August 12, 2024
Dear Families and Guardians,
We are thrilled to welcome our students back for the 2024-2025 school year. This summer our administration team has been hard at work to ensure our students have a successful year both academically and social/emotionally. We are passionate about collaborating with you for your child’s access to their educational rights.
Our planned improvements for our school are based on feedback from community members, students, staff, and evidence-based practices that will guarantee a high level of student performance. Every child deserves access to the future they desire. To see the full scope of our work, please review the School Improvement Plan approved by the Board of Education during our June Board Meeting. Here are some highlights so that all community members know our direction:
Staff will begin training on “Conscious Discipline.” This behavior approach focuses on how adult behaviors influence outcomes with students. A primary perspective is that compliance from students is the result of connection, not fear. This addresses student perspectives in which students report not feeling high levels of respect from their teachers (5Essentials Survey).
We will be increasing our intervention practices for academics with the hiring of a math interventionist.
Staff will set personal goals, as will the administration, making commitments as to how they will influence student achievement.
Students will set personal goals related to their academic growth with teachers to ensure they know where they are going.
As we continue to strive for excellence, please understand that we welcome families and their advocacy for their children. We expect all members of our community to collaborate together in productive, community-based, and compassionate ways. We will be expecting that all members of our community reflect the expectations we have for students in providing a safe environment for the children that have been entrusted to our care. There are some specific strategies that encourage this collaboration that we are asking families to use:
If you are concerned about anything that has happened in your child’s classroom, please begin by reaching out to your child’s teacher.
Grade level administrators are available to assist you if you feel you need additional support:
Nick Divincenzo, 6th Grade
John Rovenolt, 7th Grade
Jennifer Grabot, 8th Grade
As in any industry, our systems are human and we make mistakes. If you feel your concerns require additional support, please reach out to the principal:
Stephanie Kallis Meek, 847-596-5863; 248-550-7607
As parents ourselves, we understand the passion with which we advocate for our students. We also understand the variety of ways in which individuals do so. As we move throughout the year, please know we are committed to hearing your concerns and adjusting where we can; however, we also stand by setting high standards both academically and behaviorally. We are working towards a “Commendable” status in less time than the State of Illinois has afforded us. Our students are already excellent; we are here to showcase how they shine.
As we approach the school year, please be advised of several upcoming events and resources:
Board of Education Meeting, Monday, August 12, 6:30-8:30 pm
Open House, Tuesday, August 20, 5-6:30 pm
Required Parent Meeting (6th Grade and New to District)
Meeting One: Beach Park Middle School, Tuesday, August 20, 5:00-5:45
First Day, Wednesday, August 21
We are delighted to welcome you all back!
Respectfully,
Stephanie Kallis Meek