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Summer 2018
“Butler has united us all as friends”COMMEnCEMEnT
New Board Member2 Strategic Plan3 Exploremore Photo Gallery4
newslineBUTLER SChOOL DISTRICT 53
Graduates gave so manyreasons to celebrate the yearsspent at Butler Junior HighSchool and Brook ForestElementary School. Studentspeakers at the May 30graduation noted the closebonds, nurturing teachers andmutual respect. “Butler hasunited us and made us intospecial friends for life wholove and respect each other,”said Rhea Kumar, a memberof Butler's student serviceboard.
Dan Petrucelli, StudentGovernmentCommunications Director,who spoke about the “ButlerAdventure,” echoed similarsentiments in his graduation speech.
“No matter what, we will alwaysremember the friends we made, theexperiences we had,” he said.“Wherever we may go, we will alwaysbe Butler Vikings.”
AJ Smith, President of the ButlerStudent Council, counted the manyexperiences and successes that made upthe Class of 2018. “We faced andovercame many challenges…We scaledheights at Iron Oaks (outdoor educationfield trip) and we defeated the faculty inboth volleyball, basketball and soccer.”He also noted that the group survived
unscathed by Mother Nature whena tree fell on the school bus during theWashington, D.C. field trip. The groupthen figured out how to take the Metroto their next scheduled stop.
He ticked off ways that Butlerstudents excelled, including the ScienceOlympiad, Math Team, Poetry Slam andScience Fair.
Indeed, students worked hard andwent beyond their comfort zone, saidPrincipal Amy Read. She thankedfamilies, teachers and staff who werealways nurturing and encouragingstudents to challenge themselves.
The staff, many of whom were inattendance, were always willing togo above and beyond to supportstudents. She also noted thededication of students who havelearned that their abilities can bedeveloped through commitment andhard work.
The students’ graduation themereflected that sentiment: “OurFutures are So Bright We Have toWear Shades.”
If you would like to see morephotos about graduation, pleasevisit our web pagewww.butler53.com and click on“news.”
Athena Koulouris,Sophia Lee andSerene Safvi werehonored withAcademic Awardsfor the highestgrade pointaverage. Picturedabove, Atif Kamaland Riley Conwaywere awarded theOak BrookEducationAssociation Awardfor character,leadership andcompassion.
Under the direction of music teacherLauretta Sterner, Brook Forest 4thand 5th graders performed in themusical 101 Dalmatians. In all, thegroup included 47 cast membersand 27 stage crew members. Actorsmet three times a week in thewinter and spring for rehearsals thatincluded vocal music training,choreography, and acting training.Stage crew met during March andApril to create posters andprograms, write announcements andtrain for backstage support. “Thecast grew as a group in learninghow to focus their energy duringrehearsal,” said Sterner. “They alsolearned to memorize parts, supportone another through the creativeprocess, and stretch themselves intheir acting, dancing and singingabilities,” said Sterner.
What’s better thanpuppies and music?
COMMENCEMENT MAY 30, 2018COMMENCEMENT MAY 30, 2018
D53 news for printer 6-18_Layout 1 6/28/18 10:16 AM Page 1
The Board approved a new Strategic Plan this spring,a guide to help the District’s continous improvement.“This District is already a high performing school systemand this plan is a vision for the next 3-5 years defininghow we can improve upon excellence,” said Dr. HeidiWennstrom. “It is focused on key initiatives in all areas –curriculum, instruction, operations, finances, facilitiesand communications,” she added.
The plan was developed after a communityengagement process that involved a series of focusgroups, interviews and surveys. During that process,parents, students, staff and community members sharedtheir ideas about next steps, Wennstrom said. (See storybelow).
The Board also approved detailed action plans for thefirst year, beginning in 2018-19, for which planning hasalready begun.
These three areas are:� Creating an instructional and curricular framework� Promoting community engagement� Creating valueHere are examples of some of the critical work:
Ambitious InstructionStrengthen teaching and learning by identifying
enhancements for the K-8 STEM curriculum, developinga framework for social-emotional learning, reviewingcommunity data in order to update expectations andreadiness of a D53 graduate, conducting an audit ofextracurricular opportunities and exploratories in order toprovide students with more choices, increased learning
and improved student engagement.
