Bensenville School District 2, IL

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BMS Team 8-1 Social Studies

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1. What do I need for social studies class?: For social studies class, you need your text book (covered), folder, spiral, and blue or black pen.

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Board of Education

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1. If I want to address the board at a public meeting, how do I do that?: Come to the meeting and complete a form. You are asked to keep your comments to three minutes or less. As a rule, Board members do not respond directly, but your questions or concerned will be followed up on with direct contact with you.

2. How do I know what is being discussed at Board meetings?: Agendas for every meeting are posted on the Web site at least 48 hours before the meeting. For more information, please view our Agendas and Minutes.

3. How can I keep up on what is being discussed by the Board of Education if I do not attend meetings?: Sign up for the e-news board of education category. You will receive a synopsis of highlights within 48 hours of the meeting.

For more information, please view Board of Education E-News.

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Business Services

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1. How do I check for bid openings or be notified of future bid openings?: Please visit our bids module.

2. How do I check for the results of bid awards?: Please visit our bids module.

3. Are there any new building projects or bid opportunities coming up?: The District's budget cycle begins in March for the fiscal year beginning July 1. The final budget is usually approved in August. Any major projects must be on the budget.

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Chippewa School

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1. I'm moving to Bensenville. What do I need to register my child?: Ask your child's current school for a transfer form and a copy of his/her most current physical / immunization record. If your child has an Individualized Education Plan, please bring a copy, as well as a copy of the report card. In order to register, you will need the following: Original birth certificate; lease or mortgage papers; and four additional proofs such as: photo ID; insurance policy; utility bill, cable bill, vehicle registration, etc. We will need a lease / mortgage paper at time of registration and you will have 30 days to bring in four additional proofs.

2. Do you have before or after-school daycare?: We do not have before school daycare. The Bensenville Park District has an after-school program. Students are bused from our school over to the Park District where you may pick them up. For more information, please contact the Park District. Park District link

3. What after-school activities do you have?: We have third-grade soccer intramurals, fourth & fifth grade intramurals, Art Club, Recycling Club, Mad Science, and Spanish Quest. Before school, we have Chorus, Musical Theatre, and Handchimes. All activities require a permission slip, good student conduct, and final approval by the principal. Spanish Quest students must maintain grades of C or above.

4. How early can I drop my child off at school?: Supervision does not start until 8 a.m. Your child may not be dropped off before 8 a.m.

5. Do you have a lunch program?: We do have a breakfast and lunch program. A menu is sent home monthly. You may purchase a breakfast ticket for $25 and/or a lunch ticket for $40. Both are good for one month or your child may bring $1.25 for breakfast & $2 for lunch each day they plan to participate. The tickets are good for 20 breakfasts or lunches and meals do not have to be purchased daily.

6. Is there a dress code?: Students are expected to present a modest appearance that is appropriate for school that does not disrupt nor distract from the educational process or interfere with the maintenance of a positive teaching/learning climate. Clothing that promotes the use of drugs or alcohol, has violent images, displays inappropriate language or identifies gang affiliation is prohibited. The principal is the final authority for judging the appropriateness of a student’s appearance.

7. We’re moving out of Bensenville. What is the procedure for transferring out?: We need to know the answers to several questions. What is your child’s last day of school? Where are you moving to? Do you know the name of the school your child will be attending? Your child will be given an Illinois Transfer form, copy of physical/immunizations and a copy of the IEP (if pertains) on his/her last day in school. When you register at the new school, you will be given a Request of Records form to fill out. The form will be faxed or mailed to us at which time all records, including health and special ed. will be mailed to the new school.

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Full-Day Kindergarten

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1. When is my child eligible to enroll in kindergarten?: Kindergarten will be provided for all students who are residents of the District and have reached the age of five on or before September 1, 2008.

2. Can kindergartners really handle a full day of school? How do you help them transition?: Kindergarten students have been incredible successful with the full day
of school. Typically the first three weeks of school are an adjustment
period. As a result we ensure that the schedule allows for flexibility
to have activities to get students moving to increase their energy and
also quiet book times so the students don't get overwhelmed at first. By
early September, kindergarten students have adjusted and their day runs
like any other typical elementary classroom. Most kindergarten students
are thrilled to be in school and welcome the opportunity to stay all
day!

