Top five Code of Conduct changes for 2010-11 year
OPRFHS Board of Education announces its selection of the new superintendent
April 15, 2010 - The Oak Park and River Forest High School Board of Education is pleased to announce its selection of Mr. Steven Tsutomu Isoye as the school’s next superintendent, effective July 1, 2010. At a special Board meeting the afternoon of Thursday, April 15, Board members formally affirmed their unanimous selection of Mr. Isoye, recently named Illinois High School Principal of the Year. The Board also approved a 3-year contract through June 30, 2013, at a salary of $205,000 for the 2010-11 contract year. After the Board meeting, Mr. Isoye met the OPRFHS faculty and staff in an informal reception.
The Board of Education will look forward to introducing Mr. Isoye formally to the community and all stakeholder groups in the weeks ahead now that the contract is approved and formal transition work begins, said Board President Dr. Ralph Lee.
“The Board was most impressed by the long string of special recognition that Mr. Isoye has earned over his 25-year career, both as a teacher and as an administrator. We feel that he is the right fit for our District because of his proven communication skills, his experience with diverse student groupings, his reputation for excellence in collaborative work modes, and his strong track record for fostering change and academic excellence through effective leadership,” Dr. Lee said.
Since 1998, he has served on the Board of Trustees for the Illinois Math and Science Academy and is currently the Chair, serving on its Strategic Planning Committee and helping the Board to set policy and developing state, national and global positioning on math and science education. Mr. Isoye, in his third year as Principal of Maine East High School in Park Ridge, has just been named Illinois High School Principal of the Year for 2010-11 by the Horace Mann/Illinois Principals Association.
Before his leadership at Maine East, Mr. Isoye was principal of Warren Township High School's freshman-sophomore campus in Gurnee, where he also served as head of the Division of Science, Industrial Technology and Family and Consumer Sciences from 2000 through 2003. While at Highland Park High School from 1997 to 2000, he served as science department chair. Prior to taking on administrative leadership roles, Mr. Isoye taught science at Deerfield High School, The Latin School in Chicago, and Loyola Academy in Wilmette, teaching through – and training others in -- a "constructivist" method of scientific study. His IMSA biography describes this method as an approach in which students analyze material while the teacher serves more as a guide and facilitator rather than as the dispenser of information.
Throughout his career, he has received numerous professional accolades including being named the 1998 Illinois Teacher of the Year through the “Those Who Excel” program and the 1997 Milken Foundation National Educator Award.
Throughout 25 years in high school education, Mr. Isoye has demonstrated a record of building and sustaining high caliber academic programs; experience in a variety of communities with differing achievement challenges; a commitment to establishing bridges among all stakeholders focused on helping all students succeed.
“I am excited to become part of this high school and community and excited about the work we can do and the successes we can accomplish together,” Mr. Isoye said. “No one person has the answers. The real work and the ideas need to be generated and acted upon by the people who are working closest to the students. My job is to be the keeper of that vision.”
Mr. Isoye said his passion for education is rooted in his family experience growing up as a product of northwest Chicago suburban schools. “Over time, that passion grew along with my greater understanding of how we have to meet the needs of all of our students; as I saw the ways in which their high school experience impacts their post secondary opportunities and pursuits, and the challenges in finding that match between each student’s needs and their unique skills and interests.”
Mr. Isoye has an Ed. S. and M.S. Ed. from Northern Illinois University; an M.A. in curriculum and instruction from Concordia University, and a B.S. magna cum laude in biology, with a minor in chemistry, from Northern Illinois University.
OPRF celebrates 134th Commencement
The 781 graduates of the Class of 2010 participated in the high school's 134th Commencement on Sunday afternoon, June 13. A brief rain shower fell during the ceremony, which continued without interruption as Superintendent Dr. Attila Weninger and Principal Nathaniel Rouse announced its continuation to cheers from graduates and families. The contingency plan involved graduates moving to the East and West Gyms to receive their diplomas from counselors.
Three OPRFHS juniors score perfect 36 on 2010 ACT
The ACT college admissions and placement exam program notified Oak Park and River Forest High School that three of its students scored 36 on an ACT exam in the 2009-2010 school year. Earning a top composite score of 36 on an ACT test were juniors Brandon D. Noland, son of Timothy Noland and Erin Lucash; Emily Gullo, daughter of Gregory and Helen Gullo, and Ben Mildenhall, son of Stephen and Helen Mildenhall. While the actual number of students nationwide earning a composite perfect score varies from year to year, roughly only one-tenth of one percent receive a top score. Among test takers in the high school graduating class of 2009, for instance, only 638 of nearly 1.5 million students nationwide earned this score.
In a letter to students and their families, recognizing this exceptional achievement, ACT Chairman and CEO Richard L. Ferguson said, “While test scores are just one of the many criteria that most colleges consider when making admission decisions, your exceptional ACT composite score should prove helpful as you pursue your education an career goals.”
OPRF also applauds these students for their other school accomplishments. Brandon is an enthusiastic participatant on both the Scholastic Bowl and the Math Teams, both of which made state finals this year. Brandon was a member of the Math Team that took 6th place overall in the state, as well as one of the 8-person junior/senior team members who took 3rd place in the state. He was also a member of the football team this year and is in training for next year’s varsity team.
More than 350 attend May 19 Teen Alcohol/Substance Use Forum
[If you want to skip the new release below, please click on these links immediately below. Otherwise, please click on links in the story.]
- May 19 Forum Program - includes presenter names and resource information.
- Myth vs. Reality Slide Presentation - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ5PCWgq4Eg
- 2010 Illinois Youth Survey preliminary results for OPRF
- Comparative use statistics - 2006, 2008, 2010
May 20, 2010 - More than 350 parents/guardians and community leaders attended the May 19 Citizens' Council forum to raise awareness of issues related to alcohol and substance use by our communities’ teens. Dozens of those who attended also committed to participating in a follow up meeting at 7 p.m. (time to be confirmed), Tuesday, June 1, in the Oak Park and River Forest High School South Cafe, to help develop a sustained community effort to increase awareness, education, prevention and intervention around these issues impacting youth and teens, as well as to increase knowledge about and access to resources.
At the Forum, OPRF Superintendent Dr. Attila Weninger, Principal Nate Rouse, and OPRF deans -- joined by key representatives from the Oak Park Police Department, Oak Park Public Health Department, Township Youth Services of Oak Park and River Forest, a University of Illinois researcher working with the Community Mental Health Board and several key social service agencies -- defined the scope and impact of this issue in a panel-style format and fielded questions from attendees. A parent and former OPRF student who have weathered alcohol and substance use-related issues also shared compelling personal stories. For a copy of the forum program, including a list of speakers and resources, please click here.
“The purpose of this Forum is to create an awareness of the extent and impact of teen alcohol and substance use issues beyond our 40-member group,” says Citizen’s Council Co-Chair Iris Saavedra, a member of the advisory group's 6-person Subcommittee on Substance Use and Prevention. “As we gather experts from our school and communities to educate us about this important and pervasive issue, we hope the information and data shared will serve as a call to action. We also hope to create a grass root initiative that helps raise parental and community awareness about the problem, as well as about what resources are available. We want to help make our schools and community healthy and safe environments for all our children.”
