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There are so many AMAZING things happening in our schools and classrooms every day. This blog shines a light on these stories of positivity, creativity and success throughout CUSD 50.

All CUSD 50 Schools Earn Commendable Designations

All CUSD 50 schools have earned a “Commendable” designation by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). These summative designations measure progress in academic, school quality, and student success.

"Our district's efforts to achieve our goals are the reason we're seeing Harvard rise," said Harvard CUSD 50 Superintendent Dr. Corey Tafoya

Harvard Students Named Top Scholars at MCC

McHenry County College named ten Harvard High School students to the Spring 2022 President’s List and Dean’s List. President’s List: Eric Castaneda, Jenny Castillo Hernandez, Yahir Olivares, Christopher Ritschke, Briana Rodriguez, and Jade Sanchez. Dean’s List: Julia Andrews, Katelyn Duber, Alexis Miller-Gidden, and Allison Scott. To be included on the Dean’s List, students must have completed at least nine semester hours of coursework with a grade point average of 3.50 to 3.74 on a 4.00 grading scale and for the President’s List a 3.75 to 4.00 on a 4.00 grading scale. These students have taken part in Harvard District 50’s DUO program which is an early college program that was created through a collaborative partnership between McHenry County College and Harvard CUSD 50 to provide our academically-motivated students enrolled in District 50 an opportunity to earn a high school diploma and Associate of Arts degree simultaneously.

Washington Birth to 3 Program Receives Blue Ribbon Affiliate Award

Washington's Birth to 3 Program was awarded the Blue Ribbon Affiliate Award at the Parents as Teachers International Conference in September. To earn the Blue Ribbon Quality Endorsement, affiliates must complete a comprehensive self-study and review process that demonstrates they are meeting or exceeding the Parents as Teachers Essential Requirements, along with at least 75 of the 100 Quality Standards.

HHS Music Director Nominated for National Outstanding Music Educator Award

Harvard High School Band Director Dr. Korey Coffer was selected by the IHSA Music Advisory Committee as the statewide nominee for the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Outstanding Music Educator Award.

“Korey is a great ambassador for our music program here in Harvard and the state,” said Harvard High School Principal, Carl Hobbs. “Because of his dedication and commitment to student learning, many students have pursued music as a career."

HHS Students Receive National & State Academic Recognition

Christopher Ritschke, Eric Castenada, Allison Kratz, and Jenny Hernan Castillo were named Illinois State Scholars, ranking them in the top ten percent of Illinois high school graduates. Christopher Ritschke, Henry Dewaele, Jaclyn McMillan, and Lauren Elliot (not pictured) received the National Rural and Small Town Award from the College Board's National Recognition Program for their academic achievements in school and outstanding performance on the PSAT/NMSQT and/or the AP Exams. Congratulations to these individuals for earning a place in the top tier of high school graduates state-wide and nationally.

Harvard Hires First D50 Graduate and Seal of Biliteracy Recipient

Harvard native, Harvard High School graduate, and Rockford University graduate, Maria Mercado, has rejoined her hometown as a 2nd grade teacher at Crosby Elementary this year. Maria is the first student in the history of CUSD 50 to be hired as a certified teacher that graduated from Harvard High School and earned her seal of biliteracy.

"I am most excited about being in the community I grew up in. I am really excited to be a teacher that has accomplished the goal that our teachers have as a goal for the students: to graduate as a seal of biliteracy scholar," said Mercado. "I am the students I am teaching; I see a younger version of me in them.”

Listen to more of Maria's story here on a recent episode of our Education Buzz Podcast.

Harvard Students Expand Seal of Biliteracy Options with ASL

Beginning in 2020, Harvard High School began offering an American Sign Language (ASL) program, working toward another option to earn the Seal of Biliteracy. The Seal of Biliteracy is a national award that recognizes students who are proficient in two or more languages. CUSD 50 has set a district goal that more than 50% of the graduates will earn their Seal of Biliteracy by 2026. In the two years the ASL program has been active, enrollment in ASL classes has gone from just over 20 students to 87 students. Teacher Ruth Ready notes that for students, “At the very best, {ASL} can provide a whole world of growth, opportunities, and a rewarding career. At the very least, it can be an added skill and awareness in communication to bolster their future in any college or career choice.”

Jefferson Elementary Teacher Earns National Board Certification

Jefferson Elementary special education teacher Laura Cardosi is one of 127 teachers across the state of Illinois to certify as a National Board Certified Teacher. It is a rigorous process and demonstrates a dedication to teaching and students.

"For me, National Board Certification is a way for me to improve as an educator," said Laura. "Throughout the process, I have become more reflective on my teaching and how to improve to best meet my students' needs."

