This Week in Valley View
News and Notes from Around the District
May 18, 2023
VVSD Staff Spotlight- Lori Hader, Kitchen Manager, Romeoville HS
Among many other things we celebrate at the end of the school year, we bid a fond farewell to the VVSD Staff Retirement Class of 2023. This year’s class of 52 members departs with combined years of service well over 1000 years!
Representing this year’s class in the Spotlight is Romeoville HS Kitchen Manager Lori Hader, who is retiring after 27 years with VVSD in total, the last 14 years at RHS. Lori begins by sharing how the decision was made to fill out that job application way back in the mid-90’s, when President Clinton was in his first term and long before life was so computerized.
Watch the Video!
Please Note this Change to the 2023-2024 District Calendar
Two updates to the District Calendar for the 2023-2024 were approved by the Board of Education.
The Teacher Workday on January 8, 2024 has been removed and that day will now be the day students and staff return for full classes after Winter Break.
Tuesday, March 19, 2024 (Election Day) has been adjusted to reflect “No Student Attendance”. This is no longer being classified as an E-Learning day. The addition of January 8, 2024 as an in-person student attendance day makes an E-Learning Day on Election Day no longer necessary. The full 2023-24 VVSD School Year calendar can be accessed via the link below.
2023-24 Board Approved VVSD School Year Calendar
VVSD Buildings Operations and Maintenance Offering Summer Job Opportunities
VVSD’s facilities operations has several summer temporary job opportunities currently available. These positions are for eight hours per day, five days a week at a rate of $15 per hour, late spring through summer, actual days to be determined by the Facility Operations Department. Additional dates may include VVSD’s fall and spring breaks, as needed.
The positions being offered will assist in a variety of functions under the direction of supervisors, including general maintenance, grounds, painting, moving, carpentry, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and other duties in support of District-wide operations.
To view the job openings, full description and to apply, visit www.vvsd.org/jobs
Notice Regarding Paid Transportation for the 2023-24 School Year
The application period for paid student transportation for the 2023-24 school year will open Wed. July 5 and will close Mon. July 31. Seating is limited on a first come, first served basis and paid transportation students may be removed from routes due to changes in capacity limits. Paid student transportation application window will close for the month of August for the 2023-24 school year, and will re-open on Tue. Sept. 5, pending availability.
Upon notification of acceptance for paid student transportation Visa, MasterCard or Discover card payments for the full year or the first semester can be accepted over the phone at 815-886-6686 between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
Paid student transportation rates are as follows:
One student- $575 full year ($287.50 per semester - 2nd semester payment due no later than December 15, 2023.
Two or more students $1150 in full ($575 per semester - 2nd semester payment due no later than December 15, 2023.
Pro-rated Paid Transportation will not be available.
Kindergarten Enrollment for VVSD Class of 2036 Continues
Online Kindergarten enrollment for the VVSD Class of 2036 is now available. To be eligible to register, a student must be five years old on or before Sept 1, 2023 and the family must live within VVSD boundaries. Families of current VVSD students will be able to register via their Infinite Campus Parent Portal account, while families new to the District will be able to online register at https://www.vvsd.org/Page/15574
After an application for enrollment is submitted, you will be contacted for an enrollment appointment.
Registration for the 2023-24 School Year for Returning Students Now Open
Registration for our VVSD returning students for the new school year that begins in August is now open at www.vvsd.org Please note that registration fees are not due until July, so you can register now and pay any fees later.
VVEEF Annual Nine & Dine Fundraising Event Set for Thu. June 8
What better way to welcome summer vacation and support an excellent cause than joining the Valley View Educational Enrichment Foundation for the annual Nine & Dine Outing and Fundraiser? Each year, in addition to supporting the teachers and students of VVSD, you’ll have a great time playing nine holes of bogey-free golf at Bolingbrook Golf Club and attend the dinner gala and auction.
Options to participate in this year’s festivities:
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Golfer Package includes nine holes golf and dinner for $110
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Dinner Only Package $50
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Donate to the Amazon Wish List – by purchasing any of these items, you will be supporting our golfer goody bags. Items will be shipped directly to VVEEF!
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There are various sponsorship opportunities available as well!
Visit vveefgolf2023.givesmart.com to buy tickets. For more information, contact Rachel Dellamorte directly at: DELLAMORRE@vvsd.org
Kudos for Noteworthy Achievements
The VVSD community claimed two awards at the Annual Distinguished Service Celebration of the Illinois Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association on Fri. May 12 at Bolingbrook Golf Club.
