3/8/2010
Marti Brown, a fifth grade teacher at Littlejohn Elementary School, will be honored at Kishwaukee College tonight as the recipient of the 2010 Excellence in Education Award for Certified Teacher - Elementary.
The county-wide recognition is for educators nominated by their peers & selected by the Regional Office of Education.
"Marti truly exemplifies the qualifications of this award", said Lindsey Hall, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources. "We are so fortunate to call her a colleague here in DeKalb School District 428", Hall added. Marti Brown was hired by District 428 in 1993. She has been teaching at Littlejohn since 2004.
Brown will also be recognized at the Board of Education meeting on March 16th. 3/4/2010
Students in grades 3-8 are completing required state testing this week (ISAT). Parents are able to do several things to assist their child during the testing period:
- Make sure your child gets adequate sleep and a breakfast in the morning.
- Let your child know to ask the teacher questions if they do not understand the directions.
- Let your child know that you have confidence in his or her ability to do his or her best
- Advise your child not to worry about the test – just do the best he or she can.
Performing well on ISAT tests is important for your child, your school, and your district. Teachers will share results of the testing during fall parent-teacher conferences.
3/3/2010
Celebrated annually on Dr. Seuss' birthday, today was "Read Across America Day". Sponsored by the National Education Association to promote reading by young students, classroom teachers nationwide used projects in their classrooms to make reading a fun activity for their students.
In Ms. Posega's second grade class at Brooks Elementary, it was "pajama day" as students enthusiastically engaged in various reading projects throughout the day.
The Library of Congress offers resources on reading at their new web site: www.read.gov.
3/2/2010
DeKalb High School senior, Nathalia Anderson, daughter of Thomas and Lizett Anderson, has received a letter of acceptance as a cadet in the class of 2014 for the United States Military Academy – West Point.
Preparation for this appointment began years ago, as the qualifications for each class at the Academy are rigorous, requiring a letter of recommendation from a U.S. Senator or Congressman, top academic credentials, proof of good character, leadership, involvement, and a desire to serve her country.
This appointment represents a four-year full academic scholarship, plus stipend, and upon successful graduation, will result in a commissioned officer appointment.
“The DeKalb High School community is very proud of Nathalia, and the staff is honored to have contributed to her preparation for West Point,” said DeKalb High School principal, Doug Moeller.
Superintendent of Schools, Jim Briscoe, added, “This prestigious appointment is a reflection of character, integrity, leadership, and determination on the part of Ms. Anderson, and brings significant pride and honor to DeKalb High School and District 428”. 3/1/2010
The Brooks Elementary PTA hosted a Taco Talent Night at the school last week. An opportunity for families to share a meal with each other while enjoying music and entertainment, the free event was very well-attended.
A wide array of entertainment was represented in the musical numbers presented by staff and students. One of the performing groups was the Silverettes from Northern Illinois University.
Additional photos are available on the district Facebook page (photos courtesy of Jodi Dirks - Face to Face Photography).
Like many service providers and school districts around the state of Illinois, District 428 is also waiting for substantial funds delinquent in arriving from the Comptroller's Office. The total of various funds currently owed to D428 from the state of Illinois stands at $1.8 million.
"This is just the amount from the 2nd quarter," according to Andrea Gorla, Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance, "if the 3rd quarter payment is not paid by the end of March, this amount will then be double."
Illinois state government’s backlog of bills associated with kindergarten through 12th grade schools totals about $725 million, according to Carol Knowles, spokeswoman for Comptroller Dan Hynes.
The backlog consists of grants for the following categories: $372 million for special education, $153 million for transportation, $5 million for breakfast/lunch, $5 million for summer school, $25 million for textbooks and $164 million for all others.
(source - Amanda Reavy: Springfield State Journal-Register)
Malta Elementary fifth grade students gathered information they learned during Black History Month to prepare information posters about prominent African-American figures. The students then presented the information this past week to other Malta students and parents using a "wax museum" format. Most of the students dressed in clothing typical of the person they were portraying. Each of the posters had a "press here to talk" button. When an observer pressed the button, the student would recite the information they had gathered about the African-American individual.
Tyler Elementary School was a busy place this past Friday night. More than 500 people filed through the doors in just a two hour period as many families attended the annual fun fair.
Dozens of students from NIU were on hand to assist in face painting, facilitating games and handing out prizes. Dozens of baskets were available for raffle prizes. The concessiona area was also a popular location.
Tyler Elementary was notified this past week it is once again being recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education for being a Spotlight School on the 2009 Illinois Honor Roll (3rd consecutive year). Eight of District 428's twelve schools have been recognized with one or more awards (Spotlight School, Academic Improvement School, or Academic Excellence School) since 2006.
