COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Message From Superintendent Dr. Keisha Campbell
Welcome back to another exciting school year! As we embark on this journey together, I am filled with pride and optimism for what lies ahead. Our collective efforts and unwavering commitment to excellence continue to propel us forward, ensuring that every student in Elmhurst District 205 receives a high-quality education.
This year, we remain steadfast in our focus on Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), which play a vital role in enhancing our instructional practices and fostering collaboration among our dedicated staff. Professional Learning Communities provide an opportunity for our educators to engage in meaningful dialogue, share best practices, and collectively address the diverse needs of our students. By working together, we are able to create a learning environment that is both supportive and challenging, helping our students achieve their fullest potential.
In addition to our academic pursuits, I am excited to share some of the most recent updates with you about the ongoing referendum projects throughout the district. We are making significant progress on our facilities, with several key milestones already achieved. These improvements are about creating spaces that inspire learning, foster creativity, and support the overall well-being of our students and staff.
Furthermore, I am proud to announce that the Elmhurst District 205 Board of Education was recently recognized by the Illinois Association of School Boards for their effective governance behaviors. This acknowledgment reflects the Board’s dedication to providing strong leadership and ensuring the continued success of our district. We would also like to invite community members to join us at the upcoming State of the District event, where we will share more about the progress we’ve made and our plans for the future.
As we move forward, let’s keep lifting each other up and celebrating the amazing things happening in our community. Together, we’re shaping a brighter future for every student in District 205.
I’m truly grateful for your continued partnership, and I’m excited to see all the wonderful things we’ll achieve together this year.
We are regularly hiring for administrative, teaching, support staff, and other positions in each of our buildings. There is currently a high need for applicants in the following areas:
Special Education Teachers
Educational Assistants
Lunch/Recess Supervisors
Custodians
Food Service
Interested people should apply online at https://qrco.de/D205Jobs, or by scanning this QR code.
Elmhurst D205 Board Recognition
THE POWER OF COLLABORATION THROUGH PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES IN D205
In today’s evolving educational landscape, the concept of teamwork among educators has taken center stage, and nowhere is this more evident than in Elmhurst District 205’s (D205) commitment to Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). These collaborative groups, formed by teachers, instructional coaches, and specialists, have become instrumental in driving improved teaching practices and, by extension, enhanced student outcomes.
“Professional Learning Communities are collaborative groups of educators who work together to improve teaching practices and enhance student learning,” says Katie Lyons, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning. “Professional Learning Communities foster a culture of shared responsibility and collaboration among our D205 educators. Teachers, coaches, and specialists work together to identify common goals, share strategies, and support each other’s professional growth.”
At the heart of PLCs lies a singular focus on student learning. Educators come together to analyze data, discuss effective instructional strategies, and address the varied needs of their students.
D205’s commitment to professional growth extends beyond PLCs, offering over 200 additional professional learning sessions annually. These include leader and teacher coaching sessions, targeted sessions for specialists, and districtwide Institute Days, all aligned to theDistrict’s strategic plan.
Instructional coaches like Emily Quinn are vital to the success of PLCs, providing the necessary support and expertise to help educators thrive. “As an instructional coach, I am here to support our staff and students,” Quinn explains. “At Jefferson (Elementary School), we have such a great learning community, and my role is to facilitate learning, partner with teachers, and support them in the classroom to make sure they feel prepared and can problem-solve effectively.”
Quinn has seen firsthand how the collaborative nature of PLCs has led to tangible shifts in teaching practices and student outcomes. “We’ve observed teachers using different planning protocols and student work analysis to guide their learning,” she says. “The ability to collaborate as teams, observe each other, and continue learning has been instrumental in improving student learning.”
An initiative that stands out for Quinn is the WIT & Wisdom PLC coaching series, where she worked closely with the third-grade team. “It gave me a great opportunity to deepen my knowledge of the curriculum and tailor the needs of each PLC to support our teachers,” she reflects.
So, what does a typical PLC meeting look like? Laura Rainey, a third grade teacher at Jefferson Elementary School, provides insight into these critical gatherings. “We start by reviewing our norms and having a quick casual conversation before
“HEARING IDEAS FROM OTHER TEACHERS AND SEEING THAT THEY WORK IN YOUR OWN CLASSROOM IS INCREDIBLY REWARDING.” “
diving into the day’s agenda, whether it’s focused on math, reading, or student data,” Rainey explains.
Rainey, who recently transitioned to teaching a new grade level, finds PLC time invaluable. “It gives us protected time to collaborate without interruptions. Our instructional coach can join, and we can invite other members of the staff, such as resource teachers. This protected time is crucial for our planning and reflection,” she notes.
