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Post by title1parent on Sept 3, 2009 20:55:23 GMT -5
====================== Sean Covey Presents "Kids' Habits for Success" September 14 ======================
Renowned speaker Sean Covey is coming to our community on September 14. Harris Bank and Anderson's Bookshop are sponsoring a "Lunch and Learn" event on Monday, September 14, from 11 AM to 12:30 PM at Meson Sabika, 1025 Aurora Ave., Naperville. Youth leaders and parents are invited to attend this "up close" opportunity to learn how Covey's timeless principles provide a step-by-step guide to helping children and teens improve their self-image, build friendships, resist peer pressure, achieve goals and get along with parents. Reservations are required; the cost is $25 with proceeds to benefit KidsMatter. Please contact Maureen Dvorak in the District 203 Office of Community Relations at 630-420-6475 or via email at mdvorak@naperville203.org.
On the evening of September 14, courtesy of Anderson's Bookshop, Sean Covey will address "inspiring youth to greatness," beginning at 7 PM in the Naperville Central Auditorium, 440 Aurora Ave. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Tickets are $5, with proceeds to benefit KidsMatter. Seating is limited. Advance tickets are available at Anderson's, 123 W. Jefferson (630-355-2665), and at all Harris Bank Naperville locations. Tickets will also be sold at the door that evening.
====================== Student Volunteer Fair September 22 ======================
KidsMatter is hosting its annual Volunteer Fair for students in grades 6 to 12 who are looking for opportunities to volunteer their time and energy. Last year, more than 600 young people attended this Fair.
This year's event takes place on Tuesday, September 22 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle Street. Representatives from more than 30 organizations will be on hand to talk with students about the service opportunities they offer.
For more information about this event, please call 630-527-6562.
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Post by title1parent on Sept 10, 2009 16:13:56 GMT -5
======================= Special Needs PTA Meeting September 15 ======================= Do you have a child with an IEP or a 504 plan? Have you ever wondered if they would simply benefit from additional help or support within the school setting? Are you looking for resources or answers for at-home support? Have you ever wondered if there are other parents who would understand what you are going through or have been through this before? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then the Indian Prairie Special Needs PTA is right for you. Come find out what the IPSN PTA is all about at its first meeting of the year on September 15 at 7:00 pm at the Crouse Education Center, 780 Shoreline Drive, Aurora. The IPSN PTA is a group of parents and caregivers of children with special needs. Its mission is to unify and support parents and caregivers of children with special needs by sharing experiences, learning about legislation, funding, services and community resources that support and strengthen the families of special needs children. It also provides the opportunity to meet with educators and community leaders to increase awareness of the needs of its families. The IPSN PTA is open to parents, caregivers, teachers, and community leaders who have an interest in learning more about the variety of special needs in the district. For answers to some commonly asked questions, visit ipsdweb.ipsd.org/uploads/IPSN/IPSN_PTA_FAQ.pdfMore information, including meeting calendars and membership forms, is online at ipsdweb.ipsd.org/Subpage.aspx/SpecialNeedsPTA======================= NV Special Olympics Champs Perform at Six Flags September 19 ======================= On Saturday, September 19, Six Flags and Special Olympics Illinois are teaming up for awareness and fundraising. Neuqua Valley High School's Special Olympics State Championship basketball team will provide a 20-minute demonstration game at 3:00 pm at the park. There will also be other sports demonstrations provided by schools across the state. Tickets are available through www.soill.org, with proceeds benefiting Special Olympics Illinois. ======================= This Week's e-Folder ======================= Recent additions to the 204 e-Folder include the following: ~ America's Soccer Club Program ~ Champion Youth Self-Defense Classes ~ Cowlishaw Elementary: Cub Scouts Round-Up ~ DuPage Children's Museum September Activities ~ DuPage County Sheriff's Office: "Safety Saturday" ~ Early Childhood Community Fair ~ Exchange Club of Naperville: "Keeping Your Kids Safe" ~ Field House Family YMCA Youth Basketball League ~ Fry Elementary: Girl Scout Round-Up ~ Greater Aurora Baseball Association Baseball Tryouts ~ Galaxy Soccer Club Micro League ~ Helping Hand Program ~ Love and Logic Parenting Workshop ~ College of DuPage Fall Classes for Kids ~ Naperville Public Library Reading Programs ~ North Central College Fine Arts Season Calendar ~ Northern Ice Skating Club Fall Skating Program ~ Project H.E.L.P. Presents "Saving Our Sanity" ~ Spanish Ladder Elementary Spanish Program ~ Special Needs Girl Scout Troop 200 Round-Up ~ Waubonsie Wrestling Club Registration ~ Wheatland Athletic Assn. Basketball and Soccer Programs ~ Indian Prairie Special Needs PTA Culver's Night and Family Portrait Day You can access the District 204 e-Folder at ipsdweb.ipsd.org/eFolder.aspx----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Post by title1parent on Sept 15, 2009 18:27:34 GMT -5
