Tag Archives: Engage

Posted on by

From Urgency to Agency: What I Learned at ASU-GSV 2026

From Urgency to Agency:

What I Learned at ASU-GSV 2026

By Dr. Michael Lubelfeld | April 2026

Sign at confThere’s a moment at every major conference when the noise quiets and the signal emerges. For me, at the 2026 ASU-GSV Summit in San Diego, it came in an unlikely form: a luggage tag.

Three simple words — “Educators Are Magic.”

After three days of AI announcements, governance debates, and capstone presentations, that tag captured what the entire week was really about.

The Fellowship That Framed the Year

I arrived in San Diego, wrapping up my year as a Google-GSV Ed Leader Fellow — part displayof Cohort 3, a nationally selected group of 32 superintendents and system leaders. Over the course of the year, we wrestled with the same question every educator faces: How do we lead schools through the AI transformation without losing what makes schools worth leading?

I used Genspark AI to take notes throughout my sessions at ASU-GSV. Many of the meeting notes helped me synthesize my “main points” for this blog post.

panel sessionIn addition, a cool feature of Genspark is a “podcast” feature – and I used many photographs I took with my iPhone, and I asked “Genspark – to ‘tell a story’ about my experiences from the images” – here is a link to that podcast, AI – generated: PODCAST AUDIO from Pictures

Moderating “The Intentional Leader’s Playbook”

On April 13, I had the privilege of moderating a panel on behalf of Magic School AI with five leaders whose districts reflect the diversity of American public education: Dr. Barbara Mullen (Rush-Henrietta, NY), Dr. Sherri Wilson (Broward County, FL), Dr. Tamara Collins (NYC District 19), Lauren Wolf (Gem Prep, ID), and Julie Garcia (San Diego Unified, CA).

Five lessons emerged that I’m still carrying home:

“Start with friction.” Lauren Wolf’s formulation is deceptively simple. Look for the places where staff are building inefficient workarounds or where communication is breaking down — that’s where AI belongs. Not as an extra initiative. As an integrated solution.

Engage labor unions early. Julie Garcia’s district built a beautiful 70-person task force — and then ran into a wall when seven labor unions wanted language about AI as a “contractor” in their contracts. Her takeaway: governance includes all stakeholders from the first meeting.

Parents are the most under-invested audience. Every panelist said something along these lines. Dr. Sherri Wilson put parents on the task force. Dr. Tamara Collins “took the show on the road” after parents voiced cheating fears. Dr. Barbara built a “digital fluency toolkit for families” in partnership with a former Biden-administration cybersecurity director — giving parents prompts they can use at the dinner table to talk to their kids about AI.

“We’re building the plane while flying it.” Dr. Sherri Wilson’s metaphor is honest and freeing. The biggest disservice, she said, is not trying.

Library media is an equity superpower. Broward County’s “AI tinkeries” — built on a Stanford model — create non-threatening exploration spaces in library media centers, ensuring students in double reading classes still get access to AI literacy.

The Three-Act Play Every District Is Living

Alongside my colleague James Driscoll (Tempe Elementary, AZ), I presented our capstone: “AI Literacy to Creation: From Urgency to Agency.”

  • Act One — Urgency: The panic that “we’re behind.”
  • Act Two — Literacy: The rush to teach everyone the basics.
  • Act Three — Agency: The real finish line — getting students and staff from consuming the technology to creating with it.

session roundtablesJames and I came at it from two angles. His Tempe district faced systemic challenges: issues with standardized assessments, and a massive in-house “Blueprint” curriculum that was overwhelming teachers. His solution: partner with Playlab to build AI bots that generate lesson plans in under two minutes and form data-driven small groups using district-approved resources. AI as a teacher cognitive offload.

My D112 work came from the student agency. A 4th-grade dual-language MagicSchool project that let 10 English learners write, speak, or type in either language. An 8th-grade class that demystified AI as “mathematical pattern-matching” — producing our Illinois State Champion, Luc Sever, who won the Presidential AI Challenge with a personalized news app. And a 5-month co-created AI policy that included students on the committee.

Link to my research from the “LOOK BOOK.”

QR code to look bookTwo districts. Two lenses. One belief: AI must be done with people, not to them.

