February 1, 2024 – Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 is asking all parents to complete the annual statewide Illinois 5Essentials survey by March 29, 2024. The survey is an opportunity for you to share your thoughts on important elements of school effectiveness.  Please read the information below to learn more.

Kahok Families:

Now through March 29, 2023 parents, students and teachers across Illinois will have an opportunity to participate in the statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your child’s school. As a parent, this opportunity will allow you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness in a survey about your child’s school.

On behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois 5Essentials Survey will be administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago. The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. These five indicators that affect and predict school success are:

• Collaborative Teachers
• Involved Families
• Supportive Environment
• Ambitious Instruction

Prior research in more than 400 schools has shown that schools that were strong on at least three of these “5Essential” indicators were 10 times more likely to improve student learning gains in math and reading than those that were weak on three or more Essentials.

All teachers and 4th through 12th grade students will also be responding to this survey. 5Essentials reports will be generated for schools if their teachers and/or students meet the response rate threshold of 50 percent. These reports will be sent to schools and districts in May 2024 and will also be included in the State School Report Card next fall.

Our district chose to provide the optional parent survey supplement. If at least 20 percent of parents complete this survey, a parent supplement report will also be generated. The parent data will NOT be reported on the State Report Card, but will be used as feedback for our schools and district.

Your participation in the parent portion of the survey will help us understand the conditions at your child’s school and guide improvement. Your identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child.

The Illinois 5Essentials Survey will be conducted now through March 29, 2024.  To take the survey please use THIS LINK.

For more information about the Illinois 5Essentials Survey, visit:   https://www.5-essentials.org/illinois. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact UChicago Impact Client Services at 1-866-440-1874 or impact-surveys@uchicago.edu.

Sincerely,

LaToya Berry-Coleman
Director of Curriculum and Assessment

About the 5Essentials Survey

What is the 5Essentials Survey?

What students, teachers and parents say about schools can serve as important indicators for school success.

The Illinois 5Essentials Survey provides a comprehensive picture of a school’s organizational culture in an individualized report measuring five “essentials” critical for school success:

• Effective Leaders
• Collaborative Teachers
• Involved Families
• Supportive Environment
• Ambitious Instruction

The five factors of success are based on thirty years of research at the University of Chicago in more than 400 schools.  Their findings indicate that schools that were strong on at least three of the 5Essentials were 10 times more likely to make substantial gains in improving student reading and math than schools that were weak.

When is the 5Essentials Survey?

The survey window opens January 29 and continues through March 29, 2024.

Why is the 5Essentials Survey important?

All district schools are required to participate in an annual school learning conditions survey. The surveys serve as an opportunity for schools to reflect on progress since the previous year.

Latoya Berry-Coleman, CUSD 10 Director of Curriculum and Assessment, underscores the importance of participation, “We use the 5 Essentials Survey feedback to set school improvement goals in the areas of leadership,  instruction, and family engagement.” 

How will the survey responses be used?

The results factor into each school’s Summative Designation and Equity Journey Continuum, both of which are displayed on the Illinois Report Card.

Principals and superintendents will receive their 5Essentials Reports in May. Survey results will also be reported publicly on the UChicago Impact Reporting Website in June.  School and district report cards are released on the State School Report Card website in the fall.

The post Take the 2024 Illinois 5Essentials Survey appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

January 8, 2024

District PreK/EC staff, in collaboration with the Collinsville Community Inclusion Team (CIT), applied for and was awarded a grant through the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Advancing Inclusion and Supporting Early Childhood Special Education in Community-based Settings project. This planning grant provides funding to engage a community-based childcare center in scaling up the inclusion of preschoolers with identified special needs.

The Collinsville CIT was launched thanks to CUSD 10’s participation in a federal initiative to implement, sustain and scale up high quality preschool inclusion. The initiative was co-led by ECTA and the National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI), and included partners from across the early care and education system. ISBE and EarlyCHOICES led the work in Illinois. This initiative focused on using indicators to analyze the level of preschool inclusion in a community and provide a framework for increased inclusion efforts.  Community inclusion teams are a unique strategy to support this effort. 

The Collinsville CIT includes representatives from several community-based organizations, including Riverbend Head Start and Family Services, Brightpoint’s Stronger Beginnings for Families and Child Care Resource and Referral programs, Child and Family Connections 21, and Family Matters Parent Training & Info Center.  CUSD 10 staff, administrators and families are also represented on the team. 

Collinsville CUSD 10 and Riverbend Head Start continue to be one of the few community agencies in the state of Illinois to collaboratively provide individualized special education and related services in-place at a community-based facility.  Eligible preschool students are able to stay in their natural, inclusive classroom at Head Start and receive services provided by CUSD 10 staff.  Bringing services to students at their childcare center reduces transitions for these 3- or 4-year old children, who otherwise would need bus transportation mid-day to receive specialized services. The Advancing Inclusion grant award allows Collinsville Unit 10 to expand these services into a community-based childcare center.

Kaleidoscope of Kids Daycare has partnered with Unit 10 in this project. Through this grant, Kaleidoscope received materials needed to better serve preschool students with special needs. These include a sensory activity wall, social-emotional teaching kits and materials, light tables, dolls with special needs and adaptive equipment, and books featuring diverse students. Additionally, Kaleidoscope staff were able to complete observations of inclusive preschool classrooms and receive support from inclusion coaches.

The Collinsville CIT continues to meet monthly to work on various projects that will impact preschool inclusion in the community, including the creation of a website that can be accessed by families and programs. This website documents the Collinsville CIT’s history and progress, and offers technical assistance resources to programs and families. The Collinsville CIT website can be accessed here.

For more information on Collinsville Community Inclusion Team:

Christine Coleman, Collinsville CIT Facilitator
618-346-6301 extension 5941
ctcoleman@cusd.kahoks.org

The post Grant Will Advance Preschool Inclusion in the Community appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

Current 8th grade students attending Collinsville Middle School AND private/parochial schools who will attend Collinsville High School for the first time in Fall 2024 will register for classes from November 15 through December 1, 2023. 

To assist with course registration and prepare for the transition to high school, several events are scheduled at CHS:

GETTING TO KNOW CHS*

Wednesday, November 15, 2023, 7:00 pm in the CHS Auditorium:  All incoming high school students and their families are invited to attend Collinsville High School’s Getting to Know CHS.  Parents and students will meet the administration, counselors and teachers to hear about course offerings and the selection of courses.  The informative presentation will be followed by a question and answer session with representatives from each subject area, and a club/activity fair. (For those unable to attend, a recording of the presentation will be posted after the event.)

*Note for Spanish speaking families: The Getting to Know CHS presentation with translators will be shared Monday, November 13, 6:30 pm in the Kreitner Elementary Gymnasium. 

CHS OPEN HOUSE

Saturday, November 18, 2023, 8 am–12 pm. &  1 pm– 3 pm in the CHS Counseling Department:  Families/students who want to meet individually with a CHS Counselor, can attend a special Open House for incoming 9th grade students.  Enter through the Visitors Entrance at the front of the school. Counselors will meet families on a first come, first served basis.

COURSE REGISTRATION FOR INCOMING FRESHMEN

Each incoming freshman must complete a yellow (9th grade) course registration worksheet and return it to the CHS Counseling Department by December 1, 2023.

To assist with this process, use THIS LINK to access the 2024-25 Course Offering Guide with course descriptions, sample completed worksheets, videos made by CHS departments, a virtual tour of the school, and more.  (This information is also found on the CHS Counseling Department website under the Academics tab on the left side of the screen.)

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR CURRENT 8TH GRADERS ATTENDING PRIVATE/PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS:

ALL 8th graders who currently attend a school that is not part of the Collinsville CUSD 10 school district, MUST enroll in the school district prior to registering for courses.  Enrollment can be accomplished 24/7 online, or through an in-person appointment during department hours at the CUSD 10 Student Services office located at 123 W. Clay Street in Collinsville.

For enrollment instructions and requirements, visit our Enrollment/Registration page.

If you have questions about enrolling in the district, email enrollment@cusd.kahoks.org  or contact Student Services at (618) 346-6350 ext. 4237 or 4228, M-F, 8 am – 4 pm.

Please note:  CUSD 10 administrative offices are closed Friday, November 10 (Veterans Day); Thursday, November 23 and Friday, November 24 (Thanksgiving Holiday).

SUMMARY OF COURSE REGISTRATION STEPS FOR 24-25 INCOMING FRESHMEN

1. Enroll in Collinsville CUSD 10 (If not currently a student in the district).
2. Begin Registration Worksheet by writing the student’s name on the top of the sheet (Last, First).
3. Circle the student’s T-shirt size.
4. On the front of the sheet in rows labeled 1, 2 and 3: circle the chosen English, Math, and Science courses. Note: Placement for English, Math and Science classes is based on teacher recommendations, so please talk to your student’s current teachers.
5. For Row 4, please circle the student’s PE course.
6. On the back of the worksheet, the student will circle FIVE classes they want to take the most and number them in order of preference. If a semester class (indicated by a *) is chosen as number #1, make sure #2 is also a semester class. After completing these choices, the student should sign the back of the form.
7. Sign the front and back of the worksheet where indicated.
8. Turn in a completed worksheet to the CHS Counseling Department by December 1, 2023.

HAVE QUESTIONS?  NEED ASSISTANCE?

If you have questions regarding registration or courses, please contact your child’s assigned counselor at the CHS Counseling Department at (618) 346-6320.  Individual extensions and email addresses are listed by their names below:

Ms. Janine Cihak
Counselor A-Da
ext. 1153
jcihak@cusd.kahoks.org

Ms. Renee Kurtz
Counselor De-H
ext. 1033
rkurtz@cusd.kahoks.org

Ms. Melissa Biebel
Counselor I-N
ext. 1139
mbiebel@cusd.kahoks.org

Ms. Karen Olsen (Department Chair)
Counselor O-R
ext. 1132
kolsen@cusd.kahoks.org

Mr. Jason Corey
Counselor S-Z
ext. 1131
jcorey@cusd.kahoks.org

Mr. Robert Lugge
IEP Coordinator
ext. 1150
rlugge@cusd.kahoks.org

WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING THE CHS CLASS OF 2028 TO CHS!

The post Information for 2024-25 CHS Incoming Freshman appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

August 2023

Kahok Families and Community Members, 

In an ongoing effort to maintain regular and transparent communication with our families and community members, the following is the fourth annual “State of the District Report” that includes information regarding communication, curriculum, facilities, finances, special education & health, student services, and technology.  

The “State of the District Report” outlines initiatives and projects underway in our school district and highlights our successes.   The purpose of the report is to provide continued transparency as outlined in the Districts’ Short- and Long-Term Planning Committee goals.

As we are about to begin another school year, we are committed to celebrating the successes of our staff and students, while striving for improvement.  Our focus remains, to provide a quality education for all students in a safe environment as we navigate an ever-changing world.   

On behalf of the Board of Education and the Collinsville CUSD #10, thank you for the unwavering support and your constant dedication to our students and staff throughout each school year!

Mark B. Skertich Ed.D.
Superintendent

Read the 2023 State of District in English

Read the 2023 State of the District in Spanish

The post Read the 2023 State of the District Report appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

When weather conditions make travel hazardous, CUSD 10 will declare an E-Learning Day, meaning students will learn remotely from home based on expectations determined by their schools/teachers. 

PLEASE NOTE: A complete school closure could still be issued if power outages or other circumstances make remote learning difficult or impossible. 

E-Learning Days are important because students do not lose instruction due to inclement weather, so learning continues and there are no missed days to make-up at the end of the school year. If school is “Closed” – those emergency days are added to the school calendar.  If no emergency days are used, the school year ends on the designated day.

The Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 Board of Education approved a plan to allow Snow/Emergency Weather Days to become E-Learning Days beginning in winter 2020-21.  The change was approved on December 21, 2020.  Since that time, CUSD 10 has had the option to designate an E-Learning Day when weather forecasts or events deem road conditions too dangerous for students to travel to and from school.  

The 2023-24 E-Learning Plan was approved by the Board of Education on July 17, 2023

2023-24 E-Learning Plan

Click HERE to read the E-Learning plan in Spanish

What is an E-Learning Day?

E-Learning Days are designed to serve as official attendance days of school when the students and teachers stay at home due to emergency situations, yet learning continues as students remotely leverage digital tools and engage in teacher-prepared lessons. The Collinsville School District E-Learning Plan also includes teachers available remotely to assist students by email with their assignments during the hours of the E-Learning school day.

Issuing an E-Learning Day

In the event conditions are such that school must be canceled, administration will do its best to make that determination by 6:00am. Sometimes this is not possible, as conditions can change rather quickly in Southern Illinois, but the goal will be to make the determination by 6:00 am.

Once the decision is made, students, staff, and parents will be notified:

• through our District call system
• through our website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
• through local tv and radio stations, as well as newspaper websites

If an E-Learning Day is implemented, everyone will be notified in the same manner as when school is canceled. Students will be expected to utilize the day to meet with their teachers virtually and work on their required assignments/activities as described below in the Student Assignments/Activities section.

Teacher Availability 

All teachers are required to offer live video conferencing sessions on an e-learning day. Teachers are also expected to be available to students/parents during their work hours to answer questions.  For many teachers, other systems may work better than email (Telephone, ClassDojo, Google Classroom, etc.) and staff are encouraged to utilize these other communication tools as the situation dictates. However, all teachers will check their email regularly and provide feedback and guidance to students/parents on an as needed basis.

The District understands that many teachers have their own responsibilities that may arise with these days (supervising their own children, shoveling snow, etc.). The District also understands that there will be time spent in follow up activities after the e-learning day (reviewing completed assignments, providing support for students without internet access, encouraging students to complete assignments, etc.). Staff will respond to all communication requests in a timely manner (within 24 hours) during scheduled hours. Teachers may communicate outside of office hours as needed.

Live Video Conferencing Sessions

Google Meet will be one of the primary video conferencing tools used to host live class sessions in communication with students during E-Learning Days for online learners. If your child is unable to attend a live session, the classroom teachers may provide either notes or a recorded version of the session. Elementary teachers with students in grade PreK-6 will include in their morning announcement the times students are to log in for live instruction. At grade levels 7-12, staff will use the abbreviated class times when scheduling synchronous (live) sessions.

