ONLINE REGISTRATION

The online registration process will be available on July 1, 2008. Letters containing the online registration password will be mailed to the parents of currently enrolled students on Tuesday, July 1st. If you do not receive your letters by Monday, July 7th, please call the school offfice to obtain your password.

School Supplies List

LUNCH PAYMENTS AND PRICES

July, 2008

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I know how hectic most school mornings can be as I do my best to get my sons out the
door and on their way to school. The last thing I want to hear in the mad scramble for
backpacks and homework is “I need money for lunch.” That usually starts a whole new
scramble for envelopes, change and markers.

To help you avoid those hectic mornings, we started e-pay. E-pay is our district’s on-line
payment system which allows you to pay for your child’s lunches (and other fees or
payments) on-line through our website.

Simply visit our website at: www.ccsd180.org and click on the “On-line Payment” tab on
the left side of the page. You can find the list of things you can pay for on that page. Just
click lunches, enter your credit or debt card and your child’s account will be credited the
next day. E-pay has been so successful it has replaced checks as our preferred way of
payment. In fact, we now only accept e-pay or cash to pay all of our fees.

And unfortunately, next year, you are going to be asked to pay more for our delicious
school lunches. The tremendous increases in the cost of diesel fuel, gasoline, milk and
bread that we have all experienced has had a strong impact on our district costs and the
costs of lunches.

Beginning in 2008-2009 we will need to increase our lunch prices. We are not alone in
this increase. A few districts are increasing the cost of meals by as much as 50%.

IN 2008-2009, THE COST OF A STUDENT LUNCH WILL BE $2.50
AND THE COST OF AN ALA CARTE MILK WILL BE .40 CENTS.

We will continue to provide your students with a high quality lunch that will prepare them
to learn and have a successful day. Thank you for your continued support with all of our
district efforts.

Thanks,


Tom Schneider, Superintendent

Summer Food Service Program - Mondays - Thursdays

July 14 – Aug. 7, 2008

“Food that’s in when school is out!”

Anne M. Jeans Elementary School
16W631 91st Street
Willowbrook, IL

FREE BREAKFAST
18 and younger

1st Serving Time: 8:30 am – 8:50 am
Summer School Students ONLY

2nd Serving Time: 9:00 am – 9:20 am
Open to public, 18 and younger

In accordance with Federal law & United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.  To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410

The 2007-2008 CHARACTER COUNTS!
Award Winners for Overall TeRRiFiC Behavior

We are so proud of this group of TeRRiFiC students.  They have consistently demonstrated all of the character pillars throughout this school year.  The pillars are, Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship.  On Friday May, 23rd 2008 a CHARACTER COUNTS! Assembly took place, with numerous parents in attendance to help us celebrate these award winning students.  Our Parent Teacher Council donated t-shirts for all the winners in the 6 colors of the character pillars.  The staff at Anne M. Jeans Elementary School are so proud of these special students.  Congratulations!

Burr Ridge Middle School Raises Promotion Standards

With improving student achievement as their number one goal, the Burr Ridge 180 Board of Education continues to examine ways to encourage student learning.

At their May, 2008 Board meeting, the Burr Ridge C.C.S.D. 180 Board of Education raised the promotion and graduation standards at Burr Ridge Middle School for the 2008-09 school year.

See this link for more information

SUMMER, 2008
OFFICE HOURS AND BUILDING ACCESS

Regular Office Hours in June and August
Monday—Friday 7:30-3:30

Summer Office Hours July 7th—August 8th
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday,
7:30AM – 5:30PM
BRMS Closed Fridays—AMJES 9-5 Fridays

Summer School at AMJES
Monday—Thursdays
July 14th—August 7th
9:00 – 12:00

Both Schools Closed on Friday, July 4th

Click here for a letter from Dr. Schneider regarding Summer 2008

Pay for Fees and Lunches on Our Website

Dear Parents,

We set out to find a way to make it easier for you to pay for your child’s fees and lunches
without the hassle of having to write a check.

That is why we are happy to introduce the new E-pay program on our web site. E-Pay is an
on-line credit card acceptance system that allows parents to pay for all student fees, lunch,
summer school accounts and even band payments on-line. E-pay will replace checks as a
way for parents to pay for fees.

