Tarkington Elementary School http://tarkington.ccsd21.org/news/ News RSS Tue, 27 May 2014 19:29:05 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://floodlightdesign.comccsd21-enters-agreement-with-village-of-wheeling-for-stormwater-management-facility-at-twainhttp://tarkington.ccsd21.org/news/ccsd21-enters-agreement-with-village-of-wheeling-for-stormwater-management-facility-at-twainFri, 22 Mar 2024 15:54:00 +0000http://tarkington.ccsd21.org/news/ccsd21-enters-agreement-with-village-of-wheeling-for-stormwater-management-facility-at-twain\"An This is the proposed location and size of a stormwater detention basin on the grounds of Twain Elementary School. CCSD21 and the Village of Wheeling entered an intergovernmental agreement through which the village will acquire the land and construct the facility to help reduce flooding in the neighboring community.[/caption]   Community Consolidated School District 21 on March 21 entered into an intergovernmental agreement with the Village of Wheeling for a stormwater management facility at Twain Elementary School. The South Dunhurst neighborhood, in which Twain resides, has historically been prone to flooding during significant rain events. The village conducted an in-depth study of the neighborhood in 2021 and identified the north field of Twain as an ideal location for a stormwater detention basin. As part of the agreement, the village intends to acquire approximately three acres of land on the north side of Twain’s property to accommodate a basin for the project it is undertaking known as the South Dunhurst Drainage Improvement Project. Micheal DeBartolo, assistant superintendent for finance and operations/CSBO, said that section of the field is not usable for school-related recreational activities, nor is it a property the district could develop, due to its poor grading.  “We believe this [project] is not only good for our students and the community of Twain, but based upon what it does for the drainage for the area, it will be a game-changer for this neighborhood,” DeBartolo told the board. The proposed basin would serve to reduce flooding in the neighboring community and protect it from future 25-year storm events. Further, it would have shallow-graded side slopes and a flat, dry bottom, which will be landscaped to add an appealing landscape.  There is ongoing consideration for the inclusion of a walking path around the circumference of the basin. The village would also be responsible for erecting a secure perimeter to the basin, beautification of the area and additional enhancements to the property, as needed. To recuperate some of that open area, and to benefit the students and community, the district will construct a 75- by 210-foot synthetic turf field east of Twain’s playground. This will allow for students to play on this surface year round regardless of snow or other elements as the surface can be cleared and utilized during the winter months. The village has agreed to reimburse CCSD21 for the costs to construct the turf field. ]]>ccsd21-to-continue-purchasing-all-school-supplies-waive-registration-fees-for-2024-2025-school-yearhttp://tarkington.ccsd21.org/news/ccsd21-to-continue-purchasing-all-school-supplies-waive-registration-fees-for-2024-2025-school-yearFri, 22 Mar 2024 10:43:00 +0000http://tarkington.ccsd21.org/news/ccsd21-to-continue-purchasing-all-school-supplies-waive-registration-fees-for-2024-2025-school-yearCommunity Consolidated School District 21 will continue to provide all enrolled students with school supplies required for the 2024-2025 school year, marking the fifth consecutive year the district has made this decision. It will also waive registration fees for each student. The move was initially implemented during the 2020-2021 school year, when district administration decided that between the crunch of the COVID-19 pandemic and the fact the year would begin remote, they did not believe families should have to pay for supplies. “By giving families the opportunity to use these funds for something else that their family needs, rather than having to use the money for registration and supplies, means we have positively impacted each family,” said Micheal DeBartolo, assistant superintendent for finance and operations/CSBO. DeBartolo previously told the board that the district does not see the likelihood of going back to charging fees or requiring the purchase of supplies “at any point in the future,” but would communicate that should the sentiment change. ]]>ccsd21-approves-contract-for-interior-lighting-replacement-at-cooperhttp://tarkington.ccsd21.org/news/ccsd21-approves-contract-for-interior-lighting-replacement-at-cooperFri, 22 Mar 2024 10:32:00 +0000http://tarkington.ccsd21.org/news/ccsd21-approves-contract-for-interior-lighting-replacement-at-cooperThe Community Consolidated School District 21 Board of Education on March 21 approved an amended agreement with Performance Services to install LED lighting at Cooper Middle School. The district has an existing agreement with the company for installation of lighting and/or mechanical upgrades in its buildings. It previously used PSI for boiler replacements at Twain Elementary School and for lighting at London Middle School. The project, with an approximate cost of $595,939, will be completed by the end of summer. Once it is completed, all CCSD21 schools will have LED lighting throughout the buildings, an upgrade that aims to improve all educational environments. In addition to upgrading the classroom settings