D140 Educational Plan
Birth-To-Three
Special needs of infants/toddlers will be reviewed by the District 140 Special Services Department. In cases where special services may be needed, a referral to Child and Family Connections will be made.
Pre-Kindergarten
Early Childhood – Special Education
Programs will be provided for three to five (3-5) year-old children who have identified disabilities requiring special education services and/or programs.
EL - English Learners
Certified teachers will provide support services to English language learners focusing on improving listening, speaking, reading, and writing proficiency in English.
Preschool Screening
Diagnostic assessments of 3-5-year-old District children will be conducted by assigned District personnel to assess needs for services.
Kirby School District 140 Preschool
A tuition-based blended preschool program is offered for three to five-year-old children (birthday prior to September 1st). The program consists of five (5) ½ days per week.
Elementary Program
Kindergarten
Full and half-day programs will be provided for children who will be 5 years old on or before September 1st.
Primary (1-2)
- English/Language Arts
- Phonics/Handwriting
- Safety*/Health
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Science
Primary classes will use integrative approaches to help facilitate learning activities in a self-contained setting. Classes will be established on a heterogeneous basis.
Intermediate (3-5)
- Reading/Language Arts
- Mathematics
- Science/Safety*/Health
- Social Sciences
- U.S. History
Intermediate classes will use integrative approaches to help facilitate learning activities in a self-contained setting. Classes will be established on a heterogeneous basis.
Abduction Avoidance Education
Instruction, study, and discussion of effective methods help pupils recognize the danger and how to avoid abduction.
Alcohol and Drug Education
Instructional lessons, materials, services, and activities will be provided, which support giving students the necessary information and skills for the prevention and avoidance of drug and substance abuse.
Anne Marie’s Law (Suicide Prevention)
Students shall receive age-appropriate lessons in their classrooms through health education or other appropriate curricula on the importance of safe and healthy choices, as well as help-seeking strategies for themselves and/or others. Lessons shall contain information on comprehensive health and wellness, including emotional, behavioral, and social skills development.
Bilingual Education
Certified teachers (and paraeducators depending on grant funds) will provide support services to English language Learners (EL), focusing on improving proficiency in English through listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Whenever a building has 20 or more EL students with the same native language, a Transitional Bilingual Education (TBE or part-time TBE) program with a bilingual teacher (of said native language) will be provided.
Black History
As part of the social studies curriculum, a unit of instruction studying the events of Black History will be conducted, which highlights the contributions made by individual African Americans to help students respect the dignity of all races and peoples and to avoid discrimination in their lives and careers.
Career Education
Awareness and exploration of career opportunities will be provided through academic courses as part of the ongoing instructional process.
Character Counts
The Character Counts program will be implemented in grades K-5 as a means of establishing and maintaining a positive school climate.
Educational Technology
Computer activities will be provided to students in grades K-5 through opportunities in the learning center and/or classrooms for direct instruction in content applications and curriculum integration. Technology tools include iPads and Logitech crayons for each student.
Environmental Education
Environmental education for grades 3-5 will be provided for students to understand current problems and needs in the conservation of natural resources.
Erin’s Law
“Erin’s Law” calls for the implementation of an age-appropriate sexual abuse awareness and prevention curriculum for grades pre-K through 12.
Gifted Education
Elementary grades (3-5) program will be arranged by classroom teachers in consultation with the gifted education resource teacher for the fundamental areas of learning. Special workshops and field trips may supplement special classroom activities under the guidance of an assigned gifted education resource teacher.
History of Women
As part of the social studies curriculum, a unit of instruction studying the events of the history of women in America will be conducted. These events shall include contributions made by individual women to help students understand women’s struggles to gain the right to vote and to be treated equally.
Holocaust Study
As part of the fifth-grade social studies program, a special unit of study will highlight the events of Nazi atrocities from 1933 to 1945 to help reaffirm the commitment to never again permit the occurrence of another Holocaust.
Human Growth Education
As a part of the fifth grade, a program conducted by the District’s school nurses will be presented for students who are beginning entry into adolescence. The programs will be presented separately for boys and girls and will discuss puberty, grooming, proper diet, and pride in oneself.
Internet Safety
A component on Internet Safety will be incorporated into the curriculum in grades 3-8.
