IPSD 204 News Feed

Points of Pride, 11.17.09

11/17/2009 11:45:00 AM

====================
Fry Teacher Honored as
Top Art Teacher in State
====================

The Illinois Art Education Association's recent annual conference honored Fry Elementary School's Joan Mills for being the "Elementary Art Teacher of 2009." In addition, Neuqua Valley High School junior Stuart Pender was recognized for the inclusion of his drawing, entitled "Surf," in the 2009 Traveling Student Art Exhibit. The Traveling Art show consists of 40 pieces of art created by students throughout Illinois. The IAEA mats and frames the students' work, then sends it on a tour of the state so that all the citizens of Illinois can enjoy the artwork.

====================
District 204 Students
Win Peace Art Contest
====================

ThinkGlobal Arts Foundation selected six District 204 students as art contest winners during its annual Celebration of Peace event. Eshia Rustagi from White Eagle and Angeliz Morales from Owen placed first and third respectively in the elementary school category. Hill's Merrit Roberts and Megan Schmit captured first and second place in the middle school category. Mary Schultz and Alli Arra of Metea Valley placed first and second in the high school category. This year's theme centered on "Imagine Peace" and the "Power of Peace." The entries were intended to provoke thought about what peace means and how children can promote peace.

====================
Teachers Named Tech
Teachers of the Year
====================

The Technology Education Association of Illinois named Neuqua Valley High School's Matt Zawlocki as the "New Technology Teacher of the Year" for the high school level. Zawlocki was recognized for his commitment to integrating modular and traditional teaching practices as well as his commitment to extracurricular programs that promote greater awareness of technology and engineering education. Brian Misius from Fischer Middle School received the "New Technology Teacher of the Year" for the middle school level. He was recognized for his outstanding accomplishments both in and outside of the classroom.

====================
MV Teacher to Perform with
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
====================

Metea Valley orchestra teacher Mark Liu has been invited as one of seven local musicians to participate as a guest cellist with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra on December 26 at the Allstate Arena. Trans-Siberian Orchestra incorporates symphonic metal, heavy metal, and progressive rock with influences from classical music. Concert performances are well known for their extensive use of pyrotechnics, lasers, and lights. The group has become one of the world's top touring acts, with a $20 million-plus production that by 2008 played to more than 5 million people in 80 cities, with more than $230 million in ticket sales.

District Recognized at State Art Conference

11/12/2009 4:19:00 PM

Art teachers as well as students were recognized at the Illinois Art Education Association annual conference held recently at the Hilton Hotel in Lisle. Indian Prairie School District 204 was well represented by 7 art teachers from 6 different schools including Fry, Neuqua Valley, Peterson, McCarty, Kendall, and Owen.

Superintendent Kathryn Birkett, Assistant Superintendent Jay Strang and Principal Moira Arzich also attended the awards program to honor Fry Elementary School art teacher Joan Mills who was named the "IAEA Elementary Art Teacher of 2009." Mills and administrators were joined by fellow art teachers Karyl Silerzio, Heidi Parkes, Danielle Kronas, David Smith, Angela Bader-Neczek, and Donna Davis.

In addition, Neuqua Valley High School junior Stuart Pender was recognized for the inclusion of his drawing, entitled "Surf," in the 2009 IAEA Traveling Student Art Exhibit.

The Travelling Art show consists of 40 pieces of art created by students throughout Illinois. The IAEA mats and frames the work, then sends it on a tour of the state so that all the citizens of Illinois can enjoy the artwork.

Parent University: Real World Parenting 101

11/12/2009 2:17:00 PM

Need a few extra parenting credits? Join us at the 2010 Parent University for a day of informative and interactive workshops designed to provide practical lessons for parenting kids in preschool through high school.

The 2010 Parent University will take place on Saturday, February 6 from 8am to 2:15pm at Neuqua Valley High School. This year, parents may choose to attend either the full day ($30/person) or opt for a new half-day option ($20/person.)

Beginning at 8:30am, keynote speaker Gloria DeGaetano will address “Parenting Well in a Media Age.” She is founder and CEO of The Parent Coaching Institute (PCI) and an internationally and nationally acclaimed educator, author, and speaker.