3. How can I register my incoming kindergartner?: If you missed spring registration, held in April, please contact the District office during the summer. You can fill out registration forms at the District office, 210 S. Church Road, between the hours of 7:30 a.m and 4 p.m.

All students and parents need to attend Welcoming Day, which is set for early August. You will be asked to indicate your choice of full-day or half-day kindergarten on the registration form.

For the District Office's contact information, please view District Office.

4. When will I need to decide if I want to enroll my child in full-day or half-day kindergarten?: At the time of registration, parents will have the opportunity to enroll in either the current half-day program or the full-day program.

5. If I select half-day kindergarten, will my child attend the elementary school in my neighborhood?: School assignment is always contingent upon available openings. The half-day program will be offered only in the morning.

6. Will transportation be provided if my child attends a half-day kindergarten class not in our home school?: Yes. For more information about District transportation, please view Transportation Department.

7. Will there be both English and Bilingual full-day sessions?: There will be an English full-day session at all schools. Depending upon enrollments and qualifying criteria, there could be a full-day bilingual session at each school, as well. However in the past, we have only had enough numbers of bilingual students to hold sessions at Mohawk and Tioga.

8. How will full-day kindergarten students have lunch and recess?: Each building principal will develop a schedule and routine tailored to best fit individual building factors.

9. What are the hours for half-day and full-day kindergarten?: Full-day kindergarten hours will be the same as for grades one through five (8:35 a.m. – 3:20 p.m.). Half-day kindergarten sessions will be from 8:35 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

10. What curriculum will full-day kindergarten students receive that half day kindergarten students will not?: Curriculum and lesson objectives will be the same. Full-day kindergarten will provide increased time for in-depth learning and for differentiated instruction. This is done to better meet the many and varied needs of students who require extension, enrichment, review, and small group and individualized instruction.

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Health Services

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1. Is my child too sick to go to school?

Please do not send your child to school if he or she displays any of the following symptoms:

Eyes - Red, itchy, and/or have a discharge

Nose – Draining with a yellow or green discharge

Throat – Red and inflamed with white spots or if it is swollen and it hurts the child to swallow.

Ears – Any complaint of ear pain can be serious in young children.

Fever – A temperature of 100 degrees or higher.

Rash – Any part of the body that has a rash needs to be diagnosed by a doctor. The school will need a note from the doctor stating when the child may return to school.

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Human Resources

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1. I have applied for a position online. What is the next step?: You will receive a confirmation via email that your application was received. Your application will be reviewed by a hiring committee created for that position. You will be contacted if you are identified as a good match for the position.

2. Should I contact someone after I have filed an application?: Due to the high volume of applications received, please do not try to call individuals about the open position. We need to devote our time to educating children.

3. How do I apply to be a substitute teacher?: Click on the substitute teacher page link below for complete details. Complete the application, include documentation listed, and submit to:
District Educational Administration Center,
210 S. Church Rd.
Bensenville, IL 60106
Attn: Deb Geils.

View Substitute Teacher Page

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Mohawk School

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1. I'm moving to Bensenville. What do I need to register my child?: Ask your child's current school for a transfer form and a copy of his/her most current physical / immunization record. If your child has an Individualized Education Plan, please bring a copy, as well as a copy of the report card. In order to register, you will need the following: Original birth certificate; lease or mortgage papers; and four additional proofs such as: photo ID; insurance policy; utility bill, cable bill, vehicle registration, etc. We will need a lease / mortgage paper at time of registration and you will have 30 days to bring in four additional proofs.

2. When is my child eligible to enroll in kindergarten?: Kindergarten will be provided for all students who are residents of the District and have reached the age of 5 on or before September 1, of the current school year. Registration for the 2013-14 school year will be held March 20 at the school from 1 to 6 p.m.

3. Do you have a lunch program?: We do have a breakfast and lunch program. A menu is sent home monthly. You may purchase a breakfast ticket for $25 and/or a lunch ticket for $40. Both are good for one month or your child may bring $1.25 for breakfast & $2 for lunch each day they plan to participate. The tickets are good for 20 breakfasts or lunches and meals do not have to be purchased daily.

