District 202 Education Partners, hello...
I think we are in the dog days of winter, if there is such a thing (ala the dog-days of summer, when time seems to stand still)...Yet we continue plodding ahead...Lots of news, information and photos this week, as always. First, a few important notes:
- As we shared earlier this week, the Board of Education this past Monday heard some preliminary information in closed session about possible budget reductions. This was done privately as the law requires because the conversation was about specific positions and people.
The Board will continue that conversation, again in closed session, at 6 p.m. Monday, January 18, 2010. No action will be taken.
The superintendent may publicly present his budget recommendations on Monday, January 25, depending on the progress made this coming Monday. Of course we will share that information with you as soon as possible. Nothing has been publicly presented or discussed, and the Board must, by law, make all votes in public.
- Here are the January 11, 2010 Board of Education meeting notes.
- The Will County Health Department will hold another free H1N1 vaccine clinic from 1-4:30 p.m. Sunday, January 24, 2010 at Plainfield High School -- Central Campus. This is the last free clinic that is currently scheduled, now that the private pharmacies and doctors' offices also have the vaccine. Click here: http://www.willcountyhealth.org/en/do.jsp?id=158
- Kudos to Plainfield South High School assistant boys bowling coach Derek Christensen, for his efforts to create a scholarship fund in memory of former bowling team member Eric Brander, who was killed in a car accident last month. Kudos as well to the students, staff and families at Aux Sable Middle School who initially raised money to help the Brander family, and then later donated the money to PSHS for a scholarship when they learned that the family's needs were already met. Such kindness of spirit defines District 202.
- Congratulations to Plainfield North High School physics teacher Dr. John Thurmond, who has published an article in the January 2010 issue of the journal "Human Molecular Genetics" for work he did with Ohio State University and families of spinal muscular atrophy.
- Nearly 500 Red House elementary school students will be recognized and honored as new members of the Tiger Reading Club for reading a certain number of books based on their grade level. About 300 will be recognized at tonight's boys basketball game at PNHS, and about 170 more will be recognized next Friday at the girls game.
- Blue House schools will be doing a "Help Haiti Heal" change drive from January 20-29, 2010 to help the Haiti Relief Fund established by the American Red Cross. Students, parents, and staff can bringing spare change to their school(s). The Blue House schools will one large donation to the American Red Cross to help disaster victims in Haiti.
- As well, our friends at the Greater Joliet Area YMCA will immediately begin collecting donations for the Haitian people, as part of a coordinated effort through the World Alliance of YMCAs together with Latin American and Caribbean Alliance of YMCAs. Change can be left in collection jars in the YMCA Kidz Korner and Babysitting rooms and let the children participate. Checks can be made to the YMCA. Please contact Kristy Davey at the C.W. Avery YMCA for more information: (815) 267-8600.
New Photos This Week
Please click on the "District 202 Photos" link below to see these photos of our students and staff in action:
- Lincoln Elementary School - We Have a Dream Speeches
- Crystal Lawns Elementary School - Valentines for the Troops
- Ridge Elementary School - Battle of the Books 2010
- PSHS - Falconry Demonstration
- PHSCC - Rocking Chair Donation
- Heritage Grove Middle School - Rube Goldberg Machine Testing
- Heritage Grove Middle School - Geography Bee 2010
- PNHS - Community Helpers
- PNHS - Preschool French LessonFlat Stanleys
Virtual Backpack
We've posted
10 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. We've gotten more than 350 individual suggestions, and each of them 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...
Army Specialist Kyle J. Wright, 22, was killed January 13, 2010 in the line of duty in Afghanistan. Kyle attended Timber Ridge Middle School and spent his freshman year at Plainfield South High School before transferring to Romeoville High School, where he graduated in 2006. Let's please use this sad event as a reminder to remember the sacrifices being made by all of the men and women who are working at home and across seas to protect our American way of life.
Have a great weekend...
Tom Hernandez
Director of Community Relations
Plainfield CCSD 202
(815) 577-4008 (office)
"We Prepare Learners for the Future"
