Aug. 25, 2009

First day of school found excited students and eager staff returning to learning
. . .
Dear Parents, Staff and Community:

As is my custom, on the opening day of the school year I crisscross the 72-square miles of our district to visit all 12 schools in Barrington 220. Today, I made it to every school to observe happy students and their parents greeted by excited and well-prepared staff. All in all, it was an uneventful and calm transition from the lazy days of summer to the busy activities of the classroom. It did not take long for instruction and learning to reach full speed again in our schools.

Here are a few of the things I observed...

At Barrington Middle School-Station Campus, Dr. Winkelman and his team introduced excited students to their new Library Media Center. This beautiful learning facility in the heart of the school was completed in record time over the summer by Pepper Construction. With its adjacent computer labs and a new corridor nearby to relieve overcrowded hallways between classes, this successful renovation welcomes Station visitors and young researchers to an instructional environment unlike anything they have experienced before.

In an ongoing effort to upgrade campus security and to keep students safe, I waited patiently and briefly at some of our buildings to be admitted so the office staff could visually verify my identity. These new precautions create a momentary pause, allowing our watchful assistants to ensure only authorized individuals are admitted to the school. While not all campuses have these systems in place yet, efforts are underway to increase surveillance at every building in the interest of protecting students, staff and volunteers.

Concerns about an H1N1 influenza pandemic were raised at some sites I visited today. Parents and staff want to know we are doing everything possible to ensure the upcoming flu season has little possible impact on our schools and student achievement. We are taking many precautions; however, you can also help us by reminding students to wash their hands frequently, cover their coughs and sneezes properly, and by keeping an ill child or staff person at home if sick for at least 24 hours or until a fever subsides without the aid of medication. As always, please quickly and accurately report an absence due to illness so we can help monitor the health of our communities.

In many classrooms, I observed staff and students using new SMART Boards installed over the summer. These PTO-purchased interactive technology panels were added to155 classrooms, bringing the total number of SMART Boards in Barrington 220 to more than 250 across all grade levels. What students and their teachers can do with this innovative multimedia tool is truly amazing.

I have much more to tell you, from new strategic planning themes to an ambitious series of community events that will address the mental health of our youth. Those updates will come soon, just like the school bell signaling the start of another new day in Barrington 220.

Welcome back,

Tom Leonard
tleonard@barrington220.org