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Conference Candids
The mood being set by a wonderful musical group from Des Plaines CCSD 62, the IASA 51st Annual
Conference got off to a rousing start last week. The musical group The D62s consisting of teachers, a
principal and a retired teacher from the school district of IASA President Dr. Jane L. Westerhold played and
sang a variety of songs from the 80s and 90s and had the crowd on its feet.
The conference, which was held in downtown Springfield at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel and at
the Prairie Capital Convention center, attracted more than 600 attendees from more than 450 school districts
in Illinois.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Westerhold told superintendents and other administrators "We are a
family...don't be afraid to ask for support." The D62s punctuated her point by singing Sister Sledge's "We Are
Family".
The Opening Ceremonies included the Pledge of Allegiance led by Amy Lewis, the Illinois Education
Association 2015 Teacher of the Year (and a member of The D62s). The National Anthem was performed
by The D62s' lead singers Diane Robinson and Mary Prost.