Confused about Grades 5-6 Physical Exams?

The state recently temporarily reversed their decision regarding fifth and sixth grade physical exams. In order to clarify:

All new students to the district must submit a completed physical exam form.

Grade 5 students who are not new #161 students do not need a physical exam this year.

Grade 6 students who are not new #161 students and who submitted a physical exam for grade 5 do NOT need a physical exam.

All grades 5-6 students who will participate in our extracurricular athletic program must submit a completed physical form within one year in order to tryout, practice, and/or compete.

New Assistant Principal Appointed

At its July 9 Board meeting, the Summit Hill District 161 School Board appointed Christine D. Hudziak as the new assistant principal of Hilda Walker Intermediate School for the 2008-09 school year. Ms. Hudziak comes to District 161 with four years of administrative experience. For the last three years she served as assistant principal at Manteno Middle School. During the 2004-05 school year she was the assistant principal/3rd grade teacher at Columbus Manor School in Oak Lawn.

Said Supt. Keith Pain, “Ms. Hudziak comes to the district with an outstanding repertoire of educational experience and I am very pleased to have Ms. Hudziak as an educational leader at such a fine school as Hilda Walker. She and Principal Jan Zevkovich are an excellent team who will be able to maintain our district’s high standards for school excellence and for student achievement.

Ms. Hudziak earned her Bachelor’s degree from Northern Illinois University and her Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Governors State University. She joins the Walker School administrative team of recently-appointed Principal Jan Zevkovich.

Director of Human Resources/Communications Coordinator Appointed

At its June 11 meeting, the Summit Hill School District #161 School Board unanimously appointed Barbara Rains to the Director of Human Resources/Communications Coordinator position beginning on July 1. Rains, currently the Director of Human Resources in Orland Park School District #135, has led District #135 as an administrator of public relations and of human resources since 1991. Keith Pain, superintendent of the district, cited that Ms. Rains comes to the district with a great wealth of experience that will be very instrumental in developing and maintaining excellence in a rapidly growing school district. “She has a track record of excellent administrative skills, outstanding interpersonal skills and an excellent background in both human resources and in communications.”

In additional to her experience in human resources and in public relations, Ms. Rains has been an English and journalism high school teacher at Muncie Southside High School in Muncie, IN for eight years. Previous to that experience, she had been a national and international news editor for the Muncie Star in Muncie, IN, an adjunct instructor for Ball State University, and an editor of The Calumet Press in Highland, IN. Additionally, she is currently the President of the Orland Park Area Chamber of Commerce. Rains has received her Masters of Arts degree in Journalism and in English from Ball State University and the Illinois Type 75 school administrative certification from DePaul University in Chicago. We have an outstanding administrative team in Summit Hill that benefits our students greatly. I am certain that Ms. Rains will only enhance their excellence.” Pain said.

New Summit Hill Jr. High School Assistant Principal Appointed

At its May 14 School Board meeting, the Summit Hill School District #161 School Board appointed Paula Sereleas as the new assistant principal of Summit Hill Jr. High School for the 2008-2009 school year. Ms. Sereleas replaces Daniel Pierson who was recently appointed as the new principal of Indian Trail School effective July 1. Superintendent Keith Pain said, “The entire staff of Summit Hill School District is very pleased with the School Board’s decision. Ms. Sereleas demonstrated a unique understanding of instructional leadership during the interview process. Her experience as an educator at Lincoln-Way High School will prove to be a real asset in our need to successfully transition our students to the high school district.”

Ms. Sereleas previously held a position as a high school history teacher at Lincoln-Way Community High School. A graduate of DePaul University with a Bachelors degree in secondary education and social sciences, Ms. Sereleas also received a Masters degree in history from DePaul. She is currently pursuing a doctoral in Educational Leadership at the same university. Ms. Sereleas has been a coach for boys and girls track and field and in men’s and women’s track and cross country at both the high school and university level. She has been a graduate assistant and has also been a youth soccer coach and a member of the Lincoln-Way Referendum Committee. She is a also a graduate of Birchwood High School in Warrington, England.

Letter to Parents: PowerSchool Access

May 8, 2008


Dear Parents:

This year, we were very pleased to be able to involve you more directly in your child’s education by making student grades available to parents through PowerSchool web access. We hope that you have found this daily access to your child’s progress a positive experience and that it has helped you monitor your child’s achievement. We intend to make further enhancements to this website in the future in order to increase parent and school communication.

