On Monday, May 11, Crete-Monee School District 201-U, in collaboration with four representatives from the Illinois State Board of Education’s Kindergarten Individual Development Survey (KIDS) team, hosted a statewide networking event for educators. The event welcomed participants from 18 school districts across Illinois for a day of learning, collaboration, and classroom connection.

Attendees explored the concept of “play with purpose,” focusing on the high-quality elements of guided play and its role in early childhood education. The experience extended beyond discussion, as participants visited classrooms at Balmoral Elementary and Coretta Scott King Magnet School in University Park. These visits provided a firsthand look at how guided play is implemented in real classroom settings.

The day was highly interactive, allowing kindergarten teachers to share their experiences, learn from one another, and gather practical strategies to bring back to their own districts.

This work comes at a critical time for early childhood education in Illinois. In August 2023, state legislation was passed requiring all school districts to provide full-day, developmentally appropriate kindergarten programs by the 2027-28 school year. A key component of this mandate is the integration of play-based learning into the curriculum. This is structured time that’s an essential part of how young students learn.

As districts across the state work to meet these expectations, Crete-Monee has emphasized aligning prekindergarten and kindergarten instructional practices. According to Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning Dr. Ghantel Perkins, this alignment supports smoother transitions into kindergarten, consistent developmental expectations, increased collaboration among educators, and stronger early learning foundations for students.

The district has also introduced Kindergarten Spotlight Classrooms, highlighting educators who have been at the forefront of this work by piloting play-based learning. These teachers include Becky Sampognaro and Sharyl Sikora at Monee Elementary; Breanna Sylvester and Ellyn Lawrence at Talala Elementary; Gretchen Quirke at Crete Elementary; Mia Miller, Danielle Crayton, and Brooke Richardson at Balmoral Elementary; and Carla Wojtczak at Coretta Scott King Magnet School.

The work has been further supported by instructional coaches Debbie Casero and Sarah Machamer, as well as Board President Maurice Brown, all of whom have played instrumental roles in advancing these efforts across the district.

Richardson shared that the shift transformed every aspect of her teaching—from her daily schedule and curriculum to assessments, procedures, and classroom design.

Her classroom environment has been intentionally redesigned to foster interaction, collaboration, and creativity. Small-group play areas, open spaces for building and exploration, and accessible materials encourage students to work together and engage more deeply in their learning. These changes help students develop essential social skills such as communication, problem solving, and taking turns.

Richardson, alongside Miller, Crayton, and Wotjtczak, welcomed fellow educators into their classrooms during the event, offering a transparent look at guided play in action. They also participated in a question-and-answer panel through which teachers and administrators could ask questions and gain deeper insight into implementation strategies.

The district’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. Crete-Monee has received state-level recognition as a leader in early childhood education, an achievement that reflects the dedication of the Office of Teaching & Learning team and the educators who bring this work to life in their classrooms.

“I am so proud of our team and how quickly our educators have embraced and adjusted the curriculum,” said Dr. Ghantel Perkins. “These efforts position Crete-Monee as a district leading early learning implementation in Illinois.”

High-quality early learning does not happen by chance. It is built through aligned systems, continuous support, and a shared commitment to meeting the needs of young learners. From the boardroom to the classroom, this work continues to strengthen how Crete-Monee supports its youngest students, laying a strong foundation for long-term success.