Visions Newsletter

May 6, 2021

Meet the School District 54
2021 Ensuring Student Success Winners

District 54 is proud to announce the following recipients of the 2021 Ensuring Student Success Awards. These individuals were recognized during surprise visits in April.

• Sonia McKenzie, a kindergarten teacher at Stevenson Elementary School, won in the classroom teacher category.
• Joni Beniacs, the Health Services Chairperson and a nurse at Einstein Elementary School, won in the licensed support staff category.
• Scott Ross, principal of Mead Junior High School, won in the administrator category.
• Ingrid Ackerman, the head lunch supervisor at Addams Junior High School, won in the unlicensed support staff category.
• Lily Moradi, a Chinese Immersion teacher at Campanelli Elementary School, won in the early career educator category.
• Einstein PTA President Kim Morrissey won in the volunteer category.
• A Keller Junior High School Team of Principal Tom Barbini, Assistant Principal Nate Molby, Social Worker Mike Kaper, Psychologist Meg Kwak and Custodians Sue Holan, Austin Harford, Gary Halatek and Ruben Alba Jr. won in the team category for their efforts with distributing food on Friday evenings to financially struggling families.

Click here to read more about our award recipients and check out the video above from the surprise visits.

Brief from the May 6, 2021 Board Meeting

Discussion - Equity and Inclusion Overview:
Members of the District 54 Equity and Inclusion Task Force shared an overview of the work the group has done this year related to equity and inclusion in District 54 and how that work supports the District 54 mission of ensuring whole child success. District 54 has long been committed to ensuring that all students have access to the resources and support they need to succeed.

In 2020, District 54 asked for volunteers for the Equity and Inclusion Task Force, which was tasked with taking the district's equity work to the next level by ensuring that our educational practices are equitable and support an inclusive and diverse school community. More than 300 employees applied. A task force was formed with 47 members with representatives from each school and community members, and the other employees were asked to serve as equity ambassadors at their schools.

Task force members were asked to identify what a positive vision for equity and inclusion would look like for students, staff and community. Common themes resonated among members and the following statement was created.

In District 54, we will promote a culture of unconditional belonging in which all students, staff, and community members will be treated with dignity.  We will ensure high levels of access to resources, experiences, and success. In District 54 we strive to ensure that all students, staff, and community members are safe, welcome, and cared for; heard, validated, and supported; and represented in curriculum and staffing.

It is the recommendation of the administration to include this equity and inclusion vision statement in the District 54 Promise Strategic Plan. In addition, the steering committee identified three pillars as a focus for the 2021-2022 school year.

• Develop a culture of belonging and dignity.
• Build the cultural competency of our professional learning communities.
• Recruit, select and retain a staff that is reflective of our student demographics.

As we move into the 2021-22 school year, staff focus groups will be formed to examine how we can continue to evolve as a district with a culture of dignity and belonging for all.

For more information from tonight's board meeting, click here.

• Cheryl Gleason, a Stevenson parent and Schaumburg Township Council of PTAs president, received this honor in the parent category;
• Six District 54 students who served on the Special Olympics Illinois Youth Activation Committee received this honor in the team category; and
• Jennifer DiGioia, an administrative assistant at the district office, received this honor in the support staff category.