Crossings: Copeland Manor School
Copeland Manor School
Address: 801 S. 7th Ave., Libertyville
Phone: (847) 362-0240
District's name and Web site: Libertyville School District 70, www.d70.k12.il.us
Number of students/grade levels offered: 390 kindergartners through fifth-graders
Number of staff: About 40
School mascot: Cougar
When was school built: 1958
Copeland history: To celebrate its golden anniversary, the school will host a special ceremony April 23. Former students, families and staff are invited to the school at 5:30 p.m. Tours will begin at 7 p.m.
Principal: Erik Youngman
• He has been at Copeland for three years.
• Favorite memory from Copeland: "We just created a mosaic mural that's about 14 feet long. We worked with a Chicago artist named Chris Zonta, and basically during art time kindergarten through fifth-grade students helped create a vision for the mosaic, broke the ceramic tiles and glued them in place. It will be outside of our learning center."
• What is a unique aspect of your school? "We were recently recognized for being a school of academic excellence by the state. It proves our dedication and our focus on learning. Less than 4 percent of the schools in the state were recognized."
• What are you most proud of? "I think we have an exceptional learning community. It includes dedicated staff, determined students and supportive parents."
• If all school enrollments were determined by choice, what would you say to potential parents to convince them to choose Copeland for their children? "Caring teachers challenge and support all students academically and socially while creating opportunities for collaboration, problem solving and making connections."
• How has technology changed the way students learn over the past five years? Has that been a good change? "It has been a good change. Students have opportunities to create iMovies and PowerPoint presentations, and they're using laptop computers more frequently. Our district has been focusing on 21st century learning initiatives the last two years, focusing on increased opportunities for collaboration and technology."
• If you can get one thing accomplished between now and the end of May in your school, what would it be? "Create meaningful opportunities for current and former students, staff and parents to celebrate and learn about Copeland's first 50 years of educating Libertyville students."