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"Wildcat Helping Hands Club" Join Today!

Wildcat Helping Hands Club

Join Today!

There's a new club in town and you can be the first to join!  Our club is called the Wildcat Helping Hands Club.  We are a group of friends that will have fun doing nice things for others in our community like children and adults with disabilities, troops overseas, and low income families.  We will make art projects that make people smile!  We will send letters and goodies that will make our troops overseas grin from ear to ear! And we will take the time to think of others.  Our meetings will be once a month, during the lunch hour.  Please look for the sign up sheet in your classroom and sign up by next Friday, October 14th!  Our first meeting will be on October 20th so that we can be a part of the "Make a Difference Day!"  

10/20    Lunch hour   Assemble PHD bags, start Thanksgiving day craft for Clearbrook residents 
11/17    Lunch hour    Complete Thanksgiving day craft for Clearbrook residents
12/8      Lunch hour    Help gather and sort toys/clothing for Palatine Township drive
1/19    Lunch hour    Write/draw letters for Troops/ help pack any donations for the troops
2/16    TBD
3/15    Lunch hour    Gather food from classrooms and bring down to PTA room
4/19    TBD
5/17    Lunch hour or after school    School clean up/plant flowers 
  
Parents, we would like to communicate via email so please email Nancy Edwards or Mary Beth Warner to let us know your child will be participating.  Our emails are: jnedwards5@comcast.net  or  mmwarner@comcast.net.


Thank you,
Mary Beth and Nancy

Check out the NEW Donation Collection Bin at Whiteley!

Donation Collection Bin 
We have a new donation collection bin at Whiteley.  Please help us raise funds for the PTA while making donations of your used items.  It's time to clean out your closets and drawers!  Place household items, shoes, clothing, books & jewelry in a bag, and drop it into the bin located near the sidewalk of the circle drive.  It's that easy!  
Thank you for your generosity!

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D-15 To Consider Educational Farm

D-15 To Consider Educational Farm

Community Consolidated School District 15 will explore using a vacant parcel of land for an educational farm.

By Brian Slupski
 | September 14, 2011

School District 15 is exploring using a vacant 40-acre parcel on Ela Road for an educational farm.

Superintendent Scott Thompson raised the idea at the school board's Wednesday meeting.

"I don't want this program to take away any dollars that are currently coming into the district," Thompson said. "I would pursue some funding outside of the district."

There are no firm plans for the farm yet. Thompson simply gained the school board's blessing to investigate the idea further. Thompson plans to contact potential partners such as Harper College or Township High School District 211.

The property originally was purchased by the school district as a potential location for a new school. However, in recent years the district's enrollment has levelled off.

"If we use it as a farm we still have it in the event something changes down the road and you do need to build it," Thompson said. "With a farm we could still be utilizing the property now."

Thompson said he wants to get people together to discuss the possibilities, seek out funding, create a more detailed plan and bring if back to the school board for consideration.

"To allow kids to learn about growing vegetables, where their food comes from," Thompson said. "And hopefully, eventually, teach them to eat nutritionally and to understand that you can really make some good food out of some things that are grown locally."

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Video Online - District 15 BOE

5d2f647f426958420c838c83f64fab
Education Matters

Searching For Transparency in School District 211

District 15 school board meetings are now available online in addition to local cable stations - why not District 211?
  • Email the author
  • August 26, 2011
    •  Print
    &nbps;3 Comments
     Tweet Email
    Sponsored By 
    Ad1875083st1sz596sq20434566v0i

