Quincy Public School District #172

NEWS & EVENTS

5-19-05

“FUND OUR SCHOOLS” CAMPAIGN
STOPS IN QUINCY

The Fund Our Schools statewide tour made its fourth stop Tuesday afternoon at the Baldwin School. Chicago Public Schools Chief Executive Officer Arne Duncan was greeted by Quincy School District Superintendent Tom Leahy at Baldwin School, where they spotlighted Quincy’s funding needs. Others speakers at the rally included Washington Principal Trish Viniard, QHS Dean of Students and Football Coach Randy Dickens, President of Quincy PTA Council Jayne Brown, QHS Senior Sam Dickhut, Director of Music Kathi Dooley and campaign manager Bindu Batchu.

The “Fund Our Schools” campaign is organized by CPS and the Illinois Large Unit District Association (LUDA), which consists of the 54 largest school districts in the state. LUDA’s leadership has unanimously passed a resolution calling on the state to increase school funding by $600 million, restore the $550 million school-construction program, and work toward long-term funding reform. Illinois ranks 49th in the nation in terms of the share of education funding that comes from the state. Mr. Duncan stated, “This is a problem that’s not limited to one area or one type of school district. It’s a statewide problem, and it’s at a crisis level. Duncan added, “Everywhere we go, we’ll hear the same story: School budgets are tight; teachers are being laid off, class size is growing; and vital programs are being cut. Our children deserve better than this. Education is society’s most important obligation — and the State of Illinois must accept its responsibility to our children and to taxpayers. The state must realize that underfunding education guarantees more of our kids will fail and more of our kids will end up in prison—where they’ll cost taxpayers $30,000 a year. So we can spend a little now or a lot later. And simply saying, ‘We tried,’ is not good enough.”

The “Fund Our Schools” rally was attended by parents, students, staff and community leaders who support school funding reform. For more information on the “Fund Our Schools” campaign, visit their website: fundourschoolsil.com.

JOHN S. TIGNOR
BERRIAN SCHOOL
CHARITABLE TRUST

The John S. Tignor Berrian School Charitable Trust was established in 2005 by teachers and friends in honor of Mr. Tignor, Principal of Berrian School from 1999, when Berrian reopened as an elementary school, until his promotion in 2005 as Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services for Quincy Public Schools. The Trust was set up to honor a man who has done so much for so many and to show gratitude for his many contributions to Berrian students, staff and community.

To be eligible for this award, the recipient must meet the following:

· Completed 3rd grade at Berrian (since 1999)

· Graduate of QHS

· Further study in college or accredited vocational school.

· Good citizenship in all activities

· Submit recommendation from two teachers or employer

· Exhibit the need for financial aid

· Acceptance of the applicant at the school chosen by the applicant

The applicant will receive a monetary award determined by the Trustees of the Charitable Trust. Donations will be accepted at any time. Donations may be sent to Berrian School—make checks out to the John Tignor Charitable Trust

READING INITIATIVE

Assistant Superintendent Carol Mickle introduced principals Paul Saunders, Anne Cashman, Carol Frericks, Christie Dickens, and Jill Reis whose teachers have completed the first year of training and implementation as part of the district Reading Initiative. The Reading Initiative is a systemic effort to improve reading, writing, and content performance for all groups of district students (K-12). The trainees have participated in two intensive, research-based professional development opportunities to improve student learning and/or provide ongoing support for teachers. Implementation of the Reading Initiative required teacher, principal, school, and district commitment. Carol indicated that teacher/principal teams from four additional schools (Adams, Madison, Monroe, and Washington) have been established and will join current schools (Berrian, Dewey, Irving, Ellington, and Baldwin) in attending the Comprehensive Literacy Institute August 1-5, 2005, with Dr. Linda Dorn. A total of 170 teachers from nine Quincy schools will participate in this Institute as part of a team with their principal.

The following Intervention Specialists and Literacy Coaches were recognized: Mary Christensen, Milicent Dempsey, Evelyn Hollander, Carmel Kuhlman, Kim Mast, Erica Maynard, Rose Platt, Linda Saunders, Marilyn Smith, and Julie Stratman.

Board President Tom Dickerson acknowledged each teacher’s commitment to their professional growth by presenting them with a recognition plaque. Board Members Curtis Lovelace and Carol Nichols commented on their observation of the training. Superintendent Leahy thanked the staff for their efforts.

Carol Mickle thanked the teachers, principals, Board of Education and the Quincy Foundation for Quality Education for their support of the Reading Initiative. The Reading Initiative has already produced results for first year students and staff participants.

QJHS ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION NAMED

The Board appointed Cynthia Crow as the assistant principal of curriculum and instruction at Junior High for the 2005-2006 school year. She replaces Diane Glaub who has been named principal. Cynthia has taught English for 15 years, most recently in the Hannibal School District.