Post on 24-Apr-2018
transcript
Serving the Iowa Communities of:
Atkins ~ Blairstown ~ Elberon ~ Keystone
Newhall ~ Norway ~ Van Horne ~ Watkins www.benton.k12.ia.us
“A Place to Belong"
“Quality Education for a Lifetime of Learning"
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Mission
Benton Community Schools
“Quality Education for a Lifetime of Learning"
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Welcome Welcome from Gary Zittergruen, Superintendent:
The Benton Community School District provides outstanding
opportunities for its 1450 students. From a caring, committed
professional staff of teachers and administrators to excellent and
safe learning facilities, from the fine arts to athletics, Benton
Community provides an environment where children feel they
belong.
The great success of our students is directly related to the quality
of the teachers and support staff at Benton. Our employees take
pride in their commitment to quality education. They just don’t
teach, but they are actively involved in the development of each
student. They are also involved in developing their own
professional skills.
Also important to student success is the dedication and
commitment of the Board of Education, parents, patrons, and
every individual who plays an integral role in the growth and
development of the school community’s young people. Their
contributions ensure that Benton Community is a place to grow
and learn. The goal of the school district is to make sure students
are college and career ready as they graduate and shape them in
their important role as outstanding citizens.
The most important factor that helps make Benton Community
successful is the expectation that students do their best and that
the school community does its best to help them. That cooperation
creates an environment where everyone can succeed because of
common aspirations and goals. Benton Community believes and
practices its mission – to provide a “quality education for a lifetime
of learning”. The core values of educational excellence, a caring
environment, continuous growth, and team work provide the
framework and support for our important work.
Benton Community is a place to enjoy! It’s a place that lets you
get involved in things that really matter – the education of our children, the development of the community, and the quality of
life. Perhaps the best way to find out about Benton Community is
to talk to the people who live here. The reasons that brought them
here and the reasons they stay show why Benton Community is a
“place to belong”.
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District Info District Communities:
Atkins, Blairstown, Elberon, Keystone, Newhall, Norway,
Van Horne and Watkins
District Education Facilities (2015-2016 School Year):
Atkins Elementary PK-3
Keystone Elementary PK-3
Norway Elementary 4-6
Middle/High School 7-12
Elementary Class Size Average:
19.5 students per teacher
Enrollment/Staffing:
1,420 Students
114 Teachers/9 Administrators
District Size:
330 square miles encompassing most of of southern Benton
County and portions of Iowa and Tama County
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District Info Financial Information:
District Property Valuation for FY2018 $602,917,124
District Total Property Tax Rate 12.18
State Average Property Tax Rate 13.83
Income Surtax Rate 4%
District Professional Development:
The Benton CSD was one of 39 school districts in the State of Iowa
implementing the Teacher Leadership System in 2014-2015.
Collaborative Learning Teams are part of the culture of
professional development creating a professional learning
community.
The District is participating in the Literacy Project sponsored
through the Iowa Department of Education.
The District is implementing PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention
Support) training throughout the school system.
The District is working on the integration of the Common Core
related to curriculum, instruction and assessment.
Teachers are being trained at all levels on technology integration
including 1:1 implementation at the 7-12 level.
Benton Community is participating in the Eastern Iowa Compact
initiative focused on innovation in a student and learner centered
school environment.
Summary of Full-Time Certified Staff: Percentage:
BA Level 35.4 31.4
BA +12 Level 8.5 7.5
BA +24 Level 7 6.2
MA Level 35.8 31.8
MA +15 Level 13 11.5
MA +30 Level 5 4.4 MA +45 Level 8 7.1
55% of the professional teaching staff have a Master’s Degree
or above
Home of the Bobcats
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District Technology Benton Community uses technology in a variety of ways to support an
innovative and engaging educational program. Teachers, at all grade
levels, consistently use technology as a tool to enhance classroom
instruction and engage students in the learning process. Our District is
committed to providing the resources necessary for staff and students
to be competitive in the 21st Century. Whether it’s a firstt grader
learning basic math or a senior creating a project for our 3d printer,
Benton Community will strive to find and utilize the appropriate tools
to enrich these and other activities.
