Rock Island-Milan Lines - Rock Island/Milan School District #41

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Oct 27, 2016 - ... go to our member webpage at https://theriea.wordpress.com ... RIHS Auditorium. Dec. 12th—Rock Islan
Amie Schwellenbach’s class at Rock Island Academy painted pumpkins to honor and celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

Rock Island-Milan Lines 27 October 2016

Superintendent’s Message Second quarter has started off this week with record speed! Many learning activities are underway to help each student accomplish their dream. Every employee is a part of the continuous improvement process. You may not feel your efforts are important. However, if even one employee accepts the status quo without any effort to make improvements, the entire effort can fail.

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The only way we are going to accomplish our mission “to prepare high achieving college and career ready global citizens” is to continually improve in our daily work. It doesn’t have to be anything monumental - even the small enhancements can lead the way to improving practices. Leveraging our strengths to expand our skills and experiences will lead to higher levels of success. It is hard to stay positive when there is negative reaction and feedback across the nation in regards to standardized testing and other influences that have an impact on our school district. Some days it is very hard, however the bottom line is the dedication we have to our students, and the knowledge that we will work together to find solutions. We will keep improving one step at a time.









Aspiring Administrator Program Nov. 2 BLOOD DRIVE Nov. 3 Rock Island Academy 7:30-10:30 a.m. FALL PLAY Rock Island High School Little Theatre Nov. 3-5 FALL BACK Daylight Saving Time Ends Sunday, November 6 VOTE – November 8!

Send your information to Communication Director Holly Sparkman at [email protected] by end of business on Wednesday for inclusion into each Weekly Edition of the Rock Island-Milan Lines.

OPEN ENROLLMENT WINDOW FOR HEALTH BENEFITS UNTIL OCT. 31 The open enrollment period for health insurance through BlueCross/BlueShield of Illinois is the month of Oct. 1 - 31 (with effective date of Nov. 1). Please remember the spousal carve out District employees’ spouses who are offered insurance through their employer can no longer be on the district’s family plan. If you have any questions please feel free to contact the HR Office and talk to Brandy Carter at x204. Health Insurance Premium Single Plan: $52.16 per check ($104.32 per month) Family Plan: $150.17 per check ($300.34 per month) Employee +1: $124.29 per check ($248.58 per month) REMINDER - If you are on the Rock Island-Milan School District health insurance and you have any life change event... stop and ask yourself: “Do I need to notify anyone?” If the answer is “yes,” then call RIMSD Human Resources office. You have 30 days from the date of the qualifying event to notify RIMSD of a divorce, birth, marriage, adoption or job loss to make changes to your health insurance coverage. Call Brandy Carter in the HR Office, 309-793-5900 x204.

RIMSD #41 Employees Eligible for Homebuyer Program The Rock Island-Milan School District is a member of the LiveWork program in Rock Island offered by the Development Association of Rock Island. Live-Work Rock Island is an employer-assisted housing program that assists eligible employees in purchasing a home in the city limits with down payment and closing costs. The average household receives $5,500 in assistance. Eligible homebuyers are granted up to 3 percent of the home's price for down-payment assistance and up to $1,500 closing costs. Employees of RIMSD #41 can take advantage of this program! So far this school year there have been two RIMSD team members to get a house through Live-Work Rock Island! To be eligible, the homebuyer must work for an eligible member of the Development Association of Rock Island, or DARI; contribute $1,000 to the transaction; and can earn up to 120 percent of the area median income. To apply, visit LiveRI.com for an application or call 309-788-6311.

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SHOUT OUTS! Read below about the amazing things RIMSD #41 Teachers and Staff are doing for our schools and students!

TO: Carol Pressly, Rock Island High School From: Valerie Garrison, Rock Island High School Carol Pressly is one of the sweetest faculty members at Rock Island High School! Last year, even though it had been several year since I had taught at Rock Island High School, I still felt relatively new to the district and to the high school. Aside from the people in my department, I hardly knew anyone else on staff. Carol Pressly helped me feel welcome by checking in on me every now and again. With all that teachers are expected to do in this district, it's hard to nurture friendships among the staff. I am grateful that Carol and I were able to eat together at one of our staff lunches, which gave us a chance get to know each other more. Ms. Pressly also makes her ELL students feel welcomed by taking a real interest in them as they adjust, not only to a new school, but to a new country. She honors their homeland while educating them about life here as well. Ms. Pressly's calm demeanor, patience, and kind-heartedness are a tribute to her personality. Carol Pressly is an asset to Rock Island High School and to our district! Way to go Ms. Carol Pressly! You Rock!

