Abbott picnic celebrates excellence

Teachers at Abbott Middle School in Elgin will hold a "tailgate" picnic to kick off the school's participation in No Excuses University at 11:30 a.m. Aug. 26 at the school, 949 Van. St.

The entire staff at Abbott has committed to the strategies and psychology of an elite national network of schools that have been accepted in the No Excuses University network.

As part of the national network, teachers promise to promote a culture of universal achievement among students. They can attend training and network with teachers from other schools on classroom and teaching ideas.

College pennants hang from the ceiling in the main hallway, and each teacher has adopted a college for their classroom. Teachers will be wearing college gear for the kick-off picnic.

The tailgate party will be the first of many events that will highlight the college theme at the school, where expectations will be raised for every child to be on track and planning to attend college by the time they leave eighth grade.

The teachers are committing to the pledge that it is their responsibility for every student to be proficient or advanced in reading, language and mathematics.

"We want to make children aware of their future possibilities," said Principal Shelly Hertzog. "There is a different level of expectation and accountability. Teachers will be doing things differently."

Hanover Countryside Elementary School in Streamwood and Kenyon Woods Middle School in South Elgin are also preparing applications to join the network this fall.

Other NEU activities include an all-school assembly at 2:30 p.m. Aug. 27 to introduce the students to the program and a Back to School Night for parents at 5 p.m. Sept. 10 at the school.