Full-day attendees will also be able to choose two 90-minute workshops from 14 offerings on a wide range of parenting topics presented by local child and adolescent development experts. During lunch, there will be an opportunity to chat with presenters and pick up information regarding the health and well-being of children, youth and families from various community social service agencies. Half-day attendees will enjoy the keynote speaker and their choice of one AM workshop – their day will conclude at 11:55am.

Parent University is sponsored by Indian Prairie School District 204 and Naperville School District 203 in cooperation with the various community agencies of the Collaborative Youth Team.

To view details of all 14 workshops (click on the registration booklet link) and/or download a registration form, please visit the following page:

http://ipsdweb.ipsd.org/Subpage.aspx/ParentUniversity

Registration booklets will also be available at each school later in the month. Participants will be registered on a first come, first-served basis. As space is limited in each workshop, early registration is strongly encouraged.

District 204 Receives $49,000 Dunham Fund Grant

11/12/2009 9:53:00 AM

The Dunham Fund, the largest private foundation in the Aurora area, awarded Indian Prairie School District 204 with a $49,000 grant to fund a pilot math program at Fischer Middle School.

The grant will be used to establish a new classroom that will introduce into the middle school environment a high-tech, blended learning strategy designed specifically to advance math performance among middle school students. The classroom will consist of 30 workstations, serving as many as 150 students in one day. The project partners with a local education infrastructure provider, Lrn2innovate, which will provide technical expertise and ongoing professional development.

Superintendent Kathy Birkett describes this project as a catalyst for greater change. "We will be able to use technology as it relates to not only content, but also classroom structure, operation and management, transforming the traditional classroom into a 21st Century learning environment that excites students to reach new academic heights." Birkett anticipates portions of this pilot classroom model can eventually be integrated into other classrooms throughout the district.

Janette Siemienkowicz, Fischer's Parent Teacher Student Association president, initially submitted a letter of inquiry to the Dunham Fund, whose goal as a philanthropic organization is to provide financial support to qualifying organizations that, like John Dunham and his family, are devoted to education, enterprise and community development — the foundations for a better tomorrow.

Points of Pride, 11.4.09

11/4/2009 11:28:00 AM

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Crone Students Place 3rd
in State Eco-Art Contest
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Chicago Botanic Garden and the governor of Illinois challenged creative, eco-conscious youth, ages 8 to 18, to submit designs for Art on a Rain Barrel (AoRB), an Illinois-wide environmental art contest. Students were encouraged to create teams to enter the contest. The top teams from throughout the state were invited to bring their designs to life at the AoRB festival at Navy Pier as part of the governor's It's Our River Day 2009. A team from Crone Middle School took third place in the 12 through 15 year old division. Top designs received special prizes and recognition including public display at the Chicago Botanic Garden and other sites throughout the state of Illinois. More than 30 teams of students from throughout Illinois participated in the event, which was presented by the Chicago Botanic Garden, the Illinois Governor, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and Upcycle Products.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NV Student Semifinalist in
Siemens Competition
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Neuqua Valley High School senior Aneesh Tyle was selected as a semifinalist in the 2009 Siemens Competition, the nation's leading original research competition in math, science and technology for high school students. The Siemens Competition is administered annually by the College Board, awarding college scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $100,000 in individual and team categories. A record number of 1,348 projects were received this year for the Siemens Competition, an increase of 12 percent over 2008. The number of students submitting projects increased by 14 percent while more students than ever, 2,151, registered to enter. This year, 318 students were named semifinalists along with 96 students being honored as regional finalists. Aneesh is one of ten semifinalists from Illinois.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
District 204 Students to
Perform at IMEA
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Illinois Music Educators Association (IMEA) recently selected 171 students representing all seven District 204 middle schools to participate in the upcoming District 9 IMEA Festival on Saturday, November 7. The performances will highlight top students who excel in band, orchestra, chorus, and jazz band.