We envision a district with administrators, staff, and students using
technology daily in a one to one environment. Currently all middle
school and high school students have an iPAD and use it to complete
assignments, collaborate on projects, and gather and process
information in a variety of ways. Also, plans are in the works to
provide an appropriate 1:1 device to elementary students in the near
future. Increased student engagement, added relevancy of the
subject matter, and the development of skills that will be needed once
these students are in the real world remain the focus of this 1:1
program.
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Facility Improvement Summer of 2007 - The major infrastructure projects included the construction of the fitness center & access road at the MS/HS, the installation of an elevator and other work at the Norway Center, a new parking lot addition at the MS/HS and major kitchen
improvements at the Atkins and Norway Centers.
Summer of 2008 - The major infrastructure projects included the construction of a district storage building, expansion of the VH Center, remodeling of Central Office, and air-conditioning the Atkins and Keystone Centers.
Atkins Center Project Competed in Fall of 2009 - A $6.675 million dollar sales tax and revenue bond
resolution paved the way for an early childhood, six classroom addition and remodeling of the existing classrooms throughout the entire building. A new entrance wing was added to the front of the building including a new, expanded
media center, computer lab, and office complex.
Keystone Center Project Completed in 2009-2010 – This renovation project included a classroom, computer lab, and staff work room addition to the building.
Summer of 2010 - At the Norway Center, the District installed air conditioning units and replaced windows in areas of the building completing a commitment to have all of our buildings air conditioned.
Stadium, Fine Arts Wing, and Gym Renovation Project Completed in Fall of 2012 – This renovation project includes a new eight lane track, synthetic turf field, new lighting and new bleachers. The auditorium had new seating, lighting, and sound system installed. It also includes a renovation of the fine arts wing and new
bleachers in the gymnasium. This project
does not increase property taxes for patrons of the Benton Community School District.
The district has spent approximately $5.5 million dollars in PPEL projects during the past ten years. In all, the District has committed over $20 million dollars in infrastructure
improvements in the past 14 years. Benton Community will continue to rely on the sales tax revenues from the State Penny program to continue planning and improving school facilities and learning environments.
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BC Teacher Leadership During the 2014-15 Benton Community School District was one
of 39 districts approved in the state to participate in the state’s
first teacher-leadership (TLC) program through a $50 million
legislative appropriation. The vision for teacher leadership at
Benton Community is to:
Foster a culture of collaboration, shared accountability
and continuous improvement among adults.
Developing a greater capacity and commitment to
differentiate instruction to meet students’ needs.
The program gives teachers a new career path opportunity in
which they coach their peers to improve instruction. TLC allows
teachers to work in greater collaboration with colleagues and
learn from each other instead of operating largely in isolation in
their classrooms. The underpinning concept of the legislation is
that when students engage with great teachers, their education
improves.
#BCTLT works with administration to help teachers learn more
by better meeting their individual and system collective needs.
With higher expectations for students, it’s no longer realistic for
one principal to provide all the instructional leadership in a
school. Teacher and principal leadership teams can support the
more complex work required to prepare students for a
knowledge-based economy.
Six Benton Community teachers moved into full-time positions
during the 2014-15 school year. Two of these positions are a
hybrid of curriculum and professional development leadership
as well as instructional coaching. The other four positions are
full-time instructional coaches within the district. Twenty-one
classroom
teachers were chosen as model teachers. These positions remain in the classroom full-time, as well work with beginning and career teachers to model effective teaching
strategies or lend advice in extending learning of a
concept in conjunction with Instructional Coaches.
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BC Teacher Leadership Below are a few comments teachers who has been
involved in a coaching cycle are reporting,
“It has allowed me to look at my teaching and go a
little deeper in my instruction. This has been impacted my work with students. When working with an IC, they collaborate with us and listen to
our ideas and make suggestions from those
conversations.”
“I have timely feedback about my teaching as well as time to reflect on how I feel things are going. I
have found the types of questions asked to be really beneficial in getting me to reflect deeply on not only things I feel need improved, but also the
things which are going well.”
“Having another set of eyes to see my classes when I’m struggling or maybe not seeing the same perspective as someone else has been instrumental
in creating a student-centered classroom.”
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Atkins Elementary Welcome to Atkins Elementary. We are located on the eastern side of the Benton Community School District in
Atkins, Iowa. Our school serves the communities of
Atkins, Newhall, and Norway and surrounding areas.
