At the Sept. 21 Board of Education meeting, Nate Rouse, the district's Director of Equity, Race and Cultural Diversity Initiatives, gave a presentation to the Board about the district's ongoing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
During the presentation, Rouse shared information about Critical Race Theory in order to provide context to the conversations currently taking place locally and nationally around the concept and its place in K-12 schools. Critical Race Theory is NOT being taught in Barrington 220 schools. It is an academic concept that is generally taught in higher education systems; primarily law schools. Rouse also discussed several ongoing efforts under his leadership, including:
-
A new district equity webpage which provides more information and clarity related to the district's efforts in equity, race, and inclusion.
- The work of the District Equity Team, which is made up of district staff, PTO members, Board of Education members, and representatives from various community organizations.
- Current examples of culturally responsive teaching strategies being implemented throughout the district.
- Upcoming opportunities for district staff to participate in professional development that will deepen their understanding of the district's commitment to equity and the actions needed to move towards equitable outcomes for all students and staff.
- Collaboration with community organizations in order to keep the community informed about the district's equity work.
|
|
21-22 school year updates from Dr. Hunt |
|
During his Superintendent Report at the Sept. 21 Board meeting, Dr. Robert Hunt shared several updates about the 2021-22 school year: |
|
COVID-19
First, Dr. Hunt shared a new Executive Order from Governor Pritzker, which requires all schools to exclude any student or school personnel who have tested positive for COVID-19, or who is considered a probable case, for a minimum of 10 days. Please note, this does not change any procedures in Barrington 220. Students are still able to do Test to Stay if they are considered a close contact in school while wearing masks appropriately. Additionally, all students who are vaccinated and are a close contact will not have to quarantine or be excluded.
Dr. Hunt also shared that since Shield Testing began in schools last week, the district has administered nearly 5,000 tests and there have been a total of 12 positive cases identified from those tests.
|
|
Safety Week 2021
Dr. Hunt shared that this week is Barrington 220's 3rd Annual Safety Week. Throughout the week, all schools are participating in safety drills that are mandated by the State of Illinois, including fire drills, tornado drills, lockdown drills and bus evacuation drills. In addition, each day students view a short video that has a "Safety 220 Tip of the Day".
|
|
Board approves FY22 budget |
|
At its Sept. 21 meeting, the Board approved the FY22 budget. Each year nearly 80% of the district's revenue comes from local property taxes. The balance comes from state and federal funding, and other local revenues such as registration fees and donations. This marks the 25th consecutive year Barrington 220 has passed a balanced budget. In addition, Barrington 220 continues to maintain fiscal responsibility and earn a AAA bond rating from Standard & Poor's. |
|
9/11 exhibit at BHS features rare images and artifacts |
|
In her President Report at the Sept. 21 meeting, Board President Sandra Ficke-Bradford shared that in honor of the 20th anniversary of 9/11, rare artifacts and images taken by BHS alumnus and official FDNY Ground Zero photographer Gary Marlon Suson are on display in the Clair E. Smith Gallery at BHS until early November. The exhibit features 100 Images and artifacts along with BOSE audio stories narrating the history behind each display. It is a recreation of Suson's 9/11 Museum Workshop in New York, a two-time winner of Trip Advisor’s prestigious “Top 25 Museums in the USA” Award. The exhibit is open to the public on the dates below. Tours will take place in half hour increments. More sessions will be added as needed. Space will be limited and all COVID protocols will be followed. Click here to reserve your free ticket.
- Saturday, Oct. 2: 9am-1pm (prior to Homecoming football game)
- Saturday, Oct. 9: 9am-1pm
- Saturday, November 6: 9am-1pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
