Pictured are (front row) Mrs. Helmers, Mrs. Mateyka, Mrs. Patterson, Mrs. Valdez and Dr. Walker and (back row) Mr. Heller, Mr. Lucas, Mr. Czyz, Mr. Baker, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Smogor.*

Plano School District administrators recently attended a retreat at the Kendall County Outdoor Education Center (KCOEC) and took part in team building exercises on the new challenge course.  Led by KCOEC Director Deanna Bazan, and Assistant Director Mark Rothman, administrators took part in exercises to develop team building, risk taking and leadership development skills.

The climbing wall (pictured) stimulates camaraderie, builds trust, enhances problem-solving skills and increases self-esteem.  Administrators also took part in the low ropes challenge course, where teams of two must work together to meet the demands of the ropes.  They are pushed one notch above their comfort level and success is based on the results of the entire group. 

Superintendent Laurie Walker chose this natural approach to training because it is healthy for the body and the mind.  It’s an effective way to train and learn and it takes the leaders outside of their buildings for a day to rejuvenate and communicate.

The Kendall County Outdoor Education Center is located on the site of the Hoover Forest Preserve, two miles west of Yorkville.  The KCOEC has access to areas of prairie, hardwood forest, several streams and the Fox River.  During the school year, this site is used as an outdoor classroom for children in the Plano, Yorkville, Sandwich and Somonauk school districts.  The Center’s directors and teachers plan the daily program to enrich the classroom curriculum.  Activities include nature studies, while the students move about outdoor and indoor teaching stations, a living history area, the challenge course and a Native American teepee.  Groups outside the cooperative of schools may reserve the center on a space available basis.

*Administrator's Building Assignments:

• Mrs. Helmers - New Principal at P.H. Miller School
• Mrs. Mateyka - Assistant Principal at Plano High School
• Mrs. Patterson - Assistant Superintendent
• Mrs. Valdez - Assistant Principal at P.H. Miller & Emily G. Johns Schools
• Dr. Walker - Superintendent
• Mr. Heller - Assistant Principal at Plano Middle School
• Mr. Lucas - Assistant Principal at Plano High School
• Mr. Czyz - Principal at Plano Middle School
• Mr. Baker - Principal at Emily G. Johns School
• Mr. Johnson - Principal at Plano High School
• Mr. Smogor - New Principal at Centennial School

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