Congratulations to Emmelia Edwards from Peoria Christian School for wining the 2023 Congressional Art Competition. Read more at https://www.ourquadcities.com/news/local-news/arts-and-culture/peoria-teenager-wins-17th-congressional-art-contest/
Peoria Regional Learning Center celebrated nine graduates from Farmington, Elmwood, Richwoods, and Limestone high schools on Wednesday, May 17, 2023. These students talked about the sense of community, small classes, and positive relationships as making a difference in their lives. We are so proud of their success and wish them well on the next portion of their journey. Congratulations Class of 2023!
Learn to "put on your oxygen mask first" by enrolling in our self-paced, completely online "Yoga and Mindfulness for Educators" course created and facilitated by Angie Swearingian.
Educators will feel the personal benefits from mindful movement, breath regulation, meditation, and stretching over the summer while learning to integrate mindfulness and movement for their classrooms in the fall.
Register at https://bit.ly/3MldNya
Here's your chance to see Kristin Souers, author of Fostering Resilient Learners and Relationships, Responsibility and Regulation!
Register at bit.ly/resilientlearners or with the QR code in the flyer.
Hope to see you there!
Grand Canyon University is offering a discount in their Summer Degree Program. Contact Jaime Darwish for more information.
Today closes out this season for the GMB Spring Celebration on the Courthouse Plaza with Peace Plays in Peoria . Over a dozen schools and organizations will partner and join to celebrate and strive for a more peaceful society! It'll be a packed Courthouse day...come join us!
There's still time to join our book study that starts Sunday! We will be reading and discussing "The Economic and Opportunity Gap" with the author, Anni Reinking.
Register now at https://bit.ly/3LQGDGM
As Teacher Appreciation week comes to a close, I wanted to give a shout-out to my favorite teacher: Mary Neamon. Mrs. Neamon was my High School Spanish teacher and our class sponsor. She gently guided class officers through all of the big events we were responsible for: fund raising for prom our Sophomore year, planning and running Prom and the after-party (Casino night in the cafeteria!) my Junior year, graduation, and then giving the gift to the school from the Seniors.
I took Spanish with her my Junior and Senior years, and I always felt supported and encouraged even when I wasn’t the best in my pronunciations and speaking. And I absolutely loved walking in her classroom at the end of the school day to plan our next thing or just say hi! Her smile always greeted me warmly and she always wanted to hear about our day no matter how busy she might be. I always tried to stop in and see her anytime I was back in my hometown in southern Colorado. Even now we are Facebook friends, and I appreciate being able to see her retired life in California and still share my life events with her. When you need a model for an amazing teacher who creates a positive environment in which to learn and feel supported, look to Mrs. Mary Neamon!
We are thrilled to highlight Amy Smith's favorite teacher. Amy Smith is our Director of Professional Learning Services, and she shares why "Dan Mascal was, hands down, her favorite teacher".
As Amy shared: "He was my cooperating teacher when I student taught and provided me with the foundation to start my career in the field of education. Mr. Mascal modeled a classroom community that valued students and the knowledge they bring to the class, engaged in authentic learning experiences that expanded application, and held high expectations for all students. I was encouraged to try new things, learn from my mistakes, and actively participate in the school learning community.
"Always keep learning, Amy" was the last thing that he said to me. Well, Mr. Mascal, I have taken this advice to heart. I promote and provide educator professional learning to improve student outcomes. Thank you, Mr. Mascal. You are my favorite teacher!"
Don't forget about the Worldwide Day of Play tomorrow, May 13, at the Glen Oak Park from 10am-2pm. Go out and play!!
We are ON for today! The sky is supposed to clear up around 10am so come down to the Courthouse Plaza for lunch today, from 11am to 1pm, and enjoy the talents of students from Pleasant Valley, St. Vincent's and Manual High School for our last Friday of the year for the GMB Spring Celebration!
