Perrin, Zick discuss December graduates, disciplinary trends

ROCHELLE — Rochelle Township High School Assistant Principal David Perrin and Dean of Students Brett Zick presented an update on academic performance and disciplinary trends to members of the District 212 Board of Education during its monthly meeting on Tuesday evening.

Perrin said that 14 students graduated from RTHS after the first semester of the 2022-23 school year. Of those graduating students, Perrin said one student will be continuing at Kishwaukee College, while nine will be entering the workforce and four are currently undecided. Final exams were held from Dec. 20-22, 2022 and teachers returned for an institute day in early January.

“We often see kids graduate early for personal reasons,” Perrin said. “They plan ahead and they work to earn all of their credits before the end of the semester. Six of the graduating students were RTHS students in the Class of 2023, two were ReStart students through KEC and one was at Chana. Two were in our FLEX program held after school and three were fifth-year students.”

Zick discussed ongoing disciplinary trends at RTHS. Zick said that, although there have been increases in cell phone usages and tardiness among students, there have been decreases in classroom disruptions as well as defiance and disrespect toward teachers. Zick also said that fewer kids have been cutting class. The focus for the second semester, Zick said, will be on limiting tardiness and cell phones as well as continued enforcement of dress code policies.

“The cell phone usage wasn’t a shocker but we’re trying to cut down on cell phones, especially in the classroom,” Zick said. “We have some students we’re working with to cut down on tardiness as well. I wanted to highlight our decreased instances of defiance, disrespect and disruption in the classroom as well as how students are cutting less class than they have in the past. We’re seeing more kids in the classroom as well as more kids staying in the classroom.”

Personnel

The board unanimously approved the resignation of Jonathan Sandoval (second-shift custodian) as well as the hiring of Carly Watson (paraprofessional), Meagan Stoops (substitute teacher), Gregory Ricketts (substitute as needed) and Jennifer Scholl (substitute as needed).

IHSA

Superintendent Jason Harper notified the board of a policy change implemented by the IHSA regarding homeschooled students participating in IHSA sanctioned athletic competitions. The IHSA approved a policy change in December that will require homeschooled students participating in IHSA sanctioned events to attend at least one class at the member school.

February

Harper notified the board that next month’s meeting will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 5:30 p.m. rather than Monday, Feb. 20 due to the upcoming Presidents’ Day holiday.