O'Plaine School
O'Plaine School
Address: 333 N. O'Plaine Road, Gurnee
Phone: (847) 623-4333
Web site: www.d56.lake.k12.il.us/oplaine
District's name and Web site: Gurnee Elementary District 56, www.d56.lake.k12.il.us
Number of students/grade levels offered: 540 students in grades three through five
Number of staff: 56
School mascot: Eagle
When school was built: It opened in 1992, with classroom additions in 2000.
Principal: Dennis Harnack
• In his fifth year at O'Plaine. He came from East Maine Elementary District 63 in Des Plaines. He was an art teacher, assistant principal and principal in his 17-year District 63 career.
• What is your favorite memory from O'Plaine School? "Between the children and the adults we encounter on a daily basis, there are many good memories. What stands out most is the people. Parents, students, and staff make every day memorable. Everyone works very hard all day long to ensure the students get the most out of their education. Some days are very busy and rushed. Through all that we manage to have fun. The staff has good humor and we make sure that learning is enjoyable for the children. The atmosphere at O'Plaine will always be my favorite memory."
• What do you think is an unique aspect of your school? "Facilities, technology, and curriculum are all tools used by very talented and dedicated people to do a very important and difficult job. I must again say that the people at O'Plaine School are what make it unique. There will always be changes to curriculum or new technologies that enhance the learning experience; it takes special individuals to know how to effectively use them. We tell our children it is not what you have that is important; it is who you are that makes a difference. I believe this attitude is prevalent here at O'Plaine and that is what makes us unique."
• What are you most proud of? "When people visit O'Plaine one of the first things they comment on is how well our students behave. We have a Lifeskills program that focuses on respect. The children hear it everyday during morning announcements and each teacher weaves that theme into his/her own classrooms. That's not to say we don't have the typical issues you have in a building with about 540 9-, 10-, and 11-year-olds, but overall, we have a very polite and positive environment. This makes learning top priority, not discipline."
• If all school enrollments were determined by choice, what would you say to potential parents to convince them to choose O'Plaine for their children? "O'Plaine School sets high standards for academic performance and social awareness. Faculty, students and parents work together to achieve educational excellence by providing a wide range of opportunities and support to our diverse population of learners. Together, we promote and environment of respect, acceptance, and compassion that extends beyond our school into our community."
• How has technology changed the way students learn over the past five years? Has that been a good change? "Yes and no. The ease at which we can find and acquire information is good. Teachers have access to more data about our children, how they learn and their needs. This definitely helps target what and how we teach. Students have more information available and typically know how to manipulate it better than the adults. The downside is the time needed to teach children how to effectively and safely use this information and technology. With high stakes testing and (No Child Left Behind) looming, it is just another area that takes time from teaching reading, writing, and math. It can help us teach those areas but it cannot replace the need for direct and effective instruction."
• If you can get one thing accomplished between now and the end of May in your school, what would it be? "To continue to see academic growth in our children and ensure that our teachers have the training and tools to achieve this growth. I also want to make sure that we never lose the positive and enjoyable aspects of our school. No one can learn or like coming to school (students and teachers) if we don't have some fun along the way. This is why we are here and this is what we look forward to every year."