Today we'd like to share Teresa Von Rohr's favorite teacher during Teacher Appreciation Week. She is the Principal of the Peoria Regional Learning Center, and her favorite teacher was her 4th grade teacher Ms. Pauline Tammen at South School in Pittsfield, Illinois.
As Teresa shares: "When I look back at my elementary and junior high years, I have a hard time remembering my teachers clearly. I moved around quite a bit from 6th grade through my freshman year of high school. However, I will always remember Ms. Tammen. In education we focus on building relationships and I think about my 4th grade year. Ms. Tammen would read the Bobbsey Twins and we would have graham crackers and peanut butter for a snack. She could tell a story that made you feel like you were there. Maya Angelou quote “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” I don't remember what Ms. Tammen taught me specifically, but I do remember how she made me feel. "
The Peoria Park District is hosting a large community weekend called Park-A-Palooza on the Peoria RiverFront from June 8-10.
To make this happen, they are in need of a lot of VOLUNTEERS! Join the fun and sign up today!
The GMB Spring Celebration is nearing the end. Our remaining performances are today, Friday, and next Monday with Peace Plays. Be sure to stop by the Courthouse Plaza to see some amazing student performances. Today, we have students from Illini Bluffs, Henry Senachwine HS, and Parkview. You don't want to miss it!
We'd like to recognize Trudy Schaffner's favorite teacher today during Teacher Appreciation Week. Trudy is our Director of School School Services, and growing up her favorite teacher was an energetic Dynamo named Ms. Prillaman, who taught second grade at Delavan Elementary.
In Trudy's words: "The only way I could describe her now, as an adult and educator would be, "ahead of her time," but had you asked the 7 year old version of me, I would have said, "she was fun." From baking bread, to crawling on the floor to get our wiggles out, to studying Japan complete with a meal eaten seated on the floor and with chopsticks, Winston our pet snake, or bonus spelling tests where I earned a real sand dollar off the prize table my second grade year was filled with warmth, love, acceptance, fun and so much learning. I will always count myself lucky to have won the classroom lottery of being placed with her, and she will forever live on in my heart."
Join us for our upcoming online book study for "The Economic and Opportunity Gap" facilitated by the amazing author, Anni Reinking.
It starts May 14 and runs through June 10. Be sure to register by May 12 at https://bit.ly/3LQGDGM
On the Courthouse Plaza today are students from Germantown Hills, Northmoor Primary, and Lincoln K-8 School. Enjoy a wonderful show with your lunch, starting at 11am.
As we continue to celebrate Teacher Appreciation week, we want to put the spotlight on Michelle Coconate's favorite educator. Michelle is our Director of Social Emotional Support Services.
Michelle's favorite teacher was her principal, Sheila Ogilivie and this is why: "Ms. Ogilivie may not know this, but about 25 years ago she helped me to come out of my shell. She would stand outside my classroom to observe me teaching because I was so uncomfortable teaching in front of her. I would become extremely anxious speaking in front of a group that was not made up of children.
At about that time, our school began exploring positive behavior support and I became a member of the PBIS team. Over the next several years, Mrs. Ogilvie encouraged all of us to actively participate with the implementation process...present the plan, facilitate activities, and share data with our colleagues. I was so very interested in why behavior happens and how to support children that I asked to attend different trainings and Mrs. Ogilvie made that possible.
I became more comfortable with each experience until working with adults and speaking with small and large groups was much more natural. As a matter of fact, working with adults has become a central part of my life. Not only that, but I am still focused on supporting the social, emotional and behavioral needs of our youth. Thank you, Mrs. Ogilvie!"
Congratulations to Ashley Renick from @Richwoods_HS for being drawn as the winner of the @PeoriaROE48 Teacher Appreciation Basket Giveaway. Thank you, Ashley, for all you do for students and their learning.
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to all outstanding educators!
Come on down to the Courthouse Plaza today. We have the students from Washington District 52, St. Thomas Catholic School, Concordia, and St. Patrick/Holy Family on the Circle and Monument Stages, starting at 11am. We'd love to see you!