Prediction Time

We predict that Mark Fredisdorf will ride a Burr Ridge school bus route tomorrow morning. He likes to greet parents and politic shake hands at each stop.

Will he break tradition this year and ride the school bus in Countryside or maybe Willow Springs? We doubt it. He's got prioritites ya know!

“We learn more by looking for the answer to a question and not finding it than we do from learning the answer itself.” ~ Lord Alexander

http://videocontestnews.com/2011/08/04/chevy-airs-mofilm-made-ad-during-the-all-star-game/

I Am More Than a Test Score

By Timothy D. Slekar
Head of the Division of Education, Human Development and Social Sciences, Penn State Altoona
8/8/11

Dear Mom and Dad,

It's almost back to school time. I've been thinking about the coming year. I know I'm not an expert, but after seven years of going to school, something seems wrong. Don't misunderstand me. I love seeing my friends and I can't wait for football season, but I'm just not looking forward to sitting in a classroom again. I mean it's been seven years and it seems like every year it just keeps getting worse. I'm not sure how to explain it, so I thought I would just list the things that I am talking about -- what I prefer and what I prefer not to

I prefer to engage in real learning.
I prefer not to spend the first five months of school preparing for tests.

I prefer to have gym, art and music classes.
I prefer not to sit and listen all day long.

I prefer to look forward to going to school.
I prefer not to get nervous when I'm in school.

I prefer to read interesting books and go on field trips that help me connect what I'm learning in school.
I prefer not to spend most of my time on boring math and reading assignments mostly preparing for tests.

I prefer to have teachers that are allowed to teach more than just to the test.
I prefer not to have my teachers be afraid to teach.

I prefer to have assignments that are interesting, hands on, help me discover, make me ask questions, and allow me to be proud of my work.
I prefer not to dread going to school.

I prefer to have the materials, books, equipment and technology I need in all of my classes.
I prefer not to have so many students in my classes that I become a number.

I prefer to take the tests my teachers make -- ones that grade me on my abilities, efforts and participation.
I PREFER NOT TO TAKE STANDARDIZED TESTS!

There's more but I think you get the gist. I'm hoping that you will help me take the dread out of school this year. I have heard people talking and they say that only parents can make a difference. Will you please do something? Can you talk to my friends' parents and see if they will help? I need you, my teachers need you, we can't make the changes needed without your help. I can't take one more year of being treated like a test score.

Love,

Your child.

P.S. I almost forgot to ask. Can our school be like the one President Obama's daughters attend? I saw him talking about how they don't spend the year preparing for tests. That would be so cool.

Shout Out to Mrs. Washburn!

Mrs. Washburn instills a love of the arts in many students. Thanks to her for believing in kids and their artistic abilities. This video features one of her former students that shared her passion for creativity.

Report finds 2 of 4 tests in ACT poor predictors of college success

07/19/2011

Report finds 2 of 4 tests in ACT poor predictors of college success

By Jay Mathews

   If you are among the growing number of students who have taken or plan to take the ACT college entrance test, pay attention. An independent analysis of results in Ohio has concluded that two of the ACT’s four subject tests — Reading and Science — are lousy predictors of college success and should be ignored by admissions officers.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/class-struggle/post/report-finds-2-of-4-tests-in-act-poor-predictors-of-college-success/2011/07/19/gIQAOiPFOI_blog.html#pagebreak

Paging Glenda Gallisath....

Glenda Gallisath please report to the admin. building.

Makes Us Wonder

Goodbye and good luck to Ms. Collins...

After one short year, Pleasantdale Middle School is looking for another gifted teacher. Does it make you wonder why new teachers don't last very long at Pleasantdale?

Gifted/Language Arts Teacher Grades 5-8	JobID: 108
Position Type:
Middle School Teaching/Language Arts
Date Posted:   7/21/2011
Location:   Pleasantdale Middle School
Date Available:   08/24/2011

PFA Still Going Strong

State Board of Education to help fund more than 900 preschool programs

State awards $269.7 million to serve 77,500 children across the state

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced today it has awarded $269.7 million in preschool grants to help fund about 936 programs serving 3- to 5-year-olds across the state in Fiscal Year 2012. The state funds, part of the Early Childhood Block Grant, will help prepare about 77,500 children for kindergarten and beyond.

