Board Update 2/11/19
Student Celebrations
Agenda Item 4.0
Brentwood Elementary School – 4.01
Christian Morales, first grade dual language teacher, Dorothy Berriman, student resource assistant, Maryen Hernandez, bilingual spanish assistant, and Robin Brown, literacy interventionist, presented the Reading Intervention for Students to Excel (RISE) program to the board, accompanied by two of Brentwood’s first grade students. They discussed working with books and sight words, guided writing, and how they felt the program helped them learn. Teachers also discussed the benefits of the program, including building student confidence, improving fluency and comprehension, and fostering a love of reading and writing in students.
To view the presentation, click here.
Presentations
Agenda Item 5.0
Math Learning Experience And New Continuum, New Resource Use – 5.01
The math curriculum in CCSD59 was presented by Mary Beth Niles, director of math, and Cindy Placko, math facilitator. The presentation included an overview of a math learning experience and how it applied in real-world contexts. The presentation also explained resources used to support development of math skills and increase understanding of math concepts, as well as how the curriculum aligns with Common Core standards in math.
To view the presentation, click here.
Social Justice, Restorative Practices, Use On Panorama – 5.02
Dr. Katie Ahsell, executive director of student growth and equity, and Tom Luedloff, associate superintendent of schools, presented on equity at CCSD59 to the board. The presentation explained the definitions of equality, equity, and social justice in education and the different components involved with providing equitable opportunities for students. Current plans, resources, and progress in the area of equity were also explained, as well as an updated timeline of current social-emotional learning achievements.
To view the presentation, click here.
Discussion Items
Agenda Item 6.0
2019-20 and 2020-21 Calendars – (Traditional and Balanced) – 6.01
The board reviewed the recommendations for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school calendars for both traditional and balanced calendar schools. The number of student attendance days and staff work days for the balanced calendar will be identical to students and staff operating under the district’s traditional school year calendar. The calendars will continue to align to District 214’s first and last day of school, as well as their scheduled winter and spring breaks.
Due to ongoing Illinois legislative changes and proposed action that may impact school calendar requirements, the board will await the final outcome of the proposed changes and act to approve the calendars at the April 15, 2019, board meeting. To see highlights of the tentative school calendars for the upcoming two years, click here.
Holidays For 2019-20 and 2020-21 Fiscal Years – 6.02
Each year, the board adopts a resolution establishing official holidays for the next fiscal year. The holiday schedule serves as a guide for implementing negotiated contracts with employees in addition to establishing holidays.
School Code (section 24-2) provides that the board can schedule teachers’ institutes, parent-teacher conferences, or staff development activities on the following legal school holidays. A public hearing was held during the board meeting to meet the section 24-2 requirement of the School Code. It was approved to designate President’s Day for Lincoln’s Birthday holiday and November 27, 2019 and November 25, 2020 for Veteran’s Day holiday.
The board will vote on final approval of the holidays at the March 11, 2019, board meeting. To see tentative holidays designated for the upcoming two years, click here.
ESSA / IL-Empower Work Plans for School Improvement – 6.03
As part of the new Illinois ESSA Plan, the Title I School Improvement 1003(a) Grant and IL-Empower process requires all comprehensive and targeted schools in Illinois to complete a work plan indicating action steps to support school improvement. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) requires Work Plans for School Improvement be approved by both the local school board and ISBE.
These plans are intended to outline the action steps to support school improvement and board approval is required for their submission.
At the March 11, 2019, board meeting, the board will vote on approval of submission of the work plans.
Action Items
Agenda Item 9.0
Approval of Revisions to Board Policies – 9.01
The board approved the policy changes recommended by the Illinois Association of School Boards in IASB Press Update #99. The board also approved that all board policies that reference “School Handbook” will instead use the verbiage “Family Reference Guide”, as the district has used a Family Reference Guide for several years. Additionally, the board approved that board policy 5:175, Copyright Policy Statement, be deleted, since board policy 5:170, Copyright, covers current information on copyright and will be maintained.
For a complete list of changes, please click here.
Approval of Donation to Clearmont Elementary School of Micro Lavalier Microphone from Clearmont PTO – 9.02
The board approved the donation of a micro lavalier microphone from the Clearmont PTO valued at $710.88 which will be used at student assemblies.
Approval of Donation to Early Learning Center of up to $1,500.00 from Special Olympics – 9.03
The board approved the donation of up to $1,500 from Special Olympics. This donation will be used for a cultural assembly for the Early Learning Center students and families.
Approval of First Book OMG Grant Application for Books to Grove Junior High School – 9.04
First Book is a nonprofit social enterprise focused on equal access to quality education for children in need. The organization launched OMG Books Awards: Offering More Great Books to Spark Innovation, a program that will unlock more than $4.7 million in funding to distribute 1.5 million brand new books to qualifying communities.
The board approved for Sofia Huitron, the LRC Director at Grove Junior High School, to apply for the First Book OMG grant for Grove Junior High School students. If awarded, the grant will provide Grove’s students with 4,250 books valued at a total of $21,250.
Approval of Rivers Casino Grant Application for Musical Instruments to Brentwood Elementary School, Devonshire Elementary School and Friendship Junior High School – 9.05
The board approved the submission of the application of the Rivers Casino Grant for musical instruments. The grant, if awarded, will provide Brentwood Elementary School, Devonshire Elementary School, and Friendship Junior High School students with musical instruments with a total value of $50,000.
PUBLIC HEARING
Agenda Item 10.0
Public Hearing On School Holiday Modifications For The 2019-20 and 2020-21 School Years – 10.01
A public hearing was held during the board meeting for public comments and/or requests for consideration prior to adoption of the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school holidays. After the discussion, the board was satisfied that the section 24-2 requirement of the School Code was met.