Plainfield School District Foundation for Excellence

🚒🔥 Second and third graders in Abigail Wakeley’s Extended School Year class got a hands-on lesson in fire safety last week with a special visit from the Joliet Fire Department. Thanks to our local heroes for helping our students stay safe and prepared. #202proud #communitypartners #firesafety

When it comes to summer learning, Lee Parrott didn’t press pause, he hit play.

The Wallin Oaks Elementary School reading specialist was one of 22 District 202 educators to receive a 2025 Professional Development Grant from the Plainfield School District 202 Foundation for Excellence.

“I’d like to extend a big thank you to the Foundation for the Professional Development Award I received this spring,” Parrott said.

He used the grant to attend the Science of Reading Mini Conference in Racine, Wisconsin this summer.

“It was truly an amazing experience,” he said. “The presenters were so motivating, knowledgeable, and inspiring. The topics including the Fundamentals of the Science of Reading, Small Group Instruction, Morphology, Oral Language and Comprehension, and Literacy Sound Walls were incredibly insightful.”

Parrott is excited to bring fresh ideas and strategies back to his team at Wallin Oaks ES.

🚒🔥 Incoming second and third graders from Liberty Elementary School in Abigail Wakeley’s class got a hands-on lesson in fire safety last week with a special visit from the Joliet Fire Department. Thanks to our local heroes for helping our students stay safe and prepared. #202proud #communitypartners #firesafety

🎙️ Missed it live? Catch the inspiring interview with Plainfield North High School grads Nicholas Powell, Hubert Stasik, and Tharun Veeraiah on 1340 AM WJOL Will County's News Talk Sports.

Listen here: https://p.ftur.io/wjolam/4892

💡 These innovative young entrepreneurs are quarterfinalists in the prestigious INCubatoredu National Pitch Competition, thanks to their mobile app Expiri, which helps users track food expiration dates, reduce waste, and save money.

Developed through District 202’s INCubator program, Team Expiri is now headed to the National Pitch event in Chicago on July 10 to present their startup to investors and industry leaders.

We are #202proud!

#TeamExpiri #StudentInnovators #INCubatoredu #FutureEntrepreneurs

🎙TUNE IN!

Catch three Plainfield North High School grads on 1340 AM WJOL Will County's News Talk Sports on Tuesday, July 8 at 6:42 a.m. as they share how their innovative idea is making national waves.

Nicholas Powell, Hubert Stasik, and Tharun Veeraiah collectively known as Team Expiri, are quarterfinalists in the prestigious INCubatoredu National Pitch Competition, standing out among 60 student startup teams across the country.

💡 Through District 202’s INCubator entrepreneurship program, the team created Expiri, a mobile app that tracks food expiration dates to help reduce waste and save money.

👏 Their success has earned them a spot to exhibit at the National Pitch event on July 10 in Chicago. It is a huge opportunity to connect with investors and elevate their ideas.

We are #202proud!

#TeamExpiri #StudentInnovators #INCubatoredu #FutureEntrepreneurs

What an incredible week at the Plainfield East High School Art Department Summer Art Studio.

Held during the last week of June, the camp welcomed over 180 young artists (ages 4–13) who amazed the staff with their creativity using acrylic paint, clay, colored pencils, pastels, watercolor, papier-mâché, and more.

A heartfelt thank you to the over 30 amazing volunteers from the National Art Honor Society and National Honor Society who helped make the camp a success.

Proceeds from the camp supported the PEHS NAHS Scholarship, helping the school invest in the next generation of artists.

“Thank you for all the support for our growing program and helping us fund scholarships for future NAHS students,” said PEHS teacher Emily Tonon.

We’re already counting down to next summer!

To view more pictures from the 2025 camp, visit the District's Facebook page.

🎼You're invited to a night of incredible live jazz!🎼 Join us for the District 202 Summer Jazz Camp Concert at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 26, in the main gymnasium at Plainfield High School-Central Campus. This free, family-friendly event will feature performances by nearly 70 talented middle and high school students from across the district.🎺 Under the direction of Ryan Kazda, PHS-CC band director and Dan Schmitt, John F. Kennedy Middle School band director, students have spent the past two weeks learning the art of jazz, from improvisation to performing in styles like swing, funk, Latin, and pop.🎷 Come out, bring a lawn chair or blanket, and enjoy an evening of great music while supporting these amazing young musicians. #202proud

Happy Assistant Principals Week! This week, we celebrate our incredible assistant principals who provide unwavering dedication and exceptional service to our school district. “Each day, you navigate countless responsibilities with remarkable skill and grace – supporting your principals, empowering our teachers, motivating our students, and creating positive learning environments where everyone can thrive,” said District 202 Superintendent of Schools Dr. Glenn Wood. Thank you!

