Featured News - December 2007
Wiley Elementary Classroom Celebrates Holiday Season With Governor's Ball
Party Highlights Colonial Times
[featured 12/27/07 - 1/2/08]
Marcella Vancil's grade 2-3 class at Wiley Elementary School celebrated the Holiday season with a colonial-times party on the last day before the break. The class has been learning about the pilgrims and colonial Williamsburg this year.
For the party, Vancil's class pretended that they were apprentices in Colonial Williamsburg and were charged with making decorations for the Governor's Ball. Students arranged very impressive colonial centerpieces for the tables. Many dressed up in colonial garb, and parents and school administrators were invited to partake in the feast. "It's (the party) a wonderful way to get a sense of the time. The kids did exceptional work. I've never seen the creativity that they put into this," Vancil said.
Photo 1: Wiley students depict colonial Williamsburg during the "Governor's Ball."
Photo 2: Teacher Marcella Vancil wears colonial attire during the Wiley Elementary "Governor's Ball."
Yankee Ridge Elementary Families Participate in Annual Giving Project
Donations This Year Benefit Project Linus
[featured 12/21/07 - 12/27/07]
Yankee Ridge Elementary students, families, and staff have the chance to help children in need through the school's annual giving project. This year the Yankee Ridge PTA is donating all proceeds from the fundraising effort to Project Linus.
"The students are bringing donations of their own money (1 cent, 5 cents, 50 cents - any amount) to be pooled together as a cash donation for the organization. Gifts are used to purchase materials for the Project Linus volunteers to make blankets, quilts, and afghans to provide comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need. As little as an $8 donation is enough to make two preemie blankets," says Yankee Ridge PTA Co-Vice President Angie Henderson.
Yankee Ridge families have donated to other causes over the years, including:
- School Kits Around the World with local shop 10,000 Villages in Champaign: Each grade level brought in a different school supply and 10,000 Villages helped us bag, ship and send.
- 911 Fund for families of victims of the tragedy.
- Humane Society: Families donated supplies for the animals at the Humane Society.
- Book drive for Hurricane Katrina and Rita victims in Mississippi: Families donated new and gently-used books which were sent to students at D'Iberville Elementary School in D'Iberville, Mississippi who had lost all their books during the hurricanes.
- Heifer International: Organization that helps provide needy families in countries around the world (including US) with livestock to help better their lives.
Henderson has been involved at Yankee Ridge since 2000 and she says this time of year is always a good time for the school. "The goal of (this project) is to provide an opportunity for the children to enjoy helping others. The kids seem to feel especially close to projects that help other children. Some of the classrooms enjoy a small bit of competition in their collections. I've had a mom or two express interest in actually making a blanket to send to the organization," Henderson explains.
For more information about Project Linus, please see www.projectlinus.org.
Urbana School District #116 Teachers Learn the "Write Traits"
Program Helps Instructors Teach and Assess Student Writing Skills
[featured 12/18/07 - 12/21/07]
Urbana School District elementary teachers are learning a new way to assess and train students in writing. The program is called "Write Traits" and it trains teachers in the six proven traits of assessing and teaching writing. The six key characteristics of good writing include ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and conventions/presentation. "Write Traits" has been developed by master teacher and author Vicki Spandel.
"We are committed to finding ways for teachers to have professional discussions about student work and student learning. Write Traits provides a common language and format for that discussion. Write Traits is not a one-shot training. We expect to continue our commitment to it for the foreseeable future. I am pleased that all elementary and middle school teachers, as well as several of the high school teachers, will be exposed to the basics of Write Traits by the end of this school year. I look forward to building on our work in the years to come," says Kathy Barbour, District 116 Director of Staff Development.
Barbour says teachers using the "Write Traits" method are seeing the benefits of the program. She explains, "Many teachers in our district are using Write Traits. For them, Write Traits training is a place where they can revisit the basics and find ideas to take back to their classrooms. Teachers who are not using Write Traits sometimes try to assess all student writing holistically. Write Traits gives them a framework for looking more closely at student work while not getting bogged down in 'red-pen corrections' every time."
