“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – Nelson Mandela
Innovation in the Deerfield Public Schools is all about learning and all about teaching. Innovation is supported by outstanding leadership, visionary governance, world class resources and forward thinking facilities and tools. The District’s leap into a “1:1” Transformative Learning Environment is all about learning – it’s not about technology. Technology accelerates pedagogy/instruction. Technology tools are not new … they are not “21st” century … they are what they are and they are embedded in our life our society and in our DNA! Innovation is what makes learning and teaching fun! Innovation is change and innovation is challenge. In 2013 we started the Innovation Grant program and 40 of our teachers were awarded the 1:1 classroom supports as pilot trailblazers, their stories are shared online (click here). During the 2014-15 school year (this current school year) we started a concept called Innovation Grant II: Classroom of the Future … Today This will be an evolving initiative with multiple application points (i.e. science labs, STEM/CMA, library facility study (information commons approach), full day kindergarten classes, etc.)
In support of this new innovation initiative we have sent teachers, administrators, and parent leaders across the state and region and nation to view, see, experience and interact with engaging learning
New student friendly furniture!
spaces. From SMART labs with Creative Learning Systems (our partner for STEM and CMA labs at the middle schools) to Steelcase University, to DIRTT, cooperatives with architects, other schools, Twitter, etc. we are learning about modern, forward thinking “next steps” in how we can engage, inspire, and empower each and every learner each and every day!
The first prototype/model classrooms are the new Next Generation Science Lab/Classrooms at Shepard Middle School; the first Innovation Grant II Classroom of the future model K-5, is at Kipling Elementary School in 3rd Grade. In the District 109 staff newsletter an article posted by iCoaches Michelle Primack and Taylor Meredith shared about their school’s innovative learning space:
“The Classroom of the Future is at Kipling Today! After spring break, students in Larissa Thurman’s 3rd grade students walked into their classroom and received a big surprise! Their classroom had been transformed into a “Classroom of the Future.” The old, stationary furniture that was once in the classroom, was replaced by modern, moveable pieces of furniture that often serve several purposes. Bretford Furnishings provided mobile tables whose tabletops function as white boards in which students can write and present on. Additionally, C.O.T.G, a local Chicago company, provided two interactive white boards with touch technology that can be moved around the space. All participants are very
flexible tables/learning spaces/stations
excited about the new classroom. One student said, “I like the tables better then desks because you have more space. I love the chairs because you can move around to where you want to work.” When Larissa sent information to her classroom parents about the exciting changes, one parent responded with, “ I think it’s a great idea exploring “the space” within a classroom. I personally did not like to sit at a committed desk in a uniformed fashion for long periods of time.” Larissa is thrilled about her new classroom configuration and said, “ The room is more free and allows for student collaboration. There are no restrictions and the environment works for students.” As our district looks into transforming the learning environment for the future, this classroom was chosen to be our district pilot of a classroom of the future because Larissa was one of the 1:1 Chromebook pilot teachers last year. She has always been very open to students moving around the space in her classroom to work in the environment that is most conducive to their learning. Please come and check out “The Classroom of the Future”!
“In order to be a leader, a man must have followers. And to have followers, a man must have their confidence. Hence the supreme quality for a leader is, unquestionably, integrity. Without it, no real success is possible.”
– Dwight D. Eisenhower
In Illinois, as well as across the nation and world, there is much written about education and reform movements and efforts. In Illinois there have been sweeping reforms over the past few years with legislation around administrator and teacher evaluation, curriculum standards, and recently regarding school funding (SB16). So much is at stake when policy makers consider changes to public schools when they consider societal effects on the public schools and the shared responsibility of all to support growth of our local, county, state, regional, and national endeavors.
In DPS109 we have a lot of work to do in terms of educational reform and instructional transformation! This year has been particularly stressful on our system and staff and parents with multiple initiatives launched at once. One of the main reasons for our rush is the sense of urgency we feel in support of innovative and forward thinking education so that each and every child may succeed and flourish in an educational environment with high expectations and modern evidence based instructional strategies. We are grateful to our stakeholders for communicating with us – pro, con, support, concern – this helps guide and govern our work.