TO: Melanie Lloyd, Administration Center From: Krystle Padilla, Washington Jr. High Melanie continues to be as dependable as ever with all the adjustments and questions with TeacherEase. With the district taking on this new initiative, it can be overwhelming. I am beyond appreciative that I can always count on her to give feedback to my questions or concerns in a very timely manner. Thank you Melanie for always being there!

TO: Principal Dennis Weiss, Eugene Field Elementary From: Big fans! Dennis goes over and above not just for our students but the staff, there has been 2 different situations where a staff member has gone to the hospital, not only did he take one but also he stayed at the hospital till the family members arrived. Then continued to follow up to make sure they were ok and wanted to see if anyone needed anything. He is an amazing leader and friend to all.

Feel Good! Give a SHOUT OUT! http://rockislandschools.org/risd/?page_id=4943

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Attention all RIMSD teachers who have a School Administrative License, are finishing the last 3 courses of their administrative program, or are about to start the last 3 classes of a school administrative program – please join us at the RIMSD Aspiring Administrators meeting! Aspiring Administrators is a group of professionals who collaborate and gain valuable hands-on administrative experience in the school district. The meeting is on November 2 at 4:00 p.m. at the Administrative Center. It will begin promptly at 4:00 p.m. and be 45 minutes in length. Questions – call the HR office at 309-793-5900 x205.

Congratulations! Congratulations and Best Wishes to Katie Pokrajac Dennis (RIHS Chemistry & Engineering teacher) and Drew Dennis! They were married Saturday, October 8 in her grandpa's backyard in Moline! Congratulations and Best Wishes to Amanda Lorenz Randolph (RIHS American History Teacher) and Cory Randolph! They were married on Friday, October 7 in Silverthorne, Colorado!

Rock Island County Schools Facility Sales Tax 2016 The 1% Sales Tax for School Facilities in Rock Island County vote will be on the November 8 ballot – and many people have questions about how RIMSD #41 will use the additional $3 million in revenue to improve our school facilities. This week and next, schools will be supplied with informational postcards that can go home to families who need more information about the Rock Island County Schools Facility Sales Tax. If you need additional informational materials, contact Communication Director Holly Sparkman at [email protected]. How much money can the 1% Sales Tax raise for a school district? County-wide proceeds of the 1% sales tax are allocated to school districts based on their student enrollment. The Rock Island-Milan School What can the money be District would receive about $3 million annually from the revenue. used for? 1. New construction Why is the 1% Sales Tax of interest to the Rock Island-Milan School 2. Classroom District? additions & The Rock Island-Milan School District, as is the case with many renovations school districts across the country, is faced with the challenge of aging 3. Land acquisition buildings. The school district owns and maintains 15 school buildings, 4. Ongoing an administration building, a fitness center and the Stadium. These maintenance facilities range in age from the 1910 Thurgood Marshall building to the Rock Island Center for Math & Science completed in 2010. The 5. Access and security average age of RIMSD buildings is 58 years. Over the years, the 6. Parking lots community has been very supportive of Bond Referendums that 7. Roof repairs provided financial resources for the school district to tackle extensive 8. Energy efficiency building projects, however there have still been projects and needs that have been put on hold due to lack of financial resources for facilities. What can’t the money be used for? What types of items are taxed and not taxed? The sales tax effects 1. Salaries and items such as clothing, fast food, electronic items and gas. Items that overhead are not taxed include: unprepared food (groceries), prescriptions and 2. Textbooks over the counter medication, cars, trucks, boats, ATV’s, RV’s, mobile 3. Buses homes, farm equipment/parts and services. 4. Operating costs 5. Furniture A word about property taxes… If the Schools Facility Sales Tax is 6. Movable equipment passed on Nov. 8, property taxes are positively affected in two ways. It reduces the reliance on property taxes to fund facilities in the future, and the school districts in Rock Island County have pledged to eliminate the Life Safety Tax Levy of 5 cents per $100 of assessed value.

