On Tuesday, Septepmber 19 The Student Leadership Initiative Program (SLIP) was Team-Building day! Danielle, the contact and organizer through the Kendall County Outdoor Education Center, planned many team-building, communication, and reflective activities for the SLIP students. It was really awesome to see how the Somonauk students provided input and feedback to the group.
Luke's Lights
Reminder: No School for Students on Friday, September 8th
Students at Somonauk High School earned academic honors from the College Board National Recognition Programs. These programs celebrate students' hard work in high school and showcase their strong academic performance.
At Somonauk High School, 5 students received the academic honor, including the following students: Douglas Shoener (NRSTA), Ellie Wiegman (NRSTA), Isabella George (NRSTA), Madeline Short (NRSTA), Thomas Banning (NRSTA)
“We’re thrilled to celebrate our students and recognize them for the great work they’ve been doing. We’re proud of their strong academic performance in the classroom and on College Board assessments like the PSAT/NMSQT®, PSAT™ 10, and AP® exams,” said Somonauk High School Principal Eric Benson. “There’s so much that makes our students unique, and receiving this honor reinforces this as an asset for their future.”
The criteria for eligible students include: GPA of 3.5 or higher.
PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10 assessment scores that are within the top 10% of assessment takers in each state for each award program or earned a score of 3 or higher on 2 or more AP Exams in 9th and 10th grade.
Welcome the SHS new school counselor, Desiree Kice! Ms Kice graduated from Glenbard South High School and Columbia College and National Louis University. Her favorite vacation spot is England. She has even backpacked through Europe twice on her own. If she were not in education, she would like to be a motivational speaker. She is excited to inspire our high school students!
Jackie Schrader is part of the SHS math team. She graduated from Oregon High School and Northern Illinois University. In her free time, she enjoys reading and going on hikes. Ms Schrader cheers on the Chicago Blackhawks and loves to go to Silver Dollar City. Her next “dream Job” would be in Aquatics.
Melissa Peterson joins JRW staff as the school social worker. She went to high school in Mexico and graduated from Waubonsee Community College, Aurora University, and Northern Illinois University. If she were not a school social worker, her next “dream job” would have been a police officer. Ms. Peterson’s favorite destination is anywhere near the ocean! An interesting fact about Ms. Peterson is that she loves Kpop and Kdramas. She loves Somonauk already because, “the staff is very friendly, the students have great skills, and the community is close with everyone”.
Kelsey Hansen, Kindergarten is where it is at for Ms Hansen. She graduated from Edwardsville High School and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Growing up in the southern part of Illinois would, of course, make her a St Louis Cardinals fan! Ms. Hansen loves to visit any place that is warm and sunny! She enjoys teaching because she loves how enthusiastic kids are and how they are so accepting of new things and ideas. An interesting fact about Ms. Hansen is that she sang (with the STL Children's Choirs) at the White House in 2006 and bungee jumped in New Zealand in 2008.
Emily Denault, a Somonauk grad, joins us at JRW teaching preschool. She graduated from Waubonsee and Northern Illinois University. She loves any Somonauk Bobcat sport! Ms. Denault loves the beach and dancing. A cool thing about Ms. Denault is that she has multiple family members currently in the district. Ms. Denault also loves that the people that impacted her childhood are now her colleagues.
Kalista Guilinger joins the SHS as a special education instructor. She graduated from Lawton Christian High School in Oklahoma and Cameron University and St. Francis
Cardinals. Her favorite place to visit is Disney World. If she were not a teacher, she would like to be a physical therapist. An interesting fact about Ms Guilinger is that she has jumped out of a plane five times!
Somonauk Middle School welcomes Jackie Cline, 7th and 8th-grade special education instructor. She graduated from, yes, Somonauk High School! She has her Bachelor's degree from Western Illinois University and master's from Northern Illinois University. She loves the Chicago Cubs and enjoys vacationing to Marco Island in Florida. Ms. Cline is excited to be teaching in Somonauk because it is where my family grew up and still believes it was the best experience. It’s great to be a BOBCAT again!
SMS has a new special education instructor, Susanne Slimak. Ms. Slimak graduated from Downers Grove South and Concordia University. She is a fan of the Chicago White Sox and Blackhawks. Her favorite place to visit is Tennessee. She has a mini pig who lives in her kitchen! If she were not a teacher, she would do something crafty selling items made with her Cricut machine.
3rd graders are excited to have Katelyn Mathis as their teacher at JRW. She graduated from Lockport Township High School and Northern Illinois University. In her free time, she enjoys being creative using my Cricut machine. Ms Mathis loves the Chicago White Sox and enjoys vacations that involve a cruise! Her “best friend” is her Mini Goldendoodle named Kallie!
Karly Mannia will be teaching math at SHS. She went to high school in Omaha, Nebraska, and attended Cornell College, Loyola University Chicago, and NIU. This IS her “next dream job”. She retired from her former career in Commercial Banking to teach math. (She is proof that people use math in everyday life outside of school!) Her favorite sports team is the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team. Some interesting facts about Ms. Mannia is that she can speak Spanish and Russian and she has two teenagers of her own ages 13 and 16!
Cole's Camp- Somonauk Meet Up
Somonauk School District has some Coaching opportunities available. Interested candidates should contact Elizabeth Ness, Athletic Director - nesse@somonauk.net
SHS Volleyball program
SHS Golf program
SHS Boys Basketball program
SMS Volleyball program
SAYSO
Reminder for Friday, May 12th
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to our Bobcat Teachers! Somonauk students are extremely fortunate to spend their days with dedicated professionals who work tirelessly with each student on individual growth and achievement. #432 Teachers are like no other! Bobcat Pride! Give them a BOBCAT "shoutout" to show your appreciation!