At last night's board of education meeting we spent time reviewing the results from Indian Prairie's 29,000 students who took standardized tests last year. I'm excited to share with you results that show our students continue to have strong, stable scores that are well above state averages. As a district, 92.8 percent of students met or exceeded state standards on the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) for the combined reading, math and science tests. Other highlights include strong math achievement scores, with all elementary and middle school grades tested achieving scores from 92.4 to 95.2 percent. Reading scores ranged from 88.9 percent in third grade to 93.2 percent in eighth grade. Science is another area where students showed outstanding achievement, with 91.5 percent of fourth-grade students and 92.4 percent of seventh-grade students meeting or exceeding standards. The district's ACT composite score of 23.8 showed an increase of 0.4 compared to the state's increase of 0.1. Our students continue to outperform the state average of 20.8 and the national average of 21.1. While the district's overall scores show high achievement, the district did not make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) as measured by No Child Left Behind (NCLB) in three subgroup areas: special education reading and math and economically disadvantaged reading. Five of the district's 33 schools did not reach this year's NCLB target because students in subgroup categories did not meet NCLB standards: Neuqua Valley High School, Waubonsie Valley High School, Hill, Granger and Scullen Middle Schools. I recognize that many are critical of NCLB because it is difficult for a district to have subgroups meet NCLB benchmarks. I personally believe the strength of NCLB is that it not only focuses our attention on the academic performance of subgroups, but on individual students that need the most help. It also creates focus on the other end of the spectrum to help us challenge high-performing students to increase their academic performance so they far exceed standards. As a result, we are writing stronger school improvement plans to deliver academic support to our students. We are also first in the nation to enter a partnership with ACT to assess our sixth and seventh graders. We hope this innovative approach increases educational opportunities for students by providing instructional improvement programs targeted toward college readiness standards. I was invited to attend a Superintendent's Symposium last month in Washington D.C. that focused on practical solutions for increasing college and career readiness. At the symposium, U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan shared information regarding upcoming national standards and innovation funds. We intend to be well informed and ahead of this movement and believe our partnership with ACT will help our students be best prepared for the future. I invite you to review the academic achievement presentation materials from the September 14 meeting. The video is online at mms://media.ipsd.org/ipsd_ondemand/board_misc/Achievement_Presentation_91409.wsx and the presentation slides are at www.ipsd.org/Uploads/news_24979_1.pdfSincerely, Kathy Birkett Superintendent
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Post by title1parent on Sept 18, 2009 17:01:05 GMT -5
===================== KidsMatter Volunteer Fair September 22 ===================== KidsMatter is hosting its annual Volunteer Fair for students in grades 6 through 12 who are looking for opportunities to volunteer their time and energy. Last year more than 600 young people attended this Fair. This year's event is Tuesday, September 22, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle Street. Representatives from 30 organizations will be on hand to talk with students about volunteer opportunities. A special highlight this year is family service opportunities. For more information visit www.KidsMatter2us.org===================== WVHS Planetarium's Day of Astronomy October 3 ===================== Join the Naperville Astronomical Association and Waubonsie Valley High School's Planetarium for "A Day of Astronomy" on Saturday, October 3. The event is an all-day celebration of the International Year of Astronomy 2009. This year marks the 400th Anniversary of Galileo's astronomical use of the telescope. Hundreds of nations around the world are celebrating astronomy this year under the theme "The Universe -- Yours to Discover." This free event is on Saturday, October 3, from 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm at Waubonsie Valley High School, 2590 Ogden Avenue, Aurora. There are activities for all ages, including