J. T. Manning Elementary was again recognized by the ISBE with an Academic Excellence Award this year. This is Manning's second award; having also received an Academic Excellence Award in 2009. This year, 438 schools received such awards. The complete press release is available here. Again congratulations to the students and staff of Manning School.

The Westmont Educational Foundation is teaming up with Connie's Pizza of Westmont to host an "all you can eat...Pizza, Salad and Soda event." Join us on Thursday, March 4th from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Connie's (19 W. Ogden Avenue, Westmont) to help raise money for the Westmont Chamber of Commerce Educational Foundation 2010 scholarship recipients. The cost per person is $12.00, of which $4.00 goes back to the Educational Foundation. Please call the Chamber office at (630) 960-5553 to reserve your table today. For more information see the attached flyer:

http://www.cusd201.org/backpack/documents/20100304_WCCScholarshipFundraiser.pdf

Last night the CUSD 201 Board of Education directed the staff to draft approximately $1.2 million in budget reductions in order for the district to remain fiscally solvent through fiscal year 2015. The Board was presented with a number of potential scenarios including both flat state and federal funding (a best case scenario) and a loss of approximately $450,000 in state aid. Without further reductions beyond those made over the past several years, the district will run out of reserves in 2012 or 2013.
The administrative team has already included within the budget scenarios to the Board, no salary increases for administrative staff. Dr. Baule will further offer the Board the option of reducing his 2011 salary by 12.5% to help reduce the impact on students.
The staff will present its recommendations to the Board at the March 9, 2010 meeting. At that time those recommendations will be posted on the CUSD 201 website. The Board will then hold an additional meeting to hear public comment about the options presented.

The following story is being reposted, correcting the link to the Northwestern University story.

The recent WHS trip to the Englewood Multicultural Center has been featured in the following news item from the Madill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. See the Northwestern Story here. As mentioned in the news story, the WHS Swagger students are looking for grant funding to support additional projects and programming.

As winter weather can have an impact on the school day, please check the CUSD 201 website and www.emergencyclosings.com for information in case CUSD 201 cancels school due to inclement weather. Besides canceling school, school may be delayed if it is determined that the extra time to warm up and remove snow would allow for a shortened school day.

The CUSD 201 Board of Education has approved the following calendar for the 2010-2011 school year.

http://www.cusd201.org/documents/201011_calendar.pdf

After spending Saturday, January 16th painting, cleaning, and refurbishing the Englewood Multicultural Center, the answer is clear to 65 Westmont High School students. The Englewood Multicultural Center is a not-for-profit community center founded in January 2009 and based in Chicago’s Englewood Community. The organization is being created to employ technology and serve as a hub for programs, educators, and business leaders focused on quality-of-life improvements in the community.

Before the trip, students were already invested in the center. In fact, it was a WHS student who made the connection with the school administration and EMC team after visiting for a fundraising performance with her family. As students learned about the innovation mission of the center, they were anxious to get involved with one student shopping for building supplies and another soliciting donations from local businesses including Bales Ace Hardware. A team of students baked cookies and raised $240 to support EMC efforts. When teens are excited, there is NOTHING they can't accomplish.

The complete press release is available here. Also available is a WHS senior's reflection sheet from the trip.

Recently the School Board voted to hold and televise their meetings at the Village Hall Boardroom. The meetings will be televised live on Comcast – Channel 16 and on AT&T U-verse – Channel 99. The meetings will also be played back on cable on Thursdays and Fridays at 8:00am and 8:00pm. In addition to this, you can view the meetings on YouTube via the Village’s website. For more information, please click here.

The complete press release is available here.

At the January 12, 2009 CUSD 201 Board of Education meeting (7:00 p.m. at Westmont High School) , Dr. Baule will take any questions from residents about the November State of the District Address, who were unable to attend that Chamber of Commerce event.

The address is being rebroadcast on Channel 16. The schedule for Channel 16 is available here .
A direct link to the State of the District is available here.

Copies of the State of the District Address will also be available for check out in each school's office.

