Skyward®'s 2015 Leader in Excellence Award
Congratulations to the 2015 Skyward® Leader in Excellence Award winners!
Please click here for the full article of individual winners.
Please click here for the full article of district winners.
Illinois is proud to recognize the Illinois LIE winners! R.J. Gravel from Johnsburg School District and Deerfield District #109. Congratulations to these outstanding leaders who were recognized at iCon in February.
Dr. R.J. Gravel
Director of Instructional Technology
Johnsburg School District 12, Illinois
A recent recipient of a doctorate of education in the field of instructional technology from Northern Illinois University, R.J. Gravel can’t be slowed down. In addition to serving as director of instructional technology at Johnsburg School District 12 in Illinois, Dr. Gravel holds leadership positions for curriculum and technology councils across the country, serves on a commission for the State of Illinois supporting the development of state data reporting requirements, and has been asked to present at a number of conferences, including Illinois Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) Conference on Learning, Illinois Educational Technology Conference and SMART Technologies Administrative Leadership Summit in Calgary, Canada.
At Johnsburg School District, Dr. Gravel continuously seeks to develop a better understanding of how Skyward® can support instructional and operational activities. In partnership with Skyward®, Johnsburg has transitioned from hard copy files to electronic student records, re-prioritized office support personnel responsibilities by collecting parent and student information electronically, and streamlined human resources tasks.
Almost fully transitioned to electronic student records, Johnsburg is one of the few districts that has committed to scanning all existing files. Beginning its data warehouse effort, the school is eliminating the need to "maintain" paper copies that sat in cabinets. This transition has provided the ability for parents to review their student's entire record from any online device twenty-four hours a day, seven day a week, ensuring they have access to their child’s academic information whenever necessary to stay informed.
As an active beta tester for Skyward®, Dr. Gravel takes great pride in the development of products to meet the practical needs of districts. Dr. Gravel also shares instructional and marketing materials with neighboring districts, and invites visitors into Johnsburg on a monthly basis.
“We are always happy to advocate how tools can support instruction,” said Dr. Gravel. “Skyward® is truly a partner in the educational management and support of our organization.”
Deerfield Public Schools District 109
The mission of Deerfield Public Schools District 109 is to provide educational experiences of the highest quality that engage, inspire and empower each student to excel and contribute in a changing world. North of Chicago, Illinois, District 109 saw a need to increase communication between parents and its schools.
Enlisting Skyward® Student Management Suite to achieve this goal, District 109 has improved student outcomes by increasing parent connection to their child’s academic progress, and increasing student ownership of their own learning and achievement. Through Skylert, an automated notification system that provides emergency alerts, attendance notifications and other messages via phone call, e-mail and/or text message, District 109 also has boosted parent and community understanding and support.
When District 109 launched Skyward® Family Access, it allowed parents of middle school students a direct and ongoing connection to their student’s academic progress through Gradebook. At any time, parents can receive a real-time snapshot of grades and missing assignments, and easily access teacher contact information in one click. The increased understanding of a child's daily academic experience has allowed parents to fully partner with educators and staff to support student learning.
“We opened Skyward® Student Access after students saw their parents could access Gradebook but they could not, and we appreciated the students’ desire for knowledge and ownership,” said Cathy Kedjidjian, coordinator of communications and community relations at District 109. “The middle school students have been excited to use the tool to organize their work and track their own progress.”
District 109 is a high achieving district due, in large part, to the strong support of education by parents and the community. Through Skyward®, which allows a commitment to transparency, the district strengthens connections and enhances relationships with stakeholders.
Along with the Leader in Excellence award from Skyward®, District 109 has received the Association of State Business Officers International Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting and meritorious budget award from the Association of School Business Officials International.