E-Pay is a safe and secure electronic payment program that allows you to pay student fees 24
hours a day, seven days a week without leaving your home. The service is provided by the
State Treasurer's Office free-of-charge to more than 450 local governments and state
agencies in Illinois, including county treasurers, cities and villages, districts, libraries and
universities.

E-pay accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover and can be used to pay for
the following school fees:

Beginning in the 2008-09 school year, the district will no longer be accepting checks and will
rely on cash and the E-pay system to manage student funds.

As of April 24th parents can begin using the system now using the link on the district’s web
site:

www.ccsd180.org

We are happy to provide this useful service to our parents which will also improve our
district’s bottom line.

Sincerely,


Tom Schneider, Superintendent

District Sets Goals for 2008-09

At their most recent meeting, the Burr Ridge 180 Board of Education approved four goals for the coming school year. The Board publicly set these goals to help provide direction to the teachers and staff for the coming year. The Board remains committed to a belief in continuous improvement constantly evaluating the district’s efforts towards and appropriateness of its goals.

Link to BR Goals 08-09

Link to BR Objectives 08-09

Burr Ridge 180 Board Makes Program and Staff Cuts
Due to “No” Vote on Referendum

After seeking community input, on Monday, March 17, 2008 the Burr Ridge C.C.S.D.
180 Board of Education voted to cut personnel and programs due to the lack of funding
as a result of the failed referendum in the February 5th primary.

The district sought to avoid these cuts by seeking voter approval of a referendum
question that would have kept the tax rate the same, yet provided the district nearly $1
million in additional revenues. Unfortunately, the no vote has resulted in a budget deficit
of over a million dollars. As a result, the Board determined that the following reductions
were necessary to eliminate $900 thousand from the 2008-09 budget.

The Burr Ridge C.C.S.D. 180 Board of Education is greatly saddened and profoundly
regrets the impact these cuts will have on our students and our community. The board
emphasized that these cuts are made not due to a lack of success, in fact just the
opposite: the board is eliminating programs and staff which have demonstrated
remarkable accomplishment and achievement. Each of these items has merit and
value.

In making the cuts, the Board carefully reviewed all possible options. The Board has
attempted to make cuts which will have the least impact on the core teaching and
learning which takes place at the district. The Board has not focused on one particular
area to feel the impact of these cuts but rather has attempted to share the burden so that
the integrity of the overall educational program the students receive can remain intact.

The board plans the following to be effective with the beginning of the 2008-09 school
year:

• Elimination of certified teaching staff requiring non-renewal of contract
notifications to be sent to twenty-three teachers resulting in the elimination of
twelve teaching positions.
• The closing of INSPIRE Academy,
• Elimination of one administrative position (INSPIRE Academy Principal),
• Elimination of full-day kindergarten program,
• Elimination of 25% of para-professional teachers aides, health aides and part-
time staff, (non-renewal of contract notices to be determined at the April 21st
meeting)
• Elimination of 30% of the District’s GATE (Gifted And Talented Education)
program,
• Elimination of Burr Ridge Middle and fourth grade choir program, resulting in
fewer music programs and instruction for students,
• Elimination of Burr Ridge Middle School football program,
• Elimination of all part-time summer custodians,
• Elimination of some Burr Ridge Middle School extra-curricular academic clubs,
• 10% reduction in school supplies and textbooks.

As a result of the staff reductions, class size will be increased at both the primary level
and middle school. There will be less teacher help in these larger classes to assist
struggling students and challenge the most gifted. Teachers will be provided with less
planning time for the creation of engaging lesson plans and cultivation of vital parent
contacts. There will be fewer supplies, materials and books for students next year.

Incoming first grade students will be less prepared than had they been when they were
provided the opportunity to attend a full day kindergarten program. Students will have
fewer aides to assist them in the classroom when they have difficulties or need help.

Fortunately, for this year only, the Burr Ridge Educational Foundation has chosen to
underwrite the district’s significantly reduced summer school program. Even with this
generous donation, fewer students needing additional academic summer school
assistance will be able to receive this additional instruction. Budget cuts also mean that
the summer school program will meet for twenty-four fewer hours this summer.