Scaling What Was Impossible: Bloom’s Two Sigma

Western Governors University’s vision session made a claim I’m still thinking about: for the first time in history, AI makes one-on-one tutoring economically feasible at scale. Benjamin Bloom’s famous “Two Sigma Problem” — that individually tutored students outperform classroom peers by two standard deviations — has haunted educators for 40 years because the solution was always impossibly expensive.

AI changes that math. And when you add continuous mastery assessment (replacing high-stakes finals and producing 10+ percentage-point gains in first-attempt pass rates) and portable Digital Learning and Employment Records, you start to see a post-institution future where education follows the learner, not the other way around.

Contextual Software: The Playlab Lesson

One of the most consequential conversations of the week happened in a Playlab workshop led by Hilah and co-founder Yusuf Ahmad. Their argument: generic chatbots won’t serve schools. What schools need is contextual software grounded in their specific curriculum, pedagogy, and community values.

The proof point? Their “Knowledge Graph” can ingest an entire curriculum — such as Illustrative Mathematics — so teachers never have to upload a file. Vernon Davis’s “Cooldown Buddy” runs across 174 NYC schools. And in Ghana, 70,000 teachers use a Playlab app tied to the national curriculum every day.

You cannot build that with a generic tool.

The Unexpected Keynote That Mattered Most

Then came Goldie Hawn.

GoldieIn a room obsessed with artificial intelligence, she delivered the most profound conversation about the human brain. She spoke about her MindUP Foundation, the neuroscience of mindfulness, and why a child’s ability to self-regulate is the foundation for everything else.

The technology is the accelerator. Our humanity is the steering wheel.

The Real Algorithm

Under the stars on the deck of the USS Midway, surrounded by fellow educators, businessUSS Midway people, founders, funders, and superintendents, I kept coming back to that luggage tag.

Educators are magic.

After a week spent dissecting the future, debating billion-dollar platforms, hearing from White House officials, and sitting in on conversations that included potential multi-million-dollar ed tech/business/education partnership investments in open AI infrastructure, the most powerful truth is the one we’ve always known.

luggage tagThe magic isn’t in the code. It’s in the classroom.

That’s the algorithm that can’t be replicated.

The Charge

So here’s the question I’m carrying home — and the one I’ll leave with you:

What is the one small, concrete step you can take this week to move your school or community from a place of urgency about AI to one of genuine student and teacher agency?

Posted on by

Building a Brighter Future: North Shore School District 112

Happy and Healthy 2026!

The North Shore School District 112 Podcast, Lighthouse 112, is back! In this first episode of the year, we discuss construction, rebuilding, the Strategic Change Agenda, and look forward. The Podcast is one of many sources of information about the school district, education, and topics of interest to the community. An AI-generated blog post follows the 11-minute episode and the “trailer” to the podcast. Welcome back to another great year of learning, leading, inspiration, engagement, and innovation!!

The post begins with a “highlight” (I’m still learning the new studio format) but in a 10 minute period you’ll get a nice overview of what’s going on here in D112!

If the players do not work on your browser, please copy and paste the link below!

https://riverside.com/dashboard/studios/michael-lubelfelds-studio/projects/69583953a8384ddf2bc4bb17?share-token=e0671d1301b228f77ec4&content-shared=project

AI Image reflecting future in Chicago

AI Generated Blog Post from Riverside FM

Title: Building a Brighter Future: Progress and Innovations in North Shore School District 112

Introduction:
Welcome to the latest episode of Lighthouse 112, the podcast dedicated to keeping the community informed about the North Shore School District 112. As we step into 2026, Superintendent Mike Lubelfeld shares exciting updates on school construction, student performance, and strategic initiatives that are shaping the future of education in Highland Park and Highwood, Illinois.

Main Content:
1. Ongoing Construction and Sustainable Initiatives
In North Shore School District 112, construction is a significant focus as the district continues to rebuild schools both literally and figuratively. Superintendent Lubelfeld proudly announces that Sherwood Elementary School is nearing completion, set to reopen this fall, while Brayside Elementary School is also undergoing renovations. The recent opening of Ravinia School, joining Indian Trail, Edgewood, and Northwood, highlights the district’s commitment to enhancing educational facilities. Notably, the district is investing in sustainable energy solutions, such as the first dynamic direct closed-loop geothermal well HVAC systems implemented at Ravinia School, with plans for similar systems at Sherwood and Wayne Thomas Schools.

