97.5 WZOK "Teacher of the Week"
From Mr. Barton

Congratulations Mrs. Bodhaine

School End Times for June 8, 2012
From the Central Office

2012 Administrator of the Year       
From the Central Office

	Mr. Steve Herkert, principal at Byron Middle School, has been named the 2012 Administrator of the Year by the Illinois School Counselor Association. Mr. Herkert is being recognized for supporting professional school counselors and counseling programs, advocating for the developmental model, and providing leadership in the ongoing development of an exceptional school counseling program. Further, he possesses personal qualities deemed desirable in an outstanding administrator and exemplifies the highest standards in providing administrative services to students, parents, and Byron Middle School.
At this conference, Mr. Steve Herkert received his award for Administrator of the Year. In addition, the Counseling department had two presentations. Mrs. Wygant and Mrs. Swanson conducted a presentation titled “Using Technology to Engage and Collaborate with High School Students.” Dr. Mutchler and Dr. Pinson had a poster presentation on “Using the ASCA National Model to Guide the Role of Professional School Counselors in Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS).”

posted 4/24/2012

Byron Hires New Superintendent
From the Board of Education

The Byron School Board voted unanimously Thursday night to hire Dr. James Hammack as superintendent of the Byron School District. Dr. Hammack, who will take over as superintendent July 1, comes to Byron from Hinckly/Big Rock Community Unit School District in Hinckley, Illinois. “Dr. Hammack brings a reputation as a strong leader and a thoughtful collaborator,” Board President Doug Floski said. “He leads a financially sound district with a solid record of improved student achievement. He is excited to come to Byron and we are thrilled to have him.”

The Byron School Board began the hiring process with 50 applicants. With the assistance of the search firm of Hazard, Young, Attea & Assoc., the list of candidates was narrowed to six. Following lengthy interviews, three finalists were chosen; they returned to Byron in March for another lengthy interview process. Three board members then visited Hinckley to independently interview staff and current and former school board members. “Site visits are fairly unusual in superintendent searches,” Floski said...Read more [pdf]

posted 3/23/2012

Fiscal Year 2011 Annual Financial Report       
From the Central Office

posted 4/2/2012

NASC National Gold Council of Excellence    
From Mr. verona

Congratulations Mrs. Ebens and the Byron HS Student Council for being recognized as a 2012 NASC National Gold Council of Excellence. This accomplishment is a testament to the leadership, support and value placed on student council as an integral part of the Byron School District's educational mission. Again, congratulations and best wishes for the continuing excellence of our student council program!

posted 3/29/2012

Important Announcement for Parents/Guardians
From Your School Nurses
Beginning with the 2012/2013 school year, ALL students entering 6th and 9th grade will be required to show proof of having received a Tdap vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis) before entering school this Fall.

Those students entering 7th, 8th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades are highly recommended to receive this vaccine also, since they will most likey be required to have this immunization in the near future.

This new immunization requirement (IL administrative code section 665.250(b)) has been instituted due to recent local outbreaks of pertussis or "whooping cough," a serious bacterial infection of the airway. Immunity to pertussis tends to decrease as our children reach their teen years, and this booster vaccine is necessary to protect not only our children, but our whole community.

You will receive a notice from your school nurse in the coming weeks if your child's records indicate that they may not yet have received this vaccine.

Please make appointments with your physician or the local health department early! Ogle County Health Department clinic schedules are included in the following links. [pdf]

New rules for the Health Department clinics! You MUST have your child's current immunization records faxed to the Health Department BEFORE they can schedule you for a clinic appointment. Vaccines at the health department cost $16.00.

