2008 State Assessments Results
ISAT Reading results show that D62 fifth and eighth grade student performance mirrored State results. Learn more...
Notice to District 62 Families and Staff Regarding the Construction Impact on the Start of School
THURSDAY, JULY 22, 2010
Dear Algonquin Middle School Families and Staff:
As indicated in an email communication sent to Des Plaines Community Consolidated School District 62 families and staff earlier this week, five of our eleven schools are experiencing varying levels of facility improvements designed to enhance the academic environment, increase energy efficiency and accommodate specific life-safety guidelines.
Today, I am writing to provide you with some specific information about the status of construction projects at Algonquin Middle School and to clear up any confusion that may have resulted from recent media coverage of this matter.
Prior to a recent strike by the Chicago Laborers District Council and Local 150 of the International Union of Operating Engineers, District 62 construction projects were scheduled for completion prior to the start of the 2010-2011 school year. While the strike was settled yesterday, the three-week work stoppage impacted almost all construction jobs throughout the Chicagoland area. During this time, work on Algonquin Middle School summer construction projects was placed on hold. As reported, work recommenced on Tuesday, July 20 and is proceeding with intensity. We are currently evaluating progress to date and prioritizing the work yet to be completed. We anticipate that construction crews will soon begin working seven days a week with multiple shifts to expedite the completion of the remaining construction work at Algonquin Middle School.
Here are some important things you should know:
Classes for the 2010-2011 school year will begin as scheduled on Monday, August 23.
The District is working closely with its architect and construction management firm, Wight & Company, to develop and implement a construction timeline.
Our goal is to have work at Algonquin completed and secure the necessary occupancy permits and approvals necessary for all students and staff to return to the building as scheduled on August 23. However, the 17-day construction delay will be challenging to overcome.
Therefore, we are actively involved in contingency planning that includes restricting access to certain portions of the building where construction is ongoing and utilizing other sections of the building where work has been completed. Of course, our top priority will be to ensure the safety and integrity of the academic environment for both students and staff, and we will take all necessary precautions in this regard.
Our contingency planning also includes the identification of potential alternative learning sites for some or all Algonquin Middle School students should the building not be approved for instructional use by August 23. We will strive to minimize the number of students and staff impacted by this potential disruption.
As reported in the media, we have cast a wide net and have been contacted by and explored a number of potential venues. We will consider only those sites that can be adapted for a quality educational experience. Our criteria will include safety, appropriateness and ability to be adapted to support teaching and learning, and proximity to Algonquin Middle School.
For example, one option might be the Des Plaines Park District’s Prairie Lakes Complex, which is located very close to Algonquin Middle School. This site could be available for District 62’s instructional use during a two-week period between programming.
Should an alternate site be required, construction on Algonquin Middle School will continue at an accelerated pace with the goal of returning students and staff to this facility at the earliest possible date when safety can be ensured.
Clearly, we are committed to providing all students the high-quality education families have come to expect of our District. We are currently making plans to collaborate with faculty and staff members to ensure that we maintain the integrity of the District’s curriculum standards throughout this process. Some field trips and guest speakers may be incorporated as appropriate, but full instructional activity will continue as planned.
The District 62 Board of Education and Administration are committed to ongoing direct, proactive, timely and consistent communications with families, staff and the community as we work to resolve this issue. As we further refine our plans, updates will be posted on the District 62 website at www.d62.org and on Twitter at @D62Supt. We anticipate that another parent communication on this document will be delivered via email and posted online later next week.
We are looking forward to the 2010-2011 school year and to your continued support of Des Plaines Community Consolidated School District 62!
Sincerely,
Dr. Jane L. Westerhold Superintendent of Schools
John Swanson Principal, Algonquin Middle School
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
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Temporary location due to construction - VIEW LARGER MAP
Orchard Place Elementary School
2727 Maple Street, Des Plaines, IL 60018
Phone: 847-824-1255
Fax: 847-824-1752
Congratulations to the District 62 “You Be the Chemist” team who competed at the state Chem Challenge. Ian Mann, Algonquin Middle School, finished third place. Haripriya Mehta, Iroquois Community School, earned a second place finish. If the first place winner is unable to participate at the national “You Be the Chemist” Challenge, Mehta will represent the State of Illinois. Other District 62 competitors included Adeel Afshar, Algonquin Middle School, and Aaron Cunanan, Chippewa Middle School.
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Twenty-four students from throughout the Des Plaines area proved that they are “chemists in the making” when they participated in the sixth annual competition that tests their knowledge in chemistry concepts, discoveries, and chemical safety awareness tips. The “You Be the Chemist Challenge” is an annual event sponsored by UOP of Des Plaines and organized nationally by the Chemical Education Foundation to challenge youngsters’ scientific knowledge in the spirit of competition. The academic competition created by the Chemical Educational Foundation (CEF) is a question and answer event that is open to fifth through eighth graders nationwide. Participants included students from Algonquin Middle School, Chippewa Middle School, Friendship Junior High, Gemini Junior High, Grove Junior High, Iroquois Community School, and Lincoln Junior High. When it was over, a “first” had occurred- all qualifiers, including the alternate, were District 62 students.
