CCSD 180 Board of Education reviews sex education program

The current sex education curriculum at Burr Ridge Middle School may not be enough. At its April 20, 2004 meeting, the CCSD 180 Board of Education heard a presentation by faculty member and p.e./health teacher Mr. Luke Peterson who indicated that, currently, all sex education at CCSD 180 is addressed during three field trips to the Robert Crown Center. Although he lauded the program provided by the Robert Crown Center, Mr. Peterson also emphasized that “Our students have questions that need to be answered, but the current format does not allow complete coverage of certain sensitive subjects.” He proposed the adoption of Project Reality, a national pioneer in the field of adolescent health education, teaching and evaluating abstinence-centered programs in the public schools since 1985. Project Reality provides abstinence classroom education programs nationally and has sponsored several major rallies for youth, entitled Reality Check, reaching tens of thousands of adolescents with the message of abstinence as the healthiest lifestyle. He also suggested the acquisition of the book entitled Game Plan, a comprehensive 76 Page workbook for 7th grade students that focuses on a healthy lifestyle. Current cost of the workbook is $15, but the state of Illinois is covering the cost for schools in 2004-2005. The Board asked Mr. Peterson to more thoroughly outline the health education program he is suggesting and to seek additional parental input regarding his proposal. The health/sex education proposal will be presented at the May meeting of the CCSD 180 Citizens’ Advisory Council and will be further reviewed at the May 18, 2004 Board of Education meeting.

In other action, the Burr Ridge CCSD #180 Board . . .

. . . reviewed and approved the 2004-05 Burr Ridge Middle School and Anne M. Jeans Elementary School Student Handbooks as proposed by Principals Dr. Debra LeBlanc and Mr. Charles Accardi and their handbook review committees.

. . . heard a presentation by superintendent Dr. Frank Rink regarding the upcoming property tax extension. Taxpayers in the school district will see a reduction in their CCSD 180 tax rate of over 6%.

. . . approved an extension of the Food Service Contract with Arbor management, Inc. for the 2004-05 school year at a cost increase of 3.5%.

. . . heard a presentation by Ms. Katerina Karpouzis of the Success for All Foundation regarding the components/ successes of the program in other schools. A team of teachers from Anne M. Jeans Elementary School has been making site visits to other schools that have adopted the program in Illinois.

. . . learned that the Waterfall Glen Extreme 10 mile race will be held on August 14 and will be hosted by the CCSD 180 Foundation for Excellence.

. . . presented its Award of Excellence to the Southeast DuPage Conference Champion Burr Ridge Middle School Chess Team and Coach Greg Mocek.

. . . saw a pictorial summary by Superintendent Rink of the March 13 International Fair and reviewed ideas that were presented at the April 15 “Evaluation Meeting” hosted by the Hayani family.

. . . heard an update by Principal Accardi regarding the Gifted and Talent Enrichment Program.
. . . following a summary by Superintendent Rink regarding the April 17, 2004 “Those Who Excel” Awards ceremony in Springfield, passed a resolution of congratulations for Illinois State Board of Education “Those Who Excel” Award Winners from CCSD 180: Mrs. Teresa Armstrong (Award of Recognition), Mrs. Lori Hassler (Award of Recognition), Mr. Tony LaCassa (Award of Recognition), Mrs. Laura Valcour (Award of Excellence), and Sixth Grade Team members Mrs. Linda Adcock, Mrs. Julie Bartell, Ms. Carol Collins, Ms. Debbie Kelley, Mrs. Debbie Panatera, Mr. Bill Russell, and Ms. Penny Wright (Award of Excellence).

. . . tabled its scheduled review and first reading of proposed Burr Ridge CCSD 180 Policies – Second Half of Section 6, Instruction, until the May 18, 2004 meeting.

. . .designated Dr. Frank Rink as CCSD 180 representative to the SASED Board of Control and Mr. Louis Ebert as alternate representative.

. . . upheld the suspension of a CCSD 180 student.

. . . approved a two-year treasurer’s bond at a premium of $1,736.

. . . approved a job-sharing request by Mrs. Ann McVady and Mrs. Kathy Dineen-Hendricks to share second grade teaching responsibilities for the 2004-05 school year.

. . . approved the employment of an additional teacher’s aide for learning center responsibilities for the 2004-05 school year. This arrangement is in light of the assignment of librarian Mrs. Diann Olson to both schools, and provides an aide in the library of each school building.

. . . heard reports from the administration, including the following reports from Superintendent Rink:
A. NCLB Application
B. Thanks to Dr. Higgins for Odd Girl Out Book
C. Bus Bids
D. 2004-05 Registration
E. Science Text Adoption
F. Landscaping Upgrades on Both Campuses
G. 2003 Tax Levy Extension
H. Village of Burr Ridge Address Changes
I. Response to CCSD 180 Request for Sidewalk Enhancements
J. Subdivision Proposal
K. Health Department Inspection
L. May 3 Deadline for Economic Interest Statements
M. Technology Plan Approval
N. Land/Cash Study
O. CAC Summary of Meeting
P. The Sound of Music
Q. Nutrition Grant
R. May/June Report on Fast ForWord
Data/Progress
S. Regional/State Scholastic Competition

The Board’s next meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 18, 2004 at 7:30 p.m. in the Board Room of Burr Ridge CCSD #180.

Click here to access the actual minutes of this meeting