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District 54 Open Enrollment Fair scheduled for Jan. 30

A goal of School District 54 Board of Education is to provide options for parents in the selection of their child’s school. In addition to the neighborhood school, District 54 has developed programs at several district schools, which it can now offer as choices.

District 54 invites parents to its annual Open Enrollment Fair on Wednesday, Jan. 30. The fair will provide parents with information on nine elementary schools in the district: Blackwell, Campanelli, Dooley, Enders-Salk, Hanover Highlands, Hoover, Lincoln Prairie, Link and MacArthur. Each school houses a unique program and District 54 anticipates a few openings at each site next year.

Please know that you do not need to arrive early to get a spot at one of the schools. While applications are available on Jan. 30, names will not be chosen that evening. In addition, people who cannot attend the event can still apply for their children to attend one of our open enrollment schools.

The fair will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. at Addams Junior High School, 700 S. Springinsguth Road, in Schaumburg. Overflow parking can be found one block south at St. Marcelline’s Church. A short, formal presentation by Supt. Ed Rafferty will be followed by opportunities for parents to visit each school’s booth and learn about each site in greater detail. Representatives from each school will discuss open enrollment opportunities and answer questions. A short description of each school is listed below.

Blackwell Elementary School: Blackwell, in Schaumburg, offers sign language as a mode of communication. Students learn signing from their teachers and communicate with both traditional oral and sign language. Blackwell also started housing hearing-impaired student population. Supporting this communication theme, a full production lab is installed at Blackwell so students can participate in video production projects and classes. For information, call Principal Brad Carter at (847) 357-5555.

Campanelli Elementary School: A Mandarin Chinese immersion program began in August 2011. The goal of this program is for students to communicate effectively in Chinese as well as developing a deep understanding of the Chinese culture. During the 2013-14 school year, Campanelli will offer the Mandarin Chinese program in kindergarten through second grade. One grade level will be added each school year. For information, call Principal Steve Kern at (847) 357-5333.

Dooley Elementary School: Dooley, in Schaumburg, started its Dual-Language Japanese Program and Early Instrumental Music Program at the beginning of the 2001-02 school year. Students in kindergarten through sixth grade currently have the option of learning Japanese and English together in this dual-language setting. In addition, early instrumental music (violin) is available to primary students at Dooley. Individuals can sign up for the Dual-Language Program only or the Dual-Language and Early Instrumental Music programs together. For information, call Principal Marion Friebus-Flaman at (847) 357-6250.

Enders-Salk Elementary School: Dual-Language Spanish kindergarten classes started in 2000 at Enders-Salk in Schaumburg. Currently, the school offers dual-language in kindergarten through sixth grade. The goal of this program is for students to communicate effectively in both languages by the time they exit the school at the end of sixth grade. For information, call Principal Michael Henry at (847) 357-6400.

Hanover Highlands Elementary School: Dual-Language Spanish kindergarten classes started in 2004 at Hanover Highlands in Hanover Park. Currently, the school offers dual-language in kindergarten through sixth grade. The goal of this program is for students to communicate effectively in both languages by the time they exit the school at the end of sixth grade. For information, call Principal David Negron at (630) 736-4230.

Hoover Math and Science Academy: Hoover School in Schaumburg offers a unique learning environment for students in the areas of mathematics and science. With a greenhouse, community garden, two science labs and a computer lab, Hoover Academy is designed to give students the opportunity to explore science and math topics in an inquiry-based learning model. Community partnerships enhance the learning opportunities for the students and service learning projects are embedded within the curriculum. Parent participation is an expectation at that school. For information, call Principal John Schmelzer at (847) 357-5800.

Lincoln Prairie School: Lincoln Prairie, in Hoffman Estates, is a community school founded on the premise that students learn in a variety of ways. Lincoln Prairie is the only District 54 building housing children from kindergarten through eighth grade. Students are grouped in multiage classrooms, working with teams of teachers on integrated curriculum. Project Development Time, in which students choose learning projects offered by staff, is a popular activity. Parent participation is an expectation at Lincoln Prairie. For information, call Principal Amanda Stochl at (847) 357-5955.

Link School: Dual-Language Spanish kindergarten classes started in 2009 at Link, based in Elk Grove Village. Currently, the school offers dual-language in kindergarten through fourth grade (with the intent to add one grade level each school year). The goal of this program is for students to communicate effectively in both languages by the time they exit the school at the end of sixth grade. For information, call Principal Quinn Wulbecker at (847) 357-5300.

MacArthur International Spanish Academy: The original Dual-Language School in District 54, MacArthur, in Hoffman Estates, offers a full dual-language Spanish program with students progressing through sixth grade in their dual-language class. Kindergarten students will learn Spanish and English from classroom teachers who are fluent in each language. This successful program has been in existence for 15 years at MacArthur. For information, call Principal Danette Meyer at (847) 357-6650.

People interested in viewing the programs in action, can visit the schools. Dates will be set after the fair, so that groups of interested parents can tour the school together. Call each school to make an appointment.

For information, call Terri McHugh, community relations director, at (847) 357-5028.

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