District 214 kicks off every school year with Freshman Orientation and Engagement activities to welcome its incoming freshman and transfer students. With the decision to start the year with remote classes, the District’s six high schools scrambled to take their Orientation programs virtual.

The schools met the challenge, working hard to create a variety of virtual activities and connections to make its freshmen feel welcome and involved.

When Yennifer Velazquez decided to become a nurse, the Elk Grove High School junior knew she was looking at years of education—and debt. Then she heard about District 214’s innovative Middle College program with Harper College.

Today, Velazquez, who graduated from EGHS in the spring, has already completed her first year of college and isn’t carrying any student loan debt, thanks to Middle College.

When Paul Szczepanski and I decided to team up to develop a project for our nanotechnology research project at Wheeling High School, our main goal was to create something that would positively impact humanity. In researching various ideas, we eventually decided to try to create a more effective medical bandage after our teacher directed us to a bucket of nanocellulose in the back of the Nanotechnology Lab.

There was no time for the luxury of gradual transition. Instead, we collectively slammed on the brakes, with all the subtlety of a driver trying to avoid a giant fallen tree in the road ahead.

That’s how it felt when COVID-19 spurred Governor Pritzker’s stay-at-home directive in mid-March. Schools, office buildings and retail areas that were bustling one day were locked up, empty and eerily quiet the next.

At Rolling Meadows High School, a greenhouse that had quickly become a focal point for the school’s literally groundbreaking agriculture program was silent and empty, too. That gnawed at Principal Eileen Hart. The gnawing became more persistent as the stay-at-home directive sent shock waves through the economy, costing hundreds of thousands of people their jobs in Chicagoland alone.

Prospect High School teacher Nicole Stoltz was looking forward to meeting her Humanities students for the first time when her maternity leave ended right after spring break. She teaches seniors in the elective course and loves being able to inspire them.

But when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, those plans were canceled. “My first class back with my seniors was via Zoom—yes, Zoom!” Stoltz says. “All I thought was, ‘How the heck am I going to be able to connect and build relationships with these kids without seeing them face-to-face and on a daily basis?’”

The High School District 214 Board of Education is honoring 11 individuals with the district’s Distinguished Service Awards. The awards are given annually to people who have made significant contributions to the district and its students.

District 214’s emphasis on “Redefining Ready” means preparing students of widely diverse talents and interests for success after high school in scores of different ways. It doesn’t necessarily mean preparing graduates for success at an Ivy League university - but occasionally it translates into precisely that.

So it is with senior Daniel Salgado, soon to graduate from Elk Grove High School and launch his higher education journey at Harvard College. If ever a student has devoted his District 214 experience to proving that he’s ready for such a rare opportunity, it’s Daniel.

When she was superintendent, Dr. Elizabeth Ennis encouraged new and creative methods for improving student learning and achievement.

To recognize the innovation that was initiated and flourished under Dr. Ennis, District 214’s sixth superintendent, the Board of Education in 2005 created an award in her honor.

Each year, every District 214 school nominates one individual for the award. A District committee – composed of a Board of Education member, principal, support staff, licensed educator and central maintenance personnel – reviews each nomination and selects a recipient for the Dr. Elizabeth A. Ennis Innovator Award.