An impressive number of District 204 high school students were also selected to participate at the IMEA All-State Conference in January. Neuqua Valley has 109 students, Waubonsie Valley has 60 students, and Metea Valley has 15 students.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Young Elementary Donates
Books to South African School
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Approximately 4,200 lbs. of books were delivered to Kleinberg Primary School in South Africa as a result of a partnership with Nancy Young Elementary School. The mission of the partnership program was to promote literacy and instill a love of learning to children around the world. U.S. Consulate General Dr. Alberta Mayberry presented the books to the students in South Africa.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WV Students to Perform in
All-State Theatre Production
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Waubonsie Valley High School students Chris Puchi, Lauren Guenther, and Antoinette Konow were selected by the Illinois Theatre Association to perform in the All-State production of "Urinetown" at the 35th Annual Illinois High School Theatre Festival, which is the largest high school festival in the United States. The All-State production involves a cast, crew, and orchestra of 71 high school students who are identified as the brightest stars in the state.

Calling all Science Fair Judges

11/3/2009 10:18:00 AM

Indian Prairie School District 204 invites you to attend and/or serve as a judge for the 2010 Science Fairs hosted by our high schools for our middle school students. This event is co-sponsored by the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation.

We need judges for the following dates and locations:

Waubonsie Valley High School:
Saturday, February 6th, 2010, 8-11:30 AM
For Granger, Hill, Still, and Fischer

Neuqua Valley High School:
Saturday, January 30th, 2010, 8-11:30 AM
For Scullen, Crone, and Gregory

Judging should be completed by 11:30 AM (12:00 at the latest) with the following activities scheduled:

• Weird Science Show with Lee Marek or Ray Hanus (30-minute shows at each of the sites)

• High School Physics competitions – Bridge Testing Contest (WVHS)

• Planetarium Show at WVHS

If you are interested in judging at the Science Fair, please fill out the Judges Information form on the District’s website:
http://ipsdweb.ipsd.org/Forms/SciFair.aspx

Confirmation of your information and more specific details will follow. If you know of others who may be interested in judging, please feel free to copy this information and pass it along.

State Report Cards Online

10/30/2009 12:24:00 PM

State of Illinois Report Cards for Indian Prairie School District 204 and each of its schools are now available on the district's website at 2009 Illinois School Report Cards

The state report cards contain comparison information about the district's finances as well as test scores.

Indian Prairie continues to operate in a highly cost efficient manner while providing outstanding educational opportunities for students. Achievement remains high, with 92.4 percent of students meeting or exceeding ISAT standards, which is significantly higher than the state average of 79.8.

While achievement is high, the district's expenditures remain low. District 204's average operating expense of $9,698 per pupil is below the state average of $10,417.

District 204 continues to operate with fewer administrators than other districts. According to the report card, most districts have one administrator for every 202 students. The ratio in Indian Prairie is one administrator for every 368 students.

The report card also includes comparison information on salaries. The average teacher salary in District 204 is $65,438 compared to the state average of $61,402, and the average administrator salary is $110,006 compared to the state average of $106,217.

To view the report cards, visit 2009 Illinois School Report Cards

PDAC Seeks Interpreters for Conferences

10/30/2009 10:45:00 AM

Parent-Teacher conferences are fast approaching. There are many instances where an interpreter will be an integral part of a successful parent-teacher conference.

If you are available to interpret in your native language for these conferences or for conferences in the future, please send an e-mail to Rachel DePorte, secretary, District 204 Parent Diversity Advisory Council, at rdepo@aol.com. Please include the language(s) you are able to interpret. Currently, we have a need for Korean and Russian interpreters.

Around the District: October

10/29/2009 3:24:00 PM

October, 2009 Edition

AFOOFA is the Word at Fischer Middle School

There are many "firsts" happening at the new Fischer Middle School. The first Falcon Spirit assembly featured the school's mascot, a falcon, the school song and the school's motto, “All for One and One for All,” or AFOOFA. Art teacher Anna Fries said there will be four assemblies during the year focusing on each of the school values, based on the Native American concepts of belonging, independence, generosity and mastery. Speaking to the students about the importance of these values was Gregory Fischer, the school's namesake and an educator for 32 years. "I've seen students exhibiting kindness to each other," he said. "These are the kinds of things that make the world a better place to live in." In reflecting on his recent class reunion, he said, "The theme for AFOOFA of belonging couldn't be more appropriate. You'll have friends here you'll still have 30 years from now. Take care of each other and you'll always have someone looking out for you."

