Bylsma, teachers seeking grants to help fund programs

As the RBHS community looks to deal with its financial struggles, teachers are finding creative ways to attain money for needed items throughout the school.

English teacher and yearbook sponsor Cherise Lopez heard about a grant for new media equipment from the Illinois First Amendment Center (IFAC) through an e-mail from Principal Pam Bylsma.  RBTV and our own Clarion also applied for equipment through the same grant.

Lopez said, “Mrs. Bylsma e-mailed those she thought would be interested in the grant.”

When applying for a grant, it is necessary to state what the grant is for and how any money received will be used.  The donors then decide if they will accept and issue you the grant.  The grant Lopez applied for was open to any public education institution.  In order for Lopez to receive the grant, she had to come to an agreement with IFAC, which was to make sure that the grant money would be used to help teach about the 1st amendment at RBHS.

Lopez said, “It’s a simple process of explaining how the money will be used and for what and also how the 1^st amendment ties into it.”

If she receives it, the grant Lopez applied for will be used for new equipment such as mac books for the yearbook.

Lopez said, “The designing program on these computers are old and outdated; the mac books will have newer designing programs which will be better for the yearbook and Clarion.”

Bylsma hears about grants through building relationships with people and through e-mails.

She said, “It’s a timely process and involves a lot of research.”

Bylsma believes that receiving grants does help a portion of the financial issues, but it is not going to fix the entire problem.  RB has received grant money in the past for the college readiness program which helps kids in C.A.P (An ACT prep class) who get a score below state standards.  The grant pays for the teachers to take time and teach those kids, and it also acts as an incentive to the kids.  The amount of time the kids put into going to class determines how much money they get in return.  The money the kids receive is held until they graduate where they then apply for a scholarship and receive money in return.

Bylsma said, “Part of companies missions are to give away some of their profits through grants.”

RB’s new sustainable garden has also been funded through grants.  A large grant from Granger helped to get the garden underway.

The school’s garden project was also offered grant dollars from Monsanto, a seed company.  The difficulty is that Monsanto also promotes conventional and genetically modified seeds, whereas Eco Club and the teachers involved with the garden had been intending an organic, sustainable garden.

Leaving NCLB behind; the switch to Common Core

In the next few years, students at RB can expect some significant changes to their classroom learning environments. Mandated by the state of Illinois, RB will be making the transition from No Child Left Behind to Common Core, a program that includes a new set of national standards and tests regarding development in the classroom.

The Illinois State Board of Education has adopted these new standards in both Mathematics and English Language Arts. The goal in mind is to better help prepare Illinois students for college and the workforce in an already very competitive global economy.

Common Core tests will be given three times a year to help measure student individual growth rather than the program that No Child Left Behind had in place. That program measured one group of students against another group the following year to track yearly progress as a whole, rather than individual growth.  From students’ perspective, this testing happened during PSAE days in April.

The Common Core tests will be given to track improvement and development in multiple subjects. All Illinois schools will be measured according to these standards and tests will be developed to determine how students are performing in terms of those standards. Some schools already have a leg up on the competition and will be piloting this new program starting next school year. By the 2014-2015 school year, all schools will have the program completely implemented into their curriculum and will have their students taking three tests a year to track improvement. All of these tests will be computer based.

Principal Pam Bylsma is excited about the upcoming changes and looks forward to implementing Common Core into the curriculum at RB.

“These standards are a positive change. The focus is on complexity of thought, higher order thinking, problem solving, and interdisciplinary connections. I expect many positive outcomes from the Common Core standards, which will expand how we approach the delivery of content,” said Bylsma.

Students, although they may not know it, have already experienced many changes in the classroom. Last year, RB undertook a school wide effort to add more non-fiction and analysis into content areas. These sorts of books and readings are helping get students ready for college and life as an adult. Reading non-fiction material and analyzing documents is a skill that is very applicable to real life situations.

“We need to get students ready for careers and this kind of critical thinking and collaboration is very important to the goals of Common Core,” said Assistant Principal Tim Scanlon.

Also, the school has really pushed for the expansion of informational writing throughout all subjects and grade levels. Students are now expected to demonstrate that they have not only looked over the material, but that they understand enough to where they can write about it and fully grasp the meaning of what they’re learning.

