District 205 Board

MeetingOctober 8, 2008

Roll Call

Pledge of Allegiance

Please make certain that your cell phones are silent.

Thank you

Approval of Minutes

Open Session of the Public Hearing on September 17, 2008

Regular Meeting and Executive Session onSeptember 17, 2008

Approval of District 205 Bills

Approval of Resignations

Approval of Leave of Absence

Approval of Employment

COMMUNITY AWARENESS

Mr. Jerry B. Doss

Education Summit 2008Thornridge High School

Keynote Speaker Mr. Reginald WeaverAttended by over 150 parents, faculty and

clergy from the entire District 205 community.

New District 205 Honor Band performed under the direction of Mr. David Eanes.

District 205 Students Against Violence Everywhere students gave two 45 minute seminars on violence prevention in school.

Thornwood High School Hosts Illinois House of Representatives Hearing on

Education Funding ReformHearing was attended by over 300 faculty and

community members.State Representatives Will Davis, David Miller

and Al Riley were in attendance.Steve Gress, Mayor Don De Graff and other local

superintendents testified about the need for public education funding reform in the State of Illinois.

Illinois State Treasure Alexi GiannouliasOpportunity Knocks Free Workshop

Location: Riverdale Resource Center Date: Friday, October 10, 2008 Time: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

To register please contact Debbie Meyers-Martin at

(312) 814-1252.

South Suburban PADS 2008-2009Emergency Overnight Shelter Sites

PADS offers free emergency, overnight shelter nightly from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. between October 1, 2008

and April 30, 2009.

Lifesource DonationAnnual TTHS Blood Drive

THANK YOU LIFESOURCE!

2008 Fall Parent Teacher Conference

September 18th and 19th Thornton # of Parents

Thornwood# of Parents

Thornridge# of Parents

967 800 1099

Columbus DayMonday, October 13, 2008

NO SCHOOLOctober 17th Grade/Progress Reports October 25th National College Fair

Navy PierOctober 25th PSAE Retake Day 1-

October 28th PSAE Retake Day 2

Congratulations Coach William “Bill” MoselChicago Bears Coach of the Week

The program honors outstanding Illinois high school coaches who develop players’ football skills and knowledge, character, leadership, discipline, and teamwork abilities.

Other criteria considered include unique coaching methodology, community or off-field components, school and community support, volunteerism, and, most importantly, contributions to players’ long-term success on and off the field.

Coaches are nominated by a panel of local prep authorities, and the winning “Coach of the Week” is selected each week.

Public Participation

We now open the Public Participation section of our agenda. At this time, members of the community are invited to address the Board. We ask that you state your name and town, limit your total time to three minutes, and talk only about items on the current Board Agenda.

In addition, if your comments are of a critical nature about specific people, the Board requests that you present your comments during the personnel portion of the “executive session.”

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Presentation of Parental Involvement Policy 2nd reading

Dr. Buckner (30-day review, tabled)

UNFINISHED BUSINESSPresentation of Title I Parent Involvement Policy, 2nd

reading

Mr. Truesdale (30-day review, tabled)

NEW BUSINESSPublic Hearing Regarding the Issuance of $50 Million in Working Cash Bonds

Mr. Gress

COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC

NEW BUSINESS

Recommended Approval of Designation Letter for

Board Secretary Representative

Dr. Buckner (Approval needed)

NEW BUSINESS

Appointment of SCOPE representative (previously Sharon Voliva)

Dr. Buckner (Approval needed)

NEW BUSINESS

Recommended Approval of Annual Thornwood Cheerleading Competition.

Mrs. Williams (Approval needed)

NEW BUSINESS

Recommended Approval of Annual Thornton Cheerleading Competition.

Dr. Lyke (Approval needed)

NEW BUSINESS

State (ISBE) Report Card (PSAE)

Mr. Truesdale, Dr. Dague and Principals

ThornwoodThornridgeThornton

An increase in the percentage of students who met or exceeded in Mathematics

An increase in the percentage of students who met or exceeded in Reading

Reading 2007 31.4% 2008 37.0%

5.6% Gain5.6% Gain

Math 2007 21.6% 2008 39.1%

17.5% Gain17.5% Gain

Reading 2007 33.5%

2008 38.6%

5.1% Gain5.1% Gain

Mathematics 2007 24.3%

2008 40.1%

15.8% Gain15.8% Gain

Reading 2007 31.5%

2008 35.5%

4.0% Gain4.0% Gain

Mathematics 2007 20.7%

2008 36.0%

15.3% Gain15.3% Gain

Reading 2007 29.2%

2008 36.0%

6.8% Gain6.8% Gain

Mathematics 2007 19.1%

2008 40.9%

21.8% Gain21.8% Gain

State goal for this year is 70%

District 205 goal for this year is 100%

We will not settle for less than 100% of our students meeting or exceeding on the P.S.A.E. in 2009.

