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The District Digest The Official Newsletter of Orland School District 135

January 2022

Welcome Back!

We are very excited to welcome back all students and staff to the second half of the 2021-2022 school year! We hope that everyone had a relaxing winter break and are ready to take on the new year! As previously communicated, OSD135 intends to remain open and continue daily in-person learning for all students while maintaining a safe school environment. We appreciate your continued support during these times.

Park Celebrates 100 Years

Park School turns 100 in 2022! In 1922, Orland Park Elementary School moved to a seven-room brick building at 9960 W. 143rd Street and was renamed Orland Park School. The building hosted high school classes from 1922 until Sandburg High School opened in 1954. In 1940, a limestone gym was added which is still in use today! The renovated and expanded building is now known as Park School! During the December Board of Education meeting, Park School Principal Brian Fogarty, along with three students, Sawyer, Selah, and Elijah, helped present Directed Drawing, a fun school-wide initiative that helps develop several key skill sets collectively each week. This interactive activity strengthens social-emotional learning (SEL), improves a healthier growth mindset, hones spatial awareness, and makes following directions fun. As part of the presentation, Sawyer, Selah, and Elijah led the Board in demonstrating the online activity in which they all drew a birthday cake, kicking off the celebration of Park's 100th anniversary!

Board members followed along with the Directed Drawing video at Park School during the regular Board meeting.

Background Picture: Elijah, Sawyer and Selah, along with Mr. Fogarty and Board President Linda Peckham-Dodge, show off their birthday cake drawings.

Inaugural Junior High Open Gym

The District hosted the first junior high open gym over winter break. 6th, 7th and 8th graders were invited to Jerling Jr High to play basketball, volleyball and other table games with their peers from across the three junior highs! District Administrators even stopped by to try out their hand in Jenga and Connect Four!

Katie Lazarski, Buildings & Grounds Secretary, tosses up a volleyball during open gym!

Parking Lot Safety

The new speed bumps and stop signs in the High Point/ OJH parking lot.

After High Point/Orland Jr. High Crossing Guard Daniel Tobin made a public comment at a committee meeting in October regarding unsafe traffic conditions in the school's parking lot, Board members along with the District Buildings & Grounds Department took action and added speed bumps and stop signs in the parking lot in order to provide students who walk to and from school a safer commute. Thank you Mr. Tobin for bringing this issue to the District's attention! We are proud to have you assisting our students on their walk to and from school.

Mr. Tobin, High Point and OJH's Crossing Guard, stopping traffic during dismissal!

Background Picture: Assistant Superintendent Dr. Lynn Zeder strategizes her next move while playing Jenga against two students.

Dates to Remember

  • January 10th: Board of Education Meeting @ Liberty
  • January 14th: PLDay - Early Release
  • January 17th: No School - Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Snow Day/Emergency Closure Precedures

In the event that District 135 needs to close school because of inclement weather (snow day) or some other emergency, notification will be shared as soon as possible. Every effort will be made to communicate the night before the closing; however, when this is not possible, communication will be sent by 6:00 a.m. on the day of the closing. The district will send a phone call, text, and email to families and staff announcing the school closure as well as post notifications on social media and the District website. Radio stations WGN 720-AM and WBBM 780-AM will both be notified along with TV channels CBS 2, NBC 5, ABC 7, WGN 9, and FOX 32. If an Emergency Day is called, students and staff will follow the Emergency Closure Plan that is on the District website.

Background Picture: The High Point Choir performed their Winter Concert in front of family & friends at Orland Junior High.

Staff Shout-Outs!

7th Grade Team - Jerling

The 7th grade Jerling team (Schaffer, Keith, Bragiel, Henning, Kassis, and Vetrone) & the fall coaches (Gow and Swanson), are recognized by Karen Clifton, "Your students are happy to be back in-person doing engaging activities and participating in fun projects/games. The students, parents, and your colleagues appreciate your efforts to make this district special."

Sandy Guendling- Center

Sandy is recognized by Kelly Cerrone, "She is a constant ray of sunshine! I love collaborating with Sandy to help our kiddos succeed everyday. She is always willing to go over and above to make each child's experience at Center the most positive one. She is so kind and understanding. She has supported me and helped me to strive to be a better teacher everyday."