4. Do you have before or after-school daycare?: We do not have before school daycare. The Bensenville Park District has an afterschool program. Students are bused from our school over to the Park District where you may pick them up. For more information, please contact the Park District.

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Para los Padres

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1. ¿Qué debo hacer para inscribir a mi niño/a?: De la escuela donde su niño/a actualmente asiste, soliciten la hoja de traslado, una copia de las vacunas y del examen físico más reciente. Si su niño/a tiene un Plan de Educación Individualizada, por favor traigan una copia, así como una copia de la libreta de calificaciones. Para poder inscribir a su niño/a, ustedes necesitan lo siguiente: Partida original de nacimiento; contrato de alquiler o título de hipoteca; y cuatro documentos adicionales para comprobar su domicilio, tal como: Identificación con fotografía; pólizas de seguros; recibos de utilidad, cuenta de cable, registro de su vehículo, etc. Es necesario que traigan el contrato de alquiler o título de hipoteca para la inscripción. Tienen 30 días para presentar cuatro pruebas adicionales de domicilio.

2. ¿Tienen un programa de almuerzo?: Sí, tenemos un programa de almuerzo y desayuno. Mensualmente enviamos a casa un menú. Uds. pueden comprar un boleto de $25 para el desayuno y/o un boleto de $40 para el almuerzo. Los boletos son equivalentes a 20 desayunos o almuerzos, suficiente para un mes, y no es obligatorio comprar comida diariamente. Si prefieren, cada día su niño/a puede traer en efectivo $1.25 para el desayuno y/o $2 para el almuerzo.

3. ¿A que hora puedo dejar a mi niño/a en la escuela?: Supervisión para los estudiantes empieza a las 8:00am. Por lo tanto, no pueden dejar a sus niños antes de las 8:00am.

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Parents

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1. What school will my children attend?: All children within District 2 boundaries in grades six through eight attend Blackhawk Middle School. If your children are elementary age, the following are the rough attendance boundaries. If you live near a border or have a question about a specific address, contact the transportation department at 630-766-2057, or submit your question by emailing us.

Mohawk Elementary - Serves kindergarten through the fifth grade for all Bensenville and Wood Dale residents living north of Irving Park Road / Algonquin Avenue.

W. A. Johnson School - Serves kindergarten through the fifth grade for Bensenville and Wood Dale residents with District 2 boundaries living west of Church Road and south of Irving Park / Algonquin Ave.

Tioga School - Serves pre-kindergarten through the second grade for residents living with District 2 boundaries east of Church Road and south if Irving Park Road / Algonquin Avenue.

Chippewa School - Serves third through fifth grades for residents living with District 2 boundaries east of Church Road and south if Irving Park Road / Algonquin Avenue.

2. What health exams are required?: Physical examinations are required for all children entering pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and sixth grade. The state requires that students entering kindergarten, second, and sixth grades present proof to the school of having been examined by a dentist. The state also requires that students entering kindergarten present proof to the school of having had a vision examination.

For more information, please visit our Health Forms.

3. I'm moving to Bensenville. What do I need to register my child?: Ask your child's current school for a transfer form and a copy of his/her most current physical / immunization record. If your child has an Individualized Education Plan, please bring a copy, as well as a copy of the report card. In order to register, you will need the following: Original birth certificate; lease or mortgage papers; and four additional proofs such as: photo ID; insurance policy; utility bill, cable bill, vehicle registration, etc. We will need a lease / mortgage paper at time of registration and you will have 30 days to bring in four additional proofs.

4. Do you have before or after-school daycare?: We do not have before school daycare. The Bensenville Park District has an after-school program. Students are bused from our school over to the Park District where you may pick them up. For more information, please contact the Park District. Park District link

5. We’re moving out of Bensenville. What is the procedure for transferring out?: We need to know the answers to several questions. What is your child’s last day of school? Where are you moving to? Do you know the name of the school your child will be attending? Your child will be given an Illinois Transfer form, copy of physical/immunizations and a copy of the IEP (if pertains) on his/her last day in school. When you register at the new school, you will be given a Request of Records form to fill out. The form will be faxed or mailed to us at which time all records, including health and special ed. will be mailed to the new school.

