Pembroke Community Consolidated School District #259

School Environment Matters: Pembroke Community Consolidated School District #259 Administers Eleventh Illinois 5Essentials Survey to Improve Student Learning Students, teachers and parents weigh in on school climate and learning conditions 1/30/2024 – Pembroke Community Consolidated School District #259 will join the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) in the eleventh statewide survey of school climate and learning conditions. The survey provides a unique opportunity for students, teachers and parents to have a voice in improving their schools. From January 30, 2024, students and teachers will be invited to participate in a 30-minute research-based survey to help identify strengths and weaknesses in their school’s learning environment. The parent survey supplement will also be administered during the same survey window. These surveys will serve as an opportunity for schools to reflect on progress since the last statewide implementation. “We support and encourage our stakeholders to make their voices heard to influence change for the benefit of the district and students we serve.” Dr. Nicole Terrell-Smith The Illinois 5Essentials Survey provides a comprehensive picture of a school’s organizational culture in an individualized report measuring five “essentials” critical for school success:  Effective Leaders  Collaborative Teachers  Involved Families  Supportive Environment  Ambitious Instruction Thirty years of research at the University of Chicago in more than 400 schools has shown that schools that were strong on at least three of the 5Essentials were 10 times more likely to make substantial gains in improving student reading and math than schools that were weak on three or more of the Essentials. Those differences remained true even after controlling for student and school characteristics, including poverty, race, gender, and neighborhood characteristics. Strength on components within the Essentials also correlated with increased teacher retention, student attendance, college enrollment, and high school graduation. Generated from a rigorous analysis of student and teacher survey responses, 5Essentials Reports demonstrate that what students and teachers say about their schools can serve as important indicators for school success. In the inaugural 2012-2013 statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey, 87 percent of all schools in the state met the 50-percent participation threshold to receive a 5Essentials Report, with participation from more than 70 percent of all teachers and eligible 6th through 12th graders across Illinois. Starting in 2018-19, fourth and fifth grade students were also included in the 5Essentials survey administration. All district schools, including alternative schools that fall under the district’s domain, are required to participate in a school learning conditions survey every year. Starting in school year 2018-19, the survey will be required annually. The survey was deemed a key component to balanced accountability under the state’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) plan by stakeholders, which resulted in state legislative changes requiring the survey annually. State legislation (105 ILCS 5/2-3.153) allows school districts the option to select an alternative to the 5Essentials from a pre-approved pool for the 2020-21 administration. Selection of an alternative required school board and local union approval and was at the district’s own expense. Details on survey alternatives can be found on the State Board’s website: https://www.isbe.net/Pages/5Essentials-Survey.aspx Pembroke Community Consolidated School District #259 will administer the survey to learn how schools are doing on the 5Essentials for school success. Principals and superintendents will receive their 5Essentials Reports in May. Survey results will also be reported publicly on the UChicago Impact Reporting Website in June and on the State School Report Card website in the fall. An optional parent survey supplement is again available to all schools as a supplement to the 5Essentials Survey for teachers and students—results from the parent survey supplement will be included only in the individual school 5Essential Reports. Since 2013-14, the Illinois 5Essentials Survey has been normed using the 2012-13 statewide results so that all schools can demonstrate progress over time. On behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education, UChicago Impact is providing Illinois 5Essentials to schools statewide. Teachers, students, and parents may complete the Illinois 5Essentials Survey online. For more information visit: www.5-essentials.org/illinois.

Due to inclement weather and road conditions, tomorrow, Tuesday, January 23, will be an E-Learning day for all Lorenzo R. Smith students. Work packets were sent home with students. Please make sure that they are completing the assigned worksheets as they are counted towards attendance. Teachers will be available to assist your student if they need academic assistance. Stay safe.

​ Tomika Talley-West ​ Únase a nosotros para la siguiente SESIÓN DEL CENTRO SAFE para aprender cómo puede recibir apoyo financiero mientras asiste a la escuela para obtener un certificado o título para una ocupación de alto crecimiento como CDL, CNA, Montacargas/OSHA, Electricista, Recursos Humanos, etc. Miércoles 24 de enero a la 1:00 pm en el Centro SAFE de la Escuela Lorenzo Smith. Nuestros oradores invitados serán TRIO, Educación para Adultos y Kankakee Workforce Services. Se servirán refrescos.

Good evening Lorenzo Families, We will be back in person for school tomorrow, Wednesday, January 17th. It is a full school day. Please call the school and report any absences or tardies. Thank you so much. Stay safe and warm and we will see you tomorrow.

Join us for the next SAFE CENTER SESSION to learn how you can receive financial support while attending school to earn a certificate or degree for a high-growth occupation such as CDL, CNA, Forklift/OSHA, Electrician, HR, etc. Wednesday, January 24th at 1:00pm in the SAFE Center at Lorenzo Smith School. Our guest speakers will be TRIO, Adult Education, and Kankakee Workforce Services. Refreshments will be served.