Please contact your school nurse if you have any further questions regarding this notice, or if you need copies of your child's immunizations.

posted 1/26/2012

Pre-School Screening
From Central Office
The Byron School District will be holding preschool screenings on:

This screening is for Byron school district residents only. The developmental screening is for children ages 3-5 years old. Areas of development that are screened include language, concepts, motor, hearing, and vision. Please call Joy at 815-234-5491 x 223 to make an appointment for your child.
posted 1/12/2012

School District Receives Grant to Increase Student Safety
From the Board of Education
The Byron School District in conjunction with the City of Byron has been awarded a $250,000 grant to increase options for children to safely walk and bicycle to school.

The “Safe Routes to Schools Grant” will be used to extend the Tower-Mill Road recreational pathway for safe off-road walking and cycling, according to the office of Gov. Pat Quinn.

“The Byron School District is grateful for the work of our staff members and City of Byron employees...Read More

posted 2/24/2012

School Board Creates Hall of Fame
From the Board of Education
The Byron School District Hall of Fame is about to become a reality. Based on overwhelming community interest and support, as well as extensive research, the Byron School Board has approved a proposal for an athletic/activities Hall of Fame. Read more....[pdf]

posted 2/20/2012

Byron High School to Offer Free ACT Prep Course
From the Board of Education
On the recommendation of BHS Principal Peter Verona, the Byron School Board voted unanimously to offer an ACT preparation class to Byron High School students.

The pilot program will begin this spring and be conducted over of period of seven to ten weeks with about 40 students. If the program is successful, the Board intends to support the class for all BHS juniors in spring 2013.

 “Students tend to do better on the ACT if they are familiar with its form and content,” Verona said. “Last year, there was a teacher-led effort to help some of our students prepare, and they certainly deserve our support. What we’ve planned will build on that.”  Read more.... [pdf]

posted 2/9/2012

Byron Teachers Undergo Tech Training
From the Board of Education
A cooperative effort between Byron teachers and the Board of Education has saved significant tax dollars and brought valuable training to the classroom.  Read more....

Byron School Board Restricts Use of Surveillance Videos
From the Board of Education
As part of its ongoing effort to rebuild trust between administrators, teachers and students, the Byron School Board recently approved a new, clear policy regarding use of surveillance videos.  Read more....

School Board Names Interim Superintendents
From the Board of Education
The Byron School Board voted unanimously Aug. 25 to hire two interim superintendents to guide the district while the search ensues for a permanent superintendent.  Read more....

BHS Alters Handbook, Eliminates Required "Lanyards"
From the Board of Education
Saying they offered no security benefit and consumed hundreds of hours of precious educational time, the Byron Board of Education voted unanimously Thursday to eliminate the mandatory “security” lanyards at Byron High School. Read more....

Byron School Board Expands Technology Offerings
From the Board of Education
The Byron Board of Education has approved additional technology units for middle school students to better prepare those students for a high school math and science curriculum that will impose more rigor.  Read more....

Bullying, Intimidation and Cyber-Bullying
From Mr. Herkert
The Byron School District hosted a presentation last Thursday night featuring Judy Brunner, a nationally-renowned speaker on the topic of bullying, cyber-bullying, and school safety. Despite the unfortunate arrival of near blizzard conditions, Mrs. Brunner spoke to 25 hardy residents about some of the hazards facing our children today. On Friday morning, Mrs. Brunner gave a 3 hour presentation to the Byron School District staff on the same topic. Her message was consistent in both gatherings – as adults, it is the responsibility of the parents and staff members to learn to recognize bullying behavior and warning signs, and learn the appropriate steps to take to help our children/students deal with this ever-present problem. Attached are several articles used by Mrs. Brunner during the presentations, as well as a link to her Bullying Prevention presentation. [all downloads are pdf format]

posted 1-17-2012

Inclement Weather
From the Central Office
Byron School District wants to help parents, staff and the community prepare for any changes to the school schedule that might occur as a result of inclement weather. Information about school cancellations and/or delays will be sent to local radio and television stations as soon as a decision is made. Additionally, parents and staff will be notified via the AlertNow system, and a notice on the school website (www.byron226.org). Please keep in mind that no announcement means school is operating on a normal schedule.  Read more....

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