Ian Mann, an 8th grade student from Algonquin Middle School, was crowned the local You Be the Chemist Champion this year. Other winners were Aaron Cunanan, an 8th grade student from Chippewa Middle School, who placed second, and Haripriya Mehta, last year’s regional winner and second place state finisher, from Iroquois Community School. Mehta placed third. Reahman Atta Afshar, an eighth grade Algonquin student, will serve as the alternate. Each of the students qualified to compete in the State You Be The Chemist Challenge to be held on Wednesday, March 24, 2010 at Prairie Lakes in Des Plaines.
All contestants at the State Challenge will be competing for a free trip for themselves and a parent to compete in the You Be The Chemist National Challenge to be held in Philadelphia. At the National Challenge first, second, and third place winners receive educational savings bonds.
Red Ribbon Celebration brings millions of people together to raise awareness regarding the need for alcohol, tobacco and other drug and violence prevention, early intervention, andtreatment services. It is the largest, most visible prevention awareness campaign observed annually in the United States.
Here at Algonquin we recognize Red Ribbon Week through daily drug abuse facts and theme days. We try to stress a drug free life by educating students about the negative consequences of drug use and showing how we can have fun without drugs.
A special thanks goes out to all of the PTO members who helped decorate the school and made it more festive for Red Ribbon Week.
Recently archived
Algonquin Hosts Arbor Day Celebration
It has been over 135 years since J. Sterling Morton founded Arbor Day. His simple idea of setting aside a special day for tree planting is now more important than ever. Algonquin Middle School students, District 62 administrators and the school board presiden, and Des Plaines elected officials joined thousands of school students, administrators and elected officials across the country in celebrating Arbor Day.
The Chanticleer Pear, which was donated by Lurvey Garden Center and planted by the Des Plaines Public Works Department, will serve as a reminder of the seeds of wisdom that are planted every day in our schools.
DES PLAINES, IL (April 20, 2009) – Karen Tilden, a middle school assistant principal from Mannheim School District 63, was appointed by the School District 62 Board of Education to fill the assistant principal position at Algonquin Middle School. Tilden replaces Bradley Stein, who was promoted to the principalship of Terrace Elementary School. She started July 1, 2009. Read Press Release...
Read more ...
Instruments and Voices Combine for MW Music Festival
On Saturday, January 24, District 62 band, orchestra and chorus students participated in the 10th Annual District 62 Music Festival at Maine West High School. Student musicians practiced and performed with other students from School Districts 62 and 211. The morning began with rehearsals designed to prepare students their 3 p.m. concert. Algonquin, Chippewa and Iroquois students combined to create district band, orchestra and choral ensembles. Each ensemble performed three selections. Maine West’s Chamber Choir, Symphonic Orchestra and Wind Ensemble also performed. Not only was the festival a way to encourage D62 students to continue participating in band, orchestra and chorus at Maine West, but the event also encouraged collaboration in the areas of curriculum and instruction between District 62 and 207 staff.
Jennifer Richardson, Fine Arts Coordinator, expressed her gratitude to the District 62 and 211 staff that coordinated the festival.
Algonquin Rolls Out Red Carpet
Recently, Algonquin eighth grade students went "Hollywood" with the premier of movies they created as part of their Language Arts and
Literacy classes. Awards were presented in several categories, including best picture, best story adaptation, and best costumes. The event included a walk down the red carpet as students entered the Library Media Center where the movies were shown and the awards
presented.
The project was directed by Dianna Addante and Anna Petelle, AMS teachers, to encourage students to practice the writing process (drafting, editing, and publishing) and hone their communication skills through drama. The project began with students writing a 500 word mystery in Language Arts class. Groups of three selected a story to adapt, scripted the i-movie, and directed and edited the final
versions. Students were encouraged to "dress".
Algonquin Sixth Grader Places Second in Design Contest
School District 62 recently announced the winners of the 2008 Winter Card Design Contest. Board of Education President Brenda Murphy presented each with a ribbon and a plaque. The first place winner is featured in cards sent by the District during the holiday season.
Stephanie Delles, Iroquois Community School fifth grader, captured first place with her drawing of a child who finds a snowman warming his hands in front of the fireplace.
Namitha Abraham, Algonquin Middle School, and Bailey Radnitzer, Forest Elementary School, placed second and third, respectively.
More than 60 students entered the contest, which was judged by members of the Des Plaines Arts Council. All entries will be on display from Wednesday, December 3 through Monday, January 5 at the Des Plaines Public Library.
A make up day is scheduled as a student attendance day to replace inclement weather day that may be called during the school year. At this time, the last day of school is Wednesday, June 08, 2011
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