In January, the District 200 Board of Education officially identified alcohol and substance abuse education and prevention at OPRF as a 2010 goal. Subsequently, in February and March, the Council discussed this issue and, in particular, its impact on OPRF students at two informative sessions with school administrators, board members and organizations from the community that work with teens. From there, findings from the school’s 2009 discipline report and the 2008 Illinois Youth Survey on alcohol and substance use were shared, outlining the prevalence of alcohol and marijuana use among OPRF students, as well as its ready availability to teens within the community, including at or near the high school.
"On behalf of the students, faculty, staff and administration, I would like to personally thank the OPRF Citizens’ Council for its efforts in spearheading this collaborative effort to educate our students, parents, and entire communities of Oak Park and River Forest about the dangers of substance use/abuse and measures to eradicate it," Principal Nate Rouse said. "This proactive approach is long overdue, and I am hopeful that our community rises to the occasion so that we can better serve and protect our students."
Dr. Jim Power presented highlights from the 2010 Illinois Youth Survey that OPRF sophomores and seniors took in April. In addition, he presented comparative statistics from the 2006, 2008 and 2010 surveys that he said showed unequivocally that our communities have a higher prevalence of drug and alcohol use among our youth and teens compared to state and national trends. Surveys on teen alcohol and drug use show that parent, adult and community attitudes are key in teens’ decisions to drink and use drugs. Tolerating underage drinking and student drug use as an acceptable “rite of passage” puts children and their friends at risk. The Citizens’ Council described the forum as the first step in a renewed community effort o help inform and focus parent, community, and school efforts to raise awareness about the health and safety risks correlated with teen alcohol and drug use and the health and safety risks correlated with that use.
The Citizens Council is a 40-member advisory organization formed with the purpose of providing a forum for discussion of both school and community concerns that affect OPRFHS. In addition, the Citizens Council helps to facilitate community and parent awareness of school issues and needs, and is available to both The Board of Education and the administration for the purpose of advice, discussion and study.
For a look at the Citizens' Council slide show, "Myth vs. Reality," please click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ5PCWgq4Eg
OPRF math and film students excel!
May 3, 2010 - Congratulations to OPRF students on their award-winning weekend in state math and metro area video contests!
The Math Team placed 6th in the statewide Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics State Math Contest this weekend -- the best Huskie finish in more than 20 years.
“The entire team gave 100% to make this happen,” Head Math Team Coach Sheila Hardin said.
In addition to the 6th place overall ranking, the following individual and team efforts were recognized:
• Freshman Written - Scott Daniel - 8th place
• Junior Written – Ben Mildenhall - 2nd place
• Senior Written:
Robin Jia - 7th place
Evangelie Zachos - 5th place
Eric Hallman - 3rd place
• Junior Team – 10th place
• Senior Team – 2nd place
• Freshman/Sophomore 8-person team - 5th place
• Junior/Senior 8-person team - 3rd place
• Calculator Team – 5th place
• Freshman/Sophomore Relay Team – 4th place
• Freshman/Sophomore 2-person Team – 7th place
And, in an exciting last minute “shoot out” against the Illinois Math and Science Academy, Ben Mildenhall and Robin Jia placed 2nd in the Junior/Senior 2-person event.
Also this weekend, OPRF students received awards at the Chicagoland Television Educators Council CTEC Video Festival, with senior Drew Angle placing 2nd in both the drama and music video categories and Katie Kurtz & Danielle Zarbin, taking 3rd place in Documentary for their informative OPRF school tour. Other awards were: Hayden Yaussy – Platinum Certificate; Katie Kurtz & Sophie Barnes – Gold; Olivia Nash & Hanna Stolarski – Gold; Kevin Orzel – Silver, and Tony Grayson – Silver & Bronze.
Harlem Globetrotters become Huskies for a day!
April 8, 2010 - The iconic Harlem Globetrotters become honorary Huskies for a day Friday, April 9, when none other than Globetrotter #17 Rocket Rivers salutes the Oak Park and River Forest High School Special Olympics Basketball State Championship team!
The Globetrotter Rally and Salute, also featuring the Jesse White Tumblers, will take place in front of a standing room only crowd of 3,000+ students in the school’s historic Field House during a Spring Spirit Assembly that kicks off at 2:10 p.m.
Mr. Rivers will showcase some of that Globetrotter eye-popping basketball magic during the rally to highlight the 5-year-old Special Olympics Basketball team’s first state title. He will salute the students whose victory exemplifies Mr. Rocket’s inspirational advice, “Don’t ever let anyone tell you what you can or can’t achieve.”
The Globetrotters will also recognize the state champs and their families at the team's 2010 “Magical Memories” World Tour show at 7 p.m. Thurs. April 15 at the United Center. All are welcome to attend. The Globetrotters have provided a $10 ticket voucher to download/print out and present at the United Center ticket office when purchasing tickets for the family-friendly event. Download or print voucher by clicking here.
Huskies take Special Olympics State Championship!
The Oak Park and River Forest High School Special Olympics Varsity basketball team took gold downstate in Normal, IL, during the Special Olympics state basketball tournament Friday-Sunday March 12-14, in the Special Olympics High School Division 3. This is the first championship for the 5-year-old team!
The Huskies’ varsity team began slowly this year, with a record of 2 and 10. Thought to be a long shot in the January 17 Special Olympics District tournament, the Huskies surprised many by soundly defeating both West Leyden and Palatine High Schools to qualify for the state tournament. After district competition, the team focused on shooting, passing and defensive drills in practice and transferred these skills to their games, winning five of their last six. At the state tournament, the Huskies won their first game on Friday against Area 2 champion Jacobs High School (Algonquin), 60-43. On Saturday, they defeated Area 17 champion Chatham Chargers (near Springfield), 56-48.
“What made the difference for us was great defense and consistent rebounds. No other team was able to match our defense,” OPRFHS Special Olympics Head Coach John Gann said.
Game officials presented the Ron Knisley Spirit of the Games Awards, (honoring athletes for good sportsmanship and leadership), to Patrick Milburn in the Jacobs game and to Kyle Hedlund for his performance in the Chatham game.
Only in its fifth year, this is the first year that an OPRF Special Olympics basketball team has finished first in state. Members of the gold medal team are: Andrew Bacalao, Kyle Hedlund, Georgia Hunter, Garrison Lyons, Patrick McCarthy, Patrick Milburn, and Charlie O’Connor. They are coached by Head Coach John Gann and Assistant Coaches Jon Adelman and Joe Ordman. Bill McCarthy is the team manager.
District 200 files complaint against Village of Oak Park, citing breach of TIF agreement
March 2010 - The District 200 Board of Education has filed suit against the Village of Oak Park seeking enforcement of the 2003 TIF Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the Village and D. 200 and District 97. The following information provides some important background and context for the difficult decision the Board has made.
• The Board views this as essentially a contract dispute: District 200 believes that the Village is defaulting on terms clearly specified in that 2003 IGA.
• No party to a contract can unilaterally decide no longer to honor the terms of that contract.
• Repeated D 200 efforts to resolve the dispute through meetings and/or discussions have gotten no results.
• It is time to let a neutral party – i.e. the courts – resolve the matter objectively.
• In dispute is $3.3 million due D. 200 alone, not to mention an even larger amount in question for D. 97 and smaller sums due the library, park district and township.
Background: The authorization for the Village’s Downtown Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District was set to expire in 2006. The Village wanted to extend the TIF another 12 years, through 2018. This extension would have resulted in the continued diversion of property tax revenue into the TIF District and away from the schools and other local governing bodies (including parks, township, and library).
