District Information

Queen Bee School District 16 is one of two elementary (PreK-8) school districts located in Glendale Heights, Illinois (see boundary map). Glendale Heights, approximately 25 miles west of Chicago, is situated in Northwest Dupage County and Bloomingdale Township. It is governed by a Board of Education, whose seven members are elected by the citizens in the community. The Board meets monthly in open business sessions at the Dr. James W. White Administrative Center on dates publicized locally. The AdministrativeCenter, which also houses the central office, is located in the lower southeast end of Glenside Middle School. In addition to the Superintendent of Schools, the Instructional Services, Business, and Special Services Offices are located in the Administrative Center

Early Childhood Centers are located at each of our primary school buildings and offer both Early Childhood and PreK At-Risk Programs. Students are screened for eligibility prior to enrollment. Screening sessions are posted and appointments are made through the Special Services Department, (630) 260-6132.

School District 16 has two primary grade level centers, Glen Hill Primary School and Pheasant Ridge Primary School, which serve all Regular and Special Education Early Childhood and PreK At-Risk through 3rd grade students. Glen Hill Primary School is located at 1324 Bloomingdale Road. The office phone number is (630)260-6141. Pheasant Ridge Primary School is located at 43 E. Stevenson Drive (1/2 block east of President Street). The office phone number is (630)260-6147.

Americana Intermediate School is located at 1629 President (across from the Glenside Public Library). The office phone number is (630)260-6135. The intermediate grade level center serves all 4th and 5th grade students.

Glenside Middle School is located at 1560 Bloomingdale Road. The office phone number is (630)260-6112. The Middle School serves the developmental needs of more than 700 young adolescents in grades 6, 7, and 8.

In addition to the regular education programs, schools provide special education, remedial reading and math, gifted education, speech, bilingual education, physical education, art and music. Parent-Teacher Organizations and parent volunteer programs are an integral part of each of the schools. District lunch supervision programs are also in operation and parents may choose to have their children eat at school.

We believe that the function of the school is to help each individual child acquire certain skills, knowledge and attitudes essential for effective living. To do this, we must provide the maximum mental, emotional, physical, moral and social growth. The programs of instruction, guidance and direction must reflect consideration for the individual needs of each child and provide experiences that will give him/her an understanding and appreciation of his/her rights, opportunities and responsibilities.

With this understanding, the educational experience in District 16 is based upon the following premises. Individuals:
· are worthy of respect and dignity in a democratic society.
· deserve the opportunity to develop their talents and abilities in accord with their potential.
· learn at different rates and have different abilities.
· recognize self-discipline and the acceptance of responsibility as desired goals.
· seek knowledge both for practical application and intellectual development.

With this in mind, all students require:
· continuing instruction and practice in the academic skills in accord with their individual needs.
· guidance and direction in the application of acceptable social skills.
· the opportunity to be exposed to a variety of life experiences.
· effective resources for developing proper health and physical fitness patterns.
· provisions for emotional and psychological well-being.

School District 16 consists of grade level centers designed to accommodate the transitional periods from early childhood to young adulthood.

We believe the function of the primary school is to provide a developmentally appropriate instructional environment that fosters a positive social, emotional, and physical, as well as academic growth in primary age children. The program of instruction will provide a foundation in basic skills, while nurturing diverse student abilities in a highly motivational environment designed to enhance the child’s natural love of learning.

While realizing that this is a social and emotional period of transition, the function of the intermediate school is to create a unique educational bridge between the primary and middle school philosophies. Providing opportunities to not only build on the foundation initiated in the primary school, but also expand it to include fundamental skills required at the middle school will create this bridge. As such, the intermediate school will build on basic skills; extend the utilization of all relevant technologies; continue to encourage responsibility, the development of a healthy lifestyle, independent thinking and creative problem solving; and further develop positive peer and adult relationships.

In combining the humanistic approach of elementary school with the more departmentalized approach of high school, the middle school attempts to deal with adolescence as a unique interval in human development. As such, it is a time during which individuals are no longer children, but are not yet prepared to accept the responsibilities of adulthood. The middle school seeks to provide the skills and guidance necessary for proper academic and social development during this period of growth.

The mission of the Queen Bee Schools is to provide a quality education and to instill in children the love of learning and the desire to succeed to their fullest potential. The mission is built upon a set of beliefs about elementary education. We believe:

· children have a right to a comprehensive education which addresses their needs and enables them to develop to their greatest potential.
· a child’s education should be an enjoyable experience which instills a lifelong desire to learn.
· continuing staff development is imperative for a quality education.
· effective education requires an informed partnership among the district staff, school board and community.
· the classroom teacher is the most important contributing factor to a child’s educational growth.
· in supporting quality educational programs while insuring fiscal responsibility.
· children require experiences which develop the appropriate attitudes and values necessary for living in a democracy and generating an awareness of global interrelationships.
· children and staff have the right to learn and work in a pleasant, safe and orderly environment.
· children must be provided the opportunity to develop self-esteem and self-confidence.

As a result of their educational experience, students of Queen Bee School District 16 will be:

· Effective Communicators: who can express themselves in a variety of ways appropriate for a technological society.
· Complex Thinkers: who independently and collaboratively apply effective problem solving strategies as they relate to practical and theoretical situations.
· Responsible Citizens: who promote and exhibit practices and attitudes, which support policies that enhance the quality of life in our multicultural, interdependent world.
· Ethical Persons: who display qualities the community values including caring and respect for others, honesty, integrity, loyalty, and fairness.
· Self-Directed Learners: who take responsibility for their own learning and seek to improve themselves through risk-taking, perseverance, and self-assessment.
· Quality Workers: who take pride in generating high quality products, services, and performances through independent actions and teamwork.
· Health Conscious Individuals: who are aware of the principles of emotional, physical and social well being.