Education

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Teachers in need of aid can find some online

CHAMPAIGN – Teacher Lindsey Little wanted civil rights novels to use in her eighth-grade reading and writing class at Jefferson Middle School, but the school's library didn't have enough of the books she needed.

She learned about a Web site called DonorsChoose from a fellow teacher. It allows teachers to post requests for classroom materials or supplies, and individual donors can choose to donate to the requests they find most compelling.

DACC graduation set for 7 p.m. Friday

DANVILLE – Danville Area Community College will confer 300 associate degrees and certificates to students this year.

About 100 graduates will participate in this year's commencement ceremony, at 7 p.m. Friday at the Mary Miller Gymnasium on DACC's campus, 2000 E. Main St., Danville.

Georgetown hearing draws opponents to school holiday change

GEORGETOWN – After a hearing that drew about a dozen community members, school officials on Monday took no action on a proposal that would have given them the option to have students attend school on Veterans Day.

The hearing was held to get public reaction on a proposal to request that the state board of education allow the district to hold regular school days on the next five Veterans Days.

Danville seeks money for busing

DANVILLE – John Duprey chooses to drive his children, 8-year-old Mackenzie and 6-year-old John, to and from Meade Park Elementary School every day rather than let them walk.

That's because Duprey, who lives in the 100 block of Oregon Avenue, doesn't want his kids crossing busy East Main Street, even when there's an adult crossing guard present.

Unit 4 vote places tax on ballot

CHAMPAIGN – Voters will see a countywide sales tax question on the November ballot.

The Champaign school board unanimously approved a resolution calling for a vote on a 1 percent sales tax increase. It is the 12th of 14 school districts in the county to pass such a resolution.

Rantoul board vows to lower taxes if measure OK'd

RANTOUL – Rantoul Township High School board members pledged Monday night to eliminate a portion of the high school's property tax if voters approve a proposed countywide sales tax for education.

The school board directed Superintendent David Requa to draft a letter to the Champaign County Board pledging to abate 18.12 cents per $100 equalized assessed valuation in bond property tax money if the sales tax goes into effect.

Monday, May 12, 2008

Alternative academy details will be presented

CHAMPAIGN – The Champaign school district will host an information night to talk about its alternative academy, set to open in the fall.

The information night will be from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday in Pavilion Room C at the Champaign Public Library, 505 S. Randolph St.

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Unit 4, teachers plan contract talks

CHAMPAIGN – School and teacher union negotiators in Champaign will meet later this month to discuss the contract proposal teachers have made.

Contract negotiations began this week for Champaign teachers, whose three-year contract will expire at the end of June.

Champaign schools panel mulls when school days begin

CHAMPAIGN – When the Champaign school board asked the district to move fall semester exams and the end of the semester to before winter break, members knew that meant school would likely start a little earlier in August.

But many teachers, most of whom work in buildings without air-conditioning, objected to the earlier start date. The calendar would have had them back at work on Aug. 14, and children back in the classroom Aug. 18.

Champaign board to vote on putting sales tax on ballot

CHAMPAIGN – The Champaign school board will vote Monday night on putting a 1 percent countywide sales tax on the November ballot.

If it approves the resolution, voters will have their say on the issue in November. State law provides that districts representing 51 percent of the county's school enrollment can place the tax question on the ballot. Eleven other districts in the county have already approved such a measure, and Champaign's approval would push the enrollment percentage over the 51 percent.

Friday, May 9, 2008

Educator takes on revising Danville High School curriculum

DANVILLE – After nearly two years at Northeast Elementary Magnet School's helm, Kathy Houpt has something new on her plate.

Houpt, Northeast's principal since August 2006, recently took over as director of secondary education, a new position created under a $1 million restructuring plan to boost instruction and student achievement at Danville High School.

Catlin school building projects receive approval

CATLIN – School officials voted Thursday to sell $500,000 in life-safety bonds to help pay for some large building renovations.

School officials have been considering some improvements to make Catlin Grade School more energy-efficient – replacing the steam boiler and the hot-water boiler that heat the two wings of the school, replacing some drafty windows from 1952 and 1962 and replacing 11 external doors.

Tax hike in St. Joseph won't be needed for energy upgrades

ST. JOSEPH – Following a public hearing before an empty room Thursday evening, board members of the grade school district in St. Joseph have cleared the way for a final vote on whether to sell $2.5 million in bonds to pay for improving the energy efficiency of its two buildings. The bonds would not, however, require an increase in property taxes from the district's residents.