Student Assignments/Activities

It is important to remember that activities, especially at the primary grade levels where students are not issued a Chromebook to take home, should be about reinforcement and review of already learned material. In the event of a long-term closure, materials will build upon already learned material and introduce new concepts. Learning materials will be offered in a variety of ways either to be returned to the teacher or materials to be signed off by a parent, guardian or caregiver (digital assignments, projects, print material, sign-off Choice Boards of activities, etc.). It is also important to realize that many students may have other responsibilities (shoveling snow, watching siblings, etc.) or be in a different environment (at a grandparent’s house, in daycare, at work with a parent, etc.). For those students with multiple classes, remember that they will have work from each teacher.

• PreK – K: Teachers will provide students with a “choice board” that will be sent home and/or electronically available to students/parents as soon as possible. It is important that the choice board not be solely dependent on the use of technology, as many grade school students may not have access to a device/internet during an E-Learning Day. Depending on student access to technology, it may be possible to add a “choice” to the choice board involving teacher communicated assignment. Teachers will provide students with an announcement on Google Classroom or other class communication programs announcing their assignment(s) by 8:00 am on the morning the E-Learning Day is initiated.
• 1st – 12th Grade: Teachers will provide students with a Google Classroom announcement announcing their assignment(s) by the school start time on the morning the E-Learning Day is initiated. For students who may not have access to the internet, it is recommended that teachers have “alternative” assignments/activities that students may work on that are not dependent on technology. These alternative assignments/activities should be communicated to students/parents prior to the possibility of an E-Learning Day…for example, sending a packet home with the student(s) that is kept at home and ready to be completed if an E-Learning Day is initiated or providing an E-Learning assignment on Google Classroom. The district will make every attempt to provide technology to students/learning materials prior to an E-Learning Day.
• Special Education and Related Services: Special education personnel will be available to students through electronic sources as applicable, based on student need and IEP goals. Modifications and adaptations will also be included in all assignments, based on the needs of the student and IEP goals. Individual goals and objectives will be addressed through assignments and activities provided by case managers.
• Most teachers will be utilizing Class dojo and/or Google Classroom as their online Learning Management System.

Student Attendance

During E- Learning, attendance will be taken. The preferred method of collecting attendance is always a one-to-one daily connection between the teacher and the student. However, we recognize that this method is not available or practical for all student scenarios under an

E-Learning situation. We encourage and suggest several ideas for how classroom teachers can collect and count a student as present during an E-Learning Day.

• Video conference “check-ins.”
• Wellness checks coupled with a question on student engagement/participation in lessons.
• Phone calls coupled with a question on student engagement/participation in lessons.
• Text messages or email communications coupled with a question on student engagement/participation in lessons.
• Packet collections by school personnel.

Grading

Students will be accountable for completing the assigned tasks either online or by printed materials in the same manner as any other school day. Incomplete work will be considered incomplete. Teachers are encouraged to hold students accountable for completing work as they would with any missing assignments. Completed work can either be turned in online or on an upcoming school day.

Technology

Between Thanksgiving and the end of February, the possibility of inclement weather will be monitored and allow teachers to send devices home with students. In the event, unexpected inclement weather arrives, an alternate option will be available for students and families to allow students an alternative to complete their work should a device not be in their possession. These alternative assignments will be in the form of choice boards, projects, reading and writing

assignments, etc. Teachers will also prepare E-Learning packets that can be sent home with students prior to the start of the bad weather. 

Student/Parent Technical Support:

In the event of an issue with a student’s District assigned device, please call or email the technology support person at your child’s school. For a list of contact information, please use THIS LINK.

Teacher Technical Support:

Support for Instructional Programs – Mike Kunz
Phone: 618-343-2740 x3030
Email:  mkunz@cusd.kahoks.org

* Approved by the Board of Education 7/17/23, Updated 08/01/23

The post E-Learning Plan appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

August 2, 2023 – Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 will welcome students back to school on Thursday, August 17, for the 2023-24 school year. Please note the following important information for families:

ONLINE REGISTRATION

All families MUST complete online registration prior to the first day of school.  For information on online registration and enrollment, click HERE.

SCHEDULES/TEACHER ASSIGNMENTS

Collinsville High School Students should have attended the Kahok Kickoff at Collinsville High School on July 25 & 26, or make-up day on August 1, to receive their class schedule as well as PE uniforms, athletic participation information, parking assignments (qualified students in grades 11 and 12), driver’s education information, photo IDs, textbooks and Chromebooks.  If your student did not attend Kahok Kickoff, please contact the school office immediately.

Freshman Orientation is Thursday, August 3, with sessions at noon at 4:00 pm.  Information was sent to families.

Collinsville Middle School Students: Class Schedules will be available via the Skyward Family Access Portal on August 9, 2023. Parents/Guardians may log into their account (using their Username and Password) and access their child’s teacher information via the Schedule Tab (from the menu options on the left).

Dorris Intermediate School and Elementary School Students: Teacher assignments may be accessed via the Skyward Family Access Portal on August 9, 2023. Parents/Guardians can log into their account (using their Username and Password) and access their child’s teacher information via the Schedule Tab (from the menu options on the left).

OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULE

Click HERE for the 2023 Open House Schedule in English
Click HERE for the 2023 Open House Schedule in Spanish

KINDERGARTEN FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

Kindergartners with last names A-K will attend school on Thursday, August 17; last names L-Z will attend school on Friday, August 18.  Only students with designated last names attend on those days.

SCHOOL PHYSICALS

Click HERE for school physical exam and immunization requirements.  NOTE: Failure to comply with the requirements by October 15 will result in the student’s exclusion form school until the required health forms are presented to the district.

Our partner SIHF Healthcare offers convenient school and athletic physicals.  For information about clinics and appointments, visit their website.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Click HERE for 2023-24 school supply lists.

SCHOOL SOCIAL MEDIA

Every school has social media to share new with families and the community. Links to their social media are posted on each school’s page on this website

Have Questions?  Need for Information?

Contact your child’s school.  Names and contact information for each school are listed on each school’s page on this website.

The post Back-to-School Guide for 2023-24 School Year appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

Click to view lunch menus:
Elementary/Dorris Intermediate
Collinsville Middle School
Collinsville High School

CUSD #10 contracts its food service program with Sodexo USA, the leading provider of nutrition services to K-12 public schools in the United States.

Contact Information:
Sodexo Office – Collinsville High School 
2201 South Morrison
Collinsville, IL 62234
618-346-6320, ext. 1148

Community Eligibility Provision : Free Meals for All Students

Beginning with the start of the 2023-2024 school year, our district was approved by the Illinois State Board of Education as a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) district.

CEP allows qualified schools/districts to SERVE ALL STUDENTS FREE MEALS as part of the National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs.  Both programs are federally assisted meal programs established under the National School Lunch Act.

How does CEP work?

No sign-up or pre-registration is required, so families no longer have to complete free or reduced-price meal applications. All students regardless of family income can eat free, nutritious meals at school.

Every elementary and Dorris Intermediate School student can eat breakfast and/or lunch provided at school and will not be charged for these meals.

At the middle and high schools, where students are offered meal choices:

• If the student takes a full meal, breakfast or lunch, there is no charge to the student. Anything less than a full meal, just taking a milk or just taking a cheeseburger for example, will result in a charge to the student.
• The National School Lunch Program categorizes a full meal as: a fruit, grain and milk at breakfast; and a fruit, vegetable, grain, meat and milk at lunch.
• In addition, at Collinsville Middle School and Collinsville High School, a la carte items available for purchase in addition to a full meal, (extra milk, extra entree, separate items, etc.) are NOT eligible for CEP, so students WILL be charged for those extra items.
• Cafeteria staff will be able to assist students in navigating food selections.

Adult and visitor meals are not included in CEP, so there continues to be a charge.

Any positive food service balance from last school year can remain on a student’s account and allow them to purchase a la carte food items. Re-loading money on the account can be done through Skyward Family Access. (SEE BELOW FOR FOOD SERVICE PAYMENT OPTIONS.) Meal account balances can be viewed by logging into Skyward.  Use the Food Service tab to see your current balance.

How do students receive free meals at school?

Students will proceed through the line and scan their I.D. or enter their assigned PIN so we can track the meals being served. (Remember: FREE MEAL = FULL MEAL)

How does CEP benefit students in our district?

Research has proven that children who have healthy meals learn better.  School districts who participate in CEP see an increase in children who eat breakfast at school, which means students are more likely to start the day with a nutritious meal to sustain them until lunch.

CEP benefits families who no longer have the financial burden of paying for school meals.  CEP also removes the social stigma associated with receiving free or reduced breakfast/lunch based on family income.

From the district perspective, cafeteria lines move more efficiently and the administrative burden associated with tracking meal payment and balances is diminished.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING FEE WAIVERS

Prior to CEP in our district, student fees were waived based on whether a household met the standards to qualify for free or reduced lunch. Beginning with the 2023-24 school year, if your household or family does not qualify for direct certification via Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, you MUST complete the Student Fee Waiver Application and return it to your child(s) respective school office as soon as possible. For detailed information regarding the fee waiver process, please click HERE.

Meal Prices

Listed below are the adult and visitor meal prices for the 2023-2024 school year approved by the Board of Education on May 15, 2023:

Breakfast (adult/visitor):  $2.00
Lunch (adult/visitor): $4.00

Food Service System & Non-CEP Food Purchases

All students have a food service account as part of their individual Skyward account.  Students use their six-digit identification number as a PIN (Personal Identification Number) when they pass through the cafeteria line.  This system records meal transactions and accounts for a la carte purchases.

To prevent fraudulent use of student accounts, student photos are loaded into the system. These digital images appear on the monitor for the cashier to view every time a child accesses his or her account, therefore ensuring that no other student can use another child’s account.

Collinsville Middle School and Collinsville High School: If a student’s food choices fall outside the definition of an eligible FREE meal (full meal as defined in CEP), money is deducted from their food service account to pay for their purchases.  When account balances fall below $5, the cashier will remind the student that additional money should be deposited or brought to school to continue purchasing meals.  Parents using Skyward to deposit meal money can receive a notification when the balance is low.

Payments on Meal Accounts and Point-of-Sale Debit System

Families may pay for meals three ways:  pay cash daily for meals OR give cash/check to the cafeteria cashier to load money into meal account to prepay OR  load money electronically through Skyward Family Access under the Food Service section.

The school cafeteria payment system has the ability to act as a cash register; it can accept cash payments on a daily basis or receive advance payments on the student’s meal debit account. Many families choose the convenience of pre-loading money electronically using Skyward Family Access.  Money is deducted from the student’s balance each time they use the account to purchase meals or a la carte (CMS and CHS only) items.

Skyward Food Service: This option provides students with an easy way to pay for meals.  The benefits to students and parents with this system are:

1. Parents may deposit money into the student’s account eliminating the need to send cash on a daily basis.
2. Student lunch lines move faster.
3. Students are not inconvenienced with cash or checks to purchase lunch.
4. Student lunch status is confidential.
5. Parents may restrict snack bar purchases.
6. Parents are able to view every purchase made daily through the Skyward system.
7. Students are notified at the cash register when their account is low.

Here are instructions for utilizing Skyward Food Service payment method:

Cash/Check Payment:  Parents may also write a check or send cash for any amount to deposit into their child’s lunch account. The money will be applied to all purchases in the cafeteria. Cash and checks are given to the cafeteria cashier.

Please note:  Amounts remaining in the accounts of returning students at the end of the previous school year will be rolled into their account for the following school year.  Students exiting the district will be issued a refund of the remaining food service account balance. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to call the Food Service Office through the CHS Main Office number at 346-6320, ext. 1148.

The post Food Service appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

March 29, 2023

The Collinsville CIT was launched thanks to CUSD 10’s participation in a federal initiative to implement, sustain and scale up high quality preschool inclusion. The initiative was co-led by ECTA and the National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI) and included partners from across the early care and education system. The Illinois State Board of Education and EarlyCHOICES led the work in Illinois. This initiative focused on using indicators to analyze the level of preschool inclusion in a community and to provide a framework for increased inclusion efforts throughout a community. Community inclusion teams are a unique strategy to support this effort. 

The Collinsville CIT includes representatives from several community-based organizations, including Riverbend Head Start and Family Services, Children’s Home and Aid’s Stronger Beginnings for Families and Child Care Resource and Referral programs, Child and Family Connections 21, and Family Matters Parent Training & Info Center.  CUSD 10 staff, administrators and families are also represented on the team. 

The CIT’s journey was recently highlighted in an episode of a podcast series, Preschool Inclusion in Illinois, produced by StarNET Regions I & III. Collinsville CIT Inclusion Coach Pam Reising-Rechner and CIT Facilitator Christine Coleman detailed the work of Collinsville’s Community Inclusion Team in episode two of the series, which will air on April 3, 2023. The podcast series can be found here.

Collinsville CUSD 10 and Riverbend Head Start continue to be the only agencies in the state of Illinois to collaboratively provide individualized special education and related services in-place at a Head Start facility.  Eligible preschool students are able to stay in their natural, inclusive classroom at Head Start and receive services provided by CUSD 10 staff. Bringing services to students at their childcare center reduces transitions for these 3- or 4-year old children, who otherwise would need to bus transportation mid-day to receive specialized services. 

The Collinsville CIT continues to meet monthly to work on various projects that will impact preschool inclusion in the community, including the creation of a website that can be accessed by families and programs. This website documents the Collinsville CIT’s history and progress, and offers technical assistance resources to programs and families. The Collinsville CIT website can be accessed here.