solar and night telescope observing (weather permitting), exhibits, lectures, planetarium programs, how to choose a telescope workshop, door prizes, and more. For more information visit planetarium.ipsd.org/Subpage.aspx?id=278===================== Metea Valley Open House October 4 ===================== The community is invited to attend the open house for Metea Valley High School on Sunday, October 4. There will be a formal school dedication ceremony from 2 pm to 2:30 pm, followed by an open house from 2:30 pm to 5 pm with tours of the school. Metea Valley High School is located at 1801 N. Eola Road, Aurora. ===================== Seasonal Flu Shot Clinic October 22 ===================== The Steck PTA is sponsoring a seasonal flu shot clinic for the District 204 community on Thursday, October 22, from 6 pm to 8 pm at Fischer Middle School, 1305 Long Grove Drive, Aurora. Seasonal flu shots are available for $25 for pre-registered recipients ages 4 and up (walk-in is $27) and a seasonal flu nasal spray is available for $30 for ages 2 and up or those allergic to eggs. Anyone wishing to receive the nasal spray vaccine must pre-register. The seasonal flu shot does not provide protection against the H1N1 virus. Families are encouraged to consult with their primary care physician for any specific questions or concerns about whether or not to participate. Parents are also advised to talk with their insurance carriers regarding coverage and reimbursement. Medicaid is accepted. To register, visit secure.flubusters.com/home.aspx or call 866-358-2878. Advance registration is available through October 14. For more information, contact Nancy Vickers, Steck PTA president, at president@steckpta.org ===================== This Week's e-Folder ===================== Recent additions to the 204 e-Folder include the following: ~ AJAX Boys Supplemental Soccer Tryouts ~ Brooks Elementary Cub Scouts Round-up ~ Clow Elementary Cub Scouts Round-up ~ Ghost Stories...In the Park...In the Dark ~ KidsMatter Volunteer Fair ~ McCarty Elementary Cub Scouts Round-up ~ Naperville Panthers Wrestling Club ~ Naperville Park District Hop on a Hayride ~ Naperville Police and Fire Department Public Safety Open House ~ NCO Presents "A.C.E.S: Achieving Confidence Encouraging Success" ~ NCO Presents "Choices and Challenges: Upcoming ADHD Programs" ~ Peterson and Fry Elementary Cub Scouts Round-up ~ Three Fires Council Race into Scouting You can access the District 204 e-Folder at ipsdweb.ipsd.org/eFolder.aspx
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Post by title1parent on Oct 14, 2009 15:45:16 GMT -5
===================== Flu Seminar October 17 ===================== All parents are welcome to attend the "H1N1 and Seasonal Flu Preparedness Seminar" on Saturday, October 17, from 3 to 5 pm at Naperville Church of Christ, 24w150 75th Street, Naperville. This free seminar features local medical professionals discussing the latest information regarding H1N1 and seasonal flu. Presenters include: ~ Mary Anderson, Infection Control Manager for Edward Hospital ~ Robert J. Millar, M.D., Lakeside Family Practice ~ Linda Herwaldt, Coordinator of Health Services for District 204 The seminar is designed to provide the latest information so community members can make informed health decisions during flu season. Topics include disease prevention, transmission, vaccines and care during illness. For more information, contact Chris Shields at 630-961-1199. ===================== Students Perform at Soups On! October 18 ===================== Neuqua Valley and Waubonsie Valley students are part of the musical entertainment for the Soups On! Fundraiser on Sunday, October 18 from 11:30 am to 5 pm in the atrium of Tellabs, 1415 W. Diehl Road, Naperville. Neuqua Valley will take the stage from 12:50 pm to 2 pm. Performers include the Neuqua WildScats (a 20-person vocal jazz ensemble) and the Neuqua Valley String Quartet. Waubonsie Valley's performance is from 3:30 pm to 4:40 pm and features six different groups: Pink Notes, Cloud 9, Mosaic Ensemble, Chamber Singers, and the Sound Check and Girls in Heels Show Choirs. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Naperville, the Soups On! Fundraiser features more than 25 area restaurants serving different soups and foods. Organizers expect more than 2,000 attendees to this year's event with the goal of raising money for Hesed House, DuPage PADS, and Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry. For ticket information and additional details, visit www.soupsonrotary.com ===================== Social Media Safety October 19 ===================== Join professional speaker and parent Lisa Trosien at the Naperville Library, 3015 Cedar Glade Drive, on Monday, October 19 at 7 pm for "Today's Facebook Family: What You Need to Know about Social Media and Your Children." This free seminar will examine the ways children communicate and explain why it's important to know what they are saying. Do you know how to adjust the privacy settings on your child's Facebook page? Have you ever seen your child's AIM page? Did you even know they probably have one? Does your child's phone have a camera? Do