Departments
- Early Childhood
- Office of Specialized Services
- Office of Teaching & Learning
- 21st Century Learning
- District Services
- Business
- Human Resources
- Facilities
- Venture Prep Academy
Early Childhood
Dear Dolton149 family,
Welcome to the 2026-27 school year! My name is Ernesta Ransom and I am proud to serve you as the Director of Early Childhood Programs for District 149. This year begins my 25th year serving families in the district under the Early Childhood Program. I look forward to a successful year of educating our youngest learners in a safe and nurturing environment.
This year our District’s theme is Do More in 24! - and that's exactly what we will do in Pre-K as we provide a high quality, developmentally appropriate, nurturing learning environment for our students. The Pre-Kindergarten Program is housed at Diekman School, where we are “Diekman’s BEST!” Our goal is to make sure our students are socially, emotionally, and educationally prepared for Kindergarten when they leave the Pre-Kindergarten Program.
The Pre-Kindergarten Program services students ages 3 -5 years old through the Preschool for All and Preschool for All Expansion grants from the Illinois State Board of Education. Monthly screenings are held at Diekman school for enrollment into the program. We also partner with three local Learning Centers to expand our services to the community. If you are interested in a screening, please call Diekman School at 708-841-3838 or check Diekman’s home page for more information.
Again, I am grateful and excited for this opportunity to serve as the Director of Early Childhood Programs and I look forward to a year of relationship building, learning, and fun with our students and families. If I can be of any assistance to you, feel free to reach out to me.
Educationally Yours,
Ernesta Ransom
Director of Early Childhood Programs
ransome@sd149.org
708-841-3838 - Diekman Office
708-465-8654 - Cell
Office of Specialized Services
The Office of Specialized Services is committed to providing a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment with comprehensive services to children with disabilities. Students are supported through a variety of services. Our school community embraces inclusive instructional practices which are designed to provide accommodations and/or special education services within the context of the general education setting to the greatest extent possible.
Child Find/Special Education
Students are identified for special education through a child find process as required by federal and state guidelines. For preschool age children, developmental screening and services are available through the Preschool Program. The district provides instruction and related services to students with disabilities so that they can derive educational benefit from the curriculum and make progress toward meeting IEP and curricular goals. We are committed to working with children and families in providing quality programs for all students.
504 Information
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability in programs and activities that receive Federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education. Section 504 establishes a student's right to full access and participation in education and all school-related activities. It requires schools to provide appropriate services to meet the individual needs of qualified students.
A student is considered "qualified" under Section 504 if the student is between the ages of 3 and 22 and has a disability, defined as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Major life activities include caring for oneself, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, working, performing manual tasks, and learning. Some examples of impairments that may substantially limit major life activities, even with the help of medication, aids, or devices, are attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), asthma, allergies, blindness or a visual impairment, deafness or hearing impairment, diabetes, epilepsy, heart disease, and mental illness.
English Language LearnersWe provide language support services for students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds who have been identified as English Language Learners (ELL). These services include instruction and support in building competency in the understanding of reading, listening, speaking, and writing of the English language.
Nicole Taylor Director of Specialized Services 708-868-8300 taylorni@sd149.org Tamisha Bufford Assistant Director of Specialized Services 708-868-8300 buffordt@sd149.org Sheria Robinson Administrative Assistant for Specialized Services 708-868-8300 robinsons@sd149.org
Procedural Safeguards / Parental Guide and Rights / PUNS
https://www.isbe.net/SPEDReqNotConForms/nc_proc_sfgrds_34-57j.pdf
https://www.isbe.net/SPEDReqNotConForms/nc_proc_sfgrds_34-57j_sp.pdf
Parent-Guide-Special-Ed-Aug20.pdf
Parent-Guide-Special-Ed-Aug20-Spanish.pdf
RTO-Reduction-Template_24-25_Revision.pdf
Immunization Reports
https://www.isbe.net/SPEDReqNotConForms/nc_proc_sfgrds_34-57j.pdf
DistrictSummaryImmunization24-25.pdf
BVImmunizationSummary24-25.pdf
CCAImmunizationSummary24-25.pdf
CMBImmunizationSummary24-25.pdf
CSImmunizationSummary24-25.pdf
DKMImmunizationSummary24-25.pdf
NBLAImmunizationSummary24-25.pdf
Office of Teaching & Learning
Welcome Dolton School District 149 Families to the Office of Teaching and Learning (OTL). The Office of Teaching and Learning supports evidence-based instructional practices and strategies for differentiation, creativity, valuable teaching and learning based on the Illinois State Standards (ILS) in effort to support our mission of educating the whole child. The Office of Teaching and Learning was created to provide curriculum development for all academic areas across the district. Our goal is to support all learners and to facilitate academic growth. The learning priorities center on increasing Reading and Mathematical opportunities. The district’s literacy coaches and the IL-Empower Partner, Professional Development Plus mathematical coaches, support this process. All coaches are responsible for providing robust support to teachers and work to plan, develop, implement, revise, and model these practices to further a quality curriculum.
To ensure continued enhancement of effective teaching strategies, our office continues to provide professional learning opportunities that meet the needs of teachers and building administrators. We provide District Institute Days, monthly School Improvement Planning Days, and after-school workshops to teachers on a consistent basis, ensuring we build capacity in strengthening their skills, learn new research-based strategies, and reflect on their practices.
