District 208 and
Riverside Brookfield High School
Hallways
January 2014 

A parent and community newsletter. 
District 208 News
Superintendent's Message

Dear RBHS Students, Families, Staff and Community,

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a safe and peaceful holiday season. It's hard to believe it is already January (second semester). Right before the holiday break, the Board of Education and the Riverside Brookfield Education Association (RBEA) approved a new collective bargaining agreement (see the details below). This is great news for the District and the community. 

January is a very busy time, as the students and counselors finalize the course selection process for next school year.  As we begin second semester, please continue to check the website for updates from the administration. 

Regarding the emergency school closings January 6 and 7 due to extremely cold temperatures and road conditions, I will be checking with the State Board of Education about the options available to make up these days. One possibility may be amending the District Calendar and conducting classes on a previously scheduled day off. I will be providing a recommendation to the District 208 Board of Education at one of the two meetings in January. The District Calendar has five emergency days built in at the end of the year in the event the school year needs to be extended. Further communication will follow on the status of how these two days of student attendance will be made up.

Cordially,
Kevin Skinkis, Ed.D.
New Collective Bargaining Agreement
The Board of Education and the Riverside Brookfield Education Association are pleased to announce that the Board approved a new three-year collective bargaining agreement at its December 18, 2013, meeting.

The collaborative process began in the spring of 2013, and culminated recently. The parties reviewed every aspect of the agreement with an eye toward updating the language and reaching an equitable agreement. The agreement maintains the stature of our highly accomplished and respected teaching staff and employees, and sustains the Board's budget and long-range financial goals.  A copy of the new collective bargaining agreement can be found on the website under District - Human Resources.
Hand-Held Cell Phone Ban Will Be Enforced
The Riverside Police Department has announced that it will be enforcing the new Illinois law preventing the hand-held use of cell phones while driving. Drivers caught using their cell phones will face fines up to $75. Hands-free options such as Bluetooth or in-car speakers are currently legal under the law. The law provides for police officers to stop motorists simply because they are seen talking on a cell phone while driving. The Riverside Police Department will run special enforcement programs targeting cell phone use in school zones.
Concealed Firearms Prohibited on School Grounds

Public Act 98-63 requires that schools, hospitals, mental institutions, most buildings of the State's executive or legislative branch agencies, public parks, sports stadiums and museums post the sign pictured here. The new signage will be prominently visible at RB beginning in January, making it clear that firearms are not allowed on school property.

School grounds are among the "statutorily prohibited" facilities listed in the new Illinois Concealed Carry law, which took effect in July 2013. Please take this opportunity to explain the new signs to your teens, who may not understand their purpose. 
RBHS News
Principal's Message

I hope your holiday season was joyous and restful!  Each year it seems as though the new semester arrives faster than it did the previous year. For students, there barely has been enough time to absorb their final exams and first semester grades before a new set of tasks and expectations confront them.  If your student's report card was a disappointment in some way, now is the time that your child needs your support and guidance if he or she will be able to improve during second semester.

Remind your child that while success might look easy for others, it actually is the result of hard work. I tell students repeatedly that E = A! or Effort = Achievement!  Resilient people succeed because they don't give up when a challenge gets tough. They change their attitude, face their weaknesses, try new strategies, ask for help, abandon bad habits, and do anything and everything to become more successful. I hope you will reinforce these ideas and assure your student that if he/she is open to improvement and willing to work hard at it, he/she will find that we have plenty of people and resources here at RB to help with that goal. 

For further ideas on how to help your student make improvements in academic achievement, read our "Steps to Success" brochure (also found under the "Academics" tab on the left side of our website homepage).

 

Pam Bylsma

 

"Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything."  George Bernard Shaw

How to Motivate Your Child
        Title:  Helping Your Children Maximize their Potential
Presenter:  Pam Bylsma, Principal
       Topic:  Parents will learn about the latest research on
                   internal perceptions, or mindsets, that present
                   barriers to student success. Positive thinking 
                   and motivational strategies will be shared so
                   that parents gain new tools to approach the
                   challenges facing their teens.
Date/Time:  Monday, February 3, 7 p.m. (this presentation
                    was rescheduled from the PTO's January
                    meeting)
       Place:   Room 201
Clarion Earns Gold Medal Status for Second Year - Is Finalist for Gold Crown Award
RB's award-winning student newspaper received an unexpectedly early critique from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA). The CSPA is one of two major national student journalism organizations with which the Clarion participates.

The Clarion received a Gold Medalist ranking with All-Columbian Honors in every available category, earning 966 out of a possible 1000 points from the judge. This marks the second year in a row that Clarion has received a top ranking. Among the characteristics of our online newspaper that impressed the judges were the policies outlining public comment and the staff editorials.

