Oswego 308 Calendar Change

February 10, 2014

To: Dr. Matthew A. Wendt
Superintendent of Schools
Oswego Community Unit School District 308

From: JoEllen Pisone Gregie
B.A. Spanish Language and Literature
M.A. Spanish Language and Literature
M.S. Ed. Educational Administration
D.R. 2002*
D.P. 2006**

Subject: Amendment of School Hours on February 19, 2014, per February 7, 2014 e-mail

Dr. Wendt,

I received your email dated February 7, 2014, notifying the district of your decision to change the school calendar from a full school day to an early dismissal day on February 19, 2014, so that “all certified faculty and staff” could receive “the first Community Unit School District 308 Mid-Year State of the District Address”.

As a high school educator for the last 22 years and a parent of a child in the district, I am very disappointed with your decision to further reduce teacher-student contact hours in order to convey your message that was previously scheduled for the teacher institute day scheduled on Monday, January 6, 2014.

As you know, school districts and student achievement are judged by scores obtained through standardized tests. Data from these exams is used by administration and teachers to improve education in our schools. Our students are subjected to many types of standardized tests each year, two of which will occur in April and May: The Prairie State Achievement Exam and Advanced Placement Exams. To my knowledge, these testing dates will not change to reflect Oswego Community Unit School District 308’s three day loss of educational contact time. Teachers have already had to alter their course curriculum to reflect this loss. Further reducing contact time would not be the most prudent decision for our teachers or our children.

I am not one to appeal decisions without offering alternatives so I present to you the following as suggestions to avoid altering the 2013-2014 school calendar (BOE approved 2/25/2013, ROE/ISBE approved 2/13/2013, and revised 1/30/2014). Is there any reason why one of the following couldn’t be used? Please share with me your thoughts on the following:
1. Distribute a memo
2. Craft an email
3. Post to Facebook
4. Record a podcast
5. Film a YouTube
6. Visit each school and hold period-by-period meetings
7. Assemble the faculty after the school day ends

I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

JoEllen Pisone Gregie
*D.R. 2002 – District Resident since 2002
**D.P. 2006 – District Parent since 2006

CC: ​The Ledger Sentinel
​Members of the Oswego Community Unit School District 308 BOE