Chalkboard: March 2024

Dear Golf School District 67 Community,

As the spring buds begin to blossom, bringing renewed life and warmth, we at Golf School District 67 are embracing a season of growth and revitalization. The anticipation of spring break offers our students and staff a well-deserved pause—a time to recharge and prepare for the final stretch of the academic year. As we look forward to this break, we reflect on the progress and challenges we have faced together, particularly the district's aging infrastructure and facilities.

In February, we brought together a group of stakeholders to share and discuss the critical needs of our schools and the steps we need to take to ensure our students' safety, health, and academic success. The feedback and questions raised during the meeting emphasized the importance of clear, comprehensive communication about our plans, the urgency of our needs, and the direct benefits to our community.

The path forward includes a proposal for much-needed renovations at Hynes Elementary School and Golf Middle School, focusing on operational maintenance, life safety, and capital improvements. This initiative addresses critical issues like leaky roofs and aging HVAC systems and ensures our facilities are welcoming and accessible to all students and community members.

As we move towards the spring and beyond, we remain committed to our pillars of growth, unity, global citizenship and stewardship. The discussions from the Task Force meeting have been invaluable in shaping our approach, and we are dedicated to keeping you informed and engaged every step of the way.

As we embrace the arrival of spring with hope and resolve, let us join forces to forge a promising future for our students and the wider community. Thank you for your continued support and partnership.

Yours in Service,

Dr. Susan Coleman

Superintendent, Golf School District 67

The Illinois 5Essentials Survey is open for families to participate in through March 29, 2024. As a parent/guardian, this opportunity will allow you to share your thoughts on the essential elements of school effectiveness in a survey about your child's school.

The survey gathers data on five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and more considerable test score gains. These five indicators that affect and predict school success are:

• Effective Leaders
• Collaborative Teachers
• Involved Families
• Supportive Environments
• Ambitious Instruction

District 67 has chosen to participate in the parent survey component. For the results to be calculated and a parent supplement report generated, we need at least 20 percent of parent(s)/guardian(s) to complete this survey.

Your participation in the parent/guardian portion of the survey will help us understand the conditions at your child's school and guide improvement. Your identity and survey responses will remain confidential and never connected to you or your child.

Registration for the 2024-2025 school year is now open for families of returning Golf School District 67 students.

To get started, you will need to complete the following steps:

1. Log in to your Infinite Campus Portal account, select “More” from the bottom left corner, and click “Online Registration.”
2. Choose “Existing Student Registration” and click “Begin Registration” to review and update your household and contact information.

If you need help with your application, please email the Golf 67 Help Desk at help@golf67.net.

If you need to add a new student attending District 67 for the first time during the 2024-25 school year, you will click the “Add New Student” option once you have verified your current student(s) information. Additionally, you must schedule a new student appointment with the student’s school.

Kindergarten – 4th Grade | Hynes Elementary School

• Mrs. Michele Nitoi
• Email: mnitoi@golf67.net
• Phone: (847) 965-4500

5th Grade – 8th Grade | Golf Middle School

• Mrs. Christene Raymundo
• Email: craymundo@golf67.net
• Phone: (847) 965-3740

Once you complete the registration process, you can view and pay registration fees from the “Fees” menu within your Infinite Campus Portal account. Fees will include the required registration fee(s) and optional fees.

Golf School District 67 has contracted with an outside vendor to verify all students' residency automatically. Families do not need to submit residency documents during the registration process. However, if further information is required regarding your residency, we will contact you to submit additional documents.

In January, kindergarten and second-grade students completed personal narrative units. After writing their stories, students were paired together and read their stories to one another.

Nearly 140 students at Hynes Elementary School participated in our Kids Heart Challenge event this year. Thanks to your support, over $13,000 was raised for the American Heart Association.

The American Heart Association encourages kids to get active while collecting pledges for heart disease research. The Kids Heart Challenge delivers fun and accessible games with information that encourages healthy eating, daily physical activity and giving back to the community.

Thanks to the generous efforts of our students and families, Hynes Elementary School earned valuable resources through the American Heart Association's Points Program.

Together, we can help protect hearts and keep all kids healthy.

In a novel approach to encouraging reading and literacy among young students, the "Famished for Fiction" program has captured the imagination of Golf Middle School's 5th and 6th graders. This monthly event, blending the love of literature with the joy of community, is hosted by Mrs. Kutschke, Media Center Specialist, and Ms. Jessie Bond, the Morton Grove Public Library's Youth Librarian.

During lunch and recess, students are invited to escape into the world of books, courtesy of a diverse and carefully selected array of age-appropriate literature brought by Ms. Bond. The event goes beyond mere reading; it is an interactive session where students can request books, participate in engaging book talks, and delve into discussions about their readings, guided by summary sheets provided.

The initiative also features the generous donation of Advanced Reader Copies (ARC) books by the Morton Grove Public Library, which are raffled off to the students, adding an element of anticipation and excitement to the event. This initiative promotes reading and allows students to engage with literature in a social and dynamic environment, fostering a deeper connection to the stories and characters they explore.

