Western Springs Foundation for Educational Excellence (WSFEE)

District 101 to Enhance Elementary Building Security, Summer 2013

On Monday, May 20th the District 101 School Board voted unanimously to select Metropolitan Corporation to complete the upcoming summer's renovation projects at our 3 elementary buildings. These renovations at the elementary buildings are part of an overall life/safety and security improvement plan developed with input from parents, staff, administrators, architects expert in school construction projects, and law enforcement officers.

Upon evaluating the McClure building entrance, experts determined that the elementary school entrances have the potential to provide a similar level of security. Changes to the elementary building entrances in District 101 will provide greater control over visitors’ access to the schools, prevent or forestall security breaches, and will provide increased response time to staff and local emergency services if necessary.

Metropolitan Corporation was the lowest qualified bidder for the projects planned for summer 2013 with a bid of $556,000 which includes a contingency allowance. Renovations will begin as early as June 6, immediately following school dismissal for the summer, and are planned to be largely completed before students return to school in the Fall.

An additional objective will be accomplished at John Laidlaw Elementary School by reconfiguring its administrative office space in advance of renovation and construction under consideration for the summer of 2014. Projects are being evaluated for the summer of 2014 to add and improve availability of both classroom and small-group instructional spaces at all 4 of the District's school buildings, meeting needs identified by parents and staff. Work of this nature has not been completed on a similar scale in over 15 years. Future communications will provide updates about these project plans. In the interim, please contact Dr. Barnhart’s office with any questions about the planned projects.

2013/2014 Kindergarten and Pre-K Registration & Screenings

Please click below for information regarding the upcoming registration and screenings for the 2013-2014 school year.

Pre-Kindergarten

Kindergarten

Board of Education Names Erin DeBartolo

as Next Laidlaw Principal

At a special meeting February 1, the District 101 Board of Education unanimously approved Mrs. Erin DeBartolo as the next Principal of John Laidlaw Elementary School, effective July 1st.

Mrs. DeBartolo is currently in her seventh year as Principal of Coretta Scott King Magnet School in University Park, IL, part of the Crete Monee School District (#201-U). King Magnet School was the first Primary Years International Baccalaureate (IB) School in Illinois. Since assuming the leadership role at King, Ms. DeBartolo has led her school through a transformational process as an IB school, including student performance results which have grown on the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) from 42% of students meeting/exceeding standards in 2005 to 93% meeting/exceeding standards in 2012.

Mrs. Debartolo was selected from over 110 applicants via an extensive interview process which included feedback and input provided to the Board from representative staff, parent, and administrative interview teams. She has been described as being a strong advocate for her students, staff, and parents, while having a deep expertise in curriculum, instruction, and assessment. These skills have been developed, in part, through the emphasis on student inquirty, problem-solving, and higher-order thinking - all hallmarks of the International Baccalaureate Program. Colleagues have gone on to describe her as a very hands-on and visible leader who holds a strong commitment to making decisions which are always in the best interest of her students.

She will begin transition work this spring with current Laidlaw Principal Sarah Coffey, who earlier in the school year was named to succeed the retiring Michael Fustin as the District's next Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, also effective July 1, 2013.

We are pleased to welcome Mrs. Debartolo, her husband Michael, and their two children to the Western Springs school community!

Erin DeBartolo

2013-2014 School Calendar Approved

The Board of Education approved the district calendar for the 13-14 school year at the December 17 meeting. The calendar can be viewed and printed here .