In addition, it is one of 10 finalists to win a Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Crown Award in the Digital Publication category. This is the highest award available in digital news media from the CSPA. RB was the only high school news website in Illinois to be named a finalist!

Congratulations go to Clarion teacher Dan Mancoff, who was invited to present about online school newspapers at the annual Iowa High School Press Association earlier this year. We are proud of the hard work, talent and dedication of the following student leaders:

Rebecca Rusiecki (Editor-in-Chief)
Hannah Pecis (Media Editor)
Lauren Grimaldi (News Editor)
Kate Alaks (Opinion Editor)
Robby Filec (Features Editor)
Steven Baer (Sports Editor)
Carey Torres (Lifestyles Editor)
William Voorhees (A&E Editor)
Isabel Pena (PR Editor)
Music Students Earn Area and State Awards
Congratulations to the following RB students who were selected to participate in prestigious ensembles at the Illinois Music Educators Association Music Festival at Lincoln-Way East High School in November. Two of our students were named All-State Musicians: Joe Rogers for All State Choir and Cathryn Cowell for Orchestra (violin).

Senior Choir
Silvana Alvarez
Rachel Bennett
Connor Culloden
Moira Dunn
Vanessa Jebb
Ugne Jurgaityte
Kathryn Nadkarni
Joseph Rogers
Abigail Schwarz
Kristin Tomecek

9th and 10th Grade Choir
Julia Kurth
Hannah Hettasch
Tom Loftus
Matt McCormack

Orchestra
Cathryn Cowell
Luke Dickeson
Kelsey Dickeson

Band
Andrew Lemesurier

Our music instructors were also recognized as state leaders at the event. James Baum is a member of the ILMEA District 1 Leadership Team. He is the Orchestra Representative and is responsible for auditions, student selection and organizes the orchestra for the Festival. He also served as "Master of Ceremonies" before the concert and introduced the guest conductor. 

Diane Marelli was invited to be the pianist for the 9th and 10th Grade Choir, under the direction of Brett Goad. She has played for the Senior Chorus and the 9th and 10th Grade Chorus for nearly 20 years. 
Freshman Academic Progress Testing in January
All freshmen will be participating in the Northwest Evaluation Association's (NWEA) Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) from Tuesday, January 21 through Wednesday, January 29. Over these seven days, students will be pulled from classes to take Reading, Science and Math assessments lasting approximately 2-3 hours.  Make-up days are scheduled for January 30-31.

MAP is a computer-based, adaptive test that provides us with detailed information about your child's skill set. Freshmen took MAP tests in the fall and will be retested this spring, as well. Through this progress monitoring tool, we will be able to measure each student's academic growth during the first year of high school. If you would like more information about MAP testing, please download the Parent Toolkit by clicking here.
How the Curriculum is Changing
In 2010, Illinois joined many other states in adopting new, rigorous standards for what our students should learn. These standards were designed to align with learning standards in other successful countries. Called the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), they set clear benchmarks for what students should learn in each grade, from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in English Language Arts and Mathematics.

The Common Core emphasizes critical thinking, mastery of key topics and the application of skills for solving real-life challenges. All RB teachers are adapting their curriculum to build these skills in our students. You will begin noticing some of these changes this year in all classes, including more exposure to complex reading material, more challenging writing tasks and an increased focus on non-fiction, informational text.

To learn more about how the Common Core Standards are being addressed at RB, please go to the Parent tab on the website and click Forms and Documents, Common Core Standards, or click here to download the pdf.

Technology Update
During the 2nd semester, more than 30 teachers will be piloting two Learning Management Systems (LMS).  A LMS is an online platform that provides a gateway for classrooms, giving teachers a more systematic way to develop and deliver curriculum materials and resources to students. It gives students the ability to view and turn-in course assignments, complete assessments and access additional learning materials online.

Depending on their classes and teachers, students and parents may experience both Learning Management Systems simultaneously.  We appreciate your patience as we learn about these digital systems and welcome any feedback that can assist us in selecting a school-wide LMS for the 2014-15 school year.
Impact of Outstanding Fees
If your children are planning to attend this year's prom or are on track to graduate this May, please make sure all school fees are paid in full. Students may not attend prom if they owe fees, and graduates will receive only one ticket for the commencement exercises if they have any outstanding fees. If you are unable to pay your fees in full, payment plans are available by contacting the Business Office at 708-442-7500, ext. 2103.
College Aid Planning Night
PRESENTER:    Joe Orsolini from College Aid Planner 
                           (Visit collegeaidplanners.com)
           TOPIC:    Parents from all grade levels are
                           welcome to learn about how to finance
                           college.
            DATE:     Thursday, January 9, 2014
             TIME:     7:00 p.m.
          PLACE:     RB Little Theater
Incoming Freshmen Registration Dates
CURRICULUM & PRE-REGISTRATION NIGHT

Students and at least one parent of all incoming freshmen must attend.

