District 205 Board
MeetingOctober 8, 2008
Roll Call
Pledge of Allegiance
Please make certain that your cell phones are silent.
Thank you
Approval of Minutes
Open Session of the Public Hearing on September 17, 2008
Regular Meeting and Executive Session onSeptember 17, 2008
Approval of District 205 Bills
Approval of Resignations
Approval of Leave of Absence
Approval of Employment
COMMUNITY AWARENESS
Mr. Jerry B. Doss
Education Summit 2008Thornridge High School
Keynote Speaker Mr. Reginald WeaverAttended by over 150 parents, faculty and
clergy from the entire District 205 community.
New District 205 Honor Band performed under the direction of Mr. David Eanes.
District 205 Students Against Violence Everywhere students gave two 45 minute seminars on violence prevention in school.
Thornwood High School Hosts Illinois House of Representatives Hearing on
Education Funding ReformHearing was attended by over 300 faculty and
community members.State Representatives Will Davis, David Miller
and Al Riley were in attendance.Steve Gress, Mayor Don De Graff and other local
superintendents testified about the need for public education funding reform in the State of Illinois.
Illinois State Treasure Alexi GiannouliasOpportunity Knocks Free Workshop
Location: Riverdale Resource Center Date: Friday, October 10, 2008 Time: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
To register please contact Debbie Meyers-Martin at
(312) 814-1252.
South Suburban PADS 2008-2009Emergency Overnight Shelter Sites
PADS offers free emergency, overnight shelter nightly from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. between October 1, 2008
and April 30, 2009.
Lifesource DonationAnnual TTHS Blood Drive
THANK YOU LIFESOURCE!
2008 Fall Parent Teacher Conference
September 18th and 19th Thornton # of Parents
Thornwood# of Parents
Thornridge# of Parents
967 800 1099
Columbus DayMonday, October 13, 2008
NO SCHOOLOctober 17th Grade/Progress Reports October 25th National College Fair
Navy PierOctober 25th PSAE Retake Day 1-
October 28th PSAE Retake Day 2
Congratulations Coach William “Bill” MoselChicago Bears Coach of the Week
The program honors outstanding Illinois high school coaches who develop players’ football skills and knowledge, character, leadership, discipline, and teamwork abilities.
Other criteria considered include unique coaching methodology, community or off-field components, school and community support, volunteerism, and, most importantly, contributions to players’ long-term success on and off the field.
Coaches are nominated by a panel of local prep authorities, and the winning “Coach of the Week” is selected each week.
Public Participation
We now open the Public Participation section of our agenda. At this time, members of the community are invited to address the Board. We ask that you state your name and town, limit your total time to three minutes, and talk only about items on the current Board Agenda.
In addition, if your comments are of a critical nature about specific people, the Board requests that you present your comments during the personnel portion of the “executive session.”
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Presentation of Parental Involvement Policy 2nd reading
Dr. Buckner (30-day review, tabled)
UNFINISHED BUSINESSPresentation of Title I Parent Involvement Policy, 2nd
reading
Mr. Truesdale (30-day review, tabled)
NEW BUSINESSPublic Hearing Regarding the Issuance of $50 Million in Working Cash Bonds
Mr. Gress
COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
NEW BUSINESS
Recommended Approval of Designation Letter for
Board Secretary Representative
Dr. Buckner (Approval needed)
NEW BUSINESS
Appointment of SCOPE representative (previously Sharon Voliva)
Dr. Buckner (Approval needed)
NEW BUSINESS
Recommended Approval of Annual Thornwood Cheerleading Competition.
Mrs. Williams (Approval needed)
NEW BUSINESS
Recommended Approval of Annual Thornton Cheerleading Competition.
Dr. Lyke (Approval needed)
NEW BUSINESS
State (ISBE) Report Card (PSAE)
Mr. Truesdale, Dr. Dague and Principals
ThornwoodThornridgeThornton
An increase in the percentage of students who met or exceeded in Mathematics
An increase in the percentage of students who met or exceeded in Reading
Reading 2007 31.4% 2008 37.0%
5.6% Gain5.6% Gain
Math 2007 21.6% 2008 39.1%
17.5% Gain17.5% Gain
Reading 2007 33.5%
2008 38.6%
5.1% Gain5.1% Gain
Mathematics 2007 24.3%
2008 40.1%
15.8% Gain15.8% Gain
Reading 2007 31.5%
2008 35.5%
4.0% Gain4.0% Gain
Mathematics 2007 20.7%
2008 36.0%
15.3% Gain15.3% Gain
Reading 2007 29.2%
2008 36.0%
6.8% Gain6.8% Gain
Mathematics 2007 19.1%
2008 40.9%
21.8% Gain21.8% Gain
State goal for this year is 70%
District 205 goal for this year is 100%
We will not settle for less than 100% of our students meeting or exceeding on the P.S.A.E. in 2009.