Community EngagementSome items in the plan are to develop a clear
process for conflict resolution, develop a guide for theDistrict’s accelerated placement and gifted andtalented programs, develop a communications surveyand develop an updated communications plan thatincludes an expanded website presence and additionalvideo. Also planned is to create a communitystakeholder group of non-parents, senior citizensand businesses.
Exemplary ValueThis area addresses improving fiscally sound
practices by completing an analysis of comparabledistricts, researching a cost-savings consortia,strengthening staff and leader satisfaction, investing inprofessional growth to continue to grow teacherexcellence and identifying a Professional LearningManagement system.
These are only a few of the action steps outlinedunder the three goals. “The work is an intensivesystematic process of taking broad goals, breakingthem down into workable action steps and workingdiligently to achieve them,” said Wennstrom.
Each step has identified measures of progress andmetrics of success. “This forward-thinking planembraces our passion about educating our students tobecome world class learners and takes an alreadypremier school district to even higher levels of accom-plishment,” said Wennstrom.
Plan moves District to next level of excellenceSTRATEGIC PLAn
What the community said...To listen to the community on their
expectations for Butler District 53, focus groupswere held and community surveys wereconducted. In addition, there were interviews andfocus groups of staff, parents, students and Boardmembers. This data, along with the District’smission statement, vision statement and guidingprinciples were analyzed to determine findings,goals and objectives for the Strategic Plan. Anumber of common themes on the strengths andchallenges of Butler District 53 emerged from thiscommunity engagement process.
What the community identified asSTREnGThS
Butler School District 53 is a premier schooldistrict that has a history of excellence. It isconsistently recognized for high performance inevery area, from test scores and studentachievement to teaching strategies, curriculum,technology, professional development andpreparing students for high school. Additionally,Butler 53 is known for its high standards inoperations and finances and its low tax rate.Teachers personalize learning to meet the needsof students and there is academic supportavailable for every student. The schools eachhave a sense of community, and the care andconcern for every child is abundantly evidentfrom the custodians, to the secretaries andclassroom assistants, to the teachers and adminis-trators. Moreover, parents and community leadersactively support the school. Participants also
noted that communication with parents isgenerally strong and technology is accessible toall students. Even with all of these achievements,the schools and staff maintain high expectationsand continue to find ways to improve the instruc-tional program and hold themselves to highstandards for their own growth as educators.
What the community identified asChALLEnGES
Participants addressed some challenges for theDistrict: Continuously communicate withstakeholders, especially those who don’t havechildren in the school as well as provide ongoinginformation about the curriculum and academicexpectations to parents. Other areas for growthare to continue the District’s efforts to meet theneeds of the whole child and grow the socialemotional program so that students continue tohave a well-rounded experience. Participantssuggested broadening current programs andimplementing others so students have a moreexpansive choice in courses. Related to that wascontinuing to grow partnerships with other organ-izations in order to provide more class choice forstudents. Participants also noted a challenge toexpand transition planning for students going tohigh school. Keeping class size small, continuingprofessional development for technology and newinstructional practices, and continuing to fine-tuneand strengthen the language arts curriculum werealso identified as important next steps.
RETIREMEnT
Saying goodbye to retiringsocial worker Ann WolffAnn Wolff retired after 28 years as a
social worker and resource teacher withButler District 53. As anyone who has mether knows, she has a big heart and adoreschildren. She started her career working ina group home with children with disabilities.A mentor encouraged her to get a socialworker degree so she returned to collegeand received a Master’s Degree in SocialWork. After four years working with theDepartment of Children and FamilyServices, she began her career in District53. Here we explore her insights about hercareer.
Q: What’s the best part of your job? I love the children. They make me smileeach and every day. I love watching themlearn, grow and play. Each day is specialand unique in its own way.
