McHenry Times

Alden Hebron School District 19 Board met February 20.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

Vice-President Winkelman called the meeting of the Board of Education of Alden-Hebron Community Consolidated Unit School District #19 to order at 7:00 pm.

Roll Call

Present: Mr. Winkelman, Mrs. Combs, Mr. Madsen, Mr. Eskridge, Mr. Stauss, Ms. Coulman

Absent: Mr. Norton

Also Present:

Dr. Debbie Ehlenburg-Superintendent, Tim Hayunga-MS/HS Principal, Tiffany Elswick-ES Principal, Scott Redden-Buildings & Grounds, Cyndie Erckfritz-Transportation, Hayli Lagerhausen-SSW, Katie Beck-SSC, Jodie Kanaly-ES PE, Colleen Geils-Media Specialist, Karen Fallon-Kindergarten Teacher, Patti Peisert-1 st Grade Teacher, Lisa Janowski-1 st Grade Teacher, Michelle Cashmore-Dean of Students, Deanna VanderPal-District Secretary.

Correspondence:

Correspondence received:

•01/22/18: FOIA request from Illinois Retired Teachers Association for names and contact information for any teachers or administrators retiring in 2018. Request was satisfied on 01/22/18.

•Thank you note from Hebron Antique and Specialty District for the use of the HS building during their Heartwarming Hebron event.

Communications:

Public Comments:

Cyndie Erckfritz commented that the work being done on exterior wall of the ES gym looks

good.

Staff Comments:

Members of the District Social Emotional Learning Committee (Mrs. Beck, Dr. Ehlenburg, Mrs. Elswick, Ms. Kanaly, Ms. Lagerhausen, Mrs. VanderPal) were present to proclaim the importance of, and to introduce their plan to adopt, a District-wide Social Emotional Learning program. The curriculum they have chosen to implement the plan is the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement. It includes weekly classroom lessons and activities, as well as school-wide activities. Scarlett Lewis, mother of Jesse Lewis who was one of the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in December of 2012, is the founder of the movement. Ms. Lewis came and addressed the District Staff on February 6th.

Committee members explained that Social Emotional Learning is a process through which people gain skills that help them understand and manage emotions. It improves emotional intelligence and mindfulness through character education and positive psychology. Short term benefits of Social Emotional Learning include setting and achieving positive goals, feeling and showing empathy for others, maintaining positive relationships, positive attitude, decreased emotional stress, improved test scores and school attendance. These improvements lead to increased graduation rate and readiness for college, career success, better mental health, reduced criminal behavior and more engaged citizenship.

Ms. Lagerhausen stated that the ES had “Kindness Week” last week to kick off the Choose Love Movement, explaining that the remainder of the 2017-18 school year will be a time to introduce vocabulary and concepts of the program to staff and students, with full implementation of the curriculum to begin with the start of the 2018-19 year.

Among the goals of the committee is to increase parent and community involvement through the use of the Choose Love at Home component of the program and, to maintain a proactive focus on managing emotions and behaviors rather than a reactive focus, and ultimately, to create a more positive, safe, and comfortable learning environment.

Mrs. Fallon remarked that a strong focus of the Social Emotional Learning curriculum should be stress relief and stress management for students.

Board Comments-

Mr. Stauss commented that the SEL curriculum will be good for District families and the whole community. Mr. Winkelman agreed and added that it was good to have the conversations that will help maintain emotional health of students and families.

Mr. Winkelman encouraged the BOE and others present to attend the Donkey Basketball game at the HS this Thursday night to cheer on the staff and community members that have agreed to ride the donkeys. Also, to keep in mind that spring sports will be starting up shortly. Ms. Coulman congratulated the HSGBB team for a great season. She also mentioned that the Beck’s invited the team to Crandall’s for a chicken dinner this week.

Consent Agenda:

The following were reviewed under the consent agenda.

*A. Approval of January 16, 2018 Regular and Executive Session Meeting Minutes

*B. Recap of January 2018 Expenditures

*C. Treasurer’s Report for January 2018

*D. Approval of Current Invoices & Payroll

*E. Personnel Report

*F. Fundraisers:

•Sell ads for musical program, 2/24-3/3/18

•Sell show t-shirts, 3/9-3/10/18

Mr. Eskridge moved Mr. Madsen seconded to approve the consent agenda as presented.

Ayes: Mr. Winkelman, Mrs. Combs, Mr. Madsen, Mr. Eskridge, Ms. Coulman

Abstain: Mr. Stauss

Nays: None

Absent: Mr. Norton

Motion Carried

Business

Administration:

Elementary Principal Report – as presented

MS/HS Principal Report – as presented

Dr. Debbie Ehlenburg – Superintendent – as presented

Dr. Ehlenburg also explained elements of the three different preschool programs that the District has submitted grant proposals for, including the program which the District is running at this time. The BOE directed Dr. Ehlenburg to plan on the continuation of the current program for SY19, despite not yet receiving grant notification.

Additionally, the BOE directed Dr. Ehlenburg to officially acknowledge the SEDOM Ten-year Health/Life Safety report.

Village:

Mr. Madsen attended the Village meeting on 2/19. He reported that work will begin on necessary repairs to the water tower. Also, the police chief is developing a plan to provide free gun locks to citizens who request them.

Physical Structures/Maintenance:

Mr. Redden reported that the sheet metal work on the exterior wall of the ES gym is completed and the lights will be installed this week. Also, the stage curtains need to be re-coated with flame retardant.

Transportation:

Transportation Report - as presented

Communications:

Public Comments:

None

Staff Comments:

Mr. Hayunga commended Carrie Recard and Davina VanderPal who, along with student ambassadors, organized fun activities for the MS/HS recently, including an all-school pep rally and a “Batman Blackout” event for a recent HS basketball game.

Ms. Kanaly reported to the BOE that she and Mr. Lenckus were having the ES PE students learn about and try Winter Olympic events such as bobsled, curling, hockey, figure skating and speed skating. The students are really enjoying the experience.

Board Comments:

None

Adjournment:

Mr. Eskridge moved Ms. Coulman seconded to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 pm.

Motion Carried

https://www.alden-hebron.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/2-20-18-minutes.pdf