My name is Jason West and I am proud to be serving as principal of Atkins Elementary as well as a resident and
member of the Bobcat Community. We continue to have had great support for our District, Board and our
PTA. Our building has had many new updates over the last few years including an Early Childhood addition which includes Preschool and Kindergarten classrooms, a new
media area, and updates throughout all of our classrooms. We have continued to update our curriculum
and use of technology in all of our classrooms. Computer labs, mobile labs, IPADs, and Interactive Boards will continue to enhance our student’s academic experience.
Our district also focuses on PBIS which includes being
RESPECTFUL, RESPONSIBLE, CARING, and SAFE Bobcats.
Our staff is very dedicated to ensuring success for your children both academically and socially. We serve nearly
300 students in Preschool through 3rd grade. Please feel free to contact us with any questions regarding our Atkins
facility.
Sincerely,
Jason West, Atkins Elementary Principal
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Atkins Elementary
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Keystone Elementary Welcome to Keystone Elementary
The staff and I want to welcome you to Keystone Elementary
located on the western side of the Benton Community School
District. We are committed to providing a high quality education
for our students in grades Preschool – 3rd grade. Your child will
receive an academically rigorous curriculum in all core areas along
with an emphasis on technology and 21st century skills. We also
believe in developing the whole child to be productive citizens
and we strive to model the beliefs of our Mission
Statement: Quality Education for a Lifetime of Learning.
Keystone Elementary is A Place to Belong.
Our teachers and staff are dedicated to the partnership we share
with our families and community. Parents and community are
encouraged to get involved in our school activities and our
wonderful Parent Teacher Organization, PTO. It is my belief that
strong parental and community involvement, in conjunction with
dedicated teachers and staff, will result in successful students.
Our teaching staff holds high expectations for the academic
success of each child. We provide lessons aligned to the Common
Core in Math, Literacy, and Science. We also provide extensive
work in the areas of Social Studies, Language Arts, Writing, and
Technology. We have an exemplary program in the areas of
Guidance, Art, Music, and Physical Education. I invite you to
explore our website to learn more about our instructional programs
at Keystone Elementary.
The faculty and staff at Keystone Elementary are proud of our
school and our accomplishments. We are committed to creating an
environment where students feel welcome, appreciated, and
challenged to do their best each day. We are excited about the
unlimited possibilities that we have here for our students at
Keystone Elementary. Thank you for your support of our efforts. I
look forward to working together with you in the education of your
children.
Sincerely,
Ryan Junge, Keystone Principal
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Keystone Elementary
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Norway Elementary Welcome to Norway Elementary
The Norway Elementary Center is the largest of the Benton Community School’s elementary buildings and is located on the southeast side of the district. We currently educate and challenge the district’s 4th-6th grade students. We offer our students a vast variety of curricular components that concentrate highly on balanced literacy, math,
science and writing. Norway Elementary has a strong vocal music and band program to help create well-rounded citizens. Technology is also an important component, and we are well on our way to preparing students for the 21st Century.
At Norway we have a student-friendly mission statement: “Norway Students care about being safe, responsible, respectful, and have fun
while learning.” This is the heart of our Positive Behavior Support program implemented building-wide in our district. Character is a dominant theme that permeates the Norway building. At Norway Elementary, children come first, and our dedicated staff works diligently to make sure all students are successful. We accomplish this through staff Data Teams, Differentiation, Child Study Teams, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support and Collaborative Learning Teams.
Norway Center Information
Norway strives to meet the needs of all learners. The following is a list of a variety of opportunities we offer to support learner differences. We are always seeking new and innovative programs that are research-based programs.
STEM Classroom ELL (English Language Learners) TAG (Talented and Gifted) Technology Integration Differentiation MTSS
Benchmark Literacy
Envisions Math Special Education Title I Reading and Math PBIS (Building Wide Positive Behavior Supports) PTO (Parent-Teacher Organization)
Most sincerely, Rob Arnold, Norway Center Principal
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Norway Elementary
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Middle School Welcome to Benton Community Middle School.
A 1 to 1 school with iPads.