Programs that are interested in scaling up their own preschool inclusion efforts can benefit from an upcoming webinar series. EarlyCHOICES will host a Preschool Inclusion Toolbox Three-Part series beginning April 19, 2023. Sessions will cover topics that are integral to high- quality inclusive preschool programs, including the creating a vision, policies and procedures that support inclusion, and evidence-based practices. Registration is now open

For more information on Collinsville Community Inclusion Team:

Christine Coleman, Collinsville CIT Facilitator
618-346-6301 extension 5941
ctcoleman@cusd.kahoks.org

The post March 2023 Update on CUSD 10 Community Inclusion Team appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

Read the information in Spanish

Parents of 4th through 12th Grade Students:

Now through March 31, 2023 parents, students and teachers across Illinois will have an opportunity to participate in the statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your child’s school. As a parent, this opportunity will allow you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness in a survey about your child’s school.

On behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois 5Essentials Survey will be administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago. The survey gathers data related to five indicators that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. These five indicators that affect and predict school success are:

• Collaborative Teachers
• Involved Families
• Supportive Environment
• Ambitious Instruction

Prior research in more than 400 schools has shown that schools that were strong on at least three of these “5Essential” indicators were 10 times more likely to improve student learning gains in math and reading than those that were weak on three or more Essentials.

All teachers and 4th through 12th grade students will also be responding to this survey. 5Essentials reports will be generated for schools if their teachers and/or students meet the response rate threshold of 50 percent. These reports will be sent to schools and districts in May 2023 and will also be included in the State School Report Card next fall.

Our district chose to provide the optional parent survey supplement. If at least 20 percent of parents complete this survey, a parent supplement report will also be generated. The parent data will NOT be reported on the State Report Card, but will be used as feedback for our schools and district.

Your participation in the parent portion of the survey will help us understand the conditions at your child’s school and guide improvement. Your identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child.

The Illinois 5Essentials Survey will be conducted now through March 31, 2023.  To take the survey please use THIS LINK.

For more information about the Illinois 5Essentials Survey, visit:   https://www.5-essentials.org/illinois. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact UChicago Impact Client Services at 1-866-440-1874 or impact-surveys@uchicago.edu.

Sincerely,

LaToya Berry-Coleman
Director of Curriculum and Assessment

The post Take the 2023 Illinois 5Essentials Survey Thru March 31 appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

“We are excited to see the construction of a new Caseyville Elementary begin and look forward to the positive impact the facility will have on our students, staff and community for years to come. This endeavor has taken a team effort to get where we are today and we are grateful for the work put forth by our board of education, district staff, and our partners at FGM and Holland,” said CUSD 10 Superintendent Dr. Mark B. Skertich.

The new Caseyville Elementary will be built directly behind the current building and face Second Street. When the new school is complete, the existing school building will be razed to become parking and green space.

The new school’s design provides an ADA compliant state-of-the-art learning environment with larger classrooms, adequate space for support services, a modern gym/cafeteria, dedicated conference room, improved restrooms and better air quality.  In addition, organized pick-up and drop-off areas for cars and buses will improve traffic flow around the school during peak times.

The lobby will feature a large mural utilizing images of Caseyville students and positive messages shared in both English and Spanish. The goal is to reflect the spirit of the community and school district.

The plans also include an all new Caseyville Public Library building to be constructed alongside the elementary school. The side-by-side structures represent a partnership between the school district and the Caseyville Public Library District to better serve the Caseyville community.

The existing Caseyville Elementary, located at 433 S. Second Street in Caseyville, was built in 1935, with additions added in 1948 and 1951-61. The property covers four acres and has 20 classrooms. Recent demographic trends and essential infrastructure updates needed to make the school compliant with modern day learning led Collinsville CUSD 10 leadership to explore options to finance and construct a new school building.

The current library, built in 1998, sits just outside the existing Caseyville Elementary grounds on Second Street. There has been an ongoing natural partnership between the two entities for years, but once CUSD 10 started looking at ways to utilize the land under and around the school to create a new campus, the location of the library became a key factor.

The school district acquired the library property through an intergovernmental agreement. Following the official deed transfer in January 2022, part of the IGA between the district and library is a long term lease arrangement for the use of the current building and the new facility.

The new Caseyville Elementary School campus will be built using local and grant funding. The projected cost is $20 million. Work on the construction site commenced in late December 2022 and is expected to take 18 months to complete. FGM Architects designed the campus. Holland Construction serves as the construction manager.

The undertaking to build a new Caseyville school from the ground up is the first project of its kind in Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 since Collinsville Middle School was constructed in 2003.

“This opportunity for the students, staff and Caseyville community is not only a privilege, but an unwavering demonstration of support from our district administration and board of education,” said Caseyville Principal Chelsea Clark, “Their dedication to make this a reality and bring our dreams and needs to fruition is greatly appreciated by all. I am excited to see the transformation of Caseyville Elementary School today, and the future possibilities that it will provide our students and staff for years to come.”

To watch the new school grow from the ground up, use THIS LINK to view a live webcam.

The post Construction of New Caseyville School is Underway appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

Stifel has partnered with Operation Warm since 2018 to provide brand new coats to children in need. Operation Warm, a national nonprofit that manufactures their own coats, is funded by corporate, community and government partnerships; in addition to donations from grants, foundations, groups and individuals.

Kevin Ortmeyer, Stifel’s Managing Director, said, “Stifel associates giving warm new coats to the children of the Collinsville School District sends a message to these deserving children that we care about them and want to make sure they have a proper winter coat for school and play. The Operation Warm Coat Drive is one of the most fun things we get to do all year.”

More than 650 coats were distributed to the Kreitner and Caseyville students. Teachers and principals collected sizes in advance. During their visit to the schools, Stifel employees met and fit the students with coats. Kreitner and Caseyville, both Title I schools, were chosen for the program based on their percentage of low income students.

Kreitner Elementary School and Caseyville Elementary School include students from Pre-Kindergarten through fourth grade.

Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated

Established in 1890, Stifel is one of the nation’s leading full-service wealth management and investment banking firms.

Stifel serves clients from more than 400 offices across the nation and ranks as the nation’s seventh largest full-service investment firm in terms of number of financial advisors. We are also a leading provider of investment banking services to the middle market, a top municipal bond underwriter, and home to one of the industry’s largest research franchises. Our Stifel Bank subsidiary provides a comprehensive range of banking services.

Our parent company, Stifel Financial Corp., is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “SF” and has achieved 26 consecutive years of record net revenues.

Operation Warm

Operation Warm is a national nonprofit that manufactures brand-new, high-quality coats and shoes for children in need. We partner with compassionate individuals, community organizations, and corporations across North America to provide emotional warmth, confidence to socialize and succeed, and hope of a brighter future by using the gift as a catalyst for community connection. Operation Warm is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

The post Stifel/Operation Warm Bring Coats to Kreitner & Caseyville Students appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

Registering for next year’s classes at this point in the current school year allows time for the high school to project course demand to plan staffing and scheduling for the upcoming school year.

Below you will find information for both current CHS students AND incoming freshmen (current 8th graders) who will attend Collinsville High School beginning Fall 2024.

Information for Current CHS Students

Current freshmen (to be sophomores in 2023-24) will register in the library by English I class on November 17th and 18th.

Current sophomores (to be juniors in 2023-24) will register in the library by English II class on  November 21st and 22nd.

Current juniors (to be seniors in 2023-24) will register in January 2023.

Click HERE for access to the shared Google drive that continues course planning worksheets, instructions, videos regarding electives and the 2023-34 Course Offering Guide with course descriptions.  Materials are in English and Spanish.

Information for 2023-24 incoming freshmen

Current 8th grade students attending Collinsville Middle School AND private/parochial schools who will attend Collinsville High School for the first time in Fall 2023 will register for classes from November 21st through December 2nd.  To assist with course registration and prepare for the transition to high school, several events are scheduled at CHS:

GETTING TO KNOW CHS*

Wednesday, November 16, 2022, 7:00 pm in the CHS Auditorium:  All incoming high school students and their families are invited to attend Collinsville High School’s Getting to Know CHS.  Parents and students will meet the administration, counselors and teachers to hear about course offerings and the selection of courses.  The informative presentation will be followed by a question and answer session with representatives from each subject area, and a club/activity fair. (For those unable to attend, a recording of the presentation will be posted after the event.)

*Note for Spanish speaking families: The Getting to Know CHS presentation with translators will be shared Monday, November 14, 6:30 pm in the Kreitner Elementary Gymnasium. 

CHS OPEN HOUSE

Saturday, November 19, 2002, 8 am–12 pm. &  1 pm– 3 pm in the CHS Counseling Department:  Families/students who want to meet individually with a CHS Counselor, can attend a special Open House for incoming 9th grade students.  Enter through the Visitors Entrance at the front of the school. Counselors will meet families on a first come, first served basis.

Course Registration for Incoming Freshmen

Each incoming freshman must complete a yellow (9th grade) course registration worksheet and return it to the CHS Counseling Department by December 2, 2022.

To assist with this process, use THIS LINK to access the 2023-24 Course Offering Guide with course descriptions, sample completed worksheets, videos made by CHS departments, a virtual tour of the school, and more.  (This information is also found on the CHS Counseling Department website under the Academics tab on the left side of the screen.)

Additional Requirement for Current 8th Graders attending Private/Parochial Schools:

ALL 8th graders who currently attend a school that is not part of the Collinsville CUSD 10 school district, MUST enroll in the school district prior to registering for courses.  Enrollment can be accomplished 24/7 online, or through an in-person appointment during department hours at the CUSD 10 Student Services office located at 123 W. Clay Street in Collinsville.

For enrollment instructions and requirements, visit our Enrollment/Registration page.

If you have questions about enrolling in the district, email enrollment@cusd.kahoks.org  or contact Student Services at (618) 346-6350 ext. 4237 or 4228, M-F, 8 am – 4 pm.

Please note:  CUSD 10 administrative offices are closed Tuesday, November 8 (Election Day); Friday, November 11 (Veterans Day); Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25 (Thanksgiving Holiday).

Summary of Course Registration Steps for 23-24 Incoming Freshmen

1. Enroll in Collinsville CUSD 10 (If not currently a student in the district).
2. Begin Registration Worksheet by writing the student’s name on the top of the sheet (Last, First).
3. Circle the student’s T-shirt size.
4. On the front of the sheet in rows labeled 1, 2 and 3: circle the chosen English, Math, and Science courses. Note: Placement for English, Math and Science classes is based on teacher recommendations, so please talk to your student’s current teachers.
5. For Row 4, please circle the student’s PE course.
6. On the back of the worksheet, the student will circle FIVE classes they want to take the most and number them in order of preference. If a semester class (indicated by a *) is chosen as number #1, make sure #2 is also a semester class. After completing these choices, the student should sign the back of the form.
7. Sign the front and back of the worksheet where indicated.
8. Turn in a completed worksheet to the CHS Counseling Department by December 2, 2022.

Have Questions?  Need Assistance?

If you have questions regarding registration or courses, please contact your child’s assigned counselor at the CHS Counseling Department at (618) 346-6320.  Individual extensions and email addresses are listed by their names below:

Ms. Janine Cihak
Counselor A-Di
ext. 1153
jcihak@cusd.kahoks.org

Ms. Renee Kurtz
Counselor Do-H
ext. 1033
rkurtz@cusd.kahoks.org

Ms. Melissa Biebel
Counselor I-N
ext. 1139
mbiebel@cusd.kahoks.org

Ms. Karen Olsen (Department Chair)
Counselor O-R
ext. 1132
kolsen@cusd.kahoks.org

Mr. Jason Corey
Counselor S-Z
ext. 1131
jcorey@cusd.kahoks.org

Mr. Robert Lugge
IEP Coordinator
ext. 1150
rlugge@cusd.kahoks.org

We look forward to welcoming the CHS Class of 2027 to CHS!

The post CHS 23-24 Course Registration Gets Underway Nov 2022 appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT

Visitors are asked to limit those attending your appointment to TWO people per family.

Click HERE to make an appointment.

Please note: The calendar uses Google. If you do not have or want to create a Google account, please call 618-346-6350 ext. 4237 or ext. 4228 to make an appointment. 

Two Options to Enroll a New Student

Online Enrollment

Families can enroll NEW STUDENTS TO THE DISTRICT ONLINE through Skyward Family Access. (Children must be at least five years old on or before September 1st to be enrolled in kindergarten.)

If you do not already have a Skyward Family Access account:
If you do not have a student attending school in the Collinsville Unit 10 School District, please request a temporary Skyward Login and Password by clicking New Student Enrollment: Account Request to sign up for an account and begin the enrollment process. Please note that a valid email address is required. If you do not have a valid email address, you may obtain a free one through Gmail, Yahoo mail or Outlook.

If you currently have another student attending school in the Collinsville Unit 10 School District:
Please use your Skyward Login to complete the New Student Online Enrollment (NSOE) Application.

NOTE: Students who attended school in the Collinsville School District during the previous school year are not required to re-enroll in the school District. Students will be placed in their appropriate grade in the student’s elementary school attendance area based upon enrolled residence address or at the appropriate grade at DIS (5th /6th grade), CMS (7th /8th grade) or CHS (9-12 grade).

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR ONLINE ENROLLMENT:

Use the NSOE Online Enrollment Guide (English) OR (Spanish) for assistance.

If your question is not answered within the guide, contact the Student Services Department at enrollment@cusd.kahoks.org

As you are completing the online enrollment process, you will have the opportunity to scan and attach (as a PDF or photo) the required documents as part of the enrollment application. THIS STEP IS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE ENROLLMENT APPLICATON.

Required Documents:

• Parent/Guardian Photo ID
• Child’s OFFICIAL (certified or registered) Birth Certificate*
• Parent/Guardian Proof of Residence within the CUSD 10 School Boundary (Evidence from Category I and Category II –  Proof of Residency requirements are posted below.

Additional Documents to Provide if Applicable:

• Parenting Plan/Court Order
• Proof of guardianship (or completed Affidavit) if the child is living with an adult other than the legal guardian(s).
• Foster Parent Placement Forms

*You must present a certified or registered birth certificate for the student at the time of enrollment.  (Note: If a birth certificate is unavailable, the parent may present other reliable proof of the child’s identity and age that is supported by a sworn statement explaining why the birth certificate is not available (ie. Passport, Visa or other governmental documentation of a child’s identity).