Learning Center
Each elementary center will provide a program of media services and library resources.
Multicultural Education
Students are taught about relationships between individuals and groups of different ages, races, sexes, national origins, religions, and socioeconomic backgrounds through units in language arts and social studies.
MTSS – Multi-Tiered System of Support
Students who qualify for assistance or enrichment in reading, math, or social-emotional domains will receive academic and emotional support in addition to their regular classroom instruction.
Parent Education Program
Each school will provide a parent education program that addresses the needs of the parents in each individual school focusing on relevant issues encompassing family, school, and community.
Physical Education
Students in full-day kindergarten through fifth grade will have three (3) periods of formal physical education per week, plus daily activities arranged through the classroom teachers. The Middle Schools have physical education/health taught daily by physical education instructors.
Educational Technology Support Services
Each elementary classrooms will have a flat panel and an Apple TV for instructional purposes. Both the student and teacher iPads create an interactive technology connection with the flat panel through the use of Apple TV to increase student engagement and success.
Title I Services
Schools that qualify for Title I services will provide tutoring in reading and math to identified students. Depending on funding, a Title I summer school program will also be available for those students.
Tutor Services
Before/after school tutoring will be provided, with an emphasis in the areas of reading and mathematics. Tutoring will be provided to students in a formalized fashion based on diagnostically identified needs.
Violence Prevention
Students in grades K-5 will be provided instruction in 1) the consequences of violent behavior; 2) the causes of violent reactions to conflict; 3) nonviolent conflict resolution techniques; and 4) the relationship between drugs, alcohol, and violence. The instruction for students will utilize strategies and activities associated with the conflict resolution/peer mediation model.
Special Services
Alternative Educational Placements
Students whose IEP teams have determined that in-district special education programs are insufficient for meeting students’ educational needs may be served through home/hospital or alternative placements that may or may not require a residential component.
Instructional//Resource Services
Self-contained classes, co-teaching, push-in and pull-out services, as determined by the IEP team, are provided for eligible students in grades K-5, including, but not limited to, students identified with specific learning disabilities, hearing/vision impairments, physical impairments, intellectual disabilities, emotional impairments, developmental delay, autism spectrum disorders, multiple impairments, traumatic brain injuries, and other health impairments.
Related Services
Support services for pupils in the areas of social work, speech/language therapy, health services, school psychology, vision and hearing, occupational therapy, and physical therapy will be provided on an individual basis as determined by a student’s IEP team.
Tutoring Services
Before and after-school tutoring services will be offered for students with disabilities who need extra help with reading and/or math skill development.
Fine Arts (Art, band, dance, drama, and music)
Art
Students in full-day Kindergarten through 5th grade will have one hour of formal art instruction per week. At the Middle Schools, students have one 9-week period per year of instruction.
Band (Beginners)
Fifth-grade Beginners Band will be held on an after-school basis. Sectionals will be arranged on a rotating pullout basis within the school day.
Dance
Dance will be incorporated into the physical education and music programs.
Drama
Drama will be incorporated into the language arts curriculum.
General Music
Students in full-day Kindergarten through 5th grade will have one hour of formal music instruction per week. At the Middle Schools students, will have one 9-week period per year of instruction. They may also elect to participate in chorus or band.
Middle School Program
Academics (6-8)
- English/Language Arts
- Mathematics
- Science/Safety*
- Social Science/
- U.S. History
Students will be provided instruction related to the fundamental areas of learning in a team environment.
Abduction Avoidance Education
Instruction, study, and discussion of effective methods to recognize danger and how to avoid abduction.
Alcohol and Drug Education
Instructional lessons, materials, and services will be provided, which support giving students the necessary information and skills to resist illicit alcohol/drug use. A Breakthrough program for each middle school will be conducted to help students with leadership, decision-making, self-esteem, and responsibility education. In Grade 7, the RIDE (Reinforcement in Drug Education) program will be supported in cooperation with the Tinley Park Police Department.
*Anne Marie’s Law (Suicide Prevention)
Students shall receive age-appropriate lessons in their classrooms through health education or other appropriate curricula on the importance of safe and healthy choices, as well as help-seeking strategies for themselves and/or others. Lessons shall contain information on comprehensive health and wellness, including emotional, behavioral, and social skills development.