In 2002, the Village approached the schools with a proposition to enter into an IGA that would spell out in detail ways in which the Village would make up for the adverse financial impact of a TIF extension in exchange for the school not opposing the TIF extension. After months of negotiations resulting in a highly detailed IGA contract, Village trustees and D. 200 and 97 Boards of Education approved the IGA in 2003.
Among key IGA provisions, according to a detailed established schedule, the Village is obligated to release land of specified assessed value from the TIF District (carve out) or else pay out to the schools each year an amount equal to that assessed value.
Furthermore, the IGA specifies regular meetings with the schools to ensure appropriate distributions are being calculated and paid out. If the Village cannot or will not meet the IGA payout or carve out terms, the IGA obligates the Village to dissolve the TIF.
Issues at stake: The Village has not met its obligations under the IGA since the 2007 property tax levy. The Village has neither carved out the specified property value from the TIF nor paid the equivalent value and now owes District 200 alone more than $3.3 million.
The Village also has not abided by IGA terms that require annual meetings and the transparent sharing of financial data to the schools to verify amounts of the payments due. Detailed and repeated requests, initiated by D. 200, to meet and resolve these issues have been ignored or rebuffed by the Village. Filing suit was a difficult decision for D. 200 and done only as a last resort.
Confusing Village responses: District 200 is confused by the Village’s contention that the poor economy makes it impossible to meet its obligations under the TIF.
In the first place, the IGA does not require the Village to pay any money to the school. The Village has the option of carving out properties of an equivalent Equalized Assessed Valuation from the TIF instead so that the property taxes on those parcels go back to the schools (and other taxing bodies) instead of into the TIF District. The Village has, in fact, collected more taxes than originally calculated and, therefore, the TIF revenues should have sufficient value for payouts. State law specifically prohibits the Village from diverting any TIF revenue for general Village operating purposes. Therefore, the IGA and the Village's compliance with the agreement, should not have any impact on general Village operating needs.
District 200 is responsibly managed, not rich: The high school is not “rich.” It is well managed. The fact that District 200 has a sizeable reserve fund is a reflection of the District’s very deliberate, prudent, and sound fiscal practices in the aftermath of voters’ approval of the 2002 referendum. We are carefully managing the proceeds of that referendum to extend its life as long as possible.
Carefully managed savings, long-range financial planning, continual cost containment efforts – including significant long-term reductions in health and retirement costs, and strategic staff cuts are extending the life of the current referendum at least until 2018. D 200 begins spending down its currently accumulating savings – i.e. deficit spending of the reserve -- in 2014.
Village TIF carve outs or the alternative pay-outs – as specified in the 2003 IGA – are essential to the high school’s financial planning through the next decade. D. 200 revenue calculations and ability to provide consistent educational services, and meet growing state and national mandates, for our students is contingent upon those TIF distributions outlined in the IGA contract.
Long-term, measured spending of these reserves will ensure that the same stable quality of academic and program opportunities are available for today’s kindergarteners when they enter the doors of OPRF nine years from now.
Our sizeable reserves are also a function of the complexities of school finance in Illinois. Property taxes account for almost 83.5% of the high school’s operating funds – about $61 million annually. The district receives those funds in the form of lump sum payments made semi-annually. Our reserves look particularly high immediately after the District receives those spring and fall deposits which then fund the next six months of operations.
We are recognized by national school business associations, auditors and major bond-rating agencies as among the top fiscally sound school districts in Illinois. Most recently, OPRFHS received the International Association of School Business Officials International Meritorious Budget Award for excellence. The bond rating is AAA, one of only 49 school districts in the nation.
http://www.oprfhs.org/school_news/Press_Releases/Current.html#asbo
http://www.oprfhs.org/school_news/Press_Releases/Current.html#aaa
http://www.oprfhs.org/school_news/Press_Releases/Archive.html#auditors
Desired outcome: This dispute will not affect our desire and ability to work collaboratively with the Village on all other issues of mutual benefit to our community. District 200 looks forward to the courts – an objective third party - resolving this dispute quickly.
Copies of the following TIF related communications are available here:
• 2003 TIF Intergovernmental Agreement, including spreadsheets
• Feb. 19, 2010, letter from District 200 Board to VOP re: lawsuit filing
• March 5 2010 letter to editor, Oak Leaves/Wednesday Journal
District 200 amends complaint seeking Village compliance with TIF agreement
Fri. July 9, 2010 - On Friday, July 9th, Oak Park and River Forest High School filed an amended complaint in its suit against the Village of Oak Park seeking enforcement of the 2003 TIF Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the Village, District 200 and District 97.
Based on a motion filed by the Village, a judge ruled last month that District 97 must be formally included as a party to this action because it is a party to the original 2003 IGA and the outcome of the litigation may affect District 97. District 200 is seeking no money or specific action from District 97. Indeed, District 200 believes the outcome of the suit will actually benefit District 97, as well as the Library District, Park District and Township.
The substance and focus of District 200’s suit remain unchanged. The key provision of the 2003 IGA is a requirement that the Village annually release (“carve out”) land from the TIF district of specified equalized assessed value. If the value of the carved out land is less than that called for in the IGA, the Village is required to pay the “cumulative difference” to the schools in accordance with a formula included in the IGA. The Village has not carved out any TIF property since 2007 and has not made any “cumulative difference” payments since 2004.
The Village is now proposing a new formula for calculating the cash payment owed the school districts. District 200 is reviewing that proposal. The formula affects not just the calculation of what is currently owed District 200 —which OPRF believes to be about $3.3 million—but will also affect how payments are calculated for the remaining life of the TIF district through 2018 which, for District 200 alone, could involve as much as $22.6 million. The calculation affects the amount owed to District 97, as well as the other taxing bodies who will also benefit from any carve out or cash distribution even though they are not parties to either the IGA or the suit. The Village has not made any proposal regarding the missed or future carve out of land.
Once District 200’s financial and legal advisors have thoroughly reviewed the Village’s proposal and discussed it with the District 200 Board of Education, the District will invite the Village to meet to try to resolve any remaining differences.
26th Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Presentation
Oak Park and River Forest High School marked the 31st anniversary of the school’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Assembly – and the 26th anniversary of the student oratorical contest -- with original Spoken Word tributes by OPRFHS students and presentations by the combined Gospel and Chorale choirs.
Instead of the traditional oration, students this year were asked to prepare Power Point presentations about the history of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” often called “The Black National Anthem.” Judges chose presentations by students Tequilla Thomas, D.J. Brown, and Gabby Mouzoun for recognition at this year’s assembly. The song was first performed in public as a poem on Feb. 12, 1900, by 500 children at a segregated school in honors of special guest Booker T. Washington during a celebration of President Lincoln’s Birthday. Set to music a few years later, the song conveyed African Americans’ continuing patriotism and hope for the future even in the face of deeply engrained racism and the proliferation of brutal Jim Crow laws and lynchings continuing into the new century. Since the Civil Rights Movement, the song has experienced a revival, including recitation of some of its lyrics at President Obama’s inauguration.
At the back-to-back assemblies Tuesday, Spoken Word artists Kris Murray and Rebecca Johnson performed personalized reflections on race and its current place in American society as a tribute to Dr. King’s legacy and aspirations. Chorale and Gospel Choirs, under the direction of Elaine Hlavach with accompanist Patrick Pearson, performed “Life Every Voice and Sing.” The assembly also featured Dance Club members Tayler Bennett, Rodja Funches, Valerie Henry, Tamera Evans, Shunda Morrow, Akalyia Warren, Asia Green and Shondreya Hurt, under the direction of sponsor Ann Petroliunas. Dance Club member Marcus Coleman, contributed to the choreography of the dance, “A Dream.” Senior Kelly Reuter and Assistant Principal for Student Activities Cindy Milojevic emceed the event attended by nearly 3,200 students.
