District 208 and
Riverside Brookfield High School
Hallways
November 2013
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A parent and community newsletter.
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Superintendent's Message
Dear RBHS Students, Families, Staff and Community,
 I'm pleased to be sending you the first District 208/RBHS e-newsletter. One of our goals is to improve communication with not only our students and parents, but also with the broader school community. This monthly newsletter will help us do a better job of keeping you informed. At the same time, we encourage you to contact us to ask questions, share your views or request more information. I am very excited about the progress that we have made over the past year for our students and school, and I am looking forward to continuing that momentum in the months to come. Detailed information regarding District 208 or RBHS can be found on our website, rbhs208.net. Please contact me or Principal Pam Bylsma at any time.
Go Bulldogs!
Kevin Skinkis, Ed.D.
Superintendent
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Follow the Board of Education
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Board of Education information is available on the RBHS website. The Board tab includes meeting dates, agendas, minutes and the Board's digital policy manual. There is also a link to the Board of Education YouTube Channel, where you may view videos of previous Board meetings.
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Technology Team
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Thirty-seven staff members applied for and were selected for the District's Technology Team. Each member received a Chromebook to assist them in using technology for their daily responsibilities of planning, creating and implementing instructional materials.
The Technology Team is responsible for the development, implementation and analysis of the District's three-year technology plan with respect to research and development of a one-to-one initiative. On November 21, nine staff members will be visiting East Leyden High School to learn about their one-to-one computer program.
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District Prevails in Lawsuit
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The District received notice on October 31, 2013, that a lawsuit brought against the District in April 2011 by Anthony Peraica and Taxpayers United of America was dismissed by the Illinois Appellate Court. The suit challenged the educational fund tax rate referendum that was rejected by voters in the Spring of 2011, as well as alleged certain District actions in connection with the referendum.
The lawsuit was dismissed in its entirety by Cook County Judge Martin on July 17, 2012. The plaintiffs appealed only on claims of denial of constitutional free speech, for which the Appellate Court found no legal basis.
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Principal's Message
Welcome to our inaugural monthly newsletter. This is an exciting
 opportunity to enhance our communication with families and the community. Each month, we will highlight useful information, important upcoming events and details about building initiatives designed to improve student performance or school culture. I hope that you will find each newsletter a useful, educational and inspirational tool. Enjoy reading issue #1! Pam Bylsma Principal |
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Testing Day - November 6
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Each grade level will be involved in its own testing and activities from 8 a.m.-Noon on November 6. For more information about the EPAS (ACT's Educational Planning & Assessment System), visit act.org. FRESHMEN- EXPLORE (Illinois Testing)
- Naviance College Computer Program Introduction
- Career Interest Profiler
- Social Emotional Learning Lesson - Conflict Resolution
SOPHOMORES - PLAN (Illinois Testing)
- Wellness Activities
JUNIORS SENIORS No School/College Visit Day
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New School Report Card
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On October 31, the Illinois State Board of Education released the newly redesigned, online interactive School Report Cards. Designed to be simplified and more user-friendly, they look beyond test scores to better inform families, community members, educators and policy makers about the academic performance, school climate and learning conditions of the state's public schools. You can view RB's report card by clicking here.
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Internet Safety Day
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On Wednesday, November 13, all students will participate in the State mandated Internet Safety Day, to learn how to use the Internet safely, productively and respectfully. The lessons are differentiated for each grade level. All students will learn how to set effective Facebook privacy settings.To see what your child's class will be covering, click here.
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Student Association Blood Drive
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The S.A. ran another successful Blood Drive on October 23. All proceeds will go toward scholarships for graduating seniors. To support this event, you can donate blood at Lifesource. Give the code "313" for RBHS to get credit for your donation. This can be done every day until S.A.'s next blood drive on February 26. Thank you for your support!
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Seeking Veterans for Nov. 11 Program
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Students will have an opportunity to honor our military veterans in a personal way at our annual Veterans Day program, 8:30-10:30 a.m., November 11. We are seeking veterans willing to answer questions about their experiences and discuss their service with students.
The program begins with a continental breakfast, followed by a school-wide assembly honoring the veterans in attendance, and ends with more personal classroom question and answer sessions.
Interested veterans should contact John Fields or Mary Ann Nardi at 708-442-7500.
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College Selection Speaker
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Frank Palmasani, Founder of Financial Fit, returns for "Conquering the Challenges of College Costs: Right College, Right Price." Learn about the newest Department of Education initiatives, find affordable college options, pay for college without excessive debt, and learn how to maximize benefits for scholarships and grants.
Thursday, November 14
7 p.m.
Auditorium
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AP Spanish at the Zoo
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Teacher Jessica Mauritzen developed an innovated lesson that took her AP Spanish students out of the classroom and behind-the-scenes of the animal exhibits.Students studied about their specific animals in Spanish and worked in groups to create two-minute flipcam interviews with a Spanish-speaking exhibit guide. The footage was submitted for professional editing. Look for the finished videos on our website in coming weeks.
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Joint Teacher Institute Day
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On October 25, RBHS hosted a multi-district Institute Day with Districts 94, 95, 96. It included 35 breakout sessions for teachers in grades kindergarten through twelfth grade. The sessions provided teachers with an opportunity to learn new instructional strategies and information that can be implemented in their classrooms. Teachers in common content areas also met to discuss the scope and sequence of curriculum so that students have a smooth transition from 8th grade to high school.
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Excellence and Ethics
in Education
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Important Dates
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November 6
8 a.m.- Noon (Early Dismissal)
Testing Seniors - No Attendance November 9
8 a.m.- 5 p.m.
IMEA Jazz Festival Main Gym November 11
8:30 - 10 a.m.
Veterans Day Assembly Main Gym November 12
7 p.m.
Board of Education Meeting Alumni Lounge College Planning Tips for Freshmen Little Theater November 13
12:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Internet Safety Program November 14
7 - 8:30 p.m.
College Costs Program November 26
7 p.m.
Committee of the Whole Meeting Room 201 November 27-29
Thanksgiving Break
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Contact Us
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See our website for individual staff email addresses
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Registration for 2014-15 Begins Soon!
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Counselors will distribute registration materials to students at small group pre-registration meetings prior to individual registration appointments. The meeting's Power Point presentation will be on the website.
Parents should review course options and graduation requirements with their students. The Curriculum Guide will also be available on the website.
After the pre-registration meeting, each student will be given a course selection form to bring home for a parent signature. This signed form must be returned to the counselor at his/her registration appointment.
Recommendations for English, Math, Science, Social Studies and World Language courses are made by teachers based on students' previous academic performance. These recommendations are placed in Skyward so counselors can refer to them during the appointments.
Please refer to the website for pre-registration and registration meeting dates.
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Copyright � 2013. All Rights Reserved.
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