The LearningCONNECTIONCONNECTION

Fall 2020Frankfort School District 157-C

Frankfort 157-C welcomes new staff members during “New Tiger Orientation”

Frankfort School District 157-C proudly wel-comed 25 new staff members to its team during

New Staff Orientation the week of August 10. Human Resources gave an overview of the week and Superintendent Dr. Zinni introduced the Ad-mininstrative team and went over the 21st Century Learning Plan. Over the course of the week, both returning and new staff went through a variety of trainings and workshops in Office365, Run, Hide, Fight, SeeSaw, and Crisis Prevention (CPI).

Frankfort 157-C staff Jordan Tsoulos, Diane Heim-lich, and Nicole Resier lead the 8-hour CPI training. This training focused on de-escalation strategies with emphasis on maximizing student and staff social-emo-tional wellbeing and physical safety.

Tsoulos said, “ Staff from 157-C participated in a full day Crisis Prevention Institute Training (CPI). This course focuses on using various tools; such as obser-vation of behavior, understanding precursors, as well as therapeutic rapport to meet the needs of students in the school setting.”

Staff particpated in SeeSaw and Office365 training, lead by Julie Cholly and Liz Hlotke. “The teachers learned how to engage students in activities using the Seesaw platform. The teachers learned how students can “show what they know” using photos, videos, drawings, text, PDFs, and links”, Cholly said of the SeeSaw training. 157-C is excited to see how our teachers will use Seesaw to engage our students this year! Continued on Page 2

Grand Prairie Elementary School Chelsea Intermediate School Hickory Creek Middle Schoolw w

A Message toDistrict Families fromYour Superintendent

Frankfort School District 157-C is about to embark on a school year like none we have ever experienced. Please know that the health and safety of our students, staff, and the Frankfort community is of prime importance in all of our decisions. Our commitment to providing the very best educa-tional experience for our stu-dents remains front and center as we navigate the challenges of this pandemic.

Community members are always welcome to participate in our Board of Education meetings, or keep up-to-date on what is happening in our District by reading Board meeting recaps at www.fsd157c.org. Meeting informa-tion and recaps are available in the Board of Education section of the District Office tab.

Thank you for your support of our District!

Dr. Maura J. Zinni

New staff participate in a variety of trainings during “New Tiger Orientation” August 10 through August 14.

The Learning Connection Fall 2020

Continued from Page 1 New teachers in grade 3 through 8 also participated in an Office365 training. Hlot-ke said, “New staff learned how to use the tools to communicate and collaborate with colleagues and students.” Grand Prairie, Chelsea, and HickoryCreek each welcomed eight new staff mem-bers and the District welcomed a new Dis-trict-wide employee. Frankfort 157-C has strict standards for hiring to ensure we hire the best quality can-didate. Director of Human Resources Shayna Cole said, “Every year, the District hits the ground running for hiring season with one goal in mind- to bring in the most qualified teachers and support staff to meet the needs of our school community. Our administrative teams work diligently to screen all applicants prior to selecting candidates for in person interviews and we select team members from different content areas and grade levels to ensure a diverse makeup for the interview committee and that we are selecting the right candidate.” District 157-C is proud to welcome all of its new and returning talented and dedicat-

ed educators for a successful year.

Frankfort 157-C Superintendent Update The Frankfort District 157-C Board of Ed-ucation selected Chelsea Intermediate School Principal Doug Wernet to fill the position of Superintendent following Dr. Maura Zinni’s retirement at the end of the 2020-2021 school year. “We believe Mr. Wernet’s vision as a leader fits perfectly into our District mission of educating the whole child while still support ing the needs of each child,” Board President Edith Lutz said.

Doug Wernet to serve as Frankfort 157-C Superintendent next year.

Congratulations, retirees! Frankfort 157-C would also like to congratulate Sue Niendorf, Cheryl O’Brien, and Linda Newman on their retirement. We wish you the best in your future endeavors and will miss you as we begin the school year. Thank you for your dedication to our students and staff throughout your years at 157-C.

Sue Niendorf HCMS ELA teacher

36 years of service

Cheryl O’Brien HCMS Math

Interventionist25 years

of service

Linda Newman Chelsea

Art Clerk20 years

of service

Frankfort 157-C Honors Eighth Grade Class of 2020 with Drive-By Graduation CeremonyOn Thursday, May 28, hundreds of cars lined up at Lincoln-Way

East High School to celebrate the Hickory Creek Class of 2020. Graduation this year looked quite different than previous years.

Graduates did not get to walk across the stage to receive their diplo-ma and shake hands with the Superintendent to a crowd of friends and family. This year, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the staff to think outside the box.

With the support of Superintendent Dr. Zinni and the District team, HCMS staff ordered yard signs for all the graduates. Teacher volunteers delivered all 322 signs to students’ homes along with a goodie bag of graduation mementos. Dotson pulled together a team of staff and students to video tape a virtual graduation ceremony.

