Regional Office of Education 47

SIGN UP NOW! - How2Inform Media Literacy @ SVCC Kids spend 6-9 hours online daily, excluding school and homework. Harmful information persists on social media, including falsehoods that enable harm and targeted violence. How2INFORM (H2i) was designed to curb the spread of misinformation through social media. Passage of HB 0234 requires public school educators at the High School level to offer at least one unit of media literacy training, however, it is a training relevant for all K-12 students. This training provides educator tools and resources to aid in determining truths from fiction, critically analyzing media, and taking action when they encounter dangerous misinformative material! REGISTER HERl.https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfxSCsntq6wLuHhxE-SVVRfWyg8JaPy6iGAEce3IKWft6Jy8g/viewform

Come and be showered with knowledge, support, and giveaways as you begin your adventure in raising a happy, healthy, and safe child. This FREE event offers you a wonderful, educational opportunity to gain knowledge about your child's health and development and connect with local resources. Please register for this event at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/community-baby-shower-tickets-599126211627

ROE 47 Office will be closed today in honor of Memorial Day

Many of ROE 47 schools will be celebrating graduation and starting their summer break. Enjoy this time!

Check this out!

The Regional Office of Education and the Sauk Valley STARS Early Childhood Coalition are excited to be hosting regular community baby showers with the aspiration to shower expectant and new parents (with infants up to 3 months of age) with parenting information, to establish connections to community resources, and to provide care items for the new child. In an effort to make these baby showers a sustainable program in our region, we are looking for support from our community. Together, we can be a village for new and expectant parents in our community. If you are interested in donating supplies or a monetary gift, please contact Grace Heimerdinger-Baake at gheimerdingerbaake@roe47.org.

Our Nexus Team was recognized as one of the Top 50 Teams at the Those Who Excel and Teacher of the Year Banquet. In addition, we received the Meritorious Service Award for the work that we have done in our Amboy School District. Nexus is a program/service our school districts can participate in from the ROE to help families needing additional support. Our team works tirelessly to connect families to needed services and bridge the gap between schools, families, and community agencies.

CHECK THIS OUT! Only 25 participants , don't miss this ! @RegionalOffice47 #RegionalOffice47

Join us for BLOCK Fest® at Sauk Valley Community College on June 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the Dillion Mall. BLOCK Fest® is a family interactive event that uses five block play stations to introduce children and their parents to the educational value of blocks, such as math and science.

Mark your calendars! Check out these SUMMER family events! @RegionalOffice47 #RegionalOffice47

Join us for BLOCK Fest® at Sauk Valley Community College on June 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the Dillion Mall. BLOCK Fest® is a family interactive event that uses five block play stations to introduce children and their parents to the educational value of blocks, such as math and science.

The Regional Office of Education and the Sauk Valley STARS Early Childhood Coalition are excited to be hosting regular community baby showers with the aspiration to shower expectant and new parents (with infants up to 3 months of age) with parenting information, to establish connections to community resources, and to provide care items for the new child. In an effort to make these baby showers a sustainable program in our region, we are looking for support from our community. Together, we can be a village for new and expectant parents in our community. If you are interested in donating supplies or a monetary gift, please contact Grace Heimerdinger-Baake at gheimerdingerbaake@roe47.org.

The first issue of Building Stronger Families is ready for you to read! Read the newsletter at https://mailchi.mp/roe47.org/familynewsletter The Building Stronger Families e-newsletter delivers fresh, relevant knowledge, tips, and tools to support you in helping your child grow while staying updated with the various events and activities happening in Lee, Ogle, and Whiteside counties. To receive a copy in your inbox, go to https://mailchi.mp/2cde621b466f/family-sign-up to subscribe.

SIGN UP NOW! - How2Inform Media Literacy @ SVCC Kids spend 6-9 hours online daily, excluding school and homework. Harmful information persists on social media, including falsehoods that enable harm and targeted violence. How2INFORM (H2i) was designed to curb the spread of misinformation through social media. Passage of HB 0234 requires public school educators at the High School level to offer at least one unit of media literacy training, however, it is a training relevant for all K-12 students. This training provides educator tools and resources to aid in determining truths from fiction, critically analyzing media, and taking action when they encounter dangerous misinformative material! REGISTER HERl.https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfxSCsntq6wLuHhxE-SVVRfWyg8JaPy6iGAEce3IKWft6Jy8g/viewform

Whiteside County Community Health Clinic Mobile Physicals at Whiteside High Schools in May & June - CHECK IT OUT!

