AMBOY — Mother Nature has been throwing a wrench into regularly scheduled monthly meetings. The Amboy school board set to meet on Feb. 16, met a week later due to the ice storm. Under Principal Reports. Central School Joyce Schamberger shared that on a recent School Improvement Plan day, all specially trained credentialed educational workers were given instruction on strategies for the classroom including executive functioning, social thinking, and academic support. During the monthly school assembly SIP awards were handed out for the Starfish student of the week. Book it reading goals for the month will be celebrated on Feb. 28. Those students that met their reading goals will participate in an art project.

Junior High Principal Andrew Full said that on Jan. 23, a spelling bee was held and the winner was Parker Zimmerly. On the same day, the math department hosted the first family math night. The ceramic kilns in the art room were given an update by Chicago Kiln Service. On Feb. 2, Jostens visited and assisted with eighth grade gowns. On Feb. 10, the student council hosted a Valentine’s Day Dance. 

High School Principal Janet Crownhart stated that on Feb. 3, Emma Dinges, and Ethan Pratt spoke to members of ROE 47, AITC, and the Lee County Farm bureau about their supervised agricultural experiences and answered questions about FFA. FFA members Sam Nauman, Natalie Pratt, Grace Althaus, Anna Carlson, Brysen Full, Dillion Merriman, and Taylor Huggins attended the Ground Zero Conference at Western Illinois University back on Feb. 3and 4. 

Western Illinois University, UW Platville, the Army National Guard, and Marines have been paying visits during student lunch hours to provide information and answer any questions. In the “homeroom” a social and emotional learning lesson for this month focused on how to respond to peer pressures of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. Students also completed a Bike Safety quiz through Ride Illinois. 

In other board news; two motions were presented and passed, first, to accept the quote from OSF Saint Paul Medical Center, in Mendota, for drug and alcohol testing services. Second, to approve the Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement between the Board of Education of Amboy CUSD 272, the BOE of Ohio CHSD 505, and the BOE of LaMoille CHSD to consolidate baseball, softball, and girl’s basketball for grades 9-12 for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years.

The board hired a new Central Elementary School Principal for when Schamberger retires at the end of this school year. Jessica Meusel will take over July 1.