Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202

Plainfield North going to "extreme" to shut out tobacco use

Wed, 1 Sep 2010 12:00:00 MDT

On Wednesday, September 22, 2010, several professional athletes will spin tricks on skateboards, inline skates and bikes in the Plainfield North High School faculty parking lot to convey the message that tobacco is dangerous.

The athletes will put on two extreme sporting events on a 35 by 50-foot professional half pipe. The first demonstration will take place at 12:30 p.m., and the other at 1:35 p.m., at the school, 12005 South 248th Street, Plainfield.

Several of the world's top professional skateboarders, BMX bikers and inline skaters will perform demonstrations and tricks while an emcee shares an anti-tobacco message.

The students will learn about the dangers of tobacco use in all forms as the role model athletes explain why they have remained tobacco-free.

Plainfield North's Anti-Tobacco Program is being provided free by ASA Entertainment through a partnership with The Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids and a sponsorship by the United States Marines.

District 202's Catalyst program proves long-term success

Wed, 1 Sep 2010 12:00:00 MDT

For six years and counting, District 202's Catalyst program has helped keep students in school and on a successful track, even after making a bad decision.

The program was instituted six years ago at Plainfield South High School. It now operates at each of the four district high schools, guided by the belief that one bad decision should not necessarily lead a child down a very difficult road.

Catalyst is an intensive, three-day program specifically designed to get students back into their regular school environment as soon as possible, while offering them help and support.

High school students are assigned to the Catalyst program for various infractions like first time drug or alcohol offenses, fighting or gross misconduct.

The students are met at the doors to the school. The program encompasses their whole school day, including lunch. The students receive social work support, anger management lessons, counseling for goals and aspirations and academic support.

If the students are not involved in any extracurricular programs staff also encourage them to participate in an activity of interest. This is an important step since studies have shown that students who are involved in school tend to make better choices, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Sharon Gronemeyer said.

After completing the Catalyst program, students attend weekly follow-up meetings for six weeks.

Before Catalyst, students were suspended from school for 10 days. Missing 10 days of school often led to academic ramifications, Gronemeyer said.

"High school students often think nothing bad is going to happen to them," Gronemeyer said. "The Catalyst program deals with the adolescent brain in helping students to learn a more mature way of dealing with issues, and keeps them on track and successful."

The program was designed for the adolescent who makes the wrong choice and wants to get back on track. It is not for students who are struggling emotionally.

About 100 students per high school, per year, are assigned to the Catalyst program. Each program is run by a social worker and an assistant. Teachers also help in academic areas.

Once students are placed in the Catalyst program, they cannot have another major incident the rest of their high school career.

"Data on repeat offenders has been in the single digits for all of the programs," Gronemeyer said.

The program has benefitted the district financially too. The district receives state funding for each day a student attends school. If 100 students at each of the district's four high schools were out of school for 10 days each, the district would lose money for 4,000 days of attendance.

Keeping students in school and offering academic support also helps the district's chances of meeting state learning standards.

Students and their parents are asked on an exit survey if they feel Catalyst was more beneficial than a traditional external suspension. The answer is almost always positive.

"Catalyst is beneficial because it gives students the opportunity to think about the problem, the consequences, and how it could have been prevented," one parent wrote.

"The best part of the program is it teaches how to avoid future problems instead of just punishing kids. It is important for kids to learn from their mistakes, especially at this age."

A student who completed the program said, "Catalyst is beneficial because they talk to you about what you did wrong, explain why it was wrong and help you stay on schedule with your school work."

Another student wrote, "Catalyst is better, because in a traditional external suspension, nothing will change."

The Catalyst program is unique to District 202. Over the last six years many districts have come to look at the program, intent on creating their own.

"The difference Catalyst has made with kids in remarkable," Gronemeyer said. "Through peer mediation, we have had students who were in the program because of a fight, walk out as friends."

Plainfield South High School custodian charged with distribution of child pornography

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:00:00 MDT

A Plainfield South High School night custodian was charged today in United States District Court with one count of distribution of child pornography, a felony offense.

Anthony Skoien was arrested and taken into custody at his home Friday morning and arraigned in U.S. District Court Friday afternoon. He is being held without bond pending his next court appearance.

At this point, there is no indication that the allegations involved any District 202 students or staff.

The District has initiated appropriate disciplinary and employment procedures and Skoien will not return to work pending resolution of this matter.

Skoien has worked as a custodian for District 202, assigned to Plainfield South High School, since 2002.

A review of Skoien's personnel record indicates that at the time of initial employment he passed all criminal background checks, references and employment procedures as required by law and district policy.