District 116 Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Don Owen says the Write Traits program will benefit both teachers and students. "Write Traits not only helps teachers focus their assessment of student writing, but also helps students see writing in its component parts. Writing is less threatening to a student when they understand what goes into a good piece of writing. The traits are very well researched," Owen says.
For more information about "Write Traits" please see http://www.greatsource.com/GreatSource/html/wt_faq.html.
Yankee Ridge Fifth-Grade Class Uses Reading Log to Build Literacy
[featured 12/17/07 - 12/18/07]
Brandon Smith's fifth-grade students at Yankee Ridge Elementary School in Urbana are using a reading log to help them build literacy skills and expand their reading genres. Smith says the reading log was used by former Yankee Ridge teacher Nancy Blanford while Smith was student teaching with her. Smith says he continued the reading log after Blanford retired and he replaced her.
Very simply, the reading log is a journal where kids write about what they have read. The journal targets various levels of thinking and encourages students to read a variety of genres. Smith says,
"Every night for homework, my kids are supposed to read for 20 minutes. The log comes home on Mondays and Thursdays. After they've read, they are to answer one of the prompts for the type of log I've assigned. For example, if I assigned a "synthesis" log, they'd have to answer one of these prompts: 1. Change the character's solution to the conflict or problem. How would the story be different? 2. How would you feel about having the main character in our classroom? 3. What do you think the main character was like at your age? The entry should be 5-7 sentences long, use proper capitalization and punctuation, and be in complete sentences (so it works on paragraphs, proofreading, etc.). Then, on Tuesdays and Fridays, we share in small groups or for the whole class."
Smith says he hopes his students discover new skills while using the reading log. "I hope that kids gain critical thinking skills and that they become active readers. I also hope that I expose the kids to different genres of books to make them better-rounded in their reading. Improved writing, an increased level of comfort when discussing their own writing or any type of public speaking and an increased desire to read are some other goals," Smith explains.
Smith says the reading log accomplishes its goals. "I'll use the example that none of the entries is to be a summary, which is, of course, exactly what most of the kids did at the beginning. Now, they know the difference between a summary and what each of the entries should look like. In that sense, they've learned about writing summaries. In another sense, many kids would prefer to read only one type of book. After being encouraged to read books from different genres, several children have started to read books outside of their original comfort level. Some of the kids seem to come out of their shells when we share, so I think it helps on a social aspect too," Smith comments.
Smith says he believes many of his students like to write in their reading log. "To some, it's just another homework assignment, but to others, it's a chance to be heard and to motivate others to read the book that they've read. Some of the kids really get into their writing and sharing," Smith says.
For more information about Brandon Smith’s class, and other Yankee Ridge classroom websites, please see http://www.usd116.org/yr/classrooms/classrooms.html.
All-City Strings Concert Impresses Audience in First Concert of the Year
[featured 12/14/07 - 12/17/07]
A long-time tradition continued at Lincoln Square Wednesday night as all District 116 Elementary Schools formed the All-City Strings Orchestra and performed for a delighted audience. The concert featured 86 fifth-grade students under the direction of Tamra Gingold.
Gingold is in her fifth year of teaching in District 116, but she's veteran of the All-City Strings Orchestra. "I am a product from this program. I began playing violin through the All-City program at Yankee Ridge School. It is funny for me to now teach a program that I learned so much from," Gingold says.
Gingold says the All-City Strings program and concert is very important in a young student's development explaining,
"It is good to see the diversity among students. There are no labels put on students. I make students feel that they are important and that there is nothing that can stop them. When they play together, it is an opportunity for the kids to see others of all races, economic backgrounds, and genders play the same tunes, and feel a sense of unity. It is a chance for students to set their differences aside and focus on something positive that they have in common. In addition, we have several get-togethers so that students from various schools can meet others and when they arrive at the UMS, orchestra class is one class that they will feel comfortable in because they already know so many of their classmates."
Gingold says she enjoyed seeing the reactions of the students playing with such a large group and she also enjoyed helping the students prepare for their first concert experience. "I had a rehearsal prior the concert and many of the students were in shock that there were so many kids playing. It was great," she says.
