District 401 Podcast

In our fourth episode of 2020-21, Mr. Celmer discusses the latest high school news with Elmwood Park High School's Principal Douglas Wildes, Assistant Principal Bernhard Walke, and Athletic Director Douglas Noyes! Click below to listen. For a direct link to this episode, please click here.

In our third episode of 2020-21, Mr. Celmer talks with Dr. Kim Ontiveros, Director for Curriculum & Instruction, and Ms. Dominique Byrnes, D401's language coach, about EL in the time of COVID! Click below to listen. For a direct link to this episode, please click here.

In our second episode of the 2020-21 school year, Mr. Celmer talks with Dr. Kari Smith, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services, about how her department will work with students during Remote Learning 2.0. Click below to listen. For a direct link to this episode, please click here.
 

In our first episode of the 2020-21 school year, Mr. Celmer talks with new Superintendent of Schools Dr. Leah Gauthier about the District's plan for Remote Learning 2.0. We also learn more about the District's new leader, including her family background in the candy store business. Click below to listen. For a direct link to this episode, please click here.
 

Our seventh episode of 2019-20 (our 21st episode overall) is a special video podcast titled "All Things COVID." In this episode Dr. Iovinelli and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Nicolas Wade discuss the feedback received from the District's recent survey on remote learning and the impact of COVID-19. During their conversation they answer these questions:

• How has the remote learning experience been going so far for the District?
• What can we expect regarding our typical end-of-the-year events?
• What are we doing about student device collection?
• What is going to happen with Summer Academy and registration?
• What assistance has been given by the state and federal governments?
• What feedback have you received concerning District decisions that had to conform to state guidelines (i.e., entering buildings, events, accessing lockers, etc.)?
• How do you see COVID-19 impacting the District next year (i.e., classes, sports, budget)?

Click below to watch and listen. For a direct link to this episode, please click here.
 

Our sixth episode of the school year (our 20th episode overall) is an update about Operation Genius, a districtwide event to be held March 12 in the EPHS main gym. Operation Genius is an opportunity for our students in grades 6-12 to become creators and innovators, solving mysteries and problems that interest them while making the world a better place. We are now a little more than one month away from the main event, and we have over 40 innovators who have made it to the final round. Listen to four middle school and three high school students talk about their projects and their passions. Click below to listen. For a direct link to this episode on anchor.fm, please click here.
 

Our fifth episode of 2019-20 (our 19th episode overall) is all about standards-based reporting — also known as standards-based grading — and the process behind the shift away from traditional grades to standards-based reporting in order to provide improved feedback, more relevant instruction and student ownership of education. Listen to teachers and students from John Mills Elementary School as they talk about the process and how it has affected teaching and learning. Click below to listen. For a direct link to this episode on anchor.fm, please click here.
 

In our fourth episode of the 2019-20 season (our 18th episode overall), Superintendent of Schools Dr. Nicolas Wade gives a detailed update on a potential referendum for District 401. He discusses what we have been able to do in the last four years, and where we need to go in order to ensure that we continue to move forward in preparing our students for 21st-century society and beyond. Click below to listen. For a direct link on anchor.fm, please click here.
 

In our third episode of the season (17th episode overall), learn all about Elmwood Park High School's dual-credit career program with the Technical Center of DuPage (TCD). EPHS seniors Samantha Hickey, Mia Morales and Ayah Obeidallah talk about the classes they are taking at TCD and how those classes are preparing them for the future. Click below to listen. For a direct link to this episode on anchor.fm, please click here.
 

In our second episode of the new season (our 16th episode overall), learn all about "Operation Genius," a challenge that culminates in a districtwide event on March 12, 2020, focused on student choice, passion, creativity and innovation. Ms. Kristen Carroll and Ms. Jessica Iovinelli discuss the inspiration for the project, the opportunities it will provide students, and how it will bring the community together. Click below to listen. For a direct link to this episode on anchor.fm, please click here.
 

Our first episode of Season 2 (our 15th episode overall) is "Welcome Back 2019-20," which features a conversation with Superintendent of Schools Dr. Nicolas D. Wade, who kicks off the new school year with an update on all of the work being done in the District, reflections on the 2018-19 school year and a discussion of the District's plans for moving forward. Click below to listen. For a direct link to this episode on anchor.fm, please click here.
 

Our 14th episode is "College and Career Pathways," which features a conversation with Principal Mr. Douglas Wildes and Assistant Principal Ms. Kyleen Coia from& Elmwood Park High School and Principal Ms. Rebecca Siegel and Assistant Principal Ms. Ashley Groeneveld from Elm Middle School. Together they discuss the District's new pathways program for preparing students for 21st-century careers and higher education. Click below to listen. For a direct link to this episode on anchor.fm, please click here.
 