The district has a contract in the works with Trane U.S. through which Trane guarantees it will save the district money with increased energy efficiency. That guaranteed savings would then be pledged to repay the bond debt.

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Support voiced for school sales tax ballot try

URBANA – Champaign County officials say they'll move ahead with plans to put a school sales tax on the ballot in November as soon as they're compelled to under a new state law.

That doesn't mean there aren't lingering questions about the law allowing counties to ask voters for a 1 percent sales tax to help fund school facilities.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Urbana school board OKs measure to seek new sales tax

URBANA – The Urbana school board passed a resolution Tuesday night calling for a 1 percent countywide sales tax to be put on the November ballot.

With its vote, 11 school districts in the county have now passed such a resolution. Those districts represent almost half of the county's school enrollment, said Jane Quinlan, superintendent of the regional office of education. State law provides that districts representing at least 51 percent of the county's school enrollment can place a tax question on the ballot by approving a resolution such as Urbana did.

Urbana Middle School students stay late after gas leak

URBANA – Students at Urbana Middle School were kept inside the school for several minutes past dismissal time this afternoon, after a construction crew hit a gas line on Michigan Avenue on the south side of the school.

Urbana firefighters asked the students to remain inside the school while they monitored the area and the building for natural gas, said Division Chief Tony Foster. Then students were dismissed through the north entrance to the building.

School districts still await state money

After a year punctuated by state budget problems, school districts are the latest entity to worry if they'll receive state money.

Several area superintendents say State Superintendent Christopher Koch and legislators warned districts to spend carefully, as they might not receive their last two state aid payments in June.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Report links UHS damages to quake

URBANA – The April 18 earthquake that was felt in the area likely caused the collapse of a ceiling in Urbana High School's auditorium, according to an engineering report.

Part of the ceiling beneath the auditorium's balcony collapsed April 25. No one was injured in the collapse, but the auditorium has remained closed.

Mahomet forum discusses possible sales tax

MAHOMET – Discussion of a special countywide sales tax that could pay for schools' building improvements were informal but informational Monday at a Mahomet-Seymour school board study session.

The board used the evening as a public forum about the 1 percent sales tax, which is already being supported by several school districts, including Fisher, Unit 7 and both Rantoul's high school and elementary districts.

Saturday, May 3, 2008

County sales tax likely to draw support

URBANA – The Urbana school board is expected to back a proposed county sales tax for schools Tuesday, with the stipulation that a third of Urbana's sales tax income go toward property tax relief.

A state law passed last fall allows school districts collectively to put a ballot question before voters for up to a 1 percent countywide sales tax, to raise money for school facilities. If voters approve it, the money would be divided among districts based on enrollment and could be spent on new buildings, renovations, safety or energy conservation work or building bond debt.

Urbana High School seeks emergency funds to fix balcony

URBANA – Emergency authority to repair the balcony at Urbana High School's auditorium and initial planning for a complete auditorium remodel are also on Tuesday's school board agenda.

Part of the ceiling underneath the balcony collapsed late last week. No one was injured, but the theater has remained closed to students and the public.

Mahomet-Seymour board to host meeting on sales tax

MAHOMET – The Mahomet-Seymour school board is hosting a public meeting about a proposed countywide sales tax.

The meeting will be at 7 p.m. Monday at Middletown Early Childhood Center, 101 N. Division St. in Mahomet.

Principal fulfills a promise as students raise shelter funds

MONTICELLO – Eric Hillman had no choice.

The Lincoln Elementary School principal had promised that, if the students managed to raise $1,000 for the proposed Piatt County Animal Shelter, he would kiss a duck in front of the entire student body.

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Unit 7 district gives support to new county sales tax

TOLONO – The Unit 7 school district is the latest to throw its support behind a proposed countywide sales tax.

The school board Wednesday unanimously approved a resolution asking the Champaign County Board to place a referendum on the Nov. 4 ballot asking voters to allow a 1 percent tax to be placed on most goods sold in the county. A law the Illinois General Assembly enacted in October 2007 allows an additional sales tax of up to 1 percent to be placed on merchandise except drugs, medical supplies, vehicles, boats, trailers, mobile homes and food not intended for immediate consumption.

PBL demonstration drives home alcohol message

PAXTON – The screams for help sounded real.

That empty case of beer stuck beneath the car certainly held 30 full cans at one time.

High school dress code on Danville school board agenda

DANVILLE – At the request of a community member, Danville school officials suggested Wednesday night forming a committee to consider uniforms, or a more strict dress code, at Danville High School.