RaiderVision from Bolingbrook HS won an INSPRA Teams Award.
RaiderVision produces a video morning announcement once per week that highlights the events and people of BHS. Raider Vision is a team of six students: Ray Cave, Daniel Jiminez, Dash Karpadia, Jada Law, Keiah Welch, and Jody Yancy under the guidance of faculty sponsor Adam Brown.
The VVSD Parent Network Facebook Group won an INSPRA Parents Award for their Facebook page created during the COVID pandemic for parents to connect with and support each other and exchange information. The VVSD Parent Network page was founded by VVSD parent Mithra Zaucha, and VVSD staff members and parents Rachel DeWitt and Jenny Park. The page now has over 2200 members and continues to be a positive space to help parents network, ask questions and learn about school and community resources.
VVSD is being represented by 12 student athletes at the IHSA Class 3A Girls Track & Field Championships May 18-20 at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. Bolingbrook HS is represented by 12th grade student Chinenye Ifeajekwu in the 400 Meter Dash who also qualified in the 4X100 Relay. 12th grade student Aiyana Wideman, 11th grade student Kristyn Johnson and 9th grade student Danielle Cathy complete the team. BHS will also send the 4X200 Relay team of Wideman, Johnson, Cathay and 12th grade student Xiana Jones. Alternates also making the trip to the state championships are 11th graders Brooklyn Boyce and Takiera Moore along with 10th grader Gianna Barajas and 9th grader Quanesha Williams.
Romeoville HS will send three representatives to Charleston. 11th grade student Tania Miller will compete in both the 100 Meter Dash and the 200 Meter Dash. 11th grade student Grace Griffin will participate in the Triple Jump and 10 grade student Sophia Flowers will be among the competitors in the 800 Meter Dash. (Officially, it is the 800 Meter Run, but trust us, it is a dash for the entire 800 meters!)
VVSD also has 12 student athletes competing in individual events at the IESA Class 4A Track & Field Championships May 19-20 at the East Side Centre in East Peoria. Representing Jane Addams Middle School, David Croom III will compete in the 8th grade boys Long Jump and 200 Meter Dash. Yorachukwu Ifeajekwu qualified in both the 7th grade boys 400 Meter Dash and 800 Meter Dash. 7th grade students Edison Ah-Yo and Gabriel Jenkins will compete in the boys High Jump and 200 Meter Dash respectively.
Jane Addams is also sending teams to compete in the 8th grade boys 4x200 Meter Relay, and 7th grade boys 4x200 Meter Relay.
Brooks Middle School is represented by Ayden Fleming competing in the 7th grade boys Shot Put and Edmond Ankomah and Denell Johnson who will both compete in the 8th grade boys 200 Meter Dash. Brooks will also send a team to compete in the 8th grade boys 4x100 Meter Dash.
Humphrey Middle School 7th grade students Kayden Palmer and Donte Brooks will compete in the boys Long Jump and boys 110 Meter High Hurdles respectively. Humphrey is also sending their 7th grade boys 4x100 Meter relay team to the state meet.
Lukancic Middle School is sending two student athletes to the state finals, 8th grade student Milan Cadet is entered in both the 100 Meter Dash and 200 Meter Dash for 8th grade girls. Samuel Appiah-Dankwah will compete in the 7th grade boys High Jump.
Bolingbrook HS 11th grade student Laylah Richmond is a Student Spotlight recipient of the Black Star Project and the BDM Sports and Education Project. As part of this honor, Laylah was interviewed on WVON Radio where she discussed the business of sports and her new book, The Whole World Opened UP, that is about how reading opens up new worlds.
Seen Around Valley View This Week
Left- The STEP Campus Students vs. Staff Basketball game is always one of the most anticipated events of the year and began with the ceremonial opening tip-off.
Center- Romeoville HS Class of 2023 members Gigi Garcia and T.J. Hosey welcome their “replacements”, the members of the RHS Class of 2027 at Step Up Day.
Right- Cool temperatures, sunshine, and timely rain showers are optimum conditions for grass to thrive and that means our Operations staff had ample reasons to do a little mowing.
Seen Around Valley View This Week (Walk & Bike to School Day Edition)
Schools all around VVSD celebrated Walk & Bike to School Day on Wed. May 17 with the assistance of the Bolingbrook Police Department and the Romeoville Police Department. The weather was cool and beautifully clear, perfect for a morning walk or bike ride to school.