2. Celebrating Student Achievements
Education is not just about facilities; it’s about student success. Lubelfeld reports impressive results from recent state assessments, with students in grades three through eight performing in the 90th percentile statewide. Notably, the English language arts ranking rose from the 84th to the 88th percentile. While acknowledging the importance of accountability in education, Lubelfeld emphasizes that true success extends beyond test scores. The district is committed to fostering student engagement and a positive organizational culture, which is crucial for holistic development.

3. Strategic Change Agenda and Community Involvement
The district is dedicated to continuous improvement, as reflected in its strategic change agenda, which was approved by the Board of Education. This collaborative effort involved nearly 300 community members, including parents, educators, and business leaders. The new mission statement focuses on transforming learning experiences, fostering curiosity, and creating a connected community. The district values compassion, equity, and safety, ensuring that every action aligns with these principles.

4. Communication and Community Engagement
Transparent communication is a cornerstone of the district’s approach. Monthly newsletters, board meeting highlights, and the Lighthouse 112 podcast serve as essential tools for keeping the community informed. Superintendent Lubelfeld encourages feedback and interaction, inviting community members to participate in surveys or reach out directly with their thoughts.

5. Future Plans and Opportunities
Looking ahead, the district aims to enhance literacy across all grades and improve middle school curriculums. Job vacancies are being posted for educators, inviting those who are passionate about teaching to join the North Shore School District 112 community. The district acknowledges the vital role that partnerships with parents and local businesses play in creating an enriching educational environment.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways
In conclusion, North Shore School District 112 is making remarkable strides in construction, student achievement, and community engagement. With a focus on sustainable practices and continuous improvement, the district is committed to providing a transformative learning experience for all students. As we move further into 2026, the partnership between educators, families, and the community will remain essential in fostering an inclusive and thriving educational environment.

Tags for SEO:
North Shore School District 112, education, school construction, student success, community engagement, sustainable practices, strategic change, literacy, educational initiatives, Highland Park, Illinois.

Keywords

North Shore School District 112, education, construction, sustainable energy, student success, community engagement, academic achievement, organizational culture, future goals

Summary

In this episode of Lighthouse 112, Superintendent Michael Lubelfeld discusses the ongoing construction and sustainable energy initiatives within North Shore School District 112, highlights academic achievements, emphasizes the importance of community involvement, and outlines the district’s future goals. The conversation reflects a commitment to continuous improvement and fostering a supportive educational environment for students and staff alike.

Takeaways

Construction is a major focus in the district.
Sustainable energy initiatives include geothermal HVAC systems.
Students performed in the 90th percentile statewide in assessments.
Education is measured beyond just test scores.
Community feedback is essential for continuous improvement.
The district’s mission emphasizes kindness and connection.
Staff satisfaction is notably high at over 86%.
The district reflects a diverse range of cultures and heritages.
Future goals include improving literacy and consolidating dual language programs.
The podcast aims to keep the community informed and engaged.

Posted on by

Thankful for our success #Engage109

“I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.”
– Henry David Thoreau

Happy Thanksgiving!

In our school district we have so much to be thankful for. As we approach the end of calendar year 2017, it’s nice to reflect upon how we are meeting the needs for ALL children in the Deerfield Public Schools District 109. As we reflect upon the transformational changes in our district over the past five years, including but not limited to:

Full day kindergarten, Transformative technology/1:1 environments, Instructional coaching structural changes, Communication Media Arts and Science Technology Engineering (the arts) and Engineering (STEAM), Construction (science labs, SMART labs, libraries of the future, engaging classroom furniture, National Blue Ribbon awards, award winning administrators, strategic plan, and more!)

we say THANK YOU to the Board of Education, Teachers, Support Staff, Students, Parents, and all engaged in the District 109 journey!

Sharing a note of thanks I sent to the DPS109 community earlier this week:

Dear District 109 Parents, Grandparents, Staff and Community Members,

In our District and the communities we serve, we have an abundance for which to be thankful. Thank you all for your support, communication, respect, and partnership in the education of our students. The success of our schools is directly related to our many connections and positive relationships.