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Response to Intervention

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1. What is meant by Response to Intervention (RTI)?: RTI is a process that provides immediate intervention to struggling students at the first indication of failure to learn. Through systematic screening of all students in the early grades, classroom teachers identify those who are not mastering the critical reading skills and provide differentiated intervention to small groups of students.

Continuous progress monitoring of students’ responses to those interventions allows teachers to identify students in need of additional intervention and to adjust instruction accordingly.

2. Is the goal of RTI to identify students for the special education program?: There are two overreaching goals of RTI. The first is to deliver evidence-based interventions and the second is to use students’ responses to those interventions as a basis for determining instructional needs and intensity.

Special education decisions can be a product of these efforts, but not the primary goal. Using RTI as the database for making that decision, special education services are determined by the student’s rate of response to intervention and the size of the gap that exists between the student and the benchmark. As a result, identification is not about the student’s label, but rather about determining what interventions are most helpful in closing the gap in a timely manner.

3. Who is responsible for deciding that a student may need support and initiating the RTI process?: The central principle of RTI approach is that it is not one particular person’s responsibility, but everyone’s responsibility. Student’s need for support may be identified from informal observations or a universal screening measure.

4. Who are the people that are part of the student support team?: People such as speech language pathologists, psychologists, reading specialists, special education teachers, social workers, bilingual teachers, as well as general education teachers, administrators, volunteers, and paraprofessionals may all provide assistance and support.

The teacher should remain the center of the efforts. The role of the support people is to help the teacher analyze data, design and/or carry out interventions, maintain documentation, monitor progress, etc. Because the aim is to improve instruction and interventions within general education, support is not considered to be special education even though it’s provided by special education staff.

5. What is the focus of Tier 1?

Tier I is designed to meet the needs of the majority of the school population and has three critical elements:

A research-based core reading program

Benchmark testing of students at least three times per year to determine their instructional needs

Sustained professional development to equip teachers with tools necessary for teaching reading effectively

In Tier I, the classroom teacher delivers to all students at least 90 minutes of core instruction in the five components essential to early reading:

Phonemic awareness

Phonics and word study

Fluency

Vocabulary

Comprehension

Benchmark testing allows teachers to monitor student progress and, in response to testing results, differentiate instruction for students who do not meet grade level expectations. Teachers ensure that small groups of students receive targeted skills instruction through the use of flexible grouping arrangements in the classroom.

6. What is meant by the term “flexible grouping”?: Flexible grouping refers to using assessment data to target specific skills for instruction. Students who require additional instruction on similar reading skills are grouped for a period of time. As students master the target skills, new groups are formed. Groups are created and recreated in response to student needs and, therefore, are considered flexible.

7. What is the focus of Tier 2?: Tier 2 is for students who are falling behind on reading skills and need additional help, or intervention, to meet grade level expectations. Students in Tier 2 receive specialized scientifically based reading instruction in small group setting (three to five students) for at least 30 minutes a day in addition to the 90 minutes of daily reading instruction. The progress of each student on target skills (i.e. the skills that have not been mastered) is monitored every two to three weeks in order to adjust instruction and ensure learning.

8. What is progress monitoring?: Progress monitoring refers to the systematic and continuous collection of intervention data. Progress monitoring is primarily for students who are receiving additional intervention instruction and is conducted at least every three weeks.

The purpose of progress monitoring is to assist teachers in determining whether a child is making adequate progress as a result of targeted intervention instruction.

9. What is the focus of Tier 3?: Tier 3 is designed for students who still have considerable difficulty mastering necessary reading skills, even after Tier 1 and Tier 2 instruction. Students receiving a minimum of two daily 30-minute sessions in addition to the core reading instruction (which all students receive as part of Tier 1).

The instruction in Tier 3 is conducted in small groups (one to three students each), all of whom are having similar difficulties in learning to read. Instruction is very explicit and intensive, and the progress of each student is monitored two to four times a month in order to adjust instruction and ensure learning.

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Tioga School

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1. When is my child eligible to enroll in kindergarten?: Kindergarten will be provided for all students who are residents of the District and have reached the age of 5 on or before September 1, of the current school year. Registration for the 2013-14 school year will be held March 20 at the school from 1 to 6 p.m.