for students, the LED lighting is more energy efficient and provides a cost savings to the district in regards to its annual utility costs. ]]>ccsd21-appoints-new-director-of-special-education-new-assistant-principal-for-poehttp://tarkington.ccsd21.org/news/ccsd21-appoints-new-director-of-special-education-new-assistant-principal-for-poeFri, 22 Mar 2024 10:24:00 +0000http://tarkington.ccsd21.org/news/ccsd21-appoints-new-director-of-special-education-new-assistant-principal-for-poeThe Community Consolidated School District 21 Board of Education on March 21 voted unanimously to appoint a new director of special education and a new assistant principal for Poe Elementary School. Luci Donnan will shift over to the director role as of July 1, after serving successfully for the past nine years as a student services coordinator within the district. She previously served as a school psychologist within CCSD21. In recommending her approval, district administrators commended Donnan for being a “positive influence and part of the success of the expanded continuum of services.” They also noted that she has a growth mindset and has a shared goal of empowering every student, every day in the least restrictive environment. “Her entire career has been dedicated to the district, and really she’s a natural fit for all of the roles she has moved into,” said Kim Cline, assistant superintendent for support services and school safety, ahead of the board’s vote on the measure. Donnan’s initial annual salary will be $142,299 per year for a 12-month administrative contract plus the standard administrator benefit package. Melissa Sutton is also set to assume the role of assistant principal at Poe as of July 1, succeeding Stephanie Stallman, who is ascending to the principal’s office. Sutton previously served as an instructional specialist, coach and as an interventionist within the district. Prior to that, she served as a classroom teacher in Schaumburg School District 54. In recommending her approval, district administrators said Sutton distinguished herself as “an engaging, creative, collaborative and thoughtful educator.” She has also shown “how she is student-centered and responsive to the learning needs of children.” “She is a very strong, collaborative colleague who a lot of people just really respect and admire, and I know she’s going to do great things with our building,” said Stephanie Stallman, incoming principal of Poe. Sutton’s initial annual salary will be $83,000 per year for a 205-day administrative contract plus the standard administrator benefit package. ]]>meet-angie-hhttp://tarkington.ccsd21.org/news/meet-angie-hTue, 12 Mar 2024 09:51:00 +0000http://tarkington.ccsd21.org/news/meet-angie-h\"\" ]]>meet-elesvan-rhttp://tarkington.ccsd21.org/news/meet-elesvan-rTue, 12 Mar 2024 08:46:00 +0000http://tarkington.ccsd21.org/news/meet-elesvan-r\"\" ]]>the-march-2024-family-newsletter-is-now-availablehttp://tarkington.ccsd21.org/news/the-march-2024-family-newsletter-is-now-availableMon, 04 Mar 2024 11:29:00 +0000http://tarkington.ccsd21.org/news/the-march-2024-family-newsletter-is-now-availableMarch 2024 family newsletter is now live! Follow the links below to access your specific version: ]]>ccsd21-to-seek-volunteers-for-student-based-health-center-advisory-boardhttp://tarkington.ccsd21.org/news/ccsd21-to-seek-volunteers-for-student-based-health-center-advisory-boardWed, 28 Feb 2024 12:23:00 +0000http://tarkington.ccsd21.org/news/ccsd21-to-seek-volunteers-for-student-based-health-center-advisory-boardAs work on the student-based health center continues to progress, Community Consolidated School District 21 will soon start to seek volunteers to fill an advisory board that will be tasked with making recommendations and providing community support and feedback.  Dr. Michael Connolly, superintendent of schools, outlined his recommendations for the board, which would likely include 13 people appointed by him and confirmed by a vote from the Board of Education. These include:
  • Two district administrators
  • The district’s public health liaison
  • The district’s McKinney-Vento liaison
  • A certified school nurse
  • The nurse practitioner assigned by Advocate Health
  • A community member at large
  • One parent representative from the Holmes school strand (Frost, Holmes, Twain, Whitman)
  • One parent representative from the London school strand (Field, London, Riley, Tarkington)
  • One parent representative from the Cooper school strand (Cooper, Kilmer, Longfellow, Poe)
  • An at-large parent representative
  • A representative from OMNI Youth Services
  • A community member with a medical background (a medical doctor or a doctor of osteopathic medicine)
Members will be able to serve “as long as they’re interested and willing to,” according to Dr. Connolly. However, members of the advisory board who are also employees of CCSD21 would be asked to step down as they separate their service from the district so they can be replaced by an active staff member. Additionally, the parent volunteers would likely forfeit their space on the board as their child leaves the district for high school to “leave a space for a parent who’s currently in the district.” Over the coming weeks, the district will seek the parent representatives and the community members via a form that will be distributed through the website and ParentSquare, its communication platform. The superintendent would then meet with any candidates before potentially bringing them to the board for approval. ]]>
