A Message from the Principal

W.C. Petty Elementary School

September 9, 2016

Bobcat Pause

Strike up the BAND! The 5th grade band is marching in the ACHS homecoming parade on Thursday, 9/15. All 5th grade band members need to report to the Antioch Band Shell (off Orchard Ave.) at 6:30 pm for the 7:00 parade. Please be dressed in “concert black and white” and leave your instrument case in the car. Come out and support our youngest marchers!

Dates to Remember

Band and Orchestra

Boosters Mtg. 7 pm @

AUGS Cafe

9/14

Homecoming

Parade 9/15

Board of Ed Meeting

7pm @ AUGS

9/20

Informational

Internet Safety

Parent Night 6:00 -

7:30 pm @ AUGS

Café. (This is a

parent only event.)

9/28

Dear Families,

I want to thank all the parents who attended our Curriculum Night last Thursday.

It was wonderful seeing many familiar and new faces. Decades of research show that

when parents are involved in the school community, students have: higher grades,

test scores, and graduation rates; better school attendance; and increased motivation

and higher self-esteem.

An electronic survey was sent out to all parents, and the feedback was

analyzed by the Building Leadership Team which is composed of teacher

representatives from each area and/or grade level. We have used this information to

begin planning for next year’s curriculum night and make changes that will improve

the effectiveness of the evening in a more engaging manner. Thank you to those who

provided feedback through the survey.

One of our biggest concerns in school is student safety. Please remember that

it is illegal to use a cellphone for any reason while driving through a school zone and/

or driving on school property. Feel free to use a parking spot when needing to use

your phone. We provide adult supervision during the times of arrival and dismissal in

order to keep the students out of harm’s way; however, their safety will be enhanced

with cooperation from everyone on school grounds.

We have had a wonderful beginning of the year, and I look forward to

continuing a partnership to help each child achieve personal excellence.

Respectfully,

Joanna Gerritsen

WC Petty Principal

New Faces!

Theresa Geer

Hello! My name is Theresa Geer. This is my first year as a special educa-tion aide with W.C. Petty. I was born in Monterey CA and although I have

lived many places (including Panama!) Antioch is where I call home. My husband and I have two children, Eleanor and Jacob, and one sweet

sheprador named Scooby Doo. I enjoy reading, playing games with my family and regular trips to Wisconsin Dells. I am very happy to be given

this opportunity to enrich young minds, while also providing a comforting

and positive environment in which they can thrive.

Nancy Bernard

Hi, my name is Nancy Bernard, and I am super excited to be working as the library media assistant

here at W.C. Petty. I live in Antioch with my husband and 8 year old son. We have lived in Antioch

for 11 years now, and it reminds us of our hometown of Libertyville back in the day. I have a Mas-

ters of Teaching in Elementary Education and taught middle school for 5 years before I had my

son. Once he went to school full-time, I entered back into education as an aide at AUGS. I love

working in education and am looking forward to the 2016-2017 .school year and this new adventure!

Sean Backstrand

Sean is housed at AUGS and will be primarily assisting at AUGS and WCP, but you may see

him out and about in your buildings. He has worked in technical support since 1998, most

recently with other schools in Lake County. He is originally from the area (Kenosha Coun-

ty), and has family all over the Midwest. He spent 8 years working in the San Francisco Bay

Area, and 3 years trying to be a teacher himself at a private school in Indonesia (island of

Borneo). He is happy to be serving in District 34, and looks forward to working with you.

Natalie Earl

My name is Natalie Earl. I am very excited to be at W.C. Petty this year teaching 4th grade with the “Terrific 25” class. I moved to Illinois 2.5 years ago and currently live in Gurnee with my husband, Matt and 7 month old daughter. I was born and raised

in Indiana where I graduated from Purdue University and Indiana Wesleyan Universi-ty. I am a former 5th grade teacher and school administrator, but extremely excited to

be back in the classroom with a wonderful group of students! Thank you for welcoming me to the W.C. Petty family!

