HERITAGE MIDDLE SCHOOL WINS "IT TAKES A VILLAGE AWARD"
Heritage Middle School Staff Wins the Prestigious "It Takes a Village" Award!
We are bursting with pride to announce that the entire staff at Heritage Middle School has been honored with the It Takes a Village Award from Everyone Reading Illinois! This award acknowledges schools deeply committed to providing evidence-based literacy instruction for all students.
Heritage was recognized at the Dynamics of Dyslexia conference for their dedication and incredible work, including:
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A significant, multi-year focus on staff development aligned with the Science of Reading.
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Launching Amplify as a core curricular resource.
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Transforming their MTSS system with NWEA MAP and FastBridge to ensure every student's needs are met and monitored closely.
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Training General and Special Education teachers extensively in evidence-based programs
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Revamping the school schedule to create a dedicated WIN (What I Need) class period for ALL students.
This award is a testament to the collective effort and dedication of every teacher, administrator, and staff member at Heritage Middle School. Their commitment truly shows that it takes a village to achieve reading success!
The entire staff at Heritage Middle School has been honored with the "It Takes a Village Award" from Everyone Reading Illinois! This award acknowledges schools deeply committed to providing evidence-based literacy instruction for all students
Freedom middle school 105 ft mural
Ms. Durczak and 82 seventh- and eighth-grade students at Freedom Middle School have been diligently painting a mural in a 105-foot tunnel directly south of the school along Ridgeland Avenue and 31st Street. The mural features the student-generated theme of “After we migrate, we thrive.” Students were happy to use their actual voice and artistic voice to speak out about immigration issues currently facing our communities. Art supplies were donated by members of both the Oak Park and Berwyn communities after Durczak put out a call on social media. Durczak is an Oak Park resident. Read the full story here.
PLTW DISTINGUISHED DISTRICT RECOGNITION 2024-2025
Berwyn South School District 100 has received recognition from PLTW as a 2024-25 Distinguished District, which recognizes districts across the U.S. for their efforts to provide broad access to transformative learning experiences for students through PLTW programs.
EMERSON PTA RECOGNIZED BY BERWYN CITY COUNCIL
Celebrating community champions! 
The Berwyn City Council, City of Berwyn, last night honored the Emerson Elementary School Emerson PTA for their wonderful partnership with the City on Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day. Together, they amplified the importance of the City's ADA survey, encouraging families and residents to share their insights on accessibility and mobility. The event also fostered physical activity, healthy eating and safety awareness. In heartfelt appreciation, the City of Berwyn has proclaimed May 2025 as Emerson Elementary School PTA Appreciation Month!
GOLDEN APPLE TEACHER RECOGNITION
District 100 had the special privilege of welcoming State Representative Elizabeth "Lisa" Hernandez. Her visit was part of a celebration honoring our Golden Apple Scholar teachers, Ms. Diana Rodriguez and Ms. Aliyah Reyes, Ms. Katie Suomi, Ms. Miriam Lopez, Ms. Heidi Correa, Ms. LeanaJean Losacco, Ms. Diana Vidal, and Ms. Sandra Diaz. These outstanding educators are an integral part of our school community and have made a tremendous impact on our students' academic and personal growth. We are incredibly proud of their dedication and the positive influence they bring to our classrooms every day.
El Distrito 100 tuvo el privilegio especial de dar la bienvenida a la representante estatal Elizabeth «Lisa» Hernández. Su visita formó parte de una celebración en honor a nuestras maestras Golden Apple Scholar, la Sra. Diana Rodríguez y la Sra. Aliyah Reyes, la Sra. Katie Suomi, la Sra. Miriam López, la Sra. Heidi Correa, la Sra. LeanaJean Losacco, la Sra. Diana Vidal y la Sra. Sandra Díaz. Estas destacadas educadoras son una parte integral de nuestra comunidad escolar y han tenido un impacto tremendo en el crecimiento académico y personal de nuestros estudiantes. Estamos increíblemente orgullosos de su dedicación y de la influencia positiva que aportan a nuestras aulas cada día.
DISTRICT 100 NAMED AN APPLE DISTINGUISHED DISTRICT
Berwyn South School District 100 designated an Apple Distinguished School District –
Recognized for innovation, leadership, and educational excellence using technology across the entire education system
September 4, 2024 - Berwyn, Illinois — Berwyn South School District 100 is pleased to announce it has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished School District. School districts apply and are selected for this distinction based on their commitment to continuous innovation in education across all schools in the system, and using Apple products to inspire, imagine, and impact teaching and learning districtwide.
Superintendent Dr. Mary Havis said, “We believe learning experiences should empower students to create, explore, and showcase their learning using a variety of tools and strategies. The Apple Distinguished District recognition highlights our staff's dedication to transforming education and promoting personalized learning, creativity, and real-world application.”
Samantha Shuman, Director of Instructional Innovation added “The power of instructional coaches partnering with our teachers and principals has transformed the idea of what’s possible for all students in our classrooms.”
Apple Distinguished Schools are centers of leadership and educational excellence, with a clear vision for how technology-rich environments support learning goals. In Apple Distinguished Schools, forward-thinking leaders and their communities work to inspire, imagine, and impact teaching and learning, and they have documented results of academic accomplishments. As teachers incorporate technology into their lessons, they empower students to lead, learn, and thrive, to discover new opportunities, and to make their world a better place.
BERWYN SOUTH FEATURED AS AN APPLE SUCCESS STORY
Berwyn South is honored to be featured as an Apple Education Success Story. Check out our videos and story to see how teachers use iPad to engage students with innovative and personalized learning experiences!
