 |
|
|
|
|
Dear Y115 Families,
There are a number of wonderful opportunities to support the staff and students of District 115 as they perform and compete over the winter months. The winter athletic season is well under way, the individual schools are packed with musical performances, and the district will once again host the Prism Concert and Madrigal Dinner over the next few weekends. Check our website and calendar for the dates and times of all District 115 activities and events.
Given the possibility of snowfall and colder weather in the coming weeks and months, please take some time to review the District 115
Inclement Weather Communication procedures. Student and staff safety serves as the highest of priorities, and at times District 115 will make the determination to cancel school completely, or implement a late arrival or an early dismissal from school. Although we will make every effort to provide advanced notification, this may not always be possible in times of inclement weather or when other emergency situations threaten the safety of our students and employees. Parents/guardians can help us provide timely communication by making sure we have updated contact information. Additionally, we appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we make decisions to ensure the safety of everyone in our care.
With the holidays upon us, the staff, students, and school community continue to remind us of the amazing generosity and caring that is shown to those in need. From the "giving trees" in our schools, to the generosity of our PTOs, and the service projects done by student groups, the outpouring of kindness is to be recognized. It is an honor and humbling to both live and serve in a community that continues to find avenues to "pay it forward" and model the example of placing others before one's self.
I wish all of you a wealth of happiness and health over the holidays and into the New Year! Our Winter Break begins with a one-hour early release on December 22, and ends when students return on January 9.
Enjoy the season with family and friends!
Mr. Timothy M. Shimp
Superintendent of Schools
Yorkville CUSD 115
|
|
|
|
December 2016
Career Connection: Business Breakfast
Local business owners are invited to enjoy a delicious, warm, complimentary breakfast while helping Yorkville High School celebrate the kick-off of its newly-approved Field Experience program. This exciting school-to-career partnership opportunity aims to match select junior and senior students with businesses in their field of interest as part of the student's semester course offerings. Come learn more about this exciting opportunity to prepare students for career success.
|
Dec. 2 & 4
|
YHS Prism Concert (see website for times) |
|
Dec. 5
|
Board of Education Committee Meetings (YHS Library) at 7 p.m. |
| Dec. 9-11 |
YHS Madrigal Dinner (6 p.m. Friday & Saturday; 4 p.m. Sunday) |
| Dec. 12 |
Board of Education Meeting (YHS Library) at 7 p.m. |
| Dec. 15 |
Career Connection Business Owner Breakfast (YHS) at 8 a.m. |
| Dec. 16 |
Bilingual Parent Advisory Council Movie Night: 5:30 p.m. at ACES |
| Dec. 22 |
Early Release; End of Second Quarter |
| Dec. 23-Jan. 6 |
No School; Winter Break |
District 115 Calendar
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Robert Brenart, Dave Dockstader, Dr. Lynn Burks, Jason Senffner, Tom Kozlowicz, Ashley Shields, and Dean Fisher
|
In Illinois, public education is the state's constitutional responsibility. The state delegates to local school boards the authority to govern school districts within the parameters set by state law. Boards of Education consist of seven school district residents elected to serve four-year terms without pay.
REWIND:
What you need to know about the last Board meeting
- Reviewed the elementary students' 2015-16 standardized test scores, including the district's next steps
- Approved the purchase of 2,500
laptops for all 7-12 grade students
, and an elementary pilot program for the 2017-18 school year
- Approved changes to the math curriculum (additional mathematical practices, examples, and the alignment of resources)
- Approved new daily ($115) and long-term ($165) pay rates for substitute teachers
- Approved a leave of absence, resignation, transfer, eight hires, two co-curricular resignations, and a co-curricular hire
- Approved the 2016 tentative tax levy
- Passed a resolution to retroactively charge $250 for Drivers Education courses this fall and give families necessary credits
-
Shared the results of a comprehensive district-wide indoor air-quality study
-
Awarded a contract to School Specialty for Yorkville Middle School furnishings for the seventh- and eighth-grade common spaces
|
|
|
|
Circle Center Grade School students presented November's Heart of the Fox recognition.
|
|
FAST FORWARD:
Upcoming Board of Education Meetings
Meetings of the Board of Education are typically scheduled at 7 p.m. on Mondays during the second and fourth weeks of each month. However, the schedule is sometimes altered to avoid conflicts with legal holidays or school vacations.
