Hello!

I’m Lisa Small, Superintendent of High School District 211.

Spring is on its way and every year I am surprised by how quickly the school year goes. Today, I’d like to share another example of the excellent work that has been going on in our District.  Work being done by our staff and local business partners to create unique opportunities for students.

Today, I’m at the Higgins Education Center in Hoffman Estates. This is one of two District 211 high schools that help us creatively serve students with exceptional needs. Both North Campus in Palatine and the Higgins Education Center host multiple programs designed to create a sense of belonging and community for every student. 

One of those programs is our Adult Transition Program, which provides instruction and community-based learning experiences for 18- to 22-year-old students with intellectual disabilities.

Here, our students learn functional daily living skills such as meal planning and budgeting that will serve them throughout life. They also are able to spend part of their day with some of our incredible community partners, working a variety of jobs to acquire real-world employment experience. 

You’ll hear from some of our Higgins Education students in the Spotlight Video below.

In District 211, we provide relevant learning experiences that ensure every student can reach their full potential. Increasingly, that means incorporating hands-on learning in professional workplaces. We partner with community businesses to allow students in all our schools to explore careers that interest them and gain skills that will help them in college, careers and life.

In most cases, these work experiences are embedded into our Career Pathways program. Pathways focus on a large variety of specific career areas and provide targeted coursework and opportunities for students to earn career credentials and college credit before they leave our schools. Our students can graduate with a Certified Nursing Assistant license, certifications in a variety of trades, experience teaching in school classrooms, and building homes. 

They are able to leave District 211 with direction and promise.

You can hear more from other Pathway students in this newsletter’s video section.

The unique Career Pathway experiences are made possible by our dedicated staff and partnerships with colleges and businesses. If you know a local business that would like to get involved, check out the Resources section of this newsletter. That section also includes information to  make sure your student is actively exploring Pathway opportunities.

We know preparing our students for a successful future means more than just innovative teaching which happens every day in our classrooms. It also means extraordinary opportunities for different types of learning, including real-world experiences in real businesses, and support for our students as they look beyond high school and toward a bright future.

In April, we are hosting a Job Fair for seniors who have expressed a desire to enter the workforce immediately after graduation. This Fair allows them to talk with businesses that are hiring high school graduates into entry-level positions that will help launch their careers.

Again, please check the Resources link to learn more.

We look forward to continuing our work together and celebrating the successes of all our students. Thank you for your ongoing support! And a special shout out to all our local business partners who join us in helping our students prepare for their future after high school.