The focus of the 1:1 iPad program at Benton Community Middle
School (BCMS) is to provide necessary tools and resources for a
progressive learning environment, characterized by flexibility,
collaboration, personalization, creativity, and a technology-rich
learning. At BCMS, technology will be integrated throughout the
educational program in a seamless and timely fashion. The 1:1
iPad setting empowers students and teachers to use technology
much like the work world, accessing and using purposeful
technology-based tools anytime a task calls for them.
Learning at BCMS is a continuous dynamic interaction among
students, educators, parents, and the extended community.
Implementation of a 1:1 iPad initiative enables anywhere, anytime
learning that is no longer limited by the four walls of a classroom
or building. Purposeful technology integration liberates teachers
from being deliverers of content and, instead, allows them to be
facilitators of deep, individualized learning for all students.
Our Middle School Staff is dedicated to providing a trusting
environment in which students will feel physically and emotionally
safe, as well as be afforded the opportunity to learn in many
different situations. If you have any questions regarding the Middle
School, please contact the school. We look forward to helping your
child learn and grow.
Sincerely,
Kal Goodchild, Middle School Principal
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Middle School
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High School Welcome to Benton Community High School!
Benton Community High School is a comprehensive high school of
approximately 500 students with a building staff of almost 70
individuals dedicated to creating the best learning environment
possible for our students.
Our faculty and staff are committed to providing students with a
rigorous and relevant curriculum in student centered, 1 to 1 (iPad)
classrooms. Our teachers are highly qualified professionals who
guide student understanding and assess the learning that
progresses while accommodating for student differences.
Academic areas include a broad range of courses that prepare
students for post-secondary goals while creating interest in career
fields. Students at Benton Community experience these courses in
a block schedule where instruction facilitates deep conceptual and
procedural knowledge. Benton students attain more college credits
in high school than most of the schools in our region. Most of
these college credit courses are taught on site by our teachers.
Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities are plentiful at Benton
Community High School. We believe these activities are an
extension of the classroom and provide valuable life lessons and
learning for students. These activities build positive leaders and
allow students to get involved and meet new people.
We are very proud of our students and school yet continue to
strive for academic excellence. It is our belief that working with
parents and community members in partnership will create a
learning environment that is stimulating, rigorous, and supportive.
Please see for yourself why Benton Community High School is
considered a great place to learn and grow. If you have any
questions please feel free to contact me at: (319) 228-8701, ext.
350.
Sincerely,
James Bieschke, Principal
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High School
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High School Academic Opportunities
In addition to core courses in Language Arts, Math, Science, Social
Studies, Benton Community offers many educational opportunities:
Upper Level Core Courses
Physics; Calculus; Chemistry
Art
Drawing; Painting; Photography
Career & Tech Education
Agriculture; Business & Technology;
Family & Consumer Science; Industrial Technology;
Foreign Language
Spanish
Vocal & Instrumental Music
Concert Choir; Concert Band
Concurrent College Credit Courses taught at Benton
Course Name Department
Digital Imaging Art
Intro to Computers Business and Technology
Fundamentals of Web Programming Business and Technology
Introduction to Engineering Design Engineering
Principles of Engineering Engineering
Digital Electronics Engineering
Biotechnical Engineering Engineering
Civil Engineering Engineering
Composition I English
Composition II English
Fundamentals of Oral Communication English
Intermediate Spanish I World Language (Spanish)
Intermediate Spanish II World Language (Spanish)
Metal Fabrication Academy Kirkwood
Auto Technology Kirkwood
Health Science Academy Kirkwood
Intro to Psychology Kirkwood
Developmental Psychology Kirkwood
Intro to Sociology Kirkwood
Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) college courses are
also available for qualified high school students.
Internship & Job Shadow Opportunities
TAG & Special Education Programs also available to students
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High School Extra-Curricular Activities
Athletics
Baseball Basketball Cheerleading Cross Country
Dance Team Football Golf Soccer
Softball Track & Field
Volleyball
Wrestling
Activities
Art Club FCCLA FFA Foreign Language Club
Journalism/Yearbook National Honor Society Robotics
Student Council
Fine Arts
Jazz Band
Marching Band/Flags Pep Band Chamber Choir Concert Choir Show Choirs Plays/Musicals Speech
Home of the Bobcats
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Benton Community
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A Place to Belong
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Benton Community School District 304 First Street
Van Horne, Iowa 52346 Phone: (319) 228-8701
Fax: (319) 228-8254
Website: www.benton.k12.ia.us