Within these meetings, educators engage in a variety of activities, from lesson planning and assessment
design to problem-solving when things don’t go as planned. “Although I’ve been teaching for 20-years, my PLC is really supporting me as I adjust to this new grade level,” Rainey adds. “It’s helpful to hear from colleagues about what worked for them and to get their insights on the curriculum.”
Rainey also underscores the importance of collaboration in assessing student work. “It’s really nice to have multiple eyes on student work. Different perspectives can be incredibly valuable, especially with subjective assessments like writing,” she says.
The collaborative efforts of PLCs are not just about aligning teaching strategies—they’re about learning from one another and implementing new ideas in the classroom. Claire Riemersma, another educator deeply involved in PLCs, shared how these meetings contribute to her instructional practice. “Every week, we bring new ideas to the table, and I learn so much from our discussions. It’s about more than just being on the same page; it’s about growing together as educators,” she says.
For Riemersma, the ultimate reward is seeing the impact of these discussions translate into student success. “When you try something new and it works, it’s the best feeling,” she says. “Hearing ideas from other teachers and seeing that they work in your own classroom is incredibly rewarding.”
In D205, the power of collaboration through Professional Learning Communities is clear. By bringing educators together in a structured, supportive environment, the district ensures that teaching practices continually evolve, driving student success. With the support of instructional coaches and the dedication of teachers, PLCs have become a cornerstone of educational excellence, shaping a brighter future for every student in the district.
Scan the QR code with your phone to watch interviews with the Principal, teachers and students.
CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS IN DISTRICT 205: KEY PROJECTS AND UPDATES
As the new school year unfolds, District 205 is proud to share significant progress on various construction projects funded by the community-supported referendum. From major renovations to essential upgrades, these projects are designed to enhance learning environments across the district.
Churchville Middle School
At Churchville Middle School, the much-anticipated auditorium addition is on schedule, bringing the promise of a state-of-the-art space for school performances and events. This new facility will be a cornerstone for the arts in our community. Meanwhile, interior renovations are complete, with significant improvements including a renovated media center, updated student restrooms, and a new emergency generator. Students and staff will also benefit from upgrades to the corridor areas, which now feature new ceilings, lighting, flooring, and fresh paint. Additionally, the school has been equipped with a new structured data cable, PA and clock systems, and building automation upgrades. The domestic water piping in the 1970/73 building sections has been replaced, ensuring safer and more reliable infrastructure.
Todd Schmidt, Director of Facilities at District 205, shared, “We did interior renovations at Churchville Middle School, where we updated the media center, ADA accommodations, and the flooring in the corridors, along with renovating the student restrooms. We also added a nice 500-seat capacity auditorium, which we’re looking to finish in December.”
Hawthorne Elementary School
Hawthorne Elementary has also seen transformative changes, with interior renovations now complete. The school’s media center has been fully renovated, offering students a modern and dynamic space for learning and
collaboration. Corridor renovations have been completed as well, providing a brighter, more welcoming environment for students. Like Churchville, Hawthorne has been upgraded with new structured data cables, PA, and clock systems, ensuring the school is well-equipped for the future.
Madison Early Childhood Center
The renovation of the Madison Early Childhood Center is one of the district’s most ambitious projects, and it remains on schedule. The entire building is being transformed into a developmentally appropriate facility that meets the unique needs of the district’s youngest learners. The renovation includes a gymnasium transformation, additional classroom space, and the installation of more bathroom facilities in each classroom. The building is being outfitted with new ceilings, lights, flooring, paint, classroom casework, and essential upgrades such as new paging speakers, clocks, IT network cabling, an emergency generator, and a fire sprinkler system. The HVAC system and domestic water piping are also being replaced, ensuring the building is fully modernized.
According to Schmidt, “We started our renovations at Madison Early Childhood Center, where we moved all the students to Field and Edison for the school year. We’re demoing pretty much 95% of the building and are right on schedule to have it ready for the start of the next school year.”
York High School
At York High School, several projects have been successfully completed, significantly enhancing the campus for students and staff. The auditorium has been completely revamped and is now open. York is also planning to debut a new scoreboard for the remainder of the football season. The cafeteria has been refreshed with new flooring and paint, while corridor and classroom areas have received similar
The Churchville Middle School Auditorium (pictured above) is on schedule to finish in December.
EDUCATE
updates. The music and band area has been upgraded, and both the first and second-floor auditorium corridors have been renovated, providing a more polished look. The athletic office has undergone a complete transformation, with new flooring, painting, ceiling work, and furniture. Additionally, the front parking lot has been seal coated and striped, improving safety and aesthetics.
