Over ten years ago, Gurnee School District 56 was feeling the pinch of a growing school population and planned to re-open the oldest building in the district, Gurnee Grade School.
Since its closure in June 1998, the building was being rented out to the Gurnee Park District and a local Christian School. However, the district was looking for an economical way to create more space for incoming students and reclaiming the school was the first step.
The obvious solution was to use real estate that was already available and configured for educational pursuits. Unfortunately, with its long history in the village, also came some long-standing issues and problems.
Being the only school in the village until Viking School opened in 1971 and its foundation just east of the DesPlaines River, meant the school was old and flood-prone. No nice modern classrooms, no climate-controlled hallways, and the yearly threat of the river flowing through the building, were only a few reasons that parents were not likely to move their children to Gurnee Grade.
To entice families back into the building, the district decided to make the school an option school. What it could not offer in amenities, it could give in choice. All-day kindergarten was initiated, smaller class-size, multi-age classrooms, and eventually housing kindergarten through eighth grade in the same building. Accommodating all siblings in one school was a boon to most families trying to work out the logistics of a typical school day.
No one was moved to Gurnee Grade against their will and they actually had to request in writing to be put on a waiting list. Parents who sent their children to GGS became great supporters and volunteers in a strong family of staff and educators that bonded over the years over sandbags, steamy classrooms, and crowded conditions.
This alternative program has payed-off big time for the village, district, school, and the students in it. Principal Jen Glickley was notified in late January that Gurnee Grade School earned an award from the Illinois State Board of Education. In her email to her staff, Mrs. Glickley said, “This is a HUGE testament to all the hard work each of you does everyday. It's more proof that EVERY CHILD can learn! Thank you!”
The 2011 Excellence Award for Exemplary Academic Performance on the Illinois Learning Standards was earned by GGS by meeting the following criteria:
* Must have made Adequate Yearly Progress in 2010 and 2011 as required by "No Child Left Behind".
*In schools serving eighth grade and below, 90% of the students must have met or exceeded state standards in reading and math for the three most recent years.
Throughout the state, 438 schools earned this award, but this is the first award in Gurnee School District 56. Gurnee Grade School is not a pretty school, it is not spacious, and it is definitely not new, but the family that has formed since the re-opening in 2003 has made a difference that really counts.
The Illinois State Board of Education recognized Gurnee Grade School with a certificate commemorating the inclusion on the 2011 Illinois Honor Roll stating, "...you and your faculty on all the good work required to sustain academic excellence in your school".
Next year the students will be moved to another building and Gurnee Grade will be no more, but the heart of the school will remain. Having a safe and dry environment in a comfortable setting is only the icing on the cake for the teachers, staff, and families who took a chance by being part of this worthy experiment.
The statement on the certificate further reads: "Demonstrating long-term commitment to the highest quality of education, students, educators, and families at Gurnee Grade School have earned a 2011 Excellence Award".
A strong validation for the decision the district made for practical reasons, yet garnered so much more for the district. Superintendent John Hutton added his congratulations to all the staff at Gurnee Grade School through a letter last week.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Remembering 9/11/01
Of course with any major event that is experienced in our lives, we look back and think about what we were doing when it took place. With Sunday’s remembrances for 9/11, I looked at what I was doing and where my life was when I heard for the first time of the plane crashing into Tower One of the World Trade Center. The names read, the six moments of silence, touching music, and the eloquent words spoken by leaders both present and past touched my heart deeply.
Just ten years ago, I watched with others to see our lives changing irrevocably and forever. Our contentment and nonchalance that violence was not going to touch America and the fear of terrorism, war, or that the threat of fanatics taking away our security on home turf was no longer a distant thought. The Towers being attacked, the Pentagon in flames, the heroes going down in Pennsylvania, the last Tower falling, and the death toll climbing brought us together in solidarity, pain, and patriotism.