Good morning, due to inclement weather and dangerous road conditions, today, Friday, January 12 will be an E-Learning day for all Pembroke School district staff and students. Students received a packet to work on from home. Be safe and stay warm.

Good Morning Lorenzo R. Smith Families. Please sign up to attend Kankakee Public Library's Martin Luther King Jr. Open House on January 19th from 10am-12pm. Pembroke School District will be transporting families to the library upon their signing up for the event. The Open House will be held on the 2nd floor of the Kankakee Public Library and will have hot cocoa, a movie will be shown in addition to crafts that we can make with our students. Please see the sign up form on the website. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1IVRSMQT_th90JVsRR-XCbhquOYDY0OEPBv6BxclFecg/edit

Our students were treated to a showing of the The WIZ this past Sunday, through the efforts of our Superintendent and a very gracious donor. We combined both our 7th/8th grade classes and our chaperones were great as well. Thank you to all who participated!!! (More pictures to follow.)

"Educating the mind, without educating the heart is no education at all." Aristotle Please join us for our next session of Parent University on December 6th at 1:00pm in the SAFE Center at LRS where we will explain Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Standards. What is SEL? Social and Emotional Learning is an integral part of education and human development. It is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.

Pembroke Families! Toys for Tots Applications are available at Lorenzo Smith School. This program serves children 1-12 years old. Applications are available at Lorenzo Smith School by picking them up in the lobby or emailing: ttwest@pembroke.k12.il.us. Applications will be accepted until December 12th. Toy distribution will be December 22nd at Lorenzo Smith School. For more information call 815-944-5219 ext 363 or email ttwest@pembroke.k12.il.us

Please join us tomorrow (Thursday-November 30th) from 6-730 PM for LORENZO SMITH'S FAMILY READING NIGHT!!! We'll have a wide range of reading activities, designed to celebrate your student's commitment to Literacy practices. We'll have Story Time, Winter Book FUN and even a RAFFLE!!! Come out and read with us!!! See you there!!! Principal Chambers

Happy Thanksgiving to All!

Lorenzo Smith School is honoring the life and sacrifice of a brave firefighter who gave his all to protect his community. May his legacy be a reminder of the selfless service of our first responders Flags will be lowered starting at sunrise on November 17 through sundown on November 20, 2023.

Please join us for our 1st parent-engagement SAFE CENTER SESSION. This month will feature our partner Clove Alliance whose presentation will add tools to our parenting toolbox by learning how to have tough talks with our kids. Please note that due to the sensitive nature of the topics and desire to be age appropriate, there will be two sessions so please plan accordingly. Unsafe Secrets: Teaching kids about body safety-Talking to kids about body safety and online predators can be intimidating for parents and caregivers. This presentation facilitated by Clove Alliance will provide information on how to empower your child and prevent child sexual abuse. This program is recommended for caregivers of children in PreK-5th grades from 1pm-2pm. Let's Talk: Promoting Safe and Healthy Teen Relationships-Being the parent of a tween or teen is challenging, especially in today's high-tech world. This training will help parents navigate tough issues teens face and provide specific strategies for keeping them safe. Parents will learn online safety tips, how to help teens understand what healthy and respectful relationships look like, and how to set personal boundaries. This presentation is intended for parents and caregivers of students in 6th-8th grades from 2pm-3pm.

Please join us as we celebrate Veterans Day by honoring all of those, living and dead, who served in the U. S. Armed Forces in times of war including Pembroke's very own Sgt. Ottaway Larson Williams on Friday, November 10th at 2:00pm in the school gymnasium.

Our inaugural Parent University was held on November 1st, 2023 at Lorenzo R. Smith SAFE Center. Parents were taught about our Standards Based Grading implementation and how to use our student platform (OTUS) in checking and being able to stay aware of their student's progress. Lorenzo families, we'd like you to come out and support our endeavors, in providing the best education we can, for your children. Our new Parent University will be held on November 29th, also in the SAFE Center. Please continue to check our Facebook pages and websites for additional information. Thank you as always, for your continued support. Principal Chambers Dr. Nicole Smith (Pembroke Community Consolidated School District #259 Superintendent).

Good afternoon LRS Families!! Please, don't forget we're hosting our first Parent University tomorrow from 1-2pm in the SAFE Center. Our first focus will be the implementation of our Standards Based Grading and how it differs from a traditional grading system. Please come out and learn with us!! See you soon, Principal Chambers

We had so MUCH FUN at our Annual Fall Festival. Please, stay tuned for events happening at Lorenzo R. Smith Elementary School!! "Once a MUSTANG, ALWAYS A MUSTANG!!! Check out some of our pictures from the event!!

Good afternoon Families of Lorenzo. Have questions about our Standards Based Grading? Need further explanation of your student's report card? Join us on November 1st @1pm in the S.A.F.E. Center for our 1st Parent University!!! Our parent University will focus on equitable, standards based grading and our "why". Wednesday, November 1st, 2023. We will see you there!!!

Lorenzo Smith School would like to thank all the participants and sponsors of the Fall Festival held October 21st on the school campus. It was a beautiful day to celebrate!