As the end of the year is quickly approaching and due to the need for teachers to finalize all records and student reports for the current school year, we will need to close all parent access to the PowerSchool website for this year on Friday, May 16. Certainly, you will be able to access the site again beginning in August 2008 and throughout the entire next school year.

If you are in need of any information regarding your child’s PowerSchool record, please log in by Thursday, May 15 and retrieve the information that you need. After that date, teachers are always available to answer any questions that you may have regarding your child’s progress.

I wish you and your child success in the final days of his or her school experience this year.



Sincerely,



Keith Pain, Superintendent

New Hilda Walker School Principal

At its April 9 School Board meeting, the Summit Hill School District #161 School Board appointed Jan Zevkovich as the new principal of Hilda Walker School. Ms. Zevkovich has been the principal of Strassburg School in Community School District #168 in Sauk Village for the past six years. She assumes the position of Principal Luke Pavone who has recently accepted a position as principal of Highcrest School in Wilmette School District #39. Superintendent Keith Pain said, “Ms. Zevkovich comes to us with a long history of excellent leadership skills and the ability to lead the successful implementation of high quality instructional practices for students. We are very fortunate that she has chosen Hilda Walker School as a school to continue her administrative career.”

In addition to being principal at Strassburg School, Ms. Zevkovich has previously held positions as both a principal and an assistant principal in District #194 in Steger. She also had held positions as a sixth grade and a third grade teacher in District #194. Ms. Zevkovich is a graduate of Purdue University with a Bachelors of Arts in Elementary Education and a graduate of Governors State University with a Masters of Arts in Educational Administration. She has also received a Certificate of Advanced Study and her Illinois School Superintendent Endorsement from Lewis University.

Hilda Walker School is a grades 5-6 school in Summit Hill School District that has an approximate enrollment of 850 students. Superintendent Pain added, “The Hilda Walker School is a highly successful school in our community with high student achievement. We look forward to Ms. Zevkovich bringing her effective leadership skills to our high-performing and rapidly growing district.” District #161 has recently added 12 classrooms to the Hilda Walker School in order to accommodate the growing student population in the district. The school can now accommodate 1150 students.

Parent University: May 6 2008 at 7;00 PM

Summit Hill School District #161 is pleased to announce that Dr. Scott Stratton, a licensed chiropractor and certified master nutritionist will be speaking in our district on Tuesday, May 6 at 7:00 PM at the District Office. Dr. Stratton will present the program, Children and Nutrition: Raising Healthy Children. With 20 years of experience as a chiropractor in the Frankfort area, Dr. Stratton has recently focused on obtaining an advanced certificate in the area of nutrition. Therefore, he has a wealth of information to offer to both parents and students in this very important area. This Parent University is part of the district’s initiative to bring more helpful and educational programs to both students and parents. All are invited to attend.

Daniel Pierson Named Indian Trail School Principal

At its March 12 School Board meeting, the Summit Hill School District #161 School Board appointed Dan Pierson as the new principal of Indian Trail School. Mr. Pierson has been the assistant principal of Summit Hill Jr. High School for the past year and assumes the position of Principal Kathryn Klein on July 1 who was recently appointed to the principalship at the new district’s elementary school, Mary Drew School. In 2008-2009, Indian Trail School will be one of five grades 1-4 schools in the district will accommodate approximately 375 students. Superintendent Keith Pain said, “The entire staff of Summit Hill School District is pleased with the School Board’s decision. Mr. Pierson has proven himself to be an outstanding educator and an excellent school administrator. He deeply cares about each and every student with whom he comes in contact. I am certain that under his leadership, the Indian Trail staff will be able to continue the history of excellence that the community has come to expect.”

Mr. Pierson previously held the administrative position of Dean of Students at both Hilda Walker School and at Summit Hill Jr. High School. In addition to his administrative experience, Mr. Pierson has been a social studies teacher and Technology Trainer at Homer Jr. High School in Homer School District #33C for 12 years. He is a graduate of Lockport Township High School and received his Bachelors Degree and teaching certification in social studies at Illinois State University and his Masters Degree at Governors State University in School Administration.

