USD116 BOE Update: April 19, 2022

The Board of Education recognized Martha Churukian (2021) for achieving renewed status

and Elizabeth Smith-Andree (2021) and Kari Surratt (2022) for achieving National Board

Certified Teacher status.

The BOE was given a presentation on the implementation of the AVID Program at UMS and plans for moving forward with the program throughout the District.

AVID’s mission is to close the opportunity gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society.

What is AVID

• A schoolwide college readiness system
• A structured approach to rigorous curriculum
• Direct support structure for first-generation college students
• Professional learning for educators

Goals

• Accelerate underachieving students who have potential into more rigorous courses.

• Teach academic and social skills not targeted in other classes.
• Provide intensive support with in-class tutors and a strong student–teacher relationship.

• Create a positive peer group for students.
• Develop a sense of hope and personal achievement through hard work and determination.

AVID TIMELINE-MOVING FORWARD

SY 2022-23

• Additional summer training, 3 UHS, 14 UMS and 3 district staff
• 6th and 7th grade elective classes at UMS
• Site team monthly meetings
• All staff PD on AVID strategies
• District PD on AVID strategies
• More field trips and community engagement
• More family engagement and education

SY 2023-24

• AVID school-wide at UMS
• Additional training of UHS staff

SY 2024-2025

• AVID elective at 9th grade

View the full presentation

National Board Certification was designed to develop, retain and recognize accomplished teachers and to generate ongoing improvement in schools nationwide. It’s the highest certification a teacher may obtain.

Typically it is a two year process consisting of four components:

1. Content Knowledge
2. Differentiation in Instruction
3. Teaching Practice and Learning Environment
4. Effective and Reflective Practitioner

Urbana National Board Professional Development Cohort

Focus: Teachers becoming National Board Certified and transforming our schools, district and impacting student learning.

• Urbana teachers meet at least 12 times at a district site.
• Shared Leadership of the cohort with collaboration among Administrator, NBCT facilitator and Teacher Candidates.
• Administrator provides support for the process without an evaluative approach.

• Cohort mission aligns with school and/or district goals.
• Training and materials provided for the Shared Leadership by the National Board Resource Center

How Does National Board Certification Impact Our Students?

More than a decade of research from across the country confirms that students taught by National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) learn more than students taught by non-NBCT teachers. This is even greater for BiPOC and low-income students.

• 91% of teachers change how they teach after going through the National Board process.

View the full presentation

The Board of Education approved the appointment of Dr. Joseph Wiemelt as the District's Executive Director of Secondary Multilingual and Alternative/Inclusionary Programs, UMS/UHS.

This is a new district position that was posted in response to the growing needs of our successful Dual Language program over the past ten years. In addition, District Leadership saw a need for alternative programming to serve students with different needs during the school day.

Dr. Wiemelt has been principal at Urbana Middle School for the past four years. He is the former Director of Equity & Student Learning; Bilingual & Multicultural Programs for USD #116. He led the creation and development of dual language programs, ELL programming, and migrant education programming. Dr. Wiemelt was also the high school interim principal at UHS during the 2012-13 school year and has stepped in as interim principal at Dr. Williams and Wiley Elementary Schools in the past.

Dr. Wiemelt will begin his new role July 1.

12.2 205 North Race Street District Property APPROVED

• The Facilities Committee requested the Board of Education to set a purchase price of $950,000 for the 205 North Race St. property (old central office).

12.3 and 12.4 The BOE approved moving forward with seeking bids for asbestos abatement at 303 E. Fairlawn (the old Comcast Building)

12.5 Board of Education Sub-District Map APPROVED

• Approval of a new sub-district map (map A - Race First Plan) will be requested, along with establishing the terms of office for each of the sub-districts.
• View Map
• Starting next election, Districts 1, 2 and 6 will have two year terms and Districts 3, 4, 5 and 7 will have four year terms.

Dr. Ivory-Tatum's Superintendent Report is available here: April 19, 2022

Highlights:

• UHS Boys Track Team took home the Varsity win at the 77th Urbana Open
  

• April 22: Urbana Jazz Cafe | 7 p.m. | UHS Commons

• A night of music from the UMS and UHS Jazz Bands with a special performance by UHS A Capella!

• UMS Incoming Principal Meet & Greet is April 27
• Sign up for the new Community E-Newsletter
• Info on an upcoming Reunification Drill for UMS Team Phoenix

Email: contactus@usd116.org
Website: usd116.org
Location: 205 North Race Street, Urbana, IL, USA
Phone: (217) 384-3600
Facebook: facebook.com/usd116
Twitter: @urbana116