District 58 Forum: Question 9

Doug Purcell
District 58 needs to have communication with 99 to see how our students are doing. What do they need to be prepared? I would hope that 99 is doing that with the colleges. Fifty-eight needs to start there. That’s where the clay is the softest.  I do see that there are complaints from teachers that I know about how some schools come more prepared in certain subjects and some less prepared in certain subject, and I think we really need to fine-tune that so they’re all as prepared  as they can be. 

Rose LaRue-Slater
Collaboration between schools is vital. Looking at the school board, they do meetings at times. Unfortunately, due to the Blizzard of 2011, I’ve never attended one of those. It was cancelled; I was ready to walk there in my boots. I think the board, what they can really do, is support the teachers talking to each other.

John Miller
I think they do a pretty good job working with District 99. There are five feeder districts to District 99. We do work together well, not only amongs the five districts, but especially with 99. Our superintendents all know each other very well, meeting regularly. We did have a joint meeting scheduled. We do it annually with the five feeder districts and District 99. We see what standards 99 has and get feedback from them. We look at certain subjects to prepare our students for high school. In every one of our curriculum evaluations, it’s always a component  of it to see what our students need to succeed at the next level.

Elizabeth Davis (submitted in writing)
District 58 currently collaborates with Distrcit 99 sharing academic information regarding student placement for freshman year based on their testing results and teacher recommendations.  In addition,  District 99 hosts freshman orientation for parents and 8th grade students in the winter prior as well as hosting Mad Dash which is an event held in August for all incoming freshman.  I have found the counselors both at District 58 and District 99 to be extremely helpful to ensure a solid transition for the students.