Leader's pep talk rallies St. Charles schools staff
About 1,900 St. Charles School District 303 employees were challenged Monday to demonstrate educational excellence in the upcoming school year -- regardless of whether they're teachers, bus drivers or custodians.
"We're going to build on our strength, and guess what our strength is: It's you," Superintendent Donald Schlomann told them during a back-to-school rally at Christ Community Church in St. Charles.
"What can you or your department do that can really jump out at and say, 'We're committed to excellence.'? "
For many employees, the rally was the first face-to-face encounter with Schlomann, who took over the district July 1. It was attended by nearly 2,000 teachers, administrators and support staff from all 17 district schools.
In a lively speech lavish with praise, Schlomann encouraged employees to keep striving for academic performance. He also told them to "have a little fun" while making "D303 rock."
"We have a chance to mold the future, to mold this next generation," he said.
Schlomann reiterated goals he presented recently to the school board.
Among them was to explore possibilities such as all-day kindergarten and dual-language schools, which drew cheers from the crowd.
"There's a lot of things that are possible in this district," he said. "There should be nothing we won't be willing to talk about."
Schlomann touched only briefly on recent controversy over district boundary revisions, crowding and turmoil on the school board.
He said the district needs to return to making "substantial improvements in the way we think about (educating) kids.
"We aren't about passing a referendum. We aren't about busing. We aren't about boundaries," he said. "We are about student growth."
Board member Lori Linkimer, who was a teacher more than 20 years, declared a "fresh start and a new beginning" in District 303, and she assured the crowd the board is "working alongside all of you.
"Everyone of you plays a part in making the district a success," Linkimer said. "We know that not only every child can learn, every child will."
Classes start Wednesday.