Congratulations Class of 2013

“On behalf of the DuPage Regional Office of Education, I would like to offer congratulations to each and every DuPage County graduate,” said Dr. Darlene Ruscitti, Regional Superintendent of Schools. “This milestone experience is a testament to your hard work, determination and dedication. It is also a time of reflection and appreciation for all those who have taught, nurtured and supported you along the way. I hope that it is just a beginning step on your life-long journey of learning and continual growth.”

ROE Hosts Bullying Researcher Dr. Espelage

The DuPage ROE was pleased to host University of Illinois bullying researcher, Dorothy Espelage, Ph.D., to the Center for Professional Learning on May 14. Educators from the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and Bullying Prevention Professional Learning Communities (PLC) met with Dr. Espelage to learn realistic strategies for bullying prevention and how to promote positive school climate. Dr. Espelage explained the complex dynamics involved with bullying including the overlapping risk and protective factors. Her research shows it is critical to give youth life and social skills, not just knowledge about bullying. It is also imperative for schools and communities to recognize peer and social norms, and focus on positive adult role modeling. A videotape of her presentation will be made available in the future.

(In the photo, Ruth Cross, CASEL trainer, and Dr. Dorothy Espelage, University of Illinois).

Back-to-School Fair

The DuPage Regional Office of Education supports families in DuPage County who are in need of services  and resources. We assist many low income children in DuPage County with school readiness  through the Annual Back to School Fair. This year’s fair is scheduled for  August 7, 2013 at the Odeum Expo Center in Villa Park.  This event is a one stop human services event for low income families living in DuPage County.  Last year the ROE collected and distributed school supplies and backpacks to approximately 3000 needy DuPage County families at this event.  Each year we run out of supplies and with the current economic situation in our state and country, the need has never been greater.

We are asking for your assistance.  If you could help us out with a monetary contribution we will focus our attention on purchasing backpacks and supplies.   Please make your tax deductible donation to the DuPage Education Foundation which is a 501(c)(3) organization.

Please process your donation through PayPal or send a check to:

DuPage Educational Foundation c/o DuPage Regional Office of Education 421 N. County Farm Rd. Wheaton IL   60187

Singapore Ministry of Education Delegates Visit DuPage County

On Monday, April 29, 13 members of the Singapore Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Social and Family Development visited the DuPage County Regional Office of Education. The delegation requested the visit to learn more about the DuPage programs that assist students who are at risk for academic failure.

The DuPage Regional Office of Education (ROE), under the leadership of Dr. Darlene Ruscitti, has developed a partnership with the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL). This partnership, along with other ROE initiatives which include bullying prevention, school improvement planning, safe school program, alternative learning opportunities program and the truancy program were featured in the morning session. In the afternoon, the delegation travelled to Wheaton District 200 and Hinsdale District 86 to tour schools and meet with district leaders.

“DuPage is a leader in programming to assist at-risk students. We are very proud of the work we have done in this area and were honored to share with and learn from the Singapore delegation,” said Dr. Ruscitti.

DuPage Staff Members Receive NAACP Awards

The DuPage County National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) held its 57th Annual Freedom Fund and Scholarship Gala on Saturday, March 9, 2013. Among this year’s award honorees were two DuPage Regional Office of Education staff members. Dr. Lourdes Ferrer and Mr. Stephen Garlington, LCSW, Equity and Excellence Education Consultants, each received the NAACP’s Audley Award of Leadership Excellence before a large crowd of NAACP members, political and business dignitaries and other guest.

Dr. Darlene Ruscitti, Regional Superintendent of Schools, acknowledged the accomplishments of her staff during a speech to the Gala audience. During the awards presentation, the DuPage County NAACP President, Mario Lambert I, commended Lourdes and Stephen for their contributions to closing the academic achievement gap and coauthoring their recent book, VOICES: African American and Hispanic Students’ Perceptions Regarding the Academic Achievement Gap. Mr. Lambert said, “Your leadership has helped the NAACP towards its goal of creating fair opportunities and for the greater community to advance together.”

