Curriculum and Instructional Programs

Curriculum and Instructional Programs

The following section contains general information about the District's curricular and instructional programs. Parents can obtain more information about related topics by contacting their building principal or the Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning at 847.459.4260, ext. 8020. 

Reporting Student Progress to Parents - Report Cards
The school year is divided into three evaluation (grading) periods for students in grades EC–8. Typically, instructions to access report cards online will be sent one week after the end of the grading period.

Reporting Student Progress to Parents - Family/Educator Conferences
In addition to these regularly scheduled report cards, the equivalent of three full days are set aside in the school calendar for Family/Educator conferences. One and one-half days are scheduled in the late fall and another one and one-half days are scheduled in the spring. Conference appointments are scheduled for the fall and spring conference windows.

Parents/guardians are able to contact a staff member at any point within the school year to discuss student performance.  It is not a district expectation  that staff recreate the conference experience outside the dates/times identified on the calendar. The intent of scheduled conference days is to provide an opportunity for parents and staff to come together to share information in a brief conference–not to replace the opportunity for these same people to come together whenever needed.

General Guidelines for Homework
Homework may be given for a variety of reasons including  make-up work and independent practice. Homework should have clear directions, a purpose, and require a reasonable amount of time to complete. Teachers will make an effort to coordinate major homework assignments to avoid conflicts in the use of student time.

Obtaining Homework Information Following Student Absence
If a student is absent for only one day, assignments should be obtained from his or her teacher(s) upon return to school. Middle school students are encouraged to obtain information about their daily assignments by checking Schoology.

Guidelines for Student Access to the Internet
Students may use the internet as an educational resource under the direction of school staff. The district promotes the use of the internet as a classroom tool. Internet-based activities are designed to serve the learning needs of all students through collaboration and access to information.

Prior to accessing the internet, all students in District 96 and their parents are required to sign and have on file an Internet Access Authorization form. This form sets forth certain Acceptable Internet Use Rules and Guidelines and states that activities that violate those rules and guidelines MAY result in immediate loss of network privileges and/or other appropriate disciplinary action. The Computer Network System Use Policy appears in this Handbook in the section titled Important Notices to the Public.

Middle School Graduation
A ceremony is held each year to commemorate graduation from the District.

Exclusion from Graduation Activities. Students who receive numerous or significant disciplinary referrals during the 8th-grade school year may be excluded from participation in graduation activities. (See Disciplinary Referrals.)

Overview of Districtwide Curricular Standards
Districtwide curricular standards have been established for all grade levels in all content areas. See curriculum guides and districtwide standards on the district website.

Overview of Districtwide Special Instructional Programs

In addition to a core curriculum that is articulated with Stevenson High School District 125, the district offers specialized programs in several areas.

Sexual Abuse Prevention Programs. As required by Section 5/27-13.2 of the Illinois School Code, students will be provided with instruction in recognizing and avoiding sexual abuse. Parents may submit a written request that their child be excluded from this instruction.

Drug Awareness Programs. The curriculum shall include the required instructional activities designed to provide information and instruction on drug awareness and avoidance. The curriculum shall be presented in such a manner that students understand the social, medical, moral, and legal implications of drug abuse in personal terms. The following curriculum objectives should be included in the program:

l.  To increase an individual’s knowledge about drugs

2. To affect an individual’s attitude toward personal consumption of drugs

3. To alter an individual’s drug use behavior, if necessary

The K-8 health curriculum shall include instruction encouraging the following:

1. Development of a healthy lifestyle

2. Understanding of safe practices

3. Improvement of an individual’s decision-making skills

4. Improvement of an individual’s self-concept

Instrumental and General Music Programs. The District supports the development of musical skills and appreciation. The schools offer general music beginning in kindergarten. Orchestra lessons begin in grade four and band lessons begin in grade five. Students and parents will be informed of the enrollment procedures in their child’s school. The band, orchestra, and choral programs present concerts throughout the school year.

Physical Education Programs. Kindergarten, elementary, and middle school students must have athletic shoes for gym classes. These shoes also are required when students participate in after-school sports. Middle school students are required to wear the school’s official physical education uniforms. The uniforms may be purchased at registration or throughout the school year from the  PTO. Students must also purchase a lock for their gym lockers.

Title III Program. Students not considered proficient in English based on State of Illinois criteria receive support through either a Transitional Program of Instruction or dual language program.

Federal Title I Programs. The Title 1 program is a federally funded program offering services to students at eligible school buildings.

Direct efforts are made to involve parents and other representatives of children in planning, operating, and evaluating the Title 1 programs. Additional information regarding these programs may be obtained by contacting either the building principal, the Title 1 teachers at your child’s school,  or the district office.

Acceleration
In response to the Accelerated Placement Act (Public Act 100-0421), the District 96 elementary (Grades K-5) acceleration policy allows for students to gain access to an accelerated curriculum. Parents of students in grades K-4 may request their child(ren) be assessed for acceleration by May 1st of the current school year. If students qualify for accelerated placement, that placement will be implemented the following school year.  Middle school (Grades 6-8) opportunities for acceleration are focused on language arts and math on a course-by-course basis. There are acceleration time restrictions for some courses because they are prerequisites for future coursework, and students cannot miss the content of those courses.  Additional information, including specific qualification criteria, is available on the district website.