In-Person Enrollment

Families can enroll students NEW to the Collinsville School District in-person at the CUSD 10 Student Services Office located at 123 West Clay Street. Enrollment hours are 8:00 am – 4:00 pm; the office is closed from 12 pm -1 pm for lunch.  For questions, please call 618-346-6350 and indicate you have a question about enrollment.  Click HERE to make an enrollment appointment.

A parent/guardian must be present to complete the enrollment process.  Visitors are asked to limit those attending your appointment to TWO people per family.

Required Documents:

• Parent/Guardian Photo ID
• Child’s OFFICIAL (certified or registered) Birth Certificate*
• Parent/Guardian Proof of Residence within the CUSD 10 School Boundary (Evidence from Category I and Category II –  Proof of Residency requirements are posted below.

Additional Documents to Provide if Applicable:

• Parenting Plan/Court Order
• Proof of guardianship (or completed Affidavit) if the child is living with an adult other than the legal guardian(s).
• Foster Parent Placement Forms

*You must present a certified or registered birth certificate for the student at the time of enrollment.  (Note: If a birth certificate is unavailable, the parent may present other reliable proof of the child’s identity and age that is supported by a sworn statement explaining why the birth certificate is not available (ie. Passport, Visa or other governmental documentation of a child’s identity).

PROOF OF RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS

You must present proof of residency within the District by providing the required number of documents from each of the following categories:

• Category I (One document showing proper name and address is required)
  Most recent residential property tax bill and proof of payment, e.g., canceled check or Form 1098 (homeowners)
  Mortgage papers (homeowners)
  Signed and dated lease and proof of last month’s payment, e.g., canceled check or receipts (renters)
  Letter from manager and proof of last month’s payment, e.g., canceled check or receipt (trailer park residents)
  Letter of residence from landlord in lieu of lease (7:60-AP2, E1)
  Letter of residence to be used when the person seeking to enroll a student is living with a District resident (7:60-AP2, E2)
• Category II (Two documents showing proper name and address are required)
  Current Illinois Driver’s license or temporary Illinois Driver’s license
  Consular Identification card, Green card, Visa, U.S. Passport or current State Identification card
  Current Vehicle registration
  Current Voter registration
  Most recent (within 60 days) utility bill, e.g., gas, electric, cable television, trash, water (No cell phones)
  Current major credit card bill
  Current public aid card
  Current homeowners/renters insurance policy and premium payment receipt
  Receipt for moving van rental

Anyone with a Custody Order Seeking to Enroll a Student:  Must present a court order, agreement, judgment, or decree that awards or gives custody of the student to any person (including divorce decrees awarding custody to one or both parents).

Non-Parent Seeking to Enroll a Student:  Must complete and sign Evidence of Non-Parent’s Custody, Control, and Responsibility of a Student form, Affidavit of Enrollment and Residency, along with District approval. (This must be completed on a yearly basis). School Board exhibit 7:60-AP2, E3

Annual Electronic Residence Verification

Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 works with a third-party vendor who uses a system called CLEAR Batch to automatically verify parent/guardian residency within the Collinsville CUSD10 boundaries. The CLEAR Batch system reviews public records to verify the parent/guardian name and address. Click for more information:  English OR Spanish.

IMPORTANT:
The School District reserves the right to evaluate the evidence presented, and merely presenting the items listed in this procedure does not guarantee admission.

WARNING:
If a student is determined to be a nonresident of the District for whom tuition must be charged, the persons enrolling the student are liable for nonresident tuition from the date the student began attending a District school as a nonresident pursuant to Illinois School Code (105 ILCS 5/10-20.12a(a). A person who knowingly enrolls or attempts to enroll in this School District on a tuition-free basis a student known by that person to be a nonresident of the District is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor, except in very limited situations as defined in State law (105 ILCS 5/10-20.12b(e). A person who knowingly or willfully presents to the School District any false information regarding the residency of a student for the purpose of enabling that student to attend any school in that District without the payment of a nonresident tuition charge is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor (105 ILCS 5/10-20.12b(f)

The post Enrollment/Registration appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

“The relationship between home, school and community is vital and we are proud of our Early Childhood Program and our community partners for their work to assist primary children and their families throughout the school year,” notes Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 Superintendent Dr. Mark B. Skertich.

“This team is providing an example of what community collaboration can achieve when confronting complex issues such as preschool inclusion,” according to Christine Coleman, Collinsville CUSD 10 PreK Coordinator and CIT Facilitator.

National Focus

The Collinsville CIT was launched thanks to Collinsville CUSD 10’s participation in a federal initiative to implement, sustain and scale up high quality preschool inclusion. The initiative is co-led by ECTA and the National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI) and includes partners from across the early care and education system. ISBE and Early CHOICES lead the work in Illinois.

This initiative focuses on using indicators to analyze the level of preschool inclusion in a community and implementing change throughout. Community inclusion teams are a unique strategy to support this effort. The Community Inclusion Teams Report summarizes the efforts and results of work through December 2021.

Collinsville Community Inclusion Team Innovation

Collinsville CIT has met monthly since August 2020 and includes representatives from several community-based organizations, including Riverbend Head Start and Family Services, Children’s Home and Aid’s Stronger Beginnings for Families and Child Care Resource and Referral programs, Child and Family Connections 21, and STAR NET Region IV.  CUSD 10 staff, administrators and families are also represented on the team. 

Collinsville CUSD 10 and Riverbend Head Start have piloted a unique project that expanded individualized services at the Head Start facility.  Preschool students who are eligible to receive special education and related services are able to stay in their natural, inclusive classroom at Head Start and receive services provided by CUSD 10 staff. Bringing services to students in-place at their childcare center reduces transitions for these 3- or 4-year old children, who otherwise would need to get on a bus in the middle of their day to get these specialized services. This collaboration is the only one of its kind in the state of Illinois and is the reason for the recent award presented to the CIT.

Continued Community Efforts

The Collinsville CIT continues to meet monthly to tackle various projects that will impact preschool inclusion. The CIT will be continuing its survey of local daycare centers in an effort to deepen the community’s collaboration and provide support to everyone who cares for children with disabilities in Collinsville and the surrounding area.

Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 comprises 13 schools serving 6,400 students PreK-12 in Madison and St. Clair Counties in Southwestern Illinois.  

For more information on Collinsville Community Inclusion Team:

Christine Coleman, Collinsville CIT Facilitator
618-346-6301 extension 5941
ctcoleman@cusd.kahoks.org

The post CUSD 10 Community Inclusion Team Recognized appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

September 13, 2022 –

The actual clinic is located within Collinsville Middle School (9649 Collinsville Road, Collinsville, IL), however, its services are available and accessible to all district staff and students.  

“Our district is excited to partner with SIHF to provide health services to our students and staff during the school day,” said CUSD 10 Superintendent Dr. Mark B. Skertich, “Pairing SIHF with our district health staff adds another layer of wrap-around services to our students and provides easy access to our staff.”

“We are so excited for this partnership with SIHF to offer onsite health services,” said CUSD 10 Director of Special Education Alison Underwood, “We kicked off the partnership with a clinic during centralized registration in July.  Roughly 125 students completed their school physicals over two days.  We will be working with SIHF to host another event prior to the medical noncompliance deadline in October.”

“This collaborative relationship bridges the gap in identifying students needing physicals, immunizations or medical treatment. Our district’s Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Award of Excellence winning health staff can refer students in need directly to the comprehensive SIHF team,” added Underwood, “This is a wonderful opportunity for students and staff to be able to be seen quickly to address health concerns and to return to school.”

SIHF Healthcare employs a physician assistant for the CUSD 10 partnership who can do school and sports physicals; provide immunizations and preventive care; treat basic health needs, such as cold, cough, sore throat and earache; as well as offer referrals for behavioral health services.  

“In an effort to improve the health of students, we partner with local schools to help promote the importance of good health, especially during adolescence,” said a statement from SIHF, “Our physician assistant has a unique focus on preventative care for adolescents and truly listens to the students when caring for them.”

Certified Physician Assistant Morgan Dillon is the designated provider for SIHF Healthcare at the Collinsville school-based health center.  She is a member of the Illinois Academy of Physician Assistants and the American Academy of Physician Assistants. She earned her PA degree at St. Louis University. 

“One of my clinical interests is pediatrics, so a school-based health center is a perfect fit for me,” said Dillon. 

In-person visits are available at the CMS clinic Monday-Wednesday between 8:00 am and 3:30 pm.  Telehealth visits are available on Thursdays and Fridays. Advance appointments are preferred and can be made by calling 618-578-5701.  Insurance is accepted, but not required. 

“We look forward to serving the students, teachers and staff of the Collinsville school district,” noted Bryan Ferrell, Operations Director for Mobile and School-Based Services at SIHF Healthcare. “Students will be seen regardless of their insurance status, so no one will be turned away from receiving care.”

SIHF Healthcare believes everyone should have access to quality care regardless of their ability to pay. As a federally qualified health center, SIHF Healthcare accepts all State of Illinois health plans and most commercial insurance plans. Students without health insurance are also seen. Their Smart Pay plan offers a sliding fee based on family size and income. 

Visit the SIHF Healthcare website for more information and for consent forms in English and Spanish for parents to complete prior to being seen for most health center services; select “SIHF Healthcare – Collinsville Middle School.”

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August 30, 2022 – Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 Special Education Department’s Christy Way was selected to receive Eye Thrive’s 2022 Partner of the Year Award in recognition of her dedicated service to ensure Collinsville students get needed eye care.  

Eye Thrive provides mobile vision clinics at St. Louis metro schools and community organizations. CUSD 10 has partnered with Eye Thrive for several years to provide free eye exams and free glasses to students K-6 who are in need.

Last year, 394 CUSD 10 students were provided free glasses.  According to Eye Thrive, Christy Way was instrumental in scheduling and communicating with students, parents and staff to make the program beneficial to CUSD 10 students.  

The Eye Thrive Partner of the Year award is provided to an individual or organization that has gone above and beyond to ensure kids have the essential vision services they need to thrive, both inside and outside of the classroom. 

“CUSD 10 is a vital Eye Thrive partner,” said Eye Thrive Vision Screener Tia Cook, “Collinsville was the second school district to launch our Vision Screening Program.  When we began contemplating nominees among program staff, there was a resounding consensus over who the recipient should be. 

“Christy helped Eye Thrive identify what worked, what didn’t, and fine tune the process for our wraparound services,” continued Cook, “We are going into our fourth school year together.  Collinsville is one of our biggest and most successful school partnerships. Last school year, 85% of kids that received an eye exam on our Mobile Vision Clinic needed glasses.”

Eye Thrive estimates, in total, Christy Way helped provide 2,753 vision screenings, 462 eye exams and 599 pairs of glasses. 

Cook added: “Christy made sure every teacher in the building knew Eye Thrive was coming and was ready for our arrival, even calling every single teacher to confirm the timing worked for their classroom. Christy called parents to ensure consent forms got signed and returned, more than doubling our initial return rate. Christy stayed one step ahead on Mobile Vision Clinic days, and had students ready to go on-board so that the highest number could be seen and everything ran smoothly.

“Most importantly, Christy is positive and sets a tone that resonates with our mission – to provide an exceptional experience and make sure our  kids have what they need.  We could not have put glasses on 394 children in the district last school year without Christy’s efforts.”  

Collinsville CUSD 10 Head Nurse Lisa Sabatino said, “Thank You, Eye Thrive, for honoring what we see in Christy every day.  And thank you, Christy, for all that you do for CUSD 10.”

Way will be honored and officially receive her Eye Thrive Partner of the Year award at the group’s Spectacle gala on Friday, September 23, 2022 at The Coronado in St. Louis.

Eye Thrive is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.  Their mission is to remove the barriers of access and expense that prevent low-income children from getting glasses.  Since 2013, Eye Thrive has conducted more than 23,000 eye exams and dispensed more than 27,000 pairs of glasses to children in the St. Louis region through their state-of-the-art mobile vision clinics and school screening program. 

The post Christy Way Recognized by Eye Thrive for Dedicated Service appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

August 26, 2022 –

CUSD 10 Superintendent Dr. Mark B. Skertich, district administrators, DIS principals and members of the Board of Education were joined by representatives of FGMArchitects and Holland Construction Services to mark the beginning of the much anticipated building expansion project.  

Rendering of DIS Addition (Exterior)

The two-story classroom addition will provide 13,400 square feet of new space, including eight classrooms and four restrooms.  The corresponding renovation impacts 1,000 square feet of existing office space and counseling area. 

DIS houses all 5th and 6th grade students in the district.  This project will provide additional space for the growing CUSD 10 population and relieve congestion in the school.  The building is the former North Junior High School which was built in 1962.  It became an intermediate school in 2004, and was named Dorris Intermediate School in 2007, in honor of the district’s longest serving superintendent, Charles H. Dorris, who served for 37 years.  

Construction is scheduled to begin at the beginning of September 2022 and be completed in August 2023.  

The DIS addition and renovations were designed by FGMArchitects. Holland Construction Services is the construction manager for the project. 

The DIS project is part of the district’s $40 million, 5-year Facilities Plan that includes repairs and renovations to improve energy efficiency and enhance the environment where students attend school, as well as the upcoming construction of a new Caseyville Elementary School.

Examples of work completed districtwide to date are: painting, installation of LED lighting, new epoxy flooring, upgraded restrooms, blacktop repairs/resurfacing, playground renovation, locker room renovation, HVAC upgrades, sewer repairs, erosion control and enhanced signage.

The post CUSD 10 Hosts Groundbreaking on $5.8 Million DIS Construction Project appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

Individuals are nominated by district colleagues, and recipients are chosen by Dr. Skertich.  Criteria for the Superintendent’s Quality & Excellence award include:  rapport with students; relationship with peers; professionalism; classroom activities and use of content knowledge (certified staff); going above and beyond in their profession; and community involvement.

