Naperville Dist. 204 back to school facts
What's new
All-day kindergarten: For the first time in district history, kindergarten students - all 1,900 of them - can attend full-day classes. Some residents have argued that a full day is too long while others believe a full day leaves time for art, music and social skills instruction.
More core: At the middle school level, plans have been set in motion for a middle school schedule that will provide teachers and students with more time dedicated to core classes.
New principals: Each of the district's three high schools, including the under-construction Metea Valley, features a new principal this year. Robert McBride comes from Glenbard East High School in Lombard to take the reins at Neuqua Valley. Kristine Marchiando comes home from Chandler, Ariz., to lead Waubonsie Valley, and former Waubonsie leader Jim Schmid has begun his job at the helm of Metea Valley.
The issues
Metea construction: The concrete is in the ground and district officials have said construction will have to continue at breakneck speed for the 3,000-student school to be ready to open to freshman and sophomores in August 2009. And district residents will be keeping a watchful eye on construction costs and change orders.
Student help and achievement: The district has implemented an intervention system to increase the academic achievement of low-performing elementary students. The district also designed a six-school pilot program to academically assist students with special needs. With a year under the belt with each of these programs, district officials will be looking for progress.
Board elections: Four school board members have terms expiring in April 2009 - Vice President John Stephens, Secretary Jeannette Clark, Christine Vickers and the applicant chosen to fill the term left vacant by Bruce Glawe's resignation. Stephens and Vickers are completing their first terms while Clark is wrapping her fourth since being elected in 1993.
The athletes to watch
Waubonsie Valley quarterback Tyler Castro won a three-way competition to start as a sophomore and never looked back. Coaches and teammates will look to the senior to deliver big in his last year.
Neuqua Valley senior Danny Pawola finished eighth individually in the Class 3A state cross country championships for Neuqua's 2007 championship team.
Senior Alex Lincoln will be Neuqua Valley's first two-year starter at the quarterback position since 2004.
Coaches expect big things from Neuqua Valley senior soccer player Ian Krol. Krol is also a potential Major League Baseball draftee in the spring.
Waubonsie Valley kicker Mitch Ewald is headed to Indiana after being ranked in the top three in his 2009 class by two national kicking camps.
Neuqua Valley's senior wide receiver Joshua Schaffer came on strong in his junior year to earn a scholarship offer from Western Michigan University.
Megan Taylor, a Neuqua Valley junior, earned All-State honors for Neuqua's fifth-place squad in the 2007 Class 3A cross country championship.
Hannah Buck, a Neuqua senior, finished 23rd in the 2007 Class AA girls' state golf tournament.
Waubonsie junior Andrea Baumgartner hopes to build on her success at last year's state swim and dive meet with high expectations for the coming year.
The administrators
Moira Arzich
Position: Principal at Fry Elementary
Previous: Interim principal at Spring Brook Elementary
Terri Drendel
Position: Assistant principal at Welch Elementary
Previous: Principal at Brookdale Elementary
Goal: "Get to know the students of Welch Elementary School and assist staff and parents in meeting the needs of the students."
Fun fact: "I am a sixth-generation Napervillian. I enjoy serving the community in which I grew up."
Brian LeCrone
Position: Principal at Brookdale Elementary
Previous: Principal at Kimball Hill Elementary in Rolling Meadows
Goal: "My goal is to facilitate the academic, emotional and behavioral growth of all students."
Fun fact: "I am a die-hard Cubs fan (the first game I ever saw was Ken Holtzman's no hitter in 1969) and I have enjoyed displaying my Cubs 'W' flag many times during the course of the season."
Kristine Marchiando
Position: Principal at Waubonsie Valley High School
Previous: Principal at Basha High School in Chandler, Ariz.
Goal: "My goal for the year is to help our teaching staff develop 'Excellence in Every Endeavor' with our students. If you drive by WVHS you will notice the green and gold banner at the entrance reminding everyone to do work for excellence."
Fun fact: "I helped my parents on our hog farm in Franklin Grove. If I get a free couple of days I will spend it on an ocean beach and would love to be a professional beach bum. We moved back to Illinois because our families are here; five children, five grandchildren, four sisters, one brother, a multitude of cousins and my parents. Yes we know the winters are rough, but it is worth it to be home."
Robert McBride
Position: Principal at Neuqua Valley High School
Previous: Principal at Glenbard East High School
Michael Popp
Position: Director of School Improvement and Planning
Previous: Principal at Neuqua Valley High School
Kristen Ross
Position: Principal at Gombert Elementary
Previous: Assistant superintendent with Kankakee School District 111
Jim Schmid
Position: Principal at Metea Valley High School
Previous: Principal at Waubonsie Valley High School
Goal: "My goal is to make sure MVHS is up and running by August 2009."
Fun fact: "I greatly enjoyed experiencing communities in Cape Town, South Africa, in early June with the WVHS Mosaic Choir."
Kim Stephens
Position: Principal at Georgetown Elementary
Previous: Principal at Fry Elementary School
Goal: Increase student achievement in the area of reading
Fun fact: "My husband owns two restored antique farm tractors. I have learned how to drive a 1940 Farmall 'M' and a 1941 Farmall 'H.'"
Jay Strang
Position: Assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction
Previous: Director of building operations since 2006
Jonathan Vogel
Position: Principal at White Eagle Elementary School
Previous: Assistant principal at Gregory Middle School since 2004.
Dave Worst
Position: Principal at Spring Brook Elementary
Previous: Principal at Gombert Elementary School
The calendar
Aug. 25: Classes begin
Aug. 29: Waubonsie Valley vs. Naperville Central football game
Aug. 29: Neuqua Valley vs. Naperville North football game
Sept. 13: ACT national test date
Sept. 16: Neuqua TV Club meeting
Sept. 19: Waubonsie Valley vs. Neuqua Valley football game
Sept. 22: Waubonsie Valley Warrior Pig Roast
Sept. 22-26: Homecoming Spirit Days at Waubonsie.
Sept. 23: Neuqua College Information Night for Juniors
Sept. 23: Kids Matter Youth Volunteer Day
Sept. 24: Internet Safety program
Sept. 27: Waubonsie Homecoming "Chillin' in the Arctic" Dance
Sept: 29-Oct. 3: Neuqua Valley Homecoming Underwater FantaSea week
Oct. 3: Neuqua Valley Homecoming football game vs. St. Charles East
Oct. 16: Neuqua Valley Choir concerts
Oct. 24: End of first quarter
Oct. 27: Evening with the Stars
Oct. 30: Waubonsie fall main stage play
Nov. 6, 10: Parent-teacher conferences
Nov. 11: Veterans Day activities
Nov. 13-15: Neuqua fall play
Nov. 16-22: American Education Week
Dec. 10: Neuqua Financial Aid Night
Dec. 13: ACT test date
Dec. 19: Final exams
Dec. 22-Jan. 2: Winter break
Jan. 5: School back in session
Jan. 15: End of semester