D50 Band Students Selected for Elite Ensemble

Jack Ellis, Angel Gonzalez, Daisy Landa, Allison Kratz, and Melody Coffer were selected for the McHenry County Honor Band, representing the best in instrumental music that McHenry County high schools have to offer. Earning a place in this elite ensemble is a testament to the talent of these individuals. The Honor Band concert will take place on January 21 at Woodstock North High School.

CUSD 50 Celebrates Q1 BHAG Winners

Congratulations to our Q1 BHAG Winners for excellence in (clockwise from left) improving graduation rates (Teri Lescher), Seal of Biliteracy (Maria Fusillo), creating 21st Century learning spaces (Rob Peterson), being deliriously happy working in CUSD 50 (Maria Mercado), striving to be a Model PLC District (David Bakrins), and AVID involvement (Rebbeca Dahn). CUSD 50 is proud! Read more about our BHAG goals here.

Students Explore Healthcare Careers with Northwestern Medicine

Harvard High School students Payton Halfpenny, Kyana Lamick, Kiara Preito Neale, and Briana Rodriguez were accepted into Northwestern Medicine's Discovery Program, exposing them to a broad range of healthcare careers through activities including tours, guest speakers, group discussion, and hands-on projects. Northwestern Medicine is providing professional development, community service opportunities and practical life skills to cultivate the next generation of healthcare leaders.

#FutureFocused at UW Whitewater

Harvard Junior High AVID classes took a college field trip to UW Whitewater! Ms. Cunningham, Mrs. Thomas, Mr. Nicky, Mrs. Nicky's classes had the chance to see residence halls, play wheelchair basketball and learn from professors!

Transition Students Celebrate With a Thanksgiving Feast

Students and staff from our Transition Program pitched in to cook, serve, and enjoy a Thanksgiving feast! The district is excited to begin building a new transition facility allowing students to access vocational programs and learn independent living skills, made possible by a $853,125 grant from Advance McHenry County. Click here to read more about it.

CUSD 50 Students Get Cozy

CUSD 50 Pre-K through 5th grade students joined in for our annual Cozy Up With a Book event, an evening of fun from the comfort of home! Students cozied up in pajamas, with hot chocolate, a favorite stuffed animal, and family to read a book and do a fun activity with their teachers.

"I really loved listening to the stories, drinking the hot chocolate and being all snuggly at home with my cousin," said Berkeley, a 1st grade student at Crosby. "I like hearing other teachers read and the activities were fun! We listened to one book in English and one book in Spanish!"

Special thank you to the Harvard Diggins Library for handing out the free craft activity bags!

Athletic Achievements #GoHornets!

Congratulations to all of our athletes that participated in fall sports! (Clockwise from left) Boys Soccer - KRC Champions (two years in a row); KRC Tournament Champions (inaugural year); lost Regional final in PKs; David Aquino (conference player of the year); Andres Herenandez Flores (goalkeeper of the year); Lorenzo Eichholz, Gabino Esquivel, Marco Herrera, Giovanni Mercado, Pablo Mercado, Saul Sanchez (all-conference) | Girls Golf - Aaralynn Schneider (all-conference); Melissa Uvaldo (hole-in-one at Marengo Ridge Golf Club, hole #4) | Football - Wyatt Lamz, Danny Rosas, Aiden Fiegel (all-conference); Riley Vest, Brian Cordova, Evan Martin (honorable mention all-conference) | Junior High Girls 6th/7th Volleyball Team placed 1st in Creekside Tournament | Boys Golf - placed 2nd in the conference; Logan Garafol, Myles Brincks, Aaron Saucedo, Connor Pedersen (all-conference); Logan Garafol, Myles Brincks, Connor Pedersen (Sectional qualifiers) | Cross County - Christina Koleno (all-conference and Sectional qualifier) | Volleyball - Asha Billstrand (all-conference)

HARVARD ATHLETICS REVAMPS “SENIOR ATHLETIC GOLD PASS” PROGRAM

Registering for the Senior Athletic Gold Pass allows any senior age 55 and older to attend Harvard CUSD 50 home athletic events for free. In addition, these passes will now be valid for life upon registering. Applicants must be a Harvard graduate or resident of the Harvard community to obtain a pass. "Throughout its long history, the community has always been so supportive of the high school athletic programs. By offering these passes to our most tenured citizens, it is a small token of our appreciation for the continued support we receive”, said Athletic Director Barry Gurvey. Click here for more information.

Thank You, CUSD 50 School Board!

January is School Board Appreciation Month and we would like to use it as an opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude for the constant work our board puts in to provide the best educational experience for students. We are thankful for their focus on the continued evaluation and improvement of CUSD 50.

Important Upcoming Events

Mark your calendars! Click here for more information on the Kindergarten Carnival & Registration Event. Click here for all upcoming district events.

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