During their first Falcon Spirit assembly, Gregory Fischer, a longtime Indian Prairie educator, spoke to the Fischer Middle School students at his namesake school.

Art Students have a Fruitful Experience

The prickly leaves of an artichoke, the yellow hue of a banana and a bunch of dark green leafy lettuce, among other fruits and vegetables, provided artistic inspiration for Metea Valley High School students in art teacher Karen Popovich’s classes. Computer Graphics students took photographs of the fruits and vegetables, downloaded the images into Adobe Photoshop and manipulated them into artwork via the computer. Students in the Drawing 1 and Drawing 2 classes had a more hands-on approach. After choosing their fruits and vegetables, then artfully arranging them, they sketched their chosen still life with pencil, which will be the basis for a foodscape. In yet another use, students in the 2-D Art and Design class looked for patterns in the produce. After being used for various art projects, the edible models did not go to waste. The food was delivered, along with other nonperishable food donated by the art students, to Hesed House.

Art students at Metea Valley High School had an opportunity to make the world a more beautiful place not only with their artwork, but also with their good works when the fruit and vegetables they drew were being donated to Hesed House.

Volley for the Cure Paints the Gym Pink

The traditional Neuqua Valley vs. Waubonsie Valley rivalry was no match for the bigger foe both teams were fighting -- breast cancer. The Neuqua Valley gym was a sea of pink both on and off the court as the girls volleyball teams from both schools teamed up for their first Volley for the Cure to "paint the gym pink" and to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Lauren Kato, Waubonsie Valley assistant girls varsity volleyball coach, said, "Unfortunately, breast cancer affects many families in our district. Many girls in both programs know someone who has been affected by the disease." She said that the fundraiser was an opportunity to show how two schools can work together successfully with the entire community for a great cause. The event raised more than $6,000, thanks to the players selling 750 pink t-shirts and the donations of local businesses.

Parent volunteers at the first Volley for the Cure which featured volleyball players from Waubonsie Valley and Neuqua Valley high schools teaming up in the fight against breast cancer.

Sixth-graders Practice Sling Shot Science

Rubber bands became more than just an office supply when Crone Middle School sixth-graders used them to explore science and metric measurements. In Charlie Lantz's science class, students teamed up in four-person lab groups, equipped with goggles, a rubber band, meter sticks, a ruler attached to cardboard and a calculator. Their purpose was to investigate the cause and effect relationship between stretch and distance traveled in rubber bands. Having just studied metric measurements, students carefully stretched a rubber band from 0 to 15 centimeters and propelled it across the room. They recorded the distance it traveled in centimeters during three trials and calculated the averages. "They're following the scientific method that we teach early in sixth grade and that they'll use throughout high school," Lantz said. "They're also practicing math and measuring in a controlled experiment and they have fun doing it, too."

Crone Middle School sixth-graders had fun and learned important scientific concepts during a lab experiment that involved launching rubber bands and measuring the distance they traveled using metric rulers.

Naperville Looking for Input on Needs Assessment

10/26/2009 1:03:00 PM

City of Naperville Seeks Input on Community Needs Assessment Survey

As part of the City of Naperville’s fiscal year 2009-2010 strategic planning process, the Mayor’s Advisory Commission for Disabilities (ACD) is conducting a survey to identify community assets as well as unmet service needs in the community, specifically for people with disabilities.

The survey is now available on the city’s Web site at www.naperville.il.us/cnasurvey.aspx. Surveys must be completed by Tuesday, December 15. Residents or interested parties may also complete a paper version of the survey, request to complete the survey by phone or take the survey via another alternative format. All inquiries of this nature should be directed to Accessibility Coordinator Marita Manning at (630) 420-6725 or manningm@naperville.il.us.

Completed surveys can be faxed to (630) 305-7004 or mailed to City of Naperville, Attn: Accessibility Coordinator Marita Manning, 1350 Aurora Ave., Naperville, IL 60540.

This survey is intended for those individuals with a developmental, physical or mental disability; those who have a family member with a developmental, physical or mental disability; or those who care for a person with a developmental, physical or mental disability. One survey should be completed for each person with a disability.

