Summer school emphasizes student growth
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In 2011, 389 students in 1st through 8th grade participated in summer school. Summer School principals Sarah Humboldt and Ryan Schaefer reported to the Board of Education on new initiatives to help students build interest and skills in reading and math.
The reading program incorporated popular literature of the students' choosing. Teachers worked to build students' confidence in reading comprehension and helped them develop a love for reading. The biggest surprise for the students was they were allowed to keep the books at the end of summer school. Teacher Kristi Mullen talks about the summer school day in the video link above, which was part of the presentation to the Board.
Summer school is offered to struggling students who need additional supports to catch up to their peers.
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| Construction update: Landscaping contract approved, interior options presented |
A landscaping contract for Tioga School was awarded to Moore Landscapes for $126,913.
Architects from STR Partners presented two different interior design options and provided samples of flooring, cabinets, and tack board surfaces. The options offered two different ways to bring color into the interiors that reflect the selections for the glass windows.
Dr. Stelter also pointed out that the principals and some teachers had reviewed the options. The board chose an option, which will be further developed and brought back for a more detailed review.
Construction has been progressing without delay over the past month.
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| Vision Foundation donates exams, glasses to Tioga students |
Essilor Vision Foundation, an international foundation that provides charity eye care and products, along with Premier Ophthalmic Services, Inc. a local distributor of ophthalmic equipment, are teaming up with local eye care professionals to deliver complete eye exams and free prescription eyeglasses when needed to all 460 children at Tioga School on September 26-29. READ MORE
Chamber of Commerce gives school supplies
The Board also accepted an in-kind donation from the Bensenville Chamber of Commerce of various school supplies valued at approximately $500.
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2011-12 Budget forecasts surplus and includes technology, bus purchases
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The 2011-12 operating budget for Bensenville School District 2 is forecast to end the year with a modest surplus. This operating surplus, which excludes the effects of construction spending and financing, would be the District’s tenth consecutive annual surplus.
The Board of Education approved the budget at its Sept. 21 meeting.
Property tax revenue comprises 75 percent of the District’s revenue for operations. The property tax assessment is up slightly from last year, but so is the District’s reserve for uncollected property tax and for property tax challenges. READ MORE
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The 2011-12 budget calls for $800,000 in technology purchases.
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| Focus Groups will explore issues of combining schools |
The Board approved an agreement with a consultant to facilitate focus groups comprised of staff, parents and community in October.
While the community has welcomed the construction of new buildings, the Board and District administration would like to hear the perspectives of those involved in the move to ensure a smooth and healthy transition for students and parents and to anticipate potential issues and concerns. A facilitator will ensure that open and honest dialog can take place among those participating.
Through this process, common threads should emerge as to how to begin blending of the communities. Ideas and themes that emerge from the focus groups will then be vetted to the larger publics of students, parents, staff and community in 2012.
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| Policy to guide social media as learning tool |
The Board adopted a new policy that will guide teachers on how to use social media as a learning tool. The policy is modeled after Illinois Association of School Board policy. In formulating the district’s position on social media, the procedures that will be introduced to teachers during an upcoming institute day were created from a staff committee and vetted through the teacher’s union and administration.
The policy provides guidelines for classroom use and also includes guidelines for teachers’ personal use of the media.
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Board approves Common Core Standards curriculum
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A major focus during the 2010-2011 school year was the transition from the existing Illinois Learning Standards to the new Illinois Learning Standards Incorporating the Common Core English Language Arts (Reading) and Math curriculum guides.
These were developed by a cross representation of district staff through extensive workshops and meetings during the previous school year.
This comprehensive document was formally adopted by the Board of Education and will guide the transformation of curriculum in all grades through the coming year.
The District is launching an Intranet that will host interactive Learning standards with "I Can" statements that clearly define what students are supposed to learn for each standard. It will include teacher resources and the opportunity to share lesson plans.
Communications to parents will also be deployed throughout this school year and until the new assessment on the standards is implemented in 2015.
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