you know what images they are sending? Does your child's phone have Internet access? Are you familiar with the term LMIRL? Do you know what sexting is? Thirty percent of teens know because they have done it. Trosien advises her business clients on how to use social media to communicate and in so doing, has become extremely familiar about how kids today are utilizing cell phones and the Internet to communicate. She shares her knowledge with parents to help them understand what to do to keep their children safe. Due to the content and nature of the program, this seminar is for adults only. Children will not be permitted to attend. Seating is limited. To register, send an email to mailto:fbsafety19@gmail.com ===================== Seasonal Flu Shot Clinic October 22 ===================== The Steck PTA is sponsoring a seasonal flu shot clinic for the District 204 community on Thursday, October 22, from 6 pm to 8 pm at Fischer Middle School, 1305 Long Grove Drive, Aurora. Seasonal flu shots are available for $25 for pre-registered recipients ages 4 and up (walk-in is $27) and a seasonal flu nasal spray is available for $30 for ages 2 and up or those allergic to eggs. Anyone wishing to receive the nasal spray vaccine must pre-register. The seasonal flu shot does not provide protection against the H1N1 virus. Families are encouraged to consult with their primary care physician for any specific questions or concerns about whether or not to participate. Parents are also advised to talk with their insurance carriers regarding coverage and reimbursement. Medicaid is accepted. To register, visit secure.flubusters.com/home.aspx or call 866-358-2878. Advance registration is available through October 14. For more information, contact Nancy Vickers, Steck PTA president, at mailto:president@steckpta.org
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Post by title1parent on Oct 20, 2009 15:30:18 GMT -5
Dear District 204 Parents/Guardians, There has been a great deal of information in the news recently about this year's flu season, and with arrival of the novel H1N1 vaccine, you will likely be hearing even more. We have placed resources on the district's website to help parents easily find flu information. You can access the resources at ipsdweb.ipsd.org/Subpage.aspx/Flu. We also encourage you to talk with your physician if you have questions. In spending time with different parent groups over the past week, I have been asked if the district will report to parents when we have a confirmed case of H1N1 in our schools. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to know how many "official" cases we have in our schools. The county health department has advised that schools not depend on individual test results as the basis for routine decision making. Some individuals with flu symptoms do not seek medical care and are not tested. In addition, some rapid tests may produce false positive or false negative results. Therefore, the county health department does not recommend that a note be sent home to notify parents when a case of H1N1 is reported at school. You can read the county health department's guidelines at ipsdweb.ipsd.org/uploads/Flu/WillCountyGuidanceForSchools.pdfI tell parents to assume that the H1N1 virus is in our community -- it is in the schools, in the workplace, in the stores we visit, etc. The flu is all around us, and it will be with us through the fall and winter. As such, parents need to prepare for this year's flu season. Become aware of flu symptoms and know when to seek medical assistance, especially if your child has an underlying medical condition. It is also a good time to review plans for child-care options should you need to keep your child at home. For the time being, the district will continue to inform parents when the absentee rate at a school reaches 10 percent of students with influenza-like illness. We will also continue to encourage students and staff to practice good hygiene and stay home when they are not feeling well. We appreciate your help in providing these same reminders to your children and for helping us keep our students healthy this flu season. Please visit our website for more information ipsdweb.ipsd.org/Subpage.aspx/FluKathy Birkett Superintendent
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Post by title1parent on Dec 7, 2009 16:54:00 GMT -5
With the arrival of winter weather, please be reminded of the ways the district announces schools are closed. The announcement is made by 6:00 am through the following: ~ A Connect-ED phone call to parents/guardians ~ Information posted on the district's website at www.ipsd.org/ ~ Local television and radio stations ~ Emergency Closing Center's website at www.emergencyclosingcenter.com/ecc/search.jsp ~ A message on the district's information line at 630-375-3015 (Please do not call your individual school) We will only announce when schools are closed. If schools are not closed, it is ultimately the responsibility of parents and guardians to decide if conditions safely allow for their children to attend school. If children are kept home due to weather conditions, it will count as an excused absence.
