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2008 Illinois School Report Card

Read District 62 Summary
Download 2008 Illinois School Report Card
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2008 State Assessments Results

ISAT Reading results show that D62 fifth and eighth grade student performance mirrored State results.
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Students Speak
Yvonne Morrison, retired Plainfield teacher, and Plainfield Principal, Rene Carranza, introduced Optimist Oratorical Contest winners Miguel Hernandez, Algonquin Middle School; Kyle Sturgeon and Paulina Gudel, Plainfield Elementary School during the June 15 Board of Education. After presenting their award-winning speeches, students received Certificates of Recognition from Brenda Murphy, President. Don Moran, an Optimist representative, was also recognized for sponsoring this event.

Pictures from Futures Unlimited - Careers in Science and Math for Women

Taking the Band on the Road
After months of preparation, the Algonquin Music Department participated in its annual tour to the elementary schools. The band, orchestra, chorus and jazz band visited Forest School, Orchard Place School, Plainfield School and South School in an effort to highlight their students’ talents and to spark the interest of students wanting to begin an instrument in 5th grade and join chorus in 6th. More than 150 Algonquin Music students were involved in the performances. Ensemble directors Pamela Culley (orchestra), Lesley Hoerner (choir) and Samantha Lorens (band) are very proud of their students and look forward to future performances!

In case you missed the performances, mark your calendars for Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. for the Algonquin Middle School Orchestra and Choral Concert, and Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. for the 5th – 8th Grade Elementary and Middle School Band Concert.
We hope to see you there!

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. Today 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.

Algonquin AP Appointed

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 begins July 1, 2009.
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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 AP Promoted to Principalship
Bradley J. Stein, Algonquin Middle School Assistant Principal, has been named the new principal of Terrace Elementary School in District 62. His promotion was unanimously approved at the January 20 Board of Education meeting.

Stein has served as the Assistant Principal since July 2006. He began his educational career as a summer school teacher and permanent substitute teacher in the River Forest School system. Prior to his employment with District 62, Stein taught fifth grade in the Skokie/Morton Grove School District.

Throughout his leadership experiences, Stein has demonstrated effective communications with fellow administrators, staff, students, and parents by utilizing personal conferences, email, and memorandums. Additionally, he maintained a professional learning community through collegiality and collaboration, which has fostered a positive climate and culture at Algonquin. He is skilled at using data to make decisions about discipline, curriculum, and instruction.

Stein is a graduate of Illinois State University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. He also earned a master's degree in education from Roosevelt University and his Type-75 certification from the University of Illinois-Chicago. Stein is currently working toward a doctorate degree from the University of Illinois-Chicago.

Stein will assume the Terrace Elementary School principal position on July 1, 2009. When asked about the Terrace principalship, he replied, “I am confident that my skills in communication, organization, problem solving, and working with diverse students and staff will be an asset in fulfilling District 62 goals.” He will replace the retiring principal, Nancy Bang. Stein is married, with two sons, and resides in Buffalo Grove.

About School District 62 - Des Plaines School District 62 educates more than 4,700 students in eleven K-8 schools and employs more than 750 certified and support staff.

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The District 62 Family Wishes You a Holiday Season Filled With Wonder and a Happy New Year!
The sights and sounds of the season will fill the halls as District 62 schools host holiday choral and instrumental music programs. Please join us in celebrating the season. For more information, please contact Lesley Hoerner, Pam Culley, Samantha Lorens and Jennifer Richardson, (847) 824-1205

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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".

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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.

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