Schmidt highlighted these improvements, saying, “We did a lot of work at York High School, including flooring renovations in the corridors, painting the cafeteria and music room, redoing the flooring in the cafeteria and music area, and revamping the athletic office.”
Across the District: Several smaller yet impactful projects have been completed or are in progress at various schools throughout District 205:
Bryan Middle School: The cafeteria and wood shop/CAD lab have new flooring, with new furniture installed in the CAD lab. The gym floor has also been resurfaced.
Sandburg Middle School: Auditorium renovations are nearly complete, with flooring and patchwork ongoing. Exterior painting and parking lot improvements have been finalized.
Emerson Elementary School: The main office has new flooring, and first-grade furniture has been installed. A playground project is scheduled for Fall 2024.
Fischer Elementary School: First-grade furniture installation is complete.
Jackson Elementary School: Roof replacement is nearing completion, with first-grade furniture scheduled and painting/flooring projects done.
Jefferson Elementary School: Roof replacement is in its final stages, and the gym has been updated with new paint, lighting, and ceiling work.
Transition Center, Lincoln Elementary, and Edison Elementary Schools: Parking lot seal coating and striping are complete.
As Schmidt summarized, “It was a very eventful year, and we got a lot done. Outside of Field and Lincoln, which are newer buildings, we were able to touch almost every school in the district. These projects demonstrate our continued commitment to providing students with safe, modern, and inspiring learning environments.”
District 205 remains dedicated to ensuring that these projects, made possible by the community’s support, set the stage for continued educational excellence.
Fully renovated media center at Hawthorne Elementary
Newly updated auditorium at York High School
Madison Early Childhood Center’s ongoing construction
Churchville Middle School’s auditorium
JOIN US AT THE STATE OF THE DISTRICT
EMPOWER
EXCELLENT EDUCATORS
Meet Michelle Burns, a social worker at Sandburg Middle School. She has worked for District 205 for five years.
Q: What do you enjoy the most about your job?
A: “The thing I enjoy the most is working with all the kids and staff here at Sandburg Middle School.”
Q: What is your favorite memory since you’ve been at District 205?
A: “My favorite memory happened when I went on a field trip last year with the 8th graders at York High School. I saw one of my former students, and she came over and she said, “Hi, Ms. Burns, it’s me.” While at Sandburg, she was very shy and meek. Over at York, she presented as someone who was really outgoing and social, and it was really exciting to see the change from middle school to high school.”
Q: What advice would you give to someone considering becoming a social worker?
A: “My advice to anyone who wants to become a school social worker is to just make sure that you have a strong work life balance, because some days are going to be really great, some days are going to be hard, and you just need to make sure that you have family, friends, and hobbies outside school. So on those rough days, you can go home and then come back the next day refreshed.”
ELMHURST DISTRICT 205 BOARD OF EDUCATION RECOGNIZED BY THE ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BOARDS
The Elmhurst School District 205 Board of Education has again been recognized for their effective governance behaviors and their commitment toward obtaining the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively lead a district by the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB). The board was one of 46 in the state of Illinois to be recognized in 2024 by the IASB, and they are one of only nine school districts to be honored in back-to-back years.
IASB’s School Board Governance Recognition program honors local boards of education that demonstrate good governance practices in line with IASB’s Foundational Principles of Effective Governance. This recognition emphasizes the importance of the entire board’s development and active participation, awarding a two-year honorary distinction to those boards that meet the program’s criteria.
“It’s not a surprise that our District 205 Board of Education earned this honor,” said Superintendent Dr. Keisha Campbell. “Our board of education is constantly working to improve their governance and leadership skills for our district, the students, and the entire community. The individual board members and the full board are always seeking out new learning opportunities to advance their governance knowledge and learn from the successes of their peers in other districts.”
“The board engages with the community to gain perspective and ensure that all voices are represented, all while maintaining a steadfast focus on ensuring resources are aligned to the strategic plan - resulting in student success and positive experiences for all students and staff,” said Superintendent Campbell.
The School Board Governance Recognition program aims to showcase how good governance creates a positive impact for students, staff, and the entire district community. It provides an opportunity for districts to tell their story about programs and projects that are improving outcomes in their local school districts and offers board members a chance to highlight how continuous learning, both by individual board members and the full board team, results in improved governance for the board of education and positive outcomes for the district.
“This board has shown its commitment to the district, our community, and ultimately the students, by continually improving their leadership skills and understanding of public education. To be a successful board and provide a high quality educational experience for our students, it requires collaboration and a commitment to continual learning,” said Board President Athena Arvanitis.
BOARD OF EDUCATION
