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B..w. Po|en |n||o|ves 2
Go|oen |||s: Po|en |n||o|ves 3
S|ocn: Po|en |n||o|ves 4
Spec|o| |eou|e: S|ocn M|c|c-N|gn 5
Vo|ume 1. Issue Apr|| 2013
Cnompo|gn un| 4 Mogne P|cg|oms cffe|
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1 ne Mogne Ccnnecc| \c|ume 1. |ssue /p||| 2013
G/RDEN |||S E|EMEN/RY
Bw SEM |oc Bcc|e| .wosn|ngcnJ
Strattonville Treasury employees bundling
money collected Irom income taxes. The
treasury collects income taxes once every
month. The money collect pays the salaries
oI the Strattonville Government Agency
employees.
Preparing the Dragon Ior the dance.
Student employees Irom the Blue Crew
creating advertisements with a parent on
'Bring Your Parent to Work Day.
Mrs. Barber`s aIter-school enrichment
class, 'environmental sculpture art.:
Student employee oI the 21st Century
Digital Media Center taping a 'take Irom
a studio session.
AIter-school chess club at Garden Hills.
SR/N\|||E M|CRSC|EY
A Parent Volunteer takes a break in the
STEM Lab during the Kindergarten Bouncy
Ball Lesson.
A Kindergartner shows oII
a polymer he has created
which will eventually
become a bouncy ball.
4th graders demonstrate their knowledge
oI circuits by lighting a bulb using a
battery and copper wire.
2 ne Mogne Ccnnecc| \c|ume 1. |ssue /p||| 2013
Bcc|e| . wosn|ngcn: Po|en |n||o|ves
M|s. |ou||e |o|scn, SEM Po|en
BTW is invested in creating a school in which parents
Ieel not just welcome, but that they are an integral
part oI their child`s learning. Our principal, Asia
Fuller-Hamilton, holds monthly Parent Pow-Wows
during which parents are invited to talk about anything
involving their child`s education. Parents attending the
Pow Wows are able to serve in an advisory capacity,
providing Mrs. Fuller-Hamilton critical inIormation
about parental needs. In addition, a number oI teachers
hold classroom pow-wows so that parents can discuss
classroom events, learn more about the magnet theme
content and get to know one another.
In February, BTW held a Parent Engagement Forum
in which AIrican American parents were invited to meet
with staII and share any celebrations or concerns they
had. Teachers and administrators listened and took
notes in order to respond to the needs oI parents. At the
next Parent Engagement Forum, staII will let parents
know about changes that were made in response to their
Ieedback.
Why did you choose this magnet
program for your child?
We moved into the Champaign area
this last Iall and were Iamiliar with
the STEM program Irom our previous
school and wanted to continue the
same experience in our new school.
Anything that encourages students to
explore their world, ask questions and
search Ior answers will beneft them in
the Iuture regardless oI what path they
take.
We also like the diversity we saw at
BTW in both the teachers and students.
What have been the most positive
aspects of the program from your
perspective?
The most positive aspects oI the
program have been the challenging
work, projects and motivated teachers. The
classroom and specialist teachers have been
wonderIul. They work hard to get to know
their students and fgure out what works
best Ior each oI them.
My kids have also greatly enjoyed the
aIterschool clubs and the involvement oI the
various University oI Illinois organizations.
How has this program directly benetted
your child?
Our two older children are in the giIted
classrooms. This has been a great ft and
opportunity Ior them. They are being
challenged and pushed to do their best.
How has the magnet program
encouraged greater parental
participation and choice?
The school has been very welcoming
oI our entire Iamily. The monthly parent
Pow-Wow with Mrs. Fuller-Hamilton is a
great chance to talk about successes and
concerns.
The STEM curriculum along with the
giIted program is a great combination that
diIIerentiates BTW Irom the other Unit 4
schools.
What are your thoughts on where the
program needs to go next?
Sustainability oI the STEM program
is very important. A long term plan oI
what the STEM program will be aIter
the 3 year grant runs out needs to be
completed. Continued involvement
oI the U oI I organizations is needed
to help keep special projects and
aIter school programs relevant and
interesting.
