Good News
There are so many components of the grant that a system of monitoring is necessary to ensure everything is implemented with fidelity. Recently, we put a performance monitoring system in place to do just that. This system allows us to know in real time how we are progressing in various areas, and allow us to make adjustments quickly.

Our new principal, Anthony Smith, has been working diligently with his staff to improve not only the academic environemnt, but the culture and climate as well. Already we have seen a dramatic reduction in the suspension rate. When comparing September to October, there was a 38% decrease. Assistant Principals have been trained on the new Student Code of Conduct and interpreting the disciplinary consequences for infractions.

We also recently began academic testing using an assessment known as the North West educational Assessment (NWEA) tool. This on-line test will be given three times during the year to instantly measure growth and progress towards goals. It will also allow us to have the data at our fingertips to make critical adjustments to our curriculum delivery. This is our first time participating in this test.

Professional Development
In addition, we remain focused on provide support for not only our students during this transition, but also our teachers. One way we are doing this is by providing ongoing professional development sessions that open for all staff to attend. We began our first series of sessions on Oct. 5 and provided staff with a calendar of all future sessions. The first session covered lesson planning and development. Topics of future sessions include co-teaching strategies, literacy and using the Early Warning System to improve student achievement.

The teaching and administrative staff at the 9th grade center are beginning a 23.5 hour training (stretched over 4 days) on Focused Instructional Process (FIP). The premise behind FIP is as follows:

• -Based on the fundamental beliefs that “there are no excuses” and that “all children can learn”.

• -A systems approach to transforming and restructuring schools while utilizing a model proven in education and business for implementing change and achieving quantifiable results.

• -Includes strategies that support the principals as instructional leaders and promotes high expectations for both student achievement and educator behavior.

• -Provides teachers with strategies that work for all students and increases student engagement in the learning process.

• -Focuses on skills that span all curricular areas and are reinforced intentionally in multiple venues. These skills are directly related to increased achievement on summative assessments.

• -Accelerates student achievement, when utilized with fidelity.

In essence, the Focused Instruction Process is about using student data to identify specific critical, standards based skills which need to be improved. These skills are then put on a calendar stating when they will be taught (focused upon), reinforced and assessed. The specific skills are addressed across all content areas and time is allotted to allow students to reach mastery of the skills following assessment of the individual skills. It is “Focused” because everyone, students, staff, parents etc. know what skills are being addressed and when. This provides multiple practice opportunities for students to learn the identified skill used in multiple situations. An example skill ‘Compare and Contrast’, used in ELA, can also be applied in other content areas: Math, Science, Soc. Sci., Consumer Science, Art, Music etc. We look forward to this process because it will give our teachers the tools and skills they need to improve student achievement!

-Fred Clarke
Transformation Officer
East St. Louis School District 189

Summer School 2013 Information Posted

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East St. Louis School District 189 will host a Substitute Teacher Job Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday, June 20 in the Board Room, 1005 State St., East St. Louis, IL 62201. Bring resume.

East St. Louis Senior High School Monthly PTSA/Parent Meeting

Parents, do you want to learn how to improve your child’s academic performance? Would you like more information on the classroom curriculum and instruction? If so, please attend the next PTSA/Parent Meeting from 6-8 p.m., Thursday, May 16 in the library. Topic: PSAC/ACT testing. Dinner and door prizes will be given. Parent Appreciation Flyer 5.16.13

East St. Louis Senior High School will be the host site for the annual Malcolm X Program by the Malcolm X Celebration Committee at 9 a.m., Friday, May 17 in the small gym.

Vivian Adams Pre-K Screening and Enrollment

Vivian Adams will begin accepting applications for new students enrolling into the Pre-K program.  Pre-K Summer Screenings will be held June 17-July 5.  Parents should stop by the main office to pick-up a registration packet.  Screening slots are filling up fast.

Real Greeks Read: As a part of their community service and outreach, members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council will volunteer to read stories to students at James Avant and Gordon Bush Elementary Schools and Mason-Clark Middle School May 14-16.

Gordon Bush Cadets Walk for Lupus! May is National Lupus Awareness Month.  The Gordon Bush Cadets are going “PURPLE” every Friday this month!   Then, on May 17, 2013, National Lupus Day, the Cadets are doing a 3 1/2 mile walk to raise money and awareness for this disease.  The walk will start at 9:30 a.m. Students and staff will walk from Gordon Bush to Jones Park, complete one lap around Jones Park and walk back to the school.

Western Illinois University President Dr. Jack Thomas Speaks to East St. Louis Senior High School Students: Earlier this month, Western Illinois University President Dr. Jack Thomas paid a visit to students at East St. Louis Senior High School to discuss the importance of education. Dr. Thomas is Western Illinois’ first African-American president. His trip will rekindle a relationship the district previously had with Western to recruit District 189 students in all areas.

From Far Right: Western Illinois University President Dr. Jack Thomas, WIU and East St. Louis District 189 Alumnus Tye Taylor, Vice President Brad Bainter, and WIU Head Football Coach Bob Nelson.

Three East St. Louis School District 189 Schools Recognized for Exemplary Performance
The Illinois State Board of Education announced in late January that three schools within the district made the 2012 Honor Roll: John M.D. Brown Elementary School, A.M. Jackson Math and Science Academy and James Avant Elementary School. Brown and Jackson each received the Spotlight Schools award for 2012. Brown also earned an Academic Excellence Award for 2012. Avant Elementary earned the state’s Academic Improvement Award. All students and teachers from those schools will receive certificates to honor their achievement. Honor Roll  

Superintendent’s Update: Teacher Evaluation in East St. Louis School District 189 for 2013-14
East St. Louis will be one of the first districts in our region to pilot the new system. Teacher Evaluation