Thomas Miller, pastor at New Life Church of Faith, 1415 N. Bowman Ave., asked the Danville school board Wednesday what steps would have to be taken to investigate implementing uniforms at the high school.

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Restrictions in Bement continue amid threat

BEMENT – Access to Bement High School was restricted again this morning after a threat was found in the boys restroom on Monday afternoon.

Bement School Superintendent Darrell Stevens said that staff found a threat toward the school and its employees in the boys bathroom at 3:10 p.m. Monday, five minutes before the end of classes at 3:15 p.m.

Students repair bikes for kids in need of wheels

RANTOUL – More than 60 needy Rantoul children will get their own bicycles next weekend, thanks to the efforts of some Rantoul special education students.

More than 25 young people in the Rantoul Pathways special education program have spent the school year repairing abandoned and broken bicycles salvaged by the local police department. The work is part of a program that teaches students how to use tools while providing bikes for children.

Tuscola official recommends budget alterations

TUSCOLA – Tuscola's school district could lose more than $172,000 if it does not receive its 23rd and 24th state aid payments.

At a board meeting Monday, Superintendent Joe Burgess recommended amending the budget in case the money doesn't come through or is delayed.

St. Joe board readies for construction after graduation

ST. JOSEPH – Hoping for construction work to rev up over the summer once students are out of the classrooms, members of the St. Joseph-Ogden High School board this week approved several measures to help set things in place for the days immediately following the school's graduation ceremony.

According to a report from Jason Brewer of the school district's construction management firm, Felmley-Dickerson in Peoria, the whole of the new athletic facilities are enclosed and workers have painted and drywalled the locker rooms.

Runners put new track through their paces

DANVILLE – The baton was passed to a new generation Tuesday, with the opening of the Danville Community Athletic Complex east of Jackson Street and north of Danville High School.

For an inaugural relay, two grade school students handed off to two middle school students, who then passed the baton to two DHS track team members, who passed off to two DHS alumni and finally to two community members who crossed the finish line.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Lawmaker awarding scholarships to 6 students

CHAMPAIGN – State Rep. Naomi Jakobsson, D-Urbana, urges students to apply for one of six $500 scholarships to be awarded to seniors from the high schools in her district.

Applicants must submit their high school grade-point averages as well as an essay describing their personal dedication to community service.

G-RF board still looking to hire extra English, math teachers

GEORGETOWN – Georgetown-Ridge Farm Schools Superintendent Kevin Tate said Monday the school board is still pursuing plans to add a math and an English teacher at the high school for the upcoming school year.

Last month, school officials discussed hiring a fourth math teacher and a fourth English teacher to lower class sizes and increase course offerings.

Monday, April 28, 2008

Unit 4 seeks senior citizens willing to share knowledge

CHAMPAIGN – The Champaign school district is looking for senior citizens who have skills in business, German, physical education or art, among other things, to share their knowledge with high school students.

The senior volunteer project would pair senior citizens with high school teachers looking for someone with expertise in a particular area. The seniors would spend time in the classroom, helping to teach a particular lesson or skill.

Another round of Unit 4 forums begins this week

CHAMPAIGN – The Champaign school district has another round of community forums scheduled, beginning this week.

The district has been holding forums to gather input from the community as part of its long-range planning process. Its plan will cover building needs, educational programs and community partnerships.

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Local teams compete with rest of state in Science Olympiad

URBANA – Hundreds of teenagers invaded the University of Illinois campus on Saturday, filling classrooms, laboratories and green spaces with robot-building, glider-launching and, above all, massive amounts of excitement about all things science.

The teenagers came from around Illinois to compete in the Illinois Science Olympiad state tournament, but three groups didn't have to travel far. Teams from Centennial High School, Franklin Middle School and St. Matthew Catholic School, all in Champaign, advanced past the regional competitions to try their skills against some of the state's best student scientists.

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Post-prom events are meant to keep kids safe, sober

Area high school students have spent months preparing for prom.

They've purchased glittering dresses and rented stately tuxedos, scheduled pictures and booked dinner reservations.

But they're not the only ones making big plans. At many area schools, parent groups have banded together to host huge post-prom parties.

C-U Foundation to give $200,000 a year to area teachers

CHAMPAIGN – The C-U Schools Foundation will give away $200,000 a year to teachers in Champaign and Urbana schools through a new grant program.

The foundation announced the Splash Grant Program at its 20th anniversary benefit gala Friday night.