Many real-life projects and problem based learning assignments have already been implemented into the curriculum such as work with actual scientists and hospitals in the area. One project that has already taken root at RB is the garden that is located near the bleachers at Shuey Stadium. Once the weather gets a little warmer, the garden should be up and producing fresh fruits and vegetables in no time.

The school administration believes this kind of innovative thinking is going to put RB in a great position to give its students the education they not only deserve, but need in society.

Although it is not certain whether Common Core will be more successful than the previous program, No Child Left Behind, optimism is very high for this new set of classroom standards.

Art, Math clubs follow the road to reinstatement

Due to the budgetary constraints that have impacted RB over this past school year, difficult decisions were made by the board concerning what clubs were to be funded and which were to be cut.

Two of the cut clubs, Art Club and Math Club, have now recently restarted thanks to the school board’s decision to allow outside funding. 

Decisions on cuts were initially made by looking at areas where students had exposure to the topic of the club in the everyday curriculum.  If the material was not offered during the school day, the board still wanted to make it available to students by offering it in extracurricular activities. 

PrincipalPam Bylsma said, “Things that were kept were service clubs or opportunities that didn’t exist during the school day.” 

The process involved the school’s entire administrative team.  They knew that each club is important to those who are involved in it, and that no one would be entirely happy with the outcome. 

“I haven’t seen a single student involved in a club that wasn’t a great young man or woman that deserved that club,” said Assistant Principal John Passarella. 

Passarella was asked to reach out to districts around the state to see how they were dealing with budgetary cuts that impacted clubs and their policies on reinstating clubs with outside funding.  At first, he didn’t receive a good response, as no one in RB’s conference accepted outside funding.  

The policy was a time consuming decision for the board as it raised many questions.  How would supporters go about raising funds?  Who could raise funds?  

Eventually, the policy was approved and clubs gained the ability to reinstate themselves by having someone raise the money to support the club.  Any club that was cut could return by receiving outside funding and locating a qualified sponsor.  Outside funding could be from parent donations, businesses, or student fundraising.  According to the RBEA collective bargaining agreement, sponsorships had to be offered internally first, but after that, the job could be offered externally.  After a check for the fundraising is written, a sponsor can then be assigned, go through a criminal background check, and be approved by the board. 

The first club to return in this fashion was Art Club.  A parent donation was made for the same amount of funding that the club had last year.  A sponsor was found and approved by the board and the club was reinstated.  It has recently begun to meet again. 

Last year the art sponsor was RB Fine Arts teacher Suzanne Zimmerman.  This year, the club is being sponsored by Heather Young, an art major and substitute teacher at RB.  Young has many plans for the club this year.  She plans to do painting projects and field trips.  She hopes to have a student art show and drawing projects, invite professional speakers, and much more.  

“Art club is important because it touches on so many different fields and can be connected to students’ everyday life,” she said. 

Young also noted that the club gives students who didn’t have room in their schedules a chance to experience an art class.

Zimmerman said, “I think that it’s important to focus on how awesome Mrs. Young is doing.  She’s a great artist and she knows the department and the students.” 

Math Club has been slower in getting reinstated.  It took a group effort to raise the money for the club.  When the sponsorship was offered internally to RB teachers, none were ready to sponsor the club.  During a Chicago Tribune story on the club, former sponsors commented that they were now involved with other obligations including graduate school and family obligations.  

However, two external sponsors have now been approved by the board after criminal background checks were conducted.  Both sponsors have backgrounds in education and are eager to start.  

Holly Machina taught math for five years, most recently at the Islamic Foundation school in Villa Park, though she’s been on a break raising a family for the last twelve years.  Machina substitute teaches at RB on occasion and heard about the opening through Human Resources secretary Roseanne Marshall.

“Because of competitions,” Machina said, “the club really needs two sponsors.”

The second sponsor, John Henle, retired a year and a half ago from a career of teaching math at Wells Community Academy High School in Chicago. 

“I saw [the opening] in the Chicago Tribune,” he said, “and after vacation I called, thinking someone would have grabbed it.  It’s such a great job.” 

