Superintendent Nolting noted that February has been filled with energy at all three campuses, transitioning from winter to spring. The student representatives will detail all of the accomplishments and exciting events that transpired throughout the month.
Curriculum Spotlight
The Extended School Year Bridge Program assists students with special needs who are transitioning from middle school to high school to ensure and encourage a comfortable experience when they enter as freshmen. This six-week summer school program emphasizes executive functioning skills aligned to organization, high school expectations related to credits and graduation requirements, and skill development in math and reading.
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Academic Spotlight
Those Who Excel - TEAM
The Consolidated High School District 230 Board of Education members display unwavering dedication, visionary leadership, and profound commitment to education. Their teamwork has made an indelible impact on our community, students, and educators at Carl Sandburg, Amos Alonzo Stagg, and Victor J. Andrew High Schools. The Board has fostered partnerships with parents, teachers, and the broader community. They have encouraged open dialogue and collaboration, ensuring that community feedback informs their decisions.
Those Who Excel - COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER
As President of Amos Alonzo Stagg High School’s Athletic Booster Club, Tracy Sukalo is a remarkable leader with organizational skills and unwavering commitment to the school’s athletic program. She has demonstrated exceptional leadership as the President of the Athletic Booster Club with a unique ability to motivate and inspire volunteers, parents, and supporters, which has been instrumental in the success of the club. During her time as President, not only did she increase membership, but volunteers went from four people in year one to 30 volunteers this year.
Those Who Excel: TEACHER
A special education teacher in the Ultima Program at Amos Alonzo Stagg High School for the last six years, Carrie Sinclair is an exceptional special education teacher in all areas, specifically in the areas of instruction and innovative planning, collaborating with colleagues, providing leadership and guidance to staff, and establishing relationships with students and families. Her students may be in her classroom for multiple years, so she developed a four-year rotating curriculum to ensure that students do not repeat curriculum during their time in her class. She differentiates and individualizes her instruction to meet the unique learning needs of her students.
Those Who Excel: TEAM
The Charger Team Space at Stagg High School is comprised of a dedicated team who work collectively to ensure our students are equipped with the skills to succeed academically and beyond the classroom. The program is an essential piece of the school’s multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) focused on building relationships with students to most efficiently impact their academics, while also developing essential skills including executive functioning, prioritization, and communication. They connect with their colleagues throughout the building to identify classroom supports for students. This team is an example of what is possible when given time, space, and resources to create something exceptional.
Scholastic Art Award Gold Key Winners: Nada El Zayyat, Hailey Rafacz, Katy Bednarz and Anwaar Salama
IHSA State Recognition
Country Financial Teacher Spotlight Shawn Nussbaum Girls Bowling State Champion Arianna Araujo - Stagg Girls Gymnastics Reagann Chausse - 3rd at State Finals on the Beam and All-State Honors Wrestling: Max Siegel - Andrew 6th Place and All State, Ryan Hinger - Sandburg 4th Place and Rocco Hayes - Sandburg 3rd Place
Student Representatives to the Board
Andrew senior Brian Ondras noted that the Black Student Union provided several opportunities to celebrate Black History Month, complemented by the Diversity Dance Show which showcased an array of cultural diversity. Student Council hosted a winter dance with 700 students in attendance preceded by a successful spirit week. Senior Recognition Night highlighted student academic successes, while Chess Team and DECA are preparing for advanced competitions. The Pickleball with a Purpose event paired Woodworking and Ultima class students to generate donations to support future projects. Students finalized choices for courses next year, and ThunderPlunge event raised more than $25,000 for Special Olympics
Sandburg senior Zuzanna Skiba noted that Sandburg hosted its first Sandburg Fest, with a week filled with competitions between advisories and co-curriculars. Congratulations to the girls softball team and the sophomore advisory for their winning assemblies. The week wrapped up with a casual DJ dance called Sandburg Kickback. IFest took place with nearly 300 students involved in different cultural group performances. The College and Career Resource Center has been busy helping students with FAFSA. Congratulations to students recognized for accumulating more than 100 hours of community service with the Cook County Sheriff Award and those in the top 10% of the senior class recognized at Senior Honors Night. Winter sports wrapped up and spring tryouts are underway. Model UN, and Speech Team also finished their seasons with top finishes. Good luck to Superfanz as a finalist in the Spirit Showdown.
Stagg senior Razan Hazim noted Stagg recently hosted a Cinderella Ball Winter Dance, the play Left to Our Own Devices, and a junior high choir program invitational. Winter sports champions include a state diver, two boy wrestlers, and an IHSA All-State Academic Team honorable mention winner. Congratulations also go to two All-Conference Scholastic Bowl members, Chess Team and DECA state qualifiers, as well as three All-State musicians. Springtime philanthropic work includes a breast cancer walk with CORE (Cancer Outreach, Research and Education) club, St. Baldricks, Crushes for Crutches with International Club and MedGlobal with Arab American Heritage Club.
