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Parent Handbook: |
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The Parent Handbook is designed to give parents an introduction to the Riverside Public Schools, District 96. It describes the instructional program and services that are available for our students and explains the policies and procedures that apply to the students. Please read the handbook and keep it available for reference during the school year.A unique characteristic of District 96 is the small, neighborhood schools in our community. This fosters a close working relationship between the home and the school. We extend to you a warm welcome to visit the classrooms and offices and to be involved in the various activities at your child's school. Our entire staff - teachers, secretaries, custodians, program assistants and administrators - is here to serve you and help make the school experience for your child a success.
On the next page, the mission statement and beliefs and values statement outline the principles which guide our practices in District 96. A key belief statement is the one which says that, "education is the shared responsibility of students, families, schools, and community." For the school to achieve its mission of challenging every child, parents must be involved and play an active role. We must work together to provide every child with the opportunity to develop to their fullest potential.
District 96 strives to be an "exceeds" school district according to our own standards, as well as state and national standards. This past year, all of our schools were recognized for the performance of District 96 students, placing us in the top 5% of the school districts in the State of Illinois.
We provide our students with quality educational experiences. With your participation and support, we will continue to improve upon this tradition of excellence.
David J. Bonnette
Superintendent
The mission of the Riverside Public Schools is to provide for each student a challenging education which promotes academic excellence, encourages creativity, develops critical thinking, and fosters respect for self, community, and the environment.
Statement Of Beliefs And Values
The following statements express the belief of the District 96 Public Schools that education is the shared responsibility of students, families, schools, and community:
- We believe each participant in the school community has rights, deserves respect, and shares accountability for achieving the academic and social goals of the school district while maintaining its financial integrity.
- We believe each student should become a lifelong learner capable of functioning in an ever-changing technological multicultural world.
- We believe each student is unique and should be offered challenging programs adapted to meet diverse physical, intellectual, social, and emotional needs.
- We believe each student achieves best in a safe and nurturing environment.
- We believe each student should be provided with opportunities to attain his or her full potential.
The Riverside Public Schools, District 96 is a public, elementary school district established under the laws of the State of Illinois. The district is responsible for the education of all students who wish to attend a public school and who reside in Riverside, or those parts of North Riverside, Brookfield, Lyons and Riverside Lawn lying within the district.The first public school in Riverside opened in 1871, with the first school building being constructed in 1874. By 1879, enrollment in the school had grown to 178 students. A new, larger school had to be constructed, leading to the building of a new school on Woodside Road, the site of the present Central School/Hauser Junior High complex.
Over the years, five school buildings were constructed in District 96. Hollywood School was formed in 1918 and located in the Community House. The present Hollywood School facility was built in 1929, with a contemporary addition put on in 1953. A. F. Ames Elementary School was erected in 1923 and named after the district's first superintendent. Additions were made to the Ames building in 1928 and 1968. An Intermediate School (the original name for the junior high) was built in 1929 and opened in 1930. L. J. Hauser Junior High received its current name in 1963 when Dr. Hauser, the district's second superintendent, retired. The Central/Hauser complex received major additions in 1953 and 1968 due to enrollment changes, safety requirements, and program needs. The last school building constructed in the district was Blythe Park, which was built in 1949.
At the present time, there are four elementary schools in District 96 which house students in grades K-5. Enrollment projections for the 2004-05 year, as of July 2004, are 265 students for Ames, including an early childhood program enrollment of 17 students; for Blythe Park, 107 students; for Central 331 students; and for Hollywood, 120 students. Class size projections for the elementary schools in grades K-3 are estimated to be 17.8 students per class. The class size average for grades 4 and 5 is projected to be 19.2 students per class.
Students from the four elementary schools attend Hauser Junior High School. The junior high houses students in grades six through eight. Hauser's estimated enrollment for the coming year will be 429 students, its largest population since 1978. The junior high organization makes it possible to offer an enriched school program with instruction in such specialized areas as foreign language, home economics, industrial arts, art, and music. An extensive activity and athletic program compliments the students' academic experiences.
District 96 covers an area of approximately four square miles. It is bounded on the east by Harlem Avenue, on the south by 39th Street and Ogden Avenue, on the west by Salt Creek, and on the north by 22nd Street (Cermak Road). The district's northwest boundary is defined by First Avenue and 26th Street (west of First Avenue).In May of 2002, the Board of Education made changes in the boundaries for the four elementary schools and approved a new, flexible boundary plan. The goal of the plan is to keep elementary school class sizes small and to make optimal use of school facilities. Copies of the neighborhood school boundaries and the flexible boundary plan are available in each school office.
Parent Handbook: Table of Contents -|- District Information -|- Admission and Attendance Information -|- School Access, Security, and Visitation Information -|- Pupil Personnel and Health Information -|- Parent Information -|- Instructional Program Information -|- Instructional Program Policy Information