The HCMS staff also organized a drive-by graduation. Jason Crockett, Hickory Creek assistant principal, organized the drive-by graduation with the help of Tricia Dotson, Hickory Creek principal, and Paula Paymaster, Hickory Creek assistant principal. “Once we realized that we were going to be unable to have a traditional gradu-ation ceremony for our eighth graders, we pulled together alternative plans,” explained Dotson.

Families decorated their cars and trucks with balloons, signs, and streamers. Graduates’ names were announced right before their vehicle passed under a gold and maroon balloon arch. When asked about his 8th grade year Sohum Desai remarked, “My past 3 years at HCMS have helped to shape me into the person I am today. I’ve made so many new friends, learned so much from my amazing teachers, discovered what it takes to be a great leader, and found many new interests! The graduation ceremony hosted by

Hickory Creek was an awesome experience! It was super cool to see all my friends and teachers one last time!” Student Addyson Miritello said of her 2020 graduation, “Everything from the parade to virtual graduation was better than I imagined. Thanks to all the staff and teachers for making our graduation special.” When asked what made the Class of 2020 special, Principal Tricia Dotson said, “This class was special because of their kindness and ability to make everything fun. The proof is found in the way that they accepted the unfortunate circumstances of their eighth grade year ending the way it did in a pandemic and still managing to make our drive by graduation celebration one that will be remembered for years!” To each and every one of our 322 graduates, Frankfort 157-C is proud of you. We wish you the best of luck in high school and beyond!

A Hickory Creek graduate shows off his graduation gown.

Frankfort School District 157-C A Tradition of Excellence

Hickory Creek Earns Blue Ribbon Award for P.E. ProgramFrankfort School District 157-C is pleased

to announce that Hickory Creek Middle School’s Physical Education program has been selected to receive a Blue Ribbon Award from the Illinois Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (IAH-PERD). In order to be eligible for the Blue Ribbon award, school districts must offer P.E. five days a week, have a comprehensive writ-ten curriculum, administer written assess-ments, and show continual improvement. Last school year, the Hickory Creek P.E. team (Sean Connolly, Pam Dettman, Cyle Ford, Josh Purpura, and Jennifer Rodgers) completed the Blue Ribbon application and put together a portfolio that showcased the curriculum of a variety of team, individual, and fitness-related activities. Although students repeat activities andsports throughout their years at Hickory Creek, such as basketball, volleyball, softball, and FitnessGram testing, a unique feature of the P.E. program at HCMS is offered during the eighth grade year. At the end of seventh grade, students pick between three options

for the following school year: Competitive P.E., Traditional P.E., or Fit for Life. Students also participate in “Fitness Friday”, a variety of fitness games, and cardio-based, or interval training workouts. Another highlight of Hickory Creek’s P.E. program is the annual wheelchair basketball fundraiser with the Lincoln-Way Special Recreation Association (LWSRA).

The HCMS teachers play wheelchair bas-ketball against the Rolling Hawks, LWSRA’s wheelchair basketball team. Over the past eight years, Frankfort 157-C has raised nearly $25,000 for their organization. The Blue Ribbon was awarded after a rigor-ous review based on Hickory Creek’s “exem-plary quality and commitment” to state and national standards in P.E. The Blue Ribbon status is valid for five years. Superintendent Dr. Zinni congratulated Hickory Creek, saying “Between the depth and variety of our curriculum and the access to state-of-the-art fitness equipment, our middle school students are learning the value of making smart choices that will positively impact their bodies and their minds. Con-gratulations to the HCMS PE teachers for their hard work to help our students lead healthy, active lives.” Frankfort 157-C is proud of Hickory Creek’s P.E. program and is excited to see the program become a shining example for exemplary P.E. throughout Illinois and the United States.

Volunteerism and charitable giving are a large part of the culture at Frankfort

157-C. During the 2019-2020 school year, students participated in opportunities to raise money and donate much needed items for worthy causes. “Engaging in acts of charity is a cornerstone of our educational program in Frankfort 157-C. Each of the charitable giving campaigns involves an educational piece and a service component,” Dr. Zinni remarked. “I want to thank our staff and families for working together to help our students understand the importance of giving back. Their contribu-tions are truly making a difference.”

Take a look at some of the highlights from Frankfort 157-C’s Charitable Giving Cam-paign last year:

District-Wide Students donated thousands of pounds of food to the Frankfort Food Pantry.

Students also donated 100 pounds of tabs to Ronald McDonald.

Hickory Creek $5,333 raised for Honor Flight $4,256 donated to Lincoln-Way Special Recreation Association $1,510.90 raised for Cystic Fibrosis Great Strides

Chelsea Over 1,700 canned goods collected for the Frankfort Food Pantry $24,213 raised for the Kids for Heart Foundation

Grand Prairie 83 care packages packed for active troops 1,545 non-perishable items collected for the Frankfort Food Pantry

Save the Date: 7th Annual Kids Walk to Cure Diabetes May 2021

Students utilizing their collabora-tion, teamwork, and leadership skills during P.E.

