United CUSD 304 State of the U Report - March 2024
NEW DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT
On July 1, 2024 Mr. Tom Hawkins (L) will begin employment with the United CUSD 304 as District Superintendent. Mr. Hawkins is a lifelong Warren County resident and currently serves as the Jr-Sr High Principal at Galesburg High School. Mr. Hawkins was approved at a special meeting of the school board on February 29, 2024 and signed a 2 year contract with the district.
NEW JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Mr. Brian Higbee (L), long time Spanish teacher in the United and Yorkwood school districts will take over as United Jr-Sr High School Principal for the 2024-2025 school year. Mr. Higbee graduated from Warren High School. Mr. Higbee's first challenge - finding his replacement in the World Language classroom! Congratulations to Mr. Higbee.
NEW UNITED INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL (AND PRINCIPAL)
The 2024-2025 school year will mark the beginning of a new era at United in which a reorganization of grade levels will create a new structure. Newest to us all will be the formation of a building known as United Intermediate School that will house all district 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students. These students will inhabit what currently is used as United Jr-Sr High School.
NEW UNITED INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Mrs. Nicole Cole will be the first ever United Intermediate School Principal. Mrs. Cole is currently the Instructional Coach at United West Elementary School. A Yorkwood graduate, Mrs. Cole is excited to return to her roots and work with all of our upper elementary students. We're very excited for Mrs. Cole to lead our new building.
OTHER REORGANIZATION NEWS
United Intermediate School will host an open house/informational night on Thursday May 2 from 6-7 PM for all rising 4th, 5th, and 6th graders
United Jr High will host an informational open house on Wednesday May 22 at 6 PM at the United Jr-Sr High School for all incoming 7th, 8th, and 9th graders in the 24-25 school year.
PRE KINDERGARTEN CHANGES
Another major decision over the course of the winter months has been the determination that United will now house its own PreKindergarten classrooms as opposed to the state grant funded programs of the ROE. This decision will allow United to provide a PreK program without the parameters required to receive grant funds. Plans are in place for adjusted criteria for enrollment (i.e. - children must now be potty trained, and priority will be given to 4 year olds) as well as a new approach to PreK curriculum. Also new however, PreK students will pay for fees and meals unless they meet specific financial requirements. Our hope is that these changes will allow for students to truly prepare for Kindergarten in a way that jumpstarts our curriculum for each of their subsequent educational years.
Initial school screenings will take place this spring for all students entering PreK or Kindergarten. Students may screen at either location, but we appreciate attempts to screen at your expected attendance center.
West Elementary - April 18 from 3:45 PM - 6:30 PM Phone 309.734.8513 to schedule a screening
North Elementary - April 23 from 3:45 PM - 6:30 PM Phone 309.482.3332 to schedule a screening
Kindergarten Screenings - North May 7; West May 8 3:30-5 PM - Call for an appointment
Please Help Us Get Better
The Illinois State Board of Education offeres a survey of public schools - known as the 5 Essentials Survey. This survey offers parents and guardians of students the opportunity to complete survey information regarding their child's schools. The window to complete the survey will close on March 29, 2024. Visit survey.5-essentials.org/illinois and select Parent Survey