Tech Tiger Newsletter

February 17, 2017

This year marks the 10th Anniversary of Language Immersion Programming in District 742. In case you are not familiar with Language Immersion, 10 years ago Clearview and Madison Elementary Schools began Spanish and Chinese Immersion respectively at the kindergarten level. Several of these students now attend Tech High School and are blended into our World Language Classes. I point this out because we’ve offered exceptional opportunities for our students in World Languages for decades. Tech students can celebrate that they have the unique opportunity to select courses in Spanish, German, French, American Sign, and new this school year, Chinese language. The benefits of enrolling in a World Language are endless. Research indicates a correlation between language study and higher ACT and SAT scores along with higher academic performances at the college level. Developing proficiency in other languages broadens career options. Skills in languages other than English make those not bound for postsecondary study more attractive employment candidates in a wide range of careers where communicating with diverse customers is necessary. Good language achievement enhances a student’s college prospects and opens paths for a wider range of college-level fields of study. Another important ingredient is the cultural learning that takes place each day in a World Language classroom. Our Tech students examine customs, traditions, and overall daily life of native speaking countries across the world, gaining a stronger perspective and understanding of the diverse world we live in. I’m thankful for the World Language opportunities our students have and the corresponding experiences they will utilize the rest of their lives.
 
Charlie Eisenreich

We’ll try to provide regular updates each month as related to the development of the new high school that will replace our current Tech and is slated to open in the fall of 2019. Currently, there is a New High School Design Team that meets regularly to consider the various design configurations of the new school. This team is in the Schematic Design phase of the project. In other words, the team considers where various programming is in the school and is not yet focused on specific details. That will come later in the Design Development phase. Here’s been the focus thus far:

• After receiving input from our Technology Ed teachers and gathering further advice from the New HS Design team, the general sense is we’ve created an overall schematic design of Career and Technology Education spaces that will serve our curricular needs. These spaces are in visible areas throughout the building that will be an attraction for all students.
• Music and drama staff have provided input on recent designs making some efficiency suggestions that will improve the overall functionality of the Fine Arts areas.
• As we developed the overall design for Technology Ed, we took a first look at the Media Center and how these spaces, along with our Learning Neighborhoods, mesh together, keeping in mind the needs of a 21st Century learner. The Media Center needs to be tied much closer to our programs out in the Learning Communities to optimize effectiveness and be flexible at the same time. More to come in this area.
• We’ve done the same for physical education and activities areas, talking to coaches and teachers that share these spaces, as well as Administration offices that includes school nurse’s space and guidance counseling areas, again, bringing their ideas forward to the HS Design Team for consideration.