Charitable Giving Campaign Update

Grand Prairie students show off the do-nations for the Frankfort Food Pantry.

Non-profit OrganizationSTD MAIL

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Permit #17Frankfort, IL 60423-2235

Frankfort C.C. School District 157-CAdministrative Office10482 W. Nebraska StreetFrankfort, Illinois 60423Telephone (815) 469-5922www.fsd157c.orgwww.facebook.com/frankfort157cwww.twitter.com/fsd157c

Printed on Recycled Paper

Award-winning newsletter

SuperintendentDr. Maura J. Zinni

Board of EducationEdith Lutz, PresidentBrett Cosich, Vice PresidentEdie Adamski, SecretaryMichael Bouck, MemberGina Briese, MemberDr. Larry Kociolek, MemberBrian Skibinski, Member

EditorNicole Swanberg

POSTAL CUSTOMERFRANKFORT, ILLINOIS 60423

Inside This Issue...

District 157-C welcomes new staff for “New Tiger Orientation”How Frankfort 157-C celebrated its Class of 2020Hickory Creek earns Blue Ribbon Award for P.E. Program

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District 157-C Legal Notice — Integrated Pest ManagementFrankfort School District 157-C complies with the Illinois Structural Pest Control Act, the Illinois Pesticide Act, the Illinois Lawn Care Products Application and Notification Act, and the Pesticide Application at Schools Act through the active involvement in an Integrated Pest Management Program and an Outdoor Spraying and Fertil-izer Application Program. As part of this program, the District relies to the greatest extent possible on non-toxic, biological, cultural and mechanical pest management practices as well as the use of natural pest control agents. Chemical and airborne pesticides will be used only when necessary, and as a last resort, with a preference given for products that are the least harmful to human health and the environment. This practice applies to indoor and out-door pesticide, fertilizer, turf management or other similar applications or sprayings. Such chemical and airborne applications will, if at all possible, be made only after normal business hours or on weekends to minimize the exposure to any individuals who normally access our buildings. As part of these programs, any individual(s) wish-ing to be placed on a notification list for indoor sprayings, outdoor sprayings, or both, can contact the Frankfort School District Business Office at 815-469-5922, ask for Christine Brooks, and let her know you would like to be put on the IPM and/or Outdoor Spraying Notification list for airborne spraying. By providing your name, address, phone number, and the school district buildings and/or sites you would like to be notified about, the Maintenance Department will attempt to contact you 96 hours in advance whenever possible, and no less than 48 hours in advance when necessary, of any scheduled airborne or chemical applications being undertaken inside or outside our buildings, or as soon as possible in the event any emergency spraying applications are needed. If you have any questions or need additional information please contact Kate Ambrosini in the District Office at 815-469-5922.

Reminder: Cell Phone Use Prohibited in School ZonesPer Public Act 096-0131, that became effective on January 1, 2011, the use of handheld cell phones or other similar electronic devices (except if used in “hands free” mode) when operating a motor vehicle in a school zone are prohibited (expect for certain emergencies and situations specifically delineated in the law). In general, you are not allowed to talk, text or surf the web with a cell phone or handheld electronic device while operating a motor vehicle in a school zone (unless the device is in hands free mode). If your car is in park, then you are allowed to use such devices, but if the vehicle is engaged (even if it is stopped at the time), then you should not be using your cell phone or handheld electronic device. In order to minimize distracted driving and ensure the safety of our students, staff, parents and community members who may be in our school zones (either on the roadways or on school property), we are asking everyone to please follow these guidelines and adhere to the law. We are asking everyone for their cooperation and support to ensure that a tragedy doesn’t occur. We are asking the Frankfort Police to assist us in enforcing this regulation, and after an initial education/warning period at the beginning of the school year, the Police Department and/or the School District reserve the right to issue citations to offenders. Again, we are asking for your cooperation and don’t anticipate issuing any citations, but we will do so if necessary. We are posting reminders of this law on the school zone signs throughout the school district and will also be handing out reminder pamphlets the first few weeks of school to those in the car rider pickup lines. If you have any questions about the law or its enforcement, please contact Kate Ambrosini at 815-469-5922.

Mission StatementThe mission of District 157-C is to prepare all students to be confident, life-long learners and productive citizens by challenging them to reach their fullest potential and by providing a quality educational environment in partnership with family and community.

Dates to RememberSeptember 7Labor Day - No School

September 16Board of Education Meeting, 7PM

October 9 Teacher Institute Day - No School

October 12Holiday - No School

October 21Board of Education Meeting, 7PMNovember 3Election Day - No SchoolNovember 18Board of Education Meeting, 7PM