When completing the survey, the information provided should only reflect the personal needs of the individual with the developmental, physical or mental disability and not the perspective of anyone else completing the survey.

The survey results will be compiled by the ACD in early 2010. Subsequently, the ACD will share information with the Mayor, City Council, city staff and the public to help develop strategies consistent with goals in the city’s fiscal year 2009-2010 Strategic Plan.

For more information on the City of Naperville, visit www.naperville.il.us.

Superintendent's October Daily Herald Column

10/23/2009 9:53:00 AM

The following column from Superintendent Kathy Birkett appeared in the Daily Herald on October 20, 2009:

District 204 Community Always Answers Call

I have learned to never doubt the power and strength of our District 204 community. It has been demonstrated again and again in our community's outstanding support of our students and our schools. I never take it for granted and appreciate it every day.

When our Citizens Financial Advisory Committee (CFAC) put out the call last month for community members to share their ideas for addressing our budget deficit, our community stepped up once again. We received more than 100 ideas over the past several weeks. These ideas will receive consideration as the committee continues its work and makes suggestions to the administration.

The CFAC is a think tank comprised of business and financial professionals charged with advising the District 204 administration. The committee focuses on factors affecting revenues and expenses, looking for ways to improve the district's financial health. Members examine how existing activities and programs are funded and look for innovative ideas from education, government, and business, with an emphasis on performance and improved financial efficiency.

In looking at the district's budget for next year, if we do absolutely nothing to curb expenses, we are estimating we will face a $9.25 million deficit. We obviously are not going to stay the course and present a proposed budget for next year that includes that large of deficit, so administrators are examining ways to reduce the deficit.

If you have ever had to make cuts in your household budget, you know it can be challenging. The district has been "tightening its belt" for the past three years. We achieved a $5 million savings by making changes in healthcare providers, establishing new contracts for custodial and banking services, and joining forces with District 203 to purchase a financial software system.

We also made across the board reductions, including staffing and central office administration and used funds from the Federal stimulus package to eliminate a $6.5 million deficit we faced at this time last year.

While the cuts over the last two years led to balanced budgets, this year's budget poses a bigger challenge. We have made some obvious cuts and now must look deeper. We also must think outside the box and be creative. That's why we asked the CFAC for help. We anticipate some solid recommendations will be made on viable ways we can close the budget gap.

I thank all our community members for truly caring about our students and the education we provide. Your continued involvement and interest is what makes this district strong. As a very proud superintendent, I recognize and salute your efforts.

Kathy Birkett
Superintendent

Superintendent's Message on Flu

10/20/2009 12:46:00 PM

Dear District 204 Parents/Guardians,

There has been a great deal of information in the news recently about this year's flu season, and with the arrival of the novel H1N1 vaccine, you will likely be hearing even more. We have placed resources on the district's website to help parents easily find flu information. You can access the resources at Flu Season Information for Parents. We also encourage you to talk with your physician if you have questions.

In spending time with different parent groups over the past week, I have been asked if the district will report to parents when we have a confirmed case of H1N1 in our schools. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to know how many "official" cases we have in our schools. The county health department has advised that schools not depend on individual test results as the basis for routine decision making. Some individuals with flu symptoms do not seek medical care and are not tested. In addition, some rapid tests may produce false positive or false negative results. Therefore, the county health department does not recommend that a note be sent home to notify parents when a case of H1N1 is reported at school. You can read the county health department's guidelines at Will County Health Department Guidance for Schools

I tell parents to assume that the H1N1 virus is in our community -- it is in the schools, in the workplace, in the stores we visit, etc. The flu is all around us, and it will be with us through the fall and winter. As such, parents need to prepare for this year's flu season. Become aware of flu symptoms and know when to seek medical assistance, especially if your child has an underlying medical condition. It is also a good time to review plans for child-care options should you need to keep your child at home.

For the time being, the district will continue to inform parents when the absentee rate at a school reaches 10 percent of students with influenza-like illness. We will also continue to encourage students and staff to practice good hygiene and stay home when they are not feeling well. We appreciate your help in providing these same reminders to your children and for helping us keep our students healthy this flu season.

Please visit our website for more information www.ipsd.org

Kathy Birkett
Superintendent