New Elementary Boundaries Announced

January 24, 2008


Dear Parents:

Last evening, the Summit Hill School Board approved the new elementary school attendance boundaries for grades 1-4 as recommended by the Elementary School Boundary Committee. If you wish to access these new boundaries, you may view them on our website in PDF format at http://www.summithill.org/for_parents_and_students/forms.asp. In order to view such a format, it may be necessary for you to download a free version of Adobe Reader from the Internet. This format will allow you to magnify the map in order to view the street names and the neighborhoods.

Previous to the work of the Elementary Boundary Committee, the district was divided into quadrants (A-W) or natural boundaries. The goal was to keep students who live and play together at the same school, provide for neighborhood schools, and to balance the enrollment at all five elementary schools. The plan chosen by the School Board seemed to do this the best. In fact, the plan will allow the district to have less crowding at all of our elementary schools, will allow for future student growth, and will allow the district to have additional space at each school for special services, science rooms, and support programs in order to even better educate all of our students. The Elementary Boundary Committee well represented the citizens of the district, deliberated many hours, and considered many potential plans before their final excellent recommendations last evening.

In order to clarify, attendance at each center will be:

School Quadrants
Arbury Hills: A, B, C, D, E, F
Dr. Julian Rogus: G, H, I, N
Frankfort Square: K, L
Indian Trail: O, P, R, S, T, U V, W
Mary Drew:J, M Q

In order to clarify further, we will be sending an assignment letter to all 2008-2009 grades 1-4 students very shortly and as soon as we are able to update our student database.

This assignment of elementary student boundaries brings us much closer to the end of our $39 Million referendum project. I know that all of you are very proud of our accomplishments thus far with the addition of four preschool/kindergarten classrooms at Dr. Julian Rogus, the addition of 12 classrooms to Hilda Walker School, and the completion and opening of a wonderful “state of the art” junior high facility. I know that you will also be pleased with the almost complete remodeling of Mary Drew School and the addition of LCD projectors for technology-based instruction at all schools by August 2008. Thank you for such overwhelming support for our children.


Sincerely,



Keith Pain, Superintendent

Letter to Parents

February 4, 2008


Dear Parents:

We are all deeply saddened by the tragedy that occurred on Saturday at Brookside Marketplace. As we are also aware that many of our students are directly or indirectly affected by living so close to the shopping mall where this tragedy occurred, we are executing a portion of our crisis plan.

As students may feel worried or frightened and may have questions or concerns, our district social workers and counselors have been and will be providing assistance to individual students as needed. If you have a special concern about your child’s reaction to the tragic event, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher or principal so that we can help your child as soon as possible.

The administration and staff at Summit Hill School District #161 have always been very serious about student security. Therefore, in order to maintain student safety, we will continue to implement our normal security procedures, but will be reviewing them for any possible modifications.

Such terrible events can cause us to question even the most fundamental principles in which we believe. While it is important for our children to be realistic and careful in today’s society, please realize that worry and fear can seriously handicap the process of growing into a self-actualized adult. Therefore, we will remain committed to doing whatever it takes to maintain the school environment as a safe, nurturing, and positive environment for students. Please let us know what we can do to make that environment more successful for your child.


Sincerely,



Keith Pain, Superintendent

Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten registration for all students attending Summit Hill School District 161 in Frankfort, Mokena, and Tinley Park will be conducted at the Dr. Julian Rogus School, 20027 S. 88th Avenue, Frankfort, IL 60423. Registration will be held at the school for both Full Day and Half Day Kindergarten sessions on February 25-28 at the school from 9:30 AM until 3:00 PM. A special evening registration period will also be held immediately following a Kindergarten Orientation Meeting on February 28 at 6:30 PM. All parents are welcome and encouraged to attend this Kindergarten Orientation Meeting.

To enroll in kindergarten for the 2008-2009 school year, a child must be 5 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2008. An original birth certificate and proof of residency are required for kindergartners. Physical and dental examinations and immunizations are also mandatory for all kindergartners and may be conducted previous to school entry in August. All fees should be paid at the time of registration, but the district will work with anyone experiencing financial difficulties.

Fees determined for the 2008-2009 School Year have not yet been determined. For additional information, please call the District Office at (815) 469-9103 for a registration form. Forms can also be picked up at all district schools and may be access on the district website at www.summithill.org after February 1, 2008.