Schedule &
Agendas
BOE Committee Meetings:
Dec. 5 | 7 p.m. | YHS
The first meeting of the month follows a committee structure (two committees that meet at 7 p.m. immediately followed by a second set of two committee meetings). Each committee represents one of the district's four strategic goals and consists of three Board Members and district administrative personnel. No formal votes are taken at committee meetings, unless a Committee of the Whole meeting is held.
BOE Regular Meeting:
Dec. 12 | 7 p.m. | YHS Library
The second monthly meeting is a meeting of the full Board of Education.
Can't make a meeting but still want to follow along? Live updates of the Board meetings are posted on the District's Facebook and Twitter accounts. Click on the icons at the bottom of this email to follow these posts.
|
|
|
|
Help make a difference and serve as a District 115 substitute
|
|
Teacher and paraprofessional (aides) substitutes are an extremely important component in ensuring Yorkville Community Unit School District 115 students receive the best possible educational programming. With more than 850 employees in the district, finding qualified substitutes is a daily process.
In order to attract the best substitute candidates to Yorkville schools, the pay rates for substitutes has increased. Effective December 1, a substitute will receive a daily rate of $115 ($57.50 per half-day assignment). The pay rate for long-term substitutes has been set at $115 per day for the first 10 days, and then $165 per day (retroactive to the first day of the assignment) after day 10.
To serve as a District 115 substitute, interested individuals must possess a Substitute License (bachelor's degree required) or a valid Professional Educators License with a teaching endorsement. To obtain a Substitute License from the Kendall County Regional Office of Education, applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year institution (official transcript must be provided) and authorization, which includes a health physical and fingerprinting. The Kendall County Regional Office of Education is located in downtown Yorkville at 109 W. Ridge Street in the lower level of the Old Historic Courthouse (
www.roe24.org).
Once a Substitute License and authorization is received from the Regional Office of Education, substitute candidates are encouraged to visit the District 115 Administrative Center at 602 Center Parkway, Yorkville, to complete a substitute packet.
Once included in the district's substitute pool, substitutes may receive automated calls between 5:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. listing available substitute positions. Individual preferences regarding phone calls as well as the ability to view and accept open positions electronically, is available through the district's online substitute management system.
Further questions can be directed to 630-553-4382 or the Human Resources page of the
District 115 website (y115.org)
.
|
|
National expert talks to parents about bullying and cyberbullying
The weather on Nov. 28 may have been dreary, but the discussion inside Yorkville Middle School was lively as national speaker and expert on bullying/cyberbullying, Dr. Dorothy Espleage, presented to attendees.
The presentation is posted on the district website for those who were unable to attend this informative event. Click
here to view the presentation or visit the
Student Services section of the district website.
|
|
YMS Cross Country athletes volunteer at Lyon Farm
For the third year in a row, the Yorkville Middle School Cross Country Team volunteered at Lyon Farm's Halloween Party. The party is held annually for young children in the area at the farm's location on Route 71. Lyon Farm's land has been made available for the cross country team's home conference meets for the past few years. Volunteering at the party allows the runners to give back by running games for the children who attended the Halloween party. More than 50 runners volunteered over the two weekends of events.
|
|
|
Budget, levy, and funding processes change
Annually in September, the district approves a budget (for the current school year) using estimated revenues and expenditures. The two primary sources of revenue for Y115 are
local property taxes and
General State Aid.
GENERAL STATE AID (GSA): The district has benefited significantly from increases in state funding over the past 13 years, from $2,350,391 in fiscal year (FY) 2014 to an estimated $11,994,628 in the current school year. However, this school year is the last year that increases are expected. Moving forward, GSA is anticipated to remain at the current level or be reduced. This will leave the bulk of any new revenue from year-to-year coming from local property taxes.
LOCAL PROPERTY TAXES: The local property tax revenues are limited to the amount received the previous year, plus December's Consumer Price Index (CPI) percentage. The 2015 CPI was 0.08% and the 2016 CPI is 0.07%.
|
|
PROPERTY TAX LEVY: The levy process (the annual request by the district for a dollar amount to be received from property taxes) is underway for 2016. Estimates and a discussion of executing a '
balloon levy'
was held with the Board of Education's Operational Excellence Committee on November 7.
A 'balloon levy'
artificially increases the district's request for property taxes. Although the district asks for a larger amount of money than it expects
to receive, the county will adjust the levy down in spring to ensure the district only receives the amount of property taxes that it is legally
eligible
to receive. However, the county is unable to adjust the levy up in cases in which the district asks for less than it is eligible to receive. A balloon levy, therefore, ensures that all eligible funds are collected.
A tentative budget was approved on November 21. A public hearing and final approval is scheduled for December 12.
BUDGET PROCESS FOR NEXT YEAR: In preparation for the coming year, the following improvements to the district's budget protocol are being instituted:
- The budget process will begin earlier (October)
- Budget assumptions will be established collaboratively between the business office, financial partners, and the Board of Education
- Key non-negotiables--including salary cost estimates, strategic plan and district initiatives, and a new Strategic Initiatives Support Fund (SISF)--will be established
After building the draft budget and setting aside the non-negotiables within, adjustments will be made to ensure the budget meets the objectives set by the Board. Once completed, applications will be accepted from district staff wishing to apply for grants from the SISF. These applications will be reviewed by a committee and judged on a rubric tied to the strategic plan. This new process will ensure that new ideas from employees will always have an opportunity to be considered, even during times of financial uncertainty.
Questions about the budget or the levy process may be directed to Chief Operations Officer Dean Romano at
[email protected].
|
|
First YHS career fair a success for students and businesses
On November 9, YHS hosted its first Career Fair featuring approximately 50 representatives from a variety of career fields.
Students were able to speak with career representatives for insight on career paths, future growth, job highlights, and more (
photo left).
YHS celebrates Veterans Day
YHS had a great assembly on November 11 in honor of Veterans Day. Throughout the day, eight veterans presented before the high school students and shared their experiences and advice. The speakers also brought in different artifacts from their time in the service to show to students.
|
|
|
|
K-8 MAP tests scheduled for December
|
|
|
During the month of December, students in kindergarten through eighth-grade will take tests called Measures of Academic Progress® (MAP®). These tests determine children's instructional levels and measures academic growth over their educational careers in reading, language, and mathematics. The tests will be taken on a computer.
MAP tests are unique in that they adapt so they are appropriate for children's various levels of understanding. As a student responds to questions, the test responds to the student, adjusting up or down in difficulty. MAP tests are untimed, but a typical student completes a test in less than 60 minutes. There is no need for children to study or prepare specifically for MAP® tests.
Each school year, students in grades kindergarten through eighth-grade take the tests in the winter and spring. The tests are used to help educators identify students in need of additional support or more challenging course work. Following each testing period, parents will receive a report showing their children's growth.
We are truly excited to continue to focus on every child's individual growth and achievement. Partnering to help all kids learn, parents and teachers can have a profound positive effect on the lives of District 115 students.
|
|
Second quarter report cards to be delivered to K-6 parents electronically
At the end of first quarter, kindergarten through sixth-grade student report cards
could be accessed by parents electronically,
for the first time
. To ease into this transition, parents also received a paper copy of their child's report card along with a letter from the district notifying them that the move to provide only electronic versions of the report card, would begin second quarter.
Second quarter report cards are expected to be available electronically, through Home Access Center, on Jan. 13, 2017. A paper copy of the second quarter report cards will only be provided to those parents who requested one (please contact your child's school to request a paper copy).
To access the electronic version of the report card, parents should visit the district website (y115.org) and login to their child's Home Access Center account. In Home Access, click the 'Grades' tab and choose the 'Report Card' option.
|
|
YHS' 'Be the Change' movie night focused on positive climate
On Tuesday, Oct. 25, Yorkville High School presented the movie "A Girl Like Her" in conjunction with "Be the Change Week."
"Be the Change Week," (commonly known as Bully Awareness Week), was established to increase awareness and the positive climate at YHS. In today's electronic climate, it is easy to tweet, text, post, etc. hurtful messages without understanding how the other person receiving the message may feel. Each day throughout the week, a specific topic was addressed focusing on awareness and empowering students to have a positive impact on the climate at YHS. The showing of the film was initiated by Kurt Holubetz and LuAnne Peters, YHS social workers.
|
|
|
|
Literacy Coaches recognized for presentation
Literacy coaches Kelly Bachewicz, Lauren Foster, Beth Gambro, and Amy Moore were recognized by the Board of Education on Nov. 21 for positively representing District 115 by serving as expert presenters in literacy coaching at the Illinois Reading Council Annual State Conference. The presentation titled "Growing a Successful Literacy Coaching Program: One District's Journey" highlighted the research, challenges, and accomplishments of the district's literacy coaching initiative.
|
|
Spencer Snider, YHS Senior
Spencer Snider positively represented District 115 by creating his own BB8 robot. P
rior to the release of last year's Star Wars film, Spencer used footage from the movie trailer and various photographs to
create a BB8 model. After the movie premiered, Spencer modified the model to make it more realistic. He created most of the internal parts from his 3D models and printed them at home on his 3D printer. He consistently blogged about his experience so that others were able to learn from it. Spencer showed that he extends his learning from the classroom to other aspects of life.
The Board of Education recognized Spencer for his efforts and during the meeting, Spencer demonstrated his BB8 robot and described his creative process.
|
|
Eight LMS and ILT employees receive Google certification
In a continuing effort to advance the education provided to District 115 students, all of Yorkville's elementary Library Media Specialists and Information Literacy Teachers have taken the time to become Google Certified Educators. These teachers are now certified by Google through the Google Training Center website.
These teachers mastered each training module offered by the training center and became familiar with many different Google apps. Some of the apps included in the training were: Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, and Google Sites. During the training, teachers worked individually and on their own time to achieve this certification. Once the training modules were completed, the teachers took and passed the certification test.
Congratulations to the following teachers for becoming Google Level 1 Certified Educators: Jonathan Bridge (GRES and BBES), Nicole Johnson (CCGS), Laura Kania (YIS), Peg LeMaster (GRES), Nicole Martinez (ACES), Steph McHugh (BGS and YGS), Jenna Pace (ACES and YIS), and Jennifer Thill (BBES).
|
|
|
|
Yorkville Educational Foundation seeks new directors
The Yorkville Educational Foundation (YEF) is accepting applications for new directors.
Founded on July 21, 2015, the YEF is a 501(c)3 Illinois nonprofit organization that seeks to foster partnerships between local businesses, the community, and schools to develop new resources for students and teachers.
As the YEF moves from planning to action, the organization is currently accepting applications for new directors to help move its mission forward. Individuals interested in making a difference in Yorkville schools for both students and teachers should complete an application form by Dec. 15.
The application is available here.
Comprised of educators, community leaders, business stakeholders, and parents, the Yorkville Education Foundation is led by four executive directors and 10 directors. The YEF mission statement: "inspiring excellence, celebrating achievement and nurturing potential," captures the organization's commitment to establishing a shared community enterprise dedicated to supporting Yorkville schools. The Foundation's goals focus on encouraging excellence in teaching, recognizing student achievement, enriching teaching and learning opportunities, and creating an endowment for long-term sustainability.
Questions related to the Yorkville Educational Foundation may be sent to:
[email protected].
|
|
Big mouth helps promote dental health
An engaging and entertaining presentation about how to keep teeth and gums healthy was presented to students in three elementary schools in October. The Delta Dental team travels around the country performing with their larger than life props, the 'Wizard' and 'Mr. Plaque,' urging proper techniques for oral care. Each student received a new toothbrush, toothpaste and floss to practice what they had learned.
|
|
Parents: Need a night off?
All district elementary school students over age five are invited to attend the Bilingual Parent Advisory Council's Movie Night Lock-In (Kids Night Out; Parent's Night Off) on Friday, December 16 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. in the Autumn Creek Elementary School Gymnasium.
Reservations and payment will be accepted through December 9 on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost is $10 for the first child and $7 per additional child in the same family. The cost includes the movie, pizza, drinks, candy, and popcorn (sponsored by NCG Yorkville). Parents must check students in and out of the event.
Yorkville Ethnicity Data
Approximately 29% of District 115's total student population is non-white. There are 31 different languages represented in the district including: Amharic, Arabic, Cantonese, ChaoChow, Croatian, Czech, Dutch, Farsi, French, German, Greek, Gujarati, Hungarian, Italian, Korean, Lao, Lithuanian, Malayalam, Mandarin, Marathi, Nepali, Palauan, Polish, Punjabi, Spanish, Swedish, Telugo, Tagalog, Turkish, Urdu, and Vietnamese.
The mission of the Yorkville District 115 Bilingual Parent Advisory Council (BPAC) is to advocate for excellence in all programs serving English learners. The Yorkville BPAC strives to provide family support, communication, and information to achieve the program goal of becoming bilingual, bi-literate, and bi-cultural.
|
|
Yorkville Public Library announces December youth programs
|
Information from Aramark, District 115's Partner in Nutrition
District 115 Lunch Menus: December 2016 Family Guide to School Lunch
|
|
|
Yorkville Community Unit School District 115 | Phone: 630-553-4382 | Website: Y115.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