We have learned a lot in the last ten years. The tributes both nationally and locally on Sunday have once again allowed me to remember what has been lost, endured, and treasured in my life. Listening to how survivors or the loved ones of the almost 3000 people, who perished that day, have coped and subsequently moved on in their lives was so moving. The children and grandchildren born after the tragedy give me hope for a better future for all of us. Those victims are in our memories with each smile or mannerism repeated through the generations to come.
The realization of unbearable loss of those people who died are multiplied by the first responders who gave their all, and the ones lost in the subsequent war on terrorism ripple in our public consciousness like the memorial pool at Ground Zero
Seeing our nation, mourning their deaths, yet celebrating their lives and heroics- humbles me. We truly will not forget that Tuesday, ten years ago and hopefully the recollections from that awful day will keep us strong, focused, and dedicated to the freedom we all deserve.
Just ten years ago, I watched with others to see our lives changing irrevocably and forever. Our contentment and nonchalance that violence was not going to touch America and the fear of terrorism, war, or that the threat of fanatics taking away our security on home turf was no longer a distant thought. The Towers being attacked, the Pentagon in flames, the heroes going down in Pennsylvania, the last Tower falling, and the death toll climbing brought us together in solidarity, pain, and patriotism.
We have learned a lot in the last ten years. The tributes both nationally and locally on Sunday have once again allowed me to remember what has been lost, endured, and treasured in my life. Listening to how survivors or the loved ones of the almost 3000 people, who perished that day, have coped and subsequently moved on in their lives was so moving. The children and grandchildren born after the tragedy give me hope for a better future for all of us. Those victims are in our memories with each smile or mannerism repeated through the generations to come.
The realization of unbearable loss of those people who died are multiplied by the first responders who gave their all, and the ones lost in the subsequent war on terrorism ripple in our public consciousness like the memorial pool at Ground Zero
Seeing our nation, mourning their deaths, yet celebrating their lives and heroics- humbles me. We truly will not forget that Tuesday, ten years ago and hopefully the recollections from that awful day will keep us strong, focused, and dedicated to the freedom we all deserve.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
New Year, New Me???
Okay, this year I did not even think about New Year Resolutions. Yeah, I did run through the "getting in shape", "learning not to procrastinate", and my all-time favorite, "spending within my means" scenarios, but the truth is that I am older and wiser. I know that making a list with all my potential improvements will remain a list for the next year with only a hint of guilt for not following-through.
I have gone with a new approach. I am trying to be better in some way everyday. Maybe it will be eating right, or doing a project early, or maybe just not buying that book or gadget that I was dying for in the first place. Or maybe it will be thinking about the act and deciding that I really do want it and will make it work accordingly.
Like me, I am sure you know what I am talking about as January 1st comes around each year and a new plan is needed to make a fresh start. However, I have a feeling that it is not necessary to restart or begin over again, but maybe like tortoise and "keep a-goin".
The point being that I am going to live in the present in a meaningful way- each and every day. No matter worrying or planning out what will never be accomplished from a insignificant man-made list. I do have to do all those things I mentioned, but for me and not because I am suppose to do it. Quality, not quantity is my new philosophy.
I will work on my weight and exercising to be healthier and live longer. I will whittle away at my "to do" list a little at a time, and I will use my money to make my life better and the people around me. Making time to enjoy my pursuits as well as handle my responsibilities. So, I will pursue my classes, finish paying my credit card debt, work and volunteer on a regular basis while allowing myself some all important "me" time for writing, creating, and actually relaxing on occasion.
With a new granddaughter, two wonderful grown daughters with their own lives, and a husband of a gazillion years, I have learned that they are what makes my life whole. Having that in mind, I know that they are my priority this year and every year. If I miss with them, I miss completely. So, I believe that this year there will be a new me. It will one day at a time even if it takes all year. Persistence is the key...
