Building Showcase

  It is that time of year that we want to recognize all the amazing learning and dedication of our staff.   As Educators we do not take enough time each year to celebrate each other and our schools.  If you have a celebration please submit it to be shared in a future posts!  Kaneland is a very special place to learn and work!  Let's shout our stories of success to our community!  

KHS- We had over 30 new submissions for Personalized Learning 3.0! 

HMS- Our Student Services staff finalized our Student Appreciation Week that will take place from March 18-22.  It's a great week where we celebrate our awesome students through activities, having a spirit week, and capping it off with an all-school assembly!

KIPLA- The KIPLA staff jointly presented on the IgKnight Academy structure at the Kane County Institute Day. The session reached max. capacity, with educators from at least 5 other districts/organizations in attendance. The greatest interest from attendees was in regard to the use of proficiency tables and learning continuums to build customized pathways of learning.  The team even received a business card from an educator interested in working in Kaneland, due to the district focus on PL.

KST- Students all completed a data dive review of the writing SIP data.  Students were part of the discussion of what makes a distinguished writer.  Excellent structure for relfection. 

KBK- Staff spent time on the Institute day collaborating with each other and some teams worked on  creating personalized pathways for classes.   One staff member worked on pathways for technology and already shared with others across the district. 

KME- KME hosted their first Book and Jammies night and welcomed author Dusti Bowling.  The virtual author visit was attended by over 100 students!  What a great first virtual event!  KUDOS to Dr. Mance for her hard work on this event.  Also, 4th grade STEM team came together to put together an SEL-based KDAB goal to help with the increase in behaviors observed in their grade span over the last two months!

KSS-KSS kindergarten teachers for heading to another school with a focus on inquiry in reading instruction!  Great job sharing and learning from each other. 

District- We were very excited to have 15 staff members share thier Personalized Learning 3.0 evidence with us on Friday!  Lots of great sharing and learning structures for our students.  KUDOS! 

Learning Walk Recap

 We wanted to take a moment to thank all of the teachers who hosted Ed Services for learning walks. We are seeing some really incredible things happening in our schools. From 1st graders who are goal setting and referencing proficiency criteria, to juniors in high school who are using what they know about themselves to direct their own path in learning, and everywhere in between, our Kaneland students are receiving an awesome education! We spent a lot of time focusing on feedback structures and engaging with students. We can't wait to get back out in the next week or so to see even more! 

Keep up the great work!

Sharing Our Connections

 We are excited to begin to think about our kick off and welcome event for next school year, as well as celebrating our connections across our district.  We would love to begin to collect all the ways we make connections across our schools and community from staff, community and students.  Please share this link with all families and students to complete as well and take a moment as a staff member to complete these three brief questions to share your connections.       

Survey Link

Leading Well Book Study Wrap Up

 Our Administrative Team, MTSS Coordinators and Instructional Coaches at the EC-5 level met for our last Leading Well book study this week.  Although there were so many great reflective thoughts shared, there was one powerful statement that summarized it all.  Please take a moment to reflect on what this statement within your practices.  As always, feel free to follow up on these conversations with any Coach or Coordinator.   

Teach the writer not writing! 

Send Us News

 Do you have something exciting to share about your school? Perhaps a recent achievement, an upcoming event, or a new program? If so, the Communication Department wants to hear from you! Your news may be featured in press releases, social media, the district's website, the KCN Newsletter, and more. Take advantage of this opportunity to share your good news with the Kaneland community! Visit www.kaneland.org/departments/communications to submit news. 

Author Classroom Visit Give Away Contest

 We are excited to have TWO Virtual or In-Person Author Visits to give away to our classrooms.  Here is how to enter!  Good luck and be extraordinary! 

K-5 Writing Post Audits

 We are excited for the learning writing audits to begin very soon.  Anne Olsen will begin visiting classrooms to review writer's workshop and conferring beginning this week.  The audits will take place for the month of March (with the start in the last few days of February).  Please remember these are non-evaluative and the data and observations are used to plan professional growth for the district.  If you would like to request personnel audit feedback please email Sarah Mumm to be entered on a list for Anne to share your audit template.  Below you will find the template Anne uses and our writing delivery table.  

Audit template

Writing Delivery Table 

Final 2.5 Months of Personalized Learning 3.0 Submissions

Can you believe the end of the year is coming in clearer sight!  This year has flown.  It has almost been two years since we adopted as a district the 10 tenets of personalized learning.  For those in the first round of two years (all but new hires this year) your evidence of the 10 tenets is due by May 28, 2024.  Please contact any member of the Department of Educational Service to come and review your evidence, or submit a google doc or submit through Canvas courses.  Let us, or any Admin, know how we can support you.  

Lucky Duck Weekly Winner

 Hello all!  We had a few more duck matches after our Institute Day on Friday!  KUDOS to all the duck hunters out there.  Time is ticking to find your match.  If you are luck duck #39 email Sarah Mumm for a weekly treat to be sent your way!  Good luck. 

Extraordinary Teachers Contest

 Thank you for all the submissions for the autographed Jenny figment book by our local author.  The submissions we amazing to hear the great celebrations of our amazing teachers in Kaneland.  The books will be sent to those nominated this week!  A special shout out to the following staff nominated by their peers:

Samantha Maurer

Jenelle Mance

Stacie Salzman

Lauren Banbury 

Lacey Trunkhill

Stephanie Unger

Thank you for all the work you do to support each other and our students!  

Paraprofessional Program

 Calling all Paraprofessionals!  

Have you thought about getting a Special Education teaching license?  If so, please check out this link from Illinois State University.  ISU is offering a special program called "Paraprofessionals Unlocking Licensure in Special Education (Pulse)" for Paraprofessionals that will result in becoming certified as a Special Education Teacher (LBS 1 Certification).  ISU is billing this program as economical, convenient, and fast.  It is worth taking a look!  Pulse Program at ISU  

Suggested Report Card Edits

It is that time of year again to share feedback on any possible edits your teams would like to the report card for school year 2024-25.  Please take a moment to add any suggestions at all to this google doc that you would like considered for revisions.