Gratitude

Giving Thanks! – #Engage109

mlubelfeld General Posts , , , , , , ,
“Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.”
– President John F. Kennedy

Happy-Thanksgiving-1

As we prepare to give thanks with our families and friends, it’s a nice time to reflect professionally on the great and multiple reasons for which we give thanks as well!

From a letter I sent to the Deerfield Public Schools District 109 Community earlier this week:

“Dear District 109 Staff, Parents, Grandparents and Community Members, …

I give thanks that our excellent teachers work in partnership with involved parents to allow students to reach their fullest academic potential and, more importantly, to create a community of caring, respect, trustworthiness, and integrity. Together, we are creating a high-achieving and highly caring educational environment that is a model for other communities to follow.

I’m thankful for our ability to connect with our community, and that you share your thoughts and provide valuable input so willingly with us. Your feedback and ideas are critical in our continuous improvement. When we launched the District 109 mobile app earlier this year, we included an icon for the “Your Voice” survey, a quick one- or two-question survey on important topics. The first survey asked the greatest area of concern for students in District 109. Responses came in from parents, students, staff and community members. The results show that the social-emotional well being of students is at the top of the list…

Your Voice Again
We’ve just opened a new Your Voice survey, so please visit the District 109 mobile app, swipe to the second page, and click on the Your Voice icon. Then, answer our quick question to share your opinion on computer coding. We’ll share those results in the coming months, and let you know if we’re taking any action based on your input…. ‘

We are grateful that we work in the DPS109 community, there are so many reasons why, including (but not limited to the following):

  • We are thankful for a Board of Education who act as a Governance Team,

    ENGAGE, INSPIRE, EMPOWER
    ENGAGE, INSPIRE, EMPOWER
  • We are thankful for a Leadership team who seek continuous improvement,
  • We are thankful for a teaching and support staff community who love children, education, and success,
  • We are thankful for the finest students in the world,
  • We are thankful for a community who supports education and the future with critical review and direct communication,
  • We are grateful to live in a free society where free expression is celebrated! Thank you so much for allowing us the privilege to

 

 

Engage, Inspire, Empower our students, one another, our community –

each and every day!

Thanksgiving Message 2015 – From the Superintendent

mlubelfeld General Posts , , , , , , , , , , , ,

“Kindness is a language that the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” – Mark Twain

Happy-Thanksgiving-1

Dear District 109 Staff, Parents, Grandparents and Community Members,

 20150129-215758.jpgOn behalf of the Board of Education and the leadership team of District 109, I want to express our appreciation to all of you for contributing to this amazing community of teachers, learners and leaders.

 How lucky we are that some of the most talented, professional, effective and caring educators work in our classrooms and offices, and that our buildings sit in the heart of a community that constantly displays its support for those schools, the staff and students in them, and public education as a whole.

 Teachers and staff: Thank you for being leading learners and the most inspiring educators. You show images (2)such in a strong commitment to continuous growth — your own professional growth, and your students’ growth as learners and as people. Your dedication and hard work put the children in this community on the path to college and career readiness and life success. We are also thankful for your emphasis on digital citizenship, decision making and social emotional learning. With a safe emotional environment, we can support achievement and learning.

 Parents, thank you for sending us children who are eager to tackle the challenges — and join the fun — that they encounter in their classrooms every day.  In allowing them to face those challenges, you build resilient, self-reliant citizens who are grateful for the guidance of the adults in their lives. More and images (1)more, we are fortunate to enjoy the participation of grandparents in our schools as well, so a special thanks to that generation of supporters! Thanks, too, to our community members and civic leaders who make supporting local schools a priority.

 I am so thankful that all of us, together, are creating a high-achieving and highly caring educational environment that is a model for other communities to follow. This spring, we will begin strategic planning that will allow us to cement our vision of the future for how our schools will continue to engage, inspire, and empower each and every person to the best of their abilities each and every day. We, of course, will ask for input from all you; look for more details in early 2016.

Sincerely,

 Mike
ENGAGE, INSPIRE, EMPOWER
ENGAGE, INSPIRE, EMPOWER

Preparing for our students’ future – now – focus on Science Education-STEM

mlubelfeld General Posts , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

“Being successful doesn’t necessarily make you great. What makes you great is when you reach back and help somebody else become great.”
– Joel Osteen


This year we have been celebrating so much change, energy and newness. We have renewed energy in technology, assessment, standards based progress reporting in grades K-5, modern lighting and environmental controls throughout the district, common core state standards aligned curriculum, teaching, learning and future planning – to name a few …

One of the major initiatives upon which we are focusing is a renewed focus on science education. To that end, with the support of our Board of Education as well as the amazing 140 member Superintendent’s Task Force for Middle Level Education’s STEM subcommittee, we built four world class labs this year at one of our middle schools.