Mark Schusky/Collinsville High School Social Studies Teacher (Certified Staff)

Schusky was nominated by fellow CHS teacher Kyle Gordon, who wrote:

Teaching both ELL Government and Current Events is not an easy task. Every morning he arrives to create materials for his Current Events class at 6:30 a.m. based on the daily newspaper. He works tirelessly to develop lessons in his ELL Government Class that all learners can understand and relate to. He is dedicated to teaching all kids that walk through his door. Mark has a loving, fatherly rapport with students both in and out of his classroom. They are always in his classroom chatting about their day and lives. He is open, honest and supportive of every child he comes in contact with.

Very few have the professionalism that Mr. Schusky demonstrates. He is a role model for others to emulate. He is a constant professional in the classroom, in this building and in his role as a building rep when needed. Mark is a leader in this building. He may be a union official, but that is not what makes him a leader. He is a leader because of the time and effort he puts into each and every faculty member he comes in contact with. He is kind, patient, understanding, knowledgeable and supportive of everyone at CHS.

Each and every year Mark donates his time to read names at the annual Honors Convocation and Graduation. He spends hours practicing this craft to ensure every child’s name is read correctly. This is an unpaid labor of love.

Mark Schusky can be described as “Mr. Collinsville.” From his service on the Library Board, to service on the Gateway Center Board to community service throughout the area, Mark is a pillar of this community.

Claudia Gramaglia/District Translator (Non-Certified Staff)

Gramaglia was nominated by Special Education Director Alison Underwood & Public Relations Liaison Kimberly Collins

Claudia has been observed during DIAL Screenings to be very interactive and kind with the little ones. She is warm and makes the children feel at ease. She also works Summer School at our elementary schools and she does a great job working with the students in that setting.

Claudia is a team player. She gets along well with her peers. She is collaborative with staff to ensure that she is explaining everything correctly during IEP meetings. She covers others’ IEP meetings when the other translators are absent. She is always willing to help a teacher or other staff member make a phone call to parents when there needs to be a translator involved.

Claudia’s work translating communications for the district office is often a last minute assignment.  She NEVER hesitates or complains.  She steps up and ALWAYS finds a way to get it done on top of her already busy schedule. Knowing she can always be reached and is ready to help, are qualities that make her a valued and respected member of the team.

Claudia may be one of the most professional staff members in CUSD 10. She handles herself with grace at all times even in some very challenging situations. She is always polite and respectful to all parties involved and makes sure that parents feel heard and valued during IEP meetings.

In her role translating district communications to Spanish-speaking families, Claudia has access to proprietary information before it is public. She protects that information and does not engage in gossip or banter about content. She works tirelessly to make sure her translation communicates the English version of messages in the best way possible to ensure Spanish-speaking families receive accurate and comprehensible communication of complex issues.

Claudia always makes sure to meet deadlines with IEP translations and get general district information translated quickly for communication with families. She works well outside of her hours and beyond her responsibilities. This includes evenings, weekends, holidays and on her own vacation time.

There are numerous examples of Claudia going above and beyond to support the district’s communication efforts. When an urgent need arose in the summer of 2020, she was out of town without reliable internet access. She found a restaurant where she could sit and translate a letter families needed to receive that afternoon. When she has a day off and gets a text message about an urgent document that needs to be translated, she communicates her availability and gets to it as soon as possible. Recently, following the Uvalde, TX school shooting, Claudia anticipated a message might be going out from Dr. Skertich, so she contacted the district office to offer her services on stand-by – undeterred by the fact that school was already out for summer break and she was not working that day.

She takes very seriously the need for all CUSD 10 families to have timely communication. When the Illinois Department of Public Health released a complex COVID-19 flowchart that was not available in Spanish, Claudia painstakingly recreated it so our families could have access to that important information.

Claudia is involved with the Diversity & Equity committee. Her input and contributions are a valued part of the group’s efforts.

She is a dedicated partner in making sure the Spanish-speaking members of our Kahok community are valued and respected. She works hard to lead and support efforts to translate materials – such as subtitles for Dr. Skertich’s video messages, the district’s lengthy Return to Learn Plans, as well as letters and announcements – so all people in our community have access to information.

The post 2022 Superintendent’s Award Recipients Recognized appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

Greg Holthaus Memorial Fund and MCORE Foundation to offer Madison County Preventative Cardiac Screenings

1 Youth Dies Every 3 Days; Heart Screenings Should Be Routine, Group Says

POWELL, Ohio –Lisa Tennenbaum, executive director, and CEO of MCORE Foundation today announced the launch of a partnership with Greg Holthaus Memorial Fund, Glen Carbon Fire Protection District and Madison County, Illinois to educate and provide preventative heart screenings for youths aged 12 – 22 across the county to prevent sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).

“It’s tragic and unnecessary: One young person dies from sudden cardiac arrest every three days on a school campus in America,” said Tennenbaum. “Undetected congenital heart defects are the culprit, and routine heart screenings are the solution. SCA kills more than 400,000 people each year in the United States. More than 10,000 of these youths, aged 12 – 22. 

“MCORE Foundation is partnering to drive awareness and education programs to increase understanding of the scope of the SCA problem, the value of prevention, and the critical importance of baseline cardiac evaluations for all youth,” said Tennenbaum. “We are eager to enlist the support of local foundations, fire protection services to inform schools and parents about the need to screen youth for heart defects. More awareness saves lives.”

MCORE Foundation preventative baseline cardiac evaluations for youths aged 12 – 22 in Madison County, Illinois, will be offered August 13 & August 14th, from 9am- 5pm, at the Glen Carbon Fire Protection facility. For more information or to register (must register prior to screening, limited spots available) go to www.mcorefoundation.org  

 The mission of MCORE Foundation is to provide education, screening and enable research for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) for children and young adults. 

The post Preventative Heart Screenings for Students 12 to 22 appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

“Our district is fortunate to have strong partnerships with our community organizations, which enables our district to maximize services for students and families,” notes Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 Superintendent Dr. Mark B. Skertich.

“This team is working together to share the importance of preschool inclusion, both in the classroom and the community,” according to Alison Underwood, Collinsville CUSD 10 Director of Special Education. 

Continued Broad-based Community Collaboration

The Collinsville CIT’s  work is summarized in their vision statement: “We exist to prepare young children from Collinsville and its surrounding area for success regardless of ability, gender, racial identity or ethnicity by increasing access through full participation within inclusive, natural environments.” 

Through participation in a federal technical assistance grant. and supported by the Illinois State Board of Education and the Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center, this team continues to work to ensure that our community’s youngest students receive their education in an inclusive setting, no matter what program they attend within the community.

Collinsville Community Inclusion Team Activities

Collinsville CIT has met monthly since August 2020 and includes representatives from several community-based organizations, including Riverbend Head Start, Children’s Home and Aid’s Stronger Beginnings and Child Care Resource and Referral programs, Early Intervention-CFC 21, and STAR NET Region IV.  CUSD 10 staff, administrators and families are also represented on the team. The CIT has launched a Facebook page that will help provide information to the community about inclusion. CIT Facebook Page  

“The team has created resource documents that highlight inclusion technical assistance that is available to programs and families in the area,” noted Mrs. Underwood. These documents are available at the following links:  Inclusion Technical Assistance for Programs  Family Resources for Inclusion

Collinsville CUSD #10 and Riverbend Head Start’s collaborative pilot to expand individualized services at the Head Start facility has been successful in its first year. During the 2022-23 school year, additional preschool students who are eligible to receive special education and related services will be able to stay in their natural, inclusive classroom at Head Start and receive services provided by District #10 staff.

The CIT will be surveying local daycare centers over the next few months in a continuing effort to deepen the community’s collaboration and provide support to everyone who cares for children with disabilities in Collinsville and the surrounding area.

Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 comprises 13 schools serving 6,400 students PreK-12 in Madison and St. Clair Counties in Southwestern Illinois.  

For more information on Collinsville Community Inclusion Team:

Christine Coleman, Collinsville CIT Facilitator
618-346-6301 extension 5941
ctcoleman@cusd.kahoks.org

The post CUSD 10 Announces 2022 Community Inclusion Team Progress appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

May 10, 2022

Captain Holdener graduated from Collinsville High School (CHS) in 1978 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy.  She graduated with honors from Oregon State University in 1985 with a B.S. Construction Engineering Management; graduated from the Naval War College in 2000 with M.A. National Security and Foreign Affairs; and graduated from University of Colorado-Colorado Springs in 2002 with Graduate Certificate in Homeland Security.

In 1980, Captain Holdener received a Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) scholarship.  She was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy in 1985, and completed Naval Flight School training in 1988, earning the Wings of Gold as a Naval helicopter pilot.  

She recalls: “I completed Naval Flight School training as a helicopter pilot with my brother Michael A. Holdener, also a 1978 CHS graduate. We were the first brother-sister team to complete Navy flight school school together.”

Captain Holdener was deployed with the Navy multiple times on a variety of ships to the Mediterranean, Northern Atlantic, Red Sea, Persian Gulf, as well as Japan, Korea, Guam and Australia in the Pacific Theater. Her assignments included combat helicopter pilot, navigator on the USS Dwight S. Eisenhower and USS Kitty Hawk, and command center director for North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).

In 2001, she became the Commanding Officer of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Two (HC-2), a helicopter squadron with 450 personnel and 14 H-3 helicopters. 

Captain Holdener became the 17th commanding officer and first female commander of the USS Wasp, a multipurpose amphibious assault ship in 2010.    

At the time she was inducted into the Oregon State University Academy of Distinguished Engineers in 2013, she recalled, “My construction engineering management degree was broad enough to help me excel as a helicopter pilot and a ship’s commanding officer.  The engineering background made the technical aspects easy, and the business background kept me thinking about efficiencies in large organization management.” 

“I’ve been able to influence and lead 1,100 young men and women on a daily basis as the commanding officer of a ship.  If I was able to help only one of them to reach their goals, then I was successful at my job,” she added.

Captain Holdener retired from the U.S. Navy in 2014 after 31 years of active military service. 

Her retirement gift to herself was to hike the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. “It was 2,189.2 miles, took 173 days with 34 of those days hiking zero miles. I started March 20 and ended September 10.  It was definitely one of my greatest accomplishments,” she says.  She has also hiked 169 miles on the Florida Trail, and 369 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail. Most recently, she hiked 175 miles coast-to-coast across Costa Rica. 

Twice during her long career, Captain Holdener notably participated in Congressional hearings. Her first appearance was related to the Navy’s involvement in Operation Desert Storm.  In 1991, she was part of a panel discussion regarding the combat exclusion law which prohibited women from serving in combat positions (the law was subsequently overturned).  

In addition to her military service, Captain Holdener was an alternate on the East Territory Select Side for USA Rugby, and a member of the Combined Services Select Side Women’s Rugby Team.  She was nominated for consideration on the USA Rugby Board of Directors.  

Brenda Holdener hiking Thunder Mountain in Juneau, AK; Mendenhall Glacier

Captain Holdener currently lives in Alaska.  She says, “I’m living my dream in Alaska.  When there is a season, I work as a hiking and whale watching guide, and a whale watch boat captain.  My happy place is anywhere outdoors – hiking, kayaking, camping, etc.”

She was active in high school athletics in the late 1970s at CHS, including volleyball, track and basketball.  Holdener recalls being a member of the first Lady Kahoks basketball team her senior year. She notes there are many more options for female athletes today than when she was in high school, and is impressed with the long list of today’s Kahok competitive sports.

Captain Holdener says CHS Volleyball Coach Jean Willmore was the person at CHS who was most influential in her career path.  Coach Willmore encouraged her to go to college; and as a way to get tuition paid, she encouraged her to visit a Navy recruiter.  Holdener says enlisting was her best option to pay for college and led to her degree in construction engineering management.  

Her advice to Collinsville High School students is: “First and foremost believe in yourself! You can DO and BE anything you want to be.  It is usually not the physical aspect or how smart you are.  It is more mental.  How bad do you want it?

“Follow your passion.  Follow your dream.  Follow your heart and go for it!  If you are not happy with what you are doing, change your trajectory and go do something else.  Life’s too short! Trust me.  When I was in high school I had no idea I would become a helicopter pilot or in command of my own ship.  Anything is possible,” she said. 

Captain Holdener wants to honor the women who came before her and made her accomplishments possible, “Cheers to the many women who have gone before me to open up the doors of opportunity for me.”

Collinsville High School 2022 Commencement is Saturday, May 14, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. in Vergil Fletcher Gymnasium at Collinsville High School, 2201 South Morrison, Collinsville, Illinois.  The ceremony will be livestreamed and archived on the Tomahawk Studios YouTube channel. 

The post Brenda Holdener is 2022 CHS Alumni Achievement Honoree appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

Collinsville CUSD 10 Unveils Plans for New Caseyville Elementary School

Campus Features New Caseyville Public Library Onsite

Collinsville, IL – April 11, 2022 – Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 unveiled plans for a new Caseyville Elementary School to be completed in the 2023-24 school year. 

The plans include an all new Caseyville Public Library building to be constructed alongside the elementary school.  The side-by-side structures represent a partnership between the school district and the Caseyville Public Library District to better serve the Caseyville community.  

The existing Caseyville Elementary, located at 433 S. Second Street in Caseyville, was built in 1935, with additions added in 1948 and 1951-61. The property covers four acres and has 20 classrooms. Recent demographic trends and essential infrastructure updates needed to make the school compliant with modern day learning led Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 (CUSD 10) leadership to explore options to finance and construct a new school building. 

The current library, built in 1998, sits just outside the existing Caseyville Elementary grounds on Second Street. There has been an ongoing natural partnership between the two entities for years, but once CUSD 10 started looking at ways to utilize the land under and around the school to create a new campus, the location of the library became a key factor. 

New School Campus Result of Creative Intergovernmental Agreement

“We approached the library district about acquiring their land and proposed a partnership that would provide new, improved facilities for both entities.  Absent of the district and library working together to serve our communities, this would not have been possible,” said Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 Superintendent Dr. Mark B. Skertich. 

The new Caseyville Elementary School campus will be built using local and grant funding. The projected cost is $19.2 million. 

The school district acquired the library property through an intergovernmental agreement (IGA). Following the official deed transfer in January 2022, part of the IGA between the district and library is a long term lease arrangement for the use of the current building and the new facility scheduled to be completed in December of 2023.