Urbana High teens not shaken up by ceiling mishap

URBANA – For students performing in the Urbana High School musical, "All Shook Up," the show must go on – even if their performance space is shut down.

Sometime before school Friday, part of the ceiling fell in the high school auditorium, where the students planned to open their show next Thursday.

Champaign school board to revisit proposed calendar

CHAMPAIGN – The Champaign school board will take another look at the calendar for the coming school year, when it meets at 7 p.m. Monday at Bottenfield Elementary, 1801 S. Prospect Ave., C.

The board approved a calendar for the 2008-09 school year in February. Most students begin Aug. 18, and finals for high school students are before the winter break.

Event helps youths perfect life skills

URBANA – Imagine shaving with your eyes closed. Or putting on lipstick while wearing binoculars. The results probably wouldn't be pretty.

But, with practice, they could be perfect.

Friday, April 25, 2008

Track, field are ready for inauguration

DANVILLE – Before the first official event on the new all-weather track gets under way Tuesday, Danville school officials will christen the facility as the Danville Community Athletic Complex.

"It's so much more than a track," Associate Superintendent Mark Denman said of the facility, which has been known for years as Danville High School's practice field.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Three area students earn honor in history

URBANA – When Rob Diehl, Brian Wang and Erica Kirk wanted to learn about history, they started in their own backyard.

What they found earned them the title of 2008 State Historian of the Year, shared among 14 of the state's high school students, who will each have their history essays published in Illinois History magazine (www.illinoishistory.gov/illinoishistory.htm).

Local teams set for Science Olympiad opening

CHAMPAIGN – Jo Ellen Machesky and Julie Mallare looked like the middle school version of CSI scientists earlier this week, with their lab coats, safety goggles and box full of equipment.

The Franklin Middle School sixth-graders were practicing their crime-busting skills, figuring out the identity of certain substances by looking at them under a magnifying glass and seeing how they react to water, vinegar and iodine. The "crime" they solve will be a scenario and clues given to them in the Illinois Science Olympiad state tournament this weekend on the University of Illinois campus.

School officials begin program to end bullying

DANVILLE – Jordan Moore used to have a secret – one he was too ashamed to talk about.

The 10-year-old was being taunted by five or six boys. It hurt his feelings, and sometimes it even made him afraid to go to school.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Sobering lesson given on drinking, driving

Some high school students may down a couple of beers after prom or graduation and not think twice about it. Others may even have a drink at one party only to drive down the street to the next and think it is no big deal.

But Champaign County Circuit Judge Jeffrey Ford and several others who spoke at Central High School on Tuesday, made sure the juniors and seniors in the audience understood it was a very big deal. Someone could get seriously hurt.

Teacher Resource Fair slated for Aug. 7

SPRINGFIELD – Free speech, free lunch and free resources for teachers are all on the agenda for the Illinois First Amendment Center's Teacher Resource Fair on Aug. 7 in Springfield.

The fair will include 16 teacher workshops, with a keynote speech from Holocaust survivor Aaron Elster, who is also vice president of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center.

DACC trustees honor scholastic award-winners

DANVILLE – Phi Theta Kappa's Pi Omega chapter at Danville Area Community College took home several awards from the international honor society's 90th International Convention in Philadelphia earlier this month.

On Tuesday, DACC trustees recognized two individual winners – Jacob Lane, the local society's president, and Lori Garrett, the faculty adviser.

Principal, others added to Fisher faculty

FISHER – The Fisher school board has hired five new faculty members, including a new principal.

The board on Monday hired head football coach Tom Shallenberger as the new junior/senior high principal, Amber Sievers as a third-grade teacher, Christina Jamison as a high school special education teacher and Jill Home for high school math. Sally Filken was rehired as a high school special education teacher.

Mahomet board discusses activity fees, tax funds

MAHOMET – Money was on the minds of Mahomet-Seymour school board members Tuesday, as most of their meeting discussion centered on the topic.

It came up when parent Sandra Nielsen presented the board with a chart of Mahomet-Seymour's sports and activities fees compared with fees of other districts in the area, including Blue Ridge, St. Joseph-Ogden and Monticello.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

More than 100 Homer High School alumni to be at banquet

HOMER – More than 100 former students of Homer High School are expected to attend this year's annual Homer Alumni Banquet on May 24 at the Heritage Junior High and Elementary School Gym in Homer.

The event is being organized by the Homer Alumni Association and the graduating class of 1983.