To measure student performance not only consistently but also fairly, we use common assessments which include: NWEA Map, i-Ready diagnostic testing, grade-level benchmark assessments, the Illinois Assessment of Readiness, and both formative and summative assessments, for continuous progress monitoring of our students. Students are provided feedback and teachers are able to use these results to further individual student and classroom growth.
We look forward to serving you and your child(ren) this school year! If you have any questions that we may answer for you, please feel free to contact us at 708-868-8300. Have a wonderful school year!
Educationally Committed,
Dr. Martiae Jenkins-Alexander Sparkle Tiffith
Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
21st Century Learning
Hello SD149 Family
Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year! The 21st- Century Learning Department is responsible for the overall functionality of district technology used inside and outside of the classroom. We are committed to being a reliable partner in learning to our students, and all other members of the SD149 community. We aim to provide high-quality, equitable services to all those we serve. Our services include, but are not limited to, equipment and application support, SD149 telephone support, and training activities.
To report any concerns with SD149 services or equipment, please submit a help ticket for the assistance of a member of the team.
Please Meet the Team:
| Robert Bufford | 21st Century Learning Director |
|
e-mail: techstaff149@sd149.org |
Phone: (708) 868-8300 |
| Jamar Everett | 21st Century Learning Assistant Director |
| e-mail: techstaff149@sd149.org | Phone: (708) 868-8300 |
|
John Smida |
Desktop Support Technician |
| e-mail: techstaff149@sd149.org | Phone: (708) 868-8300 |
| Stephen Henry | Desktop Support Technician |
| e-mail: techstaff149@sd149.org | Phone: (708) 868-8300 |
| Alfred Thompkins | Desktop Support Technician |
|
e-mail: techstaff149@sd149.org |
Phone: (708) 868-8300 |
|
John Shields |
Network Technician |
|
e-mail: techstaff149@sd149.org |
Phone: (708) 868-8300 |
District Services
Business
Andre Vernando
Chief School Business Official
The Business Office
The Business Office manages all financial aspects of Dolton School District 149, including accounting, budgets and financial reporting. The Department is also responsible for insurance, food service, and transportation. It is our goal to provide the best possible services to students, staff, and to the community. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carmen Canales |
Benefits Enrollment/Transportation |
|
e-mail: canalesc@sd149.org |
Phone:708-868-8300 |
|
|
|
Human Resources
The Department of Human Resources is dedicated to recruiting, hiring, and retaining quality staff that strive to meet the educational needs of all students. Our office serves as the initial contact for interested candidates and is the entry point for all new employees. Our employees constitute one of the most important resources for providing a quality educational program for our students, and our number one goal is to provide our employees with the information and tools necessary to succeed.
If you are interested in a position with Dolton 149, we encourage you to view and apply for openings by navigating the links to the right. Our vacancies are updated daily and are open until positions are filled. Thank you for being so interested in District 149, and good luck!
Shayna Cole
Director of Human Resources
Call: 708-868-8300
Nodiay Ross-Smith Human Ressources Call: (708) 868-7861
Facilities
Venture Prep Academy
Dear Venture Prep Families and Students,
Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year at Venture Prep Academy! I hope you and your family had a wonderful, healthy, and relaxing summer break. My name is LaTasha Clark, and I am honored and excited to continue serving as the Principal of Venture Prep Academy. I look forward to partnering with you as we create a safe, supportive, engaging, and academically rigorous environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed.
This year, Dolton School District 149's theme is "Every Student Counts, Every Moment Matters." At Venture Prep Academy, our school theme is "Reset. Refocus. Rise." These themes reflect our unwavering belief that every student deserves a fresh start, meaningful opportunities, and the support needed to reach their full potential.
At Venture Prep Academy, our mission is to empower students to reset their path, refocus on their goals, and rise to their fullest potential through restorative practices, meaningful relationships, rigorous instruction, and individualized support in a safe and caring learning environment.
Our vision is to be a premier alternative education program where every student develops the character, confidence, and academic skills needed to successfully transition back to their home school and thrive in college, careers, and life.
We believe that every student has the ability to grow, learn, and succeed. Through high expectations, restorative practices, and strong partnerships with families, we are committed to helping each student build positive habits, strengthen decision-making skills, improve academic achievement, and develop the confidence to become productive leaders in their school and community.
As we begin the school year, please review the following important information:
-
First Day of School: Wednesday, August 12, 2026 (Full Day)
School Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.
-
Student Entrance/Exit: Door #3
-
Clear Backpacks: All students are required to bring and use a clear backpack each day to help maintain a safe and secure learning environment.
-
School Uniforms: Students are expected to wear the same approved uniform required by their home school.
-
Cell Phone Policy: Students must turn in their cell phones upon arrival each morning. Phones will be securely stored throughout the school day and returned at dismissal. This policy helps minimize distractions and allows students to remain focused on learning and building positive relationships.
At Venture Prep Academy, we know that student success is strongest when schools and families work together. We value open communication and encourage you to stay actively involved throughout the school year. Your partnership is essential as we help our students grow academically, socially, emotionally, and behaviorally.
Thank you for entrusting us with your child's education. It is both an honor and a privilege to serve your family. If you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me at 708-868-7579.
Together, let's make the 2026–2027 school year one of growth, resilience, achievement, and new beginnings.
Reset. Refocus. Rise.
Welcome back—we look forward to an outstanding year together!
In Partnership,
LaTasha Clark
Principal
Venture Prep Academy