Should a referendum effort be unsuccessful next November, we may need to eliminate
an additional $400 thousand from the 2009-2010 budget, requiring the possible:

• Elimination of most Burr Ridge Middle School extra-curricular programs,
• Elimination of most Burr Ridge Middle School sports programs,
• Closing of all Burr Ridge School District buildings at 5:00PM to all outside groups
resulting in the elimination of three custodial positions,
• Elimination of all Burr Ridge School District library programs, librarians and
aides,
• Further reduction of all school supplies and textbooks by 10%,
• Elimination of Burr Ridge School District gifted education (GATE) program,
• Elimination of the reading enhancement program at Burr Ridge Middle School,
• Reduction of Physical Education at one or both schools,
• Further reduction in paraprofessional aides.

A successful referendum would make it possible to avoid these additional cuts, bring
back some of these programs and positions being eliminated, and restore the quality of
the educational experience.

The PTC is collecting names of volunteers now for volunteers in the district ’s next referendum campaign. Please send a note or call the school office if you are interested in volunteering or would like to register to vote.

FY 08 Federal Appropriations Bill Contains Less Money for Burr Ridge Schools

For a district already short of funds, the president’s signature on the FY 08 Appropriations bill on December 26th brought more bad news for the district’s financial future.

For the first time in over ten years, the federal government appropriated fewer funds this year than last for Section 8002 schools (the classification for Burr Ridge C.C.S.D. 180).  This means that there will be 1.75% fewer funds available for section 8002 schools. 

At the same time, there are more 8002 schools competing for those diminished funds.  Last year, four more school districts were determined to be eligible for 8002 funds. 

For Burr Ridge 180 schools, this means that there are more districts competing for fewer funds this year reducing the amount of federal IMPACT aid which the district expects to receive. 

This reduction in available IMPACT aid funds comes as the district is seeking a tax rate swap referendum in the February 5th election.

For more information on the loss of IMPACT aid funds, please click on the NAFIS Legislative Update Link below. 

Links are also provided for additional information on the district’s referendum as well.

Click here for the NAFIS Special Legislative Update - President Signs FY2008 OmnibusSpending Package

Physicals Required for all entering 6th Graders in 2008-2009

Public Act 95-0422 (SB 937) amends the School Code (105 ILCS 5/27-8.1) by changing the physical examination requirement for students from "prior to entering 5th grade" to "prior to entering 6th grade".

Both the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) acknowledge that because the 2007-2008 school year has already commenced, this legislative change would be burdensome to families of Illinois school children, as well as schools. After conferring with the legislative sponsors, it has been determined that the enforcement of the 6th grade physical examination requirement will be deferred until the 2008-2009 school year.

Click Here For Physical Required Letter from Nurse Schlemmer and Dr. Schneider

Informal Meetings with the Superintendent Planned

Want to learn more about our district? Attend one of the informal meetings with Superintendent Tom Schneider tentatively scheduled for the third Monday of the month. These meetings will take place in the Superintendent's office and last around an hour from 5:30-6:30 PM. This is an opportunity to discuss some of the important issues facing the district and have your questions answered. Please take a few moments to attend one of these informal chats and find out more. The next meeting will take place on on Monday August 11, 2008.

Helpful Links To DuPage County Services

DuPage Election/Voter Information: - http://cms.dupageelections.com/pages.asp?pageid=209

DuPage County: - http://www.co.dupage.il.us/

DuPage Regional Office of Education: - http://www.dupage.k12.il.us/index.aspx

Click Here for Previous 2007-2008 Events

Our Mission
The mission of Community Consolidated School District 180 is, with the support of home and community, to provide a satisfying and productive environment which will allow each student to become a lifelong learner with a positive self image, well-developed higher-level thinking skills, the capability to make responsible decisions and meet the challenges of the twenty-first century.
Adopted by the Board of Education January 16, 1990 -- reaffirmed July 2007

Burr Ridge C.C. School District 180 shall provide equal employment opportunities to all persons regardless of their race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, age, ancestry, marital status, arrest record, military status or unfavorable military discharge, citizenship status, use of lawful products while not at work, physical or mental handicap or disability, if otherwise able to perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation, and other legally protected categorie