It comes as no surprise that students and staff across District 87 are currently either planning or holding campaigns for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Campaigns are underway in support of a former District 87 principal as well as affected families of our current staff. BHS' Social Worker, Janet Reckard has been asked to provide Mental Health counseling for upwards of two weeks as part of the Illinois Medical Emergency Response team. In addition to monetary fundraising campaigns, both Bent School and BJHS are collecting non-perishable food and other necessary items.

Bloomington Junior High School's 8th grade ambassadors are conducting a supply drive. Due to the urgent need, the drive will be held during school hours this Wednesday and up to 8:00 a.m. Thursday.  They are requesting clean blankets, new pillows, granola and breakfast bars, spiral notebooks, pens, decks of cards or Uno, toiletries, baby formula, diapers, feminine hygiene products and cash to help with fuel costs. Donations may be dropped off at the school's office. The items will be picked up at BJHS Thursday afternoon by The Mattress Doctor and delivered to the Houston Astrodome. The items are expected to arrive sometime during the weekend.

Bent School will be collecting non-perishable foods, clothing and money beginning Thursday, September 8. Donations may be dropped off in the school's office.

District 87, Unit 5 Boards meet
A joint meeting of the District 87 and Unit 5 Boards of Education was held on Wednesday, August 31st. Discussion included the following topics: 5 year Fall Housing Reports, Existing Cooperative Ventures, Achievement Gap Task Force and Impact Fees.

• 5 year Fall Housing Reports: District 87's overall enrollment will decline slightly, but overall will remain fairly stable. Unit 5 will continue to see enrollment increases of 2-3% each Fall.

• Existing Cooperative Ventures: District 87 and Unit 5 currently collaborate and cooperate in the following areas:
- Communication between Superintendents, Principals and Special Education directors
- pre-K and ELL/Bilingual grants; staff development for Standards Aligned Classrooms
- association in the Bloomington Normal Educational Alliance, which oversees the Minority Teacher Recruitment Project, Technology Committee and Students in Technology;
- shared educational programs such as the Bloomington Area Vocational Center, Alternative Education and Reading Unites Book Award program
- Technology infrastructure
- joint purchasing power for paper and school supplies
- support and resources via association in Large Unit District Association (LUDA)
- Beyond the Books Educational Foundation
- representation in the Coalition for School Funding Reform

Board of Education members from each district offered suggestions regarding further collaborations, including: addressing student mobililty rates between districts, sharing of utility costs, video conferencing in classrooms, sharing speakers, emergency preparedness resources/plans, staff development opportunities, sharing library materials, shared athletic facilities, Grounds and Maintenance staff collaboration, increased support for "at risk" students and further commitments to address diversity and multiculturalism.

• Achievement Gap Task Force:
As announced last Spring, the internationally known Kinsey Group has offered to provide their services pro bono to District 87 in order to close the Achievement Gap. Initial interviews with community leaders resulted in questions of why Unit 5 was not involved. It was announced during the meeting that Unit 5 will join our efforts.

• Impact Fees:
Both Districts are considering asking the City of Bloomington to charge impact fees on new housing and commercial developments. Monies collected would help to offset the costs of constructing, enlarging and/or maintaining our schools. The Town of Normal currently charges $650 per plot to be applied for new construction purposes only.

Tentative 05-06 budget outlined
School year 2004-2005 marked the first time since 2000-2001 that District 87 did not end the school year with a deficit in the Education Fund. During a presentation to the Board of Education on August 17th, David Wood, Chief Financial and Legal Officer, presented the district's 05-06 Tentative Budget. It is projected that District 87 is again expected to end the fiscal year with more revenue than expenditures.

Assumptions include:
• Enrollment will remain stable
• The economy, interest rates and Corporate Personal Property Replacement Taxes (CPPRT) all continue to improve gradually
• Real estate tax collections remain strong
• The 2004 Levy has been extended by the County
• The ISBE estimates that we will receive an increase of $292.1 thousand in state revenue
• Medical insurance costs continue to increase (12%) and other insurance costs (Liability, Workers Comp) continue to increase
• Title I Federal funding will decrease for the fourth straight year
• Special Education Federal funding will increase slightly
• Overall, Federal funding remains flat
• Salaries for 411 teachers will equal approximately $20,301,495 ($49,395 ave.), while the salaries for the remaining 272 staff members will equal $6,889,184 ($25,327 ave.)

Terra Nova testing confirms achievement gap narrowing
During each Fall, and again in the Spring, the Terra Nova test given to our first and second graders to measure ability in reading, math and language arts. The results are measured by stanines, with 1-3 considered below grade level, 4-6 at grade level and 7-9 above grade level. Last year's Spring scores reflect historic highs for District 87 students, with dramatic increases seen among African American and Low Income student subgroups and also reflect the extra efforts being made by our Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade staff.