The concert featured several classics including "Boil Them Cabbage Down," "Frere Jacques," and "Chicken on a Fencepost." The orchestra also played holiday tunes such as "Dreidel Song," "Jingle Bells," and a very challenging arrangement of "Carol of the Bells" that wowed the audience. "For their first concert of the year, I was so excited for them. Not only did they adjust to the seating that they were not familiar with, but they played together and they played well. I tell the students that they are very special because it takes a strong-willed, hard-working person to play these difficult instruments. The fact that they played as a group and in tune, I applaud each one of them," Gingold says.
Gingold says the elementary string programs are growing and she's excited about the future. She says, "The year I student taught was the year that they cut the 4th grade program. At that time the 4/5 program was very small. Since I have been here, the numbers have over doubled and the diversity among the students has increased tremendously."
Urbana School District Bilingual Program Helps Students Learn Language, Academics
[featured 12/12/07 - 12/14/07]
150 elementary students in the Urbana School District are learning the English language while at the same time learning academics in their native (first) language. District 116 believes this bilingual approach will make better students and scholars when the kids reach the secondary level.
For English Language Learners, there is the challenge of learning to speak and understand the English language along with learning academics while in school. Bilingual education tries to blend the two; Students learn the English language, but learn academics in their native language. Urbana School District Multicultural Program Director Jennifer Hixson says, "Learning English is always the number one goal. But, do we want students to learn it fast and not really have the academic background to go on and do high level academic work? Or do we want them to learn (academics) in conjunction with their first language, take it more slowly, be sure they know the concepts they need and then be prepared to do whatever they may want to do in life? In Urbana we want the latter."
This is a different approach to learning, and Hixson says some parents of English Language Learners resist the bilingual approach. Hixson comments, "To some of our parents it (bilingual education) doesn't make sense, and I don't blame them. They want what is best for their children and they know that learning English is necessary to do well in this country. Of course, I tell them that we also want their children to learn English. But, we want them to learn it in a way that will truly prepare them for the real world out there. They need to learn English well enough to read, write, compute, think, etc., to go to college or earn a living. To do that, maintaining their first language is important so that they don't miss out on concepts being taught while they are learning English."
Hixson says research proves that the bilingual method of instruction works. "With bilingual education students can learn beginning concepts first in a language they understand. Everything you learn in (your native language) can be used in (English) and can be used to support learning in English," Hixson explains.
Most bilingual students speak Spanish as their first language. However, Hixson says there are 20 students whose bilingual education is in Mandarin. "We also offer Home Language instruction in French, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Lao, Turkish, Russian, Korean, Arabic and Swahili," Hixson says.
The bilingual program is expanding to Urbana Middle School for the first time this year. UMS is offering bilingual education in Math and Social Studies.
Urbana School District Proud of its National Board Certified Teachers
[featured 12/10/07 - 12/12/07]
A teacher's professional development is never over. After receiving their teaching license, the learning never stops. Several Urbana School District #116 teachers have undertaken the immense challenge of becoming a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT). Becoming a NBCT is a very high honor. Of the millions of teachers across the country, only 55,000 have received this National Certification, and 17 teachers in Urbana School District currently have earned the honor. Other teachers in District 116 are in the process of becoming certified.
"National Board is centered on the theme of leading from the classroom to increase student performance," says Jill Shoda, a National Board Certified Teacher who works at King Elementary, one of the first certified teachers in Urbana School District in 1998, and recently was one of the first teachers in District 116 to be re-certified. "Renewal of my National Board Certification allowed me to continue my professional growth. I want to be a part of a profession expecting high and rigorous standards for teachers," Shoda explains.
The process to become a NBCT is painstaking, difficult, and time-consuming. Once a teacher applies for National Certification, it may take up to three years to complete the process. A candidate must submit four portfolio entries - three must be classroom based, where video recordings and examples of student work support the documentation. A fourth entry relates to teacher accomplishments outside the classroom and how it impacts student learning. Teachers then must complete and pass six exercises where they demonstrate content knowledge in the subject they teach. Once certified, the designation is good for 10 years. In year eight, the teachers may begin to complete a detailed and rigorous "Profile of Professional Growth" and submit it to the National Board in order to become re-certified for another 10 years.