2012 DuPage Illinois Honor Roll Schools

Eighty-one DuPage County schools were named to the Illinois Honor Roll in 2012. Congratulations to the following districts and superintendents who had one or more of their schools recognized.

Bensenville SD 2 - Dr. James E Stelter
Itasca SD 10 - Dr. Marcia W Tornatore
Bloomingdale SD 13 - Dr. Jon Bartelt
Benjamin SD 25 - Dr. Philip M Ehrhardt
Winfield SD 34 - Dr. Gwynne Kell
Glen Ellyn SD 41 - Dr. Ann Riebock
Lombard SD 44 - Dr. James Blanche
Butler SD 53 - Dr. Sandra L Martin
Downers Grove GSD 58 - Dr. Kari Cremascoli
Gower SD 62 – Mr. Steven M Griesbach
Cass SD 63 - Dr. Kerry J Foderaro
Center Cass SD 66 - Mr. Tim Arnold
Woodridge SD 68 - Dr. Cathy Skinner
CCSD 89 - Dr. John S Perdue
CCSD 93 - Dr. William R Shields
Hinsdale CCSD 181 - Dr. Renee Schuster
CUSD 200 - Dr. Brian Harris
Lisle CUSD 202 - Mr. Keith Filipiak
Naperville CUSD 203 - Mr. Daniel M Bridges
Indian Prairie CUSD 204 – Dr. Kathryn Birkett
Elmhurst SD 205 - Mr. David Pruneau

For more information about the Illinois Honor Roll go to http://www.ilhonorroll.niu.edu/.

April STEM Newsletter Now Available

In order to support and advance Science Technology Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) programs in the DuPage County area, the DuPage Regional Office of Education has begun publishing a STEM - News You Can Use newsletter. Click here to view the April edition.

Dr. Darlene Ruscitti Hosts a Presentation by Charlotte Danielson

It was with great pleasure to host one of the nation’s most outstanding education leaders, Charlotte Danielson. Charlotte presented to an audience of 150 superintendents, principals, and union leaders from Northern Illinois at an event sponsored by the DuPage Regional Office of Education on March 20th. Her work on teacher effectiveness is the model for the principal and teacher evaluation process here in Illinois. Click here for Charlotte’s handouts. In addition, the DuPage ROE provides a variety of supports and technical assistance to schools as they implement their principal and teacher evaluation initiative. Please click here for the brochure. We are here to serve you!

Joseph Academy in DuPage

Dr. Ruscitti had an opportunity to review the program and tour the facility of Joseph Academy in their new DuPage home. The academy serves the needs of children with social, emotional, behavioral, and learning disabilities.  For more information on Joseph Academy, please click here.

Dr. Ruscitti and Dr. Ferrer Present Voices to AAUW

The Wheaton-Glen Ellyn Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) featured Dr. Darlene Ruscitti, a member of the group, and the DuPage ROE at their February meeting. The presentation entitled “The Racial Academic Gap: Is it Real?” was presented by Dr. Ruscittii and Dr. Lourdes Ferrer, co-author of Voices: African American and Hispanic Students’ Perceptions Regarding the Academic Achievement Gap.

One attendee at the program wrote, “You were such a treat to our program meeting. You had me recommitted to working with my grandchildren to focus on reading and educational expectations. What an inspiration!”

Dr. Ruscitti (back left) and Dr. Ferrer (back right) speak to the American Association of University Women

32 DUPAGE TEACHERS EARN NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION

Thirty-two DuPage County teachers were awarded the prestigious National Board Certification in 2012. The total number of National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) in DuPage has now reached 507, second only to Cook County in our state.

“I congratulate the new National Board Certified Teachers for their dedication to the profession,” said Regional Superintendent of Schools Dr. Darlene Ruscitti. “These individuals have achieved the highest pinnacle of professional recognition and demonstrate the desire to ensure that all students receive a stellar educational experience.” More. . .

