Dist. 204 ready to celebrate good times

The new school year in Indian Prairie Unit District 204 will focus on celebrating accomplishments of all shapes and sizes.

Kool & the Gang couldn't have said it any better.

"We have much to celebrate, so please take pride in your accomplishments," Superintendent Stephen Daeschner instructed a crowd of roughly 3,000 faculty members Wednesday before sending them out to start the year. "It's a tough job. You deserve it. It's a tough job."

Nearly the entire district gathered in the auditorium of Calvary Church in Naperville for the district's annual opening day institute.

School board President Mark Metzger also shared a personal story about his youngest son to inspire teachers to celebrate regardless how small the accomplishment.

"Sometimes we forget to celebrate accomplishments because we decide, probably incorrectly, that they're not worth celebrating anymore," Metzger said. "When you choose to take the time to celebrate even the smallest accomplishments, you get a little dopamine release and it's good for you."

Along with Daeschner's laundry list of things to celebrate, including the district's ranking among the top 8 percent in ACT scores, the ongoing construction of Metea Valley High School, the launching of all-day kindergarten classes and the district's growing diversity, faculty members heard from the people that matter most, the students.

During the three-hour workshop, teachers saw snippets of a video montage on three big screens featuring students of all grade levels thanking them for everything from teaching them the alphabet, to their sense of humor to giving them a second chance on a difficult project.

"It was great to have everyone together and hear the motivational words from (Daeschner and Metzger)," said McCarty Elementary School LMC Director Michelle Johnson. "But seeing all of the messages from the kids was the best. They're why we're here and it's good to be reminded of that."

Classes begin Monday for 29,000 students in the district that includes portions of Naperville, Aurora, Bolingbrook and Plainfield. The start of classes is Daeschner's favorite time in the school year.

"No child has failed. No staff member has failed and, most importantly, no administrators have failed," he said. "Kids are coming. That, too, is worth celebrating."