Pages - Curriculum

GENERAL CURRICULUM

Harrison School follows all state mandated requirements regarding the regular education curriculum and subject areas are designed to meet the State Learning Standards. At each grade students will cover Reading, Language, Writing, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Spelling. Students also participate in Physical Education/Health, Music, Art, Technology & Library work. Copies of Harrison School’s curriculum guide is available upon request to the administration.

The curriculum may contain certain topics/activities that the parent may find objectionable and the pupil shall not be required to take that portion of the course if the parent submits written objection to the building principal regarding recognizing and avoiding sexual abuse, suicide, certain activites/course based on religious beliefs, and sex education/family life courses.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

ART
Students receive Art instruction as a component of the regular educational program. Weekly instruction is given in a setting of exploration and hands-on problem solving. The goal of our Art program is to enhance both individual expression and responsibility to community.

MUSIC Students receive music instruction as a part of their educational program. Weekly instruction for elementary grades and exploratory courses in middle school years is offered to enhance the knowledge and appreciation of music.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION
All elementary students are required by law to participate in a regular physical education program. Only confirmed medical excuses will be recognized as a reason not to participate. Proper attire is necessary and includes non-marking gym shoes. Dark soled gym shoes are discouraged - please purchase white-soled shoes. A pair of shoes should be housed at school to be used only for Gym classes.

TECHNOLOGY All students in Kindergarten through 8th grade receive instruction in using computers. Harrison is a dual platform school offering students experience in both a Mac and PC environment. Computer instruction is geared to the age of the child and instruction is designed to help students become technologically sound by the time they leave Harrison School. Lessons include computer-based skill building as well as content-linked projects.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR PROGRAMS

ATHLETIC PROGRAMS
Inter-school competitive programs are available for 6,7,8 grade boys and girls (basketball, soccer, volleyball and track). Schedules are made available for all events and will be distributed throughout the year. A current physical exam will be necessary for each athlete every year she/he participates in any portion of the program including cheerleading. Students must maintain certain academic and behavioral standards to remain eligible throughout the school year. All athletic registration fees will be due just prior to participation in the particular sport.

BAND
There are two levels of band instruction available at Harrison: Beginner and Symphonic. Students may choose to participate in band beginning in the 5th grade.

CHORUS
The chorus program at Harrison is focused primarily on singing and performance of vocal music. Because the emphasis is slightly different than in a classroom music setting, students have a better opportunity to develop their singing and performance skills. Students in grades 4 - 8 may participate in chorus.

DRAMA CLUB
Drama Club is currently offered as an after school program to 6-7-8th grade students during the spring semester. It last approximately 3-months and during this time students learn the basics of public speaking, acting, and voice projection and pitch. In the years that the production is sponsored, the drama club puts on a play for the school and the Wonder Lake Community.

SOCIAL WORKER A full-time Social Worker is on staff at Harrison School to meet the needs of students in 1st though 8th grades who are dealing with some sort of difficulty in their lives that impacts their classroom learning (death of a family member, divorce, separation of parents, etc.). The Social Worker meets with students as needed as well as organizing student groups to address specific needs. The Social Worker serves as the District's Homeless Liaison.

ENVIRONMENTAL CLUB
Environmental Club meets on a regular basis throughout the school year and is open to students in 3rd through 8th grade. Participants in environmental club do a variety of activities and projects to help promote a clean and safe environment for all forms of life.

STUDENT COUNCIL
Student Council is offered to students in 6th through 8th grade that are interested in learning more about government and how it works. Student council meets regularly to make decisions and plan projects to support Harrison School and the surrounding communities.

ACADEMIC TEAM
Academic team is open to all 8th grade students who are interested in representing Harrison School in the countywide academic bowl. Students who are interested are selected for the team based on a score they receive on a test they are given for this purpose.

SPELLING BEE
Each year students have the opportunity to participate in the school spelling bee. The winner of the school spelling bee will represent Harrison School in the countywide Spelling Bee. The countywide Spelling Bee is designed for middle school students.

SPECIAL EDUCATION

SPECIAL EDUCATION
District needs are met either in house or by our membership in S.E.D.O.M. Qualifications for students receiving special education services are established by the State of Illinois and administered by the district pupil personnel team. Some District 36 students with special needs are serviced in locations other than Harrison.

LD RESOURCE SERVICES
Harrison School works with a Response to Scientifically-Based Intervention (RtI) system in the areas of Liteacy and Numeracy acquisition. As your child works within the regular curriculum, he or she is given support that will help him or her make progress at their instructional pace. Additional intervention and supports are provided as needed. If your child is not progressing as anticipated or is not responding to interventions, you will be contacted as a member of the Problem Solving Team which will establish additional goals and benchmarks for your child. This data then becomes part of the LD Resource Referral Process. Should you feel your son/daughter is in need of these or other special services, contact the Principal or your child's teachers for procedures to refer your child for additional services. Referrals may originate from staff or parents. A psychologist, social worker, speech specialist and others from S.E.D.O.M. serve our students and staff on a part-time basis.

PRE-KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM
FOR STUDENTS AT RISK
This is a grant based program. The successful, model program is offered to our community pending annual state funding. Eligibility is based on test scores, teacher observation, speech and language assessments, and information from parent questionnaires. Some of our academic goals are for the children to: know shapes and colors, identify and write their name, recognize numbers 1 to 10, and demonstrate an understanding of one-to-one correspondence. The curriculum is based on the individual child and the needs of that child. We strive to have the children ready academically as well as socially for kindergarten. If you have a three or four year old, call the school ASAP to set up a screening appointment.

EMERGENCY DRILLS
Fire, tornado, bus and emergency school evacuation drills will be conducted throughout the year to conform to state law and to inform students of proper procedures for emergency situations. Lockdown procedures will also be reviewed. These drills are of a serious nature, as life is very precious. Safety shall remain a high priority in our school!