Communications
The communications department is dedicated to providing open, honest, and ongoing communication with our stakeholders. We aspire to keep our stakeholders informed about the goings-on in our district and the exciting opportunities offered, primarily using student and staff voice. The communications team collaborates with our community partners to build strong working relationships. These relationships form a strong community bond that encourages engagement within the district.
Meet the Team
Cathy Kedjidjian
Chief Communications Officer
Eric Steckling
Director of Communications & Community Relations
Katerina Schroeder
Communications Specialist
The 109 Way Magazine
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What's Good in 109?🧐
We are here to share the good things that are going on with our DPS 109 students and staff!
Thursday, April 24 was the perfect day to celebrate Arbor Day at Kipling Elementary. The weather was clear with a blue sky and a cool breeze blowing at your back. Our first-grade teachers led their students toward the podium and directed them to circle around the soon-to-be-planted swamp white oak tree. Dr. Lombardo, Kipling principal, kicked off the morning celebration with a few words of appreciation for his staff and community. Following Dr. Lombardo, we had Superintendent Mr. Simeck and the Deerfield Mayor, Mr. Shapiro, share a few words of wisdom with the first-graders and banter about why we celebrate Arbor Day.
Once the adults were done talking, the real stars shined! Each first-grade class selected three students to read a nature-themed poem out loud and another three students to help plant the tree with mini shovels. Our speakers spoke confidently into the microphone for everyone to hear, while the shovelers took their jobs very seriously as they continuously scooped dirt into the tree’s spot. Overall, it was a joyful way to spend a Thursday morning with beautiful weather, smiling kiddos, and experiencing community collaboration. We are thankful for our strong partnership with the Deerfield Park District and the Village of Deerfield; without their tree donation, we wouldn’t have a tree to plant for Arbor Day. Thank you to their teams for providing the tree for us, and thank you to our Buildings and Grounds department for finding the perfect location for the tree to be planted.
In mid-February, our philanthropy club organized a fundraiser to support our local animal shelter, Orphans of the Storm. This shelter takes in dogs and cats in all forms and helps them find their forever home. Our philanthropy club wanted to raise money for food bowls, treats, and toys for the animals. As a way to encourage people to donate money, they built up and promoted the CMS Pet Wall of Fame. To get your pet up on the wall of fame, you would donate $5 to Orphans of the Storm, ensure you dedicate it to “Caruso Middle School,” and then submit a picture of your pet to join the others in the hallway. Between community members, families, and Caruso staff, the wall filled up quickly! Staff and students were tickled to see just how quickly people wanted to show off their furry friends and witnessed day by day the pet wall expand. By the end of the fundraiser, the Pet Wall of Fame took up two hallway walls, and they raised one thousand dollars for Orphans of the Storm. The philanthropy club had the opportunity to visit Orphans of the Storm and drop off their donation; they also got the chance to play with the cats and dogs held at the shelter!
The last day of school before spring break, our early learners invited family members to join in the fun of celebrating World Down Syndrome Day with their annual Rock Your Socks event! It's an afternoon of fun, brightly colored socks, dancing, painting, reading, and creating a collage of handprints!
To celebrate a month-long read-a-thon, Walden not only achieved but surpassed their reading goals by reading 126,441 minutes! To celebrate their avid readers, teachers dressed up in inflatable costumes and raced around the gym! The top readers of each class got the opportunity to pie Mrs. Lovsin, Mrs. Strenger, or Mrs. Pasquesi in the face! Our team took it like the champs they are, and the students screamed and giggled with excitement when cheering on their favorite inflatable teacher.