Q: What’s your go-to tool to helpstudents?The best tools were taught to me by theoccupational and speech and languagetherapists. These tools were sensoryintegration (a process by which we receiveinformation through our senses, organizethis information, and use it to participate ineveryday activities), breathing techniquesand "social thinking" (where students areencouraged to identify what thought patternsand behaviors promote or help their socialexperiences.)
Q: What is your favorite day at BrookForest?By far, my most favorite day is the first dayof school. I have a hard time sleeping thenight before school begins. All the childrencome to school with their new backpacks,shoes, haircuts and big smiles on their facesready to begin the new year. There is somuch excitement about the new year for thechildren, staff and parents.
Q: What’s your biggest pet peeve?Unkindness... Every day brings new oppor-tunities to be kind and empathetic.
Q: What are your plans in retirement?I plan on being a "snowbird." I don't like
the snow and cold weather. My newgrandson's name is Kitt so I’m also going toKitt-nap him for trips to the zoo, museumsand parks.
Brook Forest social worker Ann Wolffreceives a gift from the school during BrookForest’s Exploremore Day.
continued on back cover
Butler alumni andattorney LauraBieselin was sworn inas a new Boardmember on June 25.Bieselin returned toOak Brook severalyears ago to raise herfamily. She wasappointed to fill theunexpired term of
Cabin Kim who resigned in May. Bieselin andher husband Michael are the parents of a youngdaughter Anne who will be attending District 53schools. She said she sought the appointment towork with the Board to retain and enhance theeducational excellence of District 53. “I amlooking forward to executing the Board's goalsto optimize opportunities for our students tolearn, engage and grow.”
She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from theUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign andJuris Doctor, with a Certificate in IntellectualProperty, from the Chicago-Kent College of
Law. While in private practice, she representeda diverse sampling of clients in complexlitigation and transactional matters.
She said she believes Brook Forest andButler Junior High gave her a strong foundation.“This is such a special place, and I am honoredto join this dynamic Board. The Districtprovided me with such a strong foundationduring my own time as a student and I lookforward to serving this amazing community.”
The Board interviewed seven applicants onJune 7, which they said were impressive notonly for their experience but also for theirdedication to education and District 53. TheBoard voted on the appointment following theinterviews. “The Board was extremelyimpressed with the qualifications and enthusiasmof all the candidates,” said Board President Dr.Elizabeth Chun. “We are fortunate to have acandidate of the caliber of Mrs. Bieselin,” shesaid.
Kim had resigned because he and his familywere relocating. The term expires in April 2019.
New Board Member appointed
Good News
1 2 3AmbitiousInstruction
CommunityEngagement
ExemplaryValue
The Strategic Plan addressesthese three broad areas. Adetailed action plan for the
first year, 2018-19, wasapproved by the Board andplanning has already begun
in these three areas. Thedetailed action plans areavailable on the website
www.butler53.com under “news.”
D53 news for printer 6-18_Layout 1 6/28/18 10:16 AM Page 3
The Board approved a new Strategic Plan this spring,a guide to help the District’s continous improvement.“This District is already a high performing school systemand this plan is a vision for the next 3-5 years defininghow we can improve upon excellence,” said Dr. HeidiWennstrom. “It is focused on key initiatives in all areas –curriculum, instruction, operations, finances, facilitiesand communications,” she added.
The plan was developed after a communityengagement process that involved a series of focusgroups, interviews and surveys. During that process,parents, students, staff and community members sharedtheir ideas about next steps, Wennstrom said. (See storybelow).
The Board also approved detailed action plans for thefirst year, beginning in 2018-19, for which planning hasalready begun.
These three areas are:� Creating an instructional and curricular framework� Promoting community engagement� Creating valueHere are examples of some of the critical work:
Ambitious InstructionStrengthen teaching and learning by identifying
enhancements for the K-8 STEM curriculum, developinga framework for social-emotional learning, reviewingcommunity data in order to update expectations andreadiness of a D53 graduate, conducting an audit ofextracurricular opportunities and exploratories in order toprovide students with more choices, increased learning
and improved student engagement.
