5Essentials Feedback Opportunity
All parents are encouraged to participate in a brief survey to help District 41 gather valuable data to inform school improvement. The Illinois 5Essentials Parent Survey is administered annually by the Illinois State Board of Education. The survey is open now through March 28, 2025.
Click here to take the survey and choose “Parent Survey.” The deadline is March 28
Each school needs at least 20 percent parent participation for a data report to be provided for the school. For more information about the survey, see below. Thank you in advance for your participation. Your feedback is very much appreciated!
For questions regarding the survey, please email 5Essentials@isbe.net.
Forest Glen Library Media Center Partners with GEPL
Every year, Forest Glen (K-2) students participate in a statewide vote after reading from the Monarch book list. In celebration of reading and voting, Forest Glen Digital Literacy Specialist Mrs. Marcie Callicoat partnered with Alexa Moffat, School Liaison from the Glen Ellyn Public Library, for a “Monarch Mingle." The students played Bingo, "mingled" with their peers, and talked about the books. In honor of one of the favorite books, "Lou" by Breanna Carzoo, students decorated dogs and displayed them in the LMC.
Featuring Paul Marchese
I teach chorus, ukulele, guitar and music production at Hadley Jr. High School
How long have you worked in District 41?
I have been in the district for 14 years.
What is special about the arts/music in District 41?
There is a prevailing attitude and mission in District 41 to constantly strive to provide the best education to each student, with the recognition that this applies to the whole student, not just the “core” subjects. That attitude reflects in its willingness to encourage and support innovation in our instruction of all subjects. As a result, there’s a respect and recognition of the arts’ place in the core education of our students, rather than as an optional “extra.”
What inspires you as a music teacher?
I consider myself a teacher first, and music is simply the medium that I use to teach. Of course, like most teachers, those moments of inspiration and joy in my students when they discover that they are capable of so much more than they thought they were is one of my greatest inspirations.
Describe your typical day.
I normally arrive at Hadley around 7:30 to set up for the day. (Once things get rolling, there’s rarely time to set things up!) After the bell rings, we have our Advisory period, then I teach an 8th Grade Music Production class, in which we learn how to create music using iPads. Immediately following enter 50 8th grade chorus members, who work on learning how to work together to sing and learn musical concepts. After some meetings about student engagement and best practices, I will teach another Music Production class, though this time to 7th graders, then a 6th grade chorus, followed by a 7th grade chorus. Finally, my 6th grade Exploratory class arrives, and we work on learning how to read and create music using ukulele! After school twice a week, our extracurricular “fretted orchestra” (Ukulele, Guitar, Mandolin, Tenor Guitar and Bass) called Triple Fret will rehearse. It’s a busy day…every day!
What is your favorite memory as a teacher in District 41?
This is somewhat like asking someone who their favorite child is! I think my favorite memories in District 41 have come from those moments when I and my students have discovered new ways of doing things. From discovering new instruments (such as ukulele) to using unexpected instruments in novel ways during chorus (such as using an “iPad Band” to accompany the chorus), my favorite memories involve the support that I’ve received in innovating my instruction to give the students a better experience in the classroom.
What are some of the special moments you have had with your students this school year so far?
There’s been quite a few! One of my favorites so far this year was when a student who was new to the school accidentally attended chorus rather than the Exploratory class that she was scheduled to go to. By the end of the class, she asked if she could stay for the year since the students were so welcoming, and she had so much fun!
I shared a video of the Vancouver Youth Choir performing a song titled, “Here Comes the River.” (Check it out on YouTube; it’s a powerful performance!) The lyrics to the piece go well beyond surface meaning, and the performance of it by the choir hints at the greater meaning of the song. I had originally just meant to show it as an example of a good chorus, but it turned into a deep discussion about the nature of grief and how it is portrayed in music and performance.
What advice do you give your students who are interested in pursuing music in high school and beyond?
It’s truly the same advice I’d give to any student regardless of what field they are considering: Do not be held back by your perception of “talent” or by worrying whether you have the right background to study the field you’re interested in. If you have the work ethic and the drive, you will be successful in your pursuits. That success may look different from someone else’s success, of course, but that’s life! It comes down to the best advice I ever received from a teacher: Figure out what you’d do for the rest of your life for free, then figure out how to do THAT for a career.
Glenbard Parent Series
District 41 is a proud partner of the Glenbard Parent Series. Check out the many programs offered to support parents with children of all ages! Check out their full updated list of upcoming events HERE and their 2024-25 brochure HERE.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25 @ 7pm
Duncan Kirkwood
HYBRID EVENT -- LIVE LIFE WELL WEEK -- The Critical Skills to Unleash Perseverance, Passion and Purpose
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27 @ 7-9pm
Sarah Ward and Dr. Jessica Minahan
HYBRID EVENT -- Practical Strategies for Reducing Anxiety and Increasing Executive Function Skills (Organization, Time Management & Task Completion)
Glen Ellyn School District 41
Email: webmaster@d41.org
Website: www.d41.org
Location: 793 North Main Street, Glen Ellyn, IL, USA
Phone: 630.790.6400
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