2. How early can I drop my child off at school?: Supervision does not start until 8 a.m. Your child may not be dropped off before 8 a.m.

3. Is there a dress code?: Students are expected to present a modest appearance that is appropriate for school that does not disrupt nor distract from the educational process or interfere with the maintenance of a positive teaching/learning climate. Clothing that promotes the use of drugs or alcohol, has violent images, displays inappropriate language or identifies gang affiliation is prohibited. The principal is the final authority for judging the appropriateness of a student’s appearance.

4. Do you have a lunch program?: We do have a breakfast and lunch program. A menu is sent home monthly. You may purchase a breakfast ticket for $25 and/or a lunch ticket for $40. Both are good for one month or your child may bring $1.25 for breakfast & $2 for lunch each day they plan to participate. The tickets are good for 20 breakfasts or lunches and meals do not have to be purchased daily.

5. What is the best way to communicate with teachers?: Teachers can be reached by phone and email. During the school day,
teachers will be unable to talk while with students. Please call and
leave a message. They will get back to you within 24 hours. Typically,
they will call you during their plan time, before or after school. You can find email addresses under the staff directory page on the left side menu.

6. If my child is having problems with another student in school, who can I talk to?: Parents are encouraged to discuss any concerns with their child's
teacher. Open communication is important to ensure the best educational
experience for your child.

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Transportation

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1. Who gets bus service?: Free bus transportation is provided for all children who live at least one and a half miles from school as required by state law. The distance is measured as the law directs from the exit of a student's property to the point where students are unloaded at school using the shortest distance on normally traveled streets.

2. Is there anyone else who gets bus service?

Other students who receive free bus transportation are:

Students who live in designated hazard areas

Students in kindergarten through the third grade who live more than a mile from school

Students in the fourth through fifth grades who live more than a mile from school if space is available

3. How can I find something my child left on the bus?: For items left on the bus, please contact the main office of your child’s school, or call the Transportation Department at 630-766-2057.

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W.A. Johnson School

Show All Answers

1. When is my child eligible to enroll in kindergarten?: Kindergarten will be provided for all students who are residents of the District and have reached the age of 5 on or before September 1, of the current school year.

2. I'm moving to Bensenville. What do I need to register my child?: Ask your child's current school for a transfer form and a copy of his/her most current physical / immunization record. If your child has an Individualized Education Plan, please bring a copy, as well as a copy of the report card. In order to register, you will need the following: Original birth certificate; lease or mortgage papers; and four additional proofs such as: photo ID; insurance policy; utility bill, cable bill, vehicle registration, etc. We will need a lease / mortgage paper at time of registration and you will have 30 days to bring in four additional proofs.

3. Do you have a lunch program?: We do have a breakfast and lunch program. A menu is sent home monthly. You may purchase a breakfast ticket for $25 and/or a lunch ticket for $40. Both are good for one month or your child may bring $1.25 for breakfast & $2 for lunch each day they plan to participate. The tickets are good for 20 breakfasts or lunches and meals do not have to be purchased daily.

4. Is there a dress code?: Students are expected to present a modest appearance that is appropriate for school that does not disrupt nor distract from the educational process or interfere with the maintenance of a positive teaching/learning climate. Clothing that promotes the use of drugs or alcohol, has violent images, displays inappropriate language or identifies gang affiliation is prohibited. The principal is the final authority for judging the appropriateness of a student’s appearance.

5. Why is the bus late?: As weather and road conditions challenge us at this time of year, and road construction, trains, or accidents can challenge us at any time, our bus drivers think safety before schedule.

Therefore, some of our routes may be delayed in picking up and/or dropping off our students.

For current information about your child’s bus, call the transportation office at 630-766-2057.

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BMS Team 8-1 Social Studies

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Chippewa School

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Full-Day Kindergarten

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W.A. Johnson School

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BMS Team 8-1 Social Studies

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Board of Education

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Business Services

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Chippewa School

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Full-Day Kindergarten

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Health Services

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Human Resources

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Mohawk School

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Para los Padres

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Parents

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Response to Intervention

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Tioga School

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Transportation

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W.A. Johnson School