SUPERINTENDENT'S MESSAGE
Dr. Elaine Aumiller
May 28th, 2020
A Message from your Superintendent
Before we head into summer break each year, I write a farewell message that fondly looks back on the many events and activities that make spring at District 57 schools such a special and exciting time. Unfortunately, the past couple of months looked quite a bit different. Even so, there is still MUCH to celebrate in this year-end message! When we left school on March 13, we could never have imagined that we would not be able to return for the rest of the year. But I’m filled with pride as I look back on the ways that we adapted and were there for each other, and how we ensured that the time away from school could be as meaningful and productive as possible.
I thank my administrative team for the long hours and hard work that went into planning and refining our remote learning approach, as well as the well-coordinated efforts to map out our complex year-end procedures. I thank our staff members for quickly and creatively changing the way they teach and making sure students continued to learn, progress and feel motivated. I also thank the parents and guardians who have been essential partners in remote learning. I know it wasn’t easy, especially given the many challenges that families are now experiencing. Finally, I thank our wonderful students. They each faced their own worries and disappointments but have persevered and have become more resilient along the way. I hope they look back on this experience with gratitude for the positive ways their family, schools and community came together during a worldwide pandemic.
Before the school year officially ends today, I have some new information and reminders to share:
= Survey: Please participate in the remote learning survey by June 3 so we can take your feedback and ideas into account as we plan for next school year.
= Year-End Celebrations and Procedures: The schools have been emailing important updates as we close out the year. The principals sent instructions for returning Chromebooks, textbooks, etc. on June 1 and 2. We will celebrate the first graders leaving Westbrook and fifth graders leaving Fairview/Lions Park with Clap Outs on June 3. And we look forward to honoring the eighth-grade graduates on June 8.
= Summer Learning: We have consolidated all the remote learning menus in one place so families can easily access lessons they would like to review throughout the summer. Please note that some hyperlinks may be inaccessible due to teachers’ Google Classrooms being archived in preparation for next year. Students can also access their IXL (Reading and Math) and BrainPOP online accounts until July 24, when scheduled online maintenance will occur.
= District Communications: Be sure to read the special edition of the District 57 newsletter, a recap of remote learning and District news. Also follow us on Facebook and Twitter, where we will post updates this summer. We don’t yet know what next school year will look like, but we will be monitoring guidance from the state and making our own contingency plans, and we will keep you informed via email and social media when there are updates to share.
= Retirees and Service Anniversaries: I congratulate the valued staff members who are retiring and thank them for the many years they have been members of the District 57 family. I also congratulate those who are celebrating service anniversaries. We would normally be paying tribute to these staff members at the Retirement and Recognition Breakfast next week. Please see their names at the end of this message and join me in virtually honoring them.
I hope you and your family stay healthy and safe throughout the summer. Thank you, again, for your partnership during this extraordinary school year.
Dr. Elaine Aumiller
Superintendent of Schools
STAFF RETIREMENT AND RECOGNITION HONOREES FOR 2020
Retirees
Jan Anderson, Westbrook Instructional Assistant
Barb Bertolucci, Lions Park Kids’ Corner Assistant
Lisa Loeffler, Fairview Music Teacher
Cathy O’Donnell, Fairview Literacy Support Teacher/Coach
Jung (Sue) Sulik, Westbrook Kids’ Corner Assistant Supervisor
Service Anniversaries
35 Years:
Mary Cunningham, Westbrook Kids’ Corner Supervisor
Michele Logar, Fairview 2nd-Grade Teacher
30 Years:
Mary Hunt, Lions Park 2nd-Grade Teacher
Kathy Winters, Westbrook Speech Pathologist
25 Years:
Carly Fergus, Westbrook 1st-Grade Teacher
Karen Noll, Fairview 5th-Grade Teacher
Laura Stamison, Administrative Assistant for Teaching and Learning
20 Years:
Dave Cole, Lincoln Physical Education Teacher
Jimmy Finley, Lions Park Custodian
Elaine Ionas, Lincoln Social Science Teacher
Julie Jezuit, Lincoln Spanish Teacher
Don Lett, Lions Park Facility Supervisor
Lisa Loeffler, Fairview Music Teacher
Elin Lonergan, Fairview Instructional Assistant
Lynn Reihart, Fairview Instructional Assistant
Kathy Skowron, Fairview Kids’ Corner Assistant Supervisor
15 Years:
Eileen Carpenter, Westbrook Early Childhood Teacher
Julie Hirsch, Lincoln Speech Pathologist
Loretta Rose, Lincoln Science/Social Science Teacher
Roseann Schmitz, Lincoln Special Education Teacher
Darshana Shah, Westbrook Instructional Assistant
Elizabeth Straczek, Lincoln Project Lead the Way Tech Education Teacher
Leslie Thomas, Lincoln Music Teacher
Penny Urell, Westbrook Instructional Assistant
Virginia Webster, Administrative Assistant for the Superintendent
Kristi Zakula, Westbrook Kindergarten Teacher
10 Years:
Sara Cilia, Lions Park Instructional Assistant
Laurie Feinstein, District 57 Occupational Therapist
Kristen Kaage, Lincoln 7th-Grade Science/Social Science Teacher
Kendall Roberts, Fairview Literacy Support Teacher/Coach
Kathleen Schafer, Lions Park Speech Pathologist