“A good early childhood program gives children, especially those from low income families, a better chance to succeed in the classroom and in life,” said State Superintendent of Education Christopher A. Koch. “We know that young children are eager to learn and these funds will go a long way toward developing their innate love for learning.”

Chicago Public Schools receives 37 percent of the Early Childhood Block Grant and determines which district schools and local agencies to approve for funding. This year, CPS approved 478 schools or agency centers to serve about 24,500 children.

Members of the ISBE staff and outside experts reviewed and scored 554 proposals from agencies and districts outside Chicago and approved 458 for funding in FY 2012. Reviewers took into consideration each program’s performance on previous grants and student demographics. In addition to considering programs of high quality, priority was given to those sites that serve a largely low-income population as well as those that serve a high percentage of Hispanic and African American children.

“Research shows that investment in our youngest learners is paying off by giving them a solid educational foundation, which they do carry forward,” said Illinois State Board of Education Chairman Gery J. Chico. “As we are challenged financially, we have to ensure that our investment in early childhood learning is targeted appropriately, focusing on children who need this extra preparation.”

Preschool grants have previously been awarded through a re-application process but for the first time in more than 20 years, the ISBE requested competitive bids for all programs in Fiscal Year 2012 to ensure that declining state resources serve the children most at risk of academic failure. Such at-risk children can include English Language Learners and children from low income families. The Early Childhood Block Grant has seen a decline in state funds of about $23 million since Fiscal Year 2008.

In addition to the preschool programs, funds from the Early Childhood Block Grant go toward services for the families of newborns to 3-year-olds.

The following districts have been awarded funds under the state’s Early Childhood Block grant for preschool programs in 2012:http://www.isbe.net/news/2011/pdf/12_PFA_3-5_RFP_Recommendations.pdf

Pleasantdale School District 107 Board of Education Meeting 06-15-2011

Parts 1 through 5 of 18. More to be posted later.

It's Part Of The Family

Congratulations to Pleasantdale alumni John and Tony Scaletta on their award winning commercial titled "It's Part of the Family" that aired on national television during the Major League Baseball All-Star game earlier tonight!



This commercial is the latest in a string of award winning commercials written and produced by Motion Source Video Solutions of LaGrange, IL.

America's Future: The Inside Story: This Week: Bubble-Torture for the Kiddies

America's Future: The Inside Story: This Week: Bubble-Torture for the Kiddies: "As we all know, last week was the dreaded State ELA exam. My observations were as follows: *Students were completely whacked out right bef..."

Consent Agenda Causes Dissent

http://burrridge.patch.com/articles/district-86-consent-agenda-draws-dissent

A Mirror Image of D107

http://burrridge.patch.com/articles/differences-apparent-at-first-meeting-of-new-d86-board

“People who are a disfavored faction on a school board are often deprived access to the documents that they need to do their job,” Clint Krislov

Pleasantdale School District 107 Board of Education Meeting 05-18-2011

Board Member Wants Personal Email Address on School Site

“It is my experience that constituents are more comfortable when in direct contact with me—rather than having to rely upon an intermediary system outside our control...."

http://burrridge.patch.com/articles/board-member-wants-personal-email-address-on-d86-site

Today is your day!

Congratulations!


Today is your day.

You’re off to Great Places!

You’re off and away!



You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself any direction you choose.

You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the person who’ll decide where to go.     ~ Dr. Suess


Congratulations to Pleasantdale's Class of 2011!

Quote of the Day...

"More people would learn from their mistakes if they weren't so busy denying them."

~ Harold J. Smith

Pleasantdale Superintendent Highest Paid Per Student

The New Math: Adding up a Superintendent's Salary

Patch explains all the elements that go into a school superintendent's compensation.

By Michael Adain Carroll | May 17, 2011

Education funding remains one of the singularly most debated public policy issues of the day, with salary and benefits headlining the discussion. Patch surveyed 12 local school districts to shed some light on just how much our superintendents are being paid.

http://lagrange.patch.com/articles/the-new-math-adding-up-a-superintendents-salary-9#c