Click here to complete the parent survey.The 2023-2024 school calendar was approved by the B-PC Board of Education in March. The District Calendar once again aligns with other school districts in McDonough County. Please click on the calendar to download a copy.
So far we've made it through the season without having to use a snow day. The last day of school for staff and students is still (tentatively) set for Friday, May 26, 2023. Contrary to districts around us, we were in session for President's Day. We had to use a non-attendance day for the first time this year for Election Day in November, so being in on President's Day still allows us to be out before Memorial Day.
Bushnell-Prairie City Board of Education At their regular meeting in February the Board of Education discussed books in classrooms and how those books are selected. The Board took the following action: Personnel
Curriculum Approved Intro to Business, Business Communication, Business Principles and Management, and Keyboarding as new classes at B-PC High School for the 2023-2024 school year. These courses will be taught by Ms. Duchow. Board Member Vacancy Appointed Alan Thompson to fill the vacancy created by Devin Kozicki's resignation. The Bushnell-Prairie City Board of Education is comprised of 7 members; four of whom reside within Bushnell and/or Prairie City Townships and 3 who reside within the other townships of the district. Board member Devin Kozicki recently moved with her family to Iowa, creating a vacancy on the board. School board policy requires interested parties to submit, to the Board of Education, their interest in serving, whose members will then conduct interviews before appointing someone to fill the term until the next election. The next school board election is scheduled for April 4, 2023. If you are interested in serving on the B-PC Board of Education until the next school board election, please contact Superintendent, Kathy Dinger at dingerk@bpcschools.org or Board Secretary, Sonja Settles at settless@bpcschools.org. It is anticipated that the Board of Education will conduct interviews at their next, regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, February 15, 2023.
Portrait of a Graduate
The District invited members of the school community to come together and begin work to identify characteristics that should be promoted in every B-PC graduate. Twenty school community members (civic leaders, school district employees, students, and representatives from higher education) came together created a comprehensive list of dispositions or skills (outside of academics). They determined that B-PC graduates should be: creative, communicate effectively, ask quality questions, be problem-solvers and critical thinkers, be able to adjust and adapt, be open, show empathy, persevere, take initiative, and engage in self-reflection. The District Leadership Team is tasked with defining what these characteristics might look like and how they will be promoted in all classrooms and activities. Bushnell-Prairie City Board of Education
Dr. Dinger has been a long-time advocate of celebrating all athletics at B-PC. This year, again, changes were made in schedules to provide the girls basketball team with an opportunity to play on Friday night. Both girls and boys varsity teams will face Brimfield High School on Friday, January 27. Tip off for the boys' game is 5:30 pm, with the girls game starting afterward. Principal Appreciation Day always occurs in October. We are blessed to have such dedicated and creative principals at Bushnell-Prairie City. We appreciate you, Mr. Butcher, Mr. Harrison, and Ms. Daily!
Construction Update, B-PC High School The girls’ locker room is complete and we should be nearing completion of the boys’ and the football locker rooms soon. Library furnishings are scheduled to be installed in early November and Mr. Sharp and Mr. Jones are busy reinstalling trophy cases. We identified and isolated a gas leak near the concession stand. Gas was restored to the High School (except for the Band Room) in order to provide heat to the building. Contractors are scheduled to be on site this week to determine next steps. We hope to have full gas service and heat returned to the Band Room before the weather turns. Student Safety Increasing staff and student safety continues to be a priority, with activities taking place every month to improve our safety responses. In October during our teacher institute day, principals reviewed emergency response language and responses. Board of Education The B-PC Board of Education met for its regular meeting in October and met in the High School Libary for the first time since construction began. The following items were discussed or acted upon at the October Board of Education meeting:
Important Dates October 27 & October 28: Parent-Student Conferences November 8: NO SCHOOL, Election Day November 11: NO SCHOOL, Veterans Day Scholastic Book Fair is coming soon!
SAVE THE DATE: Oct.24th-27th (8:10-3:00 Wed. 8:10-2:00) Thursday night (4-7:30) Stay tuned for more details, and preview books online and set up your eWallet in the meantime. We welcomed staff back on Monday and Tuesday, August 15 and 16 and students back on Wednesday, August 17. Due to slight construction delays, high school students were welcomed back on Monday, August 22. An active shooter drill was conducted (staff only) during our first back-to-school institute days. We learned a lot and will continue to work to improve staff and student safety. Construction Update As mentioned above, the start of high school student attendance was delayed for a few days due to construction. All classrooms and most areas have been completed. We are a few weeks away from having locker rooms finished, classroom doors are due in November, and we need to complete a few finishing touches in other areas . . . but the building looks amazing. We hope to hold an open house later this fall once all is complete. We will be holding all upcoming high school athletic events in the gymnasium. Student Safety As mentioned in the August Monthly Minute, we continue to explore ways to make getting to and from school safer for our students. Dr. Dinger is meeting with city and agency officials to explore expanded transportation options for students. Please continue to exit the JH and HS campus out the front drive during school hours and remember not to pass stopped school buses with flashers and crossing arms extended. Spartan Drive is one-way only during school hours (7:30 am - 3:30 pm). Workforce Pathway October is manufacturing month. Juniors and seniors will have the opportunity again this year to tour and learn more about McDonough County employers. We appreciate the collaboration between MAEDCO (the McDonough County Economic Development Council), the Workforce Office of Western Illinois, and local businesses to provide this for students at B-PC High School, Macomb High School, and West Prairie High School. Board of Education The B-PC Board of Education met for its regular meeting in August. During construction, all board meetings have been held in the conference room in the District Office. We anticipate receiving HS library furniture in September and look forward to having board meetings back in the HS library in October. The Board meeting time was adjusted to 5:00 pm during the summer months. The board meeting will begin at 6:00 pm in September and for the remainder of the school year. The following items were discussed or acted upon at the August Board of Education meeting:
Important Dates August 29: STAR Benchmark Assessments September 5: Labor Day, NO SCHOOL September 23: Homecoming Game vs. Peoria Heights September 24: Homecoming Dance If you are a school family, please remember to check Daily Announcements in Skyward and to check our school calendars for upcoming school and athletic events. |
Archive
April 2024
Subscribe |