Dear Channahon 17 Families,
Welcome to the 2025-2026 school year! It has been a ‘great start’ on several levels, and we look forward to continuing our long tradition of excellence and growth in this new year . For those I have not yet had the pleasure to meet, my name is Nick Henkle and I am blessed to serve as the superintendent of Channahon 17. Monthly, I will share a brief message on a topic of interest entitled the ‘Superintendent Minute’.
For this first message of the school year, I am thrilled to share another way we provide a ‘great start’ in Channahon 17 that speaks to the heart of who we are as a district. The Illinois State Board of Education has officially recognized the Channahon 17 Little Learners Program (pre-k) with the prestigious ‘Gold Circle of Quality’ designation!
This distinction represents the very highest level of recognition awarded by the state and is given only to early learning programs that demonstrate excellence across all fifteen state quality standards. A state-approved assessor validated that our program exceeds expectations in areas such as instructional excellence, family engagement, program environment, and continuous improvement. You can learn more about what this honor means here:
https://www.excelerateillinois.com/licensed-child-care-centers/circles-of-quality/gold-circle-of-quality
This achievement is not only a mark of quality for the Little Learners Program, but also a celebration of the incredible educators and staff whose dedication made it possible. These individuals include:
Gina Livingston, NBG Little Learners Teacher
Christine Worthington, NBG Little Learners Paraprofessional
Susan Byers, NBG Little Learners Family Liaison
Corie Monahan, NBG Social Worker
Nicole Ellison, NBG Social Worker
Barb Sweet, NBG Administrative Assistant
Katey Perry, NBG Early Learning Administrator
Dacia Cobarrubias, NBG Principal
These professionals have made a commitment to nurturing our youngest learners and ensures that every child in the program is given the best possible foundation as they begin their journey in CSD17. This recognition is further evidence that our children are in exceptional hands, surrounded by educators who bring both passion and expertise to their work each and every day.
Our Little Learner’s Program is not only a gift to the children we serve, but also to the entire Channahon 17 community. Research shows that a strong start in early learning creates benefits that endure through the school-age years, and we are proud to see our district leading the way.
Congratulations once again to the Little Learners team for this well-deserved honor. We are proud of you and incredibly thankful for the work you do to make CSD17 a place where every child thrives with a ‘great start’.
Yours in Education,
Dr. Nicholas Henkle
Superintendent, Channahon School District