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T & L Tip: Staying the Course Nothing is impossible, the word itself says, "I'm Possible!" ~Audrey Hepburn My four kids and I are preparing to run a 5K. They're almost always grouchy when we head out the door, and it all comes down to one thing: Running is hard. Hannah is in the best condition of all of us. She runs fall cross country, winter running club, and summer running club. She doesn't like to push herself, though, so I made this rule: If I pass Hannah, then she is on laundry duty for the day. Stephanie is built like a power forward for the basketball court. She is not built like a runner. Running hurts her toes, ankles, knees . . . and all the other 2,000 parts of her. She had a hard time breathing, too. I took her to the doctor, and they said she has asthma. An inhaler has made the running go better. Breathing makes a big difference in the enjoyment of a run. Jay is a tank. He's running to be better on the football field. He's mentally tough and just keeps going. The problem is he doesn't run a straight line. He weaves. When he weaves, he cuts people off, and it is likely the person behind him will trip. Usually it's Stephanie behind him. Usually she falls flat. Then lies there for too long, yelling at Jay's back that he should run straight. Sam is built like a runner, but is still developing the mental toughness to be a runner. When he's feeling strong, he flies like a bullet train. (That's his analogy, not mine.) When the running is hard, it is likely he'll sit down on the edge of the road and wait for the return trip. I hope I never quit running because, man, it's not fun becoming a runner. I keep telling myself it's going to get easier, but I'm gasping for air and I'm wondering if maybe it's so hard because I'm not in my twenties anymore. Meanwhile, I remember I'm a fellow runner and a mom. It wouldn't be a very good example to collapse, so I encourage instead. Stephanie says, "I'm going to fall over." I say, "I know." Sam says, "My legs are going to fall off." I say, "I know." Hannah says, "I have to slow down." I say, "I know" and, "Have fun doing the laundry." Jay doesn't say anything because tanks don't talk. They just keep going.

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Sometimes the best encouragement is affirmation that this thing we're doing is really hard. I call out the remaining time, and we keep plodding alongside the endless cornfields. At the end of the run, we are all still upright. No one has quit breathing. No legs have fallen off. The kids aren't arguing any more. They smile and laugh. They encourage one another and say thanks for the help. They go again the next time, because the feeling of impossible becoming possible always sticks with a person. It reminds me of facing hard tasks in the classroom. Kids face many challenges that seem impossible. There's stress when we face tasks that we may fail at doing. It's not fun to keep going in the midst of hard. Sometimes all that's needed is affirmation that things feel impossible, but when we keep trying, impossible turns to possible. This week we look at building stamina in young learners. Plus more as always -enjoy!

Ruth Ayres Contributor, Choice Literacy

For sneak peeks at our upcoming features, quotes and extra links, follow Choice Literacy on Twitter:@ChoiceLiteracy or Facebook: http://www.faceboo k.com/ChoiceLiteracy or Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/choiceliterac y/

RIEA Teacher Talk Mindfulness Teaching "Teaching is inherently a stressful occupation, and by many accounts, it's getting more so. Students bring the effects of poverty and trauma into the classroom. Administrators lay on the pressure to meet ever-changing standards. In the last few years, teacher job satisfaction has reportedly plummeted to a 25-year low, and turnover is high - almost 50 percent for new teachers." (Kamenetz). The most recent study (2012-13) based on the participation of 224 teachers and over 5000 students at 36 New York City public elementary schools revealed that teachers who participated in the program Cultivating Awareness and Resilience in Education (CARE) for Teachers demonstrated greater teacher well-being, improved teacher student relationships, and had greater classroom productivity. Here are a few Mindfulness Techniques to try in the Classroom. 1. Calmer Transitions - Have students (and yourself) take three deep breaths inhaling and exhaling quietly and slowly when it is time for a transition to lunch, PE, or Music. Listen for the bell and quietly leave the room. 2. Take 5 - Have students "quietly take note of five things they can see; then shut their eyes and count five things they can hear; then notice five things they are touching." 3. The Peace Corner - "Set up a space in the classroom where children can go to deal with difficult emotions. It might have pillows and be stocked with stuffed animals, calming books or smooth stones. It should be inviting, not feel like a punishment." Resources: Anya Kamenetz, "When Teachers Take a Breath, Students can Bloom" on NPR, August 19, 2016. Research on Cultivating Awareness and Resilience in Education (CARE) through Penn State University with a Grant from the US Dept of Ed. Garrison Institute CARE for Teachers

