A look inside: Hawthorn Elementary South
Hawthorn Elementary South
Address: 430 N. Aspen Drive, Vernon Hills
Phone: (847) 990-4800
District's name and Web site: Hawthorn Elementary District 73, www.hawthorn73.org
Number of students/grade levels offered: 610/K through 5
Number of staff: 94
School mascot: The Eagle is the district mascot.
When was school built: 1986
Principal: Jill Martin
• She has been at the school for three years.
• What is your favorite memory from Hawthorn South school? Creating the Peace Wall
• What do you think is an unique aspect of your school? "We have a brand new cafeteria; our children produce a news show each morning where students do everything from writing the script, running the cameras, reporting the news, etc. Our school is doing a school-wide unit on building positive relationships."
• What are you most proud of? "The work ethic of the students and staff. The teachers and staff are the most dedicated group of educators I have ever worked with. The students work extremely hard to reach their academic potential. It is a wonderful community to be involved with."
• If all school enrollments were determined by choice, what would you say to potential parents to convince them to choose Hawthorn South for their children? "Hawthorn South K-5 Elementary building: where our focus is children. We believe in 'Learning for All, Whatever it Takes' as observed in the classrooms daily. We embed 'respect' and 'responsibility' into everything we do. We incorporate the Multiple Intelligences into our instruction. Our goal is to ensure that all children learn and grow to their potential."
• How has technology changed the way students learn over the past five years? Has that been a good change? "We believe that technology is a tool to extend learning. For example, children do not go to technology class to learn Power Point. They use Power Point as a presentation tool for curriculum. It has given students and staff the opportunity to make their communication global, research opportunities are easily accessible, digital photography is widely utilized, podcasts and learning resources are easily found on the Internet, etc. It has been a wonderful change for students and staff."