School Spotlight

ROE 53 wants to celebrate the amazing things happening in schools across our region! Throughout the year, in the ROE 53 newsletter, we will spotlight innovative projects, special programs, community partnerships, and/or family engagement activities at a school in Mason, Tazewell, or Woodford County.

Want to spotlight something at your school?

Fill out this form and selected submissions will be featured in the ROE 53 monthly newsletter!

We look forward to seeing all the exciting things happening in our schools!

Check out the Garden Club at Paul L. Bolin Elementary!

This year will be Bolin's 4th year of Garden Club. Two students from each class are selected to participate in monthly Garden Club meetings. The students stay after school, have a healthy snack, and learn about topics such as plants, composting, healthy eating, and the environment. They have done projects that include indoor composting, bulb planting, school grounds clean up, and propagation. This program has served to connect students to a special interest that is not always explored in the classroom. The club has beatified the front of the building and created a more welcoming environment!

SEL Professional Learning

Area 3 SEL Hub Fall & Winter Course List (click here)

Professional learning sessions for social emotional learning - in-person and virtual!

SEL Collaborative

The Social and Emotional Collaborative connects PreK-12 school counselors, social workers, psychologists, administrators, teachers, and other support staff across Peoria, Mason, Tazewell, & Woodford Counties to strengthen supportive learning environments through shared learning, collaboration, and community partnerships.

The next meeting is October 20, 2026 - register here!

Click on the graphic to learn more!

Youth Mental Health First Aid

Date: October 16, 2026

Location: Peoria ROE Community Room, Peoria

Time: 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Cost: $40

In-Person Blended Course :

2 hours online pre-work; 4.5 hours of live training

Register Here before Oct 3!

Free Instructional Resources (click on graphic to access)

Careers in Cybersecurity

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month! Check out the free resources from Learning Blade that can help your students learn about the important work of cybersecurity and explore the careers that help keep us safe.

Digital Citizenship Activities

Check out this Kami Library full of free teaching resources for Digital Citizenship Week which starts October 19! No paid Kami account is required.

Facts on Fire

Dr. Brian Poncy has created a free, evidence-informed math fluency program to build early numeracy and computational skills through short daily practice.

Upcoming Professional Development for Administrators

AA 4229: AI Vision & Strategy: October 7, 2026 in Washington

This academy is for leaders ready to move beyond isolated AI tools and develop a cohesive, long-term vision for artificial intelligence in their school or district.

Learn more and register here!

Coffee & Conversations

Join fellow education leaders for coffee, conversation, and connection!

The first of four sessions is Oct 22 - learn more here!

Register for any or all of the sessions here!

ROE 53 Cohorts

Emerging Educators

ROE 53 provides monthly virtual professional learning sessions on pertinent topics for those new to teaching. Our next meeting is November 5, 2026. Sign up to join the cohort here!

Technology Leaders

ROE 53, in partnership with Peoria ROE & LTC, meet monthly with technology leaders from schools within our area. Tips for troubleshooting, networking, and resources are provided. We are also able to see tech innovation in our schools and local organizations! Our next meeting is October 30, 2026. Learn more and register here!

Instructional Coaches

Instructional coaches meet monthly to discuss and share coaching strategies and approaches used in schools in our region. Our next meeting is October 15, 2026. Learn more and register here!

Calling All Social Studies Educators

Check out these Illinois organizations for free teaching resources and professional learning opportunities! Earn PD Hours through ISBE approved PD activities and sign up to receive updates & information.

The Social Studies Network

Facing History & Ourselves

Illinois Civics Hub

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum

Native American Indigenous Peoples Resource Guide from ISBE

Asian American History Resource Guide from ISBE

Raising Student Achievement Conference

SAVE THE DATE

December 7 & 8, 2026

Oak Brook, IL

Keynotes this year: Gerry Brooks & Kim Strobel

Early Bird Registration ends October 21!

Find out more about RSAC here!

Classroom Management That Cultivates Care

Join the Illinois Valley Reading Council on October 20 for a powerful session focused on building a classroom culture where students are motivated, engaged, and have a sense of belonging!

Find out more and register here!

Community Resources & Professional Development

Grand Canyon University

Check out this month's complimentary professional learning course from GCU focused on Classroom Management. Learn more & register here!

Tazewell County Initiative Coalition Retreat

Join Tazewell County Health Dept & Jody Heavilin from Prevention First for "Community Strategies for Substance Use Prevention" on Oct 22. Lunch, giveaways, & door prizes are included. Learn more & register here!

TRS Benefit Information Meeting

Learn about TRS Basics, timeline, retirement benefits and more! This session is on Oct 27 at East Peoria Community High School. Find out more here!

Contact Regional Office of Education #53

Serving Mason, Tazewell, & Woodford Counties

Regional Superintendent: Jeff Ekena

Assistant Regional Superintendent: Jon Smith

Professional Development Coordinator: Kelli Ballard

Social Emotional Learning Specialist: Michelle Coconate

Email: office53@roe53.net
Website: https://www.roe53.net/
Location: 2400 N Main St, Suite C, East Peoria, IL, USA
Phone: (309) 477-2290
Facebook: facebook.com/mtwroe53
X: @mtwroe53

ROE 53 Newsletter

October 2026

School Spotlight

Check out the Garden Club at Paul L. Bolin Elementary!

SEL Professional Learning

SEL Collaborative

Youth Mental Health First Aid

Free Instructional Resources (click on graphic to access)

Careers in Cybersecurity

Digital Citizenship Activities

Facts on Fire

Upcoming Professional Development for Administrators

ROE 53 Cohorts

Emerging Educators

Technology Leaders

Instructional Coaches

Calling All Social Studies Educators

Raising Student Achievement Conference

Classroom Management That Cultivates Care

Community Resources & Professional Development

Grand Canyon University

Tazewell County Initiative Coalition Retreat

TRS Benefit Information Meeting

Contact Regional Office of Education #53

School Spotlight School Spotlight

Check out the Garden Club at Paul L. Bolin Elementary!

SEL Professional Learning SEL Professional Learning

SEL Collaborative

Youth Mental Health First Aid

Free Instructional Resources (click on graphic to access) Free Instructional Resources (click on graphic to access)

Careers in Cybersecurity

Digital Citizenship Activities

Facts on Fire

Upcoming Professional Development for Administrators Upcoming Professional Development for Administrators

ROE 53 Cohorts ROE 53 Cohorts

Emerging Educators

Technology Leaders

Instructional Coaches

Calling All Social Studies Educators Calling All Social Studies Educators

Raising Student Achievement Conference Raising Student Achievement Conference

Classroom Management That Cultivates Care

Community Resources & Professional Development Community Resources & Professional Development

Grand Canyon University

Tazewell County Initiative Coalition Retreat

TRS Benefit Information Meeting

Contact Regional Office of Education #53

School Spotlight

SEL Professional Learning

Free Instructional Resources (click on graphic to access)

Upcoming Professional Development for Administrators

ROE 53 Cohorts

Calling All Social Studies Educators

Raising Student Achievement Conference

Community Resources & Professional Development