coopers-jazz-band-i-takes-home-top-honors-at-jazz-in-the-meadowshttp://tarkington.ccsd21.org/news/coopers-jazz-band-i-takes-home-top-honors-at-jazz-in-the-meadowsTue, 27 Feb 2024 11:58:00 +0000http://tarkington.ccsd21.org/news/coopers-jazz-band-i-takes-home-top-honors-at-jazz-in-the-meadows\"A Members of Cooper\'s Jazz Band I stand with the trophy they received for winning the middle school level of Jazz in the Meadows on Feb. 24.[/caption]   Cooper Middle School’s Jazz Band I took home top honors from the 39th Annual Jazz in the Meadows festival, which was held on Feb. 24 at Rolling Meadows High School. The band placed first in the middle school division, which saw 14 other programs – including those at Holmes and London Middle Schools – also perform. Eighth graders Daniel P. and Jonah S. also received recognition from the judges as outstanding soloists. “Performing great at Jazz in the Meadows is a big goal for our jazz group,” said Cindy Severino, co-band director at Cooper. “We have a huge reputation of doing well at this festival and winning numerous times, so adding this win feels really good.” Severino also expressed her pride in the students for their hard work, commitment and dedication to learn the style of jazz and play it well: “The students were very excited to win. All the hard work paid off.” That work included two early mornings at 7 a.m. and one day after school, collaborations with guest clinicians, and participation in the Buffalo Grove Jazz Festival, where a well-known jazz artist worked with the Cobras to “take them to the next level.” “The students were well prepared, but still nervous because they wanted to do well,” Severino added. The festival also features a number of high school groups, as well as a jazz orchestra section and combo groups. While the middle school level does not vary from that of its high school equivalent, it is more competitive at the higher level as the winners from each class then compete for the Grand Champion award. Severino noted that the real benefit is that it helps students prepare for the high school jazz groups. Jazz in the Meadows marks the high point for the group, which will move on to perform its concert and other performances including a tour of the elementary schools and honors night. For the Cooper music program itself, the focus now shifts toward preparing for concert band festivals in March and April. ]]>cooper-eighth-grader-wins-district-21-spelling-beehttp://tarkington.ccsd21.org/news/cooper-eighth-grader-wins-district-21-spelling-beeTue, 27 Feb 2024 10:52:00 +0000http://tarkington.ccsd21.org/news/cooper-eighth-grader-wins-district-21-spelling-beeAfter an I-N-T-E-N-S-E 20 rounds of competition, an eighth grader from Cooper Middle School emerged as the victor of the District 21 Spelling Bee, which was held on Feb. 7 in the Community Service Center and Administrative Office. This year marked the third consecutive bee, which was reborn through Dr. Rob Drewry, literacy equity coach at Cooper. “A couple of years ago, we were discussing how talented our students were, as well as the opportunities we have for them, at which point Rob proposed the idea for a spelling bee for our middle schools,” said Amy Breiler, director of literacy and the arts.  Markedly different this year was the number of competitors. The previous two bees only invited the top spellers from each grade at the middle schools – “a small but voracious group of students,” according to Breiler – but this year’s bee expanded the pool to include the top fourth and fifth graders from each elementary school. “Some of those contests were very highly competitive,” Breiler added. “Some ran three to four lunch periods in order to find a champion.” A pool of more than 250 participants between all 12 elementary and middle schools was eventually reduced to 27, who all competed to be crowned the district’s best speller. Prior to the event, each student was able to review a packet of 450 words, all of which were accompanied by their definitions. The words came from the Scripps’ School-Level Competition List, which are ultimately pulled from Merriam-Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary. During the third and sixth rounds of competition, Drewry switched to vocabulary, which asked competitors to identify the definition for a given word when given two potential choices. He inevitably switched to spelling only as “there are not as many vocabulary words in the competition list and we had so many spellers still competing that I didn’t want to risk running out of vocabulary words.” After the ninth round, the pool of words was switched to those from Merriam-Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary – which the students had not seen before the event – “because it was clear that the remaining spellers were familiar with the 450-word study list and needed an additional challenge,” Drewry added. Will C., the eighth grader from Cooper, ultimately won the event. Nina K., a fifth grader from Poe Elementary School, placed second, while Mason B., a seventh grader at London Middle School, placed third. By winning the district-wide competition, Will advances to the 14th Annual North Cook ISC Scripps Spelling Bee on March 13 in Lincolnwood. If Will finishes in the top three at that competition, he moves on to the All Cook County (minus Chicago) Bee. The national competition would follow if Will wins the all-county bee. The district wishes Will G-O-O-D L-U-C-K in the North Cook Bee on March 13! ]]>