"The National Board certification process is high quality professional development. In fact, NBCTs throughout the country have stated that this process is the 'best professional development' they have experienced," says Marcella Vancil, Wiley Elementary Teacher and Illinois Regional National Board Facilitator. She continues, "I am passionate about National Board Certification because I know the dramatic impact it has had on my own teaching. Teaching is a living, dynamic endeavor. Throughout my professional career I have continued to hone my craft through a plethora of coursework and other professional development opportunities. But the National Board Certification process provided an opportunity to actively document my own teaching and student learning as I examined effective strategies, pedagogy, current trends, and the prevailing needs of my students."
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Don Owen is proud of the 17 NBCTs in District 116. Owen says, "The National Board process is challenging, and the board and the district have always tried to support the teachers who are going through the process. We are also thankful to have several NBCTs who have taken leadership roles in the district, region and state."
Teacher Julie Erlinger has been told that she has received her national certification. The other District 116 National Board Certified Teachers are:
- Marcella Vancil
- Jill Shoda
- Alexis Jones
- Susan Gleason
- Nancy Fehr
- Judith Pece
- Carol Casbeer
- Mark Freedman
- Judy Powell
- Evelyn Walton
- Jeanne Ward
- Phyllis Pete
- Glenna Rogers
- Paula Rogers
- Elizabeth Mears
- Frank Modica
For more information about National Board Certified Teachers, please see http://www.nbpts.org/.
Community Program Helps Urbana School District Children See
SPECS Program Helps Families Afford Eye Exams and Glasses for Children
[featured 12/7/07 - 12/10/07]
Imagine being called on in class to solve a problem that is written on the chalk board, or to read a passage in a book. That assignment is daunting enough, but now imagine being called to do that without being able to see the board from your seat or having the words appear blurry and un-readable on the pages. The Seeing the Possibility of Every Child’s Success (SPECS) Program is seeing to it (pardon the pun) all area children are able to receive eye exams and glasses so they can succeed in school. The SPECS Program serves Urbana and Champaign School children and has been in operation for a year. The program is administered through the Champaign-Urbana Schools Foundation and is funded through private and business donations.
“If you can’t see the board or the words on a page - how can you learn or be taught,” asks District 116 Nurse Sandra Martin. Martin coordinates the SPECS program for Urbana School District and last year 50-60 students in Urbana schools received exams and eye glasses thanks to the SPECS Program. Martin explains,
“I coordinate the provision of vision clinics and individual eye exams and eye glasses for our students. SPECS helped in garnering the support given by our local medical community in giving a mobile vision van to the Champaign Urbana Public Health District. The purpose of the van is to be able to go directly to the schools to give eye exams and fit students for eye glasses. So far the eye exam piece has not been possible on the van due to liability issues. The vision van is able however, to fill eye glass prescriptions. This service is only for students with medical cards.”
The school nurses and social workers help bring the SPECS service to children that need the help. Local service organizations, doctors, the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, and businesses donate time, money, glasses, and services to the SPECS Program. Martin says this program is very much needed as there are always children who can’t see clearly and can’t afford eye exams or glasses. Martin hopes that individual and organized support for the program continues. “The SPEC Program always needs donations of money to support our students that are waiting for eye exams. We have an ongoing list at all times of well over 100 students that either need eye glasses or eye exams. Vision exams and eye glasses are a huge expense to parents and any help we can give our students helps to better their success in school,” Martin says.
Martin says students really appreciate the ability to see. She comments, “For most students it is a self esteem and self worth issue. Most are very excited the day their new eye glasses arrive.”
For more information about the SPECS program, or to find out how you can help, please contact Martin at 384-3600 or the Champaign-Urbana Schools Foundation 384-4337.
Urbana School District’s Students of the Month Award Highlights Student Citizenship
Optimists Club Award in its 9th Year
[featured 12/6/07 - 12/7/07]
Urbana Middle School is in its 9th year of partnering with the C-U Optimists Club in awarding the UMS Students of the Month. The award helps showcase students of good character.
