Somonauk CUSD 432

Danielle Lee is a graduate of Willowbrook High School and Northern Illinois University. She is teaching middle and high school art. She enjoys spending time outdoors, playing guitar, creating art through painting and drawing, and hanging out with her dog, Buck. Danielle is proud to have purchased her first home at the age of 23.

Shannon Ford is a graduate of Downers Grove South, Waubonsee Community College, and Grand Canyon University. Ms Ford will be at SHS as a special educator. She loves everything about her family (especially her 5-year-old granddaughter), pets, teaching, and spending time in nature.. She enjoys reading, hiking, visiting museums, and art galleries.

Amber Crague is a graduate of Sandwich Community High School and continued her education at Kishwaukee College and Northern Illinois University. She will be teaching second grade at JRW. She enjoys spending time with her friends and family. Amber's hobbies include watching movies and attending or playing in sporting events. She is the youngest of three siblings, with two older sisters and three nieces whom she adores.

Payton Siragusa graduated from Sycamore High School and Judson University, where she played soccer. She will be teaching third grade at JRW. Payton comes from a family of educators, so she is very excited to be here. She enjoys spending time with two nieces, soon to be three. She enjoys playing pickleball/spending time outside and loves to travel.

Maddie O’Brien is a graduate of Plainfield Central High School and a third-generation NIU graduate. She will be teaching fourth grade at JRW. In her free time, Maddie enjoys reading, hiking, playing pickleball, planning parties, and even dreams of skydiving. Maddie is the oldest of four siblings, and one of her favorite memories is traveling with her entire family to Italy, Spain, and France.

Lauren Kawall is a graduate of Somonauk High School and Illinois State University. She is teaching special education at JRW. Also, she is currently pursuing her Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis at Ball State University. In her free time, Lauren enjoys crafting, reading, and playing with her niece and nephews.

Melinda Hansen is a graduate of Somonauk High School and Aurora University. She will be the social worker for grades 3-12. She enjoys keeping herself busy and loves spending time with her children, husband, friends, and extended family. If she weren’t in education, she imagines herself working somewhere in the criminal justice field, still helping and connecting with young people.

Bridget Moyer is a graduate of Lyons Township High School and Illinois State University. She will be joining Somonauk as a Speech Language Pathologist for SMS and SHS students. Bridget and her husband have four children, and they live in Yorkville. She enjoys attending ALL of her kids' sporting events and spending time outdoors,

Welcome to #432! Sarah Kerber, Senior Director of Student Services, is a graduate of Oswego High School, North Central College, and Aurora University. Sarah and her husband, Luke, have been married for 17 years, live in Yorkville, and have two kids, Rebecca (9th grade) and Caleb (7th grade). Both of her kids are active in music and sports. In her downtime, she enjoys reading, hiking, attending sporting events, and planning parties.

Alizae Perez, a junior at SHS, is the newest member of the Somonauk School Board. She has been living in Somonauk since the seventh grade with her parents, her brother Noah, and her four sisters—Starla, Shay, Mia, and Simone. During her time in school, she participates in volleyball, cheer, and soccer. Ali believes the best thing about Somonauk is that there's always an opportunity to get involved and try something new. That is why she loves being part of the school board; it is a new experience that not many of her friends have even heard of.

Somonauk High School is proud to announce that 7 SHS students have been formally recognized as AP Scholars. The College Board annually recognizes students that have passed three or more Advanced Placement Exams during their high school career, earning early college credit as high school students. The following members of the Class of 2025 were recognized as AP Scholars: Joseph Freeman, Aiden Hopkins, Layla Hufstedler and Aldo Resendez. We also had 3 members of the Class of 2026 that have already earned the honor of AP Scholar, they are: Madelyn Hernandez, Morgan Morris, and Ava Warner.

Somonauk High School had a record number of students take Advanced Placement classes and exams during the 2024-2025 school year, with 70 total students testing. Of those 70 test takers, we had a 69% pass rate, that is 48 classes that would save our families between $229-$2,600 per course. That is an overall total savings of $10,992 (Students attending WCC)-$124,800 (Students attending Aurora University). That is incredible Bobcats!!! We are BOBCATS!

The Free & Reduced Meal application for the 2025-2026 school year is now open! Families are encouraged to complete the application to see if they qualify for meal benefits. Apply online today: https://www.freereducedlunch.com/somonauk

James R Wood Elementary School is hiring for a 4th grade teacher. Please click on the link and share https://www.applitrack.com/DeKalb/onlineapp/jobpostings/view.asp?choosedistrict=true&applitrackclient=260&all=1

Thank you to our Somonauk CUSD #432 Speech Pathologists! We appreciate you!!

Support the Somonauk Marching Bobcats with dinner at Culver's in Plano on Monday, May 19th!

Thank you to our Somonauk CUSD #432 School Nurse, Mrs. LeCuyer! We appreciate you!!

Somonauk CUSD 432 is beginning the process of selecting our next superintendent, and we need your valuable feedback! Your opinions will assist in identifying the leadership traits and priorities that are most important to our community. Please follow the link to complete the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XLMQKQM Your input is appreciated!

Thank you to the Teachers at Somonauk #432! We appreciate you!!

Whitsons (formerly Arbor) would appreciate your feedback! Please take a few minutes to complete the survey: https://xmp.insight-surveys.com/s/spring-2025

📢 Board Vacancy Alert! Somonauk CUSD #432 is accepting resumes to fill a vacancy on the Board of Education. The selected individual will serve until April 2027. 📝 Submit your resume and cover letter to Ashley McNurlan at mcnurlana@somonauk.net ⏰ Deadline: Noon on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 📅 Interviews: Thursday, May 1, 2025 View qualifications and details in the image below!