Let’s Be Here For It

On the final episode of "Let's Be Here For It" for the 2025-2026 school year, Dave and Allie talk with three eighth graders, Sarah, Oreoluwa, and Justin, about their time as students in OSD135.

On this episode of "Let's Be Here For It", Dave and Allie talk to three students who participated in the second annual Innovator Expo on April 14th, 2026. The three students talk about the projects that they presented on and the overall feeling at the Innovator Expo.

On this episode of "Let's Be Here For It", Dave and Allie talk about the exciting events that are on the horizon for D135 students and staff! April and May are very busy months, and they give a quick recap of everything that families can look forward to.

On this episode of "Let's Be Here For It", Dave and Allie sit down with three students from Century Jr High, Libby, Caius, and Jasmine, to talk about IGSMA Solo and Ensemble Competition. Dave and Allie also discuss the 11 staff members who were recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education.

On this episode of "Let's Be Here For It", Dave and Allie hear about PLCs from Director of Curriculum Jen Nichols. Then they are joined by the District's Instructional Coaches to hear about what they do in the District and how they assist our staff and students every day!

On this episode of Let's Be Here For It, Dave and Allie are joined by the administrators from Meadow Ridge School, Lisa Weston, Jackie Baker, and Megan Trovato. They discuss all the exciting activities and events happening at Meadow, as well as what they are looking forward to next school year.

On this episode of "Let's Be Here For It", Allie and Dave sit down with the new administrators at High Point School: David LaFrance and Amber Lokanc. They talk all about the High Point culture and expectations for the year, as well as their Exemplary Status from the Illinois State Report Card. Allie and Dave also preview Veterans Day activities around the District and review Parent Teacher Conference information. It's an episode you don't want to miss!

One this episode of "Let's Be Here For It", Dave and Allie are at Jerling Jr High, the newest school to receive the Apple Distinguished recognition. They sit down with two teachers who had roles in achieving this great accomplishment, and they also talk with Mr. Prorok about the great achievements happening within the classrooms. It's an episode you don't want to miss!

The 2025-2026 school year has officially begun, and Dave and Allie are looking forward to another great school year! On this episode of "Let's Be Here For It", they discuss all of the exciting events that the first week of school brought and what they are looking forward to this year with Liberty Principal and Assistant Principal, Kristin Beeler and Mike Hawrysio. They are also joined by Board President, Nichole Browner, to talk about what she is looking forward to this year!

On this episode of "Let's Be Here For It" Dave and Allie talk to three 8th grade students before they graduate and leave Orland School District 135. Jude, Josh and Narjess discuss their favorite memories from being a student as well as what they are looking forward to for next school year.

On this episode of Let's Be Here For It, Dave and Allie recognize the numerous staff members retiring at the end of this school year and thank them for their hard work and dedication to D135. They also talk about the upcoming events and activities students can look forward to as we near the end of another school year.

This episode of "Let's Be Here For It" is all about the IAR test. Dave and Allie break down exactly what it is and how the District uses the data behind the tests. Mrs. Lauren Bushwaller, Principal at Orland Jr High, stops by the podcast and talks about how OJH prepared the eagles for the IAR test with an exciting assembly full of surprises!

On this episode of "Let's Be Here for It", Dave and Allie discuss all of the events that took place during the month of February, including the District Spelling Bee, PFE Volleyball Tournaments, and ISBE Those Who Excel Recognitions. They also took a look forward to the month of March and previewed all of the exciting events and activities that will be taking place.

On this episode of Let's Be Here For It, Dave and Allie learn all about Apple Distinguished Schools. Meadow Ridge and Liberty School received this designation this school year and recently held school site visits for other educators to learn from them. Fourth Grade Teacher, Ms. Ashley Bobak, and two students, Rafeek and Zoey, were on the podcast to talk all about ADS and the school visit.

On this episode of Let's Be Here For It, Dave and Allie sit down and talk with Jerling 8th grader Ainslee Beaty, who became a published author at 13! Ainslee is heavily involved at school but also enjoys writing a lot and took that passion and published a collection of poems called "Words From the Heart".  Words From the Heart can be purchased on Amazon.

On this episode of Let's Be Here For It, Dave and Allie talk about all the activities and events taking place around the District! Some activities are student specific in their classrooms and others are school and even District-wide!

On this episode of "Let's Be Here For It," Dave and Allie have two guests on the podcast who eat, sleep, and breathe curriculum: Dr. Jen Nichols and Dana Karczewski, the Director and Assistant Director of Curriculum!

District 135 is fortunate enough to have three technology coaches who assist our students and staff with integrating technology into the classroom on a daily basis. Dave and Allie sit down with the three tech coaches during this episode to hear all about what they do and how they do it!

The 2024-2025 school year is almost here and Dave and Allie are looking forward to another great school year! They talk about the upcoming back-to-school events before the first day of school. They are also joined by Board President, Linda Peckham-Dodge, to talk about what they are looking forward to this year!

On the final podcast episode for the 2023-2024 school year, we interview three 8th-grade students, Maddy from Jerling Jr High, Eric from Orland Jr High, and Hani from Century Jr High, who reflect on their time within OSD135.

On this episode of Let's Be Here For It, Dave and Allie are joined by three special guests at Meadow Ridge! Three musical mountain lions talk all about band, orchestra and choir and why they enjoy participating in their chosen programs. Spring is a VERY busy time within OSD135. Make sure you are caught up on all the latest and greatest by checking out this edition of the podcast.

On this episode of Let's Be Here For It, a special guest is joining us in the podcast studio at Jerling Jr High! Superintendent Mr. John Bryk pops by the podcast to talk about what he loves about the District and what he looks forward to in the coming months.

Dave Snyder and Allie Kaleta talk about the nineteen staff members who were recognized by ISBE as well as all the events happening around the District as we transition to spring.

Dave Snyder and Allie Kaleta are joined this week by their first guest! Lucy, a student at Orland Jr High talks about opportunities at Orland Jr High and what she is looking forward to in the coming weeks!

Welcome to the first episode of Let's Be Here For It, the official OSD135 podcast. In this first episode, Co-hosts Dave Snyder and Allie Kaleta introduce listeners to the District and take a tour around the 10 schools before winter break.