Dr. Scott Helton, Principal
E-mail Dr. Scott Helton
August 2009
Welcome Back Students!
Here is hoping that you are rested and
ready for the 2009 – 2010 school year. I would like to thank the class
of 2010 for the leadership you have shown in the area of academic
engagement. Late last spring we were recognized by Newsweek Magazine as
one of the top schools in the United Sates of America. This summer we
were informed by the Illinois State Board of Education that we made
Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) and met the standards for the No Child
Left Behind legislation. Thanks for demonstrating BLAZER PRIDE
and taking academic engagement to another level.
We will maintain our focus on
personalizing the learning environment so that all students receive the
individualized attention necessary to help them Achieve at
The Highest Standards. We
continue to move forward with the construction phase of the “Building
The Future” project. A few of our highlights as we begin the year
include; the completion of a new classroom addition, the renovation of
our 2nd and 3rd floor science labs, upgrades to
the student cafeteria, new turf and bleacher upgrades in the athletic
stadium and a reconstructed student parking lot. During the year we
will access our new music wing and a renovated fitness center along with
enhancements in technology throughout the building. We are past the
halfway point in the project and I would like to thank you for your
patience and flexibility.
Please note that students will have to
enter the building through Door #1 (Door opens at 6:30 a.m.), Door #2
(Door opens at 7:15 a.m.) or Door #5 (Door opens at 7:15 a.m.). Once
first period starts, only Door #1 will be open. We also ask for your
patience and assistance in the drop off and pick up process. From 7:00
a.m. until 8:30 a.m. and from 1:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. no cars will be
allowed to enter the front driveway of the school (Buses only).
We will continue our work on improving
in the areas of safety and security. We have added security cameras to
high traffic areas within the building and the parking lot. We have
continued our work with a safety consultant, the A.T.H.S. Safety
Committee, the District 88 Safety Committee, and the Addison Police
Department to review our facility, policies, procedures and practices in
all areas related to student safety and security.
We will also be working diligently with
our custodial and maintenance staff to maintain a very clean
environment. Extra attention will be paid to cleaning surfaces
associated with frequent contact. We are adding hand-sanitizing units
to every classroom. We are also working very closely with the DuPage
County Health department as we monitor the H1N1 virus this year. A
proactive approach in prevention, planning and surveillance will be our
best defense. If a student is ill we ask that all symptoms be reported
to the attendance office so that we can tract influenza-like illnesses.
We ask that the student remain at home for 24 hours after they are free
of fever.
During the 2009 – 2010 school year we will continue our work with the
P.B.I.S. (Positive Behavior Intervention Systems – A.T.H.S. Attitude)
program and improve our network of care for students through our
Response to Interventions program. We will continue to focus on
improving student attendance as well. Please take a moment to review
our policy concerning electronic devices and cell phones. Cell phones
are to be “Off & Away During the Day”. Later this year, we will allow
students to bring in their own wireless devices. Please partner with us
to minimize disruptions and maintain an environment where students are
Academically Engaged and free of distractions.
With students, parents, staff,
administration, and community working together toward the same goal, we
will achieve great success.
With Blazer Pride,
Scott Helton, Ed. D. Principal
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