A look inside: Hawthorn Elementary North School

Hawthorn Elementary North

Address: 301 Hawthorn Parkway, Vernon Hills

Phone: (847) 990-4500

Web site: elemnorth.hawthorn73.org

District's name and/or Web site: Hawthorn School District 73, www.hawthorn73.org

Number of students/grade levels offered: 460 kindergarten through fifth grade students

Number of staff: 75

School mascot: the Eagles

When was school built: 1978

Principal: Richard Viviano

• He has served as principal since August 2007

• What is your favorite memory? He most enjoys thinking about the family fun nights where teachers volunteer to offer movie nights or dances to students and their families. "When I see the smiles on the kids' faces, it makes the job a lot easier," he said.

• What do you think is an unique aspect of your school? Within the school and the district, there is a high rate of multiculturalism. Fifty-four different languages including Hispanic, Chinese and Bosnian are spoken within the district. "There is no greater example of a melting pot than this school," he said.

• What are you most proud of? He is most proud of the way the teachers have the ability to reach all children whether it be those with special needs, speak different languages or have varying levels of parental involvement. "They really on a daily basis have to handle enormous amounts of different things thrown at them," Viviano said.

• How has technology changed the way students learn over the past five years? Has that been a good change? He has been pushing staff to use technology more whether it be using different Web sites or other applications to teach the curriculum. "Technology in a few short years will become the greatest method of learning we can provide our children," he said. He added it is a great tool only if used properly with supervision. "It should be viewed as a friend, not a foe."

• If you can get one thing accomplished between now and the end of May in your school, what would it be? He hopes to get to know the students better and allow them to better know him by coming into the classrooms and planning lunches with the students. He wants them not just to associate him as the person who gives discipline but a father of two who also knows "High School Musical" and "Hannah Montana." He said not only will students be more comfortable but they will tell their parents. "Parents will be more inclined to be a partner with me and the school," he said.