Crossings: May Whitney Elementary School

May Whitney Elementary School

Address: 100 Church St., Lake Zurich

Phone: (847) 438-2351

Web site: www.lz95.org/mw

District's name and/or Web site: Lake Zurich Unit District, 95/www.lz95.org

Number of students/grade levels offered: 430 students/kindergarten through fifth grade Number of staff: 52

School mascot: Wildcat

When was school built: Three additions (1929, 1952 and 1990)

An interesting tidbit: From Principal Deb Bruemmer: "I think it might be one of the only buildings that has been used as a high school, a middle school and now an elementary building.

Three current May Whitney teachers attended the old May Whitney when they were elementary students: Sarah Hudson, the reading specialist, also attended our new building when it was Ela High School. Kim Berk (kindergarten teacher) and Kristen Krueger (first-grade teacher) also attended this building when it was the junior high school."

Principal: Dr. Deb Bruemmer

• She has been in the district 16 years, three as principal of May Whitney. • What is your favorite memory from May Whitney School? "My favorite memory this year was the first day of school. Because we started school late, it was great to see all the students returning. Everyone was very excited." • What do you think is an unique aspect of your school? "Once a week, Reese, the therapy dog, comes to May Whitney. Selected children have the opportunity each week to read to Reese. The program (Therapy Dogs, International) is designed to help students build confidence in their reading skills and make reading fun.

Every year students in our fifth grade read a biography and write a paper about him or her. Then they pose as that character at the "House of Wax," also know as the little gym."

• What are you most proud of? "I am most proud of how everyone pulled together at the beginning of the year. This building needed a lot of work. Between the teachers, parents and the community, everyone worked to put this building together in an incredibly short period of time."

• If all school enrollments were determined by choice, what would you say to potential parents to convince them to choose May Whitney for their children? "I would encourage them to come to May Whitney for a tour of our facility. They would see happy children and terrific teachers working together."

• How has technology changed the way students learn over the past five years? Has that been a good change? "Students today are much more technologically savvy than ever before. They already possess computer skills. The teachers now use laptops as learning stations. They use our Promethean Boards (Smart Boards) to enhance the curriculum. Kindergarten teachers use it for children's literacy. It is used in all aspects of the curriculum, including art, music and PE."

• If you can get one thing accomplished between now and the end of May in your school, what would it be? "I am looking forward to our open house this spring. I want everyone to see how well we have settled in to the building and how we have adjusted to a very hectic year."