Our 13th episode is "The Transition Program," which features a conversation with D401 Director for Student Services Dr. Kari Smith and EPHS special education teacher Ms. Hilary Coia about the District's new transition program for young adults with special needs who are 18 to 21. The program is scheduled to be launched in August 2019. Click below to listen. For a direct link to this episode on anchor.fm, please click here.
 

Our 12th episode is "Full-Day Kindergarten," which features a conversation with Dr. Leah Gauthier, District 401's Director for Curriculum & Instruction, and Early Childhood Center Principal Mr. Kevin Seibel on the benefits of moving to a full-day kindergarten program. Click below to listen. For a direct link to this episode on anchor.fm, please click here.
 

Our 11th episode is "Learning About the LGBTQ+ Community," which features a conversation with Elmwood Park High School students Mya Calderon, Jesse Salazar, Jeffrey Slayton and William Valiente. Click below to listen. For a direct link to this episode on anchor.fm, please click here.
 

Our 10th episode is "Co-Teaching," which features a conversation on that subject with English learner (EL) teachers Ms. Johanna Arias from John Mills Elementary and Ms. Lisa Loffredo from Elmwood Elementary. The veteran educators discuss the collaborative practice of pairing teachers together in a classroom to share the responsibilities of planning, instructing and assessing students. How does co-teaching work, and what are its benefits? Click below to listen. For a direct link to this episode on anchor.fm, please click here.
 

Our ninth episode is "National Board Certification," featuring a conversation with Ms. Penny Dahmer, reading specialist at the Early Childhood Center, and Ms. Cami Breitzman, 4th-grade teacher at Elmwood Elementary School. In this podcast, the two National Board Certified teachers discuss how the national certification process works and how it contributes to the professional growth of teachers. Click below to listen. For a direct link to this episode on anchor.fm, please click here.

 

Our eighth episode features a conversation with Superintendent of Schools Dr. Nicolas Wade. In this podcast, Dr. Wade talks about future changes in the District's elementary schools, including the move to full-day kindergarten, the adoption of standards-based report cards and the need for long-term facility improvements. Click below to listen. For a direct link to this episode on anchor.fm, please click here.
 

Our seventh episode features a conversation with EPHS teachers Ms. Angela Andrews (science), Ms. Debbie Anichini (math) and Mr. David Parolin (English) about District 401's Technology Initiative and the move to 1:1 computing, which began this year at the high school and will arrive at Elm Middle School after winter break. Click below to listen. For a direct link to this episode on anchor.fm, please click here.
 

Our sixth episode features a conversation with Elm Middle School students Emily Furgal, Alanis Rivera and Dounia Timejardine-Zomeno about the school's new drama club, sponsored by Mr. Noah Pligge. The club will perform "A Christmas Carol" on Friday, Dec. 21. Click below to listen. For a direct link to this episode on anchor.fm, please click here.
 

Our fifth episode features a conversation with Elmwood Park High Schoolstudents Alexa Duarte, Sarah Meyers and Charles Sanchez about District 401's move to 1:1 computing, which began this year at EPHS and will take place next year at Elm Middle School. Click below to listen. For a direct link to this episode on anchor.fm, please click here.
 

Our fourth episode features a conversation about District 401's newly created instructional specialist positions with Director for Curriculum & Instruction Dr. Leah Gauthier and instructional specialists Ms. Morgan Freeck and Ms. Jamie Kanas. Click below to listen. For a direct link to this episode on anchor.fm, please click here.
 

Our third episode features a discussion about social and emotional learning (SEL) with EPHS Assistant Principal Ms. Kyleen Coia, who also heads the District's Social Justice League, a committee dedicated to the social and emotional well-being of our students. Click below to listen. For a direct link to this episode on anchor.fm, please click here.
 

Our second episode features a discussion with Elm Middle School Principal Ms. Rebecca Siegel and Assistant Principal Ms. Ashley Groeneveld about the District's plans for renovating and expanding Elm, which will include incorporating 6th grade into the school. Click below to listen. For a direct link to this episode on anchor.fm, please click here.
 

Our inaugural episode features a conversation with Superintendent of Schools Dr. Nicolas Wade about the District's approach to education — as embodied in the signature phrase "An Invitation to Opportunity" —  and what that means for our District and our students. Click below to listen. For a direct link to this episode on anchor.fm, please click here.