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Superintendent's Message
Itasca School District had a wonderful start to the 2014-2015 school year. On the first day of school, the staff members were eager to meet their newly assigned students. After weeks of preparation, the classrooms were well organized for their incoming group of students.
With admiration, I am always so impressed with the attendance of parents and extended family members who join us on the initial day of school. During my tenure as the superintendent of schools, we always have great weather on the student's return date in August. I take joy in participating with the community and staff members in welcoming the students to their first day back at school.
During the summer months, administrators and staff members had their days filled with numerous tasks. Several staff members were employed during the summer months. To prepare the newly employed teachers, the annual New Teacher Induction Program was implemented. With students not in school during the summer, schools were thoroughly cleaned and prepared for their return.
District 10 certified staff members will be involved in numerous in-services during the 2014-2015 school year. The workshops will focus on topics that include effective instructional strategies and the use of technology within the classroom.
Based on the Technology Life Cycle Plan, the Technology Department has implemented the purchase of computers. Also, additional computers have been added to the inventory for student use at Franzen Intermediate School and Peacock Middle School. Updates on the use of computers will be provided during School Board meetings. Extending extreme gratitude to the Itasca Parent/Teacher Organization (IPTO), the parent organization provided over $45,000.00 for technology items to be used in the classrooms. Our staff members are grateful for their fundraising efforts that have profited the educational environment in our schools. Along with the IPTO, we look forward to future endeavors with all of our partners, including the District 10 Education Foundation.
We welcome a very rewarding upcoming school year. Please review the District's Calendar of Events, which is located on the Itasca School District's website. Best wishes for a great year.
Marcia Tornatore, Ph.D.
Superintendent
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Upcoming Events
Within Itasca School District's website (www.itasca.k12.il.us), a calendar for the 2014-2015 school year contains a listing of all upcoming events. Each school provides a variety of opportunities for students to showcase their accomplishments, as well as parents/guardians to visit our schools.
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Finance
The budget for the school district continues on it's path to long term sustainability. This newfound sustainability has allowed the School Board to add an additional Language Arts position at Peacock Middle School for the 2014-2015 school year. Updates will continue throughout the year.
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Buildings and Grounds
Boilers & Chillers
The summer of 2014 was a very busy time for buildings and grounds in District 10. Over the summer, new boilers and chillers were installed in each school building. This new equipment replaces older and less efficient heating and cooling technology in the buildings. The new boilers and chillers will help ensure that smooth operation of our school buildings at a lower cost.
New Property
This summer also saw an increase in the size of the campus at FE Peacock Middle School. Earlier in 2014, District 10 acquired the property located at 505 N. Elm Street, which is next door to Peacock School. The home that used to be on the property was used for training purposes by the Itasca Fire Protection District before being demolished before school started. The property will be used as a park once the grass takes hold. The property will provide options for District 10 should the student population at Peacock School continue to grow.
Franzen School Addition
Itasca School District is proceeding with adding a permanent addition to Franzen Intermediate School to replace the aging modular classrooms. The District has been working for several years to develop the plans for the addition. Itasca School Board, District 10 staff and community members had input during the planning stages. The addition will add five classrooms and two student washrooms, which will meet the projected needs for Franzen School.
Construction at Franzen School is scheduled to begin after Labor Day. The modular classrooms will be removed, foundations dug, and the addition erected. The goal is to have the exterior walls of the addition constructed before winter so that work on the interior of the building can be performed during the colder months. Completion of the building is expected by June 2015.
In preparation for the construction, teachers in the modular classrooms have been moved into space in the permanent building. No homeroom classrooms have been affected. Art and music classes will be taught in the homerooms during the construction.
The school district is excited for the new chapter being written at Franzen School. We are looking forward to using the new wing upon its completion.
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F.E. Peacock Middle School
6th Grade Parent Orientation Night
On Thursday, August 21st, the Peacock sixth grade team, along with the School Counselor an School Social Worker, are hosting a 6th grade Parent Orientation Night. The presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Peacock Media Center. The presentation will provide an opportunity for parents to meet the 6th grade team and acquire useful tips for a successful middle school career. This event is for parents only. We ask that children do not attend.
Media Center Update
Peacock's Media Center is receiving a face lift for the 2014-2015 school year. Physical changes have taken place, such as movement of book shelves, placement of furniture, and new paint and decorations. The most important work was updating our books and novels to reflect more of what students would like to read. Peacock will continue to seek feedback from our students and staff on what books, novels, and resources they would like to utilize from our media center to promote, enhance, and increase student learning.
