District 202 Education Partners, hello...
First and foremost, please have a happy, safe and healthy Thanksgiving holiday and break.
Speaking of Thanksgiving, we have our usual overflowing buffet of District 202 news, photos and information. First, a few important notes:
- Here are the November 23, 2009 Board of Education meeting notes.
- Dr. Harper's monthly community column is posted online and has appeared in the local press. This month the superintendent shares some good news about the number of influenza-like illnesses dropping. Click here: http://www.psd202.org/Community/columns/1109.pdf
- Timber Ridge Middle School students, staff and families collected over 100 boxes - or 1,524 pounds! - of much needed items for our troops. What a wonderful and caring initiative.
- Kudos to Plainfield High School-Central Campus junior Maddie Mikrut, who finished 33rd at the state swim meet last weekend. Maddie is the first Plainfield Swimming Co-op member to qualify for state competition since 2004.
- Mark your calendar: the next Community Coffee with the Superintendent will be held from 8:30-10 a.m. Saturday, December 5, 2009 at the district administrative center, 15732 Howard Street, Plainfield. As always, everyone is welcome to attend and chat directly with Dr. Harper and his staff about key district issues, questions, etc.
- A reminder that The District 202 Partners Recognizing Individual Developmental Excellence (PRIDE) parent group will host its first-ever public event addressing the unique needs of gifted students at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, December 3, 2009 at Plainfield High School-Central Campus. This event is free and open to anyone with gifted students, or who is interested in the topic of gifted education. This special program will focus on the unique identity and socio-emotional needs of gifted students, and how these students can thrive both inside and outside the classroom setting. Click here for more information: http://news.psd202.org/news/display.php?newsitem=1340
New Photos This Week
Please click on the "District 202 Photos" link below to see these photos of our students and staff in action:
- Meadow View Elementary School - Oobleck Experiment
- Eichelberger Elementary School - Glow In The Dark T-Shirts
- Charles Reed Elementary School - Pillowcase Donations
- Thomas Jefferson Elementary School - Grand Event
- Charles Reed Elementary School - Family Shields
- Central Elementary School - Thanksgiving Feast
- PNHS - Spanish NHS Reads to Freedom Students
Virtual Backpack
We've posted
two new fliers this week on the
District 202 "Virtual Backpack." Check out the Virtual Backpack section of this newsletter to review and download this week's materials, and please spread the word with family and friends about this great new "green" tool. Click here for more information about the Virtual Backpack:
http://www.psd202.org/vbackpack.htm
Budget Deficit Elimination Strategy
Thanks to everyone who has already shared ideas for ways to reduce the district's projected $16 million operating budget deficit. Every single suggestion is being shared with the superintendent and Board of Education.
Submit your ideas/suggestions for reducing costs through this special page:
District Deficit Elimination Strategy
Finally...
Plan to attend the 2009-2010 Great Read Committee kick off event Monday, December 7, 2009 at the Joliet Barnes and Noble store, 2621 Plainfield Road, Joliet. Great REad Committee members will read age-appropriate stories to early elementary-age children at 6 p.m. and a book talk for older students (late elementary and middle school age.)
Then, acclaimed author Luis Urrea will read and sign his book, "Into the Beautiful North" at 7 p.m. This wonderful story is the center of this year's Great Read program. It is the story of a group of Mexican teens who come to America in search of warriors to save their tiny village from bandits. It speaks poetically and meaninfully to some of the issues of changing community that our own area has experienced.
Finally, the winner of the contest to name a new holiday beverage in Mr. Urrea's honor will also be announced. We've received lots of terrific suggestions already. The winning child will receive a $25 Barnes and Noble gift card, and the winning adult will receive a free, signed copy of "Into the Beautiful North."
Click here for more information about this wonderful program, the "name the drink" contest and more:
www.psd202.org/greatread
Have a turkey-riffic weekend!
Tom Hernandez
Director of Community Relations
Plainfield CCSD 202
(815) 577-4008 (office)
"We Prepare Learners for the Future"