“Our library has a wonderful working relationship with Collinsville CUSD 10. We’ve partnered on supply drives and distribution events, having Co-Op students work at the library, local libraries involved with school registration events and many other programs and services,” said Caseyville Public Library District Director Ashley Stewart, “Cooperation in this situation wasn’t a hurdle, but it could have been. Members of both boards understand the importance of lifelong learning and the continuity of service for students, staff, and families.”  

The joint agreement allows the Caseyville Public Library District to focus their funds on expanding staff and programs, instead of building maintenance and upkeep. The library will gain 1,500 square feet, making it 50% larger than today’s location. The new facility will include a study room, meeting room to accommodate 25-30 people, a special children’s zone and interactive area, bilingual materials and signage, as well as dedicated outdoor space for the Caseyville Community Garden.  

The new library building will be steps away from the school building.  Caseyville students will have exclusive access daily from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. before the library opens to the public. Being next door provides countless opportunities to utilize the library’s resources.  

Elementary School is First Major Building Project in District Since 2003

The new Caseyville Elementary School and public library will be built directly behind the current buildings and face Second Street. The existing buildings will be razed and become parking lots and green space.  Construction is scheduled to begin in August 2022. FGM Architects designed the campus. Holland Construction Services is the general contractor.  Bids will be solicited beginning in early May 2022.

The school’s design provides an ADA compliant state-of-the-art learning environment with larger classrooms, adequate space for support services, a modern gym/cafeteria, dedicated conference room, improved restrooms and better air quality. In addition, organized pick-up and drop-off areas for cars and buses will improve traffic flow around the school during peak times.

The lobby will feature a large mural utilizing images of Caseyville students and positive messages shared in both English and Spanish. The goal is to reflect the spirit of the community and school district. 

This undertaking to build a new school from the ground up is the first in Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 since Collinsville Middle School was constructed in 2003.  

“The district is really excited about our partnership with the library.  The benefits to our students and community is something both the Board of Education and Library District Board are committed to for years to come,” said Dr. Skertich.

Caseyville Public Library District serves the Village of Caseyville, Illinois and surrounding communities. The mission of the Caseyville Public Library is to provide all members of the community with access to materials that will aid them in their educational and recreational endeavors. 

Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 comprises 13 schools, serving 6,100+ students PreK-12 in Madison & St. Clair Counties in southwestern Illinois.

Renderings of New Caseyville Elementary School

The post Plans for New Caseyville School & Library Unveiled appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

Madison County CTE is the “regional Education for Employment delivery system charged with administering and coordinating Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. CTE programs include Agriculture, Business, Family & Consumer Science, Health Occupations and Technology Education & Engineering.”  For more information, click HERE to visit their website.

Madison County Career and Technical Education EFE #450 Position Opening

Title: Administrative/Fiscal Services Assistant- Madison County Career and Technical Education

Reports To:  Madison County Career and Technical Education System Director

Minimum Qualifications: Two years of relevant clerical and bookkeeping experience are required. Associates in Administrative Office, Business or related program preferred

Position Type: Secretarial/Clerical

Work Year: Full-time (260 Days), 8 hours per day

Salary: $18 – $22 an hour ($37,440 – $45,760 annually), Contract Position

Benefits: Health Insurance, with options for dental and vision. Vacation time provided. Remote work opportunities are available when work duties allow.

Start Date: April 1st, 2022

Job Description:

The Madison County CTE Administrative/Fiscal Services Assistant is responsible for all aspects of the Regional System Office. The assistant is the contact for students, parents, staff, school district personnel, and the public. The assistant’s duties include: preparing communication, record keeping, preparation and processing of checks, invoices and purchase orders, and clerical/office duties. When the Director is unavailable, the assistant is responsible for handling situations that may arise by coordinating with the appropriate school district or high school personnel.

Detailed Description: Click Here

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit their resume, references, and qualifications either hard copy or digitally by 3:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 25, 2022. 

Correspondence should be directed to: 

Madison County CTE
Kaleb Smith – kwsmith@ecusd7.org
Director of Madison County CTE
6161 Center Grove Rd.
Edwardsville, IL 62025

The post Madison County CTE Hiring Admin/Fiscal Services Assistant appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

The funds were directed from dissolution of the Automotive Parts and Service Association of Illinois, a trade association for businesses and individuals involved in the automotive aftermarket industry. The McKay family was a founding member of the original organization in 1958.

McKay Corporation has committed to ongoing support of CAVC educational programs and scholarships.  Last October, McKay President Earl Flack and Chairman Jim McKay presented a $1,000 check to help support scholarship opportunities for CTE (Career & Technical Education) students. In addition, they have committed to providing training, equipment and career opportunities for students.

McKay Corporation is a family owned and operated business headquartered in Litchfield, Illinois.  McKay Auto Parts services Central Illinois and surrounding areas with 23 NAPA Auto Parts and NAPA AUTO CARE locations.  McKay has a strong history of supporting educational programs and CTE training opportunities.

The post CAVC Receives $10,000 Donation to Support Scholarships appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

Español

Kahok Families,

We understand the stress an adaptive pause to in-person learning puts on everyone.  Our district appreciates the flexibility of community partners and families as we move to remote learning for the next three days.  

Attached is a summary of policies, expectations and resources applicable during the adaptive pause occurring this week on Tuesday (January 11), Wednesday (January 12) and Thursday (January 13).  Remember, Friday (January 14) is a Teacher Institute and Monday, (January 17) is the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, so there are no classes on those days. 

This information is also posted on www.kahoks.org.  You should hear from your child(ren)’s teacher(s) and/or school with class- and building-specific instructions.  Please reach out to them if you have any questions.

The new year may have started with uphill challenges, however, I am confident if we keep our focus on our students, we will get through the current trials thanks to the support of our families and the dedication of our staff. Stay healthy. 

Sincerely,

Mark B. Skertich, Ed.D.
Superintendent

Remote Learning during Adaptive Pause

Students will engage in learning activities facilitated by their teachers. The lessons will focus on essential course skills and content appropriate for an abbreviated day of remote learning.  School buildings will be open daily and teachers and staff will be in attendance to prepare and deliver lessons using available classroom technology equipment. 

Teacher Availability

Teachers will periodically monitor their email and respond to questions during their school hours.  Teachers will be available outside of these hours by appt. only. If you need an appointment please reach out to your teacher.  Teachers will use various means to stay connected with students, including: webpage updates, Google Classroom updates, ClassDojo, emails, phone calls, Remind updates, etc., to help the instructor connect with, reassure, and provide students with feedback and encouragement. 

Student Attendance

Attendance will be taken daily using methods designated by the teacher or school.  

Live Video Conferencing Sessions

Google Meet will be one of the primary video conferencing tools used to host live class sessions in communication with students during Remote Learning Days. If a student is unable to attend a live session, the classroom teachers may provide either notes or a recorded version of the session. 

• Elementary students (Grades K-6):  will include in their morning announcement the times students are to log in for live instruction.
• Middle and high school students (Grades 7-12): staff will use the abbreviated class times when scheduling synchronous (live) sessions. The following schedule will apply:

CMS and CHS Daily Schedule

Students with Special Education Services

• Students receiving special education services in Grades 7-12 will follow their class schedule outlined above for CMS and CHS.
• Students receiving special education services in Grades K-6 will be expected to attend Google Meets set up by their assigned classroom teachers.  
• Students who receive special education services in the General Education setting will continue to receive instruction and assignments from their general education teacher(s).
• Students who receive special education services in the general education and special education setting will receive instruction and assignments and activities from their general education teacher(s) and from the special education teacher(s).
• Students who receive special education services in the Special Education Setting will receive all of their instruction and assignments and activities from their special education teacher(s). 
• Related Services: Speech, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Adapted PE- Students receiving related services per their IEPs will be communicated with on an individual basis from their related service providers regarding service delivery model and schedule.

IEP Meetings

Scheduled IEP meetings will continue to take place via Google Meets. IEP Coordinators will send out emails with the google meets link and invitation. If for some reason the IEP meeting would need to be rescheduled, all IEP Team members will be notified as soon as possible. Please reach out to your child’s special education teacher/case manager with any questions. 

Grading

Students will be expected to complete all assignments, assessments, and projects in a timely manner. All assignments will be graded when appropriate and students will be provided with feedback on each graded assignment. 

Technology

All students have been provided with a Chromebook and charger for remote instruction. Students who do not have adequate access to the Internet will be provided with a hotspot/router. Here are instructions on connecting to WiFi: English or Spanish. Please contact your building principal if you have connectivity issues. 

Use this link for a list of school-by-school contact information for student/parent technical support. 

COVID 19 Testing Availability

If your student is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, and you would like them to be tested for COVID at school, please contact your student’s school health office to request an appointment. Appointments will be made based upon availability on a first come, first served basis and will only occur during the School Health Staff’s contractual hours.  Use this link for contact information. 

Child Care/Latchkey

The district is partnering with the Collinsville, Maryville and Troy YMCA to allow families access to child care and/or latchkey service regardless if student attendance is in-person or remote during the adaptive pause.  Y Club will be offered from 6:30 am to 6:00 pm on January 11th, 12th, and 13th at Renfro Elementary for current students.  School’s Out Camp will be held on the 14th and 17th at the YMCA.  Interested families should contact the CMT YMCA at 618-346-5600.

Food Service

FREE student meal service will be provided to  students (ages 1-18) on Remote Learning Days during the Adaptive Pause in CUSD 10.  We encourage families to take advantage of this offer to ensure children are fed.  (Click HERE for a printable PDF of food service information and map.)

On Remote Learning Days during the current adaptive pause, meal service will be available Tuesday (Jan 11), Wednesday (Jan 12) and Thursday (Jan 13).  Since January 14 and 15 were scheduled non-attendance days, food service is NOT available on those days.  

Curbside Pick-up: Bagged meals will be available via curbside pickup from 7 am-12 pm, at the following locations:

• Collinsville High School (Back of School by Dock)
• Dorris Intermediate School
• Kreitner Elementary School
• Webster Elementary School (Back of School)

Delivery Route Pick-Up Locations: First Student school buses will deliver meals designated neighborhoods using the following routes and schedule:

The post Information for Navigating Adaptive Pause Jan 11-13 2022 appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

“These are exciting times for Collinsville High School and we have much to be proud of in the performance of our school and the success of our students. We believe that planning for a successful freshman year is important and we value making informed decisions,” said CHS Principal Daniel Toberman.

Please note: Collinsville Middle School families will receive a mailing in mid-December with specific details regarding course registration. Private/parochial school families should have received information in November. 

Save the Date for Getting to Know CHS Events

All incoming parents and students are invited to attend Collinsville High School’s “Getting to Know CHS” events.

Monday, January 3, 2021: Getting to Know CHS (for Spanish-speaking families) –  Collinsville High School Counselors will be at Kreitner Elementary School Gymnasium (9000 College Avenue, Collinsville, IL) with translators to present information about Collinsville High School, how to be successful, and to answer questions. The event begins at 6:30 pm. Click HERE for a printable flyer.

Tuesday, January 4, 2021: Getting to Know CHS (ALL families) – There will be a presentation at 6:30 p.m. followed by a question and answer session with representatives from each subject area, and a club/activity fair. Parents and students will meet the administration, counselors and teachers to hear about course offerings and the selection of courses.

Recording of online presentation:

CANCELED! Use THIS LINK for information.  Saturday, January 8,  2021: Open House in CHS Counseling Department (interested families) –  You may wish to meet with a counselor individually by visiting our Open House for incoming 9th grade students from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Open House will be held in the Counseling Department at CHS where we will meet families on a first come, first serve basis. Enter the building through the main visitor entrance at the front of the school.

SPECIAL INFORMATION FOR 8TH GRADERS CURRENTLY ATTENDING A PRIVATE/PAROCHIAL SCHOOL:

Students new to Collinsville CUSD 10 MUST be enrolled in the district. Resident families can enroll new students to the district for the 2022-23 school year ONLINE through Skyward Family Access.  (You can find complete information about enrolling a new student – including proof-of-residency requirements on the Enrollment and Registration page on the district website.)

If you do not already have a Skyward Family Access account: Please create an account by following the steps in the CUSD 10 New Student Online Enrollment Parent Guide.  This guide walks you step-by-step through the entire enrollment process, including a list of documents necessary to prove residency in the district. Please note that a valid email address is required.  If you do not have a valid email address, you may obtain a free one through GMAIL, YAHOO, or OUTLOOK. 

If you currently have a student attending school in the Collinsville Unit 10 School District: Please use your existing Skyward Login to complete the New Student Online Enrollment Application. Please refer to the step-by-step CUSD 10 New Student Enrollment Parent Guide for assistance. 

The entire enrollment process can be done from the comfort of your home, however, if you are having difficulties or you have questions about the enrollment process you can schedule an in-person appointment.  At this time the district is limiting in-person assistance and is requiring everyone to have an appointment. The link to request an appointment is on the Enrollment & Registration page. 

The Student Services Office is in the Administrative Annex located at 123 W. Clay Street, Collinsville.  If you have any questions about enrolling in the district, please contact CUSD 10 Student Services at (618)346-6350 ext. 4237 or 4228.

PLEASE NOTE: District Offices will be closed Thursday and Friday, December 23th and 24th; Thursday and Friday, December 30th and 31st; and Monday, January 17th for holidays.  

How to Register All Incoming Freshmen for Fall 2022 Courses

We recommend you visit the CHS Counseling Department website  to complete the required Registration Worksheet.  Once there, click on the “Academics” tab on the left side of the screen.  Under this section you will see a folder called “Course Offering Guide & Registration Information.”  In this folder, you will find resources such as a virtual tour of the school, the Course Guide which provides course descriptions, sample completed registration worksheets by grade, introduction videos made by departments, and more.