At last week’s Board of Education meeting, the administration presented an overview of our award-winning student performance as shown on the official Illinois Report Card. The report card provides a variety of information about the District, and each individual school, including demographic information, finances, average class size, and the academic progress of our students.

You can view the 2017 report cards:

The information on academic progress is primarily based on the results of the PARCC test for our students in grades 3-8, specifically in the areas of mathematics and English language arts. But please know that the PARCC results are just one data point; we rely on multiple methods of review and assessment including MAP assessments, the BrightBytes survey, student engagement, and organizational culture. Each child is far more than a test score!

Some report card highlights in our District include:

Closing Achievement Gaps: Over the past three years, our focus on helping all students succeed has led to a drastic drop in achievement gaps.

Exemplary Performance: All six District 109 schools are in the top 80 schools in the state (of almost 4,000 schools ranked), and Walden ranks 13th. These rankings include magnet schools that admit only high-achieving students. You can view a summary of the results, which Dr. Anthony McConnell, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching, Learning & Innovation, presented.

5Essentials Survey
You’ll notice one set of measures missing from our reports on the Illinois Report Card under school environment the 5Essentials results. We are required to distribute the 5Essentials survey to parents, staff and students (grades 3-8) every two years. Last year, we did not meet the response threshold to have results included on our report cards. We believe that this is an important measure, and we will again ask our community take this survey.Here is an in-depth description of the survey from the University of Chicago/5Essentials website:

5Essentials is an evidence-based system designed to drive improvement in schools nationwide—it reliably measures changes in a school organization through the 5Essentials Survey and provides individualized, actionable Reports for each school. The 5Essentials system is based on more than 20 years of research by the University of Chicago Consortium on School Research on five components found to be critical for school success:

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

Parents and staff: please look for the link to the 5Essentials survey in the coming weeks, and take a few minutes to share your perspective. (We don’t yet have a date for the release of the survey, but expect that we’ll send it to our community sometime in January.) Students in grades 3-8 also will receive an email with a link to a student survey to their school email address. Parents of students in grades 3-8: Per Board Policy 7:15, if you do not wish your child to participate in the 5Essentials survey, please email Cathy Kedjidjian (ckedjidjian@dps109.org) by end of day on Monday, December 4, with your child’s name, school and grade.

Transportation Fee Review: Your Input
Finally, we are asking the Board of Education to review the District’s fee philosophy in general, and transportation fees in particular. Please take a few minutes to complete this brief survey about transportation fees; the Board of Education will carefully review and discuss the results at an upcoming meeting.

Happy Thanksgiving, and thank you for allowing us to engage, inspire and empower our students, our community, and each other!

Sincerely,

Mike

Posted on by

#suptchat Archive – Future of Public Education Chat 11/1/17

“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn. ”
― Alvin Toffler

Each month on the first Wednesday of the month at 7PMCT my good friend Nick Polyak and I host #suptchat. This is the International Chat for superintendents and educational leaders – ALL are welcome!

Following each chat we publish a curated archive of chats from Storify and via Participate. This way there is an easy to access record of all ideas, links, thoughts, insights, ideas, and so on. The main #suptchat document is updated monthly as well.

This month’s chat was entitled The Future of Education, in this blog post I’m sharing the archive; please review the ideas, thoughts, insights, and links. Your comments are welcome as we continue the conversation about the future of education.

Posted on by

The Wow Factor – #engage109 #suptchat

Great things in business are never done by one person, they’re done by a team of people.”
– Steve Jobs

Every day in every classroom everywhere, student voices should be filling the halls, rooms, gymnasiums, cafeterias, playgrounds, buses, everywhere with “WOW” language.

At some recent professional leadership learning conferences I was WOWED with the experience, the possibility for extending that “wow” to all of the students and staff I serve, and reminded we CAN and we MUST WOW our communities!

As educators we have a gift in our calling to serve, teach and lead. The gift is creating the WOW every day for every child. Each child has but one year to spend with us (typically we have children in our grade level for one academic year). We adults get “do overs” annually but the children have but one time to be a 1st grader, an 8th grader, etc. Thestudents do NOT get “do overs” – we owe them WOW moments.