1st grade Reading - % of students by income AT or ABOVE 4th stanine (grade level)

1st grade Math - % of students by income AT or ABOVE 4th stanine (grade level)

2nd grade Math - % of students by income AT or ABOVE 4th stanine (grade level)

ACT scores above state average at BHS
Composite ACT scores for last year's college-bound BHS graduates were 23.3, compared to a state-wide average of 22.6. English, Math, Science and Social Science subscores all improved. Non-college bound students at BHS recorded an average score of 20.5, slightly above the state average of 20.3.

BHS student to participate in Junior Olympics
Freshman, Monica Drake has earned the right to compete in the National Junior Olympics. Drake will be competing as a swimmer in the 1500m. freestyle.

Connie Mueller receives national ADA Award of Excellence
Connie Mueller, District 87's Food Services Director, was selected by the American Dietetic Association (ADA) to receive the Foundation's Award for Excellence in Management and Practice. She will be recognized at the ADA national convention in October. Congratulations, Connie!

BHS' Scholastic Bowl team carries success into summer
Several members of the BHS Scholastic Bowl team attended Ace Quiz Bowl camp at Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO). Students from 22 states were in attendance. At SEMO, the students competed in several quiz-style competions. In the final competition, BHS students were finalists in each major category, "Literature, Math, Science and Social Studies."
Hunter Fast, member of the Runner Up "4-Quarter Upper Tournament" team, overall champion of the Tuesday, "Social Studies I" Quiz and finalist in the Social Studies category.
Aaron White, member of the winning "4-Quarter Lower Tournament" team and member of the Runner-Up, "College Style Lower Tournament team".
Jonathan Powell, Member of winning "Tossup-Bonus Lower Tournament" team.
Stevie Currie, Member of Runner-Up, "Tossup-Bonus Lower Tournament" team and finalist in the Math category
Vikram Karandikar, Runner Up in Tuesday's "Science I" quiz, Runner-Up in Wednesday's Science II" quiz and Finalist in the Science category
Kristina Warren, Finalist in the Literature category.

BHS Dance team earns Superior Rating; Crystal Taylor receives Leadership award
Congratulations to the BHS Dance team for receiving a Superior Rating from the Universal Dance Association (UDA) at the organization's summer camp at Illinois State University. The squad's recent success enabled them to qualify the for US Dance Nationals in Orlando in February. Also at the camp, Coach Crystal Taylor was awarded the Leadership Award for Dance Coaches. Congratulations!

District 87 elementary students among state's top performers
Student subgroups in four of six District 87 elementary schools have been identified as "high performing" within their comparison groups by the Northern Illinois University-based, Interactive Illinois Report Card. They include:
Sheridan School - 9th highest in grade 5 Reading (of 238 schools)
Washington School - 4th highest in grade 5 Math (of 1,026 schools)
Bent School - 5th highest in grade 3 Math (of 632 schools)
Stevenson School - English Language Learners (ELL) students were among the highest performers in all subtests.
7th highest in grade 3 Math (of 158 schools)
4th highest in grade 3 Reading (of 159 schools)
2nd highest in grade 3 Writing (of 158 schools)
2nd highest in grade 3 Math (of 173 schools)
3rd highest in grade 3 Reading (of 173 schools)
4th highest in grade 3 Writing (of 171 schools)

Welcome new teachers!
Thirty-nine teachers joined our staff this year from an applicant pool of 1,077. They include over 9 former substitute and/or student teachers and former BHS grads (see trivia on right for number). New teachers came to us from several states, including: Connecticut, Arizona, Iowa and Texas. Congratulations and welcome to the District 87 community!

Federal home ownership program targets educators and school employees
Freddy Mac, a government-sponsored enterprise with a mission to make housing finance more accessible and affordable, offers the Home Possible Neighborhood Solution program which allows qualified school employees the opportunity to become homeowners with a $500 down payment. Locally, US Bank Home Mortgage offers the program. Click HERE for contact information.

Energy saving tips
Click HERE to download a .pdf from the Environmental Protection Agency on tips to save gas and improve mileage, or visit the Federal Trade Commission's website for tips.

September is…
• Hispanic Heritage Month. (September 15 to October 15)

Wednesday, September 7
• Board of Education meeting. The Board will meet for the purpose of ratifying the 2005-2008 Board-BEA contract agreement, the 2005-2008 Board-BESP contract agreement, approving the A&D, OTE and Food Service Personnel salary adjustments. 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, September 8
• Oakland's Back to School Picnic. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

• Sheridan School's First Grade Parent University. This "evening school" educates parents on 1st grade curriculum and goals. 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, September 10
• BHS Booster Club Steak Fry/Auction. This annual event raises money for BHS' extra curricular activities. 5-11 p.m. Sale Barn, So. Main St.

September 12-16
• Terra Nova Fall testing.

September 14
• Board of Education meeting. 6:30 p.m., ESC Community Room.

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© Copyright 2005
Public Relations
Bloomington Public Schools, District 87

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