The 2010 convocation committee, led by Special Education teacher Michael Byars, included English teacher Lauren Lee, Librarian Dr. Ann Carlson, Physical Education teacher Linda Carlson, Latin teacher Mary Vogel, Special Education teacher J.P. Coughlin, History teachers Dan Greenstone and Mark Vance, Science teacher Aviva Theen and Counselor Heidi Lynch. Peter Kahn assisted students with Spoken Word presentations.
[Due to technical difficulties, the presentations were not able to be shown at the assemblies. We hope to have reformatted versions available for sharing/viewing online soon.]
Bellissima Opera Outreach inspires more than song
It takes a lot to inspire teenagers on a snowy Thursday morning. But Christine Steyer was more than poised for the challenge. Tales of hilarious costume malfunctions; practical tips about nurturing a healthy voice; thoughtful insider info on voice teachers, lessons, and careers, and promotion of a genuine love of music were highlights second only to dynamic performances by this Oak Park-based soprano as part of her Bellissima Opera Outreach Program.
Ms. Steyer, a soprano who has sung professionally for over 15 years, performed Thursday for A Cappella, Chorale and Treble Choir students at Oak Park and River Forest High School. Ms. Steyer and her accompanist Dr. Tony Millard, an Oak Park emergency room physician, urged students to nurture and pursue their passion and talent in music whether as a full-time career or fulfilling avocation.
Ms. Steyer has sung more than 20 opera roles and has received critical acclaim for her mature voice, artistry and acting. In addition to a vast repertoire in the oratorio and recital genres, Ms. Steyer has won prizes at major competitions and is featured on a CD of sacred music--a collaborative project with New York Times best-selling author Caroline Myss. Steyer is the Co-founder and Artistic Director of Bellissima.
Her high school program included Memory, Quando men vo, Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes, Ich liebe dich, De amor en las prisiones, and Summertime, followed by a 20-minute Q & A session. She will be giving a series of such intimate performances to music classes during the day throughout Chicagoland. More info is at www.christinesteyer.com.
OPRF and Sarah's Inn pilot unique Step Back self-defense program for boys
Step Back is an innovative self-defense and violence prevention program for teenage boys created and piloted this year at Oak Park and River Forest High School. The 9-week course, developed in collaboration with Sarah’s Inn and incorporating a component of the national R.A.D. for Men program, is a Physical Education requirement for freshmen boys. Classroom work on violence prevention awareness, attitudes and strategies, as well as self-defense training, provide students with practical resources to help avoid and manage conflict and protect themselves when somebody else starts a fight.
“Our hope and our goal is that we see a drop in physical conflict and kids finding safer ways to address disagreements and develop and manage healthier relationships,” said Physical Education Division Head Dale Craft who has worked closely with Sarah’s Inn to develop Step Back. “We believed it was important to get this information in the hands of our freshmen so they have these perspectives and practical strategies throughout high school and college when these issues put them at greatest risk.”
“This is the first high school in the country to require of all male students such a comprehensive program with RAD for Men training as a component,” said Chris Ptak, the prevention and education specialist for Sarah’s Inn, a comprehensive domestic violence agency.
Boys spend the first three weeks in class learning to identify and manage their own anger and aggression and their responses to others as they learn strategies to deescalate situations from becoming physical or violent confrontations. The focus is on violence prevention – finding healthy, appropriate and mature ways to express emotions and manage conflict. The next three weeks are spent in the gym, mastering self defense techniques that help students protect themselves during, and exit from, physical confrontations. This part of the program incorporates elements of the national Resisting Aggression with Defense (RAD) for Men program. The final three weeks addresses broad topics like bullying, sexual harassment, Internet safety, dating violence.
“Teaching students general non-violence strategies can result in a reduction in teen violence and can promote healthy teen relationships, a primary goal of prevention and education programming at Sarah’s Inn,” Ms. Ptak said.
Step Back, the name coined by Mr. Craft, describes “the point we’re trying to make, that it’s not OK to be aggressive toward somebody else – there are better ways to manage anger and conflict -- and that it’s important to know how to defend yourself and get out of there when somebody else crosses that line – that the safest and smartest thing to do to avoid conflict can be taking that step back.”
For at least two decades, OPRF has taught a comprehensive self-defense course for girls that included safety and self-awareness issues, as well as physical Rape Aggression with Defense training in how to defend against a physical attack. Instructors saw a need to address violence and aggression issues with boys from a boys’ perspective, which led to the development of Step Back this year. PE teachers Ricky Baker, Chris Ledbetter and Jim Webster joined Mr. Craft and Mr. Ptak in helping to develop the course and take the R.A.D. for Men training. And this year, for the first time, girls’ self defense will be required for all freshmen girls, as well.
Board finalizes superintendent profile; discusses confidential stakeholder interview committee
Feb. 8, 2010 - The Board of Education has finalized the desired profile of a new superintendent that will be shared with prospective candidates and guide the District through the process of selecting a new administrative leader for the 2010-2011 year. The Board also has decided that a 14-member stakeholder committee will conduct confidential interviews with finalists to contribute essential community and stakeholder input into the Board’s decision.
PROFILE: The qualities included in the superintendent profile have been distilled from the responses of 372 people who took the online survey and 152 people who participated in 17 focus groups representing Oak Park and River Forest High School stakeholders. “We believe this profile accurately reflects what you [the Board] and your community want in a District and school leader,” said Dr. Linda Hanson, the head of School Exec Connect, the firm conducting OPRF’s superintendent search. The most effective profiles are those providing desired leadership outlooks, qualities and attributes, rather than a detailed enumeration of specific skills or experiences, Dr. Hanson explained. The profile defines an approach to leadership, which helps determine whether the candidate has the necessary qualities – using his or her specific skills, experiences and expertise – to move that individual vision to a shared vision to implementation with concrete outcomes.
Top profile attributes include:
• Is collaborative and values transparency in decision-making;
• Values a highly engaged community;
• Welcomes diverse opinions and perspectives of stakeholders who often hold opposing viewpoints;
• Will make needed changes, even if they are unpopular.
Of the 372 survey respondents, 40.3% were parents; 29.6%, teachers; 13.7% community/business, and 9.4 % students, followed by smaller percentages of OPRF support staff and administrators. Separate focus groups were offered for the Board, faculty, staff, administrators, union stewards, parents/guardians, and school affiliated groups, as well as representatives from community organizations, businesses, other governing bodies and the associate school districts. Dr. Hanson said she believed survey respondents and focus group participants represented a good and accurate cross-section of the OPRF community.
DISTRICT STRENGTHS & CHALLENGES: School Exec Connect’s profile report also provides valuable insight into what our community sees as OPRF’s greatest strengths and challenges. All groups take great pride in the community and school and believe Oak Park and River Forest are wonderful places in which to live and to educate children. They see the high school as the anchor of our community. Collective high expectations translate into a belief that there is a responsibility to confront tough issues head-on and openly – most important among those, the need to make real gains in eliminating race-based differences in students’ academic success.