Safe and Secure Learning Environment Relevant and Rigorous Curriculum Interim Assessments District-wide PSAE Preparation Activities Classroom Instruction Feedback through
Drop-Ins and Evaluations Princeton Review-ACT Prep Program Appropriate and Research-Based
Professional Development for Teachers Afterschool Tutorial Programs Continued Support from Parents and
Community Members
NEW BUSINESS
District School Report Card (District Improvement Plan)
Mr. Truesdale, Dr. Dague and Principals
Reading Progress Update Summer Boost Program
Students identified in need of support were invited to attend Summer Boost Program for English/Reading
New Reading Courses Based on a model used at Lincoln-Way High School Provides strategies for reading process as well as types of reading Taught by staff from all content areas
Literacy Coaches Newly created position to support reading program across all
content areas Provides training and support for teachers in the freshman reading
courses Provides coaching and strategies to teachers Participates in development of reading program evaluation to
improve the program each year Collaborates with English AIL and Superintendent to develop
strategies and materials for Parent Academy
Math Progress Update Summer Boost Program
Students identified in need of support were invited to attend Summer Boost Program for Math
Double Dose Course Per the DIP Yearlong Algebra on the block was reformatted as
double period class. Each algebra unit is paired with instruction on requisite skills. The current format is Algebra class for one period and support for one period.
Numeracy Coach Newly created position to support math across the district in all
three schools Provides coaching and strategies to teachers (27 math teachers
are non-tenured) Continues to supports articulation with feeder schools Participates in development of math program evaluation to
improve the program each year Collaborates with math AIL and Superintendent to develop
strategies and materials for Parent Academy
Reading and Math Data SourcesInterim Assessment DataPre and Post TestsGrade Distributions Summer Program ResultsParent Involvement Activities
Special Education Progress UpdateResource room developed at each of the three high
schoolsIEPs evaluated with regard to impact of moving to
new bell schedule; Staff is being trained on EZ-IEPCo-teaching coordinators :
Newly created position to provide support to co-teaching team
Identify and facilitate professional development for co-teaching teams
Develop and implement a system for evaluating the effectiveness of the co-teaching model
Improvement of continuum of services: Instructional classes implemented
Special Education Data SourcesInterim Assessment DataPre and Post TestsGrade Distributions Summer Program ResultsParent Involvement ActivitiesStudent use of Special Ed. Resource Rooms
Safe and Supportive Learning Environment Progress UpdateAttendance Centers
Handling of daily attendance issues has shifted away from Deans’ Office to newly created Attendance Centers to allow Deans more time to focus on discipline issues
Attendance centers are operational at all three buildingsFreshman Academy Support Teachers (FAST)
Work with an identified group of freshmen to provide support for improved attendance and academic progress
Support freshman deans and counselorsImprovements in building security
Security personnel are more extensively trained than in previous years
Improved procedures for visitors to all three buildings
Safe and Supportive Learning Environment Data SourcesStudent Attendance dataStudent Discipline dataExpulsionsProfessional Development relative to
Creating Positive Relationships (“CPR”) training
Parent Involvement Activities
Chicago Metro History FairTheme “The Individual in Chicago/Illinois
History: Actions, Legacies”Sponsored by Chicago Metro History Education
CenterStudents in all three schools participatingIncorporates Illinois Learning Standards in
Social Sciences and Language ArtsPrizes include monetary awards and scholarships
DePaul University, Loyola University, Roosevelt University
Voter Registration DriveLed by teachers, students & parents in all three
schoolsStudents appointed Deputy Registrars
Many will be paid Election Judges November 4th
Nearly 300 registrations were completedMock election in all three schools October 21st
In cooperation with League of Women Voters and United States Hispanic Leadership Institute
Illinois Senator Emil Jones VisitThornton High School student Andrea Rogers
wrote to Senator JonesSenator Jones scheduled to visit Thornton
October 28th from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m.Thornton is working with Senator Jones’ office
to finalize the agenda for his visit
Other InitiativesDistrict 205 is working with UIC to provide
faculty to speak about the economic crisisAlso exploring a partnership to conduct
programs similar to this summer’s pharmacy program
Mr. Fickes is working to establish articulation with social studies leaders in area districtsShare instructional strategiesShare project ideasCollaborate on initiatives in social studies
Miscellaneous
Superintendent’s Report
Executive Session
Reconvene Open Session
Adjournment