Community EngagementSome items in the plan are to develop a clear
process for conflict resolution, develop a guide for theDistrict’s accelerated placement and gifted andtalented programs, develop a communications surveyand develop an updated communications plan thatincludes an expanded website presence and additionalvideo. Also planned is to create a communitystakeholder group of non-parents, senior citizensand businesses.
Exemplary ValueThis area addresses improving fiscally sound
practices by completing an analysis of comparabledistricts, researching a cost-savings consortia,strengthening staff and leader satisfaction, investing inprofessional growth to continue to grow teacherexcellence and identifying a Professional LearningManagement system.
These are only a few of the action steps outlinedunder the three goals. “The work is an intensivesystematic process of taking broad goals, breakingthem down into workable action steps and workingdiligently to achieve them,” said Wennstrom.
Each step has identified measures of progress andmetrics of success. “This forward-thinking planembraces our passion about educating our students tobecome world class learners and takes an alreadypremier school district to even higher levels of accom-plishment,” said Wennstrom.
Plan moves District to next level of excellenceSTRATEGIC PLAn
What the community said...To listen to the community on their
expectations for Butler District 53, focus groupswere held and community surveys wereconducted. In addition, there were interviews andfocus groups of staff, parents, students and Boardmembers. This data, along with the District’smission statement, vision statement and guidingprinciples were analyzed to determine findings,goals and objectives for the Strategic Plan. Anumber of common themes on the strengths andchallenges of Butler District 53 emerged from thiscommunity engagement process.
What the community identified asSTREnGThS
Butler School District 53 is a premier schooldistrict that has a history of excellence. It isconsistently recognized for high performance inevery area, from test scores and studentachievement to teaching strategies, curriculum,technology, professional development andpreparing students for high school. Additionally,Butler 53 is known for its high standards inoperations and finances and its low tax rate.Teachers personalize learning to meet the needsof students and there is academic supportavailable for every student. The schools eachhave a sense of community, and the care andconcern for every child is abundantly evidentfrom the custodians, to the secretaries andclassroom assistants, to the teachers and adminis-trators. Moreover, parents and community leadersactively support the school. Participants also
noted that communication with parents isgenerally strong and technology is accessible toall students. Even with all of these achievements,the schools and staff maintain high expectationsand continue to find ways to improve the instruc-tional program and hold themselves to highstandards for their own growth as educators.
What the community identified asChALLEnGES
Participants addressed some challenges for theDistrict: Continuously communicate withstakeholders, especially those who don’t havechildren in the school as well as provide ongoinginformation about the curriculum and academicexpectations to parents. Other areas for growthare to continue the District’s efforts to meet theneeds of the whole child and grow the socialemotional program so that students continue tohave a well-rounded experience. Participantssuggested broadening current programs andimplementing others so students have a moreexpansive choice in courses. Related to that wascontinuing to grow partnerships with other organ-izations in order to provide more class choice forstudents. Participants also noted a challenge toexpand transition planning for students going tohigh school. Keeping class size small, continuingprofessional development for technology and newinstructional practices, and continuing to fine-tuneand strengthen the language arts curriculum werealso identified as important next steps.
RETIREMEnT
Saying goodbye to retiringsocial worker Ann WolffAnn Wolff retired after 28 years as a
social worker and resource teacher withButler District 53. As anyone who has mether knows, she has a big heart and adoreschildren. She started her career working ina group home with children with disabilities.A mentor encouraged her to get a socialworker degree so she returned to collegeand received a Master’s Degree in SocialWork. After four years working with theDepartment of Children and FamilyServices, she began her career in District53. Here we explore her insights about hercareer.
Q: What’s the best part of your job? I love the children. They make me smileeach and every day. I love watching themlearn, grow and play. Each day is specialand unique in its own way.
Q: What’s your go-to tool to helpstudents?The best tools were taught to me by theoccupational and speech and languagetherapists. These tools were sensoryintegration (a process by which we receiveinformation through our senses, organizethis information, and use it to participate ineveryday activities), breathing techniquesand "social thinking" (where students areencouraged to identify what thought patternsand behaviors promote or help their socialexperiences.)