Technology at Peacock
With the help of the Board of Education and the IPTO, Peacock will implement a variety of technology tools in all classrooms and all subjects. Teachers throughout the building will have access to document cameras, smartboards, mimio teach units, and mimio pads. These items will help our students at Peacock enhance their technology skills and use these skills to promote real-world learning. We are extremely excited to begin our journey with using more technology in our classrooms to benefit our students and the learning process.
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Elmer H. Franzen Intermediate School
Franzen Intermediate School Updates Technology
We are excited to announce that Franzen Intermediate School is going through a technology upgrade. All teachers have been outfitted with a new, updated laptop computer that replaces the laptop they have been using for the last several years. Teachers will continue to use these laptops to enhance their lessons and keep students up-to-date on current technology standards.
In addition, all media center student laptops have been replaced with newer models. Classes completing assignments and students completing individualized projects will have access to updated laptops.
The most exciting news is that each grade level at our school will have access to a cart of thirty new laptops. With enhanced Wi-Fi capacity and speed, students will be completing projects and extensions in their classrooms. These devices will be used to extend curriculum and enhance technology opportunities for our students. We are excited to grow with these enhancements.
On an additional note, thanks to a generous donation from our IPTO, every homeroom teacher at Franzen Intermediate School will have access to a MimioTeach unit and wall-mounted projector. These units allow for our teachers to project their laptops onto the whiteboard and annotate directly on the classroom whiteboard. The opportunities for learning are endless!
Outdoor Education for 5th Grade Students
The Outdoor Education Program for the 5th grade students of Franzen Intermediate School is finalized for September 3, 4 and 5, 2014. Medication forms for Lorado Taft Camp and District 10 were sent home last May and again yesterday, August 20th. The Health Record Form is required of all students attending Outdoor Education. In addition, if your child will be taking any medications while on the trip, the medication portion of the Health Record Form and the District 10 Medication Authorization Form are also required. We advised you to go to your child's pediatrician so that this required paperwork can be completed and signed by your physician.
A parent information meeting will be held at Franzen on Thursday, August 28th at 6:00 p.m. This is thirty minutes prior to Curriculum Night. At this meeting we will discuss camp, itineraries and final cost of the trip. The cost of last year's trip was $120.00 We will determine the final cost of this year's trip soon.
All completed student Health Record Forms and, if needed, Medication Authorization forms and medication must be turned into the Franzen Health Office no later than Friday August 29th, 2014.
Curriculum Night
Franzen Intermediate School is offering a Curriculum Night on
Thursday evening, August 28th. There are two sessions to choose from in case you have multiple children at Franzen School. The first session is from 6:30 - 6:55 p.m. and the second session is from 7:00 - 7:25 p.m. From 7:30 - 7:45 p.m., there will be an informational meeting regarding our Talented and Gifted Program. Curriculum Night is intended for parents only. We hope to see you at this event so that you may learn more about the expectations and learning plan for your child this year.
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Raymond Benson Primary School
The start of the 2014-15 school year is upon us and with it has brought some exciting changes and additions to the primary building. Over the summer months Benson Primary School has received much attention including the refinishing of the gym floor and the installation of a new boiler and chiller. Several new staff members have been hired including a social worker for grades pre k-5th, a school nurse, an inclusion facilitator and a part-time music teacher.
Thanks to a VERY generous donation of $15,000 from the Itasca Parent Teacher Organization (IPTO) the primary building will be receiving a number of MimioTeach units, short throw projectors and document cameras. Thank you IPTO!
The 2014-15 school year began for all students on Wednesday, August 20th with a full day of classes. As a reminder for our early childhood, k-prep and kindergarten students and parents, a.m. class times are 9:05-11:45 and p.m. class times for early childhood and kindergarten are 12:32-3:20 p.m. Dismissal time on Thursdays throughout the school year is 2:40 p.m. for all students.
With the start of the upcoming school year Benson Primary will be a PBIS school! Our four expectations of Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Proud and Be Safe are currently being implemented throughout the building and we are asking parents to encourage students to follow these expectations outside of school as well. More information regarding PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) will be shared with parents at our Curriculum Night which is scheduled for Thursday, September 11th.
The Benson Primary staff looks forward to an exciting year with the students and parents. The 2014-15 school year promises to be one filled with exciting learning opportunities.
Curriculum Night at Benson Primary School
Benson Primary School will be holding Curriculum Night for parents on Thursday, September 11th from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. We respectfully ask students NOT attend this event as it is an opportunity for teachers to speak to parents. We look forward to seeing you on September 11th.
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Itasca School District Board Members
President
Kathryn Miller
Vice President
Daniel Kolar
Secretary
Charles Sprandel
Members
Natalie Brinkley
Jenny Burke
Janice Gatbunton
Marty Lundeen
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