Bilingual Education
Certified teachers (and paraeducators depending on grant funds) will provide support services to English Learners (EL), focusing on improving language usage and reading proficiency in standard American English. Whenever a building has 20 or more EL students with the same native language, a Transitional Bilingual Education (TBE) program with a bilingual teacher will be provided.
Black History
As part of the social studies curriculum, a unit of instruction studying the events of Black History will be conducted, which highlights the contributions made by individual African Americans to help students respect the dignity of all races and peoples and to avoid discrimination in their lives and careers.
Career Education
Awareness and exploration of career opportunities will be provided through academic courses as part of the ongoing instructional process.
Character Education
Second Step, a violence prevention curriculum, will be used in the middle schools. This program addresses the social and emotional learning standards and is an appropriate follow-up to the Character Counts elementary program. Second Step also incorporates age-appropriate education about teen dating violence to students in 7th and 8th grade.
EL Summer School
The District will provide a summer school program for designated EL students depending on grant funds.
Environmental Education
Environmental awareness activities will be incorporated into the science program. The program highlights the conservation of natural resources, including but not limited to air pollution, water pollution, waste reduction, and recycling, the effects of excessive use of pesticides, preservation of wilderness areas, forest management, protection of wildlife, and humane care of domestic animals.
Erin’s Law
“Erin’s Law” calls for the implementation of an age-appropriate sexual abuse awareness and prevention curriculum for grades pre-K through 12.
History of Women
As part of the social studies curriculum, a unit of instruction studying the events of the history of women in America will be conducted. These events shall include contributions made by individual women to help students understand women’s struggles to gain the right to vote and to be treated equally.
Holocaust Study
As part of the eighth-grade social studies program, a special unit of study will highlight the events of Nazi atrocities from 1933 to 1945 to help reaffirm the commitment to never again permit the occurrence of another Holocaust.
Human Growth Education
Human growth and development lessons will be provided through the Robert Crown Health Center for students in Grade 6 unless the parent/guardian submits a written objection. The program helps students understand the normal changes occurring in their bodies. AIDS information is included in the program.
Internet Safety
A component on Internet Safety will be incorporated into the curriculum in grades 3-8.
Interscholastic Activities
The District will support interscholastic competition in the SWIC program, which includes: softball, basketball, track, cross country, volleyball, mathematics, and declamation. Band festival, soccer, and cheerleading are sanctioned but non-mandatory.
Media Services
The school media center will provide a full program of media services.
Multicultural Education
Student understanding of relationships between individuals and groups of different ages, races, sexes, national origins, religions, and socioeconomic backgrounds will be incorporated into social studies.
Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS)
Students who qualify for assistance in reading, math, or social-emotional domains will receive academic and emotional support in addition to their regular classroom instruction.
Patriotism and Representative Government
American patriotism, principles of representative government, and the proper use and display of the American flag shall be taught. Students will be required to pass a test on these topics and the United States Constitution prior to graduation.
PBIS
Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a program designed to establish behavioral supports and promote a positive school culture. It is a three-tiered system that addresses the social-emotional standards as part of the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) initiative.
Safety Education
Safety education for pupils in all grades will stress automobile safety, safety in the home, safety in connection with recreational activities, safety in and around school buildings, and safety in connection with vocational work or training.
Steroid Abuse Prevention
As part of the health education program in the eighth grade, instruction will be devoted to the prevention of abuse of anabolic steroids, which pose a serious health hazard to performance and/or physical development.
Title I Summer School
Schools that qualify for Title I services will provide tutoring in reading and math to identified students. Depending on funding, a Title I summer school program will also be available for those students.
Educational Technology Support Services
All middle-level classrooms classrooms will be provided an interactive flat panel and an Apple TV for instructional purposes and Internet access. In addition, the student and teacher iPads create an interactive technology connection with the Flat Panel through the use of Apple TV to increase student engagement and success.
Tutoring Services
Before/after school tutoring will be provided, with emphasis in the areas of reading and mathematics. Qualified Title I schools will also provide tutoring to students in the areas of reading and math. Tutoring will be provided in a formalized fashion based on diagnostically identified needs.
