Amboy School Board members sworn in, new meeting location for the coming year

BY BONNIE MORRIS, Editor
Posted 5/6/19

AMBOY – With a final vote count received from the Lee County Election Authority, the highest number of votes were received by incumbent board members, Jason Leffelman, Nichole Stenzel and Nicole Jones. They were sworn in to serve four-year terms on the District 272 Board of Education during the board’s regular meeting on April 25.

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Amboy School Board members sworn in, new meeting location for the coming year

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AMBOY – With a final vote count received from the Lee County Election Authority, the highest number of votes were received by incumbent board members, Jason Leffelman, Nichole Stenzel and Nicole Jones. They were sworn in to serve four-year terms on the District 272 Board of Education during the board’s regular meeting on April 25.

Rory White was appointed to fill the remaining open board seat and was also sworn in during the meeting. He will serve until the next regular election. Following the swearing in, the board recognized Nathan Hummel for his service on the board.

Board officers were then selected. Nicole Jones will continue as board president, Carol Schnaiter will be vice president and Katie Pratt will serve as secretary.

School board meeting dates and times were determined. Due to the upcoming construction project at Amboy High School, meetings for the coming year will take place at Central School. Meetings will begin at 7 p.m. on the following dates: Thursday, May 16; Thursday, June 13; Tuesday, July 16; Thursday, Aug. 15; Thursday, Sept. 12; Tuesday, Oct. 22; Tuesday, Nov. 12; Thursday, Dec. 12; Thursday, Jan. 23; Thursday, Feb. 20; Thursday, March 19; Thursday, April 23 (Amboy Junior High School). The board retreat will be on Saturday, March 7.

PRINCIPALS’ REPORTS

Amboy High SchoolPrincipal Janet Crownhart congratulated April Student of the Month Kelsey Stewart.

Curriculum and School Improvement

  • TheClippers,SetSail!andBuildingLeadershipteamsmetonApril 16 They focused on students of concern, classroom accommodations, and freshman field trips.
  • School Improvement day was held April 8. Teachers worked in their classrooms on technology, Google classroom and Google sites.
  • SAT testing was held on April 9, PSAT 10 on April 10, and PSAT 9 on April 11. The science test was held on April 15 for all biologystudents.
  • The Agriculture Department received a National FFA “Grants for Growing” grant. These funds will be used for lockers in the metals shop and new tables in the classroom.

School Activities

  • Clippers Set Sail teachers took 26 freshmen to Northern Illinois University on April 10.
  • The FFA banquet was held April 14 with 98 members and guests in attendance.
  • Nine FFA members attended the National Agriculture Safety Alliance meeting at SVCC on April 4.
  • Spanish Honor Society induction ceremony was April 14.
  • Spanish Honor Society held an Easter egg hunt on April 13.
  • FFA Section 2 officer elections were held April 16. Margaret Vaessen will serve as president and Ashley Althaus as vice president for the section next year.

Building Activities

  • A severe weather drill was conducted on April5.
  • FFA Ag Day was held April 12 with a petting zoo and tractors. Central students were invited to come and see the animals andtractors.
  • A fire drill was conducted with the Amboy Fire Department on April16.
  • The maintenance department worked on the fire doors to get them dropping properly after the firedrill.

Principal Andrew Full, Amboy Junior High

Curriculum and School Improvement

  • During SIP Day on April 8,the ELA Curriculum Team (comprised of teachers from grades K-8) worked with Anji Garza from the ROE to begin discussions on curriculum changes. The Special Education Department had a meeting with Christina Southwick from OCEC and the remainder of the teachers were given time to work on curriculum and end of yearplans.
  • On April 10, the Math Curriculum Team (comprised of teachers from grades K-8) worked with Anji Garza to begin discussions on curriculumchanges.
  • On April 9, the Targeted School Improvement Team met at SVCC for training. They worked on figuring out a time line as to when they wanted to complete certainprojects.
  • On April 16, the Targeted School Improvement Team worked with Anji Garza to discuss RtI plans for the upcomingyear.

PBIS

  • On March 22, the PBIS Team held the 3rdquarter incentive celebration. Students were able to view a movie of their choice and students who did not receive any discipline referrals were given a Powerade andpopcorn.

School Activities

  • On April 1an assembly was held during 9thhour to remind students to charge their Chromebooks, get plenty of rest, and eat a good breakfast on testing days.
  • Students took the IAR (Illinois Assessment of Readiness) on April 2, 4 and 10.
  • On April 18, the 8thgrade went on a field trip to Springfield and visited Lincoln’s Tomb, the Capitol Building, and LincolnMuseum.
  • Jr. Beta’s Dime Wars ended with AJHS raising $160.50. The 8thgrade raised the highest amount ($91.10) and receiveddonuts for their efforts.

Principal Joyce Schamberger, Central Elementary

School Improvement

  • Illinois Assessment of Readiness testing for grades 3 and 4 arecompleted.
  • Preschool screening was April 16 and 17. Schamberger said the preschool has 26 spots, which are almost all filled.
  • Kindergarten registration for the 2019-20 school year was held April 24. Currently, about 56 students are expected to enroll.
  • The ELA committee met with Anji Garza on April 8and 29to discuss curriculum changes that areneeded.
  • The Math committee met April 11to discuss curriculumchanges.
  • The RTI team of teachers met with each grade level to discuss student growth and students concerns. Interventions were discussed anddocumented.

PBIS

  • The Fourth Quarter PBIS Incentive for Central School will celebrate the end of the school year with a track and field day on Thursday, May 30.
  • The All School Awards assembly will be on Wednesday, May 29.
  • Central will celebrate PBIS with an ice cream party on Friday, May 31, which is the last day ofschool.

School Activities

  • The first grade participated in a 911 program on April 4. Students learned when to call, what to do when they are on the phone with a dispatcher and how to use various types oftelephones.
  • All students enjoyed the Amboy FFA Petting Zoo on April12.
  • Central School will celebrate their end of the year Book-It party on May 28 by watching amovie.
  • Central School’s Best Attendance for February was the fourth grade with 95.7 percent. They earned a snack sponsored by theP.T.C.
  • Fifth grade orientation is scheduled for 6 p.m. on May 1 at the junior high. Thisis for parents and 4thgrade students who will attend AJHS nextyear.
  • April 23was the last Central School PTC meeting.

OTHER BUSINESS

The board approved the lease proposal from Midwest Transit Equipment, Inc. for a three-year lease for four 2018 72-passenger school buses.

PERSONNEL

Following closed session, the board accepted the resignations of Kalene Bantz as 5th grade teacher, effective at the end of the 2018-19 school year, and Thomas Frank as physical education and health teacher, as of April 12.

The next regular meeting will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 16 at Central School. Board meetings will continue being held at Central School for the coming year.