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Post by WeNeed3 on Jan 5, 2010 14:25:39 GMT -5
Teachers Earn Top Certification 1-5-2010
Twenty-three teachers from Indian Prairie School District 204 recently earned National Board Certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
District 204 currently has 138 teachers with National Board Certification, making Indian Prairie second only to Chicago Public Schools in the number of National Board Certified teachers on staff.
National Board Certification is the most prestigious credential a teacher can earn. Like board certified doctors and accountants, teachers who achieve National Board Certification have met rigorous standards through intensive study, expert evaluation, self-assessment and peer review. The process can take up to three years to complete.
District 204 currently has five National Board Certified teachers who are Waubonsie Valley High School graduates. They include Jerry Guzaldo, Jeannie Brooks, Mark Dwyer, Laura Fry, and Katie Knopp.
Superintendent Kathy Birkett applauded the teachers for their hard work. "It takes a huge commitment to earn this certification. These teachers are dedicated to their own professional development and their students."
The following District 204 teachers recently received National Board Certification:
Martin Beirne, Waubonsie Valley High School Cheryl Brauer, Brookdale Elementary School Jill Casey, Waubonsie Valley High School Lorie Cristofaro, Waubonsie Valley High School James Donahue Waubonsie Valley High School Deborah Dyschkant, Fry Elementary School Gerald Guzaldo, Waubonsie Valley High School David Johnston, Neuqua Valley High School Jessie Lavin, Neuqua Valley High School Nicholas Marasco, Neuqua Valley High School Roderich Mendoza, Neuqua Valley High School Timothy Molloy, Waubonsie Valley High School Paula Mueller, Neuqua Valley High School Jayne O'Gorman, Crone Middle School Karen Popovich, Neuqua Valley High School Michael Rossi, Neuqua Valley High School Arlene Sanders, Brookdale Elementary School Anne Schmalandt, Brookdale Elementary School Jeffery Schmela, Metea Valley High School Donna Shaw, Neuqua Valley High School Kristine Slanina, Still Middle School Jennifer Torza, Granger Middle School Elizabeth Wisner, Crone Middle School
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Post by title1parent on Jun 7, 2010 13:39:22 GMT -5
The following column from Superintendent Kathy Birkett appeared in the Daily Herald on June 4, 2010:
We Must Prepare Students to be Part of a Global Community
District 204's mission statement is "to prepare all students to succeed in an ever-changing world through comprehensive programs and experiences in collaboration with family and community." Board of education members have been discussing the "ever-changing world" part of this statement and formally adopted a goal to equip our students with 21st century skills.
When we think of how rapidly our world is changing, how can we be certain we are doing the best job preparing our students to compete globally? How do we know the knowledge and skills most students learn in school equip them with the knowledge and skills they need for success after graduation?
To successfully face rigorous higher education coursework, career challenges and a globally competitive workforce, we must align our classrooms with real world environments by fusing our core curriculum and four Cs -- critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity.
21st Century Skills are being discussed well beyond our district. National standards are being developed that all districts will have to meet and they include embedded 21st Century Skills. At the state level, Illinois is one of 14 states to adopt a framework created by The Partnership for 21st Century Skills (P21), a national organization that advocates for 21st Century readiness for every student. As the United States continues to compete in a global economy that demands innovation, P21 and its members have taken up the charge to provide tools and resources to school districts.
Just as District 204 believes that student success is best achieved through collaboration, P21 also believes business, education and government leaders can join together to transform education. P21's framework for 21st century skills was developed in collaboration with representatives from Microsoft, Dell, Verizon, National Education Association, American Association of School Librarians, Sun Microsystems, Cisco Systems, Hewlett Packard, and many others.
