A year-in-review from
Superintendent Dr. Mike Riggle:

The year 2015 was truly unique for the Glenbrooks. For the first time in history, both high schools welcomed new principals. This has been a significant challenge, not only for the principals, but for students and staff, as together they explore school traditions and establish a culture for the future.  To take full advantage of this opportunity, the district is focusing on new strategic plans for curriculum and instruction and student wellness. These areas are at the very heart and soul of our schools, and serve as the foundation of our school improvement efforts. The district strategic planning process is well underway and promises to be both challenging and exciting.

Each year, the administration actively works with the Board of Education to develop a set of initiatives, targeting specific tasks to be accomplished over the course of a year. Recently, these initiatives have emanated from sources including federal and state mandates, targeted strategic planning efforts, economic challenges, and the emerging demographic of the Glenbrook population. The Glenbrooks maintain a focus on school improvement that is heavily based on the needs of students. Many of our most important initiatives are based on best practice and feedback from the school community. Although we seek compliance with federal and state mandates, it is our belief that mandated change must be shaped at the local level in a manner that improves the educational experience for students.   

The reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), now known as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is long overdue and represents one of the most promising and exciting times for public education in many years. There will be many changes with the implementation of ESSA that will need to be addressed locally.  In the past, strategic plans were designed to be broad in scope and last for as long as five years. The volatility that exists with federal and state legislation as well as changes in areas such as technology, curriculum development, standardized testing and school funding, make traditional strategic planning efforts difficult to sustain. Recent strategic planning efforts in the district have focused on plans that are more narrowly targeted and designed for completion in three years.

As we continue to plan for the future, the strength of our efforts lie within our school community. Whether it be through surveys, focus groups or committees, the power of the plan developed is dependent on the input and ownership of students, staff, parents and community members. Through the mindful and continued support of our communities, we are blessed with tremendous resources and opportunities. Together, we will shape the Glenbrooks as premiere learning communities designed to serve all students.

Best wishes for a healthy and prosperous 2016!

Signature - Riggle   
 

 
Board of Education 
 
 
Board Meeting
Jan. 25, @ 7 p.m.

Board Meeting
Feb. 8, @ 7 p.m.

Board Meeting
Feb. 22, @ 7 p.m.

All meetings are held in the Public Meeting Room located at 3801 West Lake, in Glenview, IL, unless otherwise stated.

Meeting Highlights - January 11, 2016
  
New courses proposed for 2016-17 school year
On Monday, January 11, the Glenbrook High School District 225 Board of Education reviewed a list of new courses and modifications recommended by the administration for the 2016-17 school year.

In an effort to continue to provide students more realistic, authentic classroom experiences, administrators from Glenbrook North and Glenbrook South proposed a new course called Entrepreneurship Business Incubator. This yearlong course requires students to apply their knowledge of business concepts to develop an actual business idea or plan from conceptualization to realization.  By the end of the course, students will pitch their products and plans to a panel of business advisors and venture capitalists for the opportunity to be funded.

Glenbrook North plans to add a course called Child Development - Teaching Internship, previously approved and offered at Glenbrook South.  North would also reinstate AP Computer Science, a class that focuses on programming skills, due to student interest.  AP English Language and Composition is slated to be offered at the junior level, instead of senior year, if approved.  The course title of AP Physics would also be changed to AP Physics C to reflect the utilization of calculus in this curriculum.  Glenbrook North also plans to retire two architecture courses (studio 163 and 263) due to overlap with Project Lead the Way courses.

Glenbrook South also proposed one additional new course called Geometry in Construction, that if approved, will provide students an opportunity to build 3-D structures based on the math skills utilized throughout the school year.  South has also proposed designating Advanced Accounting as an honors level course and adding a course that was approved and offered at North called Game Design 2.  They also plan to change the name of Sociology: Marriage and Family to Sociology: Human Relationships and will retire an additional sociology courses called Behavior and Crime.

"Each year, District administrators and teachers evaluate 20% of course offerings and make recommendations to revise and enhance the curriculum," said Assistant Superintendent Rosanne Williamson. "Conducting an annual course review helps the district maintain the comprehensive and rigorous array of course offerings our school community expects of the Glenbrooks."
 
The Board is expected to vote on these course recommendations at the next scheduled meeting on January 25.

 

Consent agenda:

 Regular actions such as appointments, resignations, FOIA, vendor bills, minutes, gifts, etc. are approved during the consent agenda. To view supporting documentation (when available) and the official meeting minutes, please visit the Board of Education section of our website.  Please note, official minutes are available after Board approval the following meeting.