During the 2014-15 FIRST LEGO League season, the challenge that teams explored was, "What is the future of learning?"  Teams from around the world explored and redesigned how we gather knowledge and the skills that are needed to be successful in the 21st century.

District 200 was, again, well represented at competitions throughout the year.  Four Challenge Corp teams from

Northwood Robotics team members  demonstrate for the Board of Education.

Northwood Middle School did well enough at the Regional Tournament to advance to the State Robotic Competition held on January 17 at Elgin Community College.  They competed against 63 other teams from the Northern Championship.  At the State Competition, students presented and were judged on their research project, technical understanding of design construction and programming, robot performance skills, and core values on this season's challenge.  Three of the four teams matched or out-performed their regional qualifier score for robot performance, and all of them improved in the areas of research presentation and core values.

Congratulations to the State Qualifying teams and their coaches Gigi Carlson and Brandon Frisbie.

Fibonacci Fanatics

On January 15, 2015 the Woodstock North math team competed at Rockford University for the NIATM Math Invitational Competition, and took First Place Overall in Division A1. Schools competing included Belvidere, Belvidere North, Boylan, Byron, Harlem, Hononegah, Rochelle, Stillman Valley, Winnebago, Woodstock High School and Woodstock North.  Overall there were about 350 students at the competition.

Individual Awards were earned by the following Thunder mathletes:

Congratulations, WNHS Mathletes!

In her 16 years working in food service at Westwood Elementary School, Debbie Barnhill has seen changes in what students eat, how they eat it and how much they eat - and the changes have been for the better.

Back then, meals were prepared at school and the portions students received were often high in carbs, fat and calories.   Now the schools order healthier options from vendors. Food service personnel offer items, and students choose what they want to eat.  Debbie has seen children's eating habits get better.  After they try something healthy at school, students often ask their parents to buy it for home.  She has seen an increase in consumption of fruit, vegetables, and snacks such as hummus.

All schools in District 200 participate in a program sponsored by the Midwest Dairy Council and the NFL called Fuel up to Play 60.  This program encourages students to exercise for 60 minutes per day and eat healthy foods.  Student ambassadors complete a pledge on line and keep track of their activity and food intake.  The ambassadors have written morning announcements, decorated bulletin boards and created an exercise video teachers and students can use in the classroom.

Debbie and her ambassadors submitted the activities they

Westwood Food Services Manager Debbie Barnhill and the school's Fuel Up to Play 60 Ambassadors have helped to inspire healthy behaviors in students.

completed and were rewarded with a trip to Halas Hall to meet several members of the Chicago Bears.  Based on ideas they learned while at Halas Hall, the group developed an all school Turkey Trot.  Students and teachers competed in challenges such as a hula hoop contest, scooter races, bean bag balance and the crab walk. Debbie wants to make sure that all students are learning the importance of healthy eating and staying active. 
  

Debbie has been instrumental in bringing Midwest Dairy Council members to school to promote the benefits of dairy products.  Second grade students learned about dairy farming and are going to get the opportunity to name a calf in the spring.  To celebrate milk mustache day, Westwood students made mustaches that represented their favorite milk flavor, whether it was regular or lactose free.  Debbie took their photos and placed them around the cafeteria.

Food Services Director Sue Malley recognizes Debbie's never-ending energy and her contributions to Westwood, "On a daily basis, Debbie goes above and beyond to create fun and innovative ways for her students to learn how to live a healthy lifestyle."

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Each year The Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) recognizes school districts for excellence in

D200 CFO Risa Hanson is congratulated by Superintendent Mike Moan and Board of Education President Camille Goodwin.

budget presentations.  Once again District 200 is the recipient of the Meritorious Award.  Chief Financial Officer Risa Hanson and her staff have achieved this significant accomplishment every year since 2002. Only school districts that have met or exceeded the program's stringent requirements, which include understandable and clear budget guidelines, cutting-edge budget practices, short- and long-term goals, sound fiscal management practices, and professional growth for the school district's budget staff, receive this honor.

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