Checklist for incoming 9th grade parents & students:

1. Enroll in Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 if not currently an 8th grader in the district.
2. Complete the 9th Grade Course Registration Worksheet.  Write the student’s name on the top of the page (Last, First).
3. Circle the student’s T-Shirt Size.
4. On the front in rows labeled 1, 2, and 3, circle the chosen English, Math, and Science Courses.  Placement for English, Math and Science classes will be based on Teacher Recommendations, so please talk to your student’s current teachers.
5. For Row 4, please circle the student’s PE course.
6. On the back of the worksheet, the student will circle five classes they want to take the most and then they will number them in order of preference.  If a semester class (indicated by a *) is chosen as number #1, make sure #2 is also a semester class.  After, the student will sign the back of the form.
7. Please sign the front and back of the worksheet where indicated.
8. Turn in a completed worksheet to the CHS Counseling Department by January 13, 2022.

If you have any questions regarding registration or courses, please contact your child’s counselor at the Counseling Department at 346-6320.  Their individual extensions are listed by their names below:

We at Collinsville High School welcome you and your child to our school and look forward to serving you in the future!

The post Course Registration for 2022-23 Incoming CHS Freshmen appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

Collinsville, IL — November 22, 2021

“This team’s shared vision, ongoing participation, and growing membership demonstrate the commitment our community has for inclusion,” according to Alison Underwood, Collinsville CUSD 10 Director of Special Education. 

C0ntinued Broad-based Community Collaboration

The Collinsville CIT includes representatives from several community-based organizations, including Riverbend Head Start, Children’s Home and Aid’s Stronger Beginnings and Childcare Resource and Referral programs, Early Intervention-CFC 21, and Star Net Region IV.  CUSD 10 staff, administrators and families are also represented on the team. The work of the CIT is summarized in their vision statement: “We exist to prepare young children from Collinsville and its surrounding area for success regardless of ability, gender, racial identity or ethnicity by increasing access through full participation within inclusive, natural environments.”

Collinsville Community Inclusion Team Activities

Collinsville CIT has met monthly since August 2020. The CIT continues to work together to provide information to the community about inclusion. To this end, District representatives on the team have created a video highlighting what inclusive practices looks like, sounds like, and feels like. Use THIS LINK to view the video.

The Collinsville CIT created a Facebook page to continue to share information on inclusion with the wider community: Collinsville Community Inclusion Team. 

Finally, Collinsville CUSD #10 and Riverbend Head Start have embarked on a pilot to expand individualized services at the Head Start facility. A limited number of preschool students who are eligible to receive special education and related services are able to stay in their natural, inclusive classroom at Head Start and receive services provided by District #10 staff. This deep collaboration between the District and Head Start has been made possible through the formation and continued work of the Collinsville Community Inclusion Team.

The post Update on PreK Community Inclusion Team Progress appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

The visit to CAVC included presentation of a $1,000 check from McKay to help support scholarship opportunities for CTE (Career & Technical Education) students.

McKay Corporation is a family owned and operated business headquartered in Litchfield, Illinois.  McKay Auto Parts services Central Illinois and surrounding areas with 23 NAPA Auto Parts and NAPA AUTO CARE locations.  McKay has a strong history of supporting educational programs and CTE training opportunities.

Mr. McKay and Mr. Flack met CAVC instructors and discussed how they can provide ongoing training, equipment and opportunities for students, in addition to their scholarship contribution.

The post McKay NAPA Auto Parts Invests in CAVC appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

CHS Activities, Clubs, Organizations & Sports 2023-24

The post Activities appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

Hazel offers virtual doctor visits accessible both from the school nurse’s office and from home. The service is available beginning May 5, 2021 to all CHS and CMS students: those with and without primary care physicians; and those with and without insurance.

The Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 Board of Education approved the partnership with Hazel Health at the April 19, 2021 regular monthly meeting.

Hazel is an external, independent healthcare service that provides physical and behavioral healthcare to over 1.5 million students. CHS and CMS parents can opt-in to Hazel by submitting a signed consent form.  If a student isn’t feeling well during the school day, school health staff can facilitate a telehealth visit.  In addition, families who are enrolled in the program can utilize a video doctor visit from home, even during summer break.

“We are pleased to offer an additional service to help our high school and middle school families access health care when needed,” said Collinsville CUSD 10 Superintendent Dr. Mark B. Skertich, “When students aren’t feeling well, they miss school. We are making doctor visits available to CHS and CMS through Hazel Health to minimize lost academic time as well as disruptions to our families already hectic schedules.”

Hazel provides extended student health services including:

• Medical treatment: For stomach aches, headaches, sprained ankles, asthma concerns, and everything in between
• Medication: Prescriptions written or over-the-counter provided at school when needed
• Coordination: With family physician and school

Hazel’s on-demand visits utilize board-certified doctors, physician assistants and nurses who can dispense care in the student’s preferred language. Hazel provides families with referrals, resources and the follow-up to ensure healthy outcomes.

CUSD 10 Director of Special Education Alison Underwood led the launch of Hazel in Collinsville schools.  According to Underwood, “This will allow us the opportunity to provide another layer of resources and wrap around services for all CHS and CMS students. Hazel is a virtual health care platform accessible for all students regardless of insurance or ability to pay.”

“Students will be able to access this service from home or in the nurse’s office if deemed appropriate. Hazel can diagnose a student, recommend over the counter medications and/or prescriptions before the student even leaves the nurse’s office,” said Underwood.

Hazel offers an additional tool for school nurses and health staff if a student exhibits symptoms of an illness at school.  If an at-school telehealth visit seems warranted, the parent/guardian will be contacted by the school.  Following the visit, parents receive a detailed update.

CUSD 10 Head Nurse Lisa Sabatino said, “Our health staff members are excited to partner with Hazel Health to better serve our student population.  It continues to be our goal to keep students well and in school when possible, as well as to assist parents with finding appropriate healthcare resources.  Hazel will extend our school health reach allowing additional health professionals to diagnose, provide over the counter meds, and send prescriptions to the family’s preferred pharmacy when appropriate.  Overall, Hazel Health will allow us to provide families with quicker access to healthcare in order to get students well and ready to resume learning.”

Find out more and sign-up for Hazel Health Services through CUSD 10:

CHS and CMS families can sign-up for services by creating an account and providing consent for their student to be seen by the Hazel licensed providers.

For information and a link to the consent form, visit the Hazel/Kahoks website:  https://my.hazel.co/kahoks/info

Here’s a brief video for families explaining how Hazel Health works:

List of Services Available:

Use this QR Code to view more information for families considering Hazel Health services:

The post CUSD 10 Introduces Partnership with Hazel Health appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

March 2021 – Two Collinsville High School seniors have been chosen to receive $500 scholarships from the Latino Roundtable of Southwestern Illinois.

America Gutierrez-Trejo and Claudia Claudia De La Cruz will each receive a 2021 $500 scholarship.  In previous years, the scholarships were awarded on the day of the Fairmont City Easter Egg event. However, due to public health restrictions this year, the event has been cancelled. The recipients and their families are invited to receive the scholarships at the Fairmont City Library on Saturday June 19, 2021 at 12:00 p.m.

The post Latino Roundtable Honors Two CHS Seniors with Scholarships appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

March 7-13, 

“Beacon of Hope: School Social Workers – Lighting the Way” is our theme for School Social Work Week 2021. In our role, School Social Workers are able to light the way, emphasizing the whole child, collaborating with other professionals, linking students and families with needed services, and advocating for our profession.” according to the organization.

Thank you!

Pamela Wirth – Early Childhood
Leah Corey- Kreitner
Anne Bauer – Caseyville
Brittany Turner- Webster
Diona Shelton – Webster
Lisa Melzer- Renfro
Sarah Gafford- Twin Echo
Andrea Suess- Marvyille, Summit & Jefferson
Deb Zimmerman – DIS
Amy Buller – DIS
Megan White – CMS
Dave Juelfs – CMS
Cynthia Hueter – HH
Micki Fedorchak – CHS
Barb Daugherty – CHS

The post CUSD 10 Celebrates 2021 School Social Work Week appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

Left to right: Michelle Stutts (BOE), Jane Soehlke (BOE), Gary Kusmierczak (BOE), Dr. Dennis Craft (BOE), Dr. Brad Skertich (Superintendent), Derek Turner (Director of Technology), Mayor Michael Suarez (Fairmont City), Ben Fischer (LTE Specialist STEPcg0, Ed Walton (CEO Stepcg), Gary Peccola (BOE President), Todd Kelly SVP of Solutions Engineering STEPcg), Dan Gregory (Private LTE Program Director STEPcg)

Collinsville, Illinois – March 5, 2021 – Today, Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 launched a Private LTE Network to bring internet connectivity to approximately 500 students in the Fairmont City and State Park communities.  

Collinsville CUSD 10 partnered with IT solutions provider STEPcg to construct a private LTE network which utilizes technologies from Nokia and Cambium Networks. The network is among the first in the US built by a school district. 

CUSD 10 Superintendent Dr. Mark B. Skertich said, “The pandemic heightened the fact not all of our students had connectivity and exposed the need to ensure all students had equal access whether at home or at school.  Internet connectivity ensures all students are able to complete assignments, conduct research, interact with classmates and teachers, apply for scholarships, seek employment, and participate in everyday occurrences as simple as seeking the answer to a random question. The need and rationale were easy.  The ‘how’ took some time.” 

The district explored many different options prior to deciding on private LTE; including hotspots, routers on school buses, routers on telephone poles and paying for internet providers to install service in affected areas.  

“The district’s Board of Education was 100% committed to breaking down the connectivity barrier,” said Skertich, “All that needed to be done was for Derek Turner, our Director of Technology, to find a cost effective and sustainable internet solution.”

Turner said, “As we were investigating different possibilities, I began asking about private LTE. In early 2020, the FCC had approved use by private companies, cities and schools.  I was put in touch with STEPcg who helped me understand the ins and outs of private LTE and put together a bold plan to conquer the connectivity gap in our community.”

CARES stimulus funding provided the resources to make the $300,000 network a reality.  

Planning began in late March 2020, according to Turner.  By August, STEPcg constructed a temporary solution and conducted testing to determine any flaws in the system. During September, plans were reworked to provide more coverage and better reliability.  By December 2020, construction was completed on a broadcast tower at Kreitner Elementary School, and in early 2021, microcell installs began at Kreitner Elementary, the Mounds Water District tower, and Fairmont City locations.  Installation was finalized and testing completed in February, enabling the network to go “live” in March.

“Our district made a commitment to technology that started over 20 years ago with a goal of putting computers in every classroom. We continued by adding Promethean boards into the classrooms, The next step was to get Chromebooks into the hands of every student. With the 1:1 initiative that was phased in over a number of years, that goal was achieved last school year,” said Collinsville CUSD 10 Board of Education President Gary Peccola. 

Peccola continued, “However, the commitment wasn’t just focused on computers. Our fiber WAN project connects all of the schools and buildings throughout our district and provides internet access to all students while they are at school, but not all students have internet access when they are at home. With the construction of this LTE broadband tower, we are taking another step forward to meet the connectivity needs of students in the State Park and Fairmont City areas.”

Technology Behind the Network

STEPcg is an award-winning IT engineering firm specializing in solutions powered by strategic experts and best-of-breed technologies that guide their clients through complex IT challenges.

“The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the Digital Divide for many students and communities across America, the lack of access to affordable high-speed broadband connectivity,” said 

STEPcg CEO, Ed Walton. “Instead of having to drive to a restaurant or park for access to the internet, the Collinsville school district is leading the way by providing an innovative solution utilizing a private LTE network that enables safe, high-speed connectivity in the students’ homes.”

The centerpiece of the network is an LTE Broadband Tower constructed at Kreitner Elementary School which ties into the district’s internet service. In all, the network includes four Nokia CBRS microcell installations that provide approximately 4 square miles of coverage in the communities of Fairmont City and State Park. The result allows students to have equal access to school instructional programs from home. 

“We are pleased to partner with STEPcg to help Collinsville school district bridge the digital divide for students challenged with remote learning during this difficult time. Nokia’s industry leading private wireless solution complemented by STEPcg’s expertise to design, deploy and operate wireless networks was critical for the success of this project,” said Vikas Trehan, Nokia’s Head of Partner Sales in North America.

Matt Young, Vice President of North America Enterprise Sales, Nokia Cloud and Networking Services, said, “This use case in education illustrates the benefits of private wireless for school districts across the country. Nokia DAC (NDAC) enables fast and reliable connectivity to empower students in this challenging digital divide. We look forward to helping Collinsville school district accelerate on its path to a digital future for students, where 4G/pLTE capacity and performance provide a future-proofed infrastructure that enhances an educational institution’s capabilities for remote learning.” 

“Cambium Networks is extremely pleased to supply our wireless solutions to STEPcg for this Collinsville school district project.  Connecting the unconnected and under-connected has taken on unprecedented importance during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Bryan Sheppeck, SVP, Global Sales at Cambium Networks, “Twenty-twenty accelerated an emerging trend: ‘if it can be wireless, it will be wireless’ due to its intrinsic ease and speed of deployment. STEPcg and team have demonstrated once again the economic and performance benefits of wireless solutions.”

About the Technology Partners

STEPcg was founded in 2014 and has become one of the fastest growing technology firms in the Midwest. Their portfolio enables enterprises with solutions for wireline, wireless, cellular, cloud, security, collaboration and managed services. STEPcg is a privately held company headquartered in Covington, Kentucky. STEPcg is Where Innovation Meets Execution.

Nokia creates the critical networks and technologies to bring together the world’s intelligence, across businesses, cities, supply chains and societies.  With Nokia’s commitment to innovation and technology leadership, driven by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs, we deliver networks at the limits of science across mobile, infrastructure, cloud, and enabling technologies.

Cambium Networks delivers wireless communications that work for businesses, communities and cities worldwide. They work with their Cambium certified Connected Partners to deliver purpose-built networks for service providers, enterprise, industrial, and government connectivity solutions in urban, suburban, and rural environments, with wireless that just works.

The post Private LTE Network Brings Internet Connectivity to Students appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

Following is information all incoming freshmen and families need to know to transition to high school next year.

“These are exciting times for Collinsville High School and we have much to be proud of in the performance of our school and the success of our students,” said CHS Principal David Snider, “We believe that planning for a successful freshman year is important and we value making informed decisions.”