Violence Prevention
Students in grades 6 through 8 will be provided instruction in 1) the consequences of violent behavior, 2) the causes of violent reactions to conflict, 3) nonviolent conflict resolution techniques, and 4) the relationship between drugs, alcohol, and violence. The instruction for students will utilize strategies and activities associated with the conflict resolution/peer mediation model recommended by the ISBE and training teachers in the violence prevention curriculum.
Enrichment Program
Art
Grades 6-8 will have one-quarter of instruction each year.
Civics
Grades 6-8 will have one-quarter of Civics instruction each year.
General Music
Grades 6-8 will have one-quarter of instruction each year.
Life Skills Program
Sessions of Physical Education, Physical Fitness, and Health Instruction will be provided for grades 6-8 each year.
Project Lead the Way (PLTW)
Grades 6-8 students attend this class for one quarter during the year.
Special Services
Alternative Educational Placements
- Students whose IEP teams have determined that in-district special education programs are insufficient for meeting students’ educational needs may be served through home/hospital or alternative placements that may or may not require a residential component.
Instructional//Resource Services
- Cross-Categorical self-contained classes and push-in and pull-out resource services are provided for eligible students in grades 6-8 for students whose IEP team determines the appropriateness of the service. These services are available for students with disability classifications including, but not limited to, learning disabilities, hearing/vision impairments, physical impairments, cognitive disabilities, other health impairments, autism spectrum disorders, multiple impairments, and traumatic brain injuries.
Related Services
- Support services for pupils in the areas of social work, speech/language therapy, health services, school psychology, occupational therapy, and physical therapy will be provided on an individual basis as determined by a student’s IEP team.
Tutoring Services
- Before/after school tutoring will be provided in a formalized fashion based on diagnostically identified needs in reading and math.
Performing Arts
Band
Full band rehearsals for Cadet, Concert, and Symphonic bands to be offered before the school day. Sectionals and individual lessons are to be arranged on a rotating basis within the school day.
Chorus
Full chorus rehearsals to be offered on a before/after school day basis.
Dance
Incorporated in the physical education and music programs.
Summer Programs
Band Program
A self-funded summer band program will be offered for students entering grades 6-8.
Early Childhood
The District will implement an extended school year program for students in Special Education Early Childhood Programs who have been determined to be eligible by the IEP team.
EL Summer School (English Learners)
The District will provide a summer school program for designated EL students. The cost for this program, including wages and classroom supplies, will be fully funded by the Title III LIPLEPS grant. (Language Instruction Programs for Limited English Proficient Students)
Special Education Extended School Year
The District will implement an extended year program for selected students who meet the eligibility requirements related to prolonged recoupment or significant regression. Student eligibility is determined by the IEP team.
Special Education Summer Tutoring Program (Depending on Grant Funding)
When grant funds are available, the District will implement a Summer Reading and Math Tutoring Program for students who qualify as having a reading and/ or math-specific learning disability but do not qualify for Extended School Year services. The cost for this program will be fully funded by the IDEA Flow-Through grant.
Sports Camps
Self-funded sports camps will be offered by the District for students entering grades 5- 8.
Title I Summer School (Depending on Grant Funding)
The District will implement a Title I summer school program for students who attend Title I designated schools and are selected for extra support in reading and math. The cost for this program will be fully funded by the Title I grant.
Staff Services
Classified Staff Training
The District will provide training activities for classified staff to support the education program plan and to ensure the safety and welfare of the students.
Crisis Management Teams
The District will support crisis management teams at each school to prepare necessary and responsible actions to ensure needs are dealt with in a crisis situation.
In-District College Classes
The District will cooperate with universities to help provide college-credit courses utilizing District facilities.
In-Service Program
Staff training and research time utilizing up to five (5) early-release days to conduct supervisory and in-service programs for the professional staff. These sessions will be used to meet school improvement planning (SIP) needs and (MTSS) meetings.
In-Service Training
The District will support staff participation at approved conferences and workshops.
KEU – Kirby Educational Units
The KEU (Kirby Educational Units) Program is a District-sponsored staff development project designed to increase knowledge in the areas of curriculum, technology, and best practices in delivering educational content.
Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS)
The District will support MTSS teams at each school.
