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Post by macy on Feb 8, 2008 15:38:13 GMT -6
============= i agree! was this 'Basics' program at Watts before.. or is it bigger now. isn't the new principal of watts the former principal of still MS- and he has a background in special ed? i thought this was signifying a 'centralization' of location(when we all thought watts was in the center of the District) of non-included special ed programs so kids and parents could, more easily, get to school to meet with the teachers? would this program just be shifted to a less crowded school? before the huge seismic event that shifted the school smack dab into the north  LOL! "huge seismic event" Too true! Thanks Dr. Who for a good (albeit based on truth) belly chuckle. "seismic event" - I like that! |
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Post by wvhsparent on Feb 8, 2008 16:25:43 GMT -6
Keep in mind that the district is planning to re-do boundaries K-12. This means that elementary, middle and high school boundaries will be affected. I believe that Owen will split: Brighton Ridge and West Glen stay at Owen. Villages of Meadow Lakes and Chicory Place will stay west of 59. Possibly Chicory to White Eagle and Villages back to McCarty. This split would move over 300 students out of Owen, which will probably create a shift for students attending Springbrook, Clow, Welch and Builta. I think the middle schools will see shifts in their population as well, mainly because of the WVHS gold campus converting back to a middle school in 09. Scullen, Gregory and Still in particular. When looking at capacity numbers that the district has put out, there are a few elementary schools that are well under capacity. In order are: Peterson (-406), Watts (-319), Owen (-288), Springbrook (-267), Cowlishaw (-247) and White Eagle (-244). Because of these numbers and available seats, I think there will be shifting all around the district starting with elementary. District-wide boundary changes rarely (if ever) happen in this district. I think a large portion of the district will see changes of some sort. Some will be more radical than others, but we will all feel it. Well put corky, and welcome. I know we all need to use something for a point of reference, which at this point is the ES. I say we should instead think in terms of Subdiv. for school assignments. |
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Post by refbasics on Feb 8, 2008 18:14:08 GMT -6
============= i agree! was this 'Basics' program at Watts before.. or is it bigger now. isn't the new principal of watts the former principal of still MS- and he has a background in special ed? i thought this was signifying a 'centralization' of location(when we all thought watts was in the center of the District) of non-included special ed programs so kids and parents could, more easily, get to school to meet with the teachers? would this program just be shifted to a less crowded school? We have Hill's former Principal, Mike Raczak, at Watts. The program has been there for a number of years now. ------------- "District Names Principals for Watts and Young Location: District Site Only Date/Time: 2/12/2007 District 204 announced two familiar faces will fill principal positions at elementary schools next year. Hill Middle School Principal Mike Raczak will serve as principal at May Watts Elementary. He is replacing Kim Stephens, who is moving to Fry Elementary. Former Longwood Elementary principal Adrienne Morgan will return to the district to lead Young Elementary. She replaces Jenny Giambalvo, who is retiring in June. Raczak has been involved in education for more than three decades. He began his career in 1974 teaching adolescents with profound disabilities. He spent the next 19 years working in special education and emerged as a leader in the field.While working at Butler School District 53 in Oak Brook, he started one of the first inclusion programs in Illinois. His dedication in the area of special education led him to serve as president of the Illinois Association of Persons with Severe Handicaps. He also served on the Illinois State Board of Education Steering Committee on Autism, and for the last two years was president of the Association of Illinois Middle Schools. In 1991, Raczak was named assistant principal of Hill Middle School. He became principal of the school two years later. Under Raczak's leadership, Hill was twice recognized for outstanding achievement by the Association of Middle Level Schools. Hill was also selected as one of the "Top 100 Successful Middle Schools" by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. In 2003, Raczak was honored with a "Those Who Excel" award from the State Board of Education for his excellent leadership and concern for children. Raczak is excited about the opportunity to challenge himself by moving to an elementary school. "I think it's important to continue to learn new things and face new challenges. This is also a wonderful opportunity to continue an established relationship with a parent community that I know very well." Students from May Watts Elementary go on to attend Hill Middle School. ----- i don't get it- why does someone move from a middle school to an ES? i thought with his background, maybe he was starting some new programs at watts.  |
