Gavin Central School: Great family atmosphere

Gavin Central School

Address: 36414 N. Ridge Ave., Ingleside

Phone: (847) 973-3280

Web site: www.gavin37.org

Number of students/grade levels offered: 501 first- through fifth-grade students

Number of staff: 70

School mascot: Tigers

When was school built: 1996

Principal: Dr. Jo Amburgey

• Has been principal for two years

• What is your favorite memory from Central school? "How excited the kids get during education activities at school. It's wonderful to see them really turn on to something in the classroom. They are very proud of what they do and it's exciting to see a kid be amazed at what they can do."

• What do you think is an unique aspect of your school? "I think it is the best family atmosphere in an educational setting I have ever been in. There is a real strong relationship between faculty members -- both certified and non-certified -- to the kids and other staff members. That carries through to the families. It's important for building self-esteem in students and children and helps them to understand how safe an environment they are a part of."

• What are you most proud of? "Our behavior program that teaches respect for others, for learning and for property. I'm most proud of what it teaches the kids and how well it's working in the building."

• If all school enrollments were determined by choice, what would you say to potential parents to convince them to choose Gavin Central for their children? "We have high expectations, strong ISAT scores and a caring, loving and safe environment for the students."

• How has technology changed the way students learn over the past five years? Has that been a good change? "I think it's been an excellent change and opened the world up to students and faculty members in our building. People can communicate with students across the world. They can research something quickly that might have taken hours in the past. That truly expands their horizons. It's also a domino effect for learning and discovery. It's also given the school the ability to test students and know the results immediately. It helps us assess and monitor our students' abilities and allows us to change our curriculum to meet the needs of students.

• If you can get one thing accomplished between now and the end of May in your school, what would it be? "Getting the staff on board with newer technology we plan to implement shortly. We are getting new computers and are opening a Web site for information to give parents and help them at home with learning. It's called 'Edline' and will be a wonderful asset."