand that guarantees they are ready to enter
the workforce with the skills employers need
and the knowledge to go on to post-secondary
education if they choose.
I participated in the Adult Education graduation
ceremony. Their stories are full of
struggles and odds that they overcame, but
the joy of reaching their goal was evident.
(Continued on Page 2)
School District U-46 1 May 2012

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School District U-46 2 February 2012
Personal Reflection (continued from Page 1)
They earned their GED’s. Some plan to continue
their education, but I know they will be
successful in whatever path they choose.
This Saturday I will be at the Sears Centre as we
graduate our class of 2012. I enjoy looking out
at all of those faces during each ceremony – so
full of hope and excitement; I hope we served
them well.
I have seen our new kindergarteners hopping
down the hallway holding their parents’ hands
on their way to begin the kindergarten intake
process.
Beginnings and ends. I think about the role
we all play in these children’s lives and am
committed to continuing to improve our
district. When these new kindergarteners sit
on the floor of the Sears Centre I want us to be
able to reflect on how much we – staff, families,
and our communities- have done to ensure we
have met the goal of academic success for all.
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Top 2% Graduating Seniors
On May 14 the Board of Education
recognized the top 2% of students
graduating from the five comprehensive
high schools. The academic achievement
of these students represented a great deal
of work, late nights and commitment. A
reception for the families was held before
the ceremony to acknowledge the integral
role they play in the achievements of their
children.
Congratulations to these students and
their families!
Sincerely,
Bartlett High School - Daniel Almquist, Suneet
Antaal, Allysa Galloni, Eram Haider, Megan
Harper, Mark Hyzy, Jennifer Krick, John Lesniak,
Taylor Mitchell, Chandresh Nandani, Marianne
Palczewski, Larisa Piton, Hannah Schmitz, Dawn
Smith, Kara Spafford, Antonio Spina, Haley
Videckis
Elgin High School – Drew Bloomquist, Brenda
Capistran, Monica Dorda, Elizabeth Hanson,
Elyssa Helker, Victoria Johnson, Cassie
McLaughlin, Erika Peters, Tiffany Qi, Norma
Rodriguez, Samyak Tanmay Shah, Nikko
Tabliago, Abigail Weaver
Larkin High School - Amie Anderson, Brett
Barry, Bridget Davies, Allison Driskill, Piper
Johnson, Amanda Lane, Jordon Maijala, Shelby
Matison, Brianna Ripoli, Michael Rosenberg,
Amanda Rychtanek, Michael Spiekerman, Jessica
Tang, Lindsay Timmons
South Elgin High School – Allison Bott, Samuel
Buck, Martha Curi, Sarah Czuprynski, Kristina
Dehlin, Eric Dela Merced, Matthew Diede, Paul
Dineen, Michael Favia, Francisco Gonzalez,
Lauren McKay, Aida Palma, Stephani Pang,
Karina Romo, Hannah Rueger

(continued from page 2)
Streamwood High School – Sarah
Berk, Raudel Cabral, Vanessa Colletti,
Glen Davidson, Jon Foissotte, Jane
Gooby, Afra Khanani, Sabrina Minhas,
Guillermo Morales, Dena Raposa,
Trisha Salazar, Angelica Stepniak, Lana
Sutker
Superintendent’s Scholarship
This year the Superintendent’s Scholarship
was launched. 21 students received $1,000
toward their continuing education. Each
student is the first in their family to attend
post-secondary education. A Scholarship
Networking Seminar was also held for the
recipients to help them develop the skills
they will need to reach out to others and
promote themselves. Board member Traci
O’Neal Ellis led the session with the students
providing the group with the how,
where and why regarding net working. Students
were also able to practice their skills.
Monthly
Plus
Students are encouraged to make reading the
main course this summer. The program opened
on May 15 with a ceremony marked by the
cutting of “spaghetti.” Visit the library near
you to attend programs, check out books and
games, or use the computers.
Gail Borden Library
Bartlett Library
Poplar Creek Library - Streamwood
Schaumburg Township District Library
Carol Stream Public Library
School District U-46 3 February 2012
On May 1, Dr. Torres hosted a reception for
the award winners at Kenyon Woods Middle
School. Students were presented with
a certificate and a box of business cards to
begin their networking efforts. Congratulations
to this first scholarship class. We
wish them well as they begin the next step
in their education.
Area Libraries Summer
Reading Programs
Summer reading is the best way to keep
your child’s reading skills developing. Area
libraries are offering a number of reading
programs and Dr. Torres is providing a big
push to get U-46 students to their local
library. The Superintendent has challenged
our students to sign up for the summer
reading program at their library and get
reading. At the Gail Borden Library the
theme is “Reading is so Delicious.”

Monthly
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School District U-46 4 February 2012
2012 Volunteer Reception
While schools are thanking their volunteers as
the end of the year approaches, the U-46 Board
of Education will be doing the same thing. They
will recognize numerous volunteers that donate
their time at the district level on June 5. Each
year, parents, community members, and even
students, volunteer their time to support the
Board and U-46 administration. Volunteers
serve in a variety of roles in U-46.
For example, the Citizens’ Advisory Council
has been advising the Board of Education and
Administration for more than 50 years. The
African-American, Bilingual Parent Advisory,
and the Elgin Hispanic Network are groups that
consult with district staff on issues specific to
students and families from our diverse district.
The Clergy Advisory Committee contributes
guidance and shares views on issues related to
the faith communities represented in U-46,
while the Business Advisory Council keeps
the superintendent and staff in touch with the
economic concerns of our communities. The
U-46 Foundation members work to generate
funds for educational programs and activities
not typically financed with tax dollars.
The Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council
brought the concerns of students to Dr. Torres.
They sought nominations for the student
representative on the Board of Education,
conducted interviews, and presented their
recommendation to the Board.
Many more people freely give of their time and
share their talents to help our district continue
to improve. We could not do it without them.
Books That I Have Been Reading Lately
Russell Rules: 11 Lessons on Leadership From the Twentieth Century’s Greatest Winner by Bill
Russell and David Falkner (2002) was much lighter reading by the winner of 11 championships
as player and coach and a five time NBA MVP. I found a number of his precepts relatable to our
work in U-46. For example, Russell states that Celtic culture (of winning) “began with a collective
determination never to embarrass ourselves” (p. 12). He went on to say, “All winning streaks begin
with a single victory. All successful people, teams, companies, experience their success by an ability
to grow, to move from one level to the next, never taking shortcuts, never thinking about more than
what’s required to make things work right where they are” (p. 14). Russell quotes Tony Robbins
regarding commitment, “I believe life is constantly testing us for our level of commitment, and
life’s greatest rewards are reserved for those who demonstrate a never-ending commitment to act
until they achieve. This level of resolve can move mountains, but it must be constant and consistent
(p. 17-18). I believe that we need this level of commitment and resolve to achieve our targets in
Destination 2015.