So what does an emphasis on 21st Century Skills mean for our students? Several significant content areas are critical for students to be ready for the world that waits beyond District 204. These include global awareness, financial, entrepreneurial, environmental, and civic literacy, as well as awareness of health and wellness.
Many of our excellent teachers already include lessons that incorporate these concepts. Our upcoming work will be to identify the best lessons already in our classrooms and uniformly weave them into our curriculum. We will look across the district, beginning with elementary schools, to make sure our core curriculum includes the framework for our students to succeed in the 21st Century.
This work is challenging in a district our size, but it is so important. As superintendent, I am continually impressed by the talents of our staff and students. As a district, we must build on these talents to make sure that every student is ready for the global community. Ensuring student readiness for the world marketplace is paramount to our mission. We must all be up to the challenge.
Kathy Birkett Superintendent
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Post by title1parent on Jun 14, 2010 16:40:01 GMT -5
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Neuqua and Waubonsie Named America's Best High Schools ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Neuqua Valley and Waubonsie Valley were included in Newsweek magazine's just released list of America's Best High Schools.
Newsweek's list is a national ranking based on a formula that divides the number of Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate tests taken by students into the number of graduating seniors from approximately 27,000 of the nation's public high schools. According to Newsweek, this measurement places Neuqua Valley and Waubonsie Valley in the top 6 percent of high schools in the county. This is the sixth time that Neuqua Valley has made the list and the fourth year in a row for Waubonsie Valley.
Indian Prairie offers 24 Advanced Placement courses that provide the opportunity for students to tackle challenging, college-level academics. Across the district, more than 3,050 AP tests were taken in 2009.
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Post by title1parent on Jun 15, 2010 5:55:21 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/2391876,naperville-schools-high-Newsweek-list-na061410.article Fox Valley schools high on Newsweek list June 15, 2010 By KATHY CICHON kcichon@stmedianetwork.com Naperville-area high schools are once again ranked among the top in the nation. "This is good news for the district," Indian Prairie District 204 Superintendent Kathy Birkett said Monday afternoon. "It's one indicator of strong student achievement." In Newsweek's "America's Best High Schools" list released this week, Indian Prairie District 204 high schools Neuqua Valley and Waubonsie Valley ranked 897 and 1191, respectively. A total of 1,600 schools were identified as the best by the magazine. "We're very, very happy to see where both Waubonsie Valley and Neuqua Valley are recognized," Birkett said. And in Naperville School District 203, Naperville Central and Naperville North ranked 1,192 and 1,251, respectively. The national ranking is based on a formula that divides the number of Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate tests taken by students into the number of graduating seniors from approximately 27,000 of the nation's public high schools. According to Newsweek, this measurement places Central, Neuqua, North and Waubonsie in the top 6 percent of high schools in the country. "I'm just proud of our kids for wanting to take rigorous classes in their senior year," said Tim Wierenga, assistant superintendent for instruction for District 203. "It's a testament to the fact students are interested in challenging themselves." District 203 offers 21 different AP courses to its high school students. While most are available junior and senior years, freshmen can take AP World History. "It really is all about opportunity for our students," Wierenga said. "We find that our students are not only asking for the rigors of college classes," he said, but also those with relevance. "They can select the area they are interested in that's relevant to them and their career choice," Wierenga said. In District 204, students are also taking advantage of a variety of options. More than 3,050 AP tests were taken in 2009. "When you give over 3,000 AP tests, you're doing something right," Birkett said. The district continues to provide more opportunities for students to move forward, as well as enrich and push students at the top, she said. "I think some of the success is just in the breadth of offerings," Birkett said. The district offers 24 different AP courses in which students tackle challenging, college-level material. "The high school administrators and teachers have done a great job of opening them up and making students feel they can challenge themselves," Birkett said. While AP classes are offered in both districts in common subject areas such as biology, U.S. history and English literature, they also offer more specialized topics such as AP microeconomics, AP Chinese and AP art history. This is the sixth time Neuqua Valley has made the list and the fourth year in a row for Waubonsie Valley. It is also the fifth time North has made the list and the third year in a row for Central. For a complete listing of Newsweek's "America's Best High Schools," visit www.newsweek.com/feature/2010/americas-best-high-schools.html.