Lee Anne Rioux

My name is Lee Anne Rioux and I am one of the District Interventionists here at

W.C. Petty School. I am starting my 25th year of teaching and 16th in the district. I

have taught at both W.C. Petty and AES. I have two step-children who are 25

and 27 that I consider to be my own as well as an adorable granddaughter who

is 11 months old! I am enjoying being a grandma! I am very excited to be back

at Petty this year!

Kim Novak

Hi, my name is Mrs. Novack and I am excited to work at Petty this year. This is my fourth year with the district, and I previously worked at Oakland Elementary. I am the proud mom of three children who

are very active in field hockey, cheerleading and hockey. I am also a huge Blackhawks fan and love going to games with my husband,

Jeff. My all-time favorite player is Chris Chelios. I am looking forward to a great school year.

Mary Margaret Kahanic

Hi my name is Mary Margaret Kahanic. This is my first year at W.C. Petty as a special

education resource teacher. I previously worked at Gavin Central School for six years

as both a resource teacher and a self contained teacher. I live in Antioch with my

husband Tim. My daughter Kayla is a junior at VanderCook College of Music in Chica-

go. She is studying to be a music teacher. My son Liam is a senior this year in high

school. We have been busying touring many colleges. When I have free time, my hus-

band, daughter and I like to run races. Also, we have an 8 year old Pekinese named

Liberty who we love to spoil. I am excited and honored to join the W.C. Petty family.

New Faces!

Andrea Halterman

I’m Andrea Halterman and I’m thrilled to be teaching 5th grade at Petty this

year. This is my 1st year in District 34, but my 10th year as a teacher. I was

born and raised in Columbus Indiana. My family moved to Antioch 11 years

ago. Teaching is actually my 2nd career. I worked for 2 years prior to having

my son as a Department Manager for a retail establishment. I have a

Bachelor’s degree in Management from Purdue University and a Master’s in

Education from Indiana University. I also have two children in District 34.

Cheryl Jerik - W. C. Petty & Hillcrest - Art Specialist

This is Cheryl Jerik’s second year as the art specialist. She started out as an Aide at AUGS, where she also complet-

ed her student teaching under Lori Leyman. She then spent 3 years teaching art for SEDOL where she was split between 2 schools. In her 3rd year at SEDOL she also began teaching art at St. Ana-stasia School part time. The principal at St. Anastasia approached her to teach 5th grade. She accepted and was the 5th grade teacher for 2 years. When the computer teacher resigned, she took on teaching art and computers for the last 2 years. During her time at St. Anastasia she also ran the yearbook club, club gifted, and maintained the school website.

Melissa Marchman - W.C. Petty - General Music Specialist

Melissa Marchman has been teaching the Dist. 34 for the last 17 years, and overall she has been teaching mu-

sic students for 32 years. She currently teaches general music to 2nd - 5th grade students at W. C. Petty Elementary. She also teaches chorus, mallets/drumming and recorder club dur-ing the lunch recesses. Ms. Marchman received her Bachelor of Arts in Music Ed. and Mathe-matics from Eastern Illinois University and her Master of Music Education degree from the University of Northern Colorado. She also has certification in Orff Levels 1 and 2. The stu-

dents are presented a music curriculum that includes Orff, Kodaly, and Dalcroze methodolo-gies. In her free time, Ms. Marchman is the director of the Chancel Choir at the Antioch Unit-ed Methodist Church, presents at the ILMEA Music Conference, and is a member of the Greater Chicago American Orff-Schulwerk Association.

Carrie Mack - Antioch Upper Grade & W.C. Petty - 4th & 5th Grade Band

Carrie Mack is one of the Elementary instrumental music teachers in District 34. This is her 12th year teaching band in the district. In her 16 years of teaching, she has taught Elementary and Middle School band, guitar and piano class as well as K-3rd grade general music. Carrie also works with young musicians as the Youth Music Director at her church as well as giving individual music lessons. Her time away from school is spent with her family of her husband and two children.

