Superintendent's message

One of the many rewards of serving as superintendent of a school district is when the district's enrollment increases. Increases in numbers hopefully indicate a balance in the school district which is attractive to new families. Enrollment increases occur for many reasons including the quality of teachers and curriculum and the attractiveness of the school facilities.

Mattoon has recently experienced an increase of over 7 percent in student enrollment at the elementary schools.

Since opening of the new elementary schools in 2003, Mattoon enrollment in grades kindergarten-fifth grade has increased from 1393 students to 1498 students in 2010.

The additional 105 students represent a 7.5% increase in the district's elementary enrollment.

Overall, student enrollment in the district is up by 27 students over last school year. At the end of September, total district enrollment stood at 3470 students. Enrollment numbers are as follows: Mattoon High School, 1028; Riddle Elementary, 798: Mattoon Middle School, 778: and Williams Elementary, 700. The remaining district students attend Hawthorne School or out-of-district programs such as Eastern Illinois Area Special Education.

To see the full enrollment report,

"Mattoon High School is offering several exciting new opportunities for our juniors to prepare for the ACT test", said MHS Principal Michele Sinclair.

The test, which is administered to all juniors in Illinois on April 27-28, 2011, is designed to determine a student's college readiness.

Unlike the Illinois State Achievement Test (ISAT) taken by students in third-eighth grades, the Prairie State Achievement Exam or PSAE, which all juniors take, is composed of two tests: ACT and WorkKeys.

ACT is also used as a college entrance exam and is considered a factor for many college scholarships.

All MHS juniors were administered a practice ACT and WorkKeys test on Sept. 29-30. The results of the ACT tests were analyzed by Cambridge Educational Services. Each student received his/her results and teachers received classroom results. From those results, students will be provided with lessons on skills which were shown to be weaknesses.

"We will administer the second practice test and have Cambridge analyze that data on Feb. 23-24 to continue with our instructional strategies in order to help our students achieve their optimal score," said Sinclair.
All juniors will take the PSAE (ACT and WorkKeys) on April 27-28. The results from PSAE determine whether or not Mattoon High School makes AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress).

Also available this year is free online ACT practice for all juniors. This is available at www.actonlineprep.com. From there, students click "Already registered? Log in." All juniors received their log in and password in their English classes. Students need to change the computer-generated log in and password to their MHS log in and password. This service can be utilized from home or school. For more information about student log in and password, e-mail Michele Sinclair msinclair@mattoon.k12.il.us

"We hope these changes will provide our students with the skills they need to do their best on the ACT in order to have many options available to them in their future plans," added Sinclair.

Mattoon High School recently recognized Kaitlyn Bradd and Blake Fryman as its September students of the month.

Bradd is a Mattoon High School senior and is the daughter of Mike and Treva Bradd. She is a member of the MHS volleyball team, plays club volleyball during the winter, is a member of the National Honor Society and is a Big 12 Scholar athlete.

Bradd plans to attend Bradley University to receive her CPA license.

Fryman is a Mattoon High School senior and is the son of Lisa Fryman and the late Kenneth Fryman, Jr. Fryman is the Cadet Battalion Commander of the JROTC. He is also a member of the JROTC Drill Team, rifle team and Raiders team. 

Fryman plans to join the Marine Corps after high school.

The Mattoon Rotary Club sponsors the student of the month recognition throughout the school year.

By Cody Morris
Mattoon FFA Chapter reporter

Seven members of the Mattoon FFA Chapter attended the 83rd Annual National FFA Convention Oct. 20-22 in Indianapolis.

While there, members attended convention sessions held in Conseco Fieldhouse which included motivational keynote speeches, award ceremonies and National FFA officer retiring addresses. Members also attended the FFA Career Show and shopping mall and a rodeo at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

Members attending included Dalton Cox, Alex Elliott, Reghan Elliott, Jacob Miller, Cody Morris, Felicity Shoultz and Brody Warren.

Mattoon FFA was also recognized on stage during the Second General Session for being a Nationally Ranked 2-Star Chapter in the National Chapter Award Program. Chapter President, Alex Elliott, and Chapter Treasurer, Dalton Cox walked across stage to receive the award.

The FFA Mission: FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.

Click for image larger view

Left to Right are: Cody Morris, Brody Warren, Felicity Shoultz, Dalton Cox, Reghan Elliott, Jacob Miller, and Alex Elliott.

Riddle Elementary students are competing to win a very special pennant. The pennant was designed to remind students of the school's motto: Respect + Responsibility + Relationships = Results.

Each day classes exhibiting appropriate behavior while in the gym before school starts will be nominated to win the pennant at the end of the week. On Friday one lucky class name will be drawn. The winning class will get to display the pennant near their seating location for the entire next week as well earn an extra recess time. All nominated classes will earn special recognition in their classrooms, too.

"The great thing about this friendly competition is appropriate behavior is rewarded and everyone wins," said Assistant Principal Christine Bough.

Photo: 1st Grade teacher Andrea Rogers and her students pose with the Riddle Elementary School Pennant

At Williams Elementary School, "Together We Can" is more than just a motto. Principal Kris Maleske recently sang the praises of two community partners working cooperatively with the school.

Maleske expressed appreciation for the 26 tutors from Eastern Illinois University led by Dr. Christina Edmonds-Behrend. The EIU students plan activities for students in need additional academic assistance. Maleske noted, "In addition to academic planning, EIU tutors build long-lasting, important relationships with our students."

Coles County Big Brothers-Big Sisters also works with students at Williams School. The program is expanding and 12 additional mentors will soon help even more students in need of person with a big heart.

