Crossings: Fremont Elementary School

Address: 28908 N. Fremont Center Road, Mundelein

Phone: (847) 837-0437

Web site: www.fremont.lake.il.us/elementary/index.htm

Distrct's name and Web site: Fremont School District 79, www.fremont.lake.k12.il.us

Number of students/grade levels offered: The building -- which is connected to the new Fremont Intermediate School -- houses pre-kindergarten through second grades for the first time in its history. There are 715 students. The change has allowed the school to become more primary-focused, Principal Carol Bennett said. But still being connected to the intermediate building, kindergarten teachers are easily able to see their students as fifth-graders and observe how much they have grown.

Number of staff: 80

School mascot: The Wildcats

When was school built: 1998

Principal: Carol Bennett

• Bennett served the Fremont school district for 11 years as a teacher, assistant principal and for the past five years as principal at Fremont Elementary.

• What is your favorite memory from Fremont Elementary School? Bennett said she most loves the reading celebration with the students the end of each year. She dresses up as various characters, including football players, to put on a show for students. This year will feature a Hawaiian theme, including a luau. "It's fun to watch the kids, knowing they earn it through reading all year," she said.

• What do you think is an unique aspect of your school? The staff and parents, including those who volunteer, make the school what it is, Bennett said. "Each staff member puts the individual students first. They want to make sure students needs are met, at whatever level they are," she said.

• How has technology changed the way students learn over the past five years? Has that been a good change? Bennett said this year the school has focused on building technology, including providing laptops called computers on wheels, or COWS, in classrooms. The lessons that teachers have been able to provide to students using technology have been phenomenal. The students have used technology to gain knowledge, from studying the weather to learning the process of mummification.

• What do you think has been accomplished since the beginning of the school year? Bennett said there were three goals accomplished this year. The first was completing its character education program, in which the students learned 10 character traits. She said students are using words like trustworthy and responsible. They are becoming not only good problem-solvers, but also great people. The school also has worked hard this year to embrace technology in the classroom. Last, Bennett is proud to see how much students have read as part of their reading program. "We want this to be the road to becoming lifelong learners," she said.