Home Access Center will be down today (4/1/25) for scheduled maintenance.

Remember: No school Friday for a student improvement day. See you Monday! #202proud

Don’t forget that the Plainfield School District Foundation for Excellence scholarships are open! The deadline to submit is March 15, 2025. Check out all the options to help fund your education and future career goals. Visit d202foundation.org and click on the Scholarships tab to start filling out the applications today! Contact klarson@psd202.org if you have any questions.

Plainfield East High School’s Bengal Boutique is thrilled to celebrate 15 years of helping students shine on their special day. Bengal Boutique offers PEHS students the opportunity to browse a gorgeous selection of free dresses for prom and formal dances, shoes and accessories in a boutique style setting. The boutique now also provides professional wear for men and women. "The Bengal Boutique is such a wonderful tradition,” PEHS creative arts division chair Cortney Troy said. “This year, we are excited to extend it to the business world. Our hope is to ensure that all students have access to valuable experiences without needing to worry about any financial constraints,” Troy said. Troy and PEHS associate principal of curriculum and instruction Cindy Egizio run the boutique. To donate to the Bengal Boutique, or to make an appointment please visit: https://sites.google.com/psd202.org/pehs-bengal-boutique/home?scrlybrkr=561a5195.

STEM + Art = STEAM! Bonnie McBeth Learning Center preschoolers enjoyed a night where art meets science at the annual STEAM Night on January 23. Over 50 Bonnie McBeth Learning Center students and their families attended the annual event that featured a variety of STEAM activities (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) in the classrooms. In the science rooms, children participated in a "Sink or Float" experiment, a baking soda and vinegar reaction activity, and a magnet exploration center. In the engineering rooms, students had the opportunity to build with large blocks and magnet tiles, as well as create structures using multi-colored cups and craft sticks. The art rooms offered a range of projects for students to create with their families, including a "Make Your Own Snowman" kit and a foam frame project. In the math room, children counted winter animals and participated in winter-themed measuring activities using a snowball ruler.

Support Bags of Hope and let Portillo's provide dinner for you on Thursday this week. Twenty percent of sales will benefit Bags of Hope between 5 and 8 p.m. at the 1155 Brook Forest Avenue, Shorewood location. #202proud

Happy 2025! #202proud

Flags will fly at half-staff until sunset on January 28, 2025 in honor of former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away Sunday. Flags were already at half-staff to honor Illinois State Police Trooper Clay Carns, who died in the line of duty on December 23. Flags are lowered for 30 days from the death of a President or former President.

The Plainfield School District Foundation for Excellence is pleased to announce a new scholarship for District 202 seniors named the AAA Abuzir Insurance Agency Scholarship. The scholarship will award one $1,000 scholarship, for at least the next three years, to a District 202 senior who intends on attending trade school or going into a skills-based career, such as beauty school, real estate and insurance. Interested in applying? The new scholarship application along with all Foundation scholarships are available on the Foundation website at d202foundation.org.

Fifty District 202 students in the Functionally Based Instruction (FBI) program got in the holiday spirit on Wednesday, December 11 at Ira Jones Middle School. Middle school students in the program from John F. Kennedy, Heritage Grove and Ira Jones attended the festivities. Students enjoyed cookie decorating, craft making and games/sing-along activities. In all, about 80 students, teachers, paraprofessionals and parents were present. Everyone came together for lunch and then enjoyed a dance party, which included a special visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus, facilitated by Ira Jones 8th graders. Peer buddies from Ira Jones, along with several parents, helped during the festivities. “Many of the students involved are participants in the Extended School Year (ESY) program and Special Olympics, making this gathering an excellent opportunity for them to connect and enjoy each other’s company,” Ira Jones FBI teacher Melissa Griffith said.

School is officially out for Thanksgiving break! Classes resume Monday, December 2. #202proud

Plainfield School District 202's Care Closet event is coming up soon! If you know anyone who could benefit from this valuable community resource, please encourage them to contact their child's school social worker for more information. Let's work together to ensure every child has what they need for a warm and wonderful winter season.