Beth Yerkes & Sara Thompson - Meadow Ridge

Beth & Sara are recognized by Dana Karczewski & Lisa Weston, "They both go above and beyond for our students and staff. Every day they are faced with new challenges and they always overcome them with care and compassion. They are amazing educators and even better people! They deserve to be recognized for all their hard work."

Kelly Donlevy - Meadow Ridge

Kelly is recognized by Gabi Sanfilippo, "Kelly is such a positive influence on our school environment. She is flexible, supportive, and ready to jump in wherever she is needed in the building. Whether you see her at bus duty, math club, or subbing a classroom, she is always smiling and excited to be there. We are so lucky to have her at Meadow Ridge!"

Corrie Feltman - Meadow Ridge

Corrie is recognized by Cara Babcock, "She continues to impress me every time. She is young, calm, fun and authoritative. She knows how to comfort a crying child as well as praise her students in the most loving way. I am proud to work with such an amazing teacher. As difficult as her classroom may be at times, she would never show it and handles each child with dignity and love. She is an absolute inspiration!"

Kelly Murphy - Prairie

Kelly is recognized by Carrie Forystek, "She is amazing!!"

Lisa Schaffer - Jerling

Lisa is recognized by Lori Brosnan, "I am a PE teacher and I am working on my health endorsement. Last week on one of my free periods I asked Lisa if I could sit in on her class to observe, of course, she agreed. I am not sure if anyone realizes how difficult it is to teach 8th graders about Human Sexuality but I can tell you it is for most people, but not for Lisa. Mrs. Schaffer's class was amazing. She is extremely knowledgeable and makes the entire class comfortable while learning about a sensitive topic. She kept students engaged and on track avoiding any inappropriate behaviors. I was super impressed, in fact, afterward, I told her she deserved an award. Hats off to Lisa Schaffer for being an incredible teacher, I hope I can be half as good as her someday!"

To nominate a colleague, email Allison Kaleta at akaleta@orland135.com. Please include the following items in your submission:

  1. The staff member's name
  2. Their position within OSD135
  3. What they are doing that deserves recognition (please be as detailed as possible)
  4. Who is nominating them

Background Picture: Cetenntial STARS students took advantage of the warm December weather and played on the playground after school!

Special Recognitions - ABCDE

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

  • Whitney Freund: Jerling Jr High, Inspiration
  • Tatiana Fenolio: Liberty, Outstanding Achievement
  • Angela Nicholson: Park, Inspiration
  • Tess Mokate: Meadow Ridge, Compassion
  • Corrie Feltman, Sonya Kunka, Victoria French, Sara Thomson, Kelly Morrell, Dan Surdyk: Meadow Ridge, Compassion
  • Angie Ogean: Liberty, Outstanding Achievement
  • Faith Swanson: Jerling Jr High, Outstanding Achivement
  • Kevin Brown: Liberty, Compassion
  • Robin Garcia: Quest Food Services, Compassion
  • Janet Drew: Human Resources, Outstanding Achievement
  • Julie Muchna: Orland Jr High, Compassion
  • Kristen Jozsa: Meadow Ridge, Compassion
  • Elenia Kolliniatis: Liberty, Compassion
  • Kyle Haworth: Orland Jr High, Compassion
  • Sarah Szumigalski: Center, Compassion
  • Laura Bingham: Jerling Jr High, Compassion
  • Michelle Kedzierski: Center, Inspiration
  • Kathleen Silver: Meadow Ridge, Compassion
  • Angela Nicholson: Park, Compassion
  • Brian Fogarty: Park, Compassion
  • Lori Mathias: High Point, Outstanding Achievement
  • Sharon Grasman: High Point, Inspiration
Angela Nicholson with Board President Linda Peckham-Dodge

Background Picture: Board Vice President Dave Shalabi poses with Buildings & Grounds Director Rick Hansen, High Point Principal Colleen Joyce and Vice Principal Kristin Beeler during staff appreciation day!

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 Allison Kaleta at akaleta@orland135.org or call 708-364-3335 with information that you believe should be shared.

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Allison Kaleta
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