Pathway to Excellence and Ethics Program (P.R.I.D.E.) implemented at Burr Ridge Middle School

At its September 21, 2004 meeting, the Burr Ridge CCSD 180 Board of Education heard a report from middle school Principal Dr. Debra LeBlanc regarding the implementation of Project Chieftain P.R.I.D.E. at the school. The initiative came from a summer workshop conducted by the Lincoln Center for Character Development and
The Healthy DuPage Character Coalition and attended by Dr. LeBlanc and members of the Burr Ridge Middle School staff. The program incorporates the development of a schoolwide “Touchstone” – sustained, deep, character education initiatives that incorporate a shared set of universal values and aspirations for all members of the school community. Students suggested the acronym Chieftain P.R.I.D.E. as a constant reminder of the program:

PRIDE
– We find the good in all situations.
RESPECT
– We treat each other with kind words and actions.
INDIVIDUALITY
– We believe in ourselves and celebrate our differences.
DETERMINATION
– We welcome challenges and always try our hardest.
EXCELLENCE
– We strive to be the best that we can be.
PRIDE in ourselves, PRIDE in our peers, PRIDE in our school!

Principal LeBlanc noted that the program has already resulted in enhanced pride demonstrated by students and staff at their school.

In other action, the Board . . .

. . . reviewed its current class size averages, which fall at 18.3 for grade, 19.7 for Grade 1, 15.7 for Grade 2, 23 for Grade 3, 23 for Grade 4, 22.5 for Grade 5, 20.5 for Grade 6, 22 for Grade 7, and 23.7 for Grade 8. Superintendent Frank Rink lauded and thanked the Board for its commitment to children and to low class size. He cited a recent synthesis of the educational research about class size, which found that “small class size in the early grades generates substantial academic and social gains for students, and those gains are retained even as students move into more standard-sized classrooms in the upper elementary grades, middle school, and high school.”

. . . held a public hearing and approved the final budget for the 2004-05 school year. The education fund deficit, as compared to projections three years ago, has only been about one-tenth of that projection. However, Rink cautioned that balances in the red or black are largely contingent upon the receipt of federal Impact Aid, a funding source over which the district has little control and about which little is known on a year to year basis relative to amounts to expect and payment schedule. Progress is being made toward a more balanced budget. Superintendent Rink indicated that a balanced education fund budget was easily attainable had the Board opted to increase class sizes to 27-32 students per class. He, again, lauded the Board for its emphasis on children.

. . . congratulated students and staff for students at Anne M. Jeans Elementary School and Burr Ridge Middle School for their positive progress on the 2004 Illinois Standards Achievement Tests (ISAT). CCSD 180 students exceeded state averages on 14 of the 17 tests given. Rink indicated, “Our successes fly in the face of the “conventional wisdom” which would have our student achievement below state averages because of our higher mobility rates, higher poverty rates, and higher minority enrollment.”

. . . opted to schedule a late June Board of Education meeting to address expenditure requests as opposed to adding a July meeting to the Board meeting calendar.

. . . presented its Award of Excellence to parent volunteer Ms. Melissa Kostner for her generosity and talents with school dramatic endeavors.

. . . reviewed Superintendent Rink’s Annual Report which is summarized chronology of the past fiscal year (July through June) and that is sent to all residents of CCSD 180.

. . . opted not to subsidize the after-hours French language program at Anne M. Jeans Elementary School.

. . . adopted policies relating to the Children’s Mental health Act and the Ethics and Gift Ban Act.

. . . heard a report by Superintendent Rink regarding planned changes in the school district’s student assessment program. The Board will consider a final proposal at its October meeting.

. . . passed a resolution of congratulations for Dr. Debbie LeBlanc for being the subject of the dedication of a recently published book by Dr. Steven Layne.

. . . approved the annual application for recognition of schools.

. . . accepted the resignation of Michael LaCassa as middle school aide.

. . . approved the employment of April Wilson and Julie Sullivan as aides and the employment of Carol Perkins as aide/busdriver.

. . . heard reports from the administration including the following from Dr. Rink:

A. Architect’s Study of Anne M. Jeans Elementary School Gymnasium Ventilation
B. Village of Burr Ridge Public Hearing about Extension of Sidewalk between Falling Waters Subdivision and Burr Ridge Middle School
C. County Health Department Inspection
D. September 24, 2004 Public Hearing on CCSD 180 Calendar Waiver
E. Superintendent on SASED Negotiating Team
F. PTC Garage Sale
G. Board of Education Election Timeline
H. Nutrition Council
I. Citizens’ Advisory Council Meeting
J. Report about August Kindergarten Schedule
K. New State Superintendent/Board

The Board’s next meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 19. 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