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Data Based Decisions
Written by Dr. Early   
Thursday, 04 March 2010 22:03

We are right in the middle of ISAT testing and any encouragement you can give your son/daughter through this process would be appreciated.  The ISAT tests are used by the State of Illinois to determine each school’s AYP (Annual Yearly Progress).  While I wholeheartedly support the use of data to demonstrate growth, or lack thereof, I am not a fan of one test carrying so much weight.  Does this “snapshot” of the two weeks in March, of the questions presented on the tests provide an accurate assessment of the skills, knowledge and abilities of our students?  It may be one piece of the puzzle, but does not provide the whole story.

I love to share stories of my family, and to illustrate the use of only one piece of data I want to share yet another story of my daughter.  Those of you familiar with this column may remember the story I shared about her “misplacing” her I-phone.  This next story took place a number of years ago when my daughter was in eighth grade (she is now a freshman in college).  At the conclusion of the first quarter she brought home her report card with a failing grade in algebra.  When asked about the grade, my daughter responded quite predictably “the teacher doesn’t like me, and it doesn’t make any difference what I do, I will still fail”.  Now for this illustration that comment will represent one piece of data.  If I looked only at that one piece of data and accepted it verbatim, the teacher would be to blame, my daughter would have continued to fail and basically a year’s worth of math instruction would have been lost.  However, as a father I love my daughter and trust that she would never lie to me, I accept her statement for what it is, a skewed perception based, even if a small part, in fact as one piece of the puzzle.  Then I collected further data, I contacted the teacher, I requested a copy of her grade report for the first quarter and found there was as, Paul Harvey would say, “the rest of the story”.  What in fact was the truth was my young impressionable daughter in fact did not like the teacher and decided to teach him a lesson by not completing any homework.  Now, in a content area such as algebra it is virtually impossible to succeed without studying and completing your homework.  Once this fact was established, my daughter being the problem solver that she was, presented the solution of placing her back to pre-algebra, for she could have simply walked in the door and earned A’s with minimal if any effort.  Here is where I had to not be a friend/enabler, and be a dad.  I developed a priority task list for each day, algebra homework BEFORE anything else, completed and checked by dad.  Amazing with this basic intervention, her grade rose to a C in a matter of weeks.  However, due to her non-diligence in the first quarter she was still far behind, so I hired a private tutor for one hour a week for the remainder of the year.  The tutor was amazing and the end of the year she finished with an A-.  It should be noted that the tutor was more directed toward her “can do spirit” than re-teaching the material.

Moral of this story, please take what you children tell you for what it is, a biased point of view with a specific motive in mind.  It is not a lie, and sometimes the lesson that a child learn due to a poor choice, or poor behavior, may serve as a much greater teacher than a parent who feels they need to cover and protect their child by shielding them from the consequences of their actions.          

Have a great weekend. 

Dr. Early

 
Kindergarten Round-Up
Written by Elementary Office   
Thursday, 04 March 2010 14:47
Our Kindergarten Round-Up is just around the corner.  If you plan to send your child to Kindergarten next school year, we ask that all students, who will be 5 years old by September 1, 2010, pre-register to take the Kindergarten Readiness Screener and to help us determine our upcoming Kindergarten enrollment.  Registration requirements are available from the District Office from Maribel Medina at 815-744-7288 Ext. 2212.  Kindergarten Round-Up will be held Tuesday, April 6, 2010, from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.  Please bring your child with you that evening to meet with the Kindergarten teachers and take the screener.  Hope to see you there!!!
Last Updated on Tuesday, 09 March 2010 08:33
 
Free Preschool Screening
Written by Mrs. Sakalas   
Tuesday, 23 February 2010 14:16

There will be a free preschool screening for all three, four, and five year old children (5 year olds who are not in kindergarten at this time). This screening is presented in game like format and checks the child’s speech and language, motor skills, and school readiness skills.  It also includes a vision and hearing screening.  It will take about 45 minutes to 1 hour to complete.

Screenings will be held here on Thursday, March 18th.   Please call Mrs. Sakalas at 815-725-8391 ext 109 to make an appointment prior to March 11th.

Last Updated on Friday, 26 February 2010 09:34
 
Cabin Fever Fun Fair Volunteers Needed
Written by PTC   
Friday, 19 February 2010 20:32

balloonsThe Cabin Fever Fun Fair is approaching fast and PTC is in need of volunteers to help make the event a success.  The Fun Fair will be held on Saturday, March 20th from 11 am—2 pm.  Volunteers are needed to work  one 2 hour shift either from 10:30—12:30 or 12:30—2:30.

Assistance is needed to work game booths, sell tickets, work the concession stand, set-up, and clean-up.  Anyone interested in helping, please contact Alison at 815-725-5842.

Remember to save the date!   There will tons of games, food and great raffle prizes to be won.  Our grand prizes will include a PS3 & Rock Band, an I-Pod with boom box docking station, and an Amethyst ring.  Other prizes include restaurant certificates, museum passes, tickets to sports events hotel stays and much more!  This is a fun-filled family day that you won’t want to miss.  We hope to see you there!

