CAL Program Evaluation

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Hawthorn School District 73 contracted with the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) in the 2014-15 school year to conduct a program evaluation of the School of Dual Language. The Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) is a private, non-profit organization founded in 1959. Headquartered in Washington DC, CAL has earned an international reputation for its contributions to the fields of bilingual and dual language education, English as a second language, world languages education, language policy, assessment, immigrant and refugee integration, literacy, dialect studies, and the education of linguistically and culturally diverse adults and children. 

CAL’s mission is to promote language learning and cultural understanding by serving as a trusted source for research, resources, and policy analysis. The program evaluation is designed to give the school and our district sufficient information for strategic planning to adjust any program components that are in need of improvement, and to strengthen those areas already in alignment with best practices. The evaluation addressed three main questions:

  1. What are the strengths of the program’s design and implementation?

  2. What are potential areas of improvement for the program’s design and implementation?

  3. What are the academic, language and literacy outcomes for the district?

  4. What additional professional development, administrative support, resources or assessments would be useful for the district/school to increase alignment of program with best practices in curriculum, instruction, assessment and program design? 

FINAL CAL report on HSDL

Thank you Students, Staff and Parents of Dual Language and Townline Schools

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THANKS for all your hard work and help with this year’s food drive!  We collected DOUBLE from last year, which is AMAZING!!!!  We even made an appearance in this month’s “Hawthorn Highlights”!!

 

Board Delays Action on Facility Plan

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The Hawthorn Board of Education discussed in depth the two concepts presented on December 5 to the Board as part of the Educational Facilities Master Plan (EFMP) process.  The Board thanked the members of the Core Team for their commitment to the process and investment of 2,500 combined hours of work.

The Board reviewed the issues facing Hawthorn District 73 with growing enrollment, limited facility space, and new neighborhoods being planned for the future that will impact student enrollment. Both concepts presented by the Core Team are designed to resolve the issues and provide needed space for overcrowded buildings and plans for continued growth.  These plans can be reviewed on the District’s EFMP website page.

The Board has not made a final decision on the EFMP for the district. An EFMP is a ten-year facility plan that is based on the concepts presented. The Board will continue the discussion at the January 9 Board of Education meeting.  Concept B received the most attention from the Board members as a possible solution with a few adjustments. The Board is considering postponing the addition for the early childhood classrooms, as the program is successful at the Lincoln building in partnership with Mundelein 75 and Fremont 79. Concept B does provide classroom additions to buildings to meet current and future enrollment needs. It also provides some needed PE, music, and renovation of other spaces within the current buildings.

EFMP Latest Update

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Close to 200 residents who attended a special Hawthorn Board of Education meeting this week were presented with two options to help address enrollment capacity issues in District 73’s schools and provide upgraded facilities for the future of education at Hawthorn.

Both options call for constructing a kindergarten center onto the Sullivan Center, bringing the early childhood program back to the Hawthorn campus, purchasing 11 acres of land across from Elementary School South, and building facilities so students can explore the world of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).

The Hawthorn Core Team, which spent thousands of hours researching solutions to space constraints, recommends an option that would include the construction of a new elementary school, adding additions to all the schools for STEM, building a wing onto the Sullivan Center for kindergarten, and building additions to schools where additional space is needed for PE classes, music and art programs.

According to Consulting Demographer John D. Kasarda, Ph.D., Hawthorn shows an increased enrollment by as much as 500 students in the next five years. Hawthorn has been experiencing space capacity challenges in its school buildings for several years resulting in specials programs being taught in mobile classrooms, on a movable cart, and in the cafeteria and hallways.

At 7 p.m. Monday, December 12, District Office, 841 West End Ct, Vernon Hills, the Board is expected to discuss the options further and anticipates making a decision on one of the options.

Detailed renderings of the facilities options can be found on the Educational Facilities Master Plan website page. En Español

 

School of Dual Language Update

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La escuela Hawthorn de Lenguaje Dual ha sido y a la vez continúa sirviendo como líder del lenguaje dual en el estado de Illinois por más de 15 años. Las metas de nuestro programa han sido las mismas que ha tenido por los últimos 15 años.  Nuestros estudiantes de 5to grado salen de la Escuela del Lenguaje Dual siendo alfabetizados en ambas lenguas, bilingües y biculturales.

The Hawthorn School of Dual Language has been has served as a dual language leader in the state of Illinois for over 15 years. The goals of our program remain the same as they have for the last 15 years. Our 5th graders leave the School of Dual Language as biliterate, bilingual and bicultural.

DL Program Update – English

DL Program Update Español

Special Meeting on Facilities

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Child care is being offered for a special Board of Education meeting on Monday, December 5 where residents will receive updated information about the proposed Educational Facilities Master Plan (EFMP).  The Core Team has analyzed data and feedback received from the community and will present two options culminating with a recommendation of one concept to the School Board. A Board decision is anticipated to take place on December 12 during the regularly scheduled Board of Education Business meeting.

Please make arrangements to attend this very important presentation and conversation at Hawthorn Middle School South at 7 p.m. Monday, December 5.  We look forward to seeing you there.  For more information on the Educational Facilities Master Plan, please visit the EFMP website. En Español.

Hawthorn Summer School

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Save the date for Hawthorn Enrichment Institute, which begins in July 2017. Before and After Summer School Childcare is offered by the Vernon Hills Park District.

Thanksgiving Musical

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Students in Teacher Amy Schaefges learned about the traditions of Thanksgiving and how Native Americans lived through a musical they peformed. The Dual Language kindergarten and first grade students will perform a variety of songs and a couple of poems in honor of Thanksgiving.  Themes include thankfulness, turkeys, pilgrims, and Native American music – some of the selections will be in Spanish and some will be in English.

Special Board Meeting

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The Board of Education will hold a special Board meeting on Monday, December 5 to receive updated information about the proposed Educational Facilities Master Plan (EFMP).  The Core Team has analyzed data and feedback received from the community and will present two options culminating with a recommendation of one concept to the School Board.  Following the presentation a time for public comment will be held.  A Board decision will take place onDecember 12 during the regularly scheduled Board of Education Business meeting.

Please make arrangements to attend this very important presentation and conversation at Hawthorn Middle School South at 7 p.m. Monday, December 5.  We look forward to seeing you there.  For more information on the Educational Facilities Master Plan, please visit the EFMP website.