District 202's top priority and primary concern is the welfare of our students, said Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Harper. District officials will continue to work collaboratively with law enforcement in this investigation, he said.

***WHILE WE APPRECIATE OUR COMMUNITY'S CONCERNS, THIS IS ALL THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE SCHOOL OR DISTRICT OFFICE. MORE INFORMATION WILL BE POSTED AS APPROPRIATE.***

Board of Education nominating petitions available September 21

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:00:00 MDT

Nominating petition forms for the April 5, 2011 School Board election in Plainfield School District 202 will be available beginning Tuesday, September 21, 2010 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the District 202 Administration Center, 15732 Howard Street, Plainfield, IL.

Completed petitions must be filed between December 13-20, 2010, at the District Administration Center. Three seats on the seven-member Board of Education are up for election on the April 5, 2011 ballot. The seats up for election are currently held by Board President Stuart Bledsoe, Board Vice President Dave Obrzut and Board member Roger Bonuchi. Candidates elected will serve four-year terms expiring in April 2015.

To be eligible a candidate must be a U.S. citizen who is a registered voter, at least 18 years of age on the date of the election, and a resident of the state and school district for one year prior to the election.

The School Board election is nonpartisan, and Board candidates do not run under political party affiliation.

Please contact Bea Ryan for more information at (815) 577-4006 or bryan@psd202.org

Plainfield North H.S. recognized for participation in ACT-SO

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:00:00 MDT

Plainfield North High School received special recognition this summer for its student participation in the ACT-SO (Afro-American Cultural Technological and Scientific Olympics) program.

The PNHS ACT-SO program received a certificate on Friday, August 13, 2010, for having the third highest level of participation in the DuPage County ACT-SO area, falling just behind Bolingbrook High School, with 25 students, and Neuqua Valley High School, with eight students.

Six Plainfield North High School students participated in ACT-SO last school year. Thirty-five high schools are involved in ACT-SO locally.

In addition, PNHS graduates Naghalia Washington and Ashley Simmons attended the national tournament in Kansas City in July, after winning gold medals in the DuPage County ACT-SO competition in March.

At the national tournament, Washington won a silver medal in the Sculpture division. For winning the silver medal, Washington also received a $1,500 scholarship from the national ACT-SO program, a $500 scholarship from Toyota and a laptop computer. Simmons also did well, but did not place nationally.

ACT-SO provides career exploration in 25 different subject areas encompassed by the sciences, humanities, business and the arts. It is NAACP's principal youth initiative.

Eligible participants must be of African American descent, enrolled in grades 9-12, a citizen or legal resident of the United States, and an amateur in their scholarship category.

More information on the ACT-SO program can be found at www.cod.edu/act-so/what.htm .

Plainfield North boys cross country team hosts 2nd Run-a-thon

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:00:00 MDT

The Plainfield North High School boys cross country team will once again lace up their shoes and run for a cause.

The boys will host their second annual "Run-a-Thon" from 3-4 p.m. on Wednesday, September 1, 2010, at the school's track, 12005 South 248th Avenue, Plainfield.

The 27 cross country runners have voluntarily agreed to support their team and community by running their hardest within the hour time frame in exchange for pledges or donations. They will ask students, parents and Plainfield North staff members to sponsor them for each lap they successfully complete.

Plainfield North High School boys cross country coach Scott Thoms estimates the runners will be able to complete 25 to 32 laps within the 60-minute time frame.

All proceeds raised from the Run-a-Thon will be split between the boys cross country team and the American Cancer Society. The team will use their portion of the money to fund team building events throughout the season.

During the first annual Run-a-Thon last year, the boys raised over $1,000. Their goal this year is to double last year's efforts.

"The Run-a-Thon gives personal responsibility towards being teammates and that this is their team," Thoms said. "It also shows them that you need to also give back to your community."

District 202 creates Fee Waiver Hotline for needy families

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 12:00:00 MDT

District 202 has created a special "Fee Waiver and Payment Plan Hotline" to help its needy families.

District 202 families interested in applying for fee waivers and/or setting up extended fee payment plans can call the District 202 Fee Waiver and Payment Plan hotline at 815-577-4430, or email at feewaivers@psd202.org.

"Even though the economy is starting to rebound, many of our families continue to struggle," said Director of Finance Susan Krautstrunk. "We hope that these new tools will help them to pay their fees as efficiently as possible," she said.

The recorded hotline and automated email messages provide basic information about the fee waiver and payment plan process.

Over the summer District 202 created a new student fee payment system that is both more flexible for families, and will help ensure more consistent collections of fees that are owed to the district.

