As we enter the third and final trimester, I find myself filled with pride reflecting on all that our students, teachers, and staff have accomplished this year. It has been a joy to watch our students excel in math, the arts, science, and so much more. Their successes are a testament to the work of both our learners and the educators who guide them.
It is hard to believe that kindergarten screening, fifth grade field trips, and CMS graduation are just around the corner. These milestones are a reminder of how much growth happens in a single school year, and they would not be possible without the commitment of our teachers, support staff, and the families who partner with us each day.
As we head into these final months of the school year, I encourage everyone to savor these moments. Let's finish the year with the same energy and enthusiasm that has carried us this far.
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We are excited to introduce our new registration webpage! Designed with our families in mind, the updated layout provides a clear, step-by-step guide to the registration process, comprehensive document checklists, and answers to frequently asked questions. We hope this new resource makes preparing for the upcoming school year simpler and more efficient for everyone.
In addition to the website, we have updated our registration procedures. This includes the implementation of CLEAR background check software, which allows the District to verify residency within our boundaries using public records. The District will utilize the CLEAR system to approve all initial enrollments and to verify residency before re-enrollment codes are mailed to families.
All returning families must complete the registration process by entering the unique registration code received via mail into our online system. This procedure allows the District to further verify the residency of our families. To maintain the integrity of this process, registration codes will not be provided in person, via email, or over the phone. All codes must be received through the mail, with no exceptions.
Additionally, information for all returning families is processed through CLEAR to verify residency. Families that do not meet the CLEAR verification threshold will be required to re-establish residency before their registration codes are mailed.
Families enrolling students under unique or temporary guardianship agreements are now required to re-verify both guardianship and residency on an annual basis. Families enrolling students via residency affidavits, alongside a district resident, are still required to re-verify their residency annually. Registration codes will be mailed to the home address once residency and guardianship are successfully confirmed.
Detailed registration and residency requirements can be found on our website. For further assistance, please contact our Registrar, Karen Jemilo, at 708.614.4500 or via email at kjemilo@district146.org
Upcoming Dates for 2026-2027 Registration:
Kindergarten Registration: Deadline Extended to March 30
New and Returning Student Registration Opens: April 1
Kindergarten Screening: April 29
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Across all grade levels and throughout our schools, students have opportunities to practice and apply what they are learning in meaningful ways. Kindergarten students count pumpkins and discover the seeds once they are carved. English Language Arts students at Central Middle School present mock trials based on their current reading assignments. Fifth-grade students explore how volcanoes form and what causes them to erupt by creating their own model volcanoes with flowing “lava.”
At the District level, we also offer a number of opportunities each year for students to highlight their academic strengths. These activities are connected to foundational subjects like language arts and math, giving students additional ways to apply their skills outside of the traditional classroom setting while building confidence in their learning.
On February 3, we held the 15th Annual District 146 Scripps Spelling Bee, giving students a chance to showcase their spelling, vocabulary, and grammar skills. After each school held individual Bees, the top two finishers from each building advanced to the District Bee. Monica Jiang (6th Grade, CMS) was named District Champion, while Elliott Allphin (4th Grade, Fierke) finished as the runner-up. Monica went on to represent District 146 at the South Cook ISC Scripps Spelling Bee on March 5.
The District 146 Math Challenge was held on February 6. During the competition, students participate in two individual events (Mental Math and Written Computation) and two team events that require collaboration and problem-solving. Scores are combined to determine the winning team or teams at each grade level. In addition, the top two students at each grade level advance to the South Cook Math Bowl in late April/early May. The continued growth of the Math Challenge reflects the enthusiasm many students have for strengthening their math skills.
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We also host a Young Authors contest to celebrate the written work of District 146 students. Students submit their work to their home school, where finalists are selected to participate in the District-wide contest. Students submit their writing anonymously, and teachers evaluate the entries based on writing style, creativity, and technique. One District Grand Champion is selected from each of four grade groups: Kindergarten/First Grade, Second/Third Grade, Fourth/Fifth Grade, and Middle School. During the Young Authors Celebration, the winning students have the unique opportunity to see their stories brought to life by members of the Explore Theater troupe.
None of these activities would be possible without the leadership and support of our amazing teachers and staff. From planning events, to distributing awards and recognition, their hard work and dedication is felt across the district. We all look forward to continuing to provide meaningful learning opportunities that celebrate student growth and achievement.
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The Board of Education has appointed Margae Schmidt to fill the vacancy left by Darcy Nendza. Mrs. Schmidt lives in Tinley Park with her husband Justin and two children, Ena and Emmett.
Mrs. Schmidt has a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) and works as the Consulting and Continuing Education Specialist at Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS). She is also the current President of the Library Administrators Council of Northern Illinois (LACONI) Technology Section and the Secretary of the LACONI Governing Board.
