Central Elementary School in Plainfield has received a prestigious honor by being one of three schools in Illinois recognized as a Promising Practices Professional Learning Community at Work by Solution Tree for its initial success in raising student achievement.
Professional Learning Communities or PLCs are schools and districts in which educators recognize that the key to improved learning for students is ongoing, job-embedded learning for the adults who serve those students. The three big ideas of a PLC call upon educators to focus on learning; build a collaborative culture; and create a results orientation.
Other Illinois schools to receive the honor are in Kildeer and Long Grove.
A team of Central teachers, staff, and administrators submitted three years of school data, school report cards, and narratives about curriculum, student support, and learning goals before receiving the honor.
The team worked hard during the past two years to focus their work on how to best help students master materials, according to Principal Dr. Jennifer Hennegan of Central Elementary School.
“We are proud that we have committed to the right work to increase student achievement and to become a more collaborative team who work together for all students,” she said.
The work is paying off in higher state test scores, increases in administrative leadership, collaborative practices, and supportive professional development, Hennegan said.
“What we are doing is hard work, but we are committed to high levels of learning and growth for all students,” she said.
Dr. Paula Sereleas, District 202 assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, said she is proud of Central staff’s work in earning the recognition.
“The value of earning such recognition is that it demonstrates that all staff is focused on deliberate improvement and are working as a team to increase student achievement,” she said.
Promising Practices schools are recognized for building a solid foundation based on the PLC concepts, implementing these concepts for at least one to two years, and providing clear evidence of improved student learning. Once measurable results can be seen, the school must explain its practices, structures, and culture and submit its application for consideration by the PLC Review Committee.
District 202 serves approximately 25,000 students each year from a 64-square mile area serving parts of Bolingbrook; Crest Hill; Joliet; Lockport; Naperville; Plainfield; Romeoville; and unincorporated Will and Kendall counties. It is the fifth largest public school system in Illinois by enrollment, behind the City of Chicago, Elgin, Rockford and Indian Prairie (Aurora/Naperville).
