School bells ring in Durand as new school year starts

By Chris Johnson

Reporter

On Tuesday, Aug. 23, students from Durand School District 322 joined with other students from across the State of Illinois and returned to school. It was only a half day.

For parents, it provides a chance to determine what to do with all the recently acquired free time.

For instructors it’s time to get back to work, back to the basics in a way. Digital education is expected to have an even greater influence. Chromebooks impact on students means fewer textbooks will have to be carried. However, care has to be taken, as the Chromebooks aren’t indestructible. On Monday, Aug. 22, at 5 p.m., students in grades seven, ten, eleven and twelve picked up Chromebooks and received instruction. A second time period of 8 p.m. was also given to those students who could not make the earlier meeting. The correct usage of Chromebooks is something many school districts have spent time informing students and parents. Information can and will be tracked. A damaged system could lead to problems or delays.

In a policy established for the 2015-2016 school year, the Board of Trustees for District 322 approved the usage of a publication for the correct and incorrect operation of the Chromebooks.

In the plan, teachers, school administrators and the technology department staff may use monitoring software, which allows them to view the screens and activity on the student’s Chromebook. Students may be selected at random to provide their Chromebook for inspection. The purpose for inspection will be to check for proper care and maintenance as well as inappropriate material being carried into the school.

Information was provided to the students as to when they were to pick up and when they return their Chromebook.

Students were also given information on how to carry the Chromebook, what should and should not, be stored in the bag with the Chromebook, how it is stored at extracurricular events and how to personalize it to meet the student’s needs or preferences.

Over the mid-summer months, additional fiber optics were put in place to allow for the better dissemination of information.

Durand School Superintendent Kurt Alberstett helped with the installation of the fiber optics.

Other students got their chances to visit the school on Monday, as Kindergarten orientation, as well as Pre-School orientation, was held at 6 p.m.

An open house for grades K-6 was held in classrooms associated with the student’s level. An open house was held for grades seven to twelve on Monday night as well.

In earlier action, Business Manager Bill Damon informed the Board that all bids had been accepted for fuel, milk and bakery goods for the school year.

A plan was put into place for school bus maintenance. Damon reported that a bid submitted by Matteson Service Center Inc., for $1,500 per month, is less than the bid received for the 2015-2016 school year. The action assures that for the upcoming season maintenance will be provided to assure student and driver safety.

As part of a regular review plan, coaching positions were locked in for the upcoming school year. A vacancy opened by the departure of Seventh Grade Volleyball Coach Allie McCallips was filled, as Angela Krepfle was hired to replace her. Bobbi Jozsa was hired to fill the position of fall High School Cheer Coach.

A motion made by Trustee Brad Faulkner and seconded by Trustee Brett Proctor halted discussion on additional extracurricular positions for the upcoming school year.

The Durand School Board meets regularly on the second Monday of every month at 6 p.m.

The next scheduled Regular Board Meeting of the fiscal year will take place on Monday, Sept. 12.