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Division of Educational Programs |
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SCHOOLSElementary Schools Public schools are financed principally by local property taxes and state income taxes. Schools are grouped into school districts, loosely following village boundaries. Each school is governed by its own Board of Education. The members of the board are elected by the voters living in the school district. The duties of the board include formulating policies, approving curricula, staff, class size, budget and expenditures. Elementary schools and middle schools/ junior high schools are usually operated by the same district. The high schools are commonly operated by a different district. However, in some cases, all three types of schools operate under one district, called a “Unit”. For a listing of schools in the area, check the organizational pages at the front of the local telephone directory for a listing of public schools. The schools are then listed by town or village name. Children normally are not allowed to attend a school outside the school district in which they live. If an exception is made by the Board of Educations, a tuition fee and transportation to and from the school must be provided by the parent. All schools have libraries or learning centers. High schools, middle schools and some elementary or grade schools have cafeterias offering hot lunches to students. Students who live more than 1.5 miles from the public school in which they are enrolled are provided with bus transportation. Many schools have fees paid at registration time to cover the costs or textbooks and laboratory supplies.
Most schools in the area are well prepared to help the non-English-speaking child. Some have well-organized English as a Second Language (ESL) programs, and others offer a less formal approach with volunteer aides who work with the child individually. Do not hesitate to discuss your child's needs with the principal or counselor of the school. Your child will be tested and placed in the appropriate group for special assistance while learning English. It is therefore wise to check with the schools in regard to your children’s needs before you settle on housing. You will need to bring information on what your children have been taught in school in their home country, official copies of their grades/transcripts and their birth certificate for proof of age. Course descriptions are very useful. This information will help the school ensure that your child is placed in an appropriate class.
All school districts offer special education classes for handicapped children or those with special needs such as learning disabilities. Many schools also offer special programs for gifted students and after-school activities in sports, student government, science, music, debate, journalism and theater. Many schools have summer programs for enrichment and acceleration and remediation. Instrumental music programs are an optional part of the curriculum in the upper elementary grades of most schools and in junior high or middle schools.
Public education starts with kindergarten. A child must be five years old by September first of the year in which he or she starts school. School attendance is mandatory for all children from 6 to 16 years of age. Kindergarten is a part of the elementary school or neighborhood school, often within walking distance of your home. In most schools kindergarten is a half day program, either morning or afternoon. A few schools have recently begun offering the option of full day kindergarten. In most school districts, the child will remain in this school for the next six or seven years until completing the fifth or sixth grade. The child is then about 11 or 12 years old and enters junior high or middle school. The child will stay in this school for two to three years (depending on the school district).
If you are coming with teenage children, it is important to understand the structure of American secondary schools. High school is a four-year program. The typical student turns 15 during the first year and is 18 at graduation. Our high schools are "comprehensive" institutions; that is, all students within a school district's boundaries attend the same school regardless of ability or educational direction. The high schools near Argonne are large with from 1,500 to 3,000 students. Within the schools, there are several levels of classes from basic, for students with low ability or in need of remedial help; to standard, for the average to brighter student; and honors, with the most challenging work for the brightest and most motivated students. Most schools offer advanced placement classes which may qualify a student for acceleration in college. Both standard and honors classes prepare a student for university entrance. Each student follows an individualized program rather than being assigned to a class with all members following the same set program together. Thus, the student will be with a different group each class period. This allows the student choice, within guidelines, of the classes taken and also permits work at different levels in different subjects. For example, a student not proficient in English may take mathematics or science at an honors level but English at a less demanding level. When registering, you and your child will meet with a counselor who will advise you and help plan your student's program. Please bring as much material as you can, showing previous school level, courses taken, grades earned and material covered to aid in placement in the most appropriate classes. Music is an important part of high school for many students here. Band, orchestra, and choir are included in the choice of classes. If your student plays an instrument, we encourage him or her to bring it and participate. High schools have many clubs and activities that meet before and/or after school. Participation in clubs, sports, and student-run publications such as the school newspaper are considered an important aspect of secondary education. We strongly encourage your high school student to join an “extracurricular” activity, both to make friends and to feel more a part of the American school community.
The school year begins in late August or early September and ends in June. Vacations are about two weeks in the winter over the Christmas holidays and one week in the spring, often the last week in March, depending on the school district. The summer vacation starts in early June and ends during the week before Labor Day, (the first Monday in September). From first grade on, children attend school from approximately 8:45 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. , Monday through Friday. High Schools begin the day earlier, at 8:00 am . If your stay at Argonne will span an academic year it is advisable to plan to arrive by mid-August so that children can begin the school year with their classmates. This is especially important for high school students who may find it difficult to catch up with coursework if they miss several classes in the beginning.
Nursery Schools, Preschools & Daycare “Bright Horizons” the on-site Argonne Child Development Center offers a full daycare and learning program for employees' children aged 6 weeks through kindergarten (5 years). Consult www.brighthorizons.com or call 630-252-9601 for information about fees and availability of space. For information about other daycare centers and nursery schools, which are for children under kindergarten age, consult the Yellow Pages in your telephone directory under Child Care or Schools – Pre-School and Kindergarten, or ask for information at the local library. A local service organization also publishes a guide to pre-schools and day care centers which is available at the Newcomers Assistance Office and local libraries for consultation. All nursery schools and daycare centers are privately operated, and you will have to pay tuition. People in the area offer daycare in their homes for very small children. These homes are inspected and must be licensed and meet standards for safety. They may accept only a limited number of children. They can be found through local newspaper advertisements, or, better, through personal recommendation. It is best to inspect a home carefully before making a decision to place a child.
Many small two- and four-year colleges are scattered throughout the area. As an example, the College of DuPage, located at 22nd Street and Lambert Road in Glen Ellyn, www.cod.edu, is a two-year community college that offers a wide variety of classes, including evening classes, with or without credit towards a degree during the day and evening. Foreign visitors employed by Argonne and their dependents are eligible to attend and qualify for in-district tuition in the community college district in which they live. Babysitting is available during the day. Some of the College of DuPage courses are offered in the evenings at local high schools and other area locations. For information, telephone 630-942-2800.
There are many ways to improve your verbal and written English skills. Argonne frequently offers courses for employees. Watch for advertising in Argonne News about upcoming dates. Volunteers for the Newcomers Assistance Office provide ESL on weekly basis through the winter months for those accompanying scientists. These classes are informal and you are welcome to join at any time during the year. Contact us at newcomers@anl.gov for more information. There are also many places in the community where you and your family can improve your English skills free of charge. Local libraries have conversation groups, provide space for tutoring and have collections of material for adult learners of English. Contact your local library or the NAO for more information. Both the College of DuPage and Joliet Junior College offer a variety of English as a Second Language (ESL) Programs. Advisors work with the student to plan a program of study to meet their individual needs and goals. Many of these programs are free. At the College of DuPage (COD) the ESL Advising office is located in the Berg Instructional Center (IC), Room 2084D. Call 630-942-3307. Advising appointments can be made through the ABE/ESL office. College of DuPage is in Glen Ellyn on 425 Fawell Blvd. You can view more information on the internet at: www.cod.edu/academic/abe%5Fged/esl%5Fapp.htm In Joliet Junior College ESL is part of the Division of Adult and Family Services call (815) 280-1333. They are located at 215 Houbolt Road Joliet IL . For more information visit their website at: www.jjc.edu/pro_students/Admissions/ESL.asp |
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