“I am extremely honored and humbled to receive this special recognition from the DuPage County Region of the Illinois Principal Association,” Santee said in news release. “Glenbard South, and Glenbard District 87 as a whole, is a community of highly committed, caring and growth-minded educators, students and families. We are all truly on the journey together with a continuous improvement mindset. I could not possibly convey how thankful I am to be a part of this community.”

Glenbard District 87 Superintendent David Larson said, “Principal Santee is a deeply knowledgeable, visionary leader with a highly effective leadership style. I appreciate how she fosters a collaborative culture at Glenbard South. I am impressed with her work on key areas, including our school day model, Profile of a Graduate, equity and belonging and our facility master plan.”

Santee will be recognized at the IPA Education Leaders Annual Conference, where one statewide principal of the year recipient will be recognized as well.

Criteria for principal of the year award recipients include: demonstrating a positive impact on education and advocacy for children; ensuring the school climate is positive and reflects high staff and student morale; demonstrating creativity and imagination in bringing about positive change; and, involving the community in the life of the school and using community resources for students.

Students were nominated by their teachers then selected by the various departments as the most exemplary students in each subject.

Students are:

• Gianna Bellavia, Western Springs
• Joshua Furey, Western Springs
• Aldo Guadalupe, Brookfield
• Ace Guzman, Brookfield
• Emma Klotz, Hodgkins
• Tess Larmon, La Grange
• Alexander Luna, La Grange
• Jimmy Minton, La Grange
• Jaylene Nunez, La Grange
• Matthew Steiner, Brookfield
• Kyli Stockard, La Grange Highlands

The public also may view the meeting remotely, via the village of Downers Grove’s YouTube page. After the meeting has concluded, the village will process the video and send it to District 58 to be posted on the District’s YouTube channel.

The meeting agenda covers many topics, including:

• A Pierce Downer School presentation
• A spotlight on SASED’s partnership with District 58: Working Together to Support Students, Staff and Families
• A report on the Dec. 8 Financial Advisory Committee
• A discussion and recommendation for approval of bids, called Bid Group No. 2, related to the middle schools’ referendum construction
• A recommendation to approve school calendars for 2024-25 and 2025-26
• A recommendation to approve a resolution to authorize participating in social media litigation along with other school districts.

To view all board meeting topics, view the agenda.

Registration is open through Dec. 22. To register for this year’s science fair, use this Registration Form.

The fair will take place from 8 to 11 a.m. Jan. 20 at O’Neill Middle School. The fair is open to all District 58 students in grades 1-6. Participating in the science fair is voluntary, but District 58 encourages every student to consider participating.

Students may register as an individual or with one partner. More details can be found here.

“It’s okay to not be okay” is a phrase that represents a positive shift in understanding that mental health matters affect everyone. Health experts encourage individuals to talk without shame about their mental health, just as they would about physical health issues. Crawford offers hope and better ways to live well and reminds people they are not alone.

A conversation on recovery and asking for help will be a focus of this discussion. Participants will learn how to overcome isolation, pressures to be excellent and the fear of being perceived as vulnerable or weak. Crawford will discuss the warning signs of mental health conditions and what to expect in the healing process.

Crawford is an adult, child and adolescent psychiatrist who sees patients in the Boston Medical Center Child & Adolescent Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic. She is the director of medical student education and an assistant professor of psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine. She also serves as the associate medical director for National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

To be placed on a reminder list for GPS events or submit a question in advance, contact Gilda Ross, Glenbard District 87 student and community projects coordinator, at gilda_ross@glenbard.org or 630-942-7668.