Mrs. Schmidt is looking forward to the opportunity to listen to families, staff, and the community; collaborate with fellow Board members; and help shape policies that support strong, inclusive schools.
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Earlier this year, Central’s 7th grade ELA team partnered with the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Advisory program to create an outdoor Micro-Pantry located in the south parking lot at CMS. The pantry provides non-perishable food items, books, toys, and select household items that community members are welcome to take as needed or donate to support others.
The Micro-Pantry has already been used and supported by many community members. The students and staff who brought this idea to life look forward to the completion of the next phase of the project: a Free Little Library that will also be located on the CMS campus.
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Third grade students at Fierke had the opportunity to visit Barraco's Pizza in Evergreen Park last week to learn about various skills such as goods and services, multiplication, division, and fractions! Students took a tour of the kitchen to watch pizza being made and visited the bakery afterwards to make a purchase!
Students also had the opportunity to use pizza dough to work together to answer various questions relating to what they learned. Of course, they couldn't leave before having pizza for lunch! Thank you to the Barraco Family and staff for partnering with Fierke and offering a memorable and fun day for our students.
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Kindergarten kicked off Olympic season with an exciting celebration that brought the spirit of the sporting event right into the classroom. The festivities began with a lively parade, where the students proudly carried hand-made torches symbolizing the Olympic values of friendship, peace, and unity. They learned that these values are just as important on the playground as they are on the world stage.
The excitement carried over into Music in Motion, where students got to experience the thrill of the Olympics through movement and play. The session wrapped up on a delicious note with themed "torch" snacks, giving each student a smile and plenty of Olympic spirit.
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Throughout the month of February, students at Kruse honored Black History Month in their studies.
In Art, students learned about Bisa Butler and created artwork based on her life and works. Grade levels researched and reported on important Black figures such as Barack Obama, Ruby Bridges, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Ida Van Smith. Kindergarten tied themes of kindness, bravery and leadership with their research and stories of some of those mentioned above.
Finally, on Friday, the school continued their tradition of enjoying a scoop of custard donated by Andy's Custard to learn about Alfred L. Cralle (the inventor of the ice cream scoop) and other influential Black inventors. Many thanks to Andy's for partnering with Kruse to make learning fun!
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Memorial's 4th Grade class had a ton of fun during their unit on the Middle Ages. Students reviewed for their assessment by rotating through four special stations set up at the school. At each station, they completed a portion of their study guide and then took part in a hands-on activity. Students built castles using blocks and Legos, decorated crowns, and rode “horses” (scooters) while matching vocabulary words with their definitions.
For their culminating event, the class took a trip to Medieval Times in Schaumburg where two lucky Memorial students were honored by the victorious Red Night and the Queen!
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17: District Choral Festival
19: No School
20: Spring Break Begins
20: District Buildings Closed
30: Students Return
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3: No School
6: BoE Committee of the Whole Meeting
8: Early Learning Family Night
10: District 146 Olympics
13: Board of Education Meeting
16: District Band Parent Meeting
17: CMS Spring Musical
18: CMS Spring Musical
23: District Young Authors Celebration
24: Half-Day Student Attendance
29: Kindergarten Screening
30: South Cook Math Bowl (Grades 5-8)
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1: South Cook Math Bowl (Grades 1-4)
1: Illinois SuperState Band Competition
4: BoE Committee of the Whole Meeting
11: Board of Education Meeting
18: District Band Banquet
19: CMS Graduation
21: District Band Parent Meeting
22: No School- Institute Day
23: No School- Memorial Day
29: Half-Day Attendance/Last Day of School
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1: Board of Education Meeting |
Dr. Jeff Stawick, Superintendent
Kelly Voliva, Assistant Superintendent
Carey Radke, Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Jeff Charleston, Director of Business Services/CSBO
Vern Bettis, Director of Technology
Matt Shanahan, Director of Buildings and Grounds
Brooke Dundas, Coordinator of Bilingual Education
Dr. Don Hantson, Principal, Central Middle School
Rebecca Ferrebee, Assistant Principal, Central Middle School
Kevin Kuzanek, Assistant Principal, Central Middle School
Gina Lamorte, Principal, Fierke Education Center
Megan Mitera, Principal, Fulton School
Kim Hartnett, Principal, Kruse Education Center
Dr. Joe Trsar, Principal, Memorial School
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Julie Berry, President
Rick Lloyd, Vice President
Amy Hamernick, Secretary
Richard Bajner, Jr., Member
Dean Casper, Member
Jill Dunlap, Member
Margae Schmidt, Member
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6611 W. 171st Street
Tinley Park, IL 60477
708.614.4500
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