The Williams Elementary School motto is "Together We Can". Maleske concluded by echoing the motto, "By working together with community groups such as the EIU tutors and Big Brothers-Big Sisters, we can make a positive difference in the lives of our children."

Arland D. Williams, Jr. Elementary held its first annual Fall Festival on Saturday, October 16, 2010. "The PTO-sponsored event was a huge hit with kids and parents alike," said PTO Co-President Jay Hopper.

Over 300 people attended the free festival and enjoyed many activities, including face painting, pumpkin bowling, hay wagon rides, and a harvest dash race. Fall-themed snacks were served and many students went home with pumpkins they won in the pumpkin drawing.

Hopper offered words of appreciation to the organizers of the event, "A big thanks to all the PTO volunteers who helped make the Williams Fall Festival a huge success, and special thanks to Lisa Butler who headed up the planning committee for the event." Hopper hopes to see even more families at next year's festival.

Photos (click to view):

• Pumpkin Bingo
• Pumpkin Bowling
• Pumpkin Pushing
• Hayride Fun
  
  
  

Mattoon High School art students, Whitney Beals, Emily Rardin, and Jaceson Grant, will attend the 2010 High School Art Show Nov. 13 at Millikin University.

As part of the event, the students will attend workshops that address how to prepare for art in college and the real world.

A reception will follow where their artworks will be on display at the Kirkland Fine Arts Center.

"This is a pretty competitive show and they do a wonderful job hosting the workshops for parents, teachers and students. This is the second year MHS students have been accepted into this show and the second year for Whitney Beals," said Janahn Kolden, MHS art teacher.

The Mattoon High School JROTC Gladiators Drill team hosted its annual Beret Ceremony on Oct. 15.

Students who have demonstrated the skills through community service events, fundraising events, and rigorous tryouts finally earned the right to wear the beret and be a part of the Gladiators Drill team for this school year.

The team consists of the following students: Brandon Womack, Ariel Linder, Justin Inman, Kyle Owen, Jasmine Katz, Aaron Moutray, John Navarre, Nicholas Navarre, Dalton Shaffer, Chase Munro, Andrew Bell, Nate Bell, Dakota Couch, Jerika Morgan, Kari Smith, Samantha Jones, Dustin Hendren, Devin McQueen, Dakota Patrick, and Blake Fryman.

"They worked hard for this chance and many do not realize how many hours of practice they put in over the summer months to become the team that represents this school, district, and the Mattoon community, said Sgt. Todd Stokes. " I am extremely proud of their efforts and look forward to a great drill season this school year!"

While children are only thinking of candy and costumes, parents may wonder about their kids having a safe Halloween.

The Insurance Information Institute (III) said there are strategies for adults and trick-or-treaters to employ while youngsters embark on their candy quests. Smaller children should have a parent chaperone while they go from home to home.

"If your children are old enough to explore the neighborhood on their own, advise them to visit homes where they know they will be welcome," the III said. "If the house looks dark and uninviting, tell the kids to stay away."

Costumes are another area of Halloween safety parents should keep in mind. The III said reflective tape on clothing and candy bags will help keep children visible in the dark hours. Outfits should fit well, and make-up may be safer than a mask, which can obstruct vision.

Adults should also tell trick-or-treaters to stick to sidewalks and take care while crossing streets. Parents may also coordinate to make sure their children go in a group, rather than alone.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends children use flashlights and avoid crossing yards while they go out for Halloween.

(Courtesy All State Insurance, www.allstate.com)

Sunday, October 31
6:00pm - 8:00pm

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Jan 3: School resumes

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Fall Classic Turkey Swing
Saturday, October 30, 2010
9am Shotgun Start
Meadowview Golf Course
This is a 2-player scramble with 9 holes regular scramble and 9 holes backwards scramble. Entry fee is $45 per player
217-258-7888

Halloween Trick or Treat
Saturday, October 30, 2010
2-4pm
Cross County Mall
217-235-3432

Online Auction
Monday, November 01, 2010 - November 30, 2010
Sarah Bush Lincoln

Kids Night Out
Friday, November 05, 2010
6-9:30pm
LifeSpan Center
Charleston , IL, 61920
Parents, are you looking for some time for catch-up or just a night out?
639-5150
jeans@colescouncilonaging.org

Veteran's Day Parade
Thursday, November 11, 2010
217-258-6286

Christmas Craft Show
Friday, November 12, 2010 - November 14, 2010
Cross County Mall
217-235-3432

Holiday Open House @ the Gannaway House
Saturday, November 13, 2010
10am-4pm
1316 Lafayette Avenue

Pulled Pork Sandwich Supper--Exchange Club of Mattoon
Monday, November 15, 2010
4:30-7pm
@ the Eagles Club

Festival of Trees-Day 1
Friday, November 19, 2010
10 am to 8 pm
Mattoon , IL, 61938
$3 admission

Cookies with Claus-Day 1
Friday, November 19, 2010
6 to 8 pm
Sarah Bush Lincoln

Mattoon Lightworks
Friday, November 19, 2010 - December 26, 2010
Peterson Park
Mattoon , IL, 61938
217-258-6286

Festival of Trees-Day 2
Saturday, November 20, 2010
10 am to 2 pm
$3 admission

Cookies with Claus-Day 2
Saturday, November 20, 2010
10 am to noon
Sarah Bush Lincoln

Salvation Army Pancake Breakfast & Tree of Lights
Saturday, November 20, 2010
6:30am-10am
1300 Richmond Avenue
Tickets are $4.
217-234-3915

Click here to view an Activity Calendar that you can do with your early childhood student.
Submitted by: Lisa Jaco, Hawthorne School