As part of the communications campaign of the groups sponsoring Vision 20/20 I am sharing the informational video below as well as links for more information if you wish to get involved in this “reform,” “transform,” and professional approach to take charge of public education in Illinois. The Illinois Vision 20/20 resources page has links to evidence based finance information as well as current curricular mandates in effect for Illinois public schools.
For more information and an overview of Illinois Vision 20/20, please take a few minutes and watch the following Vision 20/20 video: Fulfilling the Promise of Public Education:
“Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”
– John Wooden
As a public school superintendent, I am non-partisan and publicly a-political. From time to time I post information about pending or actual legislation affecting our public schools. In Illinois, school funding is a regular source of debate, review, analysis, and concern. Right now there is proposed legislation (SB16) that would change the way the state funds for public schools would be allocated.
With this communication I am sharing factual information with the intent of sharing, educating and communicating.
Last July, the Illinois Senate Education Funding Advisory Committee was tasked with recommending ways to improve public education funding in Illinois. The result of the task force was the creation of Senate Bill 16 (SB 16). If enacted into law, SB 16 will make sweeping changes in how the state funds education. SB 16 does not increase the level of education funding, but changes the way in which limited state funding is apportioned among school districts. All state funding, with few exceptions, would be combined under one funding formula.
Generally, school districts with higher assessed property values (including District 109) will receive much less state funding. Other districts will receive much more in state funding. This is an attempt by the state legislators to provide greater equity among school districts across the state. The Bill does not address the current issue of unfunded obligations to school districts that has occurred in recent years.
How Will SB16 Impact District 109?
The Illinois State Board of Education has calculated the amount each school district would receive next year if SB16, as written, becomes law. Deerfield Public Schools District 109 would lose over 50 percent of its state funding – or $1.3 million per year. The cuts will be phased in over a four-year period. Beginning in year five, there will be a full $1.3 million reduction in funding to the District.
District 109 spends approximately $15,800 per student; only $900 per student currently comes from the state of Illinois in the form of special education reimbursement and general state aid. If SB 16 becomes law, revenue from state sources will be just 2% of operating revenues. It is obvious that with the loss of $1.3 million in funding, District 109 will be put in a position of reducing programs and services to our students. These cuts will likely impact the District’s classrooms and result in a reduction of teaching staff leading to larger class sizes with less personalized instruction for our students.
Many North Shore residents pay high property taxes in part to access high-achieving schools. This proposed law would undermine suburban taxpayers and would significantly reduce the state funding to these high-achieving schools. SB16 will pull state funding away from schools that are successful and would in no way guarantee greater success for schools with high poverty levels. SB 16 takes from some to give to others. A far better solution would be for Illinois to fully fund education, rather than ranking 50th in the nation in education funding.
SB 16 comes at a time when many school districts anticipate a further hit from the state. The pension system that funds teacher retirement is woefully underfunded and attempts may be made to shift the state’s burden to local districts. Deerfield Public Schools would face an additional $2.4 million cost, which would be even more impactful than SB 16.
tools are not new … they are not “21st” century … they are what they are and they are embedded in our life our society and in our DNA! Innovation is what makes learning and teaching fun! Innovation is change and innovation is challenge. In 2013 we started the Innovation Grant program and 40 of our teachers were awarded the 1:1 classroom supports as pilot trailblazers, their stories are shared online (click here). During the 2014-15 school year (this current school year) we started a concept called Innovation Grant II: Classroom of the Future … Today This will be an evolving initiative with multiple application points (i.e. science labs, STEM/CMA, library facility study (information commons approach), full day kindergarten classes, etc.)
In Illinois, as well as across the nation and world, there is much written about education and reform movements and efforts. In Illinois there have been sweeping reforms over the past few years with legislation around administrator and teacher evaluation, curriculum standards, and recently regarding school funding (SB16). So much is at stake when policy makers consider changes to public schools when they consider societal effects on the public schools and the shared responsibility of all to support growth of our local, county, state, regional, and national endeavors. 
As part of the communications campaign of the groups sponsoring Vision 20/20 I am sharing the informational video below as well as links for more information if you wish to get involved in this “reform,” “transform,” and professional approach to take charge of public education in Illinois. The Illinois Vision 20/20 resources page has links to evidence based finance information as well as current curricular mandates in effect for Illinois public schools.