District Special Education Services
District 96 offers a continuum of special education programs and services for Children who are eligible (ages 3 through 15) in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEIA, 2004). The District employs special education teachers, instructional aides, itinerants, and related service providers, such as speech and language therapists, school social workers, occupational therapists, and physical therapists, to support children with disabilities who are eligible. In addition, District 96 is a member of the Exceptional Learners Collaborative (ELC). The District contracts with ELC for specific services, such as Early Childhood Assessment, Hearing and Vision Itinerant Support, and Audiology. Diagnostic services and case management are also available to families and children under the age of 3 through Child and Family Connections.

Behavioral Interventions for Students with Disabilities
As required by Public Act 89-191, District 96 has established policy guidelines on the discipline of students with disabilities. The fundamental principle of this policy is that non-aversive or positive interventions, designed to develop and strengthen expected behavior, should be used to the extent possible and are preferable to the use of more restrictive interventions. These guidelines will be furnished annually to the parents or guardians of each student receiving special education services in the district.

Participation in the Patriots Middle School Activity Conference
Students at Twin Groves and Woodlawn Middle Schools can participate in a variety of interscholastic athletic and academic competitions as part of the Patriots Middle School Conference. A copy of the Conference Handbook is available from the principal’s office at either of the middle schools.

Membership in the Patriots Conference consists of area middle schools located within the attendance boundaries of Stevenson High School. Conference participants include Aptakisic Junior High School, Daniel Wright Middle School, Fremont Middle School, Twin Groves Middle School, West Oak Middle School, and Woodlawn Middle School.

Patriots conference activity 6th 7th 8th
Cross Country x x x
Volleyball   x x
Basketball   x x
Wrestling x x x
Soccer x x x
Track x x x
Pom Pons x x x
Scholastic Bowl x x x

Sixth-grade students may also participate in cut sports if players are needed to fill the team, but they may not take the place of a 7th or 8th grader. The Conference will feature A and B teams in basketball and volleyball. The schools may play a non-conference schedule.

Eligibility for Participation in Extracurricular Activities
While all students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities, achievement and learner responsibilities in core academics are the students’ primary responsibilities. Extracurricular activities are defined as those school-sponsored activities that are not assessed on the report card. Because every effort is made to ensure the student’s success in the classroom, eligibility for participation in extracurricular activities will be monitored in the following manner:

1.  Eligibility will be determined on a weekly basis for all extracurricular activities.

2.  A student may be declared ineligible if he/she is not consistently demonstrating (score of 3.0) expected work habits in one or more classes. 

3.  A student may be declared ineligible if he or she is issued a disciplinary referral by one or more staff members.

The expectation is that, during the period of ineligibility, the student will seek extra help to improve his or her work habits, achievement, and/or behavior in order to reinstate eligibility.

Behavioral Expectations for Extracurricular Activities
Students are expected to attend practices, rehearsals, games, contests, etc., unless excused because of illness or through permission of the sponsor or coach. Behavior at and surrounding all practices and events is to reflect expectations for students representing District 96. This includes proper behavior at other schools, on buses, or anywhere a student represents the District.

A student may be dropped from the extracurricular activity for repeated absences or behavior. In addition, students participating in extracurricular activities are expected to follow the guidelines and procedures determined by the coach or sponsor.

Modification of Athletic or Team Uniform

Students may modify their athletic or team uniform for the purpose of modesty in clothing or attire that is in accordance with the requirements of the student’s religion or the student’s cultural values or modesty preferences.

Required Physicals for Extracurricular Activities
Middle school students who plan to participate in interscholastic sports are required to have a complete physical and health examination on file (completed within 12 months of the end of the season for that sport) in the health office before the student may try out or participate. The physical examination form and the interscholastic sports participation form are available at the school office and on the District Website (See Student Health). Parents/guardians of middle school students are asked to mail or deliver the completed forms to their student's middle school office.

Student Supervision Following Extracurricular Activities
Any child remaining after school for games, clubs, band, orchestra, or any other academic projects with a teacher or for any other purpose should go home immediately after dismissal from the activity.

District Summer School Program
District 96 offers an extended Summer School program in two formats: Jump-Start Kindergarten and Academic Summer School. Tuition waivers may be available for those families who qualify.

Jump-Start Kindergarten focuses on readiness skills (i.e., listening and following instructions) that ease a child’s transition into kindergarten. Activities address literacy, numeracy, and readiness skills.

The Academic Summer School program is for students currently in grades Kindergarten–7th grade who need additional support. Because the program is intensive, regular attendance is encouraged.

The district sends information regarding summer school classes and registration to parents in the spring.  Registration takes place during March and April. Enrollment forms are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Other programs may be offered by invitation to select students, including support for students identified as ELL.

Extended School Year Program (ESY) for Students with Disabilities
Extended school year programs for students with disabilities shall be developed based on the student’s individual needs as determined by the student’s IEP team.