At the January 12, 2009 CUSD 201 Board of Education meeting (7:00 p.m. at Westmont High School) , Dr. Baule will take any questions from residents about the November State of the District Address, who were unable to attend that Chamber of Commerce event.

The address is being rebroadcast on Channel 16. The schedule for Channel 16 is available here .
A direct link to the State of the District is available here.

Copies of the State of the District Address will also be available for check out in each school's office.

As a reminder, As of January 1, 2010, drivers may not use cell phones in school zones. New Illinois Law prohibts the use of cell phones entirely withint a school speed zone, construction zone or if the driver is under the age of 19. For more information on the changes to the Illinois Vehicle Code please visit Illinois Department of Transportation Website.

In case of school closings or delayed openings due to weather, check the Emergency Closing Center.

As a reminder, CUSD 201 will resume classes on Monday January 4, 2010 for all grades. Enjoy the last days of 2009 and Happy New Year.

As winter weather can have an impact on the school day, please check the CUSD 201 website and www.emergencyclosings.com for information in case CUSD 201 cancels school due to inclement weather. Besides canceling school, school may be delayed if it is determined that the extra time to warm up and remove snow would allow for a shortened school day.

I would like to remind students and parents that Friday, December 18th will be the last day of school before Winter Break. School will resume on Monday, January 4. I hope you all have an enjoyable holiday season and a restful and relaxing break. For those of you travelling, please do so safely.
Happy Holidays,
Steve Baule

The Westmont Junior High School Renaming Committee meeting is scheduled for December 10, 2009, 7p in the WJHS Media Center. The agenda is available for download here: WJHS Rename Committee Agenda: Dec 10, 2009

CUSD 201 will hold a meeting of the district’s Parent-Teacher Discipline Advisory Committee on December 8, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the WHS Commons. Any interested parent or staff member is invited to attend. Illinois School Code requires that this committee annually reviews the Board’s discipline policies and student handbooks. According to CUSD 201 Policy 2:150:
This committee assists in the development of student discipline policy and procedure. Its members are parents/guardians and teachers, and may include persons whose expertise or experience is needed. The committee reviews such issues as administering medication in the schools, reciprocal reporting between the School District and local law enforcement agencies regarding criminal offenses committed by students, student discipline, disruptive classroom behavior, school bus safety procedures, and the dissemination of student conduct information.

The meeting agenda is available here.

Parents, staff or other community members looking to be fully prepared to participate in the meeting, should be familiar with the following policies:
Student Discpline

Preventing Bullying, Intimidation, and Harassment

Harassment

Suspension Procedures


Expulsion Procedures

On Thursday, November 5, 2009, a physician confirmed that one of the SASED multi-needs students assigned to Westmont High School is hospitalized with a confirmed case of H1N1. The nature of this illness in conjunction with this students needs are very concerning. Please keep this student and family in your thoughts. This student has not been in attendance since Friday, October 30. Symptoms were not in evidence at that time.

Download the PDF version of the letter here:

http://www.cusd201.org/press_release/20091105_H1N1SASEDCaseWHS.pdf

Throughout the school year, the DuPage County Health Department has been extremely helpful in providing guidance in thess circumstances. At this time, they continue to recommend that we follow these guidelines:

*Practice good hygiene by washing your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based cleaners are also effective.

*Know the signs and symptoms of flu. Symptoms include fever (100 degrees), cough, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, and feeling tired. For medical questions or concerns, contact your physician.

*Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and throw it away after use.

*Do not share eating utensils or drinking containers. Persons should not share straws, cups, glasses, water bottles used during sports or recreation, cigarettes, etc.

*If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work, school, and public gatherings for at least 24 hours after they no longer have fever or do not have signs of fever without using fever-reducing drugs, Keeping children with a fever at home will reduce the number of people who get infected.

If your child is ill, please contact your school office. If your child is potentially contagious, please do not send her/him to school until the possibility of further infection has past.

If you have questions, the DuPage County Health Department may be reached at www.dupagehealth.org or (630) 682-7400.

Sincerely,

Steven M Baule