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Post by title1parent on Jun 30, 2010 22:11:17 GMT -5
====================== Six Students Achieve Perfect ACT Scores ====================== Six students from Indian Prairie School District 204 scored a perfect 36 composite score on the ACT. Pooja Bag, Mishka Gidwani, Naeun Shin, Meredith Staub and Nan Zhao from Neuqua Valley High School and Patrick Zhao from Waubonsie Valley High School all received a perfect score on the 2010 ACT test administered in April. A total of 2,089 District 204 juniors took the test in April, which is part of the Prairie State Achievement Examination. Statewide, 143,791 took the ACT, while nationally 1,480,469 students took the exam. The ACT is a curriculum-based achievement exam designed to measure the academic skills that are taught in schools and deemed important for success in first-year college courses. ====================== District 204's Bond Rating Upgraded by Moody's ====================== Moody's Investors Services upgraded Indian Prairie's bond rating to Aa1 from Aa2, citing the high quality of the district's overall credit profile and sound financial operations supported by healthy reserves. "We believe the district's financial position will remain sound given the management's commitment to maintaining solid reserves," the report stated. "Despite various fiscal challenges, officials expect balanced operations across both fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2011." Moody's is among the world's most respected and widely utilized sources for credit ratings, research and risk analysis. ====================== WV Science Teacher Receives Biotechnology Award ====================== Elaine Modine, science teacher at Waubonsie Valley High School, has received the Ron Mardigian Biotechnology Teaching Award. The award honors a secondary school teacher or undergraduate college biology instructor who effectively integrates biotechnology into his or her curriculum. The lessons must include active laboratory work and encompass major principles as well as processes of biotechnology. Criteria for selection include creativity, scientific accuracy and currency, quality of laboratory practice and safety, ease of replication, benefit to students and potential significance beyond the classroom. The award includes $1,500 of financial support and supplies from Bio-Rad Laboratories. She will receive her award November 5 at the 2010 National Association of Biology Teachers Conference in Minneapolis. ====================== District Publication Receives National Award ====================== Indian Prairie's "2010 High School Course Catalog" received an Award of Honorable Mention from the National School Public Relations Association during its 2010 Publications and Electronic Media Contest. The completely revised and updated course catalog was produced collectively by the district's three high schools and Indian Prairie's Instructional Services and Communication Services Departments. The award-winning publication is on the district's website at ipsdweb.ipsd.org/Documents/Instruction/2010-13CoursePlanningGuide.pdf====================== Metea Valley Receives Construction Award ====================== Metea Valley High School received the Chicago Building Congress Merit Award for New Construction (Suburbs). Each year, CBC presents "Merit Awards" to honor outstanding Chicago projects in four categories: New Construction (Chicago), New Construction (Suburbs), Rehab Construction, and Construction Under $10 Million. Since its inception before WWII, the Chicago Building Congress has served to meet the needs of its variegated membership by providing continuing education and ongoing opportunities to associate with one another for the exchange of information and to nourish business relationships.
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Post by title1parent on Jun 30, 2010 22:16:15 GMT -5
====================== WV Science Teacher Receives Biotechnology Award ====================== Elaine Modine, science teacher at Waubonsie Valley High School, has received the Ron Mardigian Biotechnology Teaching Award. The award honors a secondary school teacher or undergraduate college biology instructor who effectively integrates biotechnology into his or her curriculum. The lessons must include active laboratory work and encompass major principles as well as processes of biotechnology. Criteria for selection include creativity, scientific accuracy and currency, quality of laboratory practice and safety, ease of replication, benefit to students and potential significance beyond the classroom. The award includes $1,500 of financial support and supplies from Bio-Rad Laboratories. She will receive her award November 5 at the 2010 National Association of Biology Teachers Conference in Minneapolis. Congratulations to Mrs. Modine. A wonderful Science teacher who will be truly missed as she will retire after this upcoming school year. For those who don't know, she is the one who basically designed the Genetics program in this district.
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Post by asmodeus on Jun 30, 2010 23:16:53 GMT -5
Impressive achievement for NV having 5 perfect ACT scores.
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Post by title1parent on Jul 1, 2010 6:32:49 GMT -5
Impressive achievement for NV having 5 perfect ACT scores. Impressive achievement that D204 had 6 perfect ACT scores. Congratulations to the WV and NV students.
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