"Each of the 9 UMS (teacher) teams selects one student each month to be their 'Student of the Month.' Students of the Month are students who consistently display positive character and who are positive leaders in the classroom - they are good role models, bring other kids along in positive ways, encourage others, and create a positive and encouraging classroom," says Barbara Linder, Urbana Middle School Volunteer Coordinator.
Students can be Student of the Month only once in their middle school career, but the rewards last a long time. "They receive a certificate, a little 'goodie bag' and a Student of the Month T-shirt. The shirt is designed each year by the September Students of the Month. They also get to have a special snack with the Principal on the day after their names are announced. At the end of the year all Students of the Month attend a Leadership Retreat at Crystal Lake Park. Their names go on a plaque that is displayed in the main hall of the building. The funds from the Optimist Club pay for the t-shirts, the retreat and the plaque," Linder explains.
Principal Nancy Clinton says she finds it uplifting to spend time with the Student of the Month recipients. "During our monthly snack time together, I am reminded of the wonderful students at Urbana Middle School. As an added bonus, the students get to know the Principal as a person. That's terrifically satisfying for me," Clinton says.
Clinton also sees the Student of the Month Program as a way to promote social development for the entire student population. She says, "When students are recognized for being an all-around good citizen at UMS, other students are aware of whom they are and why they were chosen. Setting the 'right thing to do' standard high helps to show other students at UMS what they may be able to do. It encourages students to learn to be all around 'good people' as they are growing up."
Photo: UMS Students of the Month meet with Principal Nancy Clinton.
Student Donates Book to Washington Early Childhood School
Donation Part of Inclusive Schools Week
[featured 12/5/07 - 12/6/07]
Joseph Lindsey is three years old, has Down Syndrome, and he loves to read books. Joseph and his family helped spread his love of reading to his fellow students at Washington Early Childhood School by donating a book to the school’s library on Tuesday. This donation was part of National Inclusive Schools Week which runs Dec. 3-7.
The book presentation was made possible in part by the Champaign County Down Syndrome Network (DSN), which presented 11 area schools with books for children on the topic of Down Syndrome. According to Champaign County DSN, the book was a token of "appreciation for providing children with an inclusive environment at school and for supporting inclusion throughout the year." Joseph and his mother Ellen Lindsey presented Washington Early Childhood with the book We’ll Paint the Octopus Red.
"Joey loves books and he loves the library. We came earlier and he knew exactly where to sit, and he was waiting for a story," says Ellen Lindsey. She hopes this donation helps promote inclusion. "We hope that the book will show everyone that children with Down Syndrome are just like everyone else. They look just a little bit different but they are just the same; they want to learn and be included and enjoy life," Lindsey explains.
Washington Early Childhood librarian Mary Ann Brown is grateful for the donation. "Joey is in one of my classes and he was really excited to give the book and share with the library," Brown says. Brown says the book will help her carry out her job of promoting literacy and reading to all Early Childhood students. She explains, "Research proves it out that reading to your child is the best predictor of success in school later, so we really focus on literacy and the kids love to take books home."
Urbana High School Book Club Participants Share Love of Reading
[featured 12/4/07 - 12/5/07]
The Urbana High School Book Club meets once per month where students channel their love of reading into book discussions. The club, under the direction of UHS Librarian Matthew Murrey, chooses the books to read, spends the month reading the work, and then convenes to discuss the literature.
The book club at the high school has been going for four years, according to Murrey. “It (the club) was started by students. They came and asked me if I could sponsor it and I said, ‘Of course’’, Murrey says. Murrey says the goal of the book club is to give an outlet for students to read for leisure and to discuss the works. The club has chosen a wide variety of books over the years from the classics to popular literature. “We’ve read novels like Steppenwolf, Life of Pi, and right how we have a core of students who really like science fiction,” Murrey explains. He provides some suggestions if the club is looking for a particular genre. Murray also says “it’s a joy” to help sponsor the group because he enjoys working with the students in helping them read for pleasure.
For November the Book Club read Dune by Frank Herbert and for December the group is reading Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman. The library purchases the books for members of the club to borrow and read.
