SchoolReach In The News October 11, 2008

District 168’s new SchoolReach Instant Notification Phone System continues to get positive reviews from the school community. Click on the links below for Daily American and WPSD TV 6 news stories on the new Frankfort communications system.
http://www.dailyamericannews.com/homepage/x1272962986/New-phone-service-improves-District-168
http://www.wpsdlocal6.com/mostpopular/story.aspx?content_id=EB34ADFA-96B7-45BE-AB90-EEC7FF8BDCC4&gsa=true

Circulation Expands For “Redbird Notes” October 7, 2008

It’s only fitting that our own FCHS student newspaper, Redbird Notes, makes its debut today in the Daily American newspaper in conjunction with National Newspaper Week on October 5-11. Thanks to a new partnership between District 168 and the Daily American Newspaper, Redbird Notes will be a regular insert in the DA and expand its [...]

Mt. Vernon Teacher’s Conference October 3, 2008

The 29th Annual Mt. Vernon Teacher’s Conference will be held on October 30-31 on the campus of Mt. Vernon Township High School. As a reminder to parents, District 168 will not be in session on Friday, October 31 to allow our staff to participate in this Teacher Institute Day.
District 168 is also pleased to announce [...]

District 168 Launches SchoolReach October 3, 2008

With the simple click of a computer mouse, District 168 launched its new SchoolReach Phone System for the first time on Thursday, October 2. SchoolReach is an instant notification system that simultaneously sends out telephone messages to parents in more than 1900 district homes in a matter of minutes.  It is truly an instant messaging [...]

Williamson Co. Schools Make History On “Super Tuesday” February 6, 2008

“Super Tuesday” proved to be a historic day for Illinois Schools as Williamson County voters narrowly approved a 1% sales tax increase for school construction projects among the counties five school districts.  It was the first time in state history that a county attempted to use the newly created County School Facility Occupation Tax Law [...]

MLK Holiday: Celebrating “The Dream” January 21, 2008

   
 ”Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what have you done for others?”
                                                                         -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Click on the link to see the full text or video of the “I Have A Dream” speech.
 http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm

State Approves School Funding Increase January 10, 2008

After months of gridlock in Springfield, the Budget Implementation Bill (BIMP) was approved by the House this afternoon and schools throughout the state will finally see an increase in General State Aid after a six-month delay in which many districts continue to battle financial crisis.
 
The BIMP was approved in the Senate on Wednesday after Governor [...]

Sixth Anniversary For NCLB January 8, 2008

Today marks the sixth anniversary of the No Child Left Behind Act that was signed into legislation in 2002 by President George W. Bush. The President and Secretary of Education Margeret Spellings made a stop at a public school in Chicago on Monday to praise NCLB and ask that it be reauthorized by Congress in [...]

Curriculum Mapping January 4, 2008

One of my many goals for 2008 is to introduce “Curriculum Mapping” and begin the dialogue related to collaborative efforts that would ultimately result in a comprehensive K-12 curriculum. I know many of you are familiar with the mapping concept and are eager to begin the process. Thanks again to the high school teaching staff for [...]

Did You Know? January 3, 2008

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMcfrLYDm2U
I have attached the link to the very popular “Did You Know?” video that I have used of late when speaking to local groups about technology and the future of public education in the 21st century. I hope everyone takes a look and “joins the conversation.”