Math Club held its first meeting on the morning of Tuesday, January 31^st, in the Lehotsky Room.  The first meeting was well attended by approximately twenty students. 

The club has a lot of preparation to do as competitions start in mid-February.

Fine arts students bring beauty to Progress Park

RB students gathered with community members and the Brookfield Beautification Committee at Eight Corners.  Their task?  To dedicate the new Progress Park.  Some of RB’s Fine Arts students created a striking, four panel mural as part of the artwork for the park.  Get a feel for the event by viewing Clarion’s slideshow.

Future in the budget balance

Ever since the referendum failed last spring, the RB community has known that major changes would be made to the school and its budget. The largest cut in the budget came from teaching salaries which were reduced by $1.2 million. Other prevalent cuts were made to the drama department, which lost about 88% of its total budget, and the entire SEE Team. A whole array of other budget cuts were also implemented affecting sports, clubs, and smaller programs. Despite these reductions in the budget, the school is still operating with a deficit of $920,079 and the school will have to pull from its reserves to make up for this loss.

In an interview with Board President Matt Sinde, the Clarion asked him the following questions: Will there be a referendum this year? If so, will it be the same amount of money this year as last year? If not, what are the board’s strategies to maintain RB’s high standards? How does the board feel about the negative response from the community?

In response, Sinde said, “We will not have a referendum this year.” He also said that maintaining the school’s high standards “is a key priority” to ensure balance between financial responsibility and providing the students with a wonderful education. The lack of funds will cause this to be a challenging goal, but the board will be as “transparent as possible” and encourage “input from all stakeholders” as they begin the process of developing a new budget.

 Sinde does not believe that the community is opposed to helping the school. The community has shown through their vote on the past referendum that they believe the school can still provide a great education to the students without having to raise taxes.

With these thoughts in mind, the question is what will happen next? How will the school move forward? What direction will the board take to solve the budget crisis and how will they remain transparent throughout this process?

One avenue, having another referendum, is obviously not possible this year. The board has decided that their time would be better spent looking for other methods of funding. If the school were to propose a referendum question, it would have already begun the process. Sinde said, “In order to have a successful referendum you must be able to have enough time to educate the taxpayer which would require approximately 6-8 months.”

Another very unlikely possibility is renegotiating with the teachers and their union. Their contracts are not up for renegotiation until 2013, thus leaving salaries and stipends nonnegotiable.

Although the teachers are bound to the terms of their contracts, they are still committed to providing their students with the best education possible. Some have even resorted to creatively interweaving programs they used to run through a club into their curriculum. Bridget Wilmot, an English teacher, used to sponsor the literary magazine, Facets. Now that it has been cut from the budget, Wilmot said, “I don’t feel there’s as much of a creative outlet for students.” She has decided to allow activities, such as a wall full of students’ secrets and National Novel Writing Month to become open to the entire school rather than only her classes as a way to fill the void that she feels was left by its cut from the budget. Darel Gaser and Jeanne Sheehan, who were the directors of the school plays and musicals, also felt that they should create a program for the many students devastated by the large deductions from the drama budget. The result is a musical called, Lil’ Abner, which will be performed this fall at RB. The school will not support the production, but will supply the stage and equipment.

The school may also receive an $8.9 million grant from the state. If the school is awarded the grant money from the state, how will that money be utilized? Would that money allow a few clubs or sports to remain uncut or would it go towards the upkeep of the building? In an interview with Kevin Skinkis he said, “the goal would be to try to offset some of our financial difficulties, address some of the areas [in construction] that need to be fixed, and then look at our educational programs.” Hopefully by offsetting the school’s financial needs, some activities might be saved. Unfortunately, the likely hood of the state awarding the grant to the school is so slim that the school has to plan on not getting it.”

The option the board will most likely choose is continuing the budget cuts. Last year’s school board proposed an extensive plan that would cut most extracurriculars and many teachers over a two year period. This plan was available on the school’s website, but has been recently taken down without an explanation. This lack of explanation causes people to wonder about how much the board is willing to reveal as they decide the future of RB. Not having access to the plan also leads people to wonder if the board will continue the two year plan implemented by the previous board or if will it develop its own system?