Annie Valochi is a 9th grader and member of the Book Club. She says it’s nice to find a group of fellow students who share her love of reading. “It’s nice to have a group to come to and have a focal point, especially if you are a bookworm. It’s a dream come true to have people to talk about a book with,” Valochi says. She continues, “It’s nice when you have a book and you can relate it to everyday life or issues in school or things that are going on in society. It’s really cool to relate to that.”
For more information about the Urbana High School Book Club, please see http://www.usd116.org/uhs/library/readingclub.htm.
State Senator Mike Frerichs Tours Urbana School District Schools
[featured 12/3/07 - 12/4/07]
A local state senator took time out of his busy schedule with the general assembly to tour Urbana School District #116 Schools. Frerichs expressed an interest in touring District 116 and the administrators hosted the senator Friday.
Frerichs began the day touring the Student Health Center. The senator met with doctors, nurses, and the student advisory committee. The committee met with Frerichs earlier in the year during advocacy day in Springfield, and the state senator sat down with the committee to meet the students again. Urbana School Board Member Benita Rollins-Gay attended the tour and thanked Frerichs for his support of the health center. The student committee then presented Frerichs with a gift, a hand-made key, thanking him for his support.
Senator Frerichs then toured Leal Elementary School and heard about the school’s bilingual program. Frerichs also toured the school’s computer lab and learned about the importance of technological literacy and how it’s needed for today’s elementary school students. Principal Spencer Landsman hosted the tour.
Senator Frerichs then met with Superintendent Preston Williams and School Board President Mark Netter. The three discussed state funding for education and how decisions at the state level impact District 116’s education mission.
After a lunch with the Title I staff, Frerichs toured Washington Early Childhood School. The senator was joined by Crystal Vowels, Mark Netter, and fellow board member Brenda Carter for the presentation. Frerichs saw and heard first-hand the need for a revamped Early Childhood school.
Frerichs also visited with students and administrators at Urbana Adult Education. One student even interviewed him. It was her last assignment before receiving her diploma. Frerichs answered her questions, and she then graduated from Adult Ed!
Frerichs finished his day with a tour of Martin Luther King Elementary School. Frerichs was able to talk to a class and answer questions posed by students. The students found out the senator’s age, his favorite books, how many hours a day he works, and what kind of house he lives in, just to name a few queries!
Frerichs expressed his appreciation for being able to go on the tour, and he commented that it was good to see first hand the Urbana School District #116 public education system.
Photo 1: Martin Luther King Elementary School welcomes State Senator Mike Frerichs.
Photo 2: State Senator Mike Frerichs tours Washington Early Childhood School with USD board members Mark Netter and Brenda Carter.
Urbana Middle School Builder’s Club Serves the Community
[featured 11/30/07 - 12/3/07]
Ten students at Urbana Middle School are working hard to have a positive impact on school life and the surrounding community by being members of the Builder’s Club. The Builder’s Club is the middle school level of the Kiwanis Club, which is a service organization.
Adam Schmitt is the faculty advisor for the Builder’s Club and he says the goal of the club is to strengthen the school through service. "A lot of things that happen in the community carry over into the school," Schmitt says. Schmitt hopes the students learn to think of and help the world around them. He says, "It’s really important that we realize that there’s a bigger picture to the world outside of just ourselves. I think that by having a group of students that helps promote that view that we should care about our community at large--develop that thinking and positive nature that they can spread to other people out in the real world as they get older--then they’ll have that community mindedness and make our world a better place."
7th-grader Maddie DeBord initially joined Builder’s Club to be with her friends, but she says she now enjoys the service projects saying, "I first joined Builder’s Club when my friend Kate started going to it, and then I figured out (the club) really helps the community and really helps the school community, and it sounded like a good chance to help our school."
This year the Builder’s Club has organized a food drive for the Eastern Illinois Food Bank, organized a school recycling program, managed a bulletin board to give tips to students on how to be successful in school, and the club is in the planning stages of helping the Humane Society, planting flowers in the school’s courtyards, and picking up school grounds.
For more information about the UMS Builder’s Club, please see http://www.usd116.org/ums/clubs/buildersclub/buildersclub.html.