BE A FLU FIGHTER AND GET VACCINATED
DUPAGE COUNTY—Due to widespread influenza activity in DuPage County and throughout Illinois, the DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) is encouraging residents to get a flu shot now to protect themselves for the rest of the flu season.

To reduce the spread of influenza and other contagious diseases, it is always important to practice the following:

• Clean –properly wash hands frequently or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Cover –cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or with your sleeve (not your hand) when you cough or sneeze
• Contain –contain your germs by staying home if you are sick, and try to avoid close contact with people who are sick

For more information click here

Six DuPage Schools Earn Blue Ribbon Honors
The U.S. Department of Education recently named 269 schools as 2012 National Blue Ribbon Schools based on their overall academic excellence or for their success in closing achievement gaps. Twenty one of those schools are from the state of Illinois with six of those located right here in DuPage County.

National Blue Ribbon Schools are the “best in their class,” public and private elementary and secondary schools that produce outstanding results for all students. While all National Blue Ribbon schools have one thing in common–high or improving academic achievement –each great school has an inspiring story to tell about excellence in teaching and learning.

“I am happy to recognize and congratulate each of these exemplary schools,” said Dr. Darlene Ruscitti. “This national recognition is evidence of their dedication to ensuring the educational attainment of their entire student body.”

Congratulations to:
Bryan Middle School
Elmhurst SD 205, Elmhurst
Mr. John Glimco, Principal

Fry Elementary School
Indian Prairie CUSD 204, Naperville
Ms. Moira Arzich, Principal

Gower Middle School
Gower SD 62, Burr Ridge
Mrs. Rebecca Laratta, Principal

Lincoln Elementary School
Elmhurst SD 205, Elmhurst
Ms. Kathleen Tomei, Principal

Ss Peter & Paul School, Naperville
Diocese of Joliet
Mr. Frank Glowaty, Principal

White Eagle Elementary School
Indian Prairie CUSD 204, Naperville
Mr. Jon Vogel, Principal

Four DuPage High Schools Recognized as Democracy Schools in 2012
Preparing Young People to be Effective Citizens
Since 2006, seventeen Illinois high schools have successfully completed a school-wide civic assessment and have been subsequently recognized as Democracy Schools. Ten of those schools are in DuPage County. The four DuPage high schools that have earned this distinction in 2012 are:

• Glenbard East High School, Lombard, IL
• Glenbard West High School, Glen Ellyn, IL
• Neuqua Valley High School, Naperville, IL
• Waubonsie Valley High School, Aurora, IL

"I congratulate the students, staff and school board of each of these schools who have shown their commitment to civic learning," said Dr. Darlene Ruscitti. "In a democracy where governance is supposed to be of the people, by the people, and for the people, civic education is not a luxury, it is a necessity."

Democracy Schools are an initiative of the Illinois Civic Mission Coalition (ICMC). Illinois Democracy Schools are recognized for providing students with authentic experiences in the rights, responsibilities and tensions inherent in living in a constitutional democracy. Through these experiences, participating schools strive to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary for informed, effective engagement in our democracy.

The new Democracy Schools will receive a stipend from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, which convenes the Coalition, to invest in high quality civic learning initiatives, as well as a banner for public display.

For more information, please visit www.McCormickFoundation.org/DemocracySchools.

Student Safety Always a Top Priority
“Recent events reported in the news have once again brought the issue of student safety to the forefront of public awareness,” said Dr. Darlene Ruscitti, DuPage Regional Superintendent of Schools. “Let us take this as a time to be reminded of our legal and moral responsibilities to the students in our charge.”

“The safety and security of students has always been and will continue to be a top priority for the DuPage Regional Office of Education (ROE) and the educators of our county,” Dr. Ruscitti continued. “Over the past few years, the ROE has taken significant steps, including the development of model policies, to secure the well-being of our students.” more...