Teachers, student music groups to be honored Friday

DANVILLE – The Danville Community Public School Foundation will celebrate excellence in teaching and spotlight student musical ability at an event called "An Evening of Singing and Dancing."

The event will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday at the Danville High School auditorium, 202 E. Fairchild St. It is open to the public.

Students put in extra time to prepare for testing

CHAMPAIGN – When Centennial High School junior Taryn Moore takes the ACT test Wednesday, she'll be a lot more confident than she was a few months ago.

"I was worried about it because I thought if I didn't do well on the test, I wouldn't be able to do what I want to do when I graduate high school," she said.

Monday, April 21, 2008

DACC student trustee to be sworn in

DANVILLE – Megan Binkley has spent more time in a hospital emergency room than a board room.

But that didn't stop the Danville Area Community College nursing student from running for student trustee earlier this month.

DHS phones will be silent to help test takers

DANVILLE – Staff phones at Danville High School will be turned off two days this week while students take their high-stakes standardized tests.

Phones will be off until 12:50 p.m. on Wednesday and until 11:15 a.m. on Thursday.

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Exams set up special-needs children for failure

URBANA – Anthony Tuel seems like a regular kid: dirty blond hair, glasses, a "Hannah Montana" and "Mythbusters" fan who makes an eww! face at the thought of certain vegetables.

He speaks politely, tries to pay attention and works on homework with his mom, Kelly Tuel. He's in fourth grade at Thomas Paine Elementary School in Urbana.

Students get some help on ISAT, but not for reading portion

Quarterly assessments. Semester exams. The Illinois Standards Achievement Test.

Students take a lot of tests during the school year. But it's the ISAT that is going to determine if students – and therefore each school and the district as a whole – are meeting state standards for learning.

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Proposed sales tax would cool Rantoul elementary school

RANTOUL – Elementary school students in Rantoul would be able to learn in air-conditioned comfort if voters approve a proposed sales tax this November.

The Rantoul City Schools board voted 5-1 Thursday to approve an initiative to establish a 1 percent county school facility occupation sales tax in Champaign County.

Friday, April 18, 2008

Villa Grove school policies changed after child left on bus

VILLA GROVE – Villa Grove school officials have implemented new policies concerning bus safety and attendance-keeping after a 3-year-old child was left unattended on a bus for more than two hours on Wednesday.

Amy McCullom of Villa Grove says her preschooler was left alone on a bus and locked in the bus barn after arriving at school around 8 a.m. Her daughter, Rosa, attends the Early Childhood Development program at Villa Grove schools.

Danville sixth-graders win grant to revitalize courtyard

DANVILLE – North Ridge Middle School won a $10,000 grant to breathe new life into a rundown courtyard.

School officials said winning a competitive grant, especially for that amount, is impressive. It's even more remarkable that the multifaceted application was prepared by 11- and 12-year-olds.

Parents, students speak on Shiloh co-op, expansion

HOMER – About 100 parents, coaches and student athletes showed up at the Heritage school board meeting earlier this week to talk about the cooperative sports program with Shiloh school district.

Shiloh and Heritage school districts currently have cooperative contracts in football, track and baseball. Board President Kevin Wright said each contract has a two-year term and can be reconsidered at the end of each term.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Plan to restructure Danville High School approved

DANVILLE – School board members on Wednesday unanimously approved a restructuring plan aimed at improving teaching and learning at Danville High School.

They also threw their support behind another plan for improving alternative education programs for high schoolers and middle schoolers, which ties in with the restructuring plan.

Danville school district makes the honor roll

DANVILLE – Making data-driven spending decisions + living within your means = a financially sound school district.

By doing that the last few years, the Danville school district was able to increase its financial profile and move off the Illinois State Board of Education's financial early warning list – and onto the honor roll.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Three who shine in classroom honored

Can you keep a secret?

Around three schools in Champaign-Urbana, principals and teachers are doing their best to keep some big news from one of their own: A teacher in their school has won the prestigious Golden Apple Award – an honor given to 10 downstate teachers that comes with perks like $3,000, a new computer and a tuition-free sabbatical at the University of Illinois.

Rantoul board supports county sales tax

RANTOUL – The Rantoul Township High School board would like to reduce school real estate taxes next year. And the board would like to have folks shopping at the big box stores on North Prospect in Champaign to pick up the tab.

The high school board voted 7-0 Monday to approve an initiative to establish a 1 percent county school facility occupation sales tax in Champaign County.

