Shanele Andrews, Area Superintendent for School Leadership & Development | Waukegan Community Unit School District 60
Shanele Andrews, Area Superintendent for School Leadership & Development | Waukegan Community Unit School District 60
Dr. Jeni Gotto, Superintendent of Westminster Public Schools, addressed the school community in a recent note highlighting the importance of setting an example for children, particularly in developing reading habits. Quoting an anonymous source, Dr. Gotto wrote, “Kids will follow your example, instead of your advice."
She emphasized that adults who model reading can encourage children to become lifelong readers and learners. This belief underpins the district's new Bookmarks reading initiative, which invites staff, students, and community members to share their favorite books and reasons for recommending them on the school website. These recommendations will be featured in "What’s Up WPS," aiming to foster a culture of reading across the community.
“My recommendation is not a memoir, a love story, or a suspense thriller, but rather a book I recently read that has helped me professionally, and I believe will make me a better superintendent,” Dr. Gotto stated. She named “The 6 Types of Working Genius” by Patrick Lencioni as her choice, describing it as helpful for understanding different work styles and bringing out the best in colleagues.
Dr. Gotto encouraged everyone to participate: “So, whatever book has made an impact on you, I hope you will take a quick moment to visit Bookmarks and help us build a culture of reading and conversation.”
She also referenced an old public service campaign by stating: “As the public service ad campaign from years ago said, ‘Reading is Fundamental.’”
At the classroom level, Dr. Gotto noted that trained education support professionals have been added to every kindergarten class this year with the goal of strengthening reading development.
“I am excited about what we are doing both inside and outside the classroom, and I hope you will join us in this effort,” she concluded.
Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 serves schools throughout Lake County including Andrew Cooke Magnet Elementary School and Waukegan High School among others (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). The district’s student body consists predominantly of Hispanic students at 79.5 percent; Black students represent 13.2 percent; White students account for 3.2 percent; Asian students comprise 1.3 percent (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). According to state data, there are 1,014 teachers in Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 earning an average salary of $63,524 before pension contributions; women make up more than two-thirds of teachers while no teacher exceeds ten absences annually (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). In fiscal year 2020 the district spent $23,429 per student with total expenditures reaching $359 million (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).