Communications

April 25, 2022

At a regular board meeting on April 25, 2022 the District 225 Board of Education approved the hiring of Carol Smith as the new Executive Director of Communications for District 225 effective July 1, 2022.

​​With more than 20 years in communications, Smith brings extensive experience at the highest level for public school districts. She currently serves as the Director of Communications at St. Charles Community Unit School District 303, and has previous experience in large unit districts as well as two high school districts. In addition, Smith recently served as the president of the Illinois Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association. She has earned 12 communication awards from the National School Public Relations Association in categories that include: annual reporting, writing, video production and editing, podcast and electronic newsletters. 

"I am excited to join the District 225 team and appreciate Dr. Johns’ confidence in my abilities to lead the district’s communications efforts. In the coming months, I look forward to building relationships with students, staff, families, and members of the community. It is an honor to have been chosen to help share the important stories of the Glenbrooks,” Smith said.

The District 225 Board of Education this year identified as a top priority strengthening communications both internally and externally. Growing the department is one of its first steps to improving the District’s communication needs. Christina Salonikas recently was promoted from Communications Specialist to Communications Manager. Expanding the team, the district hired David Olson as a second Communications Manager to the department. Olson previously was the Communications Manager at Sycamore Community School District 427. In addition, the role as receptionist, previously part of the Human Resources department, will transition to the Communications Department. Alice Kus is filling that role.

District 225 Superintendent Dr. Charles Johns said, “I am thrilled to see the growth of the Communications Department in continuing to be a key and trusted source for the community. We want to improve our efforts to listen to the community, engage residents of Glenview and Northbrook and develop programs that will enhance Glenbrook pride.”

Smith has a Bachelor of Arts, Speech Communication from Illinois State University. 

At a regular board meeting on March 14, 2022 the District 225 Board of Education approved the hiring of Dr. Barbara Georges as the incoming Glenbrook South Principal, effective July 1, 2022.

Dr. Georges brings more than 20 years of vast experience in education, including as associate principal of curriculum and instruction,Science and CTE Department chair, and science teacher. Dr. Georges is in her eighth year of leading an administrative team overseeing 132 courses for 1,335 students as an associate principal of curriculum and instruction at Grayslake Central High School. She previously served as the Science and CTE Department Chair at Grayslake Central High School. In addition, Dr. Georges spent time at Leyden High School as a science teacher as well as other roles for a decade. Dr. Georges began her educational career as a science teacher at Maine East High School.

“I am ecstatic and humbled by the opportunity to join the Glenbrook South team and be a part of the Glenbrook District 225 family. I look forward to getting to know our students, staff and community in the coming months,” Dr. Georges said. 

The district hired an external search firm to collect input from parents, students, staff and the community in regard to the qualities and characteristics of potential principal candidates. From there, the firm recruited, reviewed and presented six candidates who most closely matched the profile developed by stakeholders for the district’s consideration. Each of these six candidates were interviewed by teams of staff, students and parents throughout an extensive process, culminating in the district’s selection of Dr. Georges. 

“It is a privilege to join a community that values its traditions and has a long standing reputation of academic excellence throughout the country. I am eager to get started and learn how I can best serve the needs of the community this upcoming school year. Go Titans!”, Dr. Georges said. 

Dr. Georges was recently recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education program ‘Those Who Excel’. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from Texas A&M University, a Master of Arts in Teaching, a C.A.S. Administration and Supervision Principal Endorsement and a Ed.D Educational Leadership Superintendent Endorsement from National Louis University.

At a regular board meeting on March 14, 2022 the District 225 Board of Education approved the hiring of Angelica Romano as the new Executive Director of Human Resources, effective July 1, 2022.

Romano brings immense experience to the District's Human Resource Department as an Executive Director of Human Resources for West Chicago Elementary School District 33 for the last seven years. She previously served as the Senior Human Resources Specialist for Niles Township High School District 219 and began her human resources career in education more than 20 years ago. 

“I am elated for the opportunity to join District 225 as the new Executive Director for Human Resources. I look forward to joining a community that deeply cares about top talent and academic excellence,” Romano said.

The District oversaw dozens of applicants and narrowed it down to three candidates who most closely matched the profile developed for the District’s consideration. One of the candidates withdrew and the remaining three candidates were interviewed by a team of staff culminating in the District’s selection of Romano. 

Romano was recently recognized as the recipient of the Administrators of the Year Award for 2021-22 by the Illinois Association of School Personnel Administrators. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Northeastern Illinois University, a Master of Human Resources from Keller Graduate School of Management, and Type 75 Certificate with CSBO Endorsement from Northern Illinois University and is slated to graduate with a Ed.D in Ethical Leadership from Olivet Nazarene University in 2024. 

February 11, 2022

District 225 was made aware in advance of the student-run protest and walkout regarding the current statewide mask mandate before school on February 11, 2022.

Please know that District 225, including Glenbrook North and Glenbrook South, is continuing to follow its current COVID-19 masking and quarantine guidelines. If a student chooses to be part of the indoor protest, they will be sent to the Dean's office. If they choose to miss class this would count towards an unexcused absence and could potentially face other disciplinary consequences.  

District 225 is currently under a statewide mask mandate by Governor J.B. Pritzker. We understand different districts are following different guidelines, however, our District continues to take guidance from the Cook County Department of Public Health, Illinois Department of Public Health and Illinois State Board of Education. 

District 225 Administration

January 25, 2022

Through Public Act 101-0012, the state of Illinois expanded the ability of schools to maintain student engagement with academic content through E-Learning during emergency building closures such as inclement weather. The District 225 Board of Education approved the adoption of the following Emergency E-Learning plan and it is valid until November 19, 2023.

