BI-COUNTY BRIEF - AUGUST 2009

BUS EVACUATION DRILLS TO BE HELD SEPTEMBER 16TH
Regional Superintendent of Schools Dr. Marc Kiehna has set Wednesday, September 16, 2009 as Bus Evacuation Drill Day for all of the schools in Monroe and Randolph counties.  State law requires school children to participate in one bus evacuation drill during each school year.  This drill is important for the safety of all our students.  Being prepared in the case of an accident is the best way to reduce serious injury and fatalities.

EXCELLENT IDEA . . . EXCELLENT RESULTS!
On Friday, June 5, 2009, nine sixth-grade students from Coulterville Elementary School and their teacher, Patti Berry, received the exciting news that their Project Citizen proposal was chosen best in the State of Illinois and would be displayed at the National Conference of State Legislatures' Legislative Summit in Philadelphia. There the project competed against other state winners and scored a Superior—the highest rating given and one of only 14 in the nation.
We the People...Project Citizen is a national civic education program for fifth- through eighth-grade students, coordinated in Illinois by the Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago.  Project Citizen, developed and directed by the Center for Civic Education and coordinated locally by Dr. Marc Kiehna, Regional Supt. of Schools for Monroe and Randolph counties, promotes competent and responsible participation in state and local government.  Each fall Dr. Kiehna trains educators from Collinsville to Cairo in the fundamentals of teaching Project Citizen.   The civics program teaches students how to become engaged in their communities and, through the creation of public policy, to make improvements.  They identify a problem in their community, seek alternative solutions, formulate a proposal and create an action plan as part of their project. They do, in fact, become good citizens of their community.
Ms. Berry's class first presented its project at the SWIC-Red Bud campus to a panel of judges, who chose the winner of the local region.  The class's idea was to install handicapped seating, ramps and railings in the school gymnasium. After presenting its idea and fielding questions from the panel, the Coulterville group was thrilled to learn its project was chosen as the project that best represented the area and followed the model for Project Citizen.  The Coulterville project, titled "Take a Seat--If You Can," was entered in the state showcase at the Illinois capitol and was unanimously chosen by the ten judges as the best of the 19 congressional district entries.  Project Citizen is also sponsored in our area by the Monroe-Randolph Regional Office of Education and the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute and through a Learn and Serve grant from the Office of the Lt. Governor of Illinois.  Congratulations to Patti and her students!

FROM DREAMS TO REALITY
Farsighted voters and generous citizens have made the new Waterloo High School a reality.  After a dedication ceremony and open house on Sunday, August 16, the new complex at 505 E. Bulldog Boulevard is ready for occupancy for the 2009–2010 school year.
On its 62-acre site the new building includes a 462-seat auditorium, state-of-the-art computer labs, an engineering lab, a fitness center/weight room, music rooms, a library and a cafeteria that seats 600.  An interior central courtyard provides a safe student gathering place and agricultural opportunities.  A 20,040-sq.-ft. gym features multiple full-sized basketball courts and will seat 2,000.  Athletic facilities at the new location include 6 tennis courts, varsity softball and baseball fields and an athletic complex that houses track, soccer and football.
WHS, the only education facility east of the Mississippi River approved for a FEMA hazard mitigation grant, was built with earthquake resistant construction.  This included an increase in steel weight, strengthening of framing connections and mechanical, electrical, fire protection, hydronic and plumbing seismic upgrades.  The district feels privileged to have received this extra funding to protect Waterloo's students.

TRS INFORMATIONAL SESSIONS
Teachers' Retirement System representatives will hold group informational meetings at the new Waterloo High School library, Room G101, on Monday, October 5 and at the Sparta Lincoln Middle School library on Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at 4:30 p.m. both days.  These meetings will provide information about a TRS member's benefits, describe ways to optimize service credit prior to retirement and explain the retirement process.  The meeting will last about an hour and include time for questions.  Reservations are not necessary.

INDUCTION/MENTORING BEGINS THIRD YEAR
Rosalie Gardner, curriculum support specialist at the Monroe-Randolph ROE, is excited to begin the third year of its Induction and Mentoring Program for the two counties.  She is pleased that Illinois and the Illinois State Board of Education feel this program is valuable enough to continue funding, although at a reduced rate.
In 2008–2009, 53 first- and second-year, beginning teachers participated with 37 experienced and trained mentors assigned to them.  Over the summer, 14 more people completed the Level I mentor training, giving Monroe and Randolph counties a total of 59 trained mentors in their ten school districts.  For 2009–2010, 30 beginning teachers will be in the second year of the program and 27 will be in the first.  However, some late hires as school begins will probably increase the latter number.

 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 Superintendentof Schools, 107 East Mill Street, Waterloo, IL  62298

 Annual Institute Fund Report
July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2009

 

Balance on hand July 1, 2008	$46,981.44
RECEIPTS:
Fees - Teacher Certification & Registration	5,342.00
Interest Earned on Account	650.01
TOTAL RECEIPTS	$ 5,992.01

DISBURSEMENTS:
Institute Personnel/Presenters-Salary/Benefits	$14,357.67
Teachers' Institute - Supplies	889.31
Printing/Copying/Postage/Telephone	2,453.26
TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS	$17,700.24

BALANCE ON HAND 6-30-09

$35,273.21

A detailed list of all receipts and expenditures is available for public inspection at the
Regional Superintendent's Office. 

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

August 28, 2009	Superintendents Council	SWIC, Red Bud - Conf. Rm.	9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
September 2, 2009	Principals Meeting	SWIC, Red Bud - Perf. Arts	9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
September 3, 2009	Ind. & Mentoring Leadership Team	SWIC, Red Bud - Conf. Rm.	9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
September 11, 2009	Guidance Meeting	SWIC, Red Bud - Rm. 152	9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
September 16, 2009	Bus Evacuation Drill Day	All Schools, All Students
September 17, 2009	New Teacher Dinner	St. Patrick's Parish Center	4:30 p.m.
October 5, 2009	TRS Information Meeting	Waterloo High School - G101	4:30 p.m.
October 6, 2009	TRS Information Meeting	Sparta Lincoln Middle - Library	4:30 p.m.
October 7, 2009	Mentoring-Communication	SWIC, Red Bud - Rm 123	4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
October 9, 2009	Jerry Valentine IPI Workshop	Reids' Harvest House, Chester	8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
October 13, 2009	Mentoring-Communication	SWIC, Red Bud - Rm. 123	4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
October 21, 2009	Spring Planning Meeting	ROE, Waterloo Office	9:00 a.m.

THE MONROE-RANDOLPH ROE IS HERE TO SERVE YOU.  CONTACT THE WATERLOO OFFICE AT 618-939-5650 OR THE CHESTER OFFICE AT 618-826-5471