Peotone CUSD 207u Strategic Planning Feedback

As we navigate this new school year - including navigating our new building configurations and space planning - our primary focus is to listen, learn, and lead with complete transparency. Every decision that our District makes will be driven by what best serves our students and stakeholders. To ensure our future vision reflects the values of everyone in our community, we are launching a process to create the Blue Devil Blueprint; a strategic plan to guide the decisions made by our Board of Education and administrative team. Your voice is the most critical element of this plan.

Please take a few minutes to complete our Blue Devil Blueprint survey linked here- https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfaeSdoMLIylXMjbM0vSSXhVwax1zHA5xON9GmG3vK2shrd8w/viewform

Your honest feedback regarding our academic programs, buildings and facilities, operations, and communication will serve as a foundation for years to come. We are also looking for community volunteers to participate in committees regarding the future path of the District. These committees are:

Blue Devil Blueprint Steering Committee: to participate in and oversee the creation of the new strategic plan

Future Configuration Committee: to discuss the current grade level configuration, building usage, and future options

Citizens Finance Committee: to learn more about and give feedback on the financial position of the District, its operations, and future planning considerations

Any community member is welcome to complete the survey or volunteer to participate on the committees.
7 days ago, Carole Zurales
Registration for returning students and new to the district students will open by mid-July. You will receive an email and other notifications when the portal is open. Thank you!
17 days ago, Carole Zurales
registration
On Monday, May 4th, we celebrated School Lunch Hero Day! We would like to thank our School Lunch Heroes for their hard work, patience, and dedication to our students. You are the true heart of the school!
2 months ago, Brandon Owens
PIC
PJHS Staff
PHS Staff
Lunch Staff
Peotone CUSD 207U is pleased to welcome Dr. Mark Cohen as the next Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Cohen was officially approved at the April 27, 2026 Board Meeting and will begin leading our district on July 1, 2026. Dr. Cohen joins us from Naperville Community Unit School District 203, where he serves as the Deputy Superintendent for High Schools. With a Doctorate in Education from Loyola University Chicago and a career spanning 27 years in Illinois public schools, Dr. Cohen comes to Peotone with experience in strategic planning and academic innovation.

Dr. Cohen spent much of his career in Lincoln-Way High School District 210, beginning as a science teacher and rising to the level of Principal of Lincoln-Way North High School. Later as the Superintendent in Mokena 159, he facilitated a comprehensive 5-year Strategic Plan and led the schools to significantly higher levels of academic performance. Dr. Cohen has significant experience with academic innovation, Human Resources administration, and leading the implementation of technology initiatives. We are confident that his experience has prepared him to lead Peotone CUSD 207U with a focus on both our immediate needs and our long-term vision. We look forward to the energy and insight he will bring to our district as we continue to advance our educational mission. Please join us in welcoming Dr. Cohen to the Peotone community!
3 months ago, Carole Zurales
super
Early registration for new-to-the-district PreK and Kindergarten students for the 2026–2027 school year closes tomorrow!

Be sure to complete the registration process before the portal closes.
3 months ago, Carole Zurales
Early registration for new-to-the-district PreK and Kindergarten students for the 2026–2027 school year closes tomorrow!  Be sure to complete the registration process before the portal closes.
New to district PreK/Kindergarten 2026-2027 is now open!

https://www.peotoneschools.org/page/registration
Click the tab and link for PreK/Kindergarten 26-27 to start registration!
3 months ago, Carole Zurales
prek
Please share with any future Pre-K/Kindergarten students!
4 months ago, Carole Zurales
prek k
This year, our district-wide focus is GO BIG BLUE, a theme that aligns with our Peotone High School vision and our Portrait of a Graduate. Each month, we spotlight one key aspect of GO BIG BLUE and celebrate the students and staff who truly exemplify it through our GO BIG BLUE Spotlight Recognition Program.

For February, our focus was "Unite with Respect." This recognition honors someone who treats everyone kindly. They listen and include others. This person shows that they care about how people are treated—no matter who they are..
4 months ago, Carole Zurales
big blue
This year, our district-wide focus is GO BIG BLUE, a theme that aligns with our Peotone High School vision and our Portrait of a Graduate. Each month, we spotlight one key aspect of GO BIG BLUE and celebrate the students and staff who truly exemplify it through our GO BIG BLUE Spotlight Recognition Program.

For February, our focus was "Unite with Respect." This recognition honors someone who treats everyone kindly. They listen and include others. This person shows that they care about how people are treated—no matter who they are.. These students were recognized at the Board of Education Meeting on Monday night.
4 months ago, Carole Zurales
big blue
For today (Tuesday, March 10), all after-school events and activities have been cancelled.
4 months ago, Brandon Owens
Cancelled Events - 3-10
We have been informed that the voice messaging for our Thrillshare notification system is currently experiencing delays in the roll-out to parents. We sent an audio message out to parents about 20 minutes ago regarding tomorrow's e-learning day, but as of now, it has not been received. We apologize for any inconvenience and hope to have the message delivered to you shortly.
6 months ago, Brandon Owens
Due to the anticipated low wind chills and potential for hazardous travel, all Peotone Schools will implement an e-Learning Day tomorrow, Monday, January 26th. Building-specific communication regarding expectations and schedules will be shared. Coaches/sponsors will be in contact regarding afternoon/evening activities.

We will have an official decision regarding tomorrow night’s Community Engagement Meeting on Facilities by noon tomorrow.

Thank you and be safe!
6 months ago, Brandon Owens
eLearning - 1-26
Due to the anticipated low temperatures and the Extreme Cold Warning, all Peotone Schools will implement an e-Learning Day tomorrow (Friday, January 23). Building-specific communication regarding expectations and schedules will be shared. In addition, all extracurricular activities are cancelled for tomorrow.

Please be aware all activities taking place this evening and on Saturday will run as normal.

Thank You and Stay Warm!
6 months ago, Brandon Owens
eLearning Day - 1/23
Yesterday at our Teacher Institute Day, we launched our first Big Blue-U (University), featuring keynote speaker Eric Curts, a nationally recognized educational technology leader, who introduced key concepts around AI in education. Following the keynote, teachers participated in self-selected breakout sessions led by our own staff, showcasing the incredible expertise within our district. Sessions included Teaching with Primary Sources (Patty Heron), Instructional Tech Refresher (Brian Cann), Canva 101 (Amy Sadler), Planting Possibilities with Ag in the Classroom for K-5 (Abby and Dakota Cowger and FFA Student Leaders), Learners Never Stop Learning How to Read: The Importance of Read-Alouds and Explicit Reading Instruction (Lindsay O’Neill), CKLA Make & Take with Pausing Points (Amy Sadler & Sam Sexton), Dyslexia Basics and Simulation (Everyone Reads Illinois), and The “Gem in AI”(Eric Curts).

It was exciting to see this vision come alive as we learned and grew together, while tapping into the incredible expertise within our own district!
6 months ago, Carole Zurales
big blue u
This year, our district-wide focus is GO BIG BLUE, a theme that aligns with our Peotone High School vision and our Portrait of a Graduate. Each month, we spotlight one key aspect of GO BIG BLUE and celebrate the students and staff who truly exemplify it through our GO BIG BLUE Spotlight Recognition Program.

For November, our focus was "GROW AS A CRITICAL THINKER" - recognizing someone who thinks things through and solves problems in smart ways. They ask great questions, try new ideas, and aren’t afraid to think differently to figure things out.

We are proud to recognize the following students for exemplifying “Grow as a Critical Thinker!" They were recognized at the Board Meeting last night.
7 months ago, Carole Zurales
spot
This year, our district-wide focus is GO BIG BLUE, a theme that aligns with our Peotone High School vision and our Portrait of a Graduate. Each month, we spotlight one key aspect of GO BIG BLUE and celebrate the students and staff who truly exemplify it through our GO BIG BLUE Spotlight Recognition Program.

For November, our focus was "GROW AS A CRITICAL THINKER" - recognizing someone who thinks things through and solves problems in smart ways. They ask great questions, try new ideas, and aren’t afraid to think differently to figure things out.

We are proud to recognize the following staff for exemplifying “Grow as a Critical Thinker!"
7 months ago, Carole Zurales
spot
This year, our district-wide focus is GO BIG BLUE, a theme that aligns with our Peotone High School vision and our Portrait of a Graduate. Each month, we spotlight one key aspect of GO BIG BLUE and celebrate the students and staff who truly exemplify it through our GO BIG BLUE Spotlight Recognition Program.

For October, our focus was “Inspire with Empathy" – recognizing individuals who are kind and caring toward others. They notice how people are feeling and try to help. They make others feel seen, heard, and supported.

We are proud to recognize the following students at the Board Meeting for exemplifying “Inspire with Empathy!”
8 months ago, Carole Zurales
empathy
Due to the Winter Storm Warning and out of an abundance of caution, Peotone CUSD 207U will implement an e-learning day on Monday, November 10th. Building-specific schedules will be sent out as soon as possible.

PreK - No e-learning assignments
PES - Grade-level choice boards
PIC/PJHS/PHS - Assignments will be posted on Google Classroom/online

All after-school activities will be canceled, and all buildings will be closed. We apologize for any inconvenience; however, student and staff safety is our ultimate priority.

Thank you for your understanding, and stay safe!
8 months ago, Brandon Owens
e-Learning Day
We are aware of the winter storm warning that will be in effect late evening and tomorrow morning. We are monitoring the forecast closely and keeping in contact with area schools. With the continuous changes to the forecast, it is difficult to predict how we will be affected. Because of that, any decision will most likely be made early tomorrow morning (Monday, November 10th). If the decision is made to cancel school or transition to an e-learning day, we will share that information as soon as possible tomorrow morning. No communication means that we will be in session.
8 months ago, Brandon Owens
It was so exciting to see the wave of blue across the district for our Big Blue District Day on Friday! These special days are also a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our amazing staff!

They started off their day with...
🍩 Morning donuts donated by Casey’s
🥤 Blue Gatorade donated from Berkots

Teachers also participated in the following to earn raffle entries....
💌 “Blue Wave” notes spreading positivity among colleagues
🎃 Fun Boo or Blue? survey. See results below!

🎁 And our favorite… raffle prizes generously donated by our community partners for this Big Blue District Day: Chambers & Sons Plumbing, Tiffany Anne's Sourdough, Village Realty: Rebecca Galvan, and Nautical Bowls!

Thank you to everyone who made this day so special — our staff truly deserve it! 💙✨
9 months ago, Carole Zurales
blue
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