I believe we owe the students WOW moments all the time. My role as a superintendent of schools and a national leader affords me incredible opportunities to both have and create WOW moments. Wow moments for my own development as a leader, wow moments for colleagues and peers through national, statewide and regional leadership, and most important – helping others create WOW moments for students and staff.

Todd Whitaker (highly respected educational leader, professor, author, and speaker) says “10 days in a row” – meaning we must engage, inspire, empower – every day – every child – every learning encounter. In education our profession is too critical to mess up – to create wow moments 7 out of 10 days for example. 10 days in a row … we must do this because the students rely on us to be ready for them and to provide limitless opportunities for them every day.

The past few weeks have been quite busy for me professionally as I have participated at the state superintendent conference, an executive briefing at Apple in Cupertino, CA, I also attended a Visible Learning conference with John Hattie (himself perhaps the greatest research aggregator of our modern times), and I co-led the American Association of School Administrator (AASA) Digital Consortium Fall Conference in Seattle, WA with my good friend Nick Polyak.

At the Digital Consortium Fall Conference we spent time at three schools in the Highline School District; we also spent time at the Museum of Flight and Boeing in Seattle, WA.

So at Apple and at Boeing we educational leaders got to learn first hand what jobs are needed today as well as tomorrow at two of the planets most impactful companies. We got to see what a modern, contemporary workspace looks like. We got to see what a factory in 2017 looks like – it’s a lot different than the factory of 1917 for which the foundation of US public schooling is built. We thought leaders are doing great work disrupting archaic organizational structures in preparation for 2017 – and for 2020, 2025, and beyond.

At Apple and at Boeing I was WOWED around every corner – I cannot share photos because we are not permitted to take or share photos (corporate protection is real and necessary) though I can share with you how and why I was wowed – but more importantly and far more impact-fully I can share how and why we can and must provide WOW moments for every student every day.

I can share photos from the Museum of Flight – I am sharing photos throughout the text of this post.

While we were engaging in US and world history discussions as well as science and technology history discussions and math and engineering discussions, we were WOWED.

We learned about sociology, manufacturing, coding, computer programming, photography, digital photography, national security and more. We were engaged in our learning. We were provided both whole group and small group learning experiences. Our docent was able to differentiate, individualize and even personalize our experiences. We were learners – we were learning – we were engaged, inspired, and empowered. We connected our own interests, knowledge, and thoughts with the content (the exhibits). We were able to imagine, think, … learn.

In our 30-60 minute lesson at the Museum of Flight, and during our visits to the innovative schools in Highline, we were wowed and we saw wowed lessons and experiences. These experiences included students explaining to us what competency based learning means (i.e. take a year of Spanish in a few months for credit and advancement at the high school); what individualized pacing with artificial intelligence looks like (i.e. with advanced curricular resources); in addition, we learned about how the principals and teachers were building cultures of excellence and managing change. On behalf of Students, Staff, and community!

Our challenge, and as Nick and I write about in the Unlearning Leader: Leading for Tomorrow’s Schools Today, and what Nick and PJ and I write about in Student Voice: From Invisible to Invaluable, is to provide true and meaningful engagement for ALL students – every day.

We can do it – we have the knowledge and we must have thecourage. As always, I welcome comments!

 

 

 

 

Posted on by

Getting Ready for the New School Year – Looking Back to Look Ahead

“A leader’s most powerful ally is his or her own example.”
– John Wooden

ENGAGE, INSPIRE, EMPOWER

In this blog post I’m sharing an article I wrote for Front and Central … as we prepare for the new school year, I’m looking at the close of last school year!
Home Teaching & Learning Column: Final Bell – What the End of the School Year Means to Educators

Column: Final Bell – What the End of the School Year Means to Educators

 Summary: A superintendent reflects on the emotionally loaded end of the school year, and the impact of education across the span of each year.

This column was submitted by Deerfield Public Schools (Ill.) Superintendent Dr. Mike Lubelfeld.

“Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.”

-Albert Einstein

I’m not sure I completely agree with Einstein’s quote above, but to a veteran educator like me, the end of the school year offers an opportunity to contemplate education, learning, and life.

It’s also an emotionally powerful time for educators. Part drained, part proud, part sad, part happy, this confluence of emotions is what sets teaching apart from other professions. We take care of your children. We take care of society’s future. We give so much of our emotional selves each and every day, so that at the end of the year, we’re mentally exhausted.