Last Updated on Saturday, 20 February 2010 09:01
 
Attendance Line
Written by Mrs. Brannon   
Sunday, 06 September 2009 14:46

Anytime your child is not in school, please call the attendance line at 744-6166 ext. 105 between 7:30 AM and 9:00 AM to report the absence and remember to include the reason why. Children arriving late will be counted as excused ONLY if a parent has called them into the school, walked them in and signed them into the “Late Arrival Book”, or comes to school with a doctor’s note.

STUDENTS WHO ARE TARDY are marked unexcused unless an adult comes into the office and signs the Late Arrival Register in the office. Please keep in mind that every time a student is late, they are missing valuable class time. Attendance, events of the day and homework are taken care of during the early part of each day. Missed class time means missed learning time.

 
Richland Elementary "Seussabration 2010"!
Written by Mrs. Patty Kulesza   
Friday, 05 March 2010 12:22

In honor of Dr. Seuss's Birthday that was on March 2nd, we will honor him and his outstanding books by having a week long "Seussabration"!   Each day we will  be be highlighting a famous "Dr. Seuss" quote and book.  Here is the schedule of Dr. Seuss books we will be highlighting and activity for that day for "Seussabration 2010"!

Monday, March 15th: “I Am Not Going to Get up Today” Wear funny Pajamas Day!

Tuesday, March 16th: “The Cat in the Hat” Wear your favorite hat during your silent reading time in your classroom. Remember hats should be worn ONLY  during Silent Reading Time. (Otherwise Hats are not allowed per School Policy)

Wednesday, March 17th: “Green Eggs and Ham” Wear Green today! All school reading of “Green Eggs and Ham” by 36 of Richland’s great 4th grade oral readers at 9am in the Elementary Office via the intercom.  

Thursday, March 18th: “Oh the Places You Will Go” Wear clothes from other destinations, places, countries, sports teams, states etc.

Friday, March 19th: “The Foot Book” Wear silly, wacky shoes and or socks!

Last Updated on Monday, 08 March 2010 11:03
 
Parents Wanted
Written by Mr. Buzenski   
Thursday, 04 March 2010 12:51

WANTED:  PARENT INVOLVMENT:  Are you interested in what happens at Richland Schools and want to get more involved?  We are looking for parents to review our Parent/Student Handbook for 2010-2011.  A meeting time for this review is set for April 15, 2010 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Junior High Conference Room.  Please call the Junior High School office at 815/744-6166  Ext. 2601.  Because space is limited, names will be taken in the order of calls received.  Your opinion matters.

Last Updated on Thursday, 04 March 2010 13:32
 
ISAT Tips for Students and Parents
Written by Mrs. Whyte   
Friday, 19 February 2010 20:55
We will be giving your child state-required tests on March 2 through March 12, 2010. Students in grades three, four, five, six, seven and eight will be testing in reading and mathematics. Students in grades four and seven will also be tested in science. Additionally, students in grades three, five, six and eight will participate in writing tests. These tests are part of the Illinois Standard Achievement Test (ISAT) program, and are being given to all eligible students. The results of state tests will be reported to you on the School Report Card later in the year. We will review state tests results along with other information to help us improve our school program. In addition, you will receive specific information about your child's performance on the state tests he or she took.
Last Updated on Friday, 19 February 2010 21:01
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A Cautious Reminder to Parents
Written by District Office   
Saturday, 27 February 2010 09:05
Please speak to your children about using street smart skills.  Children should be reminded not to speak with strangers who approach them.  If they feel threatened, remind them to run away and tell a responsible adult, such as a parent, teacher, babysitter or police officer.  Any suspicious activities or persons should be reported to an adult.
Last Updated on Saturday, 27 February 2010 09:08
 
Student ID's Required
Written by Mrs. Brannon   
Sunday, 06 September 2009 14:48
As stated in the Student Handbook, school ID’s are REQUIRED to receive hot lunches.  Students will be issued discipline points for every 3rd time they come to the cafeteria without their ID.  ID’s are also needed for library materials and school functions.  Parents, please be sure your son/daughter knows where their ID is and remind them every day to bring it to school.
Last Updated on Monday, 11 January 2010 09:59
 
Spring 2010 Scholastic Book Fair "Book Fair Diner"
Written by Mrs. Patty Kulesza   
Thursday, 04 March 2010 16:25

Join us on March 22-26, 2010 for our annual Spring Scholastic Book Fair,"Book Fair Diner"! This Book Fair promises to serve up the most exciting menu of newbooks ever!  This spring we were allowed to go from the 8 case general fair to the 12 case custom fair due to our awesome fall sales of $8000.00 making this fair's selection the Biggest Ever! We will have a special family night to coincide with Parent/Teacher Conferences on Thursday, March 25th from 5:30-8:30 with special raffles, contests and more!  Bring a "Grand-Person" on Friday, March 26th from 7-10:30am and receive an extra chance to win $20.00 free Scholastic Book Fair merchandise on Friday! Promote Family Literacy and come visit the fair. We look forward to serving you up some great books!

Last Updated on Monday, 08 March 2010 10:55