All Hands On Deck Approach Used to Help Kindergarteners Succeed

Print

Published on May 23 2016 11:01 pm
Last Updated on May 23 2016 11:09 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

(CHRIS KOESTER WAS SWORN IN BY UNIT 40 BOARD PRESIDENT JEFF MICHAEL TO A TERM ON THE SCHOOL BOARD. KOESTER'S TERM EXTENDS UNTIL THE SPRING 2017 ELECTION)

Effingham Unit 40 school board members Monday heard that about one-third of kindergarten students don't have any pre-school experience when they begin classes. As a result, much teaching done that first year is collaborative in nature to make sure all students have the best chance of success.

Early Learning Center Principal Jennifer Fox said that an "all hands on deck" approach is often used to help educate kindergarten students, especially those who haven't attended pre-school.

Fox discussed the diversity of student needs, pointing out that more and more students are from low-income backgrounds, there are increased medical needs for students, therapies and interventions are needed at earlier ages, more kids have non-verbal difficulties, and increased numbers of students have decreased fine motor skills.

As to what's being done to address those needs, Fox said there is therapeutic crisis intervention, positive intervention strategies, educating students on what is expected of them, writing specific behavior plans for students, writing curriculum based on a student's needs, and tapping into assistance from the Pre-School for All locally-based program.

Fox said that the work pays off; of those moving into first grade this fall, she feels uncertainty over just two students moving on from Kindergarten. 

The goal is that students will succeed socially and behaviorally, not just scholastically.

Also Monday, the Unit 40 board approved a one-year extension of their contract agreement with the Effingham Classroom Teachers Association, effective through June 30, 2017. Unit 40 Superintendent Mark Doan thanked the teachers for agreeing to the extension, saying it's helpful in these days of uncertainty over what state funding will be received.

With that in mind, the Board gave the okay for first reading to a revised budget for the current fiscal year that more accurately reflects what funding the district has received. The revised budget should be approved at the June meeting. Meanwhile, the budget for the coming year will be first be considered at the August meeting.

Board members approved a health insurance renewal reflecting average 4.25% premium increases for policyholders, effective September 1. Also approved was the appointment of Carol Ruffner as the Board's representative on the Eastern Illinois Area Special Education board, with Steve Bone serving as alternate.

Doan reported on suspensions and expulsions during the just-completed school year. 13 students were expelled, the lowest number since the 2006-07 school year, while 55 were suspended, the lowest number since the 2004-05 school year. There was also a report on dual credit earned by EHS students. As of the 2013-14 school year, the most recent year for which figures are available, 162 EHS students took advantage of the program, which offers credit both at EHS and at Lake Land College.

Board President Jeff Michael noted that his daughter who just completed her first year at Greenville College, was one credit from being a college sophomore when she graduated from EHS last year, and that's a $34,000 savings for her and her family.

The Board also acted on loads of personnel matters. Those hired include Judy Ruffner as cook for the summer food service program; Pauline Sapp, Pansy Limes and Cathy Hille as cafeteria workers for elementary registration; Pauline Sapp and Pansy Limes as cafeteria workers for high school registration; Kathy Peters as head cook at the junior high school; Stephanie Mitchell as English Language Arts teacher at the junior high for the coming year; Kara Pickowitz as a Special Education teacher for the coming year; Kim Knierim as extended school year bus driver; Charlotte West as extended school year bus aide; Jessica Barthelme as extended school year teacher; Jennifer Castillo as extended school year speech/language pathologist; Robin Imburgia as extended school year nurse paraprofessional; and Angie Probst, Patty Keck and Julie Hodges as extended school year paraprofessionals.

Resignations were accepted from Jordan Adams as 7th grade girls track coach; Charlie Schwerman as 7th grade girls basketball coach; Ryan Ervin as 7th grade boys track coach; and Abigail Rossi and Jennifer Kesl as paraprofessionals.

A leave of absence was granted Rebecca Meyers under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

Retirements were approved for Linda Edwards as a junior high cook as of August 2; and for Gena McDonald as of the end of the 2018-19 school year.

Last night was the first meeting for new board member Chris Koester. The local attorney was sworn in to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Laurie Borrelli, who moved out of the district. Koester said the Board is a very impressive group, and that he is looking forward to working with amazing students and talented teachers.