Superintendent Polyak honored for Leyden's One Book, One Leyden initiative
“The Distance Between Us,” an autobiographical account of Mexican author Reyna Grande's immigrant experience, had a profound effect on District 212 Superintendent Nick Polyak.
It began when West Leyden librarian Janine Asmus sent Polyak a copy of the book, hoping he would agree with her assessment of the story.
“Given our district's large Hispanic population, I was confident the book about the lifetime struggles of a young Mexican immigrant would resonate with our students,” Asmus recalls.
She was correct. After he read the book, Polyak encouraged Asmus to form a committee and launch the district's One Book, One Leyden project.
After months of planning and encouraging students, staff and community members to read the book, the author accepted an invitation to visit Leyden to tell her story and interact with students at both campuses. The two-day event was well received, especially by students who felt a connection with the author.
Prompted by the project's success, Asmus notified the Illinois School Library Media Association (ISLMA) via a nomination form that part of the project's triumph was due to Polyak's guidance and involvement in the project.
In the letter Asmus wrote to the association she noted that Polyak was on board from start to finish.
“Throughout this process, Dr. Polyak was supportive, enthusiastic and cooperative, and all the while knew this project had the potential to impact our students,” she says.
When she couldn't get as much funding as she needed for the project, Polyak encouraged her not to give up.
“He told me to get a committee off the ground, buy the books for all faculty and staff and lead. He told me if I was to be the conductor of this project, I needed to pull the train out of the station and see where it goes,” Asmus recalls.
The association took note, and in mid-October Asmus received notice the association had selected Polyak as Administrator of the Year for his support of the district's first One Book, One Leyden program.
According to the association, the award is given to recognize the meritorious support of a district administrator for a school library program. It is meant to recognize an administrator's appreciation of school librarians' efforts, and the role they play in promoting literacy and lifelong learning.
In early November Polyak was officially honored for his efforts by the ISLMA at the association's annual conference dinner held in Tinley Park. Asmus and East Leyden librarian Judith Condren also attended the event.
At a recent district board of education meeting, Polyak said being a recipient of the ISLMA's award is “a great honor for Leyden. It is a reflection of the amazing work being done in both of our high schools every day.”
Asmus says the success of the initial program has prompted her to begin the quest for the next One Book, One Leyden project slated for the 2017-18 school year.