Business
The Board of Education unanimously approved Anita Huffman as Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Services beginning July 1, 2024. Huffman has served as the Associate Principal for Instruction at Carl Sandburg High School for the past three years. She is replacing the current Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Services Dr. Katie McMillian, who will assume the role of Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources.
Huffman has a tremendous amount of experience in and out of the classroom, having previously served as Assistant Principal at Leyden High School for seven years and as an Instructional Coach and Special Education teacher in Chicago Public Schools for seven years. Huffman says, “I am thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to serve the community of District 230 as the Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Services. I am eager to work collaboratively with teachers and support staff across the district to ensure that our students receive the highest quality education and have the support they need to succeed academically.”
The Board of Education unanimously approved Antonios Roditis as English, English Learner, Media, and Music Division Chair at Amos Alonzo Stagg High School beginning July 1, 2024. Having served as an English teacher for 18 years, Roditis is taking over for Sandy Mech, who is retiring at the end of this school year.
Roditis started his teaching career at Joliet Township High School as an English teacher. After one year, he joined Carl Sandburg and taught English for seven years, before transferring to Stagg, where he has taught English since 2014.
Having taught a wide variety of courses within the English department, he also holds an English Learner endorsement and helped design and apply new curriculum. Outside of the classroom, Roditis extends his day as a co-curricular sponsor for Speech, Yearbook, and AudioVisual Club.
The Faculty Association wished the Board a happy Leap Day; the Education Support Professionals' Association had no public comment.
Travel: Stagg Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) to HOSA National Competition - Houston, TX, June 26, 2024 Stagg Music Program to Gateway Music Festivals & Tours - O'ahu, HI, June 5, 2025
Donations exceeding $250 have been offered to Amos Alonzo Stagg and Victor J. Andrew High Schools to support student learning and activities, including $10,000 to Student Activities at each school from the Aileen S. Andrew Foundation.
The Board approved the following budget amendment calendar: ● March 21st Board meeting, set the date for public hearing for April 25 and provide instructions to advertise the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation by March 25, 2024. ● Place the tentative budget on display before March 25 (more than 30 days prior to the public hearing). ● Present the tentative budget at the March 18 Building and Finance meeting. ● Based on the Committee’s feedback, make any necessary revisions. ● Review the tentative budget with the full School Board on March 21 at the regular board meeting. ● Present the proposed Amended budget for consideration at the April 15 Building and Finance meeting.
● Consider feedback from Building and Finance, make necessary revisions and present the proposed final budget for adoption at the April 25 school board meeting. This meeting will begin with a public hearing followed by our regular board meeting.
Superintendent's Report
Superintendent Dr. Bob Nolting provided the Board with an update on the 23-24 Board Goals noting that in regards to ensuring a balanced budget, the district plans to leverage a very conservative approach to capital projects for this upcoming summer while leveraging O&M funds to address additional school improvement projects. Administration is also completing the long-term capital project planning list, as well as organizing a major equipment replacement plan. The educator pipeline continues to be refined with work on three areas - high school students, student teachers, and interns.
Facilities
Director of Facilities Dave Keating noted that the Stagg expansion remains on schedule. The contractor is painting, installing the drop ceilings and working to move into the north addition.
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Andrew senior Brian Ondras noted that the Black Student Union provided several opportunities to celebrate Black History Month, complemented by the Diversity Dance Show which showcased an array of cultural diversity. Student Council hosted a winter dance with 700 students in attendance preceded by a successful spirit week. Senior Recognition Night highlighted student academic successes, while Chess Team and DECA are preparing for advanced competitions. The Pickleball with a Purpose event paired Woodworking and Ultima class students to generate donations to support future projects. Students finalized choices for courses next year, and ThunderPlunge event raised more than $25,000 for Special Olympics
Sandburg senior Zuzanna Skiba noted that Sandburg hosted its first Sandburg Fest, with a week filled with competitions between advisories and co-curriculars. Congratulations to the girls softball team and the sophomore advisory for their winning assemblies. The week wrapped up with a casual DJ dance called Sandburg Kickback. IFest took place with nearly 300 students involved in different cultural group performances. The College and Career Resource Center has been busy helping students with FAFSA. Congratulations to students recognized for accumulating more than 100 hours of community service with the Cook County Sheriff Award and those in the top 10% of the senior class recognized at Senior Honors Night. Winter sports wrapped up and spring tryouts are underway. Model UN, and Speech Team also finished their seasons with top finishes. Good luck to Superfanz as a finalist in the Spirit Showdown.
Stagg senior Razan Hazim noted Stagg recently hosted a Cinderella Ball Winter Dance, the play Left to Our Own Devices, and a junior high choir program invitational. Winter sports champions include a state diver, two boy wrestlers, and an IHSA All-State Academic Team honorable mention winner. Congratulations also go to two All-Conference Scholastic Bowl members, Chess Team and DECA state qualifiers, as well as three All-State musicians. Springtime philanthropic work includes a breast cancer walk with CORE (Cancer Outreach, Research and Education) club, St. Baldricks, Crushes for Crutches with International Club and MedGlobal with Arab American Heritage Club.