Teacher Talk is brought to you by the Rock Island Education Association. For more information go to our member webpage at https://theriea.wordpress.com

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The PRIDE of Rock Island Marching Band “Wacked” Up the Awards! The PRIDE of Rock Island High School Marching Band are nearing the end of the Marching Band season. This year's show, "Wacked POE-etic" received numerous accolades and awards in this years competition season: 3rd Place in Class 3A Morton Competition; 2nd Place and Best Color Guard in Class A at Valley Fest in DesMoines (and then 2nd Place Overall and Best Overall Color Guard); 3rd Place Class A in Des Moines Showdown; 2nd Place Class 5A at Marching Illini Festival at University of Illinois. Last weekend they were at the Bands of America Super Regional in St. Louis and placed 12th in the region.

Above: The PRIDE at the Bands of America Super Regional in St. Louis; Below: Stadium digital display at University of Illinois.

The PRIDE will be performing at their last competition this weekend at Western Illinois University, Macomb, on Saturday, Oct. 29 at 8:30 p.m. Congratulations to our Marching Band and Director Pete Carlin and the music department staff on their great season!

The season is near! Below is the line up of Winter Concerts being offered at the elementary, junior high and high school buildings! Don’t miss one of these events! Dec. 6th—Rock Island Center for Math & Science @ 6:00 PM (K-2) Dec. 7th—Rock Island High School Winter Orchestra Concert @ 7:00 PM Dec. 8th— Sixth Grade District Band & Orchestra Concert @ 7:00 PM @ RIHS Auditorium Dec. 12th—Rock Island High School Winter Band Concert @ 7:00 PM Dec. 13th—Washington Music Department Winter Concert @ 7:00 PM Dec. 15th—Longfellow Liberal Arts @ 1:00 (K-6) Dec. 15th—Denkmann Elementary @ 6:00 PM (K-3) and 7:30 PM (4-6) @ RIHS Auditorium Dec. 16th—Rock Island Academy @ 1:00 (K-2) and 2:30 (3-6) Dec. 19th—Frances Willard @ 10:30 (5-6), 1:00 (K-2), 2:00 (3-4) Dec. 19th—Eugene Field @ 2:00 and 6:00 PM (K-3) Dec. 19th—Rock Island High School Winter Choir Concert @ 7:00 PM Dec. 20th—Edison Music Department Winter Concert @ 7:00 PM Dec. 21st—Earl Hanson Elementary @ 9:00 (K-2) and @ 10:00 (3-6) Dec. 21st—Ridgewood Elementary @ 9:00 and 1:00 (K-6)

Suicide Awareness at RIHS On Tuesday, October 25th and Wednesday, Oct. 26 Rock Island High School students had the opportunity to hear Dennis Leigghio from KnowResolve suicide awareness and prevention talk about his life experience with suicide and depression. Liegghio lost his father to suicide when he was 14 and blamed himself for his father’s death due to his last words to his father being in anger. Dennis turned to drugs and alcohol to help him cope with his father’s death. During the assembly, Dennis shared a song he wrote about his experience, titled “Know Resolve,” which was a turning point for him towards healing. The song exemplified his life and focused on the struggles he encountered when losing his father. Dennis also presented some facts and myths about suicide, risk factors and warnings signs, available resources and tips for coping with emotional distress. His tips included writing out your thoughts every day and listing things they are grateful for. Dennis also emphasized doing one thing from the four ways to practice mental health: physical (yoga, walking), mental (puzzles, crosswords), emotional (writing in a journal) and spiritual (listen to music, meditate). He told the students to do one thing from each, and shared that he noticed dramatic improvements after 6 months. Dennis Liegghio was such an inspiration to the students! After the presentation he talked with a lot of the students and was able to give them some advice. Two important numbers to know: Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-8255 Suicide Help Text “START” to 741-741

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~By Chatavia Clark RIMSD #41 Communications Intern

Thank You Royal Ball Run! Anne Holtan and another representative from the Royal Ball Run presented a check to the Rock Island-Milan School District at the Oct. 25 Board of Education meeting in support of programs for students with autism. A $1,000 donation was made to Liz Wayne’s classroom at Washington Junior High and a $500 donation was made to Liz Martin’s classroom at Rock Island High School. Both classrooms will use the money for their Functional Programs.