At the start of every year, school folks get a “do-over.” Teachers are tasked with facilitating learning for millions of youngsters between the ages of 5-18. For the less than 200 days that school is in session, rites of passage, cultural exchanges, norms, and rituals govern the lives of thousands of communities all across the land.

What else marks the end of the school year? Standards mastered, lessons learned, physical, emotional, spiritual growth. For some the year’s end invites a sensation of fear of transition and change. But for some it’s full of excitement, fun, and energy. And for others it’s the end of their first year — a time they can count their battle scars, or the year they finally retire — a melancholy time when 30-40 year careers come to a close.

Few professions or vocations are more powerfully rewarding than teaching.

I think Aristotle said it best: “The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.” It’s hard to teach children each and every day, fostering growth in the community’s most precious assets. Yet nothing is more rewarding or exhilarating than supporting learning opportunities and helping children realize they are all talented, unique, and special.

Nothing is more rewarding than helping other people find out that they matter, and they offer the world gifts and talents unique to them.

The end of the year is a meaningful time for educators to smile, take a few deep breaths, clean our classrooms and return home to energize, refresh, and reengage, all so we can do this sacred work again at the start of the next school year!

Posted on by

What does the superintendent do all summer? #Engage109

“Make sure that team members know they are working with you, not for you”
– John Wooden

What is going on in #Engage109 this summer?  What do we do all summer is a common question I have been asked for most of the 25 years I’ve been in education! Well it’s official – we are in school year 2017-2018! We have a guiding Strategic Plan, we have many new leaders, we will have a new board member on the way – it’s a whole new year. Aside from running summer school with more than 500 students, overseeing major summer construction projects approaching $5Million dollars, and the on-boarding of nearly 10 new leaders, we’re also making sure we have plans for meetings, workshops, professional development, curriculum development and other milestone events for all administrators.

As far as we’re concerned, it’s time for 2017-2018 to start (Ok … we’ll wait a few more weeks …).

In addition, we’re reaching end of life for hundreds of nearly 10 year old Promethean Boards, so the Technology Team is rolling out new projection and whiteboard systems to replace the Promethean boards in all six campuses.  Our Director for Innovative Learning, Marcie Faust and many of our outstanding iCoaches have trained nearly 64 teachers in summer workshops thus far and expect another 57 on the scheduled dates in July and August!  This is in addition to widespread learning sessions in the multiple classrooms at each building that we had set up last spring as a “debut”.  

We also continue to close the fiscal year that ended on June 30, and we prepare for the annual auditors who are scheduled to come spend two weeks conducting field test at the end of the month.  

In addition, the Director of Buildings & Grounds, Charlie Privett, and the B&G team are exceptionally busy working on a variety of projects throughout the district, including:  

Caruso & Shepard Locker Rooms, Security Projects (throughout the district), Casework at Kipling & South Park, Parking Lots at South Park, Walden, Shepard, & Wilmot, Roof Project at Wilmot, Flooring Projects & Painting Projects Throughout the district, and more!

In addition, I published an article in the IL ASCD Summer Journal and I’m working on a few other writing projects.

So … while the students are enjoying much needed recreation time, the leadership team is busy making sure everything will be ready for them in August!

I always smile when folks say “It’s easier in the summer, right?” – nope – but I would not want it any other way.

 

Posted on by

Unlearning Leadership Planning – Article in IL ASCD Journal Summer 2017

“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn. ”
― Alvin Toffler

 

In this blog post I’m sharing an article published in the Illinois Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development (ILASCD): The Unlearning Leader’s Guide to Strategic Planning, Summer 2017, Volume 63, Number 1, pp. 8-16

Posted on by

End of Year Message – #Engage109

“As a leader, you need to help your people flip their perspective — help them be open to seeing these new challenges as opportunities.”  –John Kotter

Dear District 109 Staff, Families, and Community Members,

Thank you for your many contributions to another outstanding year for education in the Deerfield Public Schools District 109. Many of you contributed via focus groups and surveys to the development of our newly approved 2017 Strategic Plan, which will guide our innovative work and growth for the next few years.

