Staunton School District Newsletters
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October newsletter

News from Staunton CUSD #6
by
Kyle A. Hlafka, Superintendent

          Friday, October 19 marked the end of the first quarter of school for this year.   Parent/Teacher conferences are scheduled the evenings of Wednesday, October 24th and Thursday, October 25th from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Friday, October 26th from 8:10 a.m. to 12:10 p.m.  School will be dismissed early at 2:00 p.m. on October 24th and 25th.  There is no school for students October 26th.  I encourage all parents/guardians to take an active role
and meet your child’s/children’s teacher(s) this week.  This is an opportunity to enrich the school/home relationship and enhance successful educational opportunities for yourchild/children.

            The ISBE District School Report Cards will be available at Parent/Teacher Conferences and in the principal’s office of each building.  The Report Cards will also be available on our School Web Page.

            In order to comply with the mandates of No Child Left Behind, the staff has participated in curriculum alignment activities in order to meet Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).  Last year, the math curriculum was aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards.  This year, Language Arts is being addressed.  Our 12:30 p.m. dismissal days for School Improvement are used to accomplish these activities.  Friday, November 9, 2007 was scheduled as a Teachers’ Workshop with no student attendance.  Due to a cancellation by the workshop presenter, Friday, November 9, 2007 will now be a day of student attendance.  Notices are being sent home with students as well as a special notice in today’s paper.

            A required 10-Year Life Safety Study of our Schools was recently completed.  The District has an obligation to address the areas approved by the State Board of Education to bring school buildings into compliance with the safety standards set forth in the Illinois Administrative Code.  Once the State Board approves the items that are life safety issues in the 10 year allotment, The Board of Education and administration will develop an action plan to address the deficiencies.  Among the identified areas for improvements are restrooms and shower rooms and upgrading student lockers in the junior high and high school.

            This year the Elementary School K-4 has a new writing series and grades K-5 have a new math series.  The High School has new texts in Algebra I and II, Geometry, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Spanish.

            We have several new teachers this year as a result of retirements and resignations.  They are:

Staunton Elementary                                               
Edward Hirschl - 1st Grade Teacher
Amy Wilson - 4th Grade Teacher
Victoria Thomason - Title I Language Arts

Staunton Junior High
Elizabeth Franzen - Junior High Math
Dori Rhodes - Junior High Resource
Tasha Weber - Junior High Science

Staunton High School                                              
Timothy Conrad - High School Business
Matthew Larsen - High School Spanish
Amber Scruton  -  High School English
           
South Macoupin Service Area for Special Education

Jennifer Dowdy - Early Childhood
Clarissa Kahl - Primary Cross Categorical
Michelle Camarena - School Psychologist
Kathryn Still - School Social Worker

            Dan Brynildsen is our new Technology Coordinator.  Ryan McGowen has taken on additional duties as the Dean of Students at the High School and John Kolesar is now teaching 8th grade Social Science and Quest.

            Fall sports at the Junior High and High School were very successful.  At the Junior High, the Boys’ Baseball team went undefeated in Conference play.  The Girls’ Basketball season is still in progress.  At the High School, Lucas Loots placed first in the Cross Country Conference meet while the Girls’ team took first overall in their Conference meet.  They move on to Sectionals on Saturday, October 27, 2007.  In High School Golf, the girls team finished with a record of 20-3.  Highlights of this season included Elyse Banovic tied for 18th at State.  The Football team finished the season with 5 wins and 4 losses.  They are in the State Playoffs and will play Carterville at Carterville Saturday, October 27 at 2:00 p.m.  Plans for a bonfire/pep rally on October 26th are currently in the works.

            High School Homecoming, the week of October 1st - 6th, was one of the most successful in recent years.  I commend the sponsors, teachers, students, and community for a successful week of school spirit and support displayed.  The Homecoming Play was also a huge success.

            As we start the second quarter, we look forward to upcoming events such as the start of Girls’ and Boys’ High School Basketball Seasons, the start of Jr. High Boys’ Basketball season and Jr. High Girls’ Volleyball season, Scholar Bowl activities at both the Junior High and High School level, and preparation for holiday music programs.  

            And lastly, there will be an All Weather Track Meeting for community members Monday, November 19, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. in the Unit District Library.