Under the new system, families can now apply for a waiver of certain approved student fees. For the first time this process is separate from the free and reduced lunch program.

As well, families may pay their student fees over an extended period, up to 10 months depending on when they register their student(s).

District 202 lunch fees rise slightly to help pay program cost

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 12:00:00 MDT

School lunch will cost a bit more this year in District 202, after the Board of Education approved a slight increase in lunch fees to help offset the cost of the program.

The district has been subsidizing the program for several years, said John Prince, assistant superintendent for business and operations. Last year, District 202 spent about $2 million on the school lunch program because revenues from fees fell short, he said.

The increases the Board approved on August 16, 2010 are expected to generate about $600,000 this year, Prince said. He plans to recommend additional revenue enhancements in the coming years to further offset the cost of the school lunch program.

This year, a basic elementary school lunch will cost $2, up from $1.75 last year. Middle school lunch will cost $2.15, up from $1.75, and a high school lunch will cost $2.30, up from $2.25. Milk will jump from 40 cents to 50 cents.

"These increases are reasonable for our families, and are right in line with what our neighboring districts charge," Prince said.

District 202 continues to look for ways to cut costs and increase revenues as it works to address a projected $7.5 million operating fund deficit this school year.

Last February the Board of Education approved a deficit reduction plan that cut $21 million in expenses and created about $1 million in new revenues, primarily through higher student fees.

District 202, like most Illinois school districts, has been hit hard by the recession, the collapsed housing market and unstable state funding - coupled with the ongoing expenses associated with its extraordinary growth in recent years. Student enrollment is expected to increase again this year by 200-400 students.

Ira Jones M.S. teacher named additional Heritage Grove AP

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 12:00:00 MDT

Richard Ira Jones Middle School special education teacher Nicole Kundrat will join the administrative team at Heritage Grove Middle School this fall as the school's new, second assistant principal.

The District 202 Board of Education approved Kundrat as Heritage Grove's newest assistant principal at its August 16, 2010, regular meeting.

Kundrat will join Heritage Grove Assistant Principal Marc Campbell as part of the district's new dual assistant principal model. The dual assistant principal role is new to District 202, but has been used by neighboring districts for years.

The additional AP position will combine the roles of a dean of students and special education coordinator with administrative duties, saving the district a significant amount of money. Along with Heritage Grove, the dual AP model will be implemented at Drauden Point, Richard Ira Jones, and John F. Kennedy middle schools this fall.

Kundrat began her teaching career 10 years ago as an elementary special education teacher at Royal View Elementary School in North Royalton, Ohio. In 2002, she moved to the area and began teaching middle school special education at Jerling Junior High School in Orland Park.

Two years later, Kundrat came to District 202. Kundrat has served as a special education teacher at Ira Jones for the past six years.

"Nicole has a great history of working positively with students and parents," Heritage Grove Principal Steve Diveley said. "I am confident the school community will find her responsive to their needs and she will connect well with all students."

"Nicole's past work with students with special needs will bring more depth to the Heritage Grove administrative team," Diveley said. "I feel our school administration has an even wider variety of strengths and interests to work with all staff, students and parents," he said.

"I am hoping to bring to the position the same positive attitude the staff at Heritage Grove already expresses," Kundrat said. "I am excited to continue to grow through this experience with the great staff I am now a part of," she said.

District 202 teacher's family hosts 4th annual race to help AAIM

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 12:00:00 MDT

Community members are encouraged to sign up for the fourth annual "Erin's AAIM for a Change" 5K run/walk to join a local family in their stance against intoxicated motorists while benefitting area students.

The fourth annual run/walk to benefit the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists (AAIM) will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, September 5, 2010, at Centennial Park in Orland Park.

All proceeds from the race will go to AAIM and the Erin E. Olmsted Memorial Scholarship fund, which provides scholarships to graduating high school seniors at Erin's former high school, Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park, and for the first time this year, graduating students at Plainfield East High School.

Erin Olmsted was the sister of Plainfield East High School English teacher and Student Council Advisor Kate Morris.

Morris in recent years has regularly spoken to students, parents and other groups, pleading with them to not drink and drive. She tells the sad and sobering story of a boy who was drinking and still decided to drive. That boy killed her sister, Erin, just over 13 years ago.

For the fourth consecutive year, Morris is serving as part of the executive committee to organize the race.

More information about the race is available online at www.erinsaaimforchange.org. Registration is also available online through the web site, or by printing a registration form and following the mail-in instructions.

AAIM is an Illinois-based non-profit organization supporting victims of drunk driving.
The race is a way for the Olmsted family to raise awareness about drunk driving and to keep Erin's memory alive.