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Post by jftb on Feb 8, 2008 18:21:59 GMT -6
Keep in mind that the district is planning to re-do boundaries K-12. This means that elementary, middle and high school boundaries will be affected. I believe that Owen will split: Brighton Ridge and West Glen stay at Owen. Villages of Meadow Lakes and Chicory Place will stay west of 59. Possibly Chicory to White Eagle and Villages back to McCarty. This split would move over 300 students out of Owen, which will probably create a shift for students attending Springbrook, Clow, Welch and Builta. I think the middle schools will see shifts in their population as well, mainly because of the WVHS gold campus converting back to a middle school in 09. Scullen, Gregory and Still in particular. When looking at capacity numbers that the district has put out, there are a few elementary schools that are well under capacity. In order are: Peterson (-406), Watts (-319), Owen (-288), Springbrook (-267), Cowlishaw (-247) and White Eagle (-244). Because of these numbers and available seats, I think there will be shifting all around the district starting with elementary. District-wide boundary changes rarely (if ever) happen in this district. I think a large portion of the district will see changes of some sort. Some will be more radical than others, but we will all feel it. Well put corky, and welcome. I know we all need to use something for a point of reference, which at this point is the ES. I say we should instead think in terms of Subdiv. for school assignments. Clow and Spring Brook are such nice boxes. I wonder if Welch n. 87th moves to Owen to relieve crowding at Welch? Looking at the map, I still think we should have put MV in the massive Forest Preserve. |
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Post by doctorwho on Feb 8, 2008 18:25:29 GMT -6
We have Hill's former Principal, Mike Raczak, at Watts. The program has been there for a number of years now. ------------- "District Names Principals for Watts and Young Location: District Site Only Date/Time: 2/12/2007 District 204 announced two familiar faces will fill principal positions at elementary schools next year. Hill Middle School Principal Mike Raczak will serve as principal at May Watts Elementary. He is replacing Kim Stephens, who is moving to Fry Elementary. Former Longwood Elementary principal Adrienne Morgan will return to the district to lead Young Elementary. She replaces Jenny Giambalvo, who is retiring in June. Raczak has been involved in education for more than three decades. He began his career in 1974 teaching adolescents with profound disabilities. He spent the next 19 years working in special education and emerged as a leader in the field.While working at Butler School District 53 in Oak Brook, he started one of the first inclusion programs in Illinois. His dedication in the area of special education led him to serve as president of the Illinois Association of Persons with Severe Handicaps. He also served on the Illinois State Board of Education Steering Committee on Autism, and for the last two years was president of the Association of Illinois Middle Schools. In 1991, Raczak was named assistant principal of Hill Middle School. He became principal of the school two years later. Under Raczak's leadership, Hill was twice recognized for outstanding achievement by the Association of Middle Level Schools. Hill was also selected as one of the "Top 100 Successful Middle Schools" by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. In 2003, Raczak was honored with a "Those Who Excel" award from the State Board of Education for his excellent leadership and concern for children. Raczak is excited about the opportunity to challenge himself by moving to an elementary school. "I think it's important to continue to learn new things and face new challenges. This is also a wonderful opportunity to continue an established relationship with a parent community that I know very well." Students from May Watts Elementary go on to attend Hill Middle School. ----- i don't get it- why does someone move from a middle school to an ES? i thought with his background, maybe he was starting some new programs at watts. although I don't know for sure - sometimes people just need a change. I can tell you this however- having had 2 daughters at Hill when he was principal and getting to know Mike somewhat - he is a first rate principal and a quality person. Watts is lucky to have him. IMHO. Watts has had a top notch principal all the time I have been here starting with Fred Lacher and then Kim Stephens. |
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Post by proschool on Feb 8, 2008 18:48:37 GMT -6
I can't see splitting Owen unless they are planning a new ES on BB.
Build a school on 15 of the 25 acres.
Sell the remaining 10 acres at a profit. BB does not have right to land because we did build a school.
Assign Thatcher's Grove and Blackstone from Gombert. Stonehaven, Chicory Place and the Villages of Meadow Lakes are assigned from Owen. There are contiguous neighborhoods that would have always been in the same school in any other part of the district.
Builta overflow goes to Owen. Welch north of 87th goes to Gombert or new ES.
If you don't have one more school in NV attendance area it will be difficult to keep NV filled.