    Community Consolidated School District 15 has made its first school board meeting video available online – and I for one couldn’t be happier. The Aug. 10 meeting can now be viewed at the public's convenience.
    Signs of true transparency and accountability have been showing up at an ever increasing pace since the last school board election. That’s when the community voted in three new members with a platform that included a pledge of open and transparent decision-making. 
    Not only is the district beginning to make meeting videos available online but a new Board Communications Committee has been established. Its charge is to plan a series of quarterly Q&A sessions with residents on agenda topics selected by the community via online surveys. The first one is expected in October. 
    And just yesterday the district sent out its first official “tweet” on Twitter, a social networking service.
    Which brings me to the question – what is Township High School District 211 doing to improve communications with its community?  Why aren’t their school board meetings videotaped and broadcast on cable or uploaded to their website? D-211 is the largest high school district in Illinois and enrolls students from Palatine, Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates and Rolling Meadows.   
    It shouldn’t be a question of technology. D-211 completely remodeled its Board room four years ago when it made several improvements to the administration center located on Roselle Road in Palatine. A press release dated November 2007 said the project included additional space for the meeting room along with video equipment to televise board room events.
    As reported in last week’s Chicago Tribune Taping a sticky issue for some school boards – School boards caught on tape, parents in one northwest suburban district have taken it upon themselves to record meetings and post them online in a quest for accountability. 
    Palatine residents have already “been there, done that”. In recent years, D-15 parents recorded special board meetings to approve the last teachers’ contract and an appointment to fill a board vacancy. At the time, only regular meetings were recorded by the district.   
    As stated in the article, the public can’t always make the meetings but it is important for them to be aware of what is going on. Particularly now as D-15 struggles with 

    Video Online - District 15 BOE

    5d2f647f426958420c838c83f64fab
    Education Matters

    Searching For Transparency in School District 211

    District 15 school board meetings are now available online in addition to local cable stations - why not District 211?
  • Email the author
  • August 26, 2011
    •  Print
    &nbps;3 Comments
     Tweet Email
    Sponsored By 
    Ad1875083st1sz596sq20434566v0i

    Community Consolidated School District 15 has made its first school board meeting video available online – and I for one couldn’t be happier. The Aug. 10 meeting can now be viewed at the public's convenience.
    Signs of true transparency and accountability have been showing up at an ever increasing pace since the last school board election. That’s when the community voted in three new members with a platform that included a pledge of open and transparent decision-making. 
    Not only is the district beginning to make meeting videos available online but a new Board Communications Committee has been established. Its charge is to plan a series of quarterly Q&A sessions with residents on agenda topics selected by the community via online surveys. The first one is expected in October. 
    And just yesterday the district sent out its first official “tweet” on Twitter, a social networking service.
    Which brings me to the question – what is Township High School District 211 doing to improve communications with its community?  Why aren’t their school board meetings videotaped and broadcast on cable or uploaded to their website? D-211 is the largest high school district in Illinois and enrolls students from Palatine, Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates and Rolling Meadows.   
    It shouldn’t be a question of technology. D-211 completely remodeled its Board room four years ago when it made several improvements to the administration center located on Roselle Road in Palatine. A press release dated November 2007 said the project included additional space for the meeting room along with video equipment to televise board room events.
    As reported in last week’s Chicago Tribune Taping a sticky issue for some school boards – School boards caught on tape, parents in one northwest suburban district have taken it upon themselves to record meetings and post them online in a quest for accountability. 
    Palatine residents have already “been there, done that”. In recent years, D-15 parents recorded special board meetings to approve the last teachers’ contract and an appointment to fill a board vacancy. At the time, only regular meetings were recorded by the district.   
    As stated in the article, the public can’t always make the meetings but it is important for them to be aware of what is going on. Particularly now as D-15 struggles with 

    Patch Article: BOE Meetings can be viewed online

    Education Matters

    Searching For Transparency in School District 211

    District 15 school board meetings are now available online in addition to local cable stations - why not District 211?
  • Email the author
  • August 26, 2011
    •  Print
    &nbps;2 Comments
     Tweet Email
    Sponsored By 
    Ad1875083st1sz596sq20434566v0i

    Community Consolidated School District 15 has made its first school board meeting video available online – and I for one couldn’t be happier. The Aug. 10 meeting can now be viewed at the public's convenience.
    Signs of true transparency and accountability have been showing up at an ever increasing pace since the last school board election. That’s when the community voted in three new members with a platform that included a pledge of open and transparent decision-making. 
    Not only is the district beginning to make meeting videos available online but a new Board Communications Committee has been established. Its charge is to plan a series of quarterly Q&A sessions with residents on agenda topics selected by the community via online surveys. The first one is expected in October. 
    And just yesterday the district sent out its first official “tweet” on Twitter, a social networking service.
    Which brings me to the question – what is Township High School District 211 doing to improve communications with its community?  Why aren’t their school board meetings videotaped and broadcast on cable or uploaded to their website? D-211 is the largest high school district in Illinois and enrolls students from Palatine, Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates and Rolling Meadows.   
    It shouldn’t be a question of technology. D-211 completely remodeled its Board room four years ago when it made several improvements to the administration center located on Roselle Road in Palatine. A press release dated November 2007 said the project included additional space for the meeting room along with video equipment to televise board room events.
    As reported in last week’s Chicago Tribune Taping a sticky issue for some school boards – School boards caught on tape, parents in one northwest suburban district have taken it upon themselves to record meetings and post them online in a quest for accountability. 
    Palatine residents have already “been there, done that”. In recent years, D-15 parents recorded special board meetings to approve the last teachers’ contract and an appointment to fill a board vacancy. At the time, only regular meetings were recorded by the district.   
    As stated in the article, the public can’t always make the meetings but it is important for them to be aware of what is going on. Particularly now as D-15 struggles with a $6.4 million budget deficit and prepares to negotiate with the teachers’ union whose contract expires in August 2012.  
    D-211 has put forth a balanced budget yet there are no plans to reinstate aaaa