Safe and Secure Learning Environment Relevant and Rigorous Curriculum Interim Assessments District-wide PSAE Preparation Activities Classroom Instruction Feedback through

Drop-Ins and Evaluations Princeton Review-ACT Prep Program Appropriate and Research-Based

Professional Development for Teachers Afterschool Tutorial Programs Continued Support from Parents and

Community Members

NEW BUSINESS

District School Report Card (District Improvement Plan)

Mr. Truesdale, Dr. Dague and Principals

Reading Progress Update Summer Boost Program

Students identified in need of support were invited to attend Summer Boost Program for English/Reading

New Reading Courses Based on a model used at Lincoln-Way High School Provides strategies for reading process as well as types of reading Taught by staff from all content areas

Literacy Coaches Newly created position to support reading program across all

content areas Provides training and support for teachers in the freshman reading

courses Provides coaching and strategies to teachers Participates in development of reading program evaluation to

improve the program each year Collaborates with English AIL and Superintendent to develop

strategies and materials for Parent Academy

Math Progress Update Summer Boost Program

Students identified in need of support were invited to attend Summer Boost Program for Math

Double Dose Course Per the DIP Yearlong Algebra on the block was reformatted as

double period class. Each algebra unit is paired with instruction on requisite skills. The current format is Algebra class for one period and support for one period.

Numeracy Coach Newly created position to support math across the district in all

three schools Provides coaching and strategies to teachers (27 math teachers

are non-tenured) Continues to supports articulation with feeder schools Participates in development of math program evaluation to

improve the program each year Collaborates with math AIL and Superintendent to develop

strategies and materials for Parent Academy

Reading and Math Data SourcesInterim Assessment DataPre and Post TestsGrade Distributions Summer Program ResultsParent Involvement Activities

Special Education Progress UpdateResource room developed at each of the three high

schoolsIEPs evaluated with regard to impact of moving to

new bell schedule; Staff is being trained on EZ-IEPCo-teaching coordinators :

Newly created position to provide support to co-teaching team

Identify and facilitate professional development for co-teaching teams

Develop and implement a system for evaluating the effectiveness of the co-teaching model

Improvement of continuum of services: Instructional classes implemented

Special Education Data SourcesInterim Assessment DataPre and Post TestsGrade Distributions Summer Program ResultsParent Involvement ActivitiesStudent use of Special Ed. Resource Rooms

Safe and Supportive Learning Environment Progress UpdateAttendance Centers

Handling of daily attendance issues has shifted away from Deans’ Office to newly created Attendance Centers to allow Deans more time to focus on discipline issues

Attendance centers are operational at all three buildingsFreshman Academy Support Teachers (FAST)

Work with an identified group of freshmen to provide support for improved attendance and academic progress

Support freshman deans and counselorsImprovements in building security

Security personnel are more extensively trained than in previous years

Improved procedures for visitors to all three buildings

Safe and Supportive Learning Environment Data SourcesStudent Attendance dataStudent Discipline dataExpulsionsProfessional Development relative to

Creating Positive Relationships (“CPR”) training

Parent Involvement Activities

Chicago Metro History FairTheme “The Individual in Chicago/Illinois

History: Actions, Legacies”Sponsored by Chicago Metro History Education

CenterStudents in all three schools participatingIncorporates Illinois Learning Standards in

Social Sciences and Language ArtsPrizes include monetary awards and scholarships

DePaul University, Loyola University, Roosevelt University

Voter Registration DriveLed by teachers, students & parents in all three

schoolsStudents appointed Deputy Registrars

Many will be paid Election Judges November 4th

Nearly 300 registrations were completedMock election in all three schools October 21st

In cooperation with League of Women Voters and United States Hispanic Leadership Institute

Illinois Senator Emil Jones VisitThornton High School student Andrea Rogers

wrote to Senator JonesSenator Jones scheduled to visit Thornton

October 28th from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m.Thornton is working with Senator Jones’ office

to finalize the agenda for his visit

Other InitiativesDistrict 205 is working with UIC to provide

faculty to speak about the economic crisisAlso exploring a partnership to conduct

programs similar to this summer’s pharmacy program

Mr. Fickes is working to establish articulation with social studies leaders in area districtsShare instructional strategiesShare project ideasCollaborate on initiatives in social studies

Miscellaneous

Superintendent’s Report

Executive Session

Reconvene Open Session

Adjournment