February 7, 2024

9 BHS students named All-State Musicians

At the Feb. 6 Barrington 220 Board of Education meeting, the Board recognized 9 Barrington High School students who have been named All-State Musicians by the Illinois Music Education Association! Students are vetted through a rigorous audition process at the district and state level. Congratulations to the following students:

• Daniel Devadas: All-State Band (Saxophone)
• Alexander Garcia: All-State Choir (Bass)
• Ethan Kim: All-State Band (Clarinet)
• Daniel McCoppin: All-State Choir (Baritone)
• Vanessa Njam: All-State Orchestra (Violin)
• Chrissie Rollinson: All-State Choir (Soprano)
• Brian Rudnicki: Future Music Educator Seminar
• Grayson Seitz: All-State Choir (Tenor)
• Adrian Wu: All-State Orchestra (Violin)

Click here to view the recognition.

At the Feb. 6 Board meeting, the Board recognized six Barrington 220 teachers who have earned their National Board Certification. The credential is considered to be one of the most respected nationwide among educators. Teachers earn the certification through a rigorous process and must renew every five years. Barrington 220 currently has nearly 40 educators who have earned National Board Certification. Congratulations to Jennifer Conant, Jeff Doles, Chris Rohde, Janet Tuzzolino, and Colleen Zenner on earning their re-certification this year! Congrats to Paige Green on earning her initial certification this year! Click here to view the recognition.

Special thanks to BHS teachers Heidi Rockwell and Cary Waxler, who serve as district mentors for the National Board Certification process.

Click here to listen to Dr. Winkelman's full Superintendent's Report.

In his Superintendent's Report at the Feb. 6 Board meeting, Dr. Winkelman expressed the district's commitment to supporting students and the Lacson Family in the weeks and months ahead, as the entire community continues to mourn the passing of BHS student Marin Lacson. He also expressed his gratitude for the staff members and community organizations that have joined together to support students during this difficult time. 

In his Superintendent's Report, Dr. Winkelman also shared the district's commitment to enhance train and pedestrian safety education for students. Over the next couple of weeks, the district is partnering with the Barrington Police Department and Metra to have a presence at railroad crossings throughout town. This is an opportunity to re-educate pedestrians and drivers, as well as support students walking to school. The district plans to work with Metra to hold educational assemblies in all Barrington 220 schools this spring. In addition, the district's Teaching & Learning Department and Safety & Security Committee will work to identify additional educational opportunities for students regarding railroad safety.

In his Superintendent's Report, Dr. Winkelman thanked the district's three School Resource Officers from the Barrington Police Department, ahead of School Resource Officer Appreciation Day on February 15. Officer Eve Gaitan is at Barrington High School, Officer Isaiah Recinos is at Prairie Campus, and Officer Rene Cirrincione is at Station Campus. The School Resource Officers enhance safety measures on campus, as well as create environments where students feel supported socially and emotionally. 

In his Superintendent's Report, Dr. Winkelman shared that the Barrington 220 Educational Foundation has committed funds to enhance the drawing and painting studio at BHS. The funds will be raised at the Foundation's upcoming 25th anniversary gala in March, where there will also be opportunities to help fund additional fine arts projects. The drawing and painting studio enhancements were identified in the stakeholder feedback collected last spring regarding the fine, visual, and performing arts spaces at BHS. Currently, the Board is contemplating many other fine arts enhancements, such as a new auditorium, that could potentially be funded through a referendum in November 2024. 

In his Superintendent's Report, Dr. Winkelman shared some of the learning activities happening in Barrington 220 schools over the next few weeks in honor of Black History Month. These include morning announcements with quotes from famous Black figures, bulletin boards featuring prominent individuals, book displays in school libraries, and virtual author visits featuring Black authors.

Student fees to remain flat for 24-25 school year

At the Feb. 6 Board meeting, the Board approved student fees for the 2024-25 school year, which will remain the same as the 2023-24 school year. Click here to learn more about student fees in Barrington 220.

At the Feb. 6 Board meeting, the Board discussed moving up the start time of all regular Board meetings from 7pm to 6:30pm. The Board is anticipated to make this change starting with its first meeting next month on March 5. In addition, the Board is planning to move its meeting in July to the third week in July, rather than the second week.

Board to vote on 24-25 Instructional Materials Report 

At the Feb. 6 Board meeting, the Board heard a presentation about the proposed 2024-25 instructional materials report, which is the district’s annual list of textbooks and instructional materials that are being used in classrooms. The district has a robust curriculum review cycle in order to ensure the curriculum is dynamic and meets the needs of students. 

Click here to view the proposed changes, which are highlighted in yellow. The Board will vote on the 2024-25 instructional materials report at its next regularly scheduled meeting on Feb. 20. Click here to listen to the presentation.

At the Feb. 6 Board meeting, the Board approved the charge for its 2024 Referendum Advisory Committee. Over the next several months, committee members will meet four times to provide feedback about projects that should be included in a potential referendum question on the November 2024 election ballot. Projects would include significant upgrades to the fine, visual, and performing arts spaces at Barrington High School. They could also possibly include additional projects that would impact all Barrington 220 schools.

In addition to feedback from the committee, the district will seek stakeholder feedback about a potential referendum question through phone surveys and community meetings. More information about this community engagement process will be shared later this month.

If the Board decides to place a referendum question on the November 2024 ballot, it must approve the question in August.