Superintendent Report

December 19, 2016

Board Meeting

Junior High Update: Sixth Grade, Tara Stegall

6th RLA

Students are wrapping up Part 1 of their Novel Study. The class was split for two books:Bud, Not BuddyandThe Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963. The books were written by the same author, are set in the same city, but during different time periods. The students will test over their respective novel before Christmas break. After Christmas Break, students will switch books and read the other novel. The themes within the books relate to Martin Luther King Jr., cultural differences during the 30s and 60s, challenges people faced during the depression and the Civil Rights Era, and family dynamics. After completing assignments and the test for the second novel, the unit will culminate with short history lessons, watching the movie and comparing to the novel forThe Watsons Go to Birmingham, and creating a movie trailer forBud, Not Buddy.

In Sciences

6th Grade - Completed the chair engineering project in early December and have begun Earth Science. I was really impressed with the ideas, problem solving, and explanations the students had for the chair project.

7th Grade - Reviewed material from last year and are continuing deeper in Earth Science. Beginning 3rd quarter, 7th grade will transition into Physical Science with the Robot Unit.

8th Grade - Students are learning about Work, Power and Machines. We will discuss energy and conservation through the end of 2nd quarter. Students will transition into Life Science beginning 3rd quarter. 8th grade has two projects coming up, one will culminate Work, Power, and Machines, and the other will kick off biological sciences focusing on botany.

Upper Elementary Update:Fourth Grade, Teresa McClain

We just finished long multiplication or old fashioned math as my kids call it. We are starting division now. In language we just started the noun, verb chapter. In reading, we just did a chapter on GMOs, organic, Bt corn, pesticides, herbicides, etc. Eric and Allison Suits came in to show some videos, give more information, and answer questions kids have about it. They did a nice job. In science, the kids engineered paper airplanes and we did a challenge. Colton Dunn went all the way as they say in tractor pulling. He was the champion. We are working on the infamous trash bag wreaths as we speak. Hope some of you have them hanging out for Christmas right now. We are finishing the fourth book in the series "Indian in the Cupboard". It's called "Mystery of the Cupboard".

Lower Elementary Update:Kindergarten, Kelly Beach

Kindergarten this year contains 17 students, 10 girls and 7 boys. We have jumped right in to our new Language Arts curriculum in addition to our existing Jolly Phonics. The kids have learned several new sight words already and have been working hard on reading in their new curriculum books. We’ve also had a couple of visitors this year already. The Gifford Fire Dept. came and showed us the fire trucks and explained their tools during Fire Prevention Week.Sgt Beach from Rantoul PD came to talk to the kids about what important skills they needed to become a police officer when we were discussing careers. We also had a visitor on Veterans Day, Austin Stargle, who came and answered questions regarding being in the Army.

This year’s volleyball teams consist of (8) 5thgraders, (8) 6thgraders, (6) 7thgraders, and (9) 8thgraders. So far the practices have started off well and we are looking forward to our first match after Christmas break.

PARCC Results- Overall- 43% ready for next level, State was 34%, Math- 43%, State- 31%, ELA- 43%, State- 36%

Non-Action Items:

First Reading of Gifford CCSD #188 Board Policy Changes

2:125Board Member Compensation: Expenses

2:125-E1Board Member Expense Reimbursement Form

2:125-E2Board Member Estimated Expense Approval Form

2:200Types of School Board Meetings

2:220 School Board Meeting Procedure

2:220-E1Board Treatment of Closed Meeting Verbatim Recordings

And Minutes

2:220-E2Motion to Adjourn to Closed Meeting

2:220-E4Open Meeting Minutes

2:220-E5Semi-Annual Review of Closed Meeting Minutes

2:220-E6Log of Closed Meeting Minutes

2:220-E7Access to Closed Meeting Minutes and Verbatim Recordings

2:220-E8School Board Records, Maintenance Requirements and FAQs

4:60Purchases and Contracts

4:175Convicted Child Sex Offender Screening; Notifications

5:10Equal Employment Opportunity and Minority Recruitment

5:60Expenses

5:60-E1Employee Expense Reimbursement Form

5:60-E2Employee Estimated Expense Approval Form

5:100Staff Development Program

5:125Personal Technology and Social Media; Usage and Conduct

5:185Family and Medical Leave

5:190Teacher Qualifications

5:250Leaves of Absence

5:260Student Teachers

5:280Duties and Qualifications

5:330Sick Days, Vacation, Holidays, and Leaves

6:340Student Testing and Assessment Program

7:70Attendance and Truancy

7:250Student Support Services

7:310Restrictions on Publications; Elementary Schools

7:315Restrictions on Publications; High Schools

8:30Visitors to and Conduct on School Property

8:70Accommodating Individuals with Disabilities

Sports Interest Survey Results-

Girls Results

Sport / First Choice / Second Choice / Third Choice / Total
Archery / 1 / 2 / 1 / 4
Basketball / 9 / 6 / 11 / 27
Cheerleading / 6 / 9 / 12 / 27
Golf / 1 / 0 / 0 / 1
Gymnastics / 8 / 7 / 7 / 22
Soccer / 1 / 2 / 2 / 5
Softball / 15 / 10 / 2 / 27
Track and Field / 1 / 0 / 1 / 2
Volleyball / 7 / 12 / 11 / 30

Boys Results

Sport / First Choice / Second Choice / Third Choice / Total
Archery / 3 / 1 / 12 / 16
Baseball / 18 / 20 / 2 / 40
Basketball / 15 / 30 / 6 / 61
Bowling / 2 / 1 / 3
Soccer / 6 / 2 / 3 / 11
Track and Field / 0 / 0 / 15 / 15
Wrestling / 3 / 1 / 4 / 8
Golf / 0 / 0 / 8 / 8