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Keller Recognized as an Apple Distinguished School

Students in the classroom

We’re pleased to be recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for 2023–2026 for inspiring, imagining, and impacting teaching and learning schoolwide through continuous innovation.

Our Story

As part of Kirby School District 140, Helen Keller Elementary School has served Tinley Park students and their families since 1977. We have nearly 400 Kindergarten through fifth-grade students learning in our classrooms each day and a staff of over 80 individuals supporting them. We are committed to working in partnership with our community to build a safe, respectful, and nurturing environment where students are equipped with skills for life and learning.

Inspire

Helen Keller Elementary School is a place where students are inspired to dream big and take risks. Our innovative use of technology prepares students to lead, learn, and thrive in our dynamic and ever-changing world. We grapple with questions like … How do we prepare our students for jobs that do not yet exist? and What will success look like when our kindergarten students graduate high school? We strive to set our students up for success, no matter what the future looks like. 

As the famous Greek poet Plutarch once said, “The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.” At Keller, we take that same approach when it comes to our students’ learning. We instill a love of learning in our students and the confidence that they will be prepared for the future. We aim to light the fire of intellect in our students as they go forth into the world.

Imagine

Keller is an inclusive and collaborative learning environment. We encourage students to take ownership of their learning by pursuing their interests and setting goals. Our curriculum incorporates project-based assignments, where students are free to explore topics of their choice and display their creativity while creating work products and artifacts. We value student voices by actively involving them in decision-making processes, gathering feedback through regular feedback sessions, and allowing them choice in communicating their learning. 

Impact

Every day at our school, amazing teaching and learning experiences are taking place! We are dedicated to sharing our journey with the wider community to maximize the positive impact of our efforts. We frequently invite our community members to join us for special events like Veteran's Day, St. Baldrick's, and Field Day. These events offer a unique opportunity for parents to witness the incredible abilities of our students firsthand.

Furthermore, we take great pride in our team of staff members who are experts in using tools that make learning more accessible for our students. This is an area where we truly shine. Many of our students rely on assistive technology like switches, communication devices, and various forms of high and low-assistive technology to access their education. Additionally, many staff members use assistive technology features on iPads to ensure that all our students can easily access their education. At Helen Keller Elementary School, our goal is to create an inclusive environment where every child, including yours, feels like they truly belong.

What’s next?

Our Keller community is always striving to improve and get the best outcomes for our students. We are committed to continuing our learning journey and continuing to #CreateLearning for #EveryChildEveryDay.  
 

Apple - Distinguished School

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