Sullivan Elementary School

Name: Sara Boyer Grade Level: Kindergarten Years of experience: 23 Hometown: Sullivan, IL Education: University of Illinois Favorite band: Rascal Flatts Favorite movie: E.T. Favorite sports teams: Cubs Favorite color: Purple Favorite subject: Math Favorite teaching memory: I will never forget when we were learning about the heart. We were running in place for one minute to make our heart beat faster. When the minute was up, I told the kids to be really quiet and try to listen and feel their heartbeat. After a couple of seconds, one little boys blurts out in a panic, "Mrs. Boyer!! Mrs. Boyer!! I can't feel my heart!! I think it needs new batteries!!" I quickly helped him find his heartbeat, but on the inside I was laughing hysterically!!! Kids really do say the darndest things!!! I love teaching because... I absolutely LOVE watching kids grow, and change, and learn!!! I LOVE it when I see that light bulb turn on and they finally "get" something they have been working so hard on. I LOVE the confidence that beams from their smiles! I LOVE to help make a positive difference in their lives! (And I ESPECIALLY LOVE all of the HUGS I have received over the years....definitely one of my favorite parts of teaching Kindergarten!!) What I want most for my students is... to have SO MUCH FUN learning that they don't even know they are doing it!!! I want them to embrace a LOVE FOR LEARNING and to know that SCHOOL IS FUN!!!

Name: Lauren Fultz Grade Level: 1st Years of experience: 5 Hometown: Lock Haven, PA Favorite band: Chevelle, Breaking Benjamin Favorite movie: Beauty and the Beast Favorite sports teams: Penn State, Steelers, or the underdogs. Favorite color: green Favorite subject: science Favorite teaching memory: It's hard to pick just one...My favorites are definitely the endless hugs and those times when students make connections with what we're learning: it really is as if you can see a lightbulb turn on above their heads!! I love teaching because...seeing students grow in so many ways, including in their learning, is very rewarding. What I want most for my students is...for them to be curious and always want to learn and make connections

Name: Eudora Drollinger First Grade Years of Experience: 35 Hometown: Sullivan Alma Mater: Eastern Illinois University - Bachelor's Degree Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville - Master's Degree Favorite Concerts: Garth Brooks, Billy Joel, Michael W.Smith/Amy Grant Favorite Sports Teams: Fighting Illini, Chicago Cubs Favorite Colors: Blue, Lime Green Favorite Pizza Place: Monical's Favorite Vacations: Washington D.C., Canadian train trip, any National Park, beaches One of the reasons I love teaching is because I get to share to books, books, and more books with kids everyday. What I want most for my students is that they love school, have character, and are blessed with people in their lives that will always help them and support their educational journey! Teaching memory: When I went to interview for my first job, the man outside sweeping the sidewalks directed me to the principal's office. A few minutes later I discovered that man was the principal. The message I got was to be willing to jump in and do what needs to be done and to be respectful to everyone. That makes for a great school! On a lighter note: One afternoon at around 2:40, a parent arrived at my classroom door and said she was removing her child from our school to homeschool him. The next morning, around 8:20, that student walked into my classroom and said "I'm back!"

Name: Cassie Becker Grade Level:1st Grade Years of experience:3 years Hometown:Gibson City College: Eastern Illinois University Favorite band: The Beatles Favorite movie I watch with my kids: The Little Mermaid Favorite sports teams: Sullivan Redskins and The Cubs Favorite color: Pink and Teal Favorite subject: Math !!! Favorite School Supply: Post-its and Coffee Favorite teaching memory: Dunking at the Wizards Game I love teaching because... I love teaching because every student is different, every day is different, and every day there is a chance to learn something different. What I want most for my students is for my students to fall in love with learning and want to keep learning for the rest of their lives.

Name: Sarah Atchison Grade Level: 1st Grade Years of experience: 2nd year teaching, 1st year teaching 1st College: Indiana State University Hometown: Sullivan, IL Favorite band: Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, Sam Hunt, Chris Stapleton Favorite movie: Frozen Favorite sports teams: St. Louis Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys Favorite color: Purple Favorite subject: Reading/Music Favorite teaching memory: Mr. Moon (OV’s custodian) helped my class to bungee jump Barbie’s off of the roof! We had a blast! I love teaching because...I love building relationships with my students and their families! I also love seeing the growth that my students have and knowing that I was a part of that! What I want most for my students is... For them to develop I lifelong love for learning!

