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Parents and teachers meet in Beecher  Share
Early November brought about cooler weather and the traditional Beecher district Parent Teacher Conferences. The elementary school saw 97% of parents at these meetings; whereas, just over 50% of junior high parents met with teachers, equating to a decrease of 60 parents visiting BJHS. High school teachers spoke with parents of 126 of the 396 students, which means only 32% of students were represented at conferences Ð a slight increase over last year. BHS Principal Brian Wright asked the school board for suggestions on how to increase the parent/teacher contact ratio. Richard Krabbe, school board member, recommended better advertisement. Further discussion proposed using the AlertNow System to inform and remind parents of the event. Beecher Schools Superintendent George Obradovich said tentative levies will show a 5% increase. The finance committee based this estimate on 2009 assessments. The 5% levy is below the threshold which requires newspaper advertisement or a hearing. The elementary school's masonry repairs which, were completed in early fall, successfully withstood the rains. However, the high school required some roof repair.
The Mobile Dentist visited BES and provided services to 13 students. BES continues to stress flu prevention, using public service announcements, scheduled handwashing, daily cleaning of desks, and strict enforcement of the fever/illness policy. Although absences are slightly higher than usual, they have decreased from a couple of weeks ago. Obradovich added that the district is experiencing extra costs associated with flu prevention. A substitute custodian has been working additional hours to disinfect classrooms. Additionally, the vendor who supplied soap for the 55 rinse-free hand sanitizers throughout BES has exhausted its stock of the liquid soap. The district was forced to replace dispensers since no other sources of the correct size soap bags could be found. As of November 9, the Beecher district PTA has dissolved. However, the PTO will provide similar services with many of the same volunteers. PTA required dues to be paid to support the agenda of this national organization. The decision was made to become a PTO because it is locally based and all donations are voluntary. The seventh grade Beecher girls basketball team will again host the regional tournament which starts on Saturday, November 21. The eighth grade tournament will be hosted by Richland Junior High, beginning December 1. The high school is working with the Professional Development Alliance in Joliet to write a comprehensive school improvement plan (SIP). Due to adequate yearly progress (AYP) math scores not being met for the second consecutive year, many components to the process to create the SIP must be approved by the Illinois State Board of Education. Although the plan will not be approved until January, due to this lengthy process, Wright assured the board that proposed strategies will be implemented at the high school as soon as possible. Congratulations to the November Seniors of the Month: Staci Biesterfeld and Luke Messing! With a packed gymnasium, the music department performed its annual Concert for the Hungry. More important, a tremendous amount of food was donated for area food pantries. ''Santa's Big Trouble'' will be performed by the drama club on December 3-4. Elementary students will view the performance at the Community Hall on December 4. Beecher High School's Homecoming week is December 7-11, culminating in the homecoming basketball game and dance on Friday. Past valedictorians have been invited back for homecoming and will enjoy a tour of the building and a cake reception for the unveiling of the Academic Wall of Fame. Each valedictorian will be honored during halftime of the varsity basketball game. Dawn Wolf is a reporter for Russell Publications.
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