News from Fieldcrest East

Fieldcrest East 6^th Graders Head to Challenger Learning Center

The sixth grade Science classes at Fieldcrest East have been preparing for their fieldtrip to the Challenger Learning Center in Bloomington.  The fieldtrip, which is scheduled for Monday March 20th, requires both teacher and students to go through training and preparation.  This year the classes will be participating in the mission titled, “Rendezvous with a Comet.”  The Challenger Learning Center creates a simulated space mission where the students apply hands on learning and work together as a team to accomplish their mission.  The students will apply all of their in-class training while also using technology, teamwork and communication.  Each class member is assigned to a team.  The team names include: navigation, communications, data, robotic scientists, isolation, life support, medical technicians, and probe team.  The students were asked to fill out a “job application” in order to apply for one of the teams.  Students had to list reasons why they believed they would be good at that job.  Some students have to possess strong math skills for the navigation team; others must have excellent typing skills to send messages to the mission control room.   This is truly a one of a kind fieldtrip.  We are very grateful that we have had the opportunity to take our students there the past two years.  I look forward to updating you on the success of our mission when we return in March!

Article submitted by:  Jen Halko, Science teacher, Fieldcrest East

News from Fieldcrest West

Regional Spelling Bee Results!

News from Fieldcrest High School

Art Students honored at IVCC Show

Each year Illinois Valley Community College invites area art instructors to submit twelve pieces of work for display in the IVCC High School Student Art Exhibition. Student work chosen represents the best work created all year. With over 150 students enrolled in FHS art this year it is a honor to be selected from the 100's of pieces of art work created each nine weeks. Certificates are awarded each participant. Students whose work was chosen this year include: Hannah Wyss, Melanie Klieber, Molly Canty, Molli Springer, Daniel Hawk, Anya Ioerger, Michelle McDonald, Alaina Sunken, Jenna Richard, Jordan Pohlman, Nicki Arndt, and Madeline Tyner.  Recently the IVCC art faculty has chosen a Best of Show piece and has recognized twelve other exceptional art pieces and awarded them ribbons. Melanie Klieber's wire sculpture of a woman was selected as this year's Best of Show artwork. Molli Springer, Madeline Tyner, and Hannah Wyss were also recognized with first place ribbons.  The IVCC High School Student Art Exhibition continues through February 24 and is located in the main lounge at the front of the school. It is open to the public any time the school is open.

News from Fieldcrest Unit Office

Fieldcrest to Put Increase of $0.65 Education Fund Rate on November Ballot

The Board of Education at Fieldcrest will ask the voters to approve an increase of $0.65 in the education fund rate at the November general election.  Over the past 3 years the board has made almost $2,000,000 in cuts that ultimately has resulted in a balanced budget at the expense of significant instructional programs and the addition of expensive activity fees.  Recently adopted district goals reflect the direction of the Board to balance the restoration of programs, reduce  fees and maintain the financial integrity of the district.  Even with the cuts, the 8 year average increase in expenditures has been 4.94% while revenue has only increased an average of 1.21%.  If this trend continues the positive education fund balances will be depleted by 2008 and we will not be able to restore programs or reduce fees.  Passing the referendum will allow for restoration of programs such as elementary P.E. and art, the expansion of the high school curriculum and a reduction in activity fees.  A successful referendum also puts the district in a strong financial position at least through 2011.   What is unique about this referendum is that even though the education fund rate will be increased by $0.65 the total rate will actually go down by $0.02.  This is possible due to abating a portion of the tax rate due to positive fund balances and the retiring of debt.  Should the referendum fail the Board is still committed to increasing revenue through issuing $1,500,000 in working cash bonds.  This is certainly not the best alternative for the district as it  limits the financial stability of the district through 2009 and reduces the ability to restore programs and reduce fees.  The tax rate and individual tax payer impact of issuing the working cash bonds is the same.  Voting “yes” gives the district the best opportunity to maintain financial integrity, to restore programs and to reduce fees without affecting the tax rate.