    CCSD15 Message

     

    August 24, 2011

     

    Dear District 15 parents, students, staff, and community members:

    The day has come, the 2011-12 school year has started. Approximately 12,000 District 15 students walked through the front doors of their schools this morning, ready to continue their educations. I hope you are as excited as I am by the opportunities presented by this occasion.

    The start of each school year is always exciting because everyone approaches what lies ahead with optimism and positive energy. But my first year on the job here in District 15 taught me that our district excels because our community does a remarkable job of supporting our students and setting high expectations. Students excel because we are continually working together to build a "connected learning community."

    Whether you're a parent, student, staff member, or community member, you play an important role in our work to produce world-class learners. Thank you for doing your part to fulfill the promise that this new school year presents.

    Sincerely, 

    Scott B. Thompson
    Superintendent of Schools  

    Community Consolidated School District 15
    Serving all or part of: 
    Palatine · Rolling Meadows · Inverness · Arlington Heights 
    Hoffman Estates · Schaumburg · South Barrington 
    847-963-3000
    www.ccsd15.net

    (download)

    Interview with Mrs. Croak - Room 109

    Some may know by now, Mrs. Croak will be finishing her final year here at Whiteley.  She has accepted a transfer to a new school in District 15 for the 2011-2012 school year.  We were able to catch up with the always inspiring, Mrs. Croak for some conversation and pictures in ROOM 109.

     

    How many years of teaching at Whiteley?  When did you start teaching?
    16 years at Whiteley
     8 years at Lake Louise 
     2 years at Robert Frost
    Grades taught have ranged from K thru 2nd grade, but most of the 26 years have been 2nd grade.

    When and why did you decide that teaching was for you?
    Mrs. Croak grew up involved with gymnastics and many of the same principles that she used during her gymnastics years can be applied to teaching.  She comes from a big family with 4 younger brothers also involved with education and has always felt that teaching was for her.

    Do former students keep in touch or check in with you through the years?
    Recently some former students have found her on Facebook.  She is recognized many places from former students.  Her teenage daughters that now attend Fremd High School have also been recognized from their unique last name.  Mrs. Croak's High School Intern, Ms. Nikki Troia, just happened to be one of her former students.

    We will miss you!!!  What will you miss about teaching at Whiteley?
     "It's a short drive to work" (she says with a smile on her face).  She can listen to 1 song on the ride into work and then she's there.  (Not to mention a short drive home, too:)  Of course, she will miss the families and all the relationships she has built from her time teaching at Whiteley.  Her new team at Willow Bend School have already welcomed her and even sent her a Cookiegram.  They are very thoughtful. (and very lucky to have Mrs. Croak on their team)

    Top 3 Favorite books.
    The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom wiki   
    Books by Kristin Hannah link            
    Caldacot Books.  So many to mention.

    Favorite shows to watch.
    Oprah 
    Dr. Phil

    What is your farewell message? 
    Dear Whiteley Friends,
    I have accepted a job transfer for next year and would like to bid farewell to our Whiteley Families.  They say that "If you love what you do, you won't have to work a day in your life."  Well, that is the best way to describe my time here at Whiteley.  It has been a "Sweet 16" years serving this community.  I will bring a little bit of all of you with me on my new journey. 
     I wish you all the best of everything.    
     Terry Croak

    Favorite Quote  - "Success is leading a fully engaged life in which all your gifts and talents are developed and put to their highest use." -Stedman Graham

    A final note:  Anyone that has ever had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Croak or was lucky enough to have her as a teacher for their child knows what an incredibly genuine, thoughtful and talented person she is.  Mrs. Croak, we wish you well on your new journey and we will miss you!  
    (download)
    (download)
    Brought to you by the Communications Committee

     

    Navigate15 Community Engagement meeting will be held tonight from 7-9 p.m. in the cafeteria at Winston Campus.

