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The District Digest The Official Newsletter of Orland School District 135

November 2022

Summative Designations

On Thursday, October 27th, the Illinois State Board of Education released school report cards, which share district and school data for all schools within the state. The Report Card shows how well our schools are progressing on a wide range of educational goals. Orland School District 135 is proud to announce that all 10 schools were identified in the top two designations for the 2021-2022 school year! Centennial, Center, Century, Jerling, Liberty, Orland Jr High, Park and Prairie were all identified as Commendable with Centennial, Liberty, Park and Prairie being on the cusp of receiving an Exemplary designation. High Point and Meadow Ridge were identified as Exemplary, which means those two schools rank in the top 10% of all schools in Illinois! Only 10 schools in the entire South Suburban Cook County Region received exemplary designations, District 135 being home to two of those ten exemplary schools!

Thankful for all you BOO!

During the last week of October, the Board of Education and District Administration dropped off some tasty treats to say thank you to all OSD135 staff for everything they do each day! Hard work and dedication do not go unnoticed and it is because of our staff that the students are learning something new every day!

Staff received a tasty treat from Board members and District Administration as a token of their appreciation!

Background Picture: Ghoul's Night Out at Meadow Ridge brought Kindergarten - 5th grade students back for a fun night of acitivities before Halloween!

One District One Book

High Point students show off their writing skills and connect their responses to the book Wonder.

All across the District schools have been kicking off our One District One Book campaign! Every student, depending on their grade, has now started to learn about Auggie, the character from the book Wonder by R. J. Palacio, and how he promotes choosing kind every day.

Ghoul's Night Out

On Friday, October 28th, the District hosted Ghoul's Night Out for Kindergarten - 5th grade students! With bounce houses, costume contests and a haunted bus, so much fun was had by students and staff! Thanks to the STARS supervisors and Sandburg students for volunteering to help run the event! It was a MONSTER success!

Students could choose a spooky or fun face painting design at Ghoul's Night Out!

Background photo: The Orland Park Fire Department has stopped by many of our schools to talk to students about what to do in case of a fire!

Don't Forget about the Culture Boards!

The school Culture Boards are meant to help us learn more about the diversity that makes Orland 135 unique and to strengthen the community and relationships within our schools. We are encouraging families to send in pictures and/or drawings to match the themes each month. Families can send in one submission during any or all months. Submissions need to be 8.5 in x 11 in, which is a standard piece of paper, or smaller and can be sent to your child's principal. Artifacts will not be accepted as well as any submissions larger than a piece of paper. The displays will be rotated each month with different pictures and drawings of what families are proud to share.

Pictures are due at the end of the month and are hung up for the following month. All pictures will be returned at the end of the month.

  • November - Favorite Holiday: Share pictures, drawings, and/or a written description of your favorite cultural holiday.

Sandburg Band Visits Junior Highs

Our junior high students were treated to quite a show when the Sandburg High School Marching Band stopped by and performed their 2022 show "Beetlejuice." There were quite a few OSD135 alumni in the band who enjoyed coming back and performing for their old teachers!

Background Photo: The Sandburg Band stands at attention while waiting to perform at Century Jr High.

Upcoming Events

  • November 8: No School - Election Day
  • November 14: Board of Education Meeting @ Center
  • November 21 & 22: Parent Teacher Conferences - No School
  • November 23 - 25: No School

Follow OSD135 on Social!

If you have a Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, follow OSD135!

Background Photo: Center students show off their support for the Chicago Bears!

Special Recognitions

Congratulations to the following OSD135 employees for being nominated for an ABCDE Award during the month of October:

Beth Kwiatkowski - District 135 Vision Itinerant; Inspiration

"Ms. Beth has been my child’s vision itinerant for over 5 years (and counting!). She has always been incredibly efficient with communication, compassionate for the materials she is teaching, and lovingly patient. My child has grown to love and look up to Ms. Beth, and we trust her wholeheartedly with having my child’s best interests at heart. Thank you, Ms. Beth!”

Beth Kwiatkowski stands with Board Member Nichole Browner.

Sarah Szumigalski - Center; Inspiration

"Miss S. is an outstanding teacher and my child is inspired to learn each day in her class! We are so lucky to have Miss S. as our child’s teacher!”

Debra Tomlinson - Social Worker; Compassion

"My child will come to Mrs. Tomlinson because of the kindness she shows my child gets overwhelmed. I am so thankful someone like her is there for when my child feels down. Ms. Tomlinson is the perfect example of kindness and compassion."

Brian Horn - Century; Compassion

"Compassion is underestimated these days. Principal Horn shows my child's individual attention, responds to my emails like a lot of schools’ admin staff would right away, he calls and gets his hands dirty with kids. He’s there for them with high fives and smiles. He’s an outstanding leader and needs to be recognized. We lose good leaders when we don’t recognize them. That doesn’t mean they need praise yet they need to be appreciated. I have 4 children and 2 of them are at Century Jr High and adore Principal Horn."

Want to share good news? Promote a peer? Bring attention to a topic?

The District Digest is always looking for positive stories to share from around the District! Reach out to Allie Kaleta at akaleta@orland135.org or call 708-364-3335 with information that you believe should be shared.

Staff Shout-Outs

  • Joann Chan (Century) was recognized by Debra Tomlinson for the value of Inspiration.
  • Kristyn Slick (OJH) was recognized by Lisa Brady for the value of Inspiration.
  • Paul Preus (OJH) was recognized by Lisa Brady for the value of Inspiration.
  • Cheryl Knight (OJH) was recognized by Lauren Bushwaller for the value of Outstanding Achievement.
  • Eryn Blaser, Michelle Gaj, Joe Madsen, Brigid Rakow, Alex Rodriguez, Brittany Stefanos, Dallas Stefanos (OJH) were recognized by Lauren Bushwaller for the value of Outstanding Achievement.
  • Katie Curtin (D.O) was recognized by Jennifer Bennett for the value of Compassion.
  • Lori Haskett (OJH) was recognized by Gina Curalli, Liz Fasel, and Fran Strolia for the value of Outstanding Achievement.
  • Ron Hallman (B&G) was recognized by Gina Curalli, Liz Fasel, and Fran Strolia for the value of Outstanding Achievement.
  • Steve Kopecky (B&G) was recognized by Gina Curalli, Liz Fasel, and Fran Strolia for the value of Outstanding Achievement.

To nominate a colleague, email Allison Kaleta at akaleta@orland135.com or fill out the Staff Shout-Out form on the District website.

Background Picture: Students in Mrs. Duffy's class at Meadow Ridge work with Spheros while they tour monumental spots in Illinois!

Created By
Allison Kaleta
Appreciate