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Rocky Art Students Present Portfolios Over Fall Break On September 29, 32 students from the Rock Island High School Art program visited with art professors and college admissions representatives at the Figge Art Museum for a portfolio review. The students received feedback about their artwork and heard about possible scholarships or admission information for considering art in college. Some of the colleges included…U of IL, St. Ambrose, Monmouth, Blackhawk, Augustana, Knox College, IL State U, and Western IL. The students also toured the museum, explored downtown Davenport, and cruised the galleries in Bucktown Center for the Arts!

Above :R portfoli ock Island H o revie w w ith igh School A rt college admiss Students in a ions re presen tatives .

WJHS Lights On For Learning Coordinator Wins Award This week Washington Junior High School Lights on for Learning Coordinator Nick Camlin was named as one of the National Afterschool Association’s (NAA) Next Generation of Afterschool 2017 award winners! The award seeks to recognize and highlight emerging professionals who are active in the afterschool community, possess passion, creativity and a commitment to youth! Nick fits the all of the criteria perfectly and he received over 100 nominations from colleagues and peers. Congratulations! Mr. Camlin will be featured in the Winter issue of the NAA’s Magazine and formally recognized at the NAA’s Annual Convention in Dallas, March 19-22.

Rocky “Teens as Teachers”

On October 5th, in observance of National Science Youth Day across the United States, several Rock Island High School “Teens as Teachers” visited their former junior high school, Edison, to teach the Project Lead The Way classrooms about drones and different types of aviation. The theme of the day was “Drone Discovery,” and the Teens as Teachers helped Edison students made helicopters, gliders and small camera drones. They were eventually able to fly the camera drone in the classroom and then hook the camera to the computer to view their footage. Rocky "Teens As Teachers" were Jasmine Hall, Rayshawn Overton, Ignacio Flores, Mykeisha Wells, Hsar Moo, Poe Thu and Kmwe Say. 9

ROCKY CHEERLEADING PANCAKE BR EAKFA ST OCT. 29 Rock Island High School Cheerleader Pancake Breakfast, Saturday, October 31, 7:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at the Rock Island Evening Lions Club, 4329 8th Avenue, Rock Island. Donation: $5

BLO OD DRIVE RO CK ISLA ND ACADEMY NO V. 3 The Rock Island Academy is hosting a Blood Drive for the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center on Thursday, Nov. 3 from 7:30 – 10:30 a.m. To schedule an appointment call J.D. Wilson at 309-793-5944!

ROCK ISLAN D-MILAN BOOSTER CLUB ANN UAL RAFFLE AN D DA NCE SA TURDAY NOVEMBE R 5 The Rock Island-Milan Booster Club Annual Raffle and Dance is around the corner! The event is on Saturday, November 5 at the Stern Center in Downtown Rock Island! Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $100 and allows for a chance at the Grand Prize of $10,000 plus there are 21 other cash prizes as well. New this year – each ticket includes a pulled pork dinner!

AMERICORPS COMIN G TO SPRING FORWA RD! Spring Forward is partnering with Western Illinois University to bring Americorps Members to our after school and summer programs. If you want to learn more about Americorps positions at Spring Forward, visit springforwardqwca.org or contact Dan a springforwardqca.org.

Thurgood Marshall Chili Supper for Student Hunger Drive Nov. 2 The Annual Thurgood Marshall Chili Supper for the Student Hunger Drive is on Wednesday, Nov. 2 from 4:00-6:30 p.m. at the school. Along with a bowl of TMLC’s famous unbeatable chili (regular or spicy) there will be silent auction baskets, raffle items and 50/50 tickets to help the school with their donation to the Student Hunger Drive. Cost: Monetary donation or bring a canned good/nonperishable food item!

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