WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL!
We are pleased to welcome back 465 students to our school for the 2008-2009 school year.
The school lunch program from Ceres Food Group is getting rave reviews from students and parents alike. Lunch selections for October are due on Monday, September 15. To ensure accurate meal counts, please turn in your lunch selection forms on Monday.
WHAT IS PBIS?
Positive Behavior Interventions & Support is a research-based, school-wide approach to management that has been implemented in schools state-wide and nationally. The approach includes developing a matrix of common behavioral expectations that are taught and modeled for students. These guidelines are taught using "cool tools" lessons where teachers and students role play the proper behaviors.
At Harrison School, our matrix focuses on the "A, B, C's of Harrison" which are:
- Act Responsibly
- Be Respectful
- Care about Safety
Keeping these ideas central to our PBIS matrix, we are able to identify A, B, C's in the halls, at lunch, on the playground, and throughout the building. With these expectations in place, we're able to acknowledge students for their positive choices. In addition to an improved climate within Harrison School, this approach enhances our staff's ability to spend additional minutes on instruction. Please ask your children to share what they've learned. Improved behavior = increased achievement!
Click these links to see more:
13 NEW FACES AT HARRISON SCHOOL DISTRICT #36 in 2008-2009
13 new faces will greet us at Harrison School when we return this fall.
| Cathy Coffey |
District/Board of Education Secretary |
| Nicole (Nikki) Shea |
Front Office/Principal Secretary |
| Denese Anderson |
Library Teacher |
| Nicholas C. Heckel |
Dean of Students |
| Suzie Volkmar |
Physical Education/Athletic Director |
| Scott Graczyk |
Physical Education/Health |
| Jennifer Lachel |
First Grade Teacher |
| Stefanie Johnson |
Second Grade Teacher |
| Heidi Boyer |
Sixth Grade LD Resource Teacher |
| Kathleen Mitchell |
Music Teacher/Band Director |
| Pat Jaglowski |
SEDOM Speech/Language Pathologist |
| Annette Hall |
Paraprofessional |
| Sheri McCue |
Paraprofessional |
THANK YOU, PTO for a FUN "WELCOME BACK" PICNIC
THANK YOU to the Harrison PTO for sponsoring a successful "Welcome Back to School Picnic." This successful event provided families an opportunity to tour the newly renovated school, take a peek into classrooms, and participate in several fun events such as meeting an alpaca, completing a scavenger hunt, and guessing how many smileys are in the front office. The PTO did a wonderful job organizing this fun event.
New Illinois Law Requires Student Eye Examinations
A new law, effective January 1, 2008, requires eye examinations of Illinois students. The official state form will be included in registration packets. The state will also provide additional details as to the qualifications of the doctor completing this exam.
All children enrolling in kindergarten after January 1, 2008, and children enrolling for the first time in a public, private, or parochial school after January 1, 2008, must have an eye examination and present proof of the eye examination to the school before October 15th of the school year. If not, the school may hold the child's report card.
Physicals Required for all entering 6th Graders in 2008-2009
Public Act 95-0422 (SB 937) amends the School Code (105 ILCS 5/27-8.1) by changing the physical examination requirement for students from "prior to entering 5th grade" to "prior to entering 6th grade".
Both the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) acknowledge that because the 2007-2008 school year has already commenced, this legislative change would be burdensome to families of Illinois school children, as well as schools. After conferring with the legislative sponsors, it has been determined that the enforcement of the 6th grade physical examination requirement will be deferred until the 2008-2009 school year.
SCHOOL BUDGET
The Harrison Elementary School District #36 adopted 2007-08 Budget is available on our website; www.hsd36.org. Budget process for 2008-2009 is underway with an overview of the budget hearing planned for the September 9, 2008 Board of Education meeting.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Harrison is using the Honeywell Instant Alert system to notify parents of transportation related events or emergency closings. If you see the school phone number on your caller ID system, it is a good possibility that the system was attempting to phone you. If you have an answering machine, the system will leave a message. Soon, you'll receive instructions as to how you can sign up to customize your alert messages. You may add cell phone numbers or e-mail addresses to personalize your contacts. Please look for instructions in a letter format.