    DATE:     Wednesday, January 15, 2014
     TIME:     7:00 p.m.
  PLACE:     Gymnasium

Using test data received from the placement exam and 8th grade teacher recommendations, Department Chairs will make placement recommendations in English, Math, Science and Foreign Language. That evening, you will receive results from the placement exam, recommended placements for your student's freshman year and have an opportunity to speak with Department Chairs. Additionally, you will receive information about the registration process, course selections and your registration appointment time for Saturday, January 25.

NOTE:  In order to accommodate such a large incoming class, the event must be held in the gym. We will have a limited number of chairs available on the main floor. Please be prepared to use bleacher seating, if needed.

REGISTRATION

     DATE:     Saturday, January 25, 2014
      TIME:     9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (By scheduled
                     appointment)
   PLACE:     Entrance A Atrium

Parents will submit registration materials and students will register for classes. Department Chairs and counselors will be available to answer questions about placements and elective opportunities.
ADHD Information and Support
Meeting Tuesday, January 28, 7:00 p.m.,Faculty Cafeteria

Are you curious about ADHD?  Do you question the difference between ADHD and just "being a kid?" A parent information and support group meets monthly at RB.

Members benefit from the support of other parents and a variety of resources provided at the meetings. For more information, please contact Mari Mortensen, social worker, at 708-442-8496. 
Athletes Participate in Character Counts! Citizenship Projects
Athletes Coco Murray (left) and Therese Hanley with a patron of the food pantry who asked for cards to be made for his family.

Coach Tom Rocco and the Sophomore Girls Basketball Team volunteered at the Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry on December 7. Kristi Braun, the Pantry's Community Program Manager, showed her appreciation by writing, "WOW - it's been quite a while since I've received the amount of positive feedback as I did about the girls who volunteered on Saturday."

The RB Football Team demonstrated that leadership extends beyond the football season by participating in the Stockings For Soldiers initiative in partnership with Kuratko-Nosek Funeral Home of North Riverside. Freshmen, sophomores and juniors who participate in the off-season football strength and conditioning program donated more than 50 holiday stockings filled with everyday items of need for service members, such as personal care items, clothing and books.

"One of our team values is giving back to the community and we thought this would be a fun team building activity while showing our gratitude for the sacrifices our soldiers make for our country," said junior Adolfo Linares (running back & safety).

ATHLETIC HIGHLIGHTS & UPCOMING EVENTS

Please visit rbhs208athletics.org for a recap of the 2013 Fall Season, the Special Olympics Pack-the-Place and all upcoming athletic events, highlights and scores.
Important Yearbook Notice
About 900 students have ordered a Rouser yearbook, scheduled for May distribution. That means about 600 students will not have a yearbook, as only 50 extra copies will be available for purchase in May.

Yearbooks may be purchased in the business office until January 9 for $50. From January 10-31, the price is $55. The last day to order is January 31.

A list of students who have purchased yearbooks as of November is posted outside the Alumni Lounge and the Rouser room (room 265). Contact Kimberly Hayes at hayesk@rbhs208.net for information.
RB Endzone Garden Grabs Regional, National Attention

Kathleen Harsy of the English department hosted a garden site visit in December for a teacher and five students from Hinsdale Central High School. The group,  led by former RB teacher Cherise Lopez, hopes to establish a sustainable, pesticide-free garden like RB's in order to provide authentic learning experiences for students. Ms. Harsy has been asked to present at the Green School Conference in Sacramento, California, about her work with the garden.
Excellence and Ethics
in Education
Important Dates
Please check our website for the dates and locations of all performances and events.
January 10 and 11
7:00 p.m.
Shenanigans Show
Little Theater

January 14
7:00 p.m.
Board of Education Meeting
Alumni Lounge

January 15
7:00 p.m.
Incoming Freshmen Family Night
Main Gym

January 20
Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
No School

January 21-23 and 27-29
 MAP Testing - Freshmen

January 24
No School
Institute Day

January 25
Incoming Freshmen Registration
In the Commons

January 28
7:00 p.m.
Board of Education
Committee of the Whole Meeting
Alumni Lounge

College Planning Tips for Juniors and Parents
7:00 p.m.
Auditorium

Contact Us
(708) 442-7500
newsletter@rbhs208.net
See our website for individual staff email addresses
Event Schedules

160 Ridgewood Road, Riverside, IL 60546 |www.rbhs208.net


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