I have gone with a new approach. I am trying to be better in some way everyday. Maybe it will be eating right, or doing a project early, or maybe just not buying that book or gadget that I was dying for in the first place. Or maybe it will be thinking about the act and deciding that I really do want it and will make it work accordingly.
Like me, I am sure you know what I am talking about as January 1st comes around each year and a new plan is needed to make a fresh start. However, I have a feeling that it is not necessary to restart or begin over again, but maybe like tortoise and "keep a-goin".
The point being that I am going to live in the present in a meaningful way- each and every day. No matter worrying or planning out what will never be accomplished from a insignificant man-made list. I do have to do all those things I mentioned, but for me and not because I am suppose to do it. Quality, not quantity is my new philosophy.
I will work on my weight and exercising to be healthier and live longer. I will whittle away at my "to do" list a little at a time, and I will use my money to make my life better and the people around me. Making time to enjoy my pursuits as well as handle my responsibilities. So, I will pursue my classes, finish paying my credit card debt, work and volunteer on a regular basis while allowing myself some all important "me" time for writing, creating, and actually relaxing on occasion.
With a new granddaughter, two wonderful grown daughters with their own lives, and a husband of a gazillion years, I have learned that they are what makes my life whole. Having that in mind, I know that they are my priority this year and every year. If I miss with them, I miss completely. So, I believe that this year there will be a new me. It will one day at a time even if it takes all year. Persistence is the key...
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Life is What You Make It...
I have not posted a blog since July. It is now October and the weather is turning to the cool crispness of Autumn. This summer I was preparing to be a grandmother for the first time and although I certainly feel way to young to be one- the prospect was wonderful. Instead of feeling older with a Grandma next to my name, I feel miraculously alive in an amazing way. Suddenly, I have so many reasons to be everything I can be and more. This gift is not lost on me either. All the great plans for the future mean so much more with a new life to share it with(as long as her parents will put up with me). Let the adventures begin.
So, on July 23rd at about seven minutes to midnight my first born gave birth (just minutes before being 10 days late) to her first born, Olivia Belle. At nine pounds, eleven ounces, 22 inches long, and did I mention almost 10 days late(?) my husband and I became grandparents. Life as we knew it changed once again. Blessed beyond measure over the years with family and friends to enrich our lives, the next chapter began.
However, this does not mean all things, all the time are copacetic. The majority of the time it is a great life. I might not have as much money as I would like, my last few classes for my degree are stalled because of funding, a little too much credit card debt, and some house repairs that keep popping up on a daily basis, yet I remain a happy camper.
Do not get me wrong- financially speaking life can be rough. I keep waiting for the proverbial pot-of-gold to land in my lap and allow me to fulfill my dreams, but I have come to realize that if it never gets here I will be okay. I keep dreaming and learning while I am finding time to do what I want to do for me. Putting things on hold until the right circumstances appear is crazy. Tomorrow I might not be here and I will only be a memory to the ones I love. Nope, not me...I am going to enjoy it while I can...until next time.
So, on July 23rd at about seven minutes to midnight my first born gave birth (just minutes before being 10 days late) to her first born, Olivia Belle. At nine pounds, eleven ounces, 22 inches long, and did I mention almost 10 days late(?) my husband and I became grandparents. Life as we knew it changed once again. Blessed beyond measure over the years with family and friends to enrich our lives, the next chapter began.
However, this does not mean all things, all the time are copacetic. The majority of the time it is a great life. I might not have as much money as I would like, my last few classes for my degree are stalled because of funding, a little too much credit card debt, and some house repairs that keep popping up on a daily basis, yet I remain a happy camper.