The ROE was pleased to be invited by the City of Rochelle to host a craft table at the Cinco De Mayo festival. There were hundreds of families in attendance. The Regional Office of Education serves Lee, Ogle, and Whiteside Counties. If there is a community/family event you are interested in having someone from the ROE attend please contact Grace Heimerdinger-Baake gheimerdingerbaake@roe47.org

2023 MARIGOLD AWARD WINNER! CONGRATULATIONS to Rana Smith, teacher at Rock Falls Middle School, for being named the 2023 Marigold Award Winner! Rana was nominated by Denise McCue. “So many adjectives to describe Rana Smith; so many wonderful descriptive words: Kind. Loving. Giving. Empathetic. Tireless. Joyful. Intelligent. All true certainly, but just as certainly, not enough. They are poor attempts at best in comparison to knowing and working with this amazing woman, teacher, Marigold Rana walks through the doors early every day of the week. She does all that is required: lesson plans, copies, grading, organizing her day. Then she dives into “over and above mode.” She communicates with administrators, colleagues, parents, and students consistently. She keeps these lines of communication open to ensure that relationships stay as strong and healthy as possible, not just for her sake, but for the sake of the whole building. When I have a concern that I run by her, she is immediately at the keyboard offering to send an email to a parent, student, team member, or even administrator. And I let her. She has a way with words. Whether written or spoken they are delivered in a kind and winsome manner. She is respectful in her tone and knows how to be heard without being forceful. People want to listen to her because her approach is non-threatening. She listens to what others have to offer, seeks to understand, and thinks carefully before speaking. This is a rare quality for someone who is in constant motion and has boundless energy. Rana is on so many committees, volunteering repeatedly whenever she sees a need. She is active in church and community, an involved mother, dutiful daughter, loving wife, and loyal friend to many. There is no doubt that she is a Marigold to all of the people and partners she lives and works alongside. Rana is intuitive and perceives when staff, students, or parents are struggling. She takes time to inquire, to comfort, to listen, and to give advice when needed. She is not judgmental and is able to make others feel that they matter simply by the attention she gives them when conversing with them……… looking them in the eye and not rushing them. She somehow makes them feel that they are not just important, but that they are important to her. Students know this about her and respond to her. She is truly one of the most compassionate women I know and not ashamed to show genuine emotion when hearing about the triumphs or sorrows of others. Students and staff alike trust her with burdens, knowing she will make time to come alongside them with concern and an encouraging word. She is level headed and does not take adversity at school personally. She tries to put difficult situations back into perspective. She is a voice of reason, a peacemaker, and an advocate for the marginalized. She is bold when boldness is needed, yet not overpowering. She is not offensive. She stands for what is right and does not apologize for it. I love that about her. She has helped me to grow personally and professionally, leading by example. We have heard it said from time to time that someone has “missed” his/her calling. Well Rana has certainly found hers. For her, teaching is not just a job, it is a vocation, it is her calling. She could be successful at anything she chose to put her hand to. We are so grateful that what she chose was education. Those of us who know her best and work with her closely are better teachers, students, and humans because of her impact on our lives. I feel privileged to know this extraordinary woman and grateful to be able to call her friend. Because of our exposure to Rana, our personal Marigold, we are a better team, staff, District, and community because of her presence in our daily lives. She gives tirelessly, loves unconditionally, nurtures compassionately, makes us laugh, holds us and herself accountable, and brings joy to all who come across her path. She is more than worthy to be recognized as the Marigold she is.” Thank you for being a marigold in our schools!

Join us for BLOCK Fest® at Sauk Valley Community College on June 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the Dillion Mall. BLOCK Fest® is a family interactive event that uses five block play stations to introduce children and their parents to the educational value of blocks, such as math and science. @RegionalOffice47 #RegionalOffice47

CONGRATULATIONS to Heidi Schmall, kindergarten teacher at St. Mary’s School in Sterling, for being nominated for the Marigold Award. Heidi was was nominated by Kari Lippens. “Mrs. Schmall is the most positive, happiest, kind, giving teacher who goes above and beyond to make all her students and past students feel special every day. Her kindness and pure care and love for her students and all children is seen whether she is teaching them or saying hi to them while they are crossing the street. Her smiles and waves to parents and children truly show her heart and she talks to the children with great love. When kids are upset or scared or worried, she encourages them and lifts them back up in the most sincere and caring way. She has spent her life teaching so many children and she is one they will remember forever.” Thank you for being a marigold in our schools!

CONGRATULATIONS to Julie Nord, Kindergarten Teacher, at Prophetstown Elementary, for being nominated for the Marigold Award. Julie was nominated by Teri Bealer. “It is my privilege to recommend my colleague, Julie Noord, to receive the Jen Banks Marigold Award. Julie is a Kindergartener teacher at Prophetstown Elementary School. I have known and taught in the district with Julie for over twenty years. In our time together we have worked on several professional committees as well as planning events for our students and families. Knowing her dedication to students, families, colleagues, and the district, I whole-heartedly feel she deserves this honor. Julie has such a gift of working with the families of her students. She takes the time to get to know her families, their concerns, their challenges, as well as their joys. She connects with her families with empathy in a very motherly way coupled with professionalism. Families develop trust in her classroom. Students love Julie because she is kind, loving, and above all, patient. She has a remarkable rapport with her students and always delivers curriculum in an engaging and creative manner. She has strong academic expectations and shows her students every day that she believes in them. Singing and dancing is a trademark of Julie’s instructional time as well as integrating technology to ensure her students are well-rounded. This is Julie’s retirement year with at Prophetstown Elementary. Over the past twenty- five years, many things in the educational field and well as our building and district have changed. Julie has been here for it all and has embraced it, never wavering in her love and dedication to teaching. She walks the halls every day with the most genuine greetings and a gentle smile that warms the heart. Thank you for this opportunity to recommend my friend and colleague for this most honored award.” Thank you for being a marigold in our schools.