Custodial Agreement Reached with WCMA
Posted: 07/03/2008
The CUSD 201 Board of Education approved a new three year contract with the Westmont Custodial and Maintenance Association (WCMA), which represents the approximately 20 custodial and maintenance staff working in CUSD 201. The agreement provides for a raise to base pay of 3.85% the first year and 3.9% for the second and third years. The WCMA members will pick up more of the cost of their insurance for the duration of the contract. The contract was approved by the CUSD 201 Board at a special meeting, July 2, 2008.
ISTE Announces Winners of Technology Innovation Award for Media Specialists
Posted: 06/04/2008
Included among the winners receiving honorable mention of the ISTE Technology Innovation Award Winners is WJHS's own media specialist Linda Houle for the WJHS Decades Project, "Celebrating the 20th Century." The 8th grade decades project began several years ago between Mrs. Houle and the language arts staff. Congratulations to Linda Houle and Colleen Walsh, 8th grade language arts teacher, for their positive contributions to CUSD 201. Six secondary schools across the nation were recognized by ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) and their partners, Follett Software and Linworth Publishing, for technology innovation with this award.
The following link will take you to the award announcement:
http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=20084&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=20698
Honoring the CUSD 201 Staff
Posted: 06/02/2008
Approximately a dozen CUSD 201 staff members were recognized for their long service to the district at the CUSD 201 Staff Social on May 21. In addition, the Board also recognized a large number of staff who were involved in curriculum development during the course of the 2007-2008 school year through the Curriculum Advisory Committees. Jackie Michelon (Manning), Cathy Roberts (WHS), Steve Kozak (WHS) and Hugh O'Donnell (WJHS)were recognized for their many wonderful years of service as they are retiring at the end of this school year. Thanks again to all of the CUSD 201 staff for their excellent work during the 2007-2008 School Year.
Service Awards 1
Service Awards 2
CAC Participants
Retirees
Back to School Fair
Posted: 05/13/2008
An event for DuPage families getting ready to prepare their children for the 2008-2009 school year is being held on Wednesday, August 6, 2008 (11a - 6p) at the DuPage County Fairgrounds (2015 W. Manchester Road, Wheaton, IL - 2 blocks east of County Farm Road). Flyers are available in English and Spanish. Many health and human services will be offered during the fair. Refer to the flyer for more information.
Coffee and Communications Meeting
Posted: 05/08/2008
The last Coffee and Communications Meeting for the 2007-2008 School Year will be held Saturday, May 17 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the Manning Community Room to provide parents and other community members the opportunity to speak with members of the Board and the administration about school issues. There will be no formal program.
Earthquake Guidelines
Posted: 04/18/2008
In the wake of Friday morning's earthquake that rattled the Midwest, the American Red Cross Guidelines are being shared throughout the Illinois education community. The PDF version of this is available through the American Red Cross [ PDF ]. Below are some selections from the document.
---
Know What to Do When the Shaking Begins
* DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON! Move only a few steps to a nearby safe place. Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you're sure it's safe to exit. Stay away from windows. In a high-rise building, expect the fire alarms and sprinklers to go off during a quake.
* If you are in bed, hold on and stay there, protecting your head with a pillow.
* If you are outdoors, find a clear spot away from buildings, trees, and power lines. Drop to the ground.
* If you are in a car, slow down and drive to a clear place (as described above). Stay in the car until the shaking stops.
Identify What to Do After the Shaking Stops
* Check yourself for injuries. Protect yourself from further danger by putting on long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, sturdy shoes, and work gloves.
* Check others for injuries. Give first aid for serious injuries.
* Look for and extinguish small fires. Eliminate fire hazards. Turn off the gas if you smell gas or think it's leaking. (Remember, only a professional should turn it back on.) Listen to the radio for instructions.
* Expect aftershocks. Each time you feel one, DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON!
* Inspect your home for damage. Get everyone out if your home is unsafe.
* Use the telephone only to report life-threatening emergencies.
School Security
Posted: 04/16/2008
CUSD 201 continues to work closely with the Westmont Police & Fire Departments to ensure the safety and security of your children while they are at school. CUSD 201 has a critical incidents team made up of administrators, teachers, and police and fire personnel to oversee the development of crisis planning and ensure the CUSD 201 staff is trained to respond in case of a critical incident.
We would like your assistance in our continuing efforts. If you see any suspicious or unusual activity around any school, please contact either the CUSD 201 office at 630-468-8000 or the Westmont Police Department by calling 630-981-6300. If you observe activity you consider to be an imminent threat, call 911.
This news item is presented as a reminder to parents and the community to be conscious of their surroundings and is not a response to any specific concern about or threat to school safety.
Staffing & Anticipated Class Sizes for the 2008-2009 School Year
Posted: 03/20/2008
The Board accepted a staffing plan as recommended by the administration increasing the total certified staffing plan for CUSD 201 by three teachers from the 2007-2008 level. This will provide for an additional half time reading specialist at Manning, bringing the total to three full time reading specialists. This is an increase of an additional reading specialist beyond what was available in the 2006-2007 school year for both Manning and South combined. An additional 5th grade teacher will be hired at Manning.
The Board earlier approved a plan to hire two school library media specialists. For some time, CUSD 201 has been one of the few DuPage area districts to not employ certified library media specialists at its elementary schools. This will be a net gain of one position due to the reassignment of other staff. Miller's staffing is anticipated to remain constant save the library position.
WJHS Staffing will decrease slightly due to changes in exploratory choices being made by students. Additional booster classes will be offered to students identified as needing additional assistance in reading and math.
WHS staffing will increase by four sections based on student scheduling demands. Course sections will be added in mathematics and French and reduced in business education and industrial arts. Part of this trend was anticipated due to stronger graduation requirements approved in 2005.
Class sizes are anticipated to be down slightly for the 2008-2009 School Year. Manning's March 1 class size average, Grades 1 to 5, was 23.7 with 27 being the largest class. The smallest class is currently 19. Next year's anticipated numbers, Grades 1 to 5, show a class size average of 22.3 with 26 being the largest and 19 being the smallest. Miller's March 1 class size average, 1st to 5th Grade, was 18.2. Twenty-four was the largest class and 14 the smallest. Next year's numbers at Miller are anticipated to be 18.1 with the largest class being 27 and the smallest being 14 students. The class of 27 will have both a regular education teacher and a special education teacher if it remains as a single classroom. Kindergarten estimates are not finalized until after Kindergarten Roundup in April. The Board will continue to staff for class sizes of 25 or less in primary grades and 28 or less in intermediate grades.
If enrollment would increase at either elementary school, additional classroom space could be made available at either building.
March 2008 Newsletter Posted
Posted: 03/20/2008
The March 2008 edition of the District 201 Newsletter has been posted. [ PDF ]
Westmont Flag Team Earns First in State
Posted: 03/19/2008
The WHS Sensations Flag Team won first place at the Illinois State Drill Team Association Flag Team Competition at the University of Illinois at Champaign on Saturday, March 15. The category was Tall Flag A. The eleven member team spans students from all grade levels freshmen through seniors. Co-captains Sarah Casey and Lauren Wanner led the ten girls and one boy on the team. Sarah Casey also won a scholarship from the Illinois State Drill Team Association.
Westmont Progress Flag Article