The school also needs to fnd some
way to increase parental involvement
in the everyday classroom activities so
they can better support their children at
home to reach their potential.
We would like to see a STEM
program at the middle school level.
OIten it is in middle school that kids
lose interest in math and science. A
middle school program would be a
great extension oI what BTW is doing.
BTW has an open door policy and welcomes parents
into classrooms. Parents wishing to assist in any
manner may contact their child`s teacher, volunteer
coordinator Mrs. Leslie Noyes, or a member oI the PTA.
Our PTA is active and parents wishing to get involved
can serve on a committee, help plan an event or work
behind the scenes to make sure students have what they
need to be successIul. We value parents as part oI our
school Iamily and recognize that their support is vital to
student achievement.
The most important aspect oI parental engagement
is what occurs at home. BTW provides parents PTA,
school and classroom newsletters and access to the
websites as a way to keep inIormed about upcoming
events and Magnet programming. These resources
also supply parents with ideas and activities which can
be done at home to support their child in achieving
academic success.
(Mr.s Laurie Larson)
(B.T.W. [ ST.EM Academv)
3 ne Mogne Ccnnecc| \c|ume 1. |ssue /p||| 2013
Go|oen |||s: Po|en |n||o|ves
|ou|en K|e|n, |B PYP Po|en
The student population at Garden Hills Elementary
School represents a very diverse and multi cultural
blending oI students. We have students Irom more than
30 diIIerent countries and many oI our students speak
more than one language in addition to our Spanish
speaking bilingual classes.
We have hosted Morning MuIfns twice this school
year. This is an opportunity Ior parents to learn more
about our candidacy to become an International
Baccalaureate/Primary Years Program School.
The relaxed atmosphere allows parents to ask questions
and opens up IB discussion.
All oI the Garden Hills students participate in
Why did you choose this magnet program for your child?
We are Irom Florida where the IB program is more widespread and is well known Ior academic excellence. We
were very excited to hear that the curriculum was being introduced in Champaign.
What have been the most positive aspects of the program from your perspective?
The global Iocus and the variety oI languages that are in use everyday is so wonderIul. Maryalice is in the Swahili
Club in addition to the regular Mandarin classes during the school day. Spanish is also very prevalent in the school
which we love as my husband`s Iamily is Cuban.
How has this program directly benetted your child?
Maryalice is doing so well in school. We are just so happy with her teacher. Mrs. Pacey is so understanding and has
made Maryalice`s Kidnergarten year very special.
How has the magnet program encouraged greater parental participation and choice?
Ummm.... I don`t really have a good answer Ior this one... sorry!
What are your thoughts on where the program needs to go next?
It would so great to see the IB curriculum expanded into the junior high and high schools. II not as a whole school
curriculum, then at least as an optional track Ior Garden Hills students.
Mandarin Chinese classes. In February, we had our
'Lunar New Year Celebration in honor oI the 'Year
oI the Snake. Parents enjoyed watching their students
singing in Chinese along with beautiIul Chinese dancing
by many oI our students .. up on our amazing stage!
We are Iortunate to oIIer many AIterschool
Enrichment Classes. The enrollment Ior these classes
in the Iall began with 90 students and Ior the spring
semester has grown to 160 students. Many oI our
parents have been able to come in and assist with some
oI the diIIerent classes. This allows the parents to spend
some unique time with their child within the school
setting.
(Lauren Klien & Marvalice)
(Garden Hills Elementarv)
4 ne Mogne Ccnnecc| \c|ume 1. |ssue /p||| 2013
S|ocn: Po|en |n||o|ves
G|egc|y P|uo, M|c|cScc|ey & |eooe|sn|p Po|en
We have initiated a number oI 'magnet related parent-
engagement activities; designed to help parents learn
about, and in most cases experience frst hand, what
Leadership and MicroSociety is all about. Just to name
a Iew, these activities include:
Bring Your Parent to Work Day
Principal Chats
City Council Inauguration,
1st Annual Strattonville Fine Arts Festival
1st Annual Strattonville Micro-Night
Monthly 'Bring Your Parent to Work Day is
a school-wide event. This is an opportunity Ior
parents/Iamily members to (a) visit school during the
MicroSociety block time and (b) participate in their
student(s) experience.