New Teacher Training
Teachers new to the District will participate in a 25-hour orientation program. Current staff, selected by principals to be mentors, will provide in-service on numerous topics, including KSD policies and procedures, curriculum, and building-specific information. Both new teachers and their mentors will be paid a maximum of 25 hours for this work which will be completed outside their regular day.
New Principal Mentoring
New principals will be mentored by current principals selected by central administration.
Parent/Teacher Conferences
The District will conduct a parent/teacher conference session(s) to promote home/school contacts and cooperation.
Pre-Approved In-Service
The District will conduct half-day in-service programs for the professional staff, which are pre-approved by the State.
Pre-Approved Institutes
The District will conduct four (4) full-day Institute programs for the professional staff, which are pre-approved by the State. The programs will feature presentations and workshops for staff development purposes.
Pre-Service Training
The District will cooperate with universities to support student teacher/intern experiences with qualified staff.
Special Observances
Arbor Day and Bird Day are to be observed as a day for planting and conducting appropriate exercises to show the value of trees and birds.
Leif Erickson Day may be celebrated on October 9, or the nearest school date, for a one-half hour of instruction and appropriate exercises to help commemorate the life and history of Leif Erickson.
American Indian Day will be celebrated on the fourth Friday in September as a day on which to hold appropriate exercises in commemoration of the American Indians.
“Just Say No” Day will be celebrated on a day designated by the Governor as a day which children and teenagers declare and reaffirm their commitment to living a life free of drug, alcohol, and tobacco abuse.
Illinois Law Week may be celebrated one week in May, designated by the Governor to foster the importance of law and the respect thereof in Illinois to promote the importance of government under the law in the State.
Commemorative Dates
- Emancipation Proclamation Week - First full week of January
- Christa McAuliffe Day – January 28 – Commemoration of space exploration
- Ronald Reagan Day – February 6
- Susan B. Anthony Day – February 15 – Commemoration of her birth
- Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade – March 25
- Vietnam War Veterans Day – March 29
- Day of Remembrance – September 11
- Constitution Day - September 17 - Commemorating the September 17, 1787 signing of the Constitution. However, when September 17 falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, Constitution Day shall be held during the preceding or following week.
- Recycling Day – October 1
- Korean War Veterans Day – November 10 – The school day immediately preceding Veterans Day
- Pearl Harbor Veterans Day – December 7
Legal School Holidays
- New Year's Day – January 1
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Third Monday in January – Commemoration of his birth
- Presidents' Day - Third Monday in February - Commemoration of all American presidents, but most significantly Washington and Lincoln
- Casimir Pulaski Day - First Monday in March - Commemoration of his birth
- Memorial Day – Last Monday in May
- Independence Day – July 4
- Labor Day – First Monday in September
- Columbus Day – Second Monday in October
- Veterans Day – November 11
- Thanksgiving – Fourth Thursday of November
- Christmas – December 25
State Required Assurances
- Completed class schedules will be maintained in the administrative office of each attendance center for all teachers assigned to that attendance center.
- The District will have an organized plan for recording pupil progress. Teachers will determine grades and evaluations of students within the grading policies of the District.
- The school board will prepare an annual calendar for the school term, specifying the opening and closing dates and providing at least a minimum term as required by law.
- The Board of Education will operate its schools so that each child receives a minimum of five (5) clock hours of schoolwork per day under the direct supervision of certified teachers.
- The District will conduct a comprehensive needs assessment to determine the scope of Pupil Personnel Services (Psychological, Social Work, and Health) needs.
- The District will conduct an annual Public School Bilingual Census to determine the number of students from non-English backgrounds and those who have limited English proficiency. The District will further conduct an individual student language assessment for each student identified as limited English proficient in the Bilingual Census.
- The Drug-Free Workplace Act, effective January 1, 1992, requires that no grantee or contractor shall receive a grant or be considered for the purposes of being awarded a contract for the procurement of any property or services from the State unless that grantee or contractor has certified to the State that the grantee or contractor will provide a drug-free workplace.
- The District will observe Arbor and Bird Day through appropriate exercises to show the value of trees and birds and the necessity for their protection.
- Each teacher shall teach the pupils honesty, kindness, justice, and moral courage to lessen crime and raise the standard of good citizenship.
* Illinois Mandated Program
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