Q: What is your favorite day at BrookForest?By far, my most favorite day is the first dayof school. I have a hard time sleeping thenight before school begins. All the childrencome to school with their new backpacks,shoes, haircuts and big smiles on their facesready to begin the new year. There is somuch excitement about the new year for thechildren, staff and parents.
Q: What’s your biggest pet peeve?Unkindness... Every day brings new oppor-tunities to be kind and empathetic.
Q: What are your plans in retirement?I plan on being a "snowbird." I don't like
the snow and cold weather. My newgrandson's name is Kitt so I’m also going toKitt-nap him for trips to the zoo, museumsand parks.
Brook Forest social worker Ann Wolffreceives a gift from the school during BrookForest’s Exploremore Day.
continued on back cover
Butler alumni andattorney LauraBieselin was sworn inas a new Boardmember on June 25.Bieselin returned toOak Brook severalyears ago to raise herfamily. She wasappointed to fill theunexpired term of
Cabin Kim who resigned in May. Bieselin andher husband Michael are the parents of a youngdaughter Anne who will be attending District 53schools. She said she sought the appointment towork with the Board to retain and enhance theeducational excellence of District 53. “I amlooking forward to executing the Board's goalsto optimize opportunities for our students tolearn, engage and grow.”
She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from theUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign andJuris Doctor, with a Certificate in IntellectualProperty, from the Chicago-Kent College of
Law. While in private practice, she representeda diverse sampling of clients in complexlitigation and transactional matters.
She said she believes Brook Forest andButler Junior High gave her a strong foundation.“This is such a special place, and I am honoredto join this dynamic Board. The Districtprovided me with such a strong foundationduring my own time as a student and I lookforward to serving this amazing community.”
The Board interviewed seven applicants onJune 7, which they said were impressive notonly for their experience but also for theirdedication to education and District 53. TheBoard voted on the appointment following theinterviews. “The Board was extremelyimpressed with the qualifications and enthusiasmof all the candidates,” said Board President Dr.Elizabeth Chun. “We are fortunate to have acandidate of the caliber of Mrs. Bieselin,” shesaid.
Kim had resigned because he and his familywere relocating. The term expires in April 2019.
New Board Member appointed
Good News
1 2 3AmbitiousInstruction
CommunityEngagement
ExemplaryValue
The Strategic Plan addressesthese three broad areas. Adetailed action plan for the
first year, 2018-19, wasapproved by the Board andplanning has already begun
in these three areas. Thedetailed action plans areavailable on the website
www.butler53.com under “news.”
D53 news for printer 6-18_Layout 1 6/28/18 10:16 AM Page 3
BOARD OF EDUCATIONDr. Elizabeth Chun, PresidentDr. Sally Beatty, Vice-PresidentMr. Ahmad Sulaiman, SecretaryMs. Laura BieselinMr. James ChowMr. Christopher EdmondsMr. Lou PaskalidesDr. heidi Wennstrom,Superintendentwww.Butler53.com
Postal Customer
Art BoardButler District 53 students
display their artwork onartsonia.com
Pictured here (from l to r) are family portraits by Brook
Forest students in kindergarten,grade 3 and grade 5.
Presort StandardU.S. Postage
PAIDPermit No. 26Oak Brook, IL
Butler School District 532801 York Rd.Oak Brook, IL 60523
SPONSORS
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PHOTOGALLERY
Follow us on Facebook andTwitter at @ButlerSD53
Exploremore Day Exploremore Day – the
favorite day of the year atBrook Forest. Students
could select from 49different classes where they
could explore topics likereptiles and repairing
broken bones and also learnand play new sports, craftsand fine arts. new classes
included learning magic,making balloon animals,designing acrylic boxes,
solving puzzles andmysteries in an escape
room, building rockets andfusing beads, flying a drone
and trying yoga, amongothers. Following classes,the Jesse White Tumblersentertained and students
were presented withawards. Pictured below, 5thgraders Jessica Kmoch and
Santino Florio wereawarded the Citizenship
Award from the Oak BrookEducation Association for
service, academics,courtesy, leadership, sports-
manship and school spirit.
D53 news for printer 6-18_Layout 1 6/28/18 10:17 AM Page 4