Monthly Principal Chats are a Iorum Ior parents
to discuss various topics related to both the magnet
program as well as Stratton School as a whole. Topics
Why did you choose this magnet
program for your child?
Our son participated in the
project-based school environment
prior to entering Champaign Unit
4. The microsociety magnet
program seemed to be the best ft to
continue his education. Combined
with traditional curriculum, this
program injects excitement and
encouragement in group activities
while working toward a common
goal and Iacilitate social emotional
development.
What have been the most positive
aspects of the program from your
perspective?
The interaction oI multiple grades
allows mentoring opportunities to
be integrated. Younger students
have skills and knowledge they can
aspire toward, and older students
can reinIorce learned knowledge by
teaching younger students.
How has this program directly
beneted your child?
Our son is proud oI the contributions
to the microsociety program and his
interactions with other classes which
would likely not have otherwise been
made. This socialization allows him
to better understand the academic
development process through inIormal
discussions which are Iacilitated in a
positive learning environment.
How has the magnet program
encouraged greater parental
participation and choice?
We have seen many ways parents can
participate in the microsociety magnet
program, including the frst microsociety
night where parents can see all student
businesses in action. Parents can also
volunteer to help businesses during
school, and this active role is a natural
way to see how the program benefts
the students and develops relationships
between teachers, administrators, and
magnet program coordinators. This type
oI parental involvement strengthens
the school community.
What are your thoughts on where
the program needs to go next?
Through my limited exposure to
the program, it seems that diIIerent
businesses within the microsociety
lend themselves in diIIerent ways
toward each student's educational
development. While it may not
be possible to attribute benefts oI
each magnet program to individual
students, a subjective assessment
should be done at least once per
semester, developed collaboratively
by the magnet coordinators,
teachers, and administrators. This
should be shared with the parents
oI microsociety students (and unit
4 as a whole) to encourage positive
development oI the program and
address ongoing issues.
oI lively discussion have ranged Irom lunchroom
procedures to student uniIorms, Irom possible
community partnerships to daily scheduling.
Stratton`s City Council Inauguration, Fine Arts
Festival, and 'Micro-Night were considered 'all-
school community events. As such, all stakeholders,
including students, parents & Iamily members, staII,
and community partners, united to celebrate the hard
work and success oI the students. These Iun and
engaging events had record attendance and promise
to become annual traditions Ior the Strattonville
community.
(Stratton Elementarv)
5 ne Mogne Ccnnecc| \c|ume 1. |ssue /p||| 2013
Micro Night was a huge
success. More than
400 Iamily members
oI Strattonville citizens
were in attendance.
LeIt: Iamily members
getting instruction prior
to touring through the
Strattonville`s diIIerent
ventures and agencies.
Strattonville managers, assistant managers and bookkeepers have
had the opportunity to meet with and be mentored by members oI
the University oI Illinois` Business Council almost every Friday
oI the school year. Pictured here are 19 volunteer members oI the
Business Council. with managers and assistant managers. They`ve
taught our students about business concepts like 'target market
and 'supply chain management.
A student and several
parents in the background engaged
in some shopping during Micro Night. They are at
Rainbow CraIts where students and parents could purchase
Valentines Day cards.
Four employees oI the MicroSTEM University
examining and careIully holding the drone that
was brought to Stratton by a member oI the
UoII`s EnLiST program. Students were able to
fy the drone in the gymnasium.
Socnv|||e M|c|c-N|gn
Molly Delany,
WILL-Illinois
Public Media`s
Education Outreach
Coordinator
teaches a lesson
about 'media
literacy to a class
oI 1st Graders.
At this point in
the school year,
every classroom
in Strattonville
has had lessons on
'media literacy.
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217.373.735
Chompo|gn bn|I 4 MogneI Progroms
E.. Me||cn /om|n|s|o|ve Cene|
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A DIFFEPENI kIND OF EDbCAIION 1 CHAMPAIGN bNII 4 MAGNEI $CHOOI$