Spark from ARC
City of Champions-March 16, 2026
City of Champions
East St. Louis has long been known as the City of Champions, and this year we were
reminded of that once again when our Flyers brought home the IHSA Class 3A State Boys
Basketball Championship Title.
Championships in our district don’t just happen in athletics.
It happens in classrooms where students and teachers are earning state recognition for excellence, where seniors are leading the region in Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion — a graduation requirement in Illinois — and where students are earning early college credits through Dual Credit, Running Start, and Advanced Placement courses while still in high school. Championships and excellence happen because staff across our district are creating the conditions for students to feel supported every day. Excellence is also reflected in the national recognition we recently received as a Magna Grand Prize Award for our commitment to improving indoor air quality, an honor made possible by the expertise and dedication of our facilities team.
All of these achievements share one common thread — you. The work you do each day keeps our district Anchored in Excellence. These victories happen because of the commitment to excellence each of you brings to your work daily.
The Power of How We Show Up- January 2026
I hope each of you enjoyed your holidays and are off to a great start in the third quarter. Winter break may have offered time to rest, but our purpose and commitment never pause. Each day we return ready to give 100% and focus relentlessly on meeting the academic, physical, social, and emotional needs of our students.
As we move into the testing season, every moment, every interaction, and every decision counts. Remember this truth:
“Every day you show up, you are either adding to or taking away from the culture of your school. There is no middle ground.”
— Clint Swindall
Challenges will arise. When challenges are met with complaining, pessimism, and excuses, the result is negativity — and negativity never leads to excellence. Instead, focus on what you can control, how you influence others, and the positive impact you make each day. Hope in the future gives you power in the present.
Persistence and Positive Believing are the Master Keys to Excellence- October 2025
Nothing in the world will take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated people who have not attained excellence. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogans “press on” and “keep walking” have turned many failures into success.
Things usually don’t happen the way we expect. Situations and circumstances can change suddenly. Some situations may leave you wondering, “What just happened? Why am I going through this?” Our natural inclination is to develop a “victim” mentality, have a “pity party,” or suddenly play the “blame game.” These actions can add stress and frustration to your life. As a result, you will become bitter instead of better. This is dangerous because you can’t produce positive results with negative thoughts.
Regardless of what happens in life or in your circumstances, despondency isn’t the answer. When faced with a challenge, you must override the temptation to quit, lose hope, or be discouraged. Instead, think positive, focus on your vision, your purpose, and your passion. If you focus on your misfortune, you will miss the provision that will convert your problem into an opportunity. Remember, your mind is your control tower. Do you really believe you can be great and achieve excellence? Is your will reflected in your words and actions?
HOME STRETCH MOTIVATION- MARCH 2025
The home stretch of the school year is here, and I want to take a moment to recognize and appreciate the
dedication, heart, and hard work you pour into our students each day.
From the very beginning of the year, we committed ourselves to operating with courtesy, dignity, respect,
professionalism, compassion, and empathy - values that shape our interactions with students, families, and
one another. These principles are the foundation of a workforce culture that is not only productive but also
meaningful and inspirational. They help bring out the best in each of us, fostering an environment where
learning and growth can thrive.
TEACHER APPRECIATION - MAY 2024
In light of recent staffing adjustments, it's understandable that uncertainty may exist within our community. Yet, within change lies opportunity. Each transition presents us with a chance for growth, adaptation, and renewal. Let us embrace these moments, understanding that challenges are not barriers but pathways to progress.
A HOLIDAY SPARK FROM ARC - DECEMBER 2023
On behalf of the Board of Education and Financial Oversight Panel, thank you for making a positive difference in the lives of our students. As we approach the end of the calendar year and semester, each of us should reflect on what we have accomplished and focus on our goals for the second semester.
EXCELLENCE IS A HABIT - AUGUST 2022
Our theme this year is “Excellence is a Habit.” Habits are heavily influenced by your thoughts. When you sow a thought, you reap words that eventually become actions. Your actions form habits, which shape your character. Character is critically important because it determines your destiny. The aforementioned transitions started with your thoughts.
LEVEL UP TO EXCELLENCE - JANUARY 2019
Are we demanding enough from ourselves and our students? High expectations are critical to our success and the success of our students. What is success? Success is typically defined as the accomplishment of one’s goals. To attain success, we must have the ability to move from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.
THE POWER OF BELIEF - MARCH 2018
Our thoughts are one of the most powerful tools we possess. The self-talk we do in our minds will motivate or minimize our actions. I know firsthand that life shrinks or expands in proportion to our beliefs, courage and expectations.
PROGRESS ON THE PATH - DECEMBER 2017
District 189 is making progress. The annual Illinois Report Card shows our students are making real academic gains that are leading to improved graduation rates, college readiness, college enrollment and persistence.
COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE - AUGUST 2017
We are blessed to be chosen to work with our community’s most precious resource, our children. They depend on us to provide them with a high-quality education in spite of every adversity we face. For children, education is the gateway to opportunity, the pathway to the future and their ticket to the middle class.
The school year will soon be coming to a close. It is hard to believe that most of the school year is already completed. There have been many great experiences and successes during this time. Four high school students will be graduating with their high school diploma and their associate’s degree from SWIC through the Running Start program.
REFLECTIONS OF EXCELLENCE - DECEMBER 2016
At the close of a calendar year, it is customary to reflect on our successes and challenges. Reflection is a crucial habit to ensure continuous improvement. A commitment to excellence requires us to never settle for low quality, mediocrity or poor performance. On our journey toward excellence and greatness, we should celebrate our successes; however, we must not be content until we reach our destination.
TRUE GRIT: PREDICTOR OF EXCELLENCE - SEPTEMBER 2016
In her book, Grit: The Power of Passion and Persistence, Angela Duckworth explains that a critical predictor of success is not talent, but grit. This former MacArthur Fellow makes the case that reaching excellence, despite the presence of challenges, requires the sustained and focused application of deliberate, hard work over time. It means operating with a passionate persistence and a steadfast desire to succeed.