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Student and Staff Recognition

Throughout the school year, the Kirby School District 140 Board of Education honors students and staff for outstanding achievements and contributions to the District 140 community. Congratulations to all!

February 2024

Board of Ed Recognizes D140 Spelling Bee Finalists

The school board recognized District 140 Spelling Bee champion Adnan E and finalists Chehada Q. and Cody H. at the February 15 board meeting. Adnan, a seventh-grader from Prairie View Middle School, clinched victory by correctly spelling “jeopardy” at the districtwide competition on January 23. Fourth-grader Chehada Q. from Fernway Park Elementary School came in second, while third-place honors went to Bannes Elementary's fifth-grader Cody H.  

Best of luck to Adnan as he represents D140 in the 14th Annual Suburban Cook County ISC Scripps Spelling Bee at Southland Preparatory Charter High School in Richton Park on Wednesday, March 6.

Meritorious Budget Award

The Board also recognized D140's Business Department for winning the Meritorious Budget Award (MBA) for the nineteenth consecutive year. The entire team - Michael Andreshak, Jenna Khalil, Tiffany Mullarkey, and Nancy Rittenbacher - was honored for their contributions.

The MBA promotes and recognizes excellence in school budget presentation and enhances school business officials’ skills in developing, analyzing, and presenting a school system budget. After a rigorous review by professional auditors, the award is bestowed only on school districts meeting or exceeding the program’s stringent criteria. Less than one percent of schools nationwide received this honor last year.

January 2024

Members of the 6/7th grade Prairie View Girls’ Basketball team were recognized at the January Board of Education meeting for their SWIC Tournament Championship win. Coached by Mr. Pat Griffin, the Prairie View Eagles roster includes Dina B., Hannah B., Audrey D., Ellie E., Londyn K., Abigail L., Lila M., Alissa P., Jayleen S., Ameera S., Lamees Z., Jordin Z.

The team ended the season with an 11-3 record. Way to go, Eagles!

November 2023

Five District 140 students were recognized at the November Board of Education meeting for their winning submissions in the Tinley Park Fire Prevention Poster Contest. This year's theme was "Cooking Safety Starts with You." 

Congratulations to Eleanor A. (Bannes), Hailey G. (Prairie View), Ellie J., Charlotte S. (McAuliffe), and Isabella V. (Keller)!

October 2023

Keller Celebrated for Using Technology to Transform Learning:

Keller Elementary School was recognized at the October Board of Education meeting for receiving an Apple Distinguished School designation earlier this month. Keller was selected for this distinction based on its commitment to continuous innovation in education and using Apple products to create exemplary learning practices.

"Our school is a warm and welcoming place where students are encouraged to dream big and embrace new challenges together. Through our innovative use of technology, we’re preparing students to excel in a dynamic and ever-changing world," stated Principal James Hanley. "I am honored and proud to be a part of this remarkable school community."

Apple Distinguished Schools are recognized as some of the most innovative in the world. They’re centers of leadership and educational excellence, with a clear vision for how technology-rich environments support learning goals. In Apple Distinguished Schools, forward-thinking leaders and their communities work to inspire, imagine, and impact teaching and learning, and they have documented results of academic accomplishments.

Congratulations Cougars!

Grissom Art Club Recognized for T.P.'s Benches on the Avenue Art Project:

Grissom Art Club members were recognized at the October Board of Education meeting for winning the Best Group/Family Project category in Tinley Park’s 2023 Benches on the Avenue art project. This year's theme was “Industry, Invention and Progress,” and showcased groundbreaking creations that have made a mark on the world and changed the way we live. Grissom’s Art Club created a bench titled “Evolution of Music.”

Congratulations to Kim B., Emilee B., Cece C., Brianna D., Randi J., Aaron J., Chris L., Lily M., Ryan M., Roxanne M., Ben P., Kaylynn S., Kelly T., Isla V., and Josh W.

Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) Board Leader Recognition:

Four District 140 Board of Education members were recognized at the October meeting for their ongoing commitment to professional development. Congratulations to Thomas Martelli, Carol DeMicheal, Chuck Augustyniak, and John Lutz. We appreciate all that you do!
 

September 2023

Curriculum Facilitators Megan Klozik and Kerry Shilkaitis presented information on D140’s new writing initiative at the September Board of Education meeting.

This year, teachers and District facilitators will work as a team to implement and support writing workshops for Kindergarten and fifth-grade students. The goal of the program is to build a community of motivated writers by boosting students’ communication skills, critical thinking, creativity, confidence, social-emotional learning, and academic growth. The District will implement year-long writing workshops with select grade levels each year through 2027 until all grades have implemented the program.

“This will be a flexible process,” stated Shilkaitis. “Our hope is that with feedback from participating teachers and evidence of student growth, we will be able to adapt it as needed in the upcoming years.”

“Writing is an essential life skill,” Klozik added. “No matter what path a student chooses in life, it’s really important for them to be able to write in a way that others can easily understand.”

August 2023

We want to extend a heartfelt welcome to our newest team members, including Jean Aiello, Vanessa Almaguer, Natalie Anderson, Katlyn Ash, Jackleen Ash, Emily Ballard, Ryan Bedell, Nikoleta Bounatsos, Michelle Bresnahan, Diana Burban, Gavin Callaghan, Maria Delgadillo, Alyssa Donnelly, Kaitlin Earley, Yasmeen Elayyan, Laura Fandl, Jessica Garcia, Monica Garza-Oduca, Jessica Gomboz, Taneshia Harvey, Anne Hayden, Zdenka Jakubek, Melissa Janociak, Brian Jerger, Khaldoun Khalil, Moyuasar Kheireddin, Samara Klomp, Elizabeth Kloptowsky, Elizabeth Kochniarczyk, Jason Kouns, Lauren Lehnhardt, Alexis Long, Bridget Martino, Demi Mitchell, Jean Murray, Linnea Nelson, Melanie O'Connell, Emily O'Keefe, Zachary Oganovich, Justin Oldenstedt, Kelly Palenik, Megan Phillips, Lisa Pike, Kathryn Rodriguez, Gloria Salgado, Rebecca Samuel, Jennifer Sego, Ashley Somer, Kailey Stariha, Jennifer Stiglic, Alexis Storen, Meghan Storrs, Sarah Szumigalski, Jill Wagner, Carie Widstrand, Patricia Yerkes, Jennifer Yolich, and Christine Zdunek.

Welcome to our school family! May your year be filled with meaningful connections, exciting challenges, and countless opportunities to make a difference in the lives of our students.

July 2023

D140’s Special Olympics State team was recognized at the July Board of Education meeting for their outstanding performance at the Summer State Games held June 9 - 11 at Illinois State University. 

Eight student-athletes competed in the standing long jump, shot put, softball throw, 50-meter run, 100-meter run, and rhythmic gymnastics and brought home five gold medals, one silver medal, a sixth-place ribbon, an eighth-place ribbon, and a participation ribbon.

Congratulations to Samir A., Erin D., Gwen H., Gabe J., Sam N.,  Melanie R., Rickson R-D., and Ryan S.

Thank you to our Special Olympic Coordinators Laura Cler and Ashley Krizik and everyone who came out to support the team!

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