If at any time during the school year we initiate an Emergency E-Learning day, we will alert you through our communication tools.  Class assignments will be posted by no later than 9 a.m. This will allow parents, students, and educators to make eLearning plans that advance their classes/courses. 

It is important to note that students will have until their next in-person meeting with their teacher to complete the requisite work. This allows educators and families the flexibility to demonstrate the learning on their timeline with little disruption to general or special education programming. Student attendance on the eLearning day will count as a regularly sanctioned attendance day for all students who complete the Google Form for each class.

For additional information, you can access our Frequently Asked Question page here.

January 21, 2022

On Friday January 21, 2022 Glenbrook District 225 launched its new website for Glenbrook North, Glenbrook South and the District 225 Administration.

It’s been a long standing goal for the Glenbrook High School District 225 Board of Education over the last several years to create an information-rich resource available to our parents, students, and community members at all times. Using feedback from our parents, support personnel, and administrators, the Communications Services Department has worked diligently to enhance its search ability. In addition, the new websites have evolved its top navigation menu to make support a better-user experience. The new format allows the Glenbrooks to be the single source for critical information. 

Moving forward, both the Communications and Technology Services Department will spend time training individuals in each school to manage content updates. This will ensure the sites continuously have new information available to students, staff and the community. 

The District has partnered with Finalsite to bring the new website to life. The company has helped 8,000 school districts from around the world bring their vision of a website that best communicates to their audience. Local districts that use the same provider include: District 27, District 34 and District 125.

If people have additional thoughts or ideas to continue to enhance our new website please share through our ThoughtExchange survey tool.

October 29, 2021

The Village of Glenview, which initiated a Tax Increment Financing District (TIF) to help fund The Glen, announced on Oct. 29 that the TIF would close one year early.
 
With the early closing of the TIF, Glenbrook High School District 225 will begin to directly receive property taxes generated from properties in The Glen.
 
A TIF is an economic development tool that captures the increase in property taxes generated by the development and diverts that revenue to subsidize the redevelopment. The diversion means that local taxing bodies, like District 225, do not receive the new revenue that they normally receive from a development. The Village of Glenview, however, created “make-whole” payments to Glenbrook District 225 and others, to compensate for loss in revenue.
 
“The Glenview TIF has been a huge success story and an essential mechanism to stimulate the economic development of The Glen and the surrounding area,” said Superintendent Dr. Charles Johns. “We are grateful for the village’s management of the TIF and the growth which will help our schools well into the future,” he said.
 
Funding from the TIF district helped pay for significant redevelopment and critical infrastructure improvements in The Glen following the closure of the Glenview Naval Air Base. After The Glen TIF ceases, those property tax payments will instead go directly to the taxing jurisdictions, like the Glenbrooks, rather than funding the redevelopment. Individual taxpayers’ property taxes will not increase because of the TIF closure; rather, the funds will be redirected from the Glen TIF to the taxing bodies.

July 29, 2021

Beginning July 29, 2021, parents can review and pay required student fees in PowerSchool. Parents also have the opportunity to sign-up for parent organization memberships, purchase optional items such as the activity pass and yearbook, and donate to the Glenbrook Foundation. To access student fee information, log into the PowerSchool Parent Portal, and navigate to the “Balance” option on the left sidebar.

All fee payments can be processed online using the e~Funds for Schools payment portal. If you are new to the e~Funds system, check out our overview handout with step-by-step directions. Please remember that families choosing to pay using a credit card will be charged a credit card convenience fee in the amount of $2.85 per $100.00 increment. However, families choosing to pay with electronic checks will not be assessed any convenience fees.

Instructional Materials and Chromebook Distribution Process
Beginning this school year, all required instructional materials will be provided to students through a single annual fee. The fee includes textbooks (electronic or print editions), novels, workbooks, course kits, and other supplies. (Note: calculators, locks, heart rate monitor straps, and gym uniforms can be purchased separately from the bookstore.)

The bookstore team is currently putting together a customized box of textbooks, workbooks, supply kits, and digital material based on each student’s unique schedule.  Chromebooks will be included for freshman and new transfer students. An email will be sent to each student and their parents/guardians once their materials are ready for pickup. 

Once you receive your notification email, materials can be picked up from your student’s school between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Please enter the building through the main entrance, and you will be directed to the material pick-up area.  

Below are a few important notes regarding this year’s material distribution process:

• An individual email will be sent once the student’s material is ready for pick up, please do not attempt to pick up your material before receiving the email notification or you will be asked to come back once it’s ready;
• We anticipate that all materials will be ready for pick-up by August 10th
• Please have your student name and ID number available at the time of pick up
• If you need to purchase a calculator, PE lock, heart rate monitor strap, or gym uniform, you may do so at the time of pick up or during the school year in the bookstore. Note, all students must have a PE lock, heart rate monitor strap, and gym uniform. These items are not included in the instructional materials fee. The fee for the PE lock, heart rate monitor strap, and PE uniform is waived for students qualifying for the student financial assistance program
• Freshman and transfer students will also pick up their Chromebook at this time
• All digital textbook access will be emailed to students before the first day of school
• Student fees do not need to be paid prior to picking up materials

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact:
Glenbrook North Bookstore
Sherry Koo, skoo@glenbrook225.org, (847) 509-2409

Glenbrook South Bookstore
Michael Ferguson, mferguson@glenbrook225.org, (847) 486-4879

View 'Adjusted Registration and Instructional Materials Fee' Proposal