Illinois Secretary of Education visits Holmes
On Tuesday, Feb. 23, the Early Learning Center and Holmes Junior High had a very significant visitor. The current Illinois Secretary of Education, Dr. Beth Purvis, visited District 59 by invitation of Dr. Art Fessler, District 59 superintendent of schools.
Dr. Purvis toured the Early Learning Center with board member Janice Krinsky and Principal Michele Ramsey, who walked her through the entire facility. The tour included the sensory, fine arts, and nature gardens, the learning spaces, the kitchen area, and all the little design details that make the Early Learning Center a great place for small children to learn.
A former preschool teacher, Dr. Purvis commented after the tour how much she would have loved the spaces in the Early Learning Center back when she was teaching. She expressed how significant it is that District 59 takes the "whole child" approach, how all students can benefit from developing gross and fine motor skills in the Early Learning Center's play spaces and gardens, and how even life skills and healthy eating are being taught in the culinary arts lab.
Dr. Purvis recognized all the hard work and critical thinking that went into creating the ultimate learning environment for the district's smallest learners.
"It is incredibly exciting to see such a well-resourced, thoughtful design in the school environment. The school is bright, it is a really inviting place for children and for adults," she said.
"Looking at the quality of instruction that is occurring in the classroom and the individualization that is occurring with every child gives me great hope that these students will arrive at kindergarten ready to learn and to flourish in their neighborhood schools."
After the Early Learning Center tour, Dr. Purvis, along with the District 59 administration, toured Holmes Junior High with four students acting as her guides. The students were quite excited to help her tour the school, and one area they particularly wanted to share included their new learning spaces environment, a specialized classroom that allows for more interactive learning via a flexible classroom structure.
District 59 administration was excited to share the district's goals and vision with such an important guest.
"It was a pleasure having Dr. Purvis visit the ELC," Ramsey said. "Her commitment to developing the whole child and supporting children and families starting at birth is very strong, which is something I really admire.
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