It is often remarked that a picture is worth 1000 words … so for a picture of one of the modern labs:


Check this link for a 360 degree view of one of the lab/classrooms.

This year the Board of Education will consider the administration’s forthcoming recommendations to outfit the remaining middle school science labs at both campuses so that all students in grades 6-8 may enjoy a world class facility in which to learn science. Our teachers have been and continue to receive training and in-service workshops on the Next Generation Science Standards, 1:1 Transformative Educational practices, as well as advanced science in their new labs!

As we renew our focus on the shared belief that ALL children can learn and that ALL children deserve learning environments with high expectations it is incumbent upon us to maximize our facilities so that they too can support optimal learning and teaching. We take great pride in our teachers, staff, parents, students, community, and facilities.

Over the past few years We have shored up our technological infrastructure so that we may enjoy robust wifi and connectivity. We have replaced some lighting with LED energy efficient lighting. Our new science labs have energy dashboards that show solar panel electricity (photo electric), wind turbine electricity, and other measures of real life science. Our air quality and air conditioning projects have also enhanced the quality of the learning environments.

Our aim to engage, inspire, and empower is realized and supported by many facets of organization, education, leadership, finance, governance, and community support. While it’s appropriate at all times of the year to reflect and give thanks, it is especially relevant at this time of year!

We are fortunate to have so many supports, tools, and resources to support our noble and challenging work.

Letter I sent to DPS109 Faculty and Staff – Teacher/Educator Appreciation Week

mlubelfeld General Posts , , , , ,

“It’s exciting to see how fast your kids learn and grow. I’m not too worried about them, particularly the ones who like to break the rules and don’t follow instructions; those are the ones that will do just fine because they know what’s important to them.”
– Jerry Porras, Stewart Emery & Mark Thompson, Success Built to Last

Dear District 109 Teachers and Staff,

I hope that you feel the deep sincerity of these two words: THANK YOU!

Thank you for your dedication to our students. Thank you for the commitment to partnering with parents. Thank you for the early mornings and late nights that you spend preparing and planning, meeting with students and parents and colleagues, or studying and networking to further your own professional development. Thank you for the personal financial investments you have made to create a classroom that truly is a second, loving home for your students this year.

Thank you for your talents, and thank you for your love of the children in our community.

On April 28, the Board of Education’s approved a proclamation declaring Tuesday, May 6, 2014 Teacher Appreciation Day. As a token of our appreciation, the District administration and Board will provide breakfast for all staff (on Tuesday, May 6 at Caruso and Shepard; on Wednesday, May 7 at Kipling, South Park, Walden and Wilmot). You may see a few Board members coming to classrooms to show their appreciation in person this week. We hope that the signs at the school buildings and District Center make you smile – and encourage our students, parents and community members to show their appreciation as well.

If you are a Twitter user or follower you might have noticed a number of #ThankATeacher hashtags and tweets. If you are not a Twitter user or follower, now you know about the national / international reach of the THANK YOU and APPRECIATION so many people wish to say and share about YOU. Whether you are a classroom teacher, an Educational Support Person, an administrator, a school services professional, a special area teacher, YOU ARE APPRECIATED and we are all thankful for the honor and dedication you give to so many.

In our profession it sometimes takes years – or even a lifetime or career – to hear, learn about, receive, or feel “appreciation” that the investment of energy in teaching has paid off. For some it is a note, a letter, an email, a voicemail message, for others it is attending a wedding or significant family / life event of a former student. For us all it is the BELIEF and the HOPE that our selfless and often endless work on behalf of the students and community will “make a difference” or “pay off.”

Well, as your superintendent of schools, as your chief educational officer, I say YES – you all make a difference and you each make a difference. Each and every day and especially in honor of National Teacher Appreciation Day and Educator Appreciation Week, on behalf of the Board and the leadership team and the community, I extend a THANK YOU for all you do!

Please continue to Engage, Inspire, Empower each student every day. Enjoy your well deserved acknowledgement and appreciation.

Sincerely,

Mike