Do not get me wrong- financially speaking life can be rough. I keep waiting for the proverbial pot-of-gold to land in my lap and allow me to fulfill my dreams, but I have come to realize that if it never gets here I will be okay. I keep dreaming and learning while I am finding time to do what I want to do for me. Putting things on hold until the right circumstances appear is crazy. Tomorrow I might not be here and I will only be a memory to the ones I love. Nope, not me...I am going to enjoy it while I can...until next time.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Relay for Life Gurnee/Wadsworth, IL
So,last Saturday night the communities of Gurnee and Wadsworth once again came out in force to celebrate another successful Relay for Life. This is a homecoming of sorts for so many people each year. By my last count there were well over 70 teams participating and many more who volunteered in one way or another. At last count, they had not reached their goal dollar-wise, but donations are still being accepted into August.
Many of the people sharing their time, are friends and acquaintances that come out like myself to honor the ones who have had cancer or to remember the loved ones we have lost. Either way- the number are far too many!
Seeing the survivor lap in the opening ceremony and luminaria with glowing lights around the track or in the bleachers will choke anyone up. If that was not emotional enough, when the looping footage of all who have been touched by cancer appears on the big screen, the love and strength are palpable as everyone continues to walk in the darkness and charged silence.
I was just a lightweight this year in the volunteer department, because of the impending birth of my granddaughter. I worked the accounting tent for awhile, donated some money, and walked for a bit on the track, but being part of this amazing event for even a little bit makes me feel part of the effort and so proud of my neighbors and friends.
This year the RFL was headed by Heidi May, Samantha May, and Megan Kile. They did an awesome job!! Hot as it almost always is, the Warren Township High School athletic field (Home Sweet Home), the weather held for the 12 hour walk. Lightening, dark clouds, and humidity, was all-around Gurnee, but above the track not a cloud in sight. It was wonderful!
Entertainment, silent auctions, and lots of donated food to feed the masses, it was a feel good night for all! A time to give, to meet with friends, and exercise those muscles does not seem like an obligation, but an honor instead. Next year, I will be there for the whole thing as we all work again to eliminate cancer forever. Until next time...
Many of the people sharing their time, are friends and acquaintances that come out like myself to honor the ones who have had cancer or to remember the loved ones we have lost. Either way- the number are far too many!
Seeing the survivor lap in the opening ceremony and luminaria with glowing lights around the track or in the bleachers will choke anyone up. If that was not emotional enough, when the looping footage of all who have been touched by cancer appears on the big screen, the love and strength are palpable as everyone continues to walk in the darkness and charged silence.
I was just a lightweight this year in the volunteer department, because of the impending birth of my granddaughter. I worked the accounting tent for awhile, donated some money, and walked for a bit on the track, but being part of this amazing event for even a little bit makes me feel part of the effort and so proud of my neighbors and friends.
This year the RFL was headed by Heidi May, Samantha May, and Megan Kile. They did an awesome job!! Hot as it almost always is, the Warren Township High School athletic field (Home Sweet Home), the weather held for the 12 hour walk. Lightening, dark clouds, and humidity, was all-around Gurnee, but above the track not a cloud in sight. It was wonderful!
Entertainment, silent auctions, and lots of donated food to feed the masses, it was a feel good night for all! A time to give, to meet with friends, and exercise those muscles does not seem like an obligation, but an honor instead. Next year, I will be there for the whole thing as we all work again to eliminate cancer forever. Until next time...
Thursday, July 1, 2010
July 1st- New Chapter
I am one of those lucky ones who have a little over a month off during the summer, because I work in a school district. Until this state goes to an all-year school system, my pay gets stretched out into a full year. Despite public opinion, this does not give me more money for less work, but a paycheck all year to compensate for my not getting the opportunity to work at my job. Like teachers, I have no say on when I work per se- I work when the school year permits.
Having said this, I know I am blessed with a period of time that I can refresh, reconnect, and reconfigure my life. Sure there are some routine and mundane chores that I could tackle and sometimes do, yet just some down time to reeavulate what I am doing with my life is really, really good.
I realized just recently that with this time off configured as it is, I am doing this introspection at the half way point of the year. I planned all my me-work just after the summer solstice, which seems significant to me. I have plans to work-out more, eat better, organize my growing pile of stuff, and concentrate on my writing.
