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The Cambridge School Board accepted the new school improvement plan explained by both Cambridge principals, Shelly Logston and Robert Reagan.
Reagan said the Federal Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) target went up from 77.5 percent in 2010 to 85 percent last year.
“We did not meet last year’s target but we have a plan to meet it this year,” he said. “Our focus is reading and math.”
He talked about ACT scores and the PARCC Test coming in 2014 for students in first through 12th grade. The PARCC Test replaces ISAT and PSAE to include ACT.
Superintendent Tom Akers talked about the district strategic goals plan.
He also talked about highlight and lowlights of the School Law Conference he attended.
He commended Sara Solberg, Robert Reagan and the staff from AlWood for their work during Homecoming and also thanked the Cambridge Rotary Club for their help and sponsorship of the parade.
Caring Hearts is in the beginning stages of getting organized for the holiday season according to Shelly Logston, Cambridge Elementary School principal.
“We are contacting families who may potentially be in need,” Logston said. “Pies are being sold as a fund-raiser for the program and will be delivered on Monday, Nov. 21.”
Logston said Accelerated Reader was the topic of their early dismissal on Friday, Oct. 14. Chuck Ames from Accelerated Reader came and discussed reports with the program along with the Home Connect portion of Accelerated Reader. Parents will be able to log into the program using their child’s login information. They will be able to see their child’s progress. Additionally, parents will be able to sign up to receive emails of when their child took an Accelerated Reader test and how they did on the test.
Logston announced fifth and sixth grade student will be participating in a Speech Contest at Rockridge on Friday, Nov. 4.
Logston spoke on family events at the school.
“Our Yardstick Program had 14 parents come to school to learn about what they can do to help their child fulfill requirements expected of their grade level,” she said. “The teachers worked very hard to give parents information to help them be more knowledgeable about what is expected.”
Logston said Math Night is set for Wednesday, Oct. 26.
“Beth Smith and the teachers have an amazing night of math activities planning along with trick or treating throughout the building.”
Logston announced Bright Beginnings is up and in full swing. The Methodist Church Outreach and Missions Committee donated $200 to help Beth with snacks, juices and other supplies for the program. There are currently 15 families on Tuesday and 15 families on Thursday. Half of the families are new to the program, while the other half attended last year.
The Cambridge School Board accepted the new school improvement plan explained by both Cambridge principals, Shelly Logston and Robert Reagan.
Reagan said the Federal Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) target went up from 77.5 percent in 2010 to 85 percent last year.
“We did not meet last year’s target but we have a plan to meet it this year,” he said. “Our focus is reading and math.”
He talked about ACT scores and the PARCC Test coming in 2014 for students in first through 12th grade. The PARCC Test replaces ISAT and PSAE to include ACT.
Superintendent Tom Akers talked about the district strategic goals plan.
He also talked about highlight and lowlights of the School Law Conference he attended.
He commended Sara Solberg, Robert Reagan and the staff from AlWood for their work during Homecoming and also thanked the Cambridge Rotary Club for their help and sponsorship of the parade.
Caring Hearts is in the beginning stages of getting organized for the holiday season according to Shelly Logston, Cambridge Elementary School principal.
“We are contacting families who may potentially be in need,” Logston said. “Pies are being sold as a fund-raiser for the program and will be delivered on Monday, Nov. 21.”
Logston said Accelerated Reader was the topic of their early dismissal on Friday, Oct. 14. Chuck Ames from Accelerated Reader came and discussed reports with the program along with the Home Connect portion of Accelerated Reader. Parents will be able to log into the program using their child’s login information. They will be able to see their child’s progress. Additionally, parents will be able to sign up to receive emails of when their child took an Accelerated Reader test and how they did on the test.
Logston announced fifth and sixth grade student will be participating in a Speech Contest at Rockridge on Friday, Nov. 4.
Logston spoke on family events at the school.
“Our Yardstick Program had 14 parents come to school to learn about what they can do to help their child fulfill requirements expected of their grade level,” she said. “The teachers worked very hard to give parents information to help them be more knowledgeable about what is expected.”
Logston said Math Night is set for Wednesday, Oct. 26.
“Beth Smith and the teachers have an amazing night of math activities planning along with trick or treating throughout the building.”
Logston announced Bright Beginnings is up and in full swing. The Methodist Church Outreach and Missions Committee donated $200 to help Beth with snacks, juices and other supplies for the program. There are currently 15 families on Tuesday and 15 families on Thursday. Half of the families are new to the program, while the other half attended last year.
Logston talked about the “Walk or Ride Your Bike to School” project. It was very successful with students in kindergarten through eighth grade competing for eight bicycles. The project was a grant provided through the Village of Cambridge.
Reagan talked about junior high and high school activities.
He said several college representatives and recruiters have been visiting the school and talking with seniors. Several seniors have also been completing scholarship forms, located on the school’s Web site and posted in the hall by Lisa Miller’s room.
Reagan talked about the community service projects the students are involved with. Pat Warren’s SHINE class collected items for “Treasure for Troops”, the junior high teachers and students went out and collected garbage around town, the FFA held a successful blood drive on Wednesday, Sept. 28, and the Ridgewood volleyball and dance teams raised $583 for the Leah Whitaker Athletic Fellowship Fund.
He also talked about assemblies and positive living activities, including an assembly Friday, Oct. 21, when JKB and LEV hosted “Stand-Up! And Change Teen Statistics Assembly”. This is a theater group presentation from Chicago that will touch on many of the issues facing teenagers and how to make positive choices.
At the same time, the junior high school students will attend an assembly on internet safety.
He announced that Red Ribbon Week is Monday, Oct. 24, through Friday, Oct. 28.
Reagan announced that Sara Conner has started up the Junior High Ag Club again from last year. She is looking into the possibility of turning it into an “Exploratory FFA Junior High Chapter.”
Reagan announced this year’s play “Up and Down the Staircase” will be performed Friday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 13, at 3 p.m.
He said the Cambridge High School choir will be performing in the LTC Choir Festival Monday, Oct. 31, at Warren High School (United) beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Four students qualified for IMEA. Mary Hammer qualified at the senior level and Alicia Anderson, Kaylen Stromquist and Megan Underwood qualified as other choir.
Reagan announced three students will be representating Cambridge at the Bradley Honor Band. They are Sam Nuckles, Laura Beuseling and Jacob Jeffries.
Reagan also talked about upcoming field trips, including an eighth grade construction career day at Rock Island and a tour of the Rock Island Arsenal, the FFA National Convention in Indianapolis and the trip to Costa Rica.
In other business:
• The board approved the school district audit for the fiscal year 2011.
• Approved the Cambridge Academic Foundation Grants.
• Approved moving the November school board meeting to Nov. 15 because of Thanksgiving.
• Appointed Carrie Boelens as delegate for the school board convention.
• Considered appointment of representative for the school district’s joint committee.
• Accepted the resignation of C. J. Wexell as grade school secretary.
Action resulting from closed session:
• Approved hiring Kevin Coffee as varsity girls softball coach.
• Approved Meggie Owens as volunteer dance coach.
• Hired Rylee VanMelkebeke as junior high boys basketball coach.
