Utilizing blogs to get the word out

Schools action team focuses on tools for improvement

by Tara May

October 26, 2007 | Mundelein Review | Mundelein, Illinois

Originally published on Oct.18, 2007

A schools action team for the Mundelein area has set its sights on forming student study circles, creating a community blog and designing a school resource guide.

"We're looking at