Brandy Crawford - Hillcrest, Oakland & W. C. Petty - 2nd & 3rd Grade Strings

Brandy Crawford completed her Master of Education from Illinois State University

and earned her undergraduate degree in Music Education from Eastern Illinois

University. She teaches 2nd-5th grade strings at Oakland, Hillcrest, and W. C. Petty Elementary Schools. Prior to joining District 34, she taught 6th-8th grade

band, orchestra, and guitar in Danville, IL. In her free time, she likes to scrapbook, perform in orchestras, cook, and spend time with her family.

Brooke Tolhurst - Oakland, W.C. Petty, & Antioch Upper Grade - 4th & 5th Grade Strings

Michelle Tarkowski – W.C. Petty – Interventionist

My name is Michelle Tarkowski and I am an Intervention Teacher here at W.C. Petty School. This is my eleventh year teaching in Antioch School District 34. I have worked here at W.C. Petty for eight years as a classroom teacher (third and second grade) and at AES as an Intervention Teacher for two years. I am very excited to be an Intervention Teacher here at Petty! I graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, in 2006 with a

bachelor’s degree in elementary education. I also have a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruc-tion from National Louis University and a Master's degree in Reading and Literacy from Benedictine University. I love teaching reading and look forward to sharing my love of reading with my students. I have been married for 6 years to my husband, Mark. We have a 1 ½ year old daughter, Kaylee, and I’m expecting our second daughter any day! In my free time I enjoy scrapbooking and stamping cards. I also spend a lot of time with my family and enjoy taking Kaylee shopping. I look forward to a

great school year!

SPECIALS STAFF

Ron Amster - W. C. Petty – Physical Education Specialist

Ron Amster has been teaching in District #34 for 19 years. He has a Master's Degree from Eastern Illinois University. He currently teaches daily physical

education to 2nd -5th grade students. Mr. Amster has present-ed at the State PE convention 3 of the last 6 years. He promot-ed daily physical education for all students in the district. Constructed year round intramural program that highlights 6 team sport activities. Coached Antioch Upper Grade girls cross country to a 4th place finish at the 2010 state meet. Ron enjoys time with his family during vacations and after school.

Nate Pratt – W. C. Petty – PLTW Specialist This is Nate Pratt’s second year as a Project Lead the Way (PLTW) teacher. He spent six years teaching second grade for Dis-trict 34. PLTW is a STEM curriculum in which students will learn science, technology, engineering, and math skills through hands on activities based on real life prob-lems. Through three or four modules this year, students will learn what it is to be an engineer, problem solver, and collaborator.

Kathy Allen - Hillcrest & W.C. Petty- K-5 English Learner Teacher

Kathy has worked in District 34 since, 1999, but the 2016 school year marks Kathy’s 10th year as an English Learner (EL) teacher in the district. Kathy is at W.C. Petty in the morning serving the

language needs of students in Grades 2-5. Afternoons she is at Hillcrest Ele-

mentary and works with the Kindergarten and 1st grade EL students. It is so rewarding to work with students who possess the ability to speak and under-

stand more than one language. What an accomplishment! Kathy works with students in the areas of Speaking , Listening, Reading and Writing in English.

Kathy lives in Antioch with her husband, Glenn and Jack Russell Terrier, Mandy.

She has three adult children who also attended District 34. Her primary hobbies are camping and cooking.

Sue Stevens – W.C. Petty – Gifted Education Coordinator

Sue Stevens is entering her 35th (and final) year as an educator. Although her current role is Gifted Education Pro-

gram Coordinator, she was previously a classroom teacher for 21 years and a school principal. Sue has worked in every school in the district since arriving here in 1986. Sue grew up in several mid-western

states and ended up at Northern Illinois University for her Bachelor of Science degree in

elementary education. She later earned her Master of Gifted Education degree and her administrative certification. Sue has lived in Antioch for the past 30 years with her husband

and now two grown sons who both attended Petty School. They were very happy to add a daughter-in-law to the family in 2014 and last year a grandson, Jameson! During her ca-

reer in D34, Sue has been involved with numerous activities and initia-tives and is especially fond of the Battle of the Books program which

she brought to the district in 1993. In her upcoming retirement she

looks forward to spending more time with her grandson, traveling, gardening, reading and scrapbooking.

SPECIALS STAFF