Post by title1parent on Aug 18, 2009 5:25:28 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1720610,Naperville-Schools-Dist-204-new-year-NA0818009.article
A new day for District 204
More than 2,500 teachers and staff kick off new school year
August 18, 2009
By ASHLEY JOHNSON For The Sun
District 204 may be going through changes with the opening of two buildings and boundary issues, but that didn't dampen the excitement at Calvary Church Monday where approximately 2,600 teachers arrived on school buses to kick off the school year.
Twice during the two-hour event, teachers rose to their feet to applaud new superintendent Kathy Birkett.
Her message to them was simple: "My vision is for 204 to remain great."
Birkett, who started her career coaching at Waubonsie Valley High School in Aurora, was honored along with two other people for 30 years of service to Indian Prairie School District.
In talking about her goals for the year, Birkett placed emphasis on the important work done at the educator level. She outlined three focus areas for the upcoming year — communication, finances and student achievement.
"We as a district need to do some really hard work with our subgroups," she added, referring specifically to minorities, students with Individualized Education Programs and those who are economically disadvantaged.
Board President Curt Bradshaw shared the story of the teacher who motivated him to work harder in school.
As a freshman at Waubonsie, Bradshaw said he earned mostly Bs and Cs, and the "occasional A to offset that occasional D." That is, until his world geography teacher told him he wasn't living up to his full potential.
"She told me that if I studied harder and worked harder that I could do better," Bradshaw said. "So I listened, and I went home and I studied."
As a result, he aced his midterm exam. He called on teachers to do the same for the students in their care.
"All I ask is that you give them your very best, because they deserve nothing less than that," Bradshaw said.
The only mention of the district's two new buildings — Fischer Middle School and Metea Valley High School — came from students. Fischer's choir sang, and during a skit, an incoming Metea sophomore heralded a "brand new day" for District 204.
Carol Schaible, president of the Indian Prairie Classified Association (IPCA), rated the event a success.
"I'm very encouraged," she said. "We have a challenging year with all the changes, but we're ready. Support staff is ready to do whatever we can to be a help to the administrators and the district."
A new day for District 204
More than 2,500 teachers and staff kick off new school year
August 18, 2009
By ASHLEY JOHNSON For The Sun
District 204 may be going through changes with the opening of two buildings and boundary issues, but that didn't dampen the excitement at Calvary Church Monday where approximately 2,600 teachers arrived on school buses to kick off the school year.
Twice during the two-hour event, teachers rose to their feet to applaud new superintendent Kathy Birkett.
Her message to them was simple: "My vision is for 204 to remain great."
Birkett, who started her career coaching at Waubonsie Valley High School in Aurora, was honored along with two other people for 30 years of service to Indian Prairie School District.
In talking about her goals for the year, Birkett placed emphasis on the important work done at the educator level. She outlined three focus areas for the upcoming year — communication, finances and student achievement.
"We as a district need to do some really hard work with our subgroups," she added, referring specifically to minorities, students with Individualized Education Programs and those who are economically disadvantaged.
Board President Curt Bradshaw shared the story of the teacher who motivated him to work harder in school.
As a freshman at Waubonsie, Bradshaw said he earned mostly Bs and Cs, and the "occasional A to offset that occasional D." That is, until his world geography teacher told him he wasn't living up to his full potential.
"She told me that if I studied harder and worked harder that I could do better," Bradshaw said. "So I listened, and I went home and I studied."
As a result, he aced his midterm exam. He called on teachers to do the same for the students in their care.
"All I ask is that you give them your very best, because they deserve nothing less than that," Bradshaw said.
The only mention of the district's two new buildings — Fischer Middle School and Metea Valley High School — came from students. Fischer's choir sang, and during a skit, an incoming Metea sophomore heralded a "brand new day" for District 204.
Carol Schaible, president of the Indian Prairie Classified Association (IPCA), rated the event a success.
"I'm very encouraged," she said. "We have a challenging year with all the changes, but we're ready. Support staff is ready to do whatever we can to be a help to the administrators and the district."