Left- Wood View Elementary School
Center- Irene King Elementary School
Right- Oak View Elementary School
Quick Notes-
The next meeting of the Valley View Board of Education will be held Monday, June 12 at John J. Lukancic Middle School, 725 W. Normantown Rd., Romeoville IL. This meeting will begin at 6:30 pm, at which time the Board will vote to move to Closed Executive Session. The Public Session of the meeting will begin at 7 p.m.
In accordance with the Open Meetings Act, the Agenda for the meeting will be posted no later than 48 hours prior to the start of the meeting. Click here to view the Agenda The Meeting is available via live stream on the VVSD YouTube Channel, VVSD365U
Upcoming Important School Calendar Dates
Fri. May 26 Tentative Last Day of School Early Release (Elem 2:15, MS 1:20, HS 12:43)
Mon. June 19 Juneteenth (Schools Closed)
August 14-15 Teacher Institute Day- No Student Attendance
Events for the Coming Week
Thu. May 18 VVSD Career Fair at Fountaindale Public Library 10 am- 2 pm
Fri. May 19 Pioneer Elementary Spring Concerts
Mitchem Early Childhood Family Fun In the Sun 9:30 am
Mon. May 22 Hermansen Elementary Field Day 9 am
Bolingbrook HS Class of 2023 Graduation 7 pm
Tue. May 23 Ward Elementary Field Day 9 am
Pioneer Elementary End of Year Celebration 5 pm
STEP Exiting Program & Talent Show 5:30 pm
Romeoville HS Class of 2023 Graduation 7 pm
Wed. May 24 Oak View Field Day 9 am
Wood View Elementary Field Day 9 am
Lukancic & Martinez Middle Schools 8th Grade Promotion 6 pm
Addams, Brooks & Humphrey Middle Schools 8th Grade Promotion 6:30 pm
Thu. May 25 Pioneer Elementary Field Day 9 am
Ward Elementary Kindergarten Celebration 1:45 pm
Fri. May 26 Hermansen School 5th Grade Clap Out 9:15 am
King Elementary 5th Grade Promotion Program 1 pm
Ward Elementary 5th Grade Awards Program 1:15 pm
Oak View 5th Grade Clap Out 1:40 pm
Pioneer Elementary 5th Grade Clap Out 1:45 pm
Salk Elementary 5th Grade Clap Out 1:45 pm
Ward Elementary 5th Grade Clap Out 1:45 pm
Wood View Elementary 5th Grade Clap Out 2 pm
King Elementary 5th Grade Clap Out 2:15 pm
Bolingbrook Park District
Bolingbrook Park District residents and Valley View School District students are now able to register for the REACH All-Day Care program. All the information and how to register is located at the following: http://www.bolingbrookparks.org/en/programs/reach-extended-school-care/
West Suburban Community Pantry
West Suburban Community Pantry provides emergency food services to people in DuPage and Will Counties through both our in-person and virtual food pantries. We also connect families with other vital resources so they can pursue a brighter future. We are breaking down barriers that prevent our neighbors from getting the nourishment they need to succeed by offering a variety of services. Find out more at WSCPantry.org, or shop for groceries online at VirtualFoodPantry.net
Romeoville Community Pantry
The Romeoville Community Pantry has updated their procedures and days of operation due to social distancing regulations. Instead of being a “choice pantry,” food is distributed in boxes in a drive-thru style. Clients remain in their cars and check in through the window glass as workers place food into their trunks. The pantry WILL be open the first four Saturdays of the month 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Please check the Romeoville Community Facebook page for any further updates http://www.facebook.co/romeovilleconnunitypantry/
Northern Illinois Food Bank
The Northern Illinois Food Bank is conducting mobile food banks and micro pantries in the vicinity in the near future. Please bring bags or boxes. Micro Pantries are designed to allow anonymous food pick-up for those in need and a drop-off point for those who wish to help. Micro pantries are accessible 24 hours a day. To find a Micro Pantry near you visit: http://arcg.is/04LijC
Will County MAPP Food Micro Pantries
Will County Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships conducts micro and mobile food pantries throughout Will County. Click here for more details and a map of locations.
Catholic Charities of Joliet
Catholic Charities of Joliet is hosting a Back to School Fair for students from economically challenged homes on Mon. July 24 from 2-6 pm at St. Mary Immaculate Parish 15629 S. Route 59 in Plainfield. For more information and to register, visit www.catholiccharitiesjoliet.org
That’s All for This Week!
