This Week in Valley View
News and Notes from Around the District
The first week of November is National School Psychologist Month, an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of school psychologists and raise awareness about the important role they play in supporting students' mental health and academic success.
Dr. Nicole Medina is in her second year as School Psychologist for the Mitchem and Sykora Early Childhood Centers. Dr. Medina had a private practice, but wanted a greater community connection with her profession, and found it in VVSD.
Sworn In as Board Member- May 4, 2015
Current Term Expires- 2027
Profession- Insurance Broker
VVSD Resident Since- A native born VVSD community member who returned as a homeowner in 2013. Parent of a current VVSD student.
Education- University of Iowa, 2007 Degree in Economics
Why I Became a Board Member-
My parents, aunts and uncles all attended VVSD schools, and many worked in the schools as adults. I am proud to say that members of my family have been associated with VVSD schools in a variety of capacities going back to 1962. As a kid, I saw my Mom and Dad heavily involved in VVSD as a high school athletic director and I aspired to be involved in the District as well. That is why I originally became a Board Member after becoming a homeowner and taxpayer in the VVSD community. When my daughter began attending VVSD School, I decided to seek re-election to the Board because I didn’t want to be the person who sits on the sideline and complains. I want to be active in my community and be a catalyst for progress.
Best Advice I Have Ever Received- If I was having a bad day, my grandmother would always say, “If this is the worst day of your life, you’re going to have a pretty good life.” I think about that anytime I am having a rough day.
My Advice to Our VVSD Students as Future Community Leaders- Is what I wish I could tell myself if I could go back in time. I wish I could tell my younger self that your time in school is the foundation of the trajectory for your life. Especially once you reach high school. Your school years dictate your direction in life both professionally and personally. Students need to continually ask, “Do I want the hard way, or the easy way?” Life is a lot harder if you don’t take advantage of the opportunities you have right in front of you, and in abundance while you are in school.
Valley View CUSD 365U is hosting its third annual Family Symposium on Saturday, November 7 from 10 am-2:30 pm at Brooks Middle School. Please join us for a Community Resource Fair from Noon- 2 pm, Workshops starting at 11am. Childcare will be available for children up to 5th grade.
McGee Elementary 4th grade students in Charlie McDermott’s Art Class are learning about “reverse perspective” and creating drawings using the concept to produce amazing artwork. Watch this video to see the students’ creations and how they make a drawing on a 2D piece of paper become a 3D work of art.
VVSD Nutrition Services will provide one free breakfast and one free lunch for Every Learner in grades Pre-K through 12th. For more information, visit www.vvsd.org/food
Bolingbrook HS Presents “Puffs”
For seven years a certain boy wizard went to a certain Wizard School and conquered evil. This, however, is not his story. This is the story of the Puffs who just happened to be at that certain Wizard School at the same time as a certain boy wizard who shall not be named at the risk of copyright infringement. The Brook Theatre presents a tale for anyone who has never been destined to save the world.
Showtimes are: Fri. Nov. 6 & Sat. Nov. 7 7 pm. Sun. Nov. 8 3 pm.
Ticket Information Coming Soon
Brooks Middle School Presents “It Must Be Murder”
For two moms and one true-crime novelist who make up the Mandrake Murder Club, it’s fun and games consulting for Paige Turner’s podcast, If It’s Monday, It Must Be Murder! But when Mandrake Apartment’s mean-spirited landlord actually winds up dead, there’s only one conclusion... it must be murder! Neighbors become suspects and “home” becomes a danger zone as the foursome — plus two cantankerous teens — dive into dark corners of the crime.
Showtimes are: Thu. Nov.12 and Fri. Nov. 13 at 6:45 pm. Tickets are available at the door.
Lukancic Middle School Presents “Crumpled Classics”
Get ready for literary mayhem in Crumpled Classics, where high school students hijack their school play to turn timeless masterpieces like Romeo and Juliet and Frankenstein into hilariously chaotic, fast-food, and prom-date parodies!
Showtimes are: Thu. Nov.12, Fri. Nov. 13, and Sat. Nov. 14 at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for children.
Humphrey Middle School Presents “Don’t Rock the Boat”
Tom Butterworth is determined to be the youngest cruise ship captain in history - even if this means sailing on a converted gunboat named "Vengeance" with a crew of rejects from Maritime High School, and a trio of girl singers who are passing themselves off as a famous show biz act. To top it all off, there's a hijacking by a misguided group of pirate loonies. By the final curtain, it's all romance and laughter.
Showtimes are: Thu. Nov.19 and Fri. Nov. 20 at 6:15 pm. Tickets are available at the door.
VVSD Superintendent Dr. Teresa Polson and Bolingbrook HS Principal Dr. Jason Pascavage greet members of the BHS Class of 2031 for 8th Grade Step Up Day.
VVSD's joint Illinois Global Scholars program with students from both Bolingbrook HS and Romeoville HS volunteered at Feed My Starving Children. The field trip was focused on the UN Goal of Zero Hunger. Students packed meals for shipping to Uganda and Yemen.
Independence Elementary 1st Grade students in Martha Flores’ class pondered the question, “Do pumpkins float?”. The students considered the data, made a hypothesis, then tested their theory. The answer is shown in the photo. Yes! pumpkins float! (As long as the pumpkin weighs less than the weight of the water it displaces when fully submerged.)