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School Board Meeting District 2 By Michelle Parsons
The Nippersink District 2 school board Tuesday night approved the adoption of new writing and special education mathematics programs for the coming school year. The Foursquare Writing Program aims to improve writing skills of students in grades K-5 and develop consistency between grade levels. The program was piloted successfully last year by several RGS teachers and was presented to the board at its May meeting. According to the RGS Writing Committee, the program aligns with the Illinois State Standards, teaches the skills for writing persuasive, expository, descriptive, and narrative writing tested on the ISAT test, and is organized in a consistent manner for grades K-5. The program’s cost of $3,000 includes manuals for each classroom teacher and in-service training. The NMS Special Education staff recommended the adoption of the Accelerated Mathematics program because it provides “the best opportunity for their students to reach their potential and to mainstream them in general education classes.” The program allows for individualized instruction because students’ weaknesses are addressed through objectives. According to NMS Principal Dr. Julie Retzlaff, general education teachers could use the program to supplement their materials or to concentrate on specific areas with students who need specific support. Cost of the program is estimated at between $8,500-10,000, depending on the cost of staff training. Fourth-grade teacher Desiree Richards presented recommendations for the District 2’s Learning Principles and Vision and Mission Statements. A committee, which was made up of seven teachers and one parent, was charged with developing the statements to guide the future of education on the community. Richards chaired a sub- committee charged with creating learning principles. Pat Evans and Chris McBride co-chaired the sub-committee charged with developing the Vision and Mission statements. Meetings, which were held in March, involved researching current data on learning and discussing the district’s and community’s educational goals. The Vision and Mission Statements will be discussed further at the July Communication Council meeting, which is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday July 8 at the NMS library. For the proposed text of these documents, see the sidebar that accompanies this article. The board accepted the bid of DELCO Energy Services of Kenosha, WI, in the amount of $50,418.14 for the retrofit of light bulbs and ballasts. Costs will be reimbursed through the Clean Energy Community Foundation. The district received a $54,000 grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation last April based on the amount of electricity demand reduced as a result of the retrofitting. The board also accepted the notification by Doris Carnahan of her intent to retire at the end of the 2004-2005 school year. Carnahan has taught at RGS for 32 years, most recently as Title I reading teacher. April Bauer was hired as the new Gifted/Enrichment teacher at RGS to replace Erin Zigler, who will teach third grade. Bauer previously taught first grade at RGS but was not rehired due to a reduction in force. Connie Lancaster was also hired as a half-time kindergarten teacher at SGS. Lancaster has worked as a substitute teacher for four years in Spring Grove, Richmond, and Johnsburg. She received her Elementary Certificate after graduating with honors from Trinity International University in Deerfield. Kathryn Krysh was hired as a middle-school gym teacher to replace Tanya Krause, who resigned because she is moving to the Milwaukee area. Krysh taught health education classes at South Harrison Middle School and High School in Beth, MO. District 2’s proposed Learning Principles, Mission and Vision Statements Learning Principles 1. Nippersink District 2 believes we are a community of learners. 2. Nippersink District 2 believes that the learner’s self-confidence, self-discovery, and creativity are enhanced when challenged at their individual level. 3. Nippersink District 2 believes that learning requires open communication between and amongst its’ community of learners. 4. Nippersink District 2 believes that learning must emotionally and socially engage the community of learners. 5. Nippersink District 2 believes that successful learning takes place through practice, meaningful connections, and direct experiences within the learning community. 6. Nippersink District 2 believes that more meaningful learning is achieved through reflection. 7. Nippersink District 2 believes that learning is fostered in a safe climate of acceptance, trust, and mutual respect. 8. Nippersink District 2 believes that excitement for learning develops from exploration and experimentation. Vision Statement: The vision of NSD2 is to provide activities which foster positive character development and inspire a commitment to lifelong learning. Mission Statement: The mission of NSD2 is to aid our students in reaching their fullest academic, social, and creative potential through differentiated instruction, collaborative learning, and community involvement in a culturally diverse society.
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Towns in McHenry
County, Illinois
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