Alternative Learning Opportunities Program Celebration Ceremony
On January 11, 2012 the ROE hosted a celebration ceremony to honor thirty- two DuPage area high school students who earned their high school equivalency degree through the ROE’s Alternative Learning Opportunities Program. The ALOP program provides students from DuPage high school districts the opportunity to successfully continue their educational careers by offering GED preparation classes, exposure to career and educational opportunities, as well as transition planning. Many students attending the event have already taken the next step to further their education by enrolling at College of DuPage, while many others have begun pursuing employment opportunities. Congratulations and our best wishes to our ALOP students as they continue to work toward their goals!
Dr. Martin Luther King
Martin Luther King Day is a federal holiday held on the third Monday of January. It celebrates the life and achievements of Martin Luther King Jr., an influential American civil rights leader. He is most well-known for his campaigns to end racial segregation on public transport and for racial equality in the United States.
Please Click the links for further information on celebration events at Benedictine University and Elmhurst College on Monday, January 16, 2012.
Dr. Darlene J. Ruscitti Appointed to Streamlining Illinois’ Regional Offices of Education Commission
Pursuant to Public Act 97-619 (Senate Bill 2147), Dr. Darlene J. Ruscitti, DuPage County Regional Superintendent of Schools has been appointed by Senate Republican Leader, Christine Radogno, to the Streamlining Illinois’ Regional Offices of Education Commission.
Dr. Ruscitti’s vast experience in collaboration and creating efficiencies will be beneficial to this commission in making recommendations to the General Assembly in 2012.
Certification Fee Increases take effect January 1, 2012
Please click here to find out more information.
ROE Sponsors a “STEM” Event for Girls
“Both my daughter and I really enjoyed all the great activities and speakers. And my daughter is so excited about science now. She is really looking forward to taking more classes and is on the lookout for more science activities.”
The comment above came from one of the parents who attended the December 2, 2011 7th/8th Grade Daughter/Parent STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) event sponsored by the DuPage Regional Office of Education in partnership with Argonne National Laboratory. The event, held at Argonne, was attended by over 70 girls, their parents and their teachers.
“I believe strongly in the need to encourage and support today’s young ladies in the pursuit of STEM-related careers,” said Regional Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Darlene Ruscitti. “Women are underrepresented in these professions and events like this one can go a long way toward sparking the interest of and opening the doors of opportunity to the next generation of female scientists.”
More . . .
Student Safety Always a Top Priority
“Recent events reported in the news have once again brought the issue of student safety to the forefront of public awareness,” said Dr. Darlene Ruscitti, DuPage Regional Superintendent of Schools. “Let us take this as a time to be reminded of our legal and moral responsibilities to the students in our charge.”
“The safety and security of students has always been and will continue to be a top priority for the DuPage Regional Office of Education (ROE) and the educators of our county,” Dr. Ruscitti continued. “Over the past few years, the ROE has taken significant steps, including the development of model policies, to secure the well-being of our students.”
In 2005, Dr. Ruscitti, in conjunction with the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office, school districts, the Department of Children and Family Services, and the Police Department, created a Model Policy on the Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect for School Officials in DuPage County. The goal of this policy is to coordinate the work of all parties to ensure the safety and well-being of children. This policy also addresses the duties under the mandatory reporting laws and the timely and professional investigation of allegations of abuse and neglect.
Additionally, the Regional Superintendent of Schools and DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office participated in the original development of the Guidelines for Interviews of Students at School by Law Enforcement Authorities. The goal of these guidelines is to provide law enforcement authorities, police liaison officers, and school administrators with specific guidance on interviewing students in the school setting, and to foster a cooperative relationship between all parties involved. The guidelines were revised September 2011 and made available to school districts in the county.
In January 2011, a collaborative effort of the DuPage County Regional Office of Education and State’s Attorney’s Office produced a Best Practices in Bullying Prevention and Intervention policy. The policy was distributed to all DuPage County Schools, made available to the public, and used as a model throughout the state.
These types of ongoing efforts point to the focus on student safety demonstrated by Dr. Ruscitti and DuPage County officials. Though no guarantees exist, specific, focused policies bring awareness and structure to these issues. They provide actionable direction for schools and reinforce the need to keep the safety and well-being of students a job #1.
Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect for School Officials in DuPage County: www.dupage.k12.il.us/pdf/Model Policy - Child Abuse and Neglect Mandated Reporting.pdf
Guidelines for Interviews of Students at School by Law Enforcement Authorities: www.dupage.k12.il.us/pdf/How to Conduct and Investigation September 2011.pdf
Best Practices in Bullying Prevention and Intervention: http://www.dupage.k12.il.us/main/anti-bullying/anti-bullying.shtml
SCHOOL REPORT CARDS RELEASED
School report card information was released this week. Data showed that many districts failed to meet Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) standards set under the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) act. In 2002, the NCLB act set a threshold of 47 percent of students meeting or exceeding standards to reach AYP targets. Each year, that threshold has increased, reaching 85 percent this year. The AYP standard will continue to climb until it reaches 100 percent in 2014. More . .
Four DuPage Schools Earn Blue Ribbon Honors
The U.S. Department of Education recently named 305 schools as 2011 National Blue Ribbon Schools based on their overall academic excellence or for their success in closing achievement gaps. Four of those schools are located right here in DuPage County. More . . .
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