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New programs, equipment welcome Dist. 300, U-46 students

Students across Kane and McHenry counties can expect to find more than just new books when they return to school over the next few weeks.

District leaders say students will encounter new equipment, programs and activities that will enhance the learning experience.

Students returned Monday to Community Unit District 300 schools, and district spokeswoman Allison Strupeck said teachers and administrators have been working to integrate a teaching methodology that focuses on the school community as a whole.

The 2011-2012 school year marks the first time at least one teacher or administrator from every school has been trained in Quantum Learning.

“The strategies work to increase student learning,” Strupeck said. “It is intended to integrate learning with everyday life skills.”

The program is built on a foundation of eight keys of excellence: Integrity, Commitment, Failure Leads to Success, Ownership, Speak with Good Purpose, Flexibility, This Is It! and Balance.

“It creates a common language that students can use in the classroom and at home,” Strupeck said. “The keys will be the foundation for everything we do across the district.”

More tangible changes some parents and students can expect in the fall include an expanded all-day kindergarten program and a daily exercise regime at one of the district's elementary schools.

After piloting the program at one elementary school last year, the district has expanded full-day kindergarten to 11 elementary schools. Kindergarten students will attend school from 8 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.

Finally, if your student attends Hampshire Elementary School, be assured he or she will get at least 10 minutes of physical exercise per day.

Strupeck said the school will begin each day with exercise.

“Research has shown that after exercise, the brain is better able to digest information,” Strupeck said. “It enhances the brain's ability to learn.”

When students return to Elgin Area District U-46 on Wednesday, Aug. 24, there will be a few noticeable changes, particularly on the equipment front.

Through grant funds and other initiatives, the district has installed about 4,400 new devices. Those include interactive whiteboards, laptop and desktop computers, and some tablets.

“These are designed to increase student engagement,” said Craig Williams, the director of information services.

Williams said the district has installed 104 interactive whiteboards, which are particularly valuable for special education students and students with cognitive or reading issues.

“The visual nature of the boards lends itself to the kind of instruction you can do with some students,” Williams said. “It gives those students an assist.”

Interactive whiteboards will also be used to enhance the district's math curriculum, said Jennifer McDonnell, coordinator for math and science.

McDonnell also noted the partnerships the district has developed with Motorola Mobility and Google.

McDonnell said Libertyville-based Motorola Mobility has donated Xoom tablets to select classrooms in three elementary schools. The tablets will be used as part of the math curriculum.

Google applications will be used in a pilot program to determine how technology increases student achievement. A less technology-focused initiative in U-46 is the district's expanded dual language program.

The dual language program will consist of a one-way dual language program, available only for Spanish-speaking students who are learning English. That program will be offered at 29 elementary schools. Six of those schools — as well as Channing Elementary School in Elgin — will offer a two-way dual language enrichment program for English speakers. In the two-way classes, English speaking students will join Spanish speaking students as they work to become biliterate.

“It is a global society,” said Patricia Makishima, the district's dual language director. “If there's a second language being offered, parents think, ‘Why not?' If you're not learning a second language, you are actually behind.”

  Steve Olofson helps organize supplies on last yearÂ’s first day of school at Coleman Elementary School in Elgin. BRIAN HILL/bhill@dailyherald.com