RB’s future is resting on the leadership of its board and administration. The community relies on them to make difficult decisions and to instill confidence, but many are entirely new to this process. Skinkis is in his first year as superintendent. Pam Bylsma is in her second year as principal. Four out of the seven board members are in their first year. This group has their work cut out for them.

New incentives for juniors taking the PSAE

On Wednesday, April 27, and Thursday, April 28 the juniors will be taking the Prairie State Achievement Exam (PSAE). During these two days the students will be taking two tests: the ACT and the Workplace Skills exam. The ACT tests a student’s knowledge in English, Reading, Math and Science, while the Work Keys test focuses on essential workplace skills.

 Principal Pam Bylsma has sent out a letter to all juniors and their parents explaining the final exam policies for the following school year. The School Board has approved a one year pilot program that will be added to the final exam policy. A senior will be exempt from final exams if he or she:

• Meets or exceeds standards on the PSAE English and Reading test.
(-Exempt from the final exams 1st and 2nd semesters of one senior English course)

 • Meets or exceeds standards on the PSAE Math test
(-Exempt from the final exams 1st and 2nd semesters of one senior Math course)

• Meets or exceeds standards on the PSAE science test
(-Exempt from the final exams 1st and 2nd semesters of one senior Science course)

The school will be enacting the policy on a trial basis due to last year’s PSAE test scores. Last year was the first time RB did not meet state standards and the board and administration do not want that to happen again. They want to stress how important both tests are, not just the ACT.

Bylsma noted in the letter that there are multiple reasons for the lower test scores : “test fatigue” on Day 2 as a result of investing so much energy and concentration on the Day 1 ACT exam; a lack of understanding of the importance of workplace skills leading students to take Day 2 less seriously, and disconnect between the workplace skills exam and what it means on a personal level.

Bylsma feels that if the administration gives students an incentive, test scores will go up. These tests are not only important for the school’s future, but the students as well. The PSAE results appear on a student’s transcript for colleges. It will show universities whether or not a student met state standards. By meeting or exceeding state standards, students will receive state recognition. It will also help the state assess RB’s “overall academic achievement level.”

Time for a shave

St. Baldrick’s Foundation is back to host the event for the third time in four years at RB. This fundraiser is to support research and cures for childhood cancer.

Preparation for the event will take place through the first three weeks in March. Students and staff will be fundraising and donating for cancer research. During lunches, students will be through the lunch room for spare change for the foundation. Brownies, cookies, and other dessert items will be for sale throughout the week.

People will be shaving their heads to support the cause during an assembly on March 24^th. The school’s goal for this year is to raise $20,000. In 2008, RB raised over $25,000 to St. Baldricks Foundation. Despite RB not having the fundraiser last year, the school expects to exceed their goal this year. Comparing the school to the rest in Illinois, RB is among the highest in terms of raising money for the cause.

One of the many faculty members that are helping to run this cause is guidance counselor Renee Thomas. “I think it’s a great cause to provide support to childhood cancer,” Thomas said. “It’s a great way to show support and to fill the pillars for Character Counts.” These pillars were a new movement brought  to RB when Principal Pam Bylsma was hired.

There are over 110 shavees that have already signed up to participate in the event. Also, eleven people signed up for the Locks of Love, a cause to those with long hair donate 8 inches of their hair to provide wigs for those who have lost hair during chemotherapy.

Many local barbers have signed up also. 30 of them have volunteered their time to help shave off hair. In rewards to those shaving, they are offering free haircuts to select barber shops in the area.

Administration excited to work with Skinkis

On Thursday, February 17^th, 2011, the new Superintendent, Dr.  Kevin Skinkis, was officially announced and confirmed by the school board. Though only 34 years old, Skinkis is ready to confront his new job head on.

“I’m elated and excited for this great opportunity. I grew up around here and I watched and played against RB. This school has a lot to offer and I am looking forward to working here with the staff and students,” said Skinkis.

Along with his eagerness to join District 208, Skinkis is also sad to leave his former job as principle of Bartlett High School.

Skinkis said, “I told my staff this afternoon; I had to pause because I started to tear up. It will always hold a place in my heart.”

It is hard to leave a school you love behind and start over a new tradition. As Skinkis is making the transition to RBHS, the existing administration at District 208 is welcoming him with open arms.