New Mary Drew Elementary School Faculty Announced

The new faculty for the newMary Drew Elementary School to open in August 2008 has been announced. They are:

Faculty Member,Position

Lisa Dunn, Grade 1
Nancy Sobczak, Grade 1
Allison Bryze, Grade 1
Linda Schober, Grade 2
Laura Dermody, Grade 2
Danielle Mittelstat, Grade 2
Julie Fiocca,Grade 3
April Wsol, Grade 3
David Ruklic, Grade 3
John Buchanan,Grade 4
Debra Black, Grade 4
Robert Jeffrey, Grade 4
Julie Grubbe, Special Education
Sarah Turek, Reading
Molly Ward, Social Work
Nancy Clarey, Physical Educaton
Joyce Larson, Music
Carol Daniels, Secretary
Kathryn Klein, Principal

All other positions will be determined at a later date.

Kathryn Klein Named New Elementary School Principal

At its September 26, 2007 School Board meeting, Indian Trail Principal Kathryn Klein was named the principal of the district’s new elementary school to open in August 2008. “We are very pleased to appoint Mrs. Klein to this position, for she has continuously demonstrated excellent leadership in our district and is just the leader we need to effectively open this new school,” Superintendent Keith Pain said. “Mrs. Klein will continue to be principal of Indian Trail School for the remainder of the year while leading the preparation and opening of this new school.”

Principal Klein has a strong primary school background and has been the principal of Indian Trail School for the past two years. Her previous administrative experience includes being a principal at the Worth Elementary School in Worth, a principal in Plano, and an assistant principal in the New Lenox #122 School District. Previous to that time, she held various teaching positions at the K-3 level.

The former district junior high and new elementary school on Rosewood Drive in Frankfort will open in August 2008 following an extensive year-long renovation project. The project is the last phase of a $39 Million bond referendum passed by the voters in April 2005. The referendum included the building and opening of the new Summit Hill Jr. High School on North Avenue in August and also the addition of 12 classrooms to the Hilda Walker School and 4 classrooms to the Dr. Julian Rogus School.

Letter to Parents Regarding Student Health

October 25, 2007

Dear Parents:

While we have no reported cases of MRSA or any other serious illness in our schools, we are taking very proactive steps to try to prevent the infection reaching any of our students. In addition to the normal cycle of disinfection that our custodial staff regularly conducts, we have added an additional immediate cycle of disinfection of the surfaces susceptible to the spreading of infection. Special attention is being given to locker rooms and gym spaces, washrooms, cafeteria surfaces, and student and teacher desks and counters. By completing this, we are hoping that we will be taking serious measures against a serious staph infection and all bacteria infections that can infect our students and our staff.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) also has indicated that good hygiene is critical in preventing staph or skin infections. They indicate that all should do the following:

1. Keep hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
2. Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a bandage until healed.
3. Avoid contact with other people’s wounds and bandages.
4. Avoid sharing personal items such as towels or razors.

While our staff is reviewing these important points with our students, please also take the time to reinforce these important safety procedures with your child.

Thank you for your immediate attention to your child’s safety and health. If we all work together, we can better prevent any types of infections in our schools.


Sincerely,



Keith Pain, Superintendent

Those Who Excel State Winners Announced

The Summit Hill School District #161 recently recognized the district’s recipients of the state 33rd Annual Those Who Excel program who also were also honored at the Those Who Excel/Illinois Teacher of the Year awards program in Decatur on October 13. The Illinois State Board of Education yearly honors Illinois’ outstanding teachers, administrators, support service personnel and community members.

Recipients from Summit Hill included:

Debra Black, Student Support Personnel: Award of Merit

Kim A. Coughlin, Classroom Teacher: Award of Merit

Hilda Walker Intermediate School Reading Team, Team, Award of Excellence

Gary M. Jablonski, Educational Service Personnel: Award of Excellence

Beth R. Lind, Administrator, Award of Recognition

James J. Randall, Community Volunteer, Award of Merit

Recipients of the prestigious state award are nominated by their local school peers and then reviewed by the Summit Hill School District Improvement Team. The recipients then complete a state nomination package that is reviewed an Illinois State Board of Education committee of peers. The state committee represents statewide educational organizations and former award winners.