While we are quite proud, we never are completely satisfied. Our work is a journey in leadership, education, and service. But before we look to our future, I want to take a minute to highlight success from our recent past. This past year, two of our schools — Walden and Shepard — were named National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education. In a series of Botvin LifeSkills parent sessions, we came together as a community to focus on what we all can do to help children make positive, healthy choices. We also started a digital privacy, safety and security initiative and hosted a parent technology night with a former student as our keynote speaker.

Our active and achieving students earned awards and recognition in so many areas, including mathematics, writing, robotics, music, athletics, geography, spelling and Destination Imagination, to name a few. Staff professional development grew with the learning and collaboration opportunities provided by Early Release Wednesday.

This summer we’re doing some maintenance on parking lots, roofing work, renovating the two middle school locker rooms, and performing other “life-safety” projects. Next year, we’ll begin planning for renovating and updating the middle school libraries. Finally, as part of the strategic plan, next year one of our major objectives will be to review at least two of our programs (e.g., foreign language, middle school schedule, social studies, TAP 3-5). We’ll keep the community informed and likely will reach out to you for committee work and input.

We will continue to ask you to Engage, Inspire, and Empower children, students, friends and neighbors to contribute to this incredible community. Please stay in touch this summer. Check the website regularly, and look for emails from Cathy Kedjidjian and your schools — and never hesitate to contact me with comments, questions or suggestions, or just to say hello over the summer!

Sincerely,
Mike

 


Michael Lubelfeld, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Deerfield Public Schools District 109
517 Deerfield Road  |  Deerfield, IL 60015
(847) 945-1844 x7231
http://www.dps109.org | http://dps109supt.edublogs.org/

The mission of the Deerfield Public Schools District 109 is to: Provide innovative educational experiences of the highest quality that engage, inspire and empower each student to excel and contribute to improving the world.

Text-a-Tip: 24/7 anonymous support for students who need help for themselves or a friend. Download the Lake County Help app or text 224HELP to 1-844-823-5323 to connect with a trained counselor.

Posted on by

Teacher & Edu Staff Appreciation Day/Week – Thank You #Engage109

This is teacher, nurse, educational support staff (and administrator) appreciation week! We can never say thank you enough to our educators!! THANK YOU!

I’m sharing a quote I have held closely for many years and I’m sharing two notes I recently sent the DPS109 community.

“How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes.”
Maya Angelou

Dear District 109 Families and Community Members,

At its last meeting, the Board of Education declared Tuesday, May 9, 2017 as Teacher Appreciation Day in District 109. Please join the Board of Education and the District administration team in applauding our teachers and all of the educators and support staff throughout District 109 who work so hard each day. We have high-achieving, nationally recognized, innovative, warm and welcoming schools because amazing teachers engage, inspire and empower our students – your children, grandchildren, and the children of your friends and neighbors!

I encourage you to find a way to show your support to your favorite teacher, or any school staff member who makes a difference in the lives of the children in our community. Whether you write a heartfelt, handwritten note, have your child create a work of art, or just go out of your way to say a personal “Thank you,” you are giving a great gift. They deserve all the thanks that we can shower upon them!

Sincerely,
Mike

“If we neglect our gifts and talents, they, like an unused muscle, will atrophy and waste away.”  Stephen Covey

Dear District 109 Teachers and Staff,

The Board of Education recently approved our 2017 Strategic Plan. The planning process was both reflective and forward thinking, and very eye-opening to me. I realized how much we have accomplished in four short years.  I also acknowledge and thank you for being open to change. I know that’s not easy. Your leaps of faith and constant hard work have allowed our students to thrive, and schools to achieve local, regional and national recognition. In the strategic planning process we should all be proud of the input and impact of that input. Your voices and your input helped shape the goals, objectives and plans. I look forward to working with you and for you to achieve our goals in the coming years.

On April 24, the Board of Education declared Tuesday, May 9, 2017 Teacher Appreciation Day in District 109. The community will celebrate you throughout the week. To show our thanks, the District administration and Board will provide a gift and special treat at some point during the week. They are small tokens of our boundless appreciation of you and your continual work to engage, inspire and empower our students, their parents, your colleagues, and our community.

So THANK YOU, from me personally, and from the Board of Education and District leaders, for allowing us to work with the best team of educators in the nation.

Sincerely,
Mike