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Post by macy on Feb 8, 2008 19:37:07 GMT -6
I can't see splitting Owen unless they are planning a new ES on BB. Build a school on 15 of the 25 acres. Sell the remaining 10 acres at a profit. BB does not have right to land because we did build a school. Assign Thatcher's Grove and Blackstone from Gombert. Stonehaven, Chicory Place and the Villages of Meadow Lakes are assigned from Owen. There are contiguous neighborhoods that would have always been in the same school in any other part of the district. Builta overflow goes to Owen. Welch north of 87th goes to Gombert or new ES. If you don't have one more school in NV attendance area it will be difficult to keep NV filled.  So true... In fact the current enrollment numbers don't justify pulling more than two elementary schools out of NVHS attendance area today. However, building another elementary school with taxpayer $$$ while some are under capacity is unacceptable to me. NO MORE TAX $$$, enough is enough! Does anyone really believe we need another elementary school? |
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Post by proschool on Feb 8, 2008 19:57:18 GMT -6
I can't see splitting Owen unless they are planning a new ES on BB. Build a school on 15 of the 25 acres. Sell the remaining 10 acres at a profit. BB does not have right to land because we did build a school. Assign Thatcher's Grove and Blackstone from Gombert. Stonehaven, Chicory Place and the Villages of Meadow Lakes are assigned from Owen. There are contiguous neighborhoods that would have always been in the same school in any other part of the district. Builta overflow goes to Owen. Welch north of 87th goes to Gombert or new ES. If you don't have one more school in NV attendance area it will be difficult to keep NV filled. So true... In fact the current enrollment numbers don't justify pulling more than two elementary schools out of NVHS attendance area today. However, building another elementary school with taxpayer $$$ while some are under capacity is unacceptable to me. NO MORE TAX $$$, enough is enough! Does anyone really believe we need another elementary school? I do. We need the slots with all day kindergarten. This district has always felt that a school is overcrowded when it loses its art and/or music rooms. I don't feel any different now. |
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Post by warriorpride on Feb 8, 2008 20:01:25 GMT -6
... Looking at the map, I still think we should have put MV in the massive Forest Preserve. FYI, during the original site search, whoever own that preserve (Dupage County Forest Preserve?) was contacted - they said that they are not in the business of selling land, but rather, in acquiring it |
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Post by confused on Feb 8, 2008 20:15:48 GMT -6
... Looking at the map, I still think we should have put MV in the massive Forest Preserve. FYI, during the original site search, whoever own that preserve (Dupage County Forest Preserve?) was contacted - they said that they are not in the business of selling land, but rather, in acquiring it That's such a shame, we need just a small part of it, relative to the total size. (I'm showing my republican side) |
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Post by warriorpride on Feb 8, 2008 22:05:49 GMT -6
FYI, during the original site search, whoever own that preserve (Dupage County Forest Preserve?) was contacted - they said that they are not in the business of selling land, but rather, in acquiring it That's such a shame, we need just a small part of it, relative to the total size. (I'm showing my republican side) From what I recall, the proposal was to integrate the facility as much as possible into the prairie, and even partner with the forrest preserve to teach about & do experiments and research within the surrounding prairie. It sounded like a nice idea. |
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Post by proschool on Feb 9, 2008 7:00:05 GMT -6
That's such a shame, we need just a small part of it, relative to the total size. (I'm showing my republican side) From what I recall, the proposal was to integrate the facility as much as possible into the prairie, and even partner with the forrest preserve to teach about & do experiments and research within the surrounding prairie. It sounded like a nice idea. If we thought about it early enough the voters could have put some pressure on the forest preserve district to change thier mind. It could have been a beautiful educational center that opened our children's thought to real ways to manage energy and the environment. |
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Post by steckmom on Feb 9, 2008 7:51:37 GMT -6
From what I recall, the proposal was to integrate the facility as much as possible into the prairie, and even partner with the forrest preserve to teach about & do experiments and research within the surrounding prairie. It sounded like a nice idea. If we thought about it early enough the voters could have put some pressure on the forest preserve district to change thier mind. It could have been a beautiful educational center that opened our children's thought to real ways to manage energy and the environment. It's a nice idea in theory, but football stadiums and parking lots don't really integrate well into the prairie. If we built there, it would just be a big school next to a forest preserve. |
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Post by proschool on Feb 9, 2008 8:03:38 GMT -6
If we thought about it early enough the voters could have put some pressure on the forest preserve district to change thier mind. It could have been a beautiful educational center that opened our children's thought to real ways to manage energy and the environment. It's a nice idea in theory, but football stadiums and parking lots don't really integrate well into the prairie. If we built there, it would just be a big school next to a forest preserve. |
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Post by proschool on Feb 9, 2008 8:04:46 GMT -6
It would have been a totally different kind of high school. Anyway it's too late now.
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So true...