    Having trouble viewing this email? Click here
    Community Consolidated School District 15

     

    Navigate15

    April 25, 2011   

     

    Navigate15: Facilities 
    Buildings and grounds issues 
    to be explored at tonight's meeting

    The fifth in a series of seven Navigate15community engagement sessions will examine the facilities concerns facing District 15.

     

    During this meeting, which will be held tonight from 7-9 p.m. in the cafeteria at Winston Campus, 900 E. Palatine Road in Palatine, participants will discuss the following questions:

    • What are some of the long- and short-term operations and maintenance concerns presented by the District's facilities, and what are the District's plans for addressing them?
    • How are the District's facilities impacting learning, and what changes can or need to be made to those facilities for the purpose of improving education?
    • How will the District's facilities be affected by changes in the District's population?

    Handout: Excerpt from Do School Facilities Affect Academic Outcomes?Mark Schneider, November 2002 (PDF 134KB)

     

    More than 70 residents, parents, and staff members participated in the lastNavigate15 community engagement session--a March 29 meeting that highlighted the role technology plays in education today. During the meeting, Deputy Superintendent Jim Garwood delivered a PowerPoint presentation that looked at how technology is used for teaching and learning in the 21st century.

     

    Afterward, participants in the Navigate15 process broke into small groups to discuss what they had just heard and answer the following questions: 

    • What are the perceived strengths in the District's current use of technology to support student learning?
    • Where are opportunities for improvement in the District's use of technology to support student learning?
    • How would you like to see technology used to facilitate the acquisition of higher order skills (21st century skills)?

    They concluded the meeting by recording their consensus findings and submitting their individual questions for administrators to answer. Answers to these questions will be available soon on the District 15 website.

     

    Navigate15 community engagement sessions are intended to help shape the future direction of District 15 by opening the lines of communication between the District and the communities it serves. The District will use feedback it receives from those who attend these meetings to prepare recommendations that will be presented to the Board of Education in August 2011.

     

    Two more Navigate15 meetings will be held following the April 25 session, and the District has invited all residents to participate in them: 

    • May 31--Finances: School Finances 101 and Planning for the Future
    • June 21--Final Recommendations: Creating an Executive Summary for the Board of Education

    All Navigate15 community engagement sessions will be held from 7-9 p.m.in the cafeteria at Winston Campus, 900 E. Palatine Road in Palatine.


    For more information on Navigate15, e-mail navigate15@ccsd15.net, call847-963-3210, or visit www.ccsd15.net | About District 15 | Community Involvement | Navigate15.


    Community Consolidated School District 15
    Serving all or part of: 
    Palatine · Rolling Meadows · Inverness · Arlington Heights 
    Hoffman Estates · Schaumburg · South Barrington 
    847-963-3000
    www.ccsd15.net


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    The Japan Relief Fair at District 15's Frank C. Whiteley School raised more than $10,000 for the American Red Cross.

    D-15 Japan Relief Fair Raises More Than $10,000

    The Japan Relief Fair held at Frank C. Whiteley School April 2 raised more than $10,000 for the American Red Cross.

    April 11, 2011

    The Japan Relief Fair at District 15's Frank C. Whiteley School raised more than $10,000 for the American Red Cross.

    "It far exceeded our expectations in every way," said Mary Szuch, Whiteley's principal in a prepared statement.

    The proceeds from the April 2 event will go to help the victims of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The fair drew more than 300 people and was manned by about 150 volunteers.

    Whiteley, located at 4335 Haman Ave. in Hoffman Estates, serves kindergarten through sixth grade students. The school has about 40 students who are Japanese and District 15 as a whole has about 75 Japanese families. The families worked with Yuko Nakagawa, a bilingual teacher at Whiteley and native of Japan, to organize the fair.

    “We’re so proud of these families for coming together to plan this outreach effort, and we’re incredibly grateful for all that they, themselves, contributed to make it such an incredible success,” Szuch said in a press release.

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