Plan for second TIF district draws crowd

RANTOUL – Angela Gordon of Rantoul says she worries about the kind of town her seven-week-old baby will grow up in if Rantoul gets a second tax increment financing district.

"Five families on my street moved away, and my home is worth less now than it was when we purchased it five years ago," said Gordon, who lives on the former Chanute Air Force Base. "Putting a cap on our schools' money for 23 years is insane. It doesn't make sense."

Danville seniors offer students living history lessons

DANVILLE – Some Danville High School students got a unique history lesson on Tuesday – hearing personal stories about the Great Depression and World War II from local residents who experienced them.

"I didn't realize, as a kid, we were in a depression," said Martha White, a resident of the Liberty Estates independent living center in Danville. "I was a poor person. But all of my friends were in the same boat. I think we accepted ... that was the way it was."

Board OKs UHS restructuring plan

URBANA – After a marathon discussion and an initial deadlock, the Urbana school board approved a restructuring plan for Urbana High School on Tuesday night.

But board members left out of the plan a proposal for a $70,000 administrator.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Champaign school site list down to 3 choices

CHAMPAIGN – The Champaign school district has narrowed its search for a site for a new school on the north side of the city to three locations, and school officials expect to settle on one in the next month or so.

The sites are:

Rantoul districts send out letters about TIF district concerns

RANTOUL – Rantoul schools sent home letters to parents this week warning about the ramifications of the creation of a second tax increment financing district.

The letter, jointly signed by the school boards of Rantoul Township High School and Rantoul City Schools, expressed concerns that tax dollars intended for the schools might be shifted to nonschool projects within the district.

Edison students research history of school

CHAMPAIGN – Sixth-grade students at Edison Middle School are getting a glimpse of what life at their school was like in the past, through a history project.

It wasn't always a middle school. For four decades, it was Champaign High School.

Danville High School restructuring set for vote

DANVILLE – Danville school board members will vote Wednesday on a restructuring plan aimed at boosting student achievement at Danville High School.

The high school faces restructuring because juniors failed to meet state learning benchmarks the last five years. Also, the graduation rate fell just short of the state requirement in 2007.

Text-message alerts to become available at DACC

DANVILLE – Danville Area Community College students and staff can soon sign up to get weather-related and emergency-warning messages via their cell phones.

DACC has a contract with a text-messaging company to provide the service.

High school band heading to Orlando

GEORGETOWN – The Georgetown-Ridge Farm High School Thunderin' Buffs Marching Band plans to perform in Orlando, Fla., next March.

Georgetown-Ridge Farm School Board members voted Monday to give band director Sara McGovern permission to pursue her plans to take the marching band and color guard to attend the Disney Magic Music Days next year.

Monday, April 14, 2008

Winning teacher tries to get to know students

CHAMPAIGN – Mallory Morris gets down to business as soon as her students enter her Jefferson Middle School classroom. The day's assignment is on the blackboard, and she quickly reviews what they'll do during class.

"We need to do some vocab review because our quizzes on Monday were abysmal," she says.

Emergency plans in place at DACC, Parkland

CHAMPAIGN – Parkland College administrators, faculty and staff will be able to participate in an online seminar Tuesday to address how things have changed for campus security and for faculty since the Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois University shootings, how to balance student privacy and intervention, and how to communicate with students and the community in an emergency.

The college has had a disaster plan and response team for several years. But since the campus shootings of the last year, Parkland officials are again considering how they should respond in an emergency, or if a student's behavior raises concerns, said John Sheahan, a counselor at Parkland's Counseling and Advising Center.

Danville schools administrator to receive award

Danville's associate superintendent of schools has been named the 2008 Administrator of the Year by the Illinois Association of Educational Office Professionals.

Mark Denman will be honored at a banquet and reception during the association's spring conference, which will be held Saturday at the Eastland Suites Hotel and Conference Center in Urbana.

Restructuring strategy for UHS to be considered

URBANA – The Urbana school board has on its Tuesday agenda a vote on the Urbana High School restructuring plan, but several board members are still seeking answers.

"I have asked for the chance to talk about specifics of the plan that we're being asked to approve, because I feel like we don't yet understand it well enough," said board member Cope Cumpston. "I don't know yet what passing this plan means we are locked into."

Arcola board close to naming superintendent

ARCOLA – School officials plan to have a new superintendent in place for the Arcola school district by July 1.

Interim Superintendent Richard Wilson said the school board recently interviewed three finalists for the position, and it conducted background checks on all three last week.