“We’re very excited about him coming to RB. He has great experiences with students and culture. He also had Character Counts at his old school. He is very energetic and has a ‘can do’ energy. He is strong, fearless, and focused. He will bring great things to the district,” said Principal Pamela Bylsma.

Interim superintendent David Bonette was hired by the district two years ago. He was originally only going to serve one year, but District 208 asked him to stay on until they found a new superintendent. After his two years as interim superintendent, he is glad to welcome Skinkis to district 208.

Bonette said, “Great, I can’t wait to hand off the baton. He in some respects reminds me of myself when I had my first superintendent job. I had very good interesting experiences before I got to be the superintendent, like him. He is young, ambitious and energetic, and I think he will be a good fit for this school district. “

As well as Skinkis, Bonette will also miss the school he is leaving.

“I really enjoyed working with the faculty and the board. One thing I regret is not spending more time with the students. Being an interim superintendent really made it hard to do so,” said Bonette

Skinkis will start his new job as superintendent at RBHS on July 1^st.

“It is a great opportunity. It’s my first time as superintendent and I’m looking forward to building on the traditions here,” he said.

Board shares potential impact of failed referendum

On November 1st, a community meeting was held to discuss what would happen if the proposed April referendum does not pass. Approximately 55 parents attended the meeting.

According to Principal Pam Bylsma the effects could be more drastic than most realize. Moreover, Bylsma shared that RB is not the only school in this situation. Other surrounding schools are asking their communities to raise their property taxes.

Almost 85% of RB’s  money comes from local property taxes. On average in Illinois, only 59% of public school funding comes from local property taxes. Other schools receive more state funding than RB. According to Bylsma, right now the State is not paying all the money they said they would, which leaves RB and other local schools struggling for revenue.

The State funding has become so poor that 22,000 teachers in Illinois have lost their jobs in the past year, just behind the leading state, California.

Bylsma said, “We have had a benefit of some federal grant money, the stimulus money from the Obama Reinvestment and Recovery Act.  We’ve used that money for professional development, and we’ve bought some computers with it. But that money is gone.  Teachers’ salaries keep increasing because of contracts, but we have ten fewer staff members in the building than we had three years ago.”

RB’s budget is so tight that there is not any money to replace text books. According to Bylsma, Science Department Chair Brennan Denny is teaching Chemistry out of the textbook he used when he was in school.

If the referendum does not pass this year, the school board has indicated that it will seek to pass a referendum again next year. In the mean time, possible ways to cut down the budget would heavily impact students. At the November 1 meeting, the board released a budget showing the proposed cuts.

The proposed 2011-2012 budget would cut approximately 1.9 million dollars from RB’s operating costs.  The bulk of those savings would come from laying off 11.2 teachers, spread out across departments.

RB’s extracurricular clubs would be cut down to the minimum. 24 clubs would potentially not be available for students to participate in any longer. This would save the school $115,273, but would prevent many of RB’s students from being involved. 2011-2012 cuts might include Ecology Club, Chess Team, Spanish Club, French Club, German Club, Math Team, NHS, Ski Club, Science Club, Photo Club, Art Club, Forum Club, Fishing Club, Auto Club, Repertory Dance, Guard Club, Forensics, Facets, Men’s Ensemble, Tri-M, Madrigal Singers, The Spring Musical, and The Fall Play.

Athletics would be impacted by the elimination of girls and boys water polo.  Most athletic teams would also lose at least one coaching position as well.

Voting for the referendum will be open on April 5th.  During the same vote, there will also be four open slots for new school board members.

Q&A: Principal Pam Bylsma

Pam Bylsma is now several weeks into the beginning of her first year as the principal of Riverside Brookfield High School.  In an exclusive audio interview, Clarion took some time to hear about her background, her philosophy of supervision, and her first impressions of RB.

How did you prepare for your first year as principal at RB?

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How was it working at your old job and preparing for this job at the same time?

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Why did you decide to make the switch to RB?

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What initiatives and changes have you made this school year?

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Are there any changes which you are planning on making in the near future?

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How is the school year going both academically and personally?

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Is there a motto you live by?

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Is there a personal goal you wish to accomplish by the end of your time at RB?

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