There is another reason this time seems so significant as the beginning of a new chapter- I am going to be a grandmother for the first time. My oldest daughter is due very, very soon. As I look back at my pregnancy with her about the same time of year, I do become retrospective. All my hopes, fears, and plans were not much different than hers are now. I have the joy of knowing those feelings have worked out for the most part, well.
Also, realizing that the human spirit is resilient when overcoming the bad things and forever hopeful for the yet to be. I relish each part of this new chapter in my life. Until next time...
Having said this, I know I am blessed with a period of time that I can refresh, reconnect, and reconfigure my life. Sure there are some routine and mundane chores that I could tackle and sometimes do, yet just some down time to reeavulate what I am doing with my life is really, really good.
I realized just recently that with this time off configured as it is, I am doing this introspection at the half way point of the year. I planned all my me-work just after the summer solstice, which seems significant to me. I have plans to work-out more, eat better, organize my growing pile of stuff, and concentrate on my writing.
There is another reason this time seems so significant as the beginning of a new chapter- I am going to be a grandmother for the first time. My oldest daughter is due very, very soon. As I look back at my pregnancy with her about the same time of year, I do become retrospective. All my hopes, fears, and plans were not much different than hers are now. I have the joy of knowing those feelings have worked out for the most part, well.
Also, realizing that the human spirit is resilient when overcoming the bad things and forever hopeful for the yet to be. I relish each part of this new chapter in my life. Until next time...
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Can't We Just Vote on It?
Would it be so terrible when this nation is faced with a pressing issue that may affect life as we know it, that we just get out and vote on the option at hand? There are polls to analyze polls and political commentators all over the news telling us what we think and how we should think.It is just getting really old.
Take our first ever health care bill to be signed into law recently. Wouldn't it have been much easier to just poll the American people and see what they really wanted? Don't get me wrong- I was for the legislation, but I grew weary trying to sort out all the political maneuvering going on in this constituent's name. Even a straw poll would have given a real voice to the voters and isn't that what we really want?
I know we voted these politicians into office, yet something happens once they get in the fray that really worries me. Special interests, political alliances, and bargaining for their little piece of the pie becomes more important than the people back home. They are our representatives or are they? I sometimes wonder what happens to those statesmen when they get the party call to unite.
So, would it really be so bad if we really did a vote on these big issues and then have the legislature hammer out the details? How easy would have been if they knew right away that regardless of the party line- the citizens of this country wanted health insurance to be available for everyone? Then they could have dealt with that alone without tagging all the other stuff that came along with the bill to get it passed.
I am sure there are other topics that could benefit from a nice clear vote with majority rules. Education, War, outsourcing jobs, immigration laws, and what about dare I say- bailing out Wall Street ever again??? Yep, let's vote on it!
Until next time...
Take our first ever health care bill to be signed into law recently. Wouldn't it have been much easier to just poll the American people and see what they really wanted? Don't get me wrong- I was for the legislation, but I grew weary trying to sort out all the political maneuvering going on in this constituent's name. Even a straw poll would have given a real voice to the voters and isn't that what we really want?
I know we voted these politicians into office, yet something happens once they get in the fray that really worries me. Special interests, political alliances, and bargaining for their little piece of the pie becomes more important than the people back home. They are our representatives or are they? I sometimes wonder what happens to those statesmen when they get the party call to unite.
So, would it really be so bad if we really did a vote on these big issues and then have the legislature hammer out the details? How easy would have been if they knew right away that regardless of the party line- the citizens of this country wanted health insurance to be available for everyone? Then they could have dealt with that alone without tagging all the other stuff that came along with the bill to get it passed.
I am sure there are other topics that could benefit from a nice clear vote with majority rules. Education, War, outsourcing jobs, immigration laws, and what about dare I say- bailing out Wall Street ever again??? Yep, let's vote on it!
Until next time...
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