A look inside: Avon Center School
Avon Center School
Address: 1617 N. Route 83, Round Lake Beach
Phone: (847) 223-3530
Web site: www.d46.k12.il.us/school-av.htm
District's name: Community Consolidated School District 46
Number of students/grade levels offered: 503 students in kindergarten through fourth grade
Number of staff: 63
School mascot: The Koalas
When was school built: A wooden school house was first built on the site in 1843. The one-room school house was used in various forms until 1951 when a new school building was built. A new wing was added in 1956.
An interesting tidbit: In 1959 when a gymnasium section was added, 300 families in the school contributed $40 each to raise $9,000 for the construction, added to $9,000 already available. Families and area construction workers built it themselves.
Principal: Timothy Irish
• He came to the school in 2006 from the Dominican Republic.
• What is your favorite memory from Avon Center School? To help two area families who were the victims of a fire, Irish said student council, teachers and families organized a family fun night. Families, Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops organized activities such as bingo, hat making and other games. The event raised $2,600 to help the families. "It's a reflection we still have the community spirit that built the gym in 1959," Irish said.
• What do you think is an unique aspect of your school? Irish said a large percentage of his school, about 30 percent, are Hispanic students, and another large percentage are students who get Title 1 reading services. "The way our staff comes together to provide needs for special needs kids, Title 1 kids and our learning disabled kids, it's what makes our school stand out," he said.
• If all school enrollments were determined by choice, what would you say to potential parents to convince them to choose Avon Center School for their children? "Choose Avon because you have a staff that truly cares about your child," Irish said. "If you are looking for a sense of belonging and a belief all children can succeed, Avon is the school for you."
• How has technology changed the way students learn over the past five years? Has that been a good change? Irish said sometimes he feels the world is moving too fast. The explosion of information is a challenging aspect of life in the 21st century. "Schools must work to create an environment that prepares a child for the explosion of information and change." He added that, while the opportunities technology creates are a good thing, it can be a challenge to teachers and staff as to how to respond to all the information.
• If you could get one thing accomplished between now and the end of May in your school, what would it be? Irish said the school has a strong core of parents who are involved in the school. This year, he said their number one goal is to increase parental involvement. "I would like 100 percent of parents to be involved in their child's education on a daily basis," he said.