Name: Erin VanDeursen Grade Level: Kindergarten Years of Experience: 5 years Hometown: Mattoon, Illinois Favorite Singer: Carrie Underwood Favorite Movie: Beauty and the Beast Favorite Sports Team: Chicago Cubs Favorite color: Pink Favorite Subjects: Reading and Writing Over the past five years, my favorite memory is watching each of my students succeed and complete tasks/activities her/she once felt were too tricky or challenging. I love teaching because I have the opportunity to inspire kids and help them develop a passion for learning! What I want most for my students is for them to look forward to coming to school, knowing that they are cared about and excited to learn something new each day!

Name: Kelli Rarick Grade Level: Kindergarten Years of experience: 1.5 Hometown: Batavia, IL Favorite singer: Jack Johnson Favorite movie: Beauty and the Beast Favorite sports teams: Chicago Blackhawks Favorite color: Purple Favorite subject: Reading I am so excited to meet my kindergarteners and hope that each and every one of them will learn to love school! I sure hope my students are ready to have some fun this year!

Name: Cheryl Kramer Grade Level: Kindergarten Years of experience: 18 years Hometown: Shelbyville, IL Favorite band: Johnny and June Cash Favorite movie: To Kill A Mocking Bird Favorite sports teams: Illini Basketball Favorite color: red Favorite subject: English Favorite teaching memory: When one of my little darlings said, with a surprised look, "Hey, I finally CAN read!" I love teaching because...as a kindergarten teacher, I get hugs everyday! What I want most for my students is...to love coming to school everyday!

Parents of SES students. Now that class lists are posted, get a little more background on your child's teacher! A picture and brief biography of each teacher will be put on the school's live feed. Kindergarten and 1st Grade will go on Wednesday, August 2, 2nd and 3rd Grades Thursday, 4th and 5th Grades Friday, other teachers and staff members on Saturday. Use our app (look up Sullivan 300, iPad users may need to switch your app store setting to iPhone) or go to our new, fancy website: http://www.sullivan.k12.il.us/o/elementary-school. Scroll down and the live feed will be on the left-hand side.

How do you keep a 20 year old building looking great? By having an amazing custodial/maintenance staff! Gary Crowe, Tim Lappin, and the crew have worked hard painting, cleaning carpets, waxing floors, moving desks, and more in preparation for the upcoming school year. Here you see Tim, Gary, and middle school custodian Kathy Crowe getting the cafeteria for another year of breakfasts and lunches. Thanks for all you do!

CLASS LISTS WILL BE POSTED AT 3 PM TOMORROW (Tuesday, August 1) ON THE EAST AND WEST ENTRANCES OF SES! Also, a reminder that PTO will be doing sign ups for those who would like to volunteer for PTO activities this year. There will be sign ups for families who can't afford school supplies as well. Pickup night for the supplies will be in the SES lobby from 4-6 pm on Monday, August 14 (the day before the first day of school).

Parents of Sullivan Elementary School: The PTO is partnering with local churches to provide school supplies for families in need. On Tuesday, August 1, the PTO will have a table set up from 3-6 pm at both entrances of the elementary school when class lists are posted. Parents who cannot afford supplies may sign up at that time for their students to receive needed supplies on the first day of school. There will be a separate sign up available for parents interested in being a volunteer for the PTO. Thank you to the PTO and local churches for all you do for our community and schools!

Here is the 2017-2018 Sullivan Elementary School Calendar as it currently stands. Some events (such as PTO activities) are subject to change due to potential scheduling conflicts, but notifications will be sent out should such changes occur. Dates that are in bold print deal with student attendance. Looking forward to another great year at SES!

A great opportunity for prospective teachers! We currently have a 2nd Grade position open at Sullivan Elementary School. If you are interested in working in a fun, positive, and caring environment, apply today! You must have a valid Illinois professional educator license endorsed in elementary education. Applications will be accepted through Friday, July 28. To apply, please email cover letter, resume, transcripts, and letters of reference to allend@sullivan.k12.il.us. Materials can also be mailed to Daniel Allen, Principal, Sullivan Elementary School, 910 North Graham Street, Sullivan, Illinois 61951 or faxed to (217)728-4399.

A glimpse into summer work at the elementary school. Thank you to Ann Sanner and Janelle Martin (PTO representative) for sacrificing a day of summer to help stuff around 400 mailings for registration (1 per student household), expect your packet soon! A quick reminder that online registration opens on July 17th or you can come to the high school media center to register from noon to 7 on July 27th.