The success of the "Famished for Fiction" program was evident in its February gathering, which saw enthusiastic participation from over 50 students. The event showcased the students' enthusiasm for reading and emphasized the successful partnership between the school and the local library in fostering the intellectual growth of young learners.

The program's success serves as a reminder of the significant impact that reading and literature can have on the development of young minds, preparing them for a future where they can navigate the world with empathy, understanding, and boundless curiosity.

On February 28, 2024, the Niles Township District for Special Education (NTDSE) Raptors excelled in the annual basketball showdown against the staff. The team, consisting of dedicated 5-8th graders who hone their skills through weekly practices, faced off against their teachers at the Molloy Education Center, clinching a 50-10 victory!

This year’s team included four Golf Middle School students on the Raptors team: Tynan Benson, Eden Davis, Nico Meneses, and Filip Zimolag, each playing a key role in the win. Their victory was cheered on by fellow Golf students Emaly Dounis and Mikaela Cruz. The event underscores the talent and teamwork of our students, highlighting the thriving support and experiences provided to Golf students by NTDSE.

Tynan Benson and Eden Davis advanced and participated in the Special Olympics state championships in Bloomington-Normal last week. Their dedication and hard work led them to this next level, where they competed among the best athletes in the state.

Go Raptors!

Students from Hynes and Golf embraced the joy of giving through a heartfelt project crafting cards for seniors in our community. This meaningful initiative was made possible thanks to a collaboration with State Senator Ram Villivalam, who extended the invitation for our students to join in this wonderful service project.

The Volunteer Service Club (VSC) enthusiastically participated in crafting activities and Senator Villivalam's visits to both schools added to the excitement in the air. During his visits, he shared insights about his role and responsibilities, enriching our students' understanding of civic engagement. Senator Villivalam took on the special task of collecting and delivering cards to seniors to ensure that our messages of warmth and care reached them.

We want to express our gratitude to Senator Villivalam for not only facilitating this bridge of kindness between generations, but also for inspiring our students to actively contribute to making a positive difference in the world. This experience has undoubtedly left a lasting impression on our young volunteers, fostering a sense of community and compassion.

On February 20, 2024, the 8th Grade Varsity Basketball team had the unique opportunity to return to Hynes Elementary. This event marked the first-ever basketball scrimmage in the Carol Westley gymnasium. The boys faced off against Burr Elementary in Chicago.

The International Celebration of Cultures was held at Golf Middle School on March 1, 2024. The event was a huge success with delicious cuisine from 21 cultures, amazing artwork, clothing and music.

Thank you to all attendees, volunteers and staff for such a vibrant event!

The Golf School District 67 Foundation will host the annual Trivia Night on Saturday, April 6, 2024. This adults-only event combines fun, knowledge, and community spirit all in support of enhancing educational opportunities within the district. Trivia Night will be held at the Morton Grove Moose Lodge located at 6419 Chestnut St in Morton Grove. The evening promises to be one filled with excitement and intellectual challenge.

Doors will open at 6 p.m., providing attendees the opportunity to enjoy drinks and creatively decorate their tables, setting the stage for a friendly and competitive trivia contest starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person or $180 for a table of 10, making it a perfect outing for groups of friends, family, or coworkers who enjoy testing their knowledge across various topics.

Registration for the event is open, and those interested in contributing more than just their trivia prowess can consider volunteering. For more information or to volunteer, please reach out to Shanna Yetman at syetman@gmail.com.

The funds raised during Trivia Night will directly support the Foundation's mission to provide grants for resources that enrich the learning environment for both students and staff members at Hynes and Golf, exceeding what the regular school budget can cover. By participating in Trivia Night, you are not only set for an evening of enjoyment but also contributing to the educational growth of our community's future leaders.

The 2024-25 School Year Calendar was approved at the February Board of Education Meeting.

The school year will begin on Wednesday, August 21, 2024 and tentatively conclude on Thursday, June 5, 2025.

Mr. Jermaine Lindsay, President, jlindsay@golf67.net

Mr. Alex Beck, Vice President, abeck@golf67.net

Mrs. Shanna Yetman, Board Secretary, syetman@golf67.net

Mr. Linus D'Souza, Member, ldsouza@golf67.net

Mrs. Katie Leslie, Member, kleslie@golf67.net

Mr. Noel Lorenzana, Member, nlorenzana@golf67.net

Mr. Digesh Patel, Member, dpatel@golf67.net

Dr. Susan Coleman, Superintendent, scoleman@golf67.net

Mrs. Tina Ewanio, Director of Business Services, tewanio@golf67.net

Ms. Lynn Owens, Assistant Superintendent, lowens@golf67.net

Mrs. Tina Ewanio, Director of Business Services, tewanio@golf67.net

Ms. Karen Chvojka, Principal, Golf Middle School, kchvojka@golf67.net

Ms. Holly Harper-Kelly, Principal, Hynes Elementary School, hharperkelley@golf67.net

We embrace being a diverse community of learners who are dedicated to building an inclusive environment focused on growth, equity and success to inspire global citizenship.