SEARCH PROTOCOL & STAKEHOLDER COMMITTEE: The search will remain confidential until the new superintendent is named. The Board and School Exec Connect spent much time and effort weighing the pros and cons of a confidential search in this community that expects and prizes open process. However, School Exec Connect asserted that being able to guarantee confidentiality to prospective candidates will result in a stronger pool of candidates. Especially in this difficult economic climate, candidates are not willing to risk existing job security for a possible job elsewhere. An open interview process would discourage many applicants from even considering applying in the first place, Dr. Hanson advised.
Instead, a 14-member stakeholder committee -- with gender- and race-balanced representation from faculty, support staff, identified school interest groups, community and students -- will interview each finalist and share its findings and impressions with the Board. Committee members will have to sign a legally actionable non-disclosure agreement to participate. School Exec Connect will help the Board develop an equitable and efficient committee selection process. The Board is likely to ask the leadership of identified groups select their own representatives for the committee, with overall group makeup in mind.
School Exec Connect will continue recruiting, screening and interviewing applicants through February, presenting a pool of likely candidates to the Board in closed session March 9. After Board members have conducted a first set of interviews with selected candidates, they will select three finalists to be interviewed by both an administrative team and a stakeholder team. Each person on the team will give individual feedback to the Board of Education about each finalist. The Board will use the group's feedback as it enters the second round of interviews with the three finalists. The Board hopes to announce its choice and approve a contract with the new superintendent at its Thursday, April 29, Board meeting.
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Focus groups, surveys will help to develop desired attributes for next superintendent
Dec. 23, 2009 - The Board met Dec. 23 with Dr. Linda Hanson and Dr. John Sawyer of School Exec Connect to begin outlining the superintendent search timeline and action steps, with the goal of having a contract approved with a new superintendent for the 2010-2011 school year by late April. The Board and Dr. Hanson are working to finalize a calendar of open/public focus group meetings that will take place with all stakeholder groups -- parents, students, faculty, staff, administration, community -- in mid- to late-January. The purpose of these meetings will be to solicit extensive input on desired qualifications and attributes of a superintendent.
An online survey -- readily accessible to all stakeholders -- will also be available to solicit similar input from people who are not able to attend any of the public sessions. Designated school staff, including the Parent Outreach Coordinator, will work with families to ensure the broadest possible participation.
Dr. Dee Millard was chosen as the Board's superintendent search liaison who will be assisted by Board member Amy McCormack. Dr. Hanson, President of School Exec Connect and retired superintendent of Township High School District 113 in Highland Park, IL, will lead the search. She will be assisted by Dr. Sawyer, currently Superintendent of Sandridge School District 172 in Lynwood IL, and by Dr. Allan Alson, the Associate Director for Leadership Development with the Consortium for Educational Change and a retired superintendent from Evanston Township High School. Dr. Alson was co-founder of the Minority Student Achievement Network and formerly a Senior Fellow with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, High School Transformation, Chicago Public Schools.
Board approves contract for superintendent search for 2010-11 school year
Dec. 18, 2009 - Despite good-faith efforts in a second round of negotiations, the Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. Attila J. Weninger have not been able to reach agreement on terms of a contract extension beyond June 30, 2010.
Both Dr. Weninger and the Board concur it is in the best interests of the District to move forward with a search for a new Superintendent for the 2010-2011 school year. The Board voted Thursday night to extend a contract to School Exec Connect to initiate that search. A Special Board Meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m. Wed. Dec. 23 in the 2nd fl. Board Room with Dr. Linda Hanson of School Exec Connect to begin discussing the search timeline and format.
The Board expressed confidence in the selected search firm. The Board had been ready to approve the contract and detailed search plan on Nov. 19 and so will be ready to jump start the process quickly after Winter Break, Board President Dr. Ralph Lee said.
The Board wishes to express its sincere appreciation to Dr. Weninger for his service to the District and its students. The Board and Dr. Weninger reiterated their mutual commitment and partnership for the remainder of the current school year, staying focused on major initiatives that include replacing retiring administrative leadership, teachers and counselors; implementing Response to Intervention practices school-wide; expanding Courageous Conversations on Race among faculty and staff, and continuing work to strengthen District finances, as well as making substantive progress on student achievement, facility improvements related to academic areas, and the student-centered focus of organizational practices and procedures.
OPRFHS wins national budget award
The Association of School Business Officials International has awarded Oak Park and River Forest High School the Meritorious Budget Award for excellence in the preparation and issuance of its 2009-2010 annual budget. This award program was designed by ASBO International and school business management professionals to enable school business administration to achieve excellence in budget development and presentation. The program helps school systems build a solid foundation in the skills of developing, analyzing and presenting a budget. OPRFHS is one of only 10 Illinois schools receiving recognition this year.
“We are delighted and honored to have received this award the very first time our District submitted our budget for consideration,” said District 200 Chief Financial Officer Cheryl Witham. “We have worked very hard to develop a budgeting and reporting process that is as rigorous as it is transparent and meets the highest professional standards for fiscal accountability. It is heartening to have our District’s financial planning and reporting recognized.”
This award is only conferred upon school systems that have met or exceeded the Meritorious Budget Award Program Criteria. No other organization or program besides this one is designed specifically to enhance the school budgeting process and honor a school for a job well done.
Annual budgets, including the current 2009-10 award recipient, are available on the school’s website www.oprfhs.org under Programs and Services > Business Office > School Budget. District Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports also are available under the Business Office link.
OPRF's AAA rating means real savings
District 200 has realized a $700,000 savings in interest costs by refinancing $12,000,000 of the 1998 general obligation limited school bonds originally borrowed for the 10 year facility master plan. Standard & Poor's Ratings Services assigned its 'AAA' rating to OPRF for the refinancing transaction, completed December 1, 2009.
The AAA rating, reflective of the District’s strong finances and fiscal management, enabled District 200 to achieve significantly greater savings than the $500,000 initially projected when the Board approved refinancing these bonds, said Elizabeth Hennessy, principal with Wm. F. Blair & Company, the financial services firm that handled the refinancing for the high school. The savings generated from this bond refinancing will enable the District to shorten the debt service pay back schedule by one year.
The AAA rating, which helped the District secure optimal returns, reflects Standard & Poor’s assessment of the District's:
• Very strong wealth and income levels;
• Positive financial operations with very strong reserves; and
• Moderate overall debt burden with rapid amortization and no additional debt plans.
The District's financial management practices are considered "good" under Standard & Poor's Financial Management Assessment (FMA). “The stable outlook reflects our expectation that the district, through careful budgeting, will maintain very strong reserves,” the prospectus stated.
Board members thanked Chief Financial Officer Cheryl Witham, and Ms. Hennessy, for excellent financial stewardship and clear explanation of financial options to capitalize on an opportunity to realize significant savings for the District.
Siberian Husky as a mascot is no coincidence
Jan. 7, 2010 update - Living up to tradition plays no role in decisions whether to close Oak Park and River Forest High School because of snow. “We look at what’s in the best interests of our students and what we can do to maintain the quality and consistency of our educational program,” Superintendent Dr. Attila J. Weninger says.
Many factors go into the decision whether to close school. Students’ health and safety is tops, as well as that of faculty and staff. District 200 is unique in that, unlike most Chicago and suburban schools, it serves high school students exclusively unlike unit or elementary school districts with safety concerns unique to younger children. Districts 97 and 90 are distinct entities serving elementary and middle school students.
In its 137 years, the high school has closed for snow only four times (though records show there was a time in the early 1900s when the school closed during a particularly ferocious community outbreak of tuberculosis or influenza):
1. Tuesday March 25, 1930 14.2 inches of snow
2. Monday January 9, 1939 14.9 inches of snow
3. Friday January 27, 1967 24 inches of snow
4. Monday January 25, 1979 20.7 inches of snow
It is no coincidence that our school's mascot is the Siberian Husky!
State education officials say snow closings are a local district decision based solely on local conditions. In determining the danger of the next day’s conditions, school leaders consult updated weather reports and discuss the decision with counterparts from Associate School Districts. The Superintendent and other school leaders also drive the roads, Eisenhower Expressway, watch the L – throughout the night and early morning, if necessary -- and look for buses to check conditions and accessibility before making a final decision.
Often times, school districts must close because their bus companies cannot provide timely service, given the complex logistics of dispatching a fleet of buses in poor weather. But District 200 students typically walk or drive to school or take public transportation -- all feasible options for most, even during heavy snows.
Much is made of the danger of wind chill, but the National Weather Service and Tom Skilling, WGN-TV weather forecaster, note that wind chill remains an imprecise factor. Forecasters sometimes cite wind chill factors of minus-20 or below as a threshold to take appropriate precautions. But proper dress eliminates any real danger. Wind chill doesn't become a direct threat unless in the range of -50 or below like during the winter of 1982, when real temperatures were minus-20 and lower and “wind chills were relentlessly barbaric,” Skilling said.
The school calendar also plays a key role. Snow makeup days would require attendance on days already scheduled holidays, such as the Friday before spring break. Students also could be required to return to school after June commencement for makeup days, which could conflict with the scheduled start of summer school, family vacations, and faculty and staff summer employment.
A little holiday cheer "Exposed"
It’s the little things that sometimes matter most to kids – like a senior who can’t afford a yearbook and the cherished memories it preserves about their high school years. With the economy in the dumps, and many families hurting from lost jobs or cut hours and wages, ordering a $45 Oak Park and River Forest High School Tabula proved a luxury that was out of the question for some this year.
Several people approached Tabula sponsor and English teacher Dan Ganschow with this concern. He asked around, did the math and realized that most seniors who qualified for federal free lunch aid had not ordered yearbooks this year. The 2009-2010 Tabula, distributed in the spring, will have a completely unique design.
“I haven’t seen anything like this in our archives. I think it’s an incredible display of creative talent, and I would love to see every kid, especially seniors, get one, so I wanted to see if we could do something about it,” Mr. Ganschow said.
Last Friday, he asked OPRF staff to consider helping out, and by Wednesday, 51 OPRF faculty and staff members had donated more than $2,800 to the cause.
“[This gesture] does reinforce the thoughts I have had since I was a student here,” Mr. Ganschow wrote staff, expressing his thanks: “OPRF has the most caring, dedicated, and special faculty and staff anywhere to be found. There isn’t a better group of people anywhere working this hard for the kids.”
Also in the giving spirit, OPRF students have joined staff and faculty in providing holiday gifts to families in need through the community's Adopt-A-Family program, while Tau Gamma is doing its annual gift basket collection for residents of Sarah's Inn, the community's shelter for victims of domestic abuse.
Board to reopen negotiations with Superintendent for contract extension
The District 200 Board of Education will reopen negotiations with Dr. Attila J. Weninger to discuss extending his current contract that expires June 30, 2010. Dr. Weninger and the Board said that after much discussion and community input, they agreed to reconsider terms, such as contract length, that had prevented agreement on an extension during prior discussions.
Negotiations and the vote on an extension will take place at Board meetings in December. The Board also tabled its decision to hire a firm to assist with the search for a new Superintendent for the 2010-2011 school year.
Within the next year, the District faces major responsibilities, including implementation of ambitious Board goals related to student achievement; leadership of the Baldrige organizational assessment; hiring of key administrative positions, including the Human Resources Director and four division heads, as well as replacement of more than a dozen retiring faculty members – efforts that will require strong and consistent top administrative leadership.
Board President Dr. Dietra Millard announced that she will step down as President of the Board of Education, effective immediately. “I respect the Board’s decision [to reopen negotiations],” she said.
As Vice President, Dr. Ralph Lee becomes the President Pro Tempore of the Board. “The Board looks forward to continuing its work in the best interests of the students of Oak Park and River Forest High School,” Dr. Lee said.
Dr. Weninger to retire from District 200 at end of 2009-2010 school year
October 15, 2009 - The District 200 Board of Education has received a letter from Dr. Attila J. Weninger announcing his retirement from the District, effective at the end of this school year when his contract expires June 30, 2010.
Dr. Weninger will continue to serve the remainder of his current three-year contract through this 2009-2010 school year as the District’s Superintendent. On behalf of the Board, Board President Dr. Dietra Millard thanks Dr. Weninger for his continuing service to the District, including his focus on strengthening the District’s long-term financial picture; his work in developing a strong, student-centered Pupil Support Services Team model, and his role in implementing programs to narrow the disparities in student academic achievement.
“I am most appreciative and honored to have worked on behalf of the students of the District. It is my intention to complete my work through the end of June in the same manner as I have throughout my tenure: diligently, passionately, ethically, and with a strong work ethic,” Dr. Weninger stated in the letter announcing his decision to the Board.
This school year, the Board and Dr. Weninger will proceed with planned work in support of District goals. Major initiatives include replacing retiring administrative leadership; implementing Response to Intervention (RtI) practices school-wide; undertaking the Baldrige Organizational Assessment; continuing work to strengthen District finances, and expanding Courageous Conversations on Race among faculty and staff. The Board remains strongly committed to addressing educational inequities to ensure academic excellence and success for all students.
Dr. Millard and Dr. Weninger said that the timing of the decision allows the Board to begin a search for a new Superintendent for the 2010-2011 school year and to plan for a seamless transition in school leadership.
Within the next several weeks, the Board will discuss the search process, review requests for qualifications for search firms, and establish a search timeline. During the search process, the Board will seek broad stakeholder input on the qualities key to future school leadership and on the areas of greatest need and opportunity for growth, Dr. Millard said.
OPRF wins SchoolSearch Bright A+ designation for 11th straight year
Sept. 16, 2009 - Oak Park and River Forest High School has received the SchoolSearch 2009 Bright A+ Award for the 11th straight year. OPRFHS is one of only 58 out of Illinois’ 868 school districts to receive this honor presented by the national educational research and consulting firm to the top 5 percent of schools in the state, based on 2008 Illinois School Report Card data.
State releases preliminary 2009 PSAE scores
Aug. 26, 2009 - The Illinois State Board of Education has released preliminary scores for the Prairie State Achievement Exams administered to Oak Park and River Forest High School juniors in April 2009. The scores indicate that OPRFHS remains consistently ahead of state averages in the percentage of students overall meeting or exceeding state standards, according to an initial analysis by Director of Assessment and Research Amy Hill. While OPRF saw SOME significant gains in reading and some incremental gains in math compared to last year, the increases were not enough for the high school to meet Adequate Yearly Progress.
OPRFHS tested 99 % of its juniors, including 100% of all Students with Disabilities, surpassing the required participation rates set for all subgroups. (The state requires schools to report data separately for NCLB-defined groups if the school has 45 or more students who are identified within those groups or categories.) OPRFHS counts every third year student as a junior required to take the PSAE rather than defining “junior” by the number of credits a student has earned or by the successful completion of certain courses. This practice ensures the broadest and most accurate number of third-year students are included in the school’s test numbers.
This year, in reading, nearly all subgroups had higher proportions of students who met or exceeded standards compared to 2008. At 75.1%, our overall reading performance in 2009 was nearly eight percentage points higher than in 2008; for African American students, the difference was more than eight percentage points higher, and more than 10 percent higher for girls. Hispanic students who qualified in numbers as a separate subgroup this year achieved nearly 24 percentage point gain compared to the performance of students last year. The Economically Disadvantaged subgroup had an increase sufficient to make AYP through Safe Harbor provisions. Students with Disabilities had a lower proportion of meets/exceeds reading test results this year compared to last year. As a result, the school did not make AYP in reading. (Not enough students self-identified as “multiracial/ethnic” this year for their performance to be measured as a subgroup. (For a copy of the Superintendent's Sept. 4, 2009, notification of AYP status letter, please click here.)
Reading – percent meeting/exceeding standard
- 75.1% – All (69.8 % - 2008)
- 89.5% – White (84.8% - 2008)
- 42.9% – African-American (34.7% – 2008)
- 69.2% - Hispanic (not a measurable subgroup 2008)
- 39.2 % - Students w/ disabilities (41.7% – 2008)
- 35 % - Economically disadvantaged (32.6% - 2008)
In math, the proportion of students meeting or exceeding standards was slightly lower this year (69.6%) compared to 70.6% last year. Results among the subgroups were mixed: the Hispanic, and White subgroups showed slightly higher performance compared to last year, while the Students with Disabilities and Economically Disadvantaged subgroups had 9.8% and 8.8% fewer students respectively who met or exceeded standards compared to last year. Though a higher percentage of Hispanic students met or exceeded standards this year, the group did not achieve AYP; nor did the African American, Students with Disabilities or Economically Disadvantaged groups. Thus, the school did not make AYP in math.
- 69.6% - All (70.6% - 2008)
- 85.5% – White (84.8% 2008)
- 34.2 %– African American (34.1% – 2008)
- 58.5% – Hispanic (not a measurable subgroup last year)
- 24.5% - Students w/ disabilities (34.3% - 2008)
- 23.8% - Economically disadvantaged (32.6% 2008)
As a result of not making AYP this year, we will implement the Restructuring Plan approved by the Board of Education at its regular June 2009 meeting. The plan outlines six strategies:
- 1) expanding academic interventions in reading and math;
- 2) implementing a District-wide Response to Intervention Model;
- 3) developing District-wide Response to Intervention Coach roles;
- 4) increasing and improving coordination of community outreach;
- 5) reorganizing building leadership to focus on student welfare and success;
- 6) restructuring Information/Instructional Technology Services.
The high school also will develop and submit a new School Improvement Plan with strategies designed to target AYP deficiencies. We will collect student performance data to monitor the effectiveness of each strategy and report results to the Board of Education.
The school and its academic divisions have focused considerable resources and attention on initiatives focusing on improved achievement, including a focus on preparing freshmen to move out of transition level English courses into college prep courses by second semester; on moving more students toward honors level studies; on training teachers in all content areas how to use effective literacy strategies to increase students’ understanding of course materials, and on increasing the number of freshmen students who master algebra as the first step in preparing for college readiness in mathematics. This year, the school also will undertake the Baldrige Organizational Assessment effort to make building and district improvements in support of educational excellence. The school will also continue and expand its participation in “Courageous Conversations about Race” exploring systemic efforts to improve achievement.
The school will continue to examine this PSAE data – and ACT and SAT standardized test data available next month -- to help evaluate the impact and success of initiatives on individual students’ academic achievement.
OPRF honors its 2009-2010 National Merit semifinalists, Hispanic Recognition students
Oak Park and River Forest High School is proud to announce that 19 of its students have placed as National Merit Scholarship semifinalists in the 2009-10 program. In addition, three students have earned the distinction of being named National Achievement Scholarship semifinalists, and two students have earned National Hispanic Recognition Program scholar status, as well as one Honorable Mention. Please note: the National Merit Scholarhip Corporation embargoes from publication the names of National Achievement semifinalists until Wed. Sept. 30.
The National Merit semifinalists are among 16,000 academically talented students named nationally who represent less than 1 percent of the nation’s high school seniors. More than 1.5 million juniors from 22,000 high schools nationwide entered the program seeking to qualify by taking the 2008 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
The Oak Park and River Forest High School students named this year are: Meghan E. Angelos, Sam G. Blobaum, Michael S. Fernandopulle, Eric R. Hallman, John T. Hazinski, David M. Hullinger, Robin Jia, Saskia A. Kiell, Shannon H. Kooser, Amy C. Linder, Grace K. Mizen, Kristen M. Shelstad, Samuel A. Slattery, Emily J. Tucker, David S. Walder, Brendan A. Wallace, Grahame G. Watt, Nicole H. Welindt, and Evangelie M. Zachos.
National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholars from OPRFHS are Isabel Firpo and Isabelia Herrera. Dylan Knox received an honorable mention.
Congratulations to these students on their fine academic accomplishment!
Of 175 Illinois schools with students participating in the 2009-10 program, OPRFHS tied with Hinsdale Central High School for fifth in the state this year in the number of National Merit semifinalists. Last year, OPRFHS was 6th of 180 participating schools. Schools with more semifinalists this year are the Illinois Math and Science Academy, New Trier, Stevenson and Naperville Central.
OPRFHS honors National Achievement honorees for 2009-10
Oak Park and River Forest High School is proud to announce that three of its students have qualified as National Achievement Scholarship Program semifinalists for the 2009-10 year. These students are among the 1,600 academically talented seniors named nationally in the 2010 National Merit Scholarship-sponsored program. More than 160,000 high school juniors nationally competed for recognition in the 2010 National Achievement Program when they took the fall 2008 qualifying exam.
The OPRFHS students named are: Camilla V. Brewer, Charlotte L. Jeffries, and Rosa A. Pergams.
Only the highest scoring students in the state were named Achievement semifinalists who are now eligible to advance to finalist standing.
Of the 43 schools in the state with qualifying students, OPRF is tied with Evanston, Proviso Math and Science Academy, Hinsdale Central and St. Ignatius in having three 2010 National Achievement semifinalists, behind Northside College Prep, Homewood-Flossmoor, Walter Payton College Prep and Whitney Young Magnet High School.
Annual Vocal Talent Competition winners selected
Sept. 17, 2009 - This year, 14 students competed in the Vocal Talent Competition (Audrey E. Smith Talent Competition). Students enrolled in A Cappella Choir, Chorale and Treble Choir sing for a judge and the best three singers are named 1st, 2nd and 3rd place award winners. The 1st place award winner is invited to perform with the OPRFHS Symphony at the April Concert.
This year, the judge for the competition was Amy Anderson DeJung, who is an OPRFHS Tradition of Excellence Alumna. Ms. DeJung sings with professional opera companies throughout the United States and Europe. Her award selections were:
• 1st Gabrielle Klugman, Junior/Soprano
• 2nd Nicholas Beebe, Senior/Tenor
• 3rd Mackenzie Harris, Senior/Bass
The Audrey E. Smith foundation also provides $2,000 - $3,000 of annual financial assistance for choral students who show financial need. This assistance helps students pay for private voice lessons.
Debate Team clinches national Tournament of Champions bid
Nov. 2, 2009 - The OPRF Debate Team advanced in weekend competition clinching a bid to the national Tournament of Champions.Varsity debaters John Hazinski and James Hanley won the quarterfinals at the Iowa Caucus Debates in Cedar Rapids, a competition among 250 students and 46 high schools from Minnesota, Nebraska, Florida, Illinois, Missouri, Georgia, and Iowa. The season continues as the team seeks to continue its climb in the rankings. The Debate Team travels to the University of Michigan tournament over the weekend of November 6-8.
OPRF ranked 539th on Newsweek's 2009 "Top American high schools" list
Oak Park and River Forest High School was ranked 539th in the nation on Newsweek’s 2009 list of “America’s top high schools,” and was the 10th highest ranked high school among 47 Illinois schools on this annual list. This year, 1,480 high schools made the ranking.
This annual ranking rates high schools based on a single metric, the proportion of students taking college-level exams, such as the Cambridge, International Baccalaureate or Advanced Placement.
OPRF offers 22 Advanced Placement courses, with 743 students taking 1,509 exams in May 2008. The numbers of students taking AP exams has increased in the last two years since the English Division added an AP preparation component/designation to all its honors level American Literature courses. May 2009 figures will be available this fall.
Of the 47 Illinois high schools on Newsweek’s list, OPRF ranked higher than all others but Chicago’s Northside College Prep, Lincoln Park High School, Whitney Young and Morgan Park High Schools and suburban Riverside-Brookfield, Stevenson, Hinsdale Central, Highlnadn Park and John Hersey.
The rankings, devised and prepared by education reporter and analyst Jay Mathews, are determined by counting the total number of these tests taken at a school by all students each May, and divided by the number of graduating seniors.
More information about these Newsweek rankings and the methodology used is available at http://www.newsweek.com/id/39380/?q=2008/rank/101/.
OPRF receives 2009 "Best of Oak Park Award" from U.S. Commerce Association
Oak Park and River Forest High School has been selected for the 2009 Best of Oak Park Award in the high school category by the U.S. Commerce Association.
The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses and institutions throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies and institutions it believes have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of their peer organizations, businesses and institutions through service to their customers and community.
Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2009 USCA Award Program focused on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.
Late arrival Mondays allow for weekly professional development
8:50 a.m. arrival ~ 9 a.m. 1st period starts
Most Mondays will be late arrival for students this year to provide faculty with weekly professional development opportunities. Students should arrive by 8:50 a.m. to be on time for their 1st period classes. 1st Period will start at 9 a.m. Up until 7:50 a.m., students may enter the building only through the MAIN ENTRANCE. Students are not allowed ccess to the hallways until 8:50 a.m.
Click on this link to see the Monday Late Arrival Schedule -- 2009-10 dates are below.
- Aug. 31
- Sept. 14, 21, 28
- Oct. 5, 19, 26
- Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
- Dec. 7, 14
- Jan. 4, 11
- Feb. 1, 8, 22
- March 8, 15, 22
- April 5, 12, 19, 26
- May 3, 10, 17, 24
NOTE: From 7:30 – 8:50 a.m., “Making the Most of Monday Mornings” will be offered for students who need and/or want to arrive early.
• The 2nd and 3rd Library will be open, with access to print and computer resources and group study areas;
• The Tutoring Center (Room 393) will be staffed and open for homework help;
• The Testing Center (Room 294) will be open for students who have made prior arrangements with their teachers to retake missed tests/quizzes;
• Breakfast will be available in the North Cafeteria.
Rotary, OPRFHS, community partnerships provide jobs for 70 OPRF teens
May 20, 2009 - Seventy low-income or academically struggling Oak Park and River Forest High School students will receive jobs, training, mentoring and a chance to build skills for school and the workplace this summer through two new initiatives -- one, a unique local business and community partnership, and two, a job training initiative through newly awarded federal stimulus grant funds, District 200/OPRFHS Superintendent Attila J. Weninger and Rotary President Bill Planek announced today.
“These two programs – one developed through private community initiative and the other through competition for public funds – provide our students of greatest promise and need a head start on invaluable life and workplace skills and experiences that are essential to future success in school, college and careers,” Dr. Weninger said. “The level of collaboration, cooperation, generosity and creativity needed to secure the successful launch of both these programs shows our community at its best.”
The first initiative -- the Job1 Summer Internship Program -- will provide jobs mentoring and work skills to 20 current OPRFHS sophomores who are not yet on track to meet college readiness benchmarks on the PLAN/pre-ACT college admission test. These students have already been selected through a competitive application process to participate in this Rotary and Oak Park and River Forest community initiative, with help from Township Youth Services staff and committee and local employers. The program will help students develop life skills that will prepare them better for future high school and workplace performance.
Students in the Job1 program:
• receive mentoring and advice from a mentor and employer who serve as resources throughout the training period and summer;
• attend three training workshops prior to receiving their paid internship/assignment;
• are matched with local employers based on their interests and skills, and
• work a 20-40 hour/week paid internship for eight weeks
“We applaud the generosity of our community agencies and businesses who have donated the student’s summer salary as well as their mentoring and training time to support these students’ growth and development in ways that are sure to benefit them throughout life – whether in school or work or in pursuit of a career,” said Rotary President Bill Planek.
Thanks to $115,000 in competitive grant funds that OPRFHS was awarded this past week, another 50 OPRHFS students -- current freshmen who meet federal low-income criteria and who are struggling academically to meet state standards -- will participate in the Summer Youth Employment job training and career counseling program. The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) federal stimulus money supports youth job training and career development in preparation for entering the workforce in the future. The OPRFHS program -- targeting freshman students who did not meet college readiness benchmarks on the April 2009 PLAN test and show continued numeracy and literacy challenges -- is one of ten public and non-profit agencies in west and south suburban Cook County to be awarded WIA grant funds this year.
Within the next two weeks, the high school will be inviting and securing student participation in this program, as well as offering local non-profit employers an opportunity to provide full-time work experience opportunities for eight-weeks this summer to students whose wages will be paid from stimulus funds.
Leeandrew Wade, an OPRFHS part-time and substitute teacher with an extensive background in Human Resources, Operations, Management and Labor Relations with Nicor at corporate and regional levels and with collegiate level student financial aid administration, will oversee the development and administration of both programs.
“This is really something to celebrate,” said Connie Coleman, Oak Park Township Youth Services Committee member. “This is the first time in my 27 years in Oak Park that the community has successfully secured federal funds for youth job training. The grant will help OPRFHS fulfill its goal of providing low-income students with work experience, training in work readiness skills and career exploration opportunities, as well as with some additional income.” Ms. Coleman was instrumental in writing and securing the grant for OPRFHS, through her expertise as former Chief of the Division of Youth Services for the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration, Midwest Region and as the former assistant regional Director of Job Corps.
Dr. Weninger applauded the additional volunteer efforts of those who made these two programs possible, including:
• Oak Park Township, including Youth Township Services administrative assistant Roberta White who began a youth job training/experience focus in the community last year with development of a Teen Job Bank; Youth Service Committee volunteers Anthony Gargiulo and Mr. Wade who worked with Ms. White to develop pilot career/life/job skill training workshops at the high school that have evolved into the Job 1 workshops;
• Sophia Lloyd, Oak Park River Forest Community Foundation executive director;
• And Job 1 employers/mentors, including AnimalCare League, Mastercare, Park District of Oak Park; Park District of River Forest; West Suburban Special Recreation Association; Hephzibah; Park National Bank; Oak Park Hospital; PJ Ace Hardware; Oak Park District 97; River Forest District 90, the Lake Theater and AGE Options.