2/26/2010
Sixteen projects presented at the sixth annual Clinton Rosette Middle School Science Fair earned a judges mark of Outstanding, qualifying them for participation in the upcoming Regional science fair at the NIU fieldhouse.
In all, 96 projects were prepared by 156 students. Judges for the science fair included 65 members of the community, District 428 teachers, staff, and administrators.
The following students earned an adjudication of Outstanding:
Brenna Parson; Ian Dougen; Cody Marbutt; Michael Verbic; Cody Peterson & Nick Olson; Ben Changnon; Kevin Becker; Kelan Graddy; Erik Gommel; Sam Bybee & Ryan Schultz; Evan Guest; Wasay Ahmad; Rebekkah Neff & Megan Harris; Augi Jessmer & Brad Turska; Kate Ahlgren; and Dania Conejo.
Twenty-three additional projects received High Honors: Ethan Graves & Kyle McCord; Dakota Howe & Colton Plapp; Misha Ryzhov & Peyton Heldt; Brandon Reid & Garrison Govig; Anna Bidstrup & Kit Sawyer; Martha Petrie & Shaye Dallmann; Matthew Marchewka; David Rios & Dawut Orazov; Maddy Jouris & Jessica Moore; Jennifer Martinez & Tania Castrejan; Natalie Stark; Brenna Meyer; Alex Sommer; Drew Paszotta & Drew Seneczko; Kaitlyn Cook & Troy Lanthrop; Vanessa Kooken & Paige Newtson; Rafael Ortego & Esteban Ibarra; Sam Fogarty & Deanna Phannenbecker; Anabel Damien & Sam Click; Josie Carpenter; Stephanie Sanan; Josh Diaz & Adrian Romero; and Mary Fiedler.
Fifty projects received Honors: Kristian Fairbanks & Skyler Weishaar; Ashley Earl & Tashia Holley; Ebby Liebentritt & Sarah Jessmer; Ashley Williams & Kaylee Sanchez; Bakhtawar Khan; Lauryn Deweese & Taylor ZwiecDevore; Sean Woodford & Owen Sawyer; Molly Masters & Victoria Monaghan; Chloe Albert; Jordan Steinkellner & Ian Dober; Cynthia Riva & Cana Zapata; Ben Nelson; Jackie Wanket; Olivia Chavez & Christina Antonio; Marisol Cervantes & Tia McMaster; Katie Seldal & Zac Reppin; Austin Wisdom & Austin Pianovski; Shannon Pham & Sierra Lexa; Shawn Sons; Jaqwain Cashaw & Josh Cochrane; Ryan Mirman; Nathan Overmann; Jonathan Bell & Demetrios Collins; Kortne Shott & Riley Latimer; and Emily Corbin, Becky Smith & Crystal Moser.
Also, Jeremy Rogers & Ty Henry; Danesha Sisson; Connor Dirks; Willie Lenz; Zephania Pitts & Khadijah Puckett; Kelsey Schrader & Dakotah Brady; Nick Rogers; Jovonnie Silva & Rashaad Valentine; Adam Weiss & Michael Beluzzi; Christian Smola; Gray Davis & Matt Cardoza; Nicole Barjon & Saavana Robles; Gerardo Dorantes & Zach Dixson-Smith; Rocio Jacobo & Jesus Hurtado; Teagan Chadra & Chloe Board; Zaira Lino & Yesenia Hernandez; Marlene Barragan & Jessica Alvarado; Alexis Hammond & Tasia Spyratos; Diego Rodriguez, Jaime Camacho, and Carlos Diaz; Karen Andrade & Moniqua Ishmon; Tylor Hyde; Jensen Heldt & Kristina Olsen; Ilene Moore; Drake Riggs; Colleen Schmitz & Annie Stern; Paige Wogen & Leanza Burright; Jaime Rojas & Dajuan Rollins; Genelle Romero & Jade Barber; Alex Roach & Dylan Hott-Smith; and Adriana Brown & Ayslin Nachman. A representative from Lights For Learning came to Clinton Rosette Middle School this week to present an award plaque and a Sony Reader Touch as the award for a statewide poetry contest won by CRMS student, Emily Scorzo.
Lights for Learning™ is an education-based outreach and fundraising program that promotes the sale and use of low-cost, energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). The Program helps children and schools raise needed funds while encouraging participants and their communities to become more energy conscious.
"Wild about Poetry" was a statewide poetry contest for middle school students that prompted more than 200 entries, according to organization representative, Mike Kozlowski.
Emily's poem, "Medical Crisis" described the earth as being in need of help to avoid further damage from pollution. Her parents and several friends gathered briefly at the school to celebrate the moment as Emily received her prizes and was recognized by Lights for Learning.
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