Save the Date for “Getting to Know CHS” Virtual Event

All incoming parents and students are invited to attend Collinsville High School’s LIVE Virtual “Getting to Know CHS” event: Tuesday, January, 5, 2021 at 6:30 pm.

During this event CHS Counselors will share information about credits, types of classes, available resources and more. Parents and students can post questions in the chat throughout the presentation; counselors will be standing-by to answer them.

Follow these steps to log-in to the “Getting to Know CHS” LIVE virtual event:

1. Use THIS LINK to go to the Counseling Department website.
2. Look for “8th Grade Parent Night” in the menu list on left side of the screen, and click on it. (Second link from the top.) You will see the meeting link OR Click HERE for the Google Meets Link.
3. Once there, click the JOIN NOW green button on the right side of the screen.

Please note, if you were unable to attend the live presentation, here is a recording:

Special Information for 8th Graders Currently Attending a Private/Parochial School:

Students new to Collinsville CUSD 10 MUST be enrolled in the district. Resident families can enroll new students to the district for the 2021-2022 school year ONLINE through Skyward Family Access.

If you do not already have a Skyward Family Access account, you must create one. Use the NSOE Online Enrollment Guide (English) OR (Spanish) for assistance.  This guide has the steps for the entire enrollment process. If your question is not answered within the guide, contact the Student Services Department at enrollment@cusd.kahoks.org

Please note that a valid email address is required.  If you do not have a valid email address, you may obtain a free one through GMAIL, YAHOO, or OUTLOOK.  In addition to filling out the application you must provide required documents for enrollment and also for proof of residency.  You can find all of the requirements on our website’s Enrollment/Registration page.

If you currently have another student attending school in the Collinsville Unit 10 School District, please use your existing Skyward Login to complete the New Student Online Enrollment Application. Use the NSOE Online Enrollment Guide (English) OR (Spanish) for assistance.

Please note:  The entire enrollment process can be done from the comfort of your home, however, if you are having difficulty or you have questions, you can schedule an in-person appointment.  At this time the district is limiting in-person assistance and requires everyone to have an appointment. Click HERE for information on scheduling an appointment. The Administrative Building is located at 123 W. Clay Street.  The District Enrollment Office will be closed December 24th, 25th, 31st and January 1st and 18th for holidays.

If you have any questions about enrolling in the district, please contact CUSD 10 Student Services office at(618)346-6350 ext. 4237 or 4228.

For All Students: How to Choose Courses for Your Freshman Year

Each student will use a yellow (9th grade) worksheet to choose their courses.  Click HERE for a sample filled-in 9th grade worksheet.  Click HERE for a blank 9th grade worksheet.

Completed worksheets are due to the CHS Counseling Department by January 14, 2021.

Resources that will be helpful when completing your course worksheet:

2021-22 Course Offering Guide: Lists 2021-22 course offerings with descriptions. Freshman/Sophomore Courses (Spanish)

CHS Department Contact List (English) OR (Spanish): Designated department contacts to answer questions about classes.

Department Videos with Information about Some Elective Courses Offered:

• CHS Business Department Video (Includes Video Production, Keyboarding, Small Business Basics, Computer Programming, Cybersecurity, Accounting, Co-op, Exploring Careers, Marketing, Social Media & Digital Marketing, Sports & Entertainment Marketing, Photoshop, Personal Finance)
• CHS World Language Department Video (Includes Spanish, German, Latin, French)
• Family and Consumer Science Video (Includes Criminal Justice, Child Development, Early Childhood Education, Foods & Nutrition, Food Service, Health Occupations)

If you have questions regarding registration or courses, please contact your child’s counselor.  Here is a list of their names with individual extensions and email addresses:

Mr. TaRael Kee, Dept. Co-Chair
Counselor A-C
346-6320 ext. 1135
tkee@cusd.kahoks.org

Ms. Renee Kurtz
Counselor D-He
346-6320 ext. 1033
rkurtz@cusd.kahoks.org

Ms. Melissa Biebel
Counselor Hi-Me
346-6320 ext. 1139
mbiebel@cusd.kahoks.org

Ms. Karen Olsen, Dept. Co-Chair
Counselor Mi-R
346-6320 ext. 1132
kolsen@cusd.kahoks.org

Mr. Jason Corey
Counselor S-Z
346-6320 ext. 1131
jcorey@cusd.kahoks.org

Mr. Robert Lugge
IEP Coordinator
346-6320 ext. 1150
rlugge@cusd.kahoks.org

Checklist to Complete the Course Registration Process:

1. If the student is not already attending CUSD 10 schools, enroll in the Collinsville Unit #10 School District.
2. Write the student’s name on the top of the Registration Worksheet (Last, First).
3.  Circle the student’s T-Shirt Size.
4.  On the front in rows labeled 1, 2, and 3, circle the chosen English, Math, and Science Courses. Note:  Placement for English, Math and Science classes will be based on Teacher Recommendations, so please talk to your student’s current teachers.
5. For Row 4, please circle the student’s PE course. Athletic PE is only for students in an IHSA sport and requires a recommendation from the student’s current coach. (see worksheet example)
6. On the back of the worksheet, the student will circle five classes they want to take the most and number them in order of preference. If a semester class (indicated by a *) is chosen as #1, make sure #2 is also a semester class. After completing course selection, the student will sign the back of the form. (see worksheet example)
7. Parent and student should sign the front of the worksheet where indicated.
8. Turn in a completed worksheet to the CHS Counseling Department by January 14, 2021.

Virtual Tour of CHS

Since public health restrictions do not currently allow group tours of the high school as conducted in preceding years, CHS is sharing this previous video to give incoming students an inside look at Collinsville High School.  View the CHS Survival Guide Video.

Become Familiar with Resources Available through the CHS Counseling Department website

We recommend you visit the CHS Counseling Department website and become familiar with its content.  The website has information that will be useful to you and your student at all phases of their high school career.  Including:

• Academic Advisement
• AP Summer Homework
• Appointment Scheduling (Students Only)
• Personal/Social Concerns
• Post High School Planning
• Career Exploration
• Transcript Requests
• Scholarship Information
• Standardized Test Preparation

Collinsville High School welcomes and your child to our school and looks forward to serving you in the future!

The post CHS Course Registration for 2021-22 Incoming Freshmen appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

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September 2020 – In June, Governor Pritzker signed Public Act 101-0642 into law, creating a number of
requirements aimed at helping the state prepare for holding the 2020 General Election in the
midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation makes November 3, 2020 a state holiday and
provides that “[a]ll government offices, with the exception of election authorities, shall be closed
unless authorized to be used as a location for election day services or as a polling place.”

Anticipating a shortage of election judges, Public Act 101-0642 makes several changes to state
law aimed at encouraging students to serve in that role. In addition to specifically mandating
that Election Day will be a school holiday, the law provides that election judges may be as young
as 16 if they are otherwise qualified. Both schools and colleges must also publish online notice
and notify their students about the opportunity to serve as an election judge, as well as the
qualifications for serving.

Election judges help to guarantee the rights of voters are protected at the early vote centers, and
the polling places on Election Day.  Election judges are commissioned as officer of the Circuit
court and must take an oath to uphold the constitutions of the United States and the State of
Illinois in the performance of their duties.  Election judges ensure every American qualified to
vote is allowed to vote and every American allowed to vote is qualified to vote only once.  The
following points out the qualifications necessary to become an election judge, also some of their
important duties and responsibilities, and how to become an election judge.

Qualifications to become an election judge:

If you are a qualified high school junior or senior, you can be appointed to serve as an Election
Judge. To be an Election Judge if, as of the date of the election at which you serve as a judge,
you must be:

• A citizen of the United States and entitled to vote at the next election or be a high school
  junior/senior in good standing or a student enrolled in a public or private secondary
  school;
• Have a cumulative grade point average equivalent to at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale;
  Have the written approval of his/her parent or legal guardian;
• Have satisfactorily complete the training course for judges of election; and
  Meet all other qualifications for appointment and services as an election judge.
  [i.e. be: Of good repute and character; 2) Able to speak, read and write the English
  language; 3) Skilled in the four fundamental rules (addition, subtraction, multiplication
  and division) of arithmetic; 4) Of good understandings and capable to perform his/her
  duties; 5) Neither a candidate for any office at the election nor an elected precinct
  committeeman; 6) Residing and be registered to vote in the precinct where selected to
  serve as judge.]

Source: Madison County (IL) Clerk’s Office

Duties and responsibilities of an election judge:

In the polling place, the judges are responsible for ensuring that the electoral process is
administered fairly and in accordance with federal and state election laws. Election judges serve
as officers of the circuit court and swear to uphold the constitution of the United States and the
State of Illinois in performing their duties.

All judges in the polling place have equal authority and responsibility regardless of their length
of service. There is no “head” judge. All decisions must be made in accordance with the election
laws and a majority vote of all judges. However, each judge may act alone to enforce election
laws. Judges should rotate the various duties during the day.

Only judges can handle the election materials, supplies and ballots.

The polls are open from 6:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. Judges are required to report
at the polling place in which they are serving by 5:00 a.m. and are required to remain until after
the polls close and all forms, certificates and affidavits are completed and signed, and all election
materials are packaged for return to the County Building. Two judges (one from each political
party) must return to the County Building at the end of the night.

Judges are required to maintain order in the polling place throughout Election Day. All persons
present in the polling place, or within the campaign free zone (within 100 horizontal feet of any
such room), must obey any lawful order of the judges. All serious problems should be reported to
the election authority and the judges do have the authority to evict any person creating a
disturbance. Judges must monitor the polling place throughout the day to ensure no
electioneering is taking place within the campaign free zone.

How to become an election judge:

Qualifying students should complete the Application for Student Election judge, which can be
obtained from CHS Principal David Snider.

Click HERE for a downloadable PDF of this information.

The post CHS Students Can Serve as Nov. 2020 Election Judges appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

The funding will be used to install new video surveillance equipment, intercom systems, and phone systems. The funding authority comes from the Students, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Act of 2018 which Davis co-sponsored.

“This school safety grant award will make Collinsville schools safer,” said Davis. “I was proud to co-sponsor the STOP School Violence Act which we now see in action giving our school districts the tools they need to keep students safe.”

“On behalf of the Collinsville CUSD #10, we are excited to be the recipients of the DOJ School Violence Prevention Program Grant, ” said Collinsville CUSD #10 Superintendent Brad Skertich. “The district will be utilizing grant funds to upgrade video surveillance equipment, intercom systems and improve communication by adding telephones to classrooms. We commend the efforts of Derek Turner, Director of Technology and Dan Porter, District Security, for their efforts on this endeavor and their commitment to improving safety and communication within our district!”

“With the new school year underway, the safety of our nation’s students remains paramount,” said COPS Office Director Phil Keith.

Program Background

The STOP School Violence Act of 2018 gave the COPS Office authority to provide awards directly to states, units of local government, Indian tribes, and public agencies (such as school districts and law enforcement agencies) to improve security at schools and on school grounds in the jurisdiction of the grantee through evidence-based school safety programs. The awards can be used for coordination with law enforcement; training for local law enforcement officers to prevent student violence; metal detectors, locks, lighting, and other deterrent measures; technology for expedited notification of local law enforcement during an emergency; and other measures that provide a significant improvement in security.

Related: House Republicans and Democrats Come Together to Pass the STOP School Violence Act

The post CUSD 10 Awarded DOJ School Violence Prevention Grant appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

Click HERE to read the report in English.
Click HERE to read the report in Spanish.

The post CUSD 10 Releases First State of the District Report appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

REGISTER YOUR CHILD FROM HOME

The On-Line Registration window will open at 6:00 PM on Monday, July 13, 2020.  Use your Personal Computer, Smartphone or Tablet

Click HERE for complete registration information, guidance and FAQ.

• Parents/Guardians of new students who have enrolled into the Collinsville School District (attending school in the District for the first time this school year) will receive a letter this summer that will outline directions for completing the Online Registration process and include your Family Access Username and Password for your child’s Skyward Family Access Account. 
• Parents/Guardians of returning students to the Collinsville School District (students who attended a school in Unit No. 10 last year) should complete the registration process through your existing Family Access Account. 
• Parents/Guardians will need the Family Access Username and Password to log into the Skyward Family Access Account.  If you have forgotten your username and/or password, you may retrieve this information via the Family Access Link on the Kahoks.org website (See Skyward icon on top of website page).   
• Families new to the District who have not completed the enrollment process must enroll your child into the Collinsville Community Unit School District #10.  This may be completed online through Skyward Family Access.  If you do not already have a Skyward Family Access account, please create an account by clicking here New Student Enrollment Account Request to sign up for an account and begin the enrollment process.  For enrollment information, click HERE. 
• Appointments to the CUSD 10 Enrollment Office may be made by clicking here.

If you need assistance with on-line student registration process, you may come to any of the Open Computer Lab sessions listed below, however we encourage all families to complete the Online Registration Process through your Skyward Family Access Account from home

*If attending one of the Open Computer Labs, please bring a writing utensil (pencil or pen)

NOTE:  Collinsville High School Students will need to attend their assigned return to school day during the week of July 27 in order to receive class schedules, textbooks, Chromebook, ID picture, P.E. uniforms and to reserve parking.  All other students (grade K-8) may complete the entire registration process Online via the Skyward Family Access Portal beginning July 13, 2020 (6:00 PM) from home. 

Collinsville Middle School Students should attend the CMS Move-In Day on August 12th (1:00 PM-7:00 PM) or August 13th (8:00 AM – 4:00 PM) to tour the building, find their classes and lockers, and receive a paper copy of their schedules.  

The post 2020-21 Online Registration Begins July 13 appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

Visitors MUST wear a mask/face covering.  Please limit your appointment to TWO people per family and practice social distancing.

Click one of the images below to make an appointment.  The calendar uses Google.  If you do not have or want to create a Google account, please call 618-346-6350 ext. 4237 or ext. 4228 to make an appointment.  Note:  Call during summer office hours, Monday-Thursday 8:00 am until 4:30 pm.

The post Student Services In-person Assistance by Appointment Beginning June 1, 2020 appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.