
School Board present Mark Hayes presents the 7th grade basketball team a plaque from the school board.
The Gillespie Community Unit District 7 school board invited the seventh grade boys’ basketball team Monday evening, March 23, to their regular March meeting to honor them after the team won first place in the state tournament last month.
During the school board’s “district focus” section of the meeting where the school board honors something outstanding inside the district, Superintendent Joe Tieman said he couldn’t think of anything more deserving that fits the description more than a state championship. “From an administrative standpoint, it is outstanding that our kids and coaches presented themselves in such a professional, positive manner,” Tieman opened.
It is amazing for our athletes to be academically strong as well.
Tieman continued by saying the state championship victory has been a highlight for the school district. Middle school Principal Jill Rosentreter added to Tieman’s statement saying the players didn’t have to win to be champions. “They are superior inside the classroom and outside the classroom as well,” Principal Rosentreter explained. “We are extremely proud of you.”
The players introduced themselves and their parents to the school board and then accepted a plaque from board president Mark Hayes who thanked Rosentreter for highlighting the fact that these students excel in the classroom as well. “It is amazing for our athletes to be academically strong as well,” Hayes said.
Board hears update on 8th Period Program
High school instructor Jennifer Brown gave the school board an update on the high school’s eighth period. The school uses the eighth period for a variety of items, but most importantly to apply individual attention to students who need supplemental help. Students who have a high grade in all their classes are allowed to leave school before eighth period or they can stay and work in the greenhouse, for example, or on the high school musical if they wish, but only if they have a “purple pass”.
I have a few still on my watch list that still need help
Brown brought her collection of purple passes she has kept since the beginning of the school year and she reported she had over 2,000 passes in the box. She continued by saying that means students are getting a pass from a teacher to get help during eighth period. “I would wager 75% of our students will use a purple pass at some point this year,” Brown told the school board.
She continued by saying the high school had 42 students who required response to intervention (RTI) attention, but that number is now down to 27. “We have instituted several different strategies. I have a few still on my watch list that still need help,” Brown closed.
Personnel Actions
The board unanimously approved to grant tenure to Ashley Gibbs, Zach Simon and Christina Blevins and then went on to rehire certificated personnel as presented. The board accepted the resignation of Carrie Scott-Palmer as middle school cheerleading sponsor.
The board posted the following positions: middle/high school computer/business teacher, high school summer driver education teacher and high school summer consumer education teacher.
Administrator Updates
Gillespie High School Principal Lori Emmons explained freshmen and sophomores will take the ASPIRE test on April 14 which replaces the Plan/Explore test. Emmons also explained the MPACT’D group placed 4th and received $1,000 in the Operation Teen Safe Driving challenge and will be attending the Ford Ride and Drive on April 27 or 28.
Middle school Principal Jill Rosentreter said PARCC assessments have been running smoothly thanks to the technology department and a group of teachers that have prepared themselves and the students. All sixth and seventh grade students are now complete with PBA assessments and eighth grade students started this week. Rosentreter also explained Ameren representatives have visited middle school science classes to speak to students about energy conservation and provided students with energy efficient supplies to take home.
Elementary principal Angela Turcol explained the elementary school is in the third week of PARCC testing and students are working hard on the test. She said the test is difficult, but the students are doing their best. Turcol also explained sample resources have been ordered for next year and meetings with representatives from curriculum companies have been scheduled.
March bills
The board unanimously approved payment of the March bills:
Education: $70,255.04
Transportation: $6,351.86
Building: $34,846.36
Grand total: $111,453.26
New Business
The board unanimously approved 1) to renew Gillespie High School’s membership in the Illinois High School Association, 2) the 2015-2016 school calendar, 3) the Vision 20/20 Education Improvement proposal and 4) a special board meeting date for Monday, May 4 at 6 p.m.
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