BI-COUNTY BRIEF - AUGUST 2008
| Volume 6, Issue No. 1 | August 2008 |
WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL
We hope our teachers had a restful and energizing summer break. If you are new to our Monroe-Randolph county schools, we wish you a long and rewarding career. This is a great area in which to live and work. If we can assist you in any way, contact us. The Regional Office of Education is here to help and serve you.
BUS EVACUATION DRILLS TO BE HELD SEPTEMBER 17
Regional Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Marc Kiehna, has set Wednesday, September 17, 2008 as Bus Evacuation Drill Day for all schools in Monroe and Randolph counties. State law requires all school children to participate in one bus evacuation drill during each school year.
EYE EXAMINATIONS NOW REQUIRED BY LAW
The 95th Illinois General Assembly has passed a law effective 1/1/08 requiring all children enrolling in kindergarten in a public, private, or parochial school or any student enrolling for the first time in a public, private, or parochial school to have an eye examination. Each of these children shall present proof of having been examined by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches or a licensed optometrist within the previous year, before October 15th of the school year. If the child fails to present proof by October 15th, the school may hold the child's report card until one of the following occurs: (i) the child presents proof of a completed eye examination or (ii) the child presents proof that an eye examination will take place within 60 days after October 15th. The Department of Public Health shall establish, by rule, a waiver for children who show an undue burden or lack of access to a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches who provides eye examinations or to a licensed optometrist. The Regional Office of Education recently sent an information packet to each of our Monroe-Randolph county schools with examination forms and waiver forms for distribution to our students and parents.
FORMER COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT PRESENTS ROE WITH 1943 CURRICULUM GUIDE
Leland Bergfeld, retired teacher and former assistant to Randolph County Superintendent of Schools Ned Carlton, recently presented the Regional Office of Education with the 8th edition of the Illinois State Course of Study. The edition was created in 1943 in order to provide a basic guide for teachers in our elementary schools. Monroe County Superintendent Oscar Schmitt served on the statewide committee to create the standards contained in the book. The 1st Illinois State Course of Study was developed in 1889.
Thanks to Mr. Bergfeld for this wonderful contribution to the archives at the ROE.
INDUCTION AND MENTORING
The Induction and Mentoring Program is off to a great start. Twenty-eight teachers attended the 6 days of workshops over the summer with a total of 39 having successfully completed the full training since the fall of 2007. Trained mentors include:
Columbia: Elisha Arnold, Teresa Fehrenz, Tammy Fulte, Keith Jany, Karen Dent, Jenny Radosevich, Micki Spivey, Missie Steve, Angie Huels and Linda Pickett Waterloo: Tim McDermott, Kristie Hitpas, Jan Crawford, Karen Dahm, Michelle Miller, Jessica Washausen, Gina Pfund, Kara Lavoie, Lisa Cain and Carrie Stewart Sparta: Iva Beattie, Marcy Edwards, Julie Tiemann and Paulette Ashbrook Chester: Steve Egge, Donna Clendenin, Brenda Montroy and Gail Kordys
Red Bud: Nancy Bosa, Luana Flynn and Joyce Carnahan Valmeyer: Robert Hawley and Beth Andres Prairie du Rocher: Terra Barbeau Steeleville: Valerie Bohner and Stephanie Ruback BeckCenter: Gary Miller, Patti Fahey and Deborah Forsythe
There are another 4–5 people waiting to begin their mentor training. Anyone interested in participating as a mentor should talk with his building principal and request an application to serve as a trained mentor.
These mentors have begun work with approximately 45 beginning first– and second–year teachers in their districts to complete the two-year induction program. We are excited to follow the program and its implementation to determine the effects on teacher retention in the area, the elevation to the next level of classroom instruction, and student achievement in the classroom.
LEGAL PUBLICATION NOTICE
Notice is hereby given of the publication of the Institute Fund receipts and disbursements for Monroe-Randolph counties as required by Public Act 84-120 on or before January 1st of each year. Monroe-Randolph Counties Regional Superintendent of Schools, 107 East Mill Street, Waterloo, IL 62298.
Annual Institute Fund Report |
| July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2008 |
| Balance on hand July 1, 2007 | $ 39,994.89 |
| RECEIPTS: | |
| Fees – Teacher Certification & Registration | 7,663.00 |
| Interest earned on Account | 918.91 |
| TOTAL RECEIPTS | 8,581.91 |
| DISBURSEMENTS: | |
| Teachers' Institute – Supplies | 172.80 |
| Copying/postage/telephone | 766.79 |
| RTI – Institute | 655.77 |
| TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS | $ 1,595.36 |
| BALANCE ON HAND 6-30-08 | $ 46,981.44 |
FREE MYPYRAMID FOR KIDS POSTER AVAILABLE
Schools can remind their students to eat right with the MyPyramid for Kids poster provided free by Teachfree. Teachfree provides preschool through 12th grade educators with high-quality educational materials that supplement the curriculum. Resources can also be downloaded for use in the classroom. Visit this website at: http//www.teachfree.com/. To request the free poster, visit: www.teachfree.com/onliMyPyramidforKidsposter.aspx.
TEACHERS' RETIREMENT SYSTEM
The Teachers' Retirement System has scheduled retirement information meetings in our region for September 2008. The informational meetings will be held at the Sparta Lincoln Middle School library on Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. and at the Waterloo High School library on Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at 4:30 p.m.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR