Spring 2014 Volume 37 Issue 3

Communicate 158

In this Issue:

Shrek, the Musical 2

HHS Speech Contest Winners

3

D158 Education Foundation Awards Teacher Grants

4

New Nutrition Standards for 2014-15 school year

5

Huntley High School Fine Arts Boosters

6

Preschool to Hold Fun Fair!!

6

Dedicated to Keeping District 158 Community Members Informed

Our Mission

We will Inspire, Challenge, and

Empower everyone every day.

While many districts in the State of Illinois

are financially struggling, District 158 has

steadily improved its financial position over

the last 5 years. As a result of conservative

budgeting, the District has increased its

fund balance, enabling the District to:

minimize educational service disruptions,

maintain cash on hand to counter

unanticipated cash flow shortfalls, address

emergency situations (particularly those that

threaten health and life safety), and

enhance the

District’s credit

rating which

increases

access to debt

markets at lower

interest rates. As a

result, the District

is financially

healthy as evidenced by the Illinois State

Board of Education’s Financial Profile

Rating. In Fiscal Year 2013, the District’s

Financial Profile Rating was that of

“Financial Recognition”, the highest rating

of financial strength in the State.

While financially healthy, the District’s

operating cost per pupil has been able to

stay relatively flat during a period of time

whereby enrollment is increasing. The

District’s operating cost per pupil,

approximating $8,619 per student in fiscal

year 2013, continues to be the lowest in

McHenry County for all K-12 districts and is

significantly below the State’s 2012 average

cost per pupil of $11,842.

Further enhancing the overall financial

position of the District was the District’s

receipt of a $39.4 million capital grant,

received in August 2012, for construction

Continued on page 3

For the second consecutive year, District 158

is one of 477 school districts in the United

States and Canada to be honored by the

College Board with placement on the Annual

AP District Honor Roll for increasing access to

advance placement (AP) course work while

simultaneously maintaining or increasing the

percentage of students earning scores of 3 or

higher on AP exams. Reaching these goals

indicates that Huntley High School is

successfu l ly ident i fy ing mot ivated,

academically prepared students who are

likely to benefit from rigorous AP course work.

Helping more students learn at a higher level

and earn higher AP scores is an objective of all

members of the AP community from teachers

and school administrators to college

professors. Huntley High School is committed

to expanding the availability of AP courses

among prepared and motivated students of all

backgrounds.

Inclusion on the 4th Annual AP District Honor

Roll is based on the examination of three years

of AP data, from 2011 to 2013, for the following

criteria:

Increased participation/access to AP by at

least 4 percent;

Increased or maintained the percentage of

exams taken by African-American, Hispanic/Latino, and American-Indian/Alaska Native students; and

Improved performance levels when comparing the percentage of students in 2013 scoring a 3 or higher to those in 2011, unless the district has already attained a performance level at which more than 70 percent of its AP students are scoring a 3 or higher.

School District 158 currently offers 17 different AP courses at Huntley High School.

Congratulations to the students and staff on this remarkable achievement!

College Board Recognizes D158, Placing District on AP Honor Roll

Financial Update

By Mark Altmayer, CFO

District 158 In The News

Did you know that you can stay up to date with the latest

news, updates, announcements

and news releases featuring students and staff members

of District 158?

Visit the website at www.district158.org and select D158 In the News from the

Quick Links.

Page 2 Communicate 158

Dates to Remember

March

3/21 End of 3rd Quarter

Last Day of School Before Spring Break

3/24 - 3/28 Spring Break No School

3/31 Classes Resume after Spring Break

April 4/18 Non-Attendance Day

No School

May 5/26 Memorial Day

No School / Offices Closed

5/29 Marlowe Middle School 8th Grade Promotion

5/30 Heineman Middle School

8th Grade Promotion

5/31 Huntley High School Graduation

June

6/06 Last Day of School

If all 5 emergency days are used

Communicate 158 is published by School District 158 four times per year. Volume 37— Issue 3

♥ Helping Hands & Caring Hearts ♥ The Volunteers of District 158

The District would like to thank all of our wonderful volunteers who have continued their

volunteer work all winter and braved the cold and snow to come to the schools and share

their time and talents. Of course being at the schools and helping children certainly

warms everyone’s heart!

Calling all local artists ~ Mackeben Elementary is looking for local artists who would be

willing to showcase and talk about their work with children and families during the

school’s annual Art Show on Thursday, April 24 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Art teacher,

Meghan VanNess thought it would be fun for students to see the work of adults who

make “art” a part of their life, either for pleasure or as a career. Some ideal artists would

include but are not limited to: painting, pottery, sculpting, glasswork, woodwork, jewelry

making, basket weaving, photography, graphic design, architecture and quilting. Please

contact me at edelahanty@district158.org or at (847) 659-6152 to sign-up or to answer

any questions you have about the event.

Lastly parents, tis the season for Fine Arts events and in the weeks ahead you’ll be

receiving notices about such events as concerts, book fairs and art shows. Please

consider sharing some of your time as a volunteer when it comes time to sign up.

Remember many hands makes for light work for everyone and successful events for our

students and staff.

By Eileen Delahanty, Volunteer Coordinator

Coming Soon!

Shrek, the Musical Presented by Huntley High School

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday

April 10, 11, and 12 at 7:00 p.m.

Sunday

April 13 at 3:00 p.m.

District 158 Performing Arts Center at Huntley High School

13719 Harmony Road in Huntley

Tickets are $5.00 each and can be purchased at the door

Huntley Community

Radio Station to Host

“Raider Radio”

Huntley High School

students will be “airing”

their new radio pro-

gram, “Raider Radio”

on Tuesdays, Thursdays,

and Saturdays from

3:00 to 3:30 p.m.

To tune in, visit

HuntleyRadio.com

Page 3 Volume 37 Issue 3

Huntley High School Wins IHSA Regional Speech Contest and Excels at IHSA State Contest

Competition was tough in the Illinois High School Association Regional Speech Contest held last month, but Huntley High School participants excelled placing first in the day-long contest with an overall score of 67.

Congratulations to the following individuals for their accomplishments and best of luck as they move on to compete in the National Forensic League District Tournament scheduled for early March at Huntley High School:

Category Participant(s) Award Placement

Dramatic Duet Acting Edgar Arriaga and Stephanie Vargas 5th place

Dramatic Interpretation Jacob Quirk 1st place

Extemporaneous Speaking Parth Patel 1st place

Humorous Duet Acting Jacob Quirk and Brooke Romero 5th place

Humorous Interpretation Jordan Moore 1st place

Impromptu Speaking Parth Patel 1st place

Informative Speaking Jazmine Rosales 1st place

Oratorical Declamation Lexie Ziolkowski 4th place

Original Comedy Jordan Moore 1st place

Original Oratory Lexie Ziolkowski 1st place

Poetry Reading Valerie Hartgraves 5th place

Prose Reading Brooke Romero 1st place

Radio Speaking Mark O’Meara 3rd place

Special Occasion Speaking Max Peterson 1st place

Congratulations also to Parth Patel who won the State Championship in Extemporaneous Speaking and to Jacob Quirk who placed second in Dramatic Interpretation at the IHSA State Speech Contest!

Huntley High School had its best finish ever placing 8th as a team overall.

that was primarily completed in 2005. These grant funds are dedicated to capital projects and

the payment of long term debt, primarily to pay for the high school addition as well as for the

future abatement (reduction) over the previous payment schedule in taxes on the District’s

long-term debt.

The improved financial position has allowed the District to keep property taxes, aside from new

construction, flat the last three years. This year, due to increasing costs, the District is extending

the 2013 Levy, property taxes paid in 2014, with the Consumer Price Index increase of 1.7% in

accordance with State’s Property Tax Extension Limitation law.

The District is currently working on its Fiscal Year 2015 Budget. The first draft of this budget continues the strategic

direction of the District, including funds to cover the continued deployment of the District’s digital transformation (1:1) as

well as the hiring of additional employees, the result of increased enrollment and needs.

Although great things are happening in District 158, the District still relies on 23% of its revenues coming from the State of

Illinois, and therefore we cannot lose sight of potential risks and challenges. Currently, there has been no information from

the State with regard to the State Budget and the related funding of Elementary and Secondary Education. As such, there

continues to be heightened uncertainty surrounding education funding and the related state budget cuts.

As we have done in the past, should the forecasted results begin to slip at any point, the Administration and Board of

Education will modify course and make adjustments that are necessary to meet the overall financial and strategic goals

of the District.

Financial Update Continued from page 1

Page 4 Communicate 158

Education Foundation Announces Grant Recipients

Members of the District 158 Education Foundation recently surprised several teachers by entering their classrooms carrying the famous “Big Check” to award this years’ grant recipients. A total of $8,085.00 in grants were awarded to provide funding for programs, resources and tools that can significantly impact student achievement and learning. The 2014 winning grants include:

Site License to Big Universe.com $3,200.00

School site license with access to ebooks and writing resources for students

Conley Elementary – Kelly Fusco

Blood Pressure Simulator $1,200.00

Financial assistance for program to increase independent learning skills

Huntley High Medical Academy – Renae St. Clair

“Road to College” Mural $310.00

Financial assistance for program to increase independent learning skills

Martin Elementary – Matt Webster

The Foundation received 22 applications with requests totaling $59,408.12 this year. Applications not selected for funding have been placed online to provide local businesses and the community at large the opportunity to adopt and fund even more innovative ideas. Visit the District 158 Education Foundation Fund a Need Program requests page at www.district158.org/education-foundation.

The Education Foundation, a non-profit organization, provides funding for grants and other programs through fundraisers, special events, and the solicitation of funds in an effort to fulfill their mission to enrich and enhance educational opportunities to assist students in achieving academic excellence.

LIGHT Program — Tier I $3,000.00

Program funding to increase independent learning skills for students ages +18

D158 Special Education – R

Math Team Contest Fees $375.00

Registration fees for students to attend math team contests in 2014-15

Huntley High – Laura Jenkins

“Egg”cited About Science $200.00

Supplies for Hands-on Science “Chick Unit” for kindergarten students

Mackeben Elementary – Jennifer Wilkinson

The Education Foundation would like to thank the many volunteers, donors, and participants for their

support of our fundraising events which makes the awarding of grants possible each year.

The District 158 Education Foundation has recently added four new members to serve on the organization’s

Board of Directors:

Sara Mitchell, D158 parent and realtor for Century 21 New Heritage

Michael Skala, D158 parent, owner of Innovative Component Sales, Inc. and ICS Flange, McHenry County

Board Member, and former Board of Education President for School District 158

Mary Argall, administrative assistant to D158 Food Services Director

Tina Drzal, D158 parent and chef instructor at McHenry County College

The following individuals have been sworn in as Education Foundation Officers for 2014:

President - Chad Alexander, D158 parent and employee with Lamp, Inc.

Vice President - Roger Schroepfer, D158 parents and employee with Wold Architects Engineers

Secretary - Mary Argall, administrative assistant to D158 Food Services Director

Treasurer - Samuel Wise III, D158 parent and employee for Chase Bank

Additional Board of Directors member: Lorie Woods, Foundation Board Executive Secretary, District 158

Administrative Assistant of External Programs.

Education Foundation Announces New Board Members & Officers

Page 5 Volume 37 Issue 3

Effective July 1, 2014 there will be new Nutrition

Standards for all foods sold in schools.

In the past, the USDA regulations only governed the

reimbursable meals in the National School Lunch and

Breakfast programs. Section 208 of the Healthy, Hunger-

Free Kids Act provided the USDA the authority to

establish nutrition standards for all foods and beverages

sold to students outside of the Federal child nutrition

programs in schools. The new USDA established

nutrition standards will impact all food and beverages

sold to students on the school campus* during the school

day including:

A la carte in the cafeteria

School stores

Snack bars

Vending machines

Fundraising activities

To be allowable, a food item must:

1. Be a whole grain rich product (50% or more whole

grains); or

2. Have the first ingredient listed as a fruit, vegetable,

dairy product or protein food (meat, beans, poultry,

etc.); or

3. Be a “combination food” with at least 1/2 cup of fruit

and/or vegetable (fruit and yogurt, hummus and

vegetables, etc.); or

4. Contain 10% of the Daily Value of one nutrient of

public health concern (through 6/30/16) such as

calcium, potassium, vitamin D dietary fiber; and

5. Must meet all of the specific nutrient standards below:

Total Fat must be ≤ 35% of total calories from fat

per item;

Saturated Fat must be ≤ 10% of total calories per

item;

Trans Fat must be zero grams (< 0.5g) of trans fat

per portion;

Sodium—Entrées must be ≤ 480mg of sodium per

item (for entrée items that do not meet NSLP/SBP exemption);

Sodium—Snack and Side items must be ≤ 230mg

(until 6/30/16) and ≤ 200mg after 6/30/16;

Calories—Entrées must be ≤ 350 calories per item

(for entrée items that do not meet NSLP/SBP exemption);

Calories—Snack and Side items must be ≤ 200

calories per item;

Total Sugar must be ≤ 35% of weight from total

sugars per item (dried/dehydrated fruits and vegetables are exempt);

Allowable beverage items:

Plain water (carbonated or non-carbonated)

Low fat milk, unflavored

Non-fat milk, flavored or unflavored

100% fruit and/or vegetable juice

Elementary and Middle Schools

Foods and beverages must be caffeine-free, with the

exception of trace amounts of naturally occurring caffeine

substances.

High Schools Only

No caffeine restrictions;

Calorie Free beverages maximum serving size is 20 fluid

ounces.

Lower-Calorie Beverages: Maximum serving size is 12

fluid ounces; up to 60 calories per 12 fluid ounces; or up

to 40 calories per 8 fluid ounces.

* School Campus: all areas of the property under the jurisdiction of the

school that is accessible to students during the school day. The school

day is the period from the midnight before, to 30-minutes after the end

of the official school day. Not applicable to faculty areas in which

students do not have access.

Changes Ahead for Nutrition Standards

Means Healthier Students

By Kevin Harris, Food Services Director

Page 6 Communicate 158

HHS seniors: Are you looking for money to help pay your

tuition, books, supplies, and other fees needed for college?

Check out the Scholarships Available page of the HHS

Student Services website at district158.org/hhs.

Many scholarship opportunities are available including:

HHS Fine Arts Boosters - Offering 3, $500 scholarship to

graduating seniors and 2, $200 scholarships to underclassmen

who are involved in the fine arts disciplines at Huntley High

School (band, chorus, dance, theatre, speech and visual arts).

Scholarships for non-graduating students are to be used to

attend summer extra curricular activities such as camps,

education programs and opportunities in the fine arts.

Scholarships for graduating seniors are to be used strictly for

college expenses.

Application forms and complete details are available at

huntleyfinearts.com/scholarships.

District 158 Education Foundation - Awarding up to 10,

$1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors who are planning

on continuing their education.

Application forms are available on the Foundation webpage at

district158.org/education-foundation.

Attention College-Bound Seniors Scholarship Money Available!!

HHS Fine Arts Boosters

Window Decals Now Available!!

Show your pride in your Red Raider’s achievements all around town with a personalized 6” Fine Arts Window Decal for your car! Sale dates are NOW through March 21st.

Visit www.HuntleyFineArts.com choose FUNdraisers and follow the links to the order form.

Delivery will be available at Fine Arts events throughout the month of April… just in time for the warm weather to affix your new show of pride decal to your vehicle!

Save the Date: April 27 Fine Arts Variety Show

The Fine Arts Boosters are happy to announce the Annual Fine Arts Variety Show will be held on Sunday, April 27 at 3:00 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at the high school.

Again this year, the show will feature current and future HHS Fine Arts Talents from District 158. Start practicing now for tryouts later this month. Visit www.HuntleyFineArts.com for audition times and location.

Stay Connected to HHS Fine Arts

There are many new and exciting events, fundraisers, and lots of news coming from your HHS Fine Arts Boosters. Stay connected to it all with our NEW newsletter which can be found at www.HuntleyFineArts.com, or by emailing us at HuntleyFineArts@gmail.com.

FACEBOOK USER? Find us at our page “HHS Fine Arts Boosters” or for more details, join our group “HHS Fine Arts News and Events”.

Summer School for

High School Students

Registration for 2014 Summer School for high school ‘Get Ahead’ Courses and Remedial Courses is currently underway. Two sessions will be held:

Session I June 9 to July 3 (Monday thru Thursday) Session II July 7 to July 31 (Monday thru Thursday)

For additional information, visit

district158.org/summerschool/index.html

Due to construction taking place this

summer at Huntley High School,

ALL high school courses will be held at

Marlowe Middle School.

Page 7 Volume 37 Issue 3

Is Your Child Registered

for Kindergarten?

If you were unable to attend Kindergarten Registration in February, please come to the District Registration Office, located at 650 Academic Drive, Algonquin, IL 60102, as soon as possible to register your child. Please check the District website for required paperwork needed to register at www.district158.org/kindergarten-registration-information. If you have any questions, please contact the District 158 Registration Office at (847) 659-6147. Please bring your kindergartener with you so we may

take their ID photo at the time of registration.

Returning Student Registration

for 2014-2015 School Year

The Registration Office will soon be in the process of making preparations for the 2014-2015 school year. It is extremely important that we have an accurate number for our student enrollment to properly plan for the new school year. In order to do that, letters will be mailed home for each student in early April regarding the returning student registration procedures.

Registration Fees for 2014-2015 will remain the same, with no increase from the current school year.

If Paid Before If Paid After

8/20/14 8/20/14

Pre-school Programs N/A $112.00

Kindergarten—AM Only $117.00 $167.00

Kindergarten—Full Day $167.00 $217.00

Grades 1-5 $123.00 $173.00

Grades 6-8 $168.00 $218.00

Grades 9-12 $178.00 $228.00

The four month payment plan (August thru November) will be available again for the 2014-2015 fees. In order to receive the reduced rate, 25% of the family total will need to be received in the Registration Office on or before Wednesday, August 20, 2014.

If you have any questions regarding the registration process, please contact the Registration Office at (847) 659-6147.

Kindergarten Parent Orientation Night

and Building Tours

Before you realize it, August will arrive and you will be sending your child off to school for the very first time. To assist parents with this transition, a Parent Orientation Night meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 22 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Chesak Elementary, Leggee Elementary, and Mackeben Elementary Schools.

Kindergarten teachers will be available to answer questions and talk about the grade level curriculum. Please note this is a meeting for parents only.

Parents and incoming kindergarteners are invited to visit the schools for building tours to help prepare students and parents for a smooth first day of school. Tours will be conducted June 10, August 7, and August 12 at 1:00 p.m. at Chesak Elementary, Leggee Elementary, and Mackeben Elementary Schools.

If you have any questions regarding the Building Tours or Parent Orientation Nights, please contact the school office your child will attend in the fall.

Immunization & Physical Requirements for

2014-2015 School Year

Illinois State law requires that every child entering Preschool, Kindergarten, grade 6, or grade 9 submit a complete physical exam and immunization record to their school Health Office prior to the first day of school or the child will not be allowed to begin school.

Forms and a complete listing of requirements for each grade level are available at:

www.district158.org/forms

Please Note:

Students entering Kindergarten will not receive their teacher assignments until their physical is submitted.

Students who are entering grade 6 or grade 9 will not be permitted to pick up their schedule at “Material Pick-Up Day” without a physical submitted.

School Supply Lists

School supply lists for students entering grades K-8 will be

posted on the District website at www.district158.org/forms by

May 1, 2014.

ECRWSS POSTAL PATRON

PRSRT STD U. S. POSTAGE

PAID ALGONQUIN, IL PERMIT NO. 138

650 Academic Drive

Algonquin, IL 60102

Our Schools

Chesak Elementary School 10910 Reed Road Lake in the Hills, IL 60156 (847) 659-5700

Conley Elementary School

750 Academic Drive Algonquin, IL 60102 (847) 659-3700

Heineman Middle School 725 Academic Drive Algonquin, IL 60102 (847) 659-4300

Huntley High School 13719 Harmony Road Huntley, IL 60142 (847) 659-6600

Leggee Elementary School

13723 Harmony Road Huntley, IL 60142 (847) 659-6200

Mackeben Elementary School 800 Academic Drive Algonquin, IL 60102 (847) 659-3400

Marlowe Middle School

9625 Haligus Road Lake in the Hills, IL 60156 (847) 659-4700

Martin Elementary School

10920 Reed Road Lake in the Hills, IL 60156 (847) 659-5300

Administrative Cabinet

Dr. John Burkey Superintendent

Terry Awrey, Ed.S. Associate Superintendent

Mark Altmayer Chief Financial Officer / Treasurer

Jessica Lombard Assistant Superintendent of HR

Mike Moan Chief Academic Officer

Board of Education

Donald Drzal President

Paul Troy Vice President

Kimberly Skaja Secretary

Michael Fleck Member

William Geheren Member

Kevin Gentry Member

Anthony Quagliano Member

~ Violent Offender Community Notification ~

State law requires all schools to provide parents and community members with information about sex offenders and violent offenders against youth. You may find the Illinois Sex Offender Registry and the Murderer & Violent Offender

Against Youth Registry on the Illinois State Police’s website at:

www.isp.state.il.us/sor/ • www.isp.state.il.us/cmvo/

Fertilizer/Herbicide, Pesticide Applications

As required by School Code, notification of scheduled applications of pesticide, herbicide, and/or fertilizer products must be made to interested parents, students, community members, and staff prior to applications of such products.

District 158 will again offer email notifications to all interested individuals prior to all scheduled applications and in the event of an emergency application due to an immediate threat to property or health.

If you would like to receive notice of applications, please send an email to LWoods@District158.org to be added to the email notification list. Please include Product

Applications in the subject line.

Those individuals who are already signed up to receive notifications do not need to sign up again.

We hope you will find these email notifications to be a valuable and timely communication tool.

* We will continue to post notifications of scheduled applications, emergency applications, and notice of cancellations on the home page of the District 158 website.

As indicated in District 158’s Integrated Pest Management program,

fertilizer, herbicide, and pest control products are applied only when necessary.

End of School Year Reminders

Although it is only March, the end of the school year will be here before we know it and therefore, we’d like to remind parents and students of the following:

Student Medications - All medications must be picked up on the last day of school by a

parent or guardian. Please contact the Health Office at your child’s school with any questions or concerns.

Lunch Menus - Parents are asked to check the K-5 grade lunch menus each week

during the last month of school as menus may be revised to eliminate waste.

Graduation Information - Huntley High School’s Graduation will take place on

Saturday, May 31, 2014 at the Sears Center in Hoffman Estates. Additional information for parents will be mailed home as the date approaches and will also be posted on the Huntley High School web pages.

Middle School 8th Grade Promotions - Promotion ceremonies for Marlowe Middle

School 8th graders will be held on Thursday, May 29 and for Heineman Middle School 8th graders on Friday, May 30. Both promotion ceremonies will be held at Huntley High School beginning at 7:00 p.m. Additional information will be distributed to 8th graders and will also be posted on the Heineman and Marlowe Middle School web pages.

Be sure to check the District 158 website for

updates, notices, important dates and additional information.