Four individuals will represent Burr Ridge CCSD #180 in the 2002 Illinois State Board of Education "Those Who Excel" awards program. The program annually recognizes and honors people who have made outstanding contributions to elementary and secondary education. Nominees complete a nomination packet that is reviewed by a selection committee comprised of representatives of statewide education organizations. An awards banquet and ceremony will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2002 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield during which the Illinois Teacher of the Year is announced from among winners in the Classroom Teacher category.

Nominees from Burr Ridge CCSD #180 will be Mrs. Cathe Smith (Certificated Teacher), Mrs. Kathy Dineen-Hendricks (Certificated Support Personnel), Darlene Lavenhagen (Educational Service Personnel), and Gloria Pavese (Community Volunteer).

Superintendent Frank Rink, while making the announcement of nominees at the November 13 Board of Education meeting, indicated, "Effective schools are characterized by widespread rewards and recognition. In view of our schools' world-class dedication to excellence, we are resurrecting our participation in the Illinois State Board of Education "Those Who Excel" program. The impetus behind this participation is not to have staff and community members compete with one another for a nomination, but to recognize the good that all do for the benefit of children. I am pleased to nominate these world-class candidates for recognition!"

Current staff members who have been recognized in past "Those Who Excel" Programs are Ms. Peg Chludzinski, Dr. Debra LeBlanc, and Dr. Frank Rink.

In other action at its November 13 meeting, the Board . . .

. . . recognized second year reading program volunteers Linda Gauthier, Dick Goers, Patti Goers, Patti Hutcheson, Gloria Pavese, Kris Pielet, and Cindy Trznadel and presented Award of Excellence plaques to them.

. . . reviewed and approved a revision to the school district's standardized testing program as follows: Administer the newly created ISBE Early Literacy Test (ISEL) to students in grades K and 1. This involves a fall pre-test and a spring post-test. Administer the state mandated and state scheduled ISAT tests in the spring to grades 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8. Administer the Stanford Achievement Test, in the spring, to the remaining grades 2 and 6.

Rationale for the change included the following:

1. School district report cards no longer include or mandate results of standardized tests other than the ISAT.

2. The data provided by ISAT has become much more rich and detailed, negating the need for yet another norm-referenced test during the same year.

3. Should there be concerns about early identification of grade 2 gifted children, a selection matrix can be developed that is much more holistic and less dependent on a norm referenced achievement test.

4. Reducing the amount of data, while still providing an excellent summary of student performance, allows us to better focus on real needs.

5. Although the current dual testing schedule prepares students for the ISAT, there are less time-consuming, more efficient strategies to prepare students for the ISAT.

6. Effective schools are characterized by frequent monitoring of student achievement. Despite the elimination of some of the norm referenced testing, teacher developed criterion referenced testing is ongoing and is, in many ways, of more value to diagnosis and instructional treatment of student needs.

7. Stanford Achievement Test booklets and scoring services are rather expensive. Decreasing the number of grade levels taking the test from seven to two will result in a cost savings to the school district.

8. The common and valid lament among Illinois educators is that we are detracting from teaching/learning with too many standardized tests. This proposal would result in an integration of Stanford/OLSAT, ISAT and ISEL to get the data we want without an inordinate and somewhat wasteful amount of time invested. Parents and staff will still get a formalized report of standardized testing results at each grade level.

. . . reviewed current grading and honor roll procedures and scheduled further discussion and possible action for its December 4, 2001 meeting.

. . . completed Board reorganization processes and elected the following officers for terms concluding in April 2003: Jill Ann Coleman, president; Robert Middlemas, vice-president; Linda Jones, secretary; Louis Ebert, Treasurer.

. . . approved a proposal by Mrs. Lauren Mueller to establish a National Junior Honor Society at Burr Ridge Middle School contingent on assurances that student selection is not limited to a specified percentage or number of students who may participate.

. . . established the following Board of Education meeting times and dates for the ensuing year: The regular meetings will begin at 7:30 PM in the District Office; 15W451 91st Street, Burr Ridge, Illinois 60527 (unless otherwise noted)-- December 4, 2001; January 8, 2002 (7:30 a.m.); January 15, 2002; February 19, 2002; March 19, 2002; April 16, 2002; May 21, 2002; June 18, 2002; August 20, 2002; September 17, 2002; October 15, 2002; November 19, 2002.

. . . considered the construction of a basement for storage purposes under the new kindergarten rooms scheduled for opening in the 2002-03 school year. However, in view of the estimated cost of an additional $325,000, decided to pursue the option no further. The Board directed the superintendent to consult with architects regarding the possibility of a pitched roof over the new addition, thereby providing some mezzanine space for storage.

. . . accepted the resignation of Margarita Jaramillo as special education aide at Anne M. Jeans Elementary School and employed Jennifer L. Montgomery, Rita Brzowski, Mary Sylve as teacher aides.

. . . reviewed proposed policies relative to Section 1 - School District Organization - as stipulated in the Board's review schedule. Second reading and adoption is scheduled for the December 4, 2001 Board of Education meeting. The proposed policies may be reviewed at the school district website at http://www.ccsd180.org/Policy/policies.html.

. . . reviewed the 2001 Illinois School District Report Card.

. . . reviewed a summary and comments by Superintendent Rink regarding Stanford Achievement Test results and ISAT alignment and results. The Board was also apprised of a change in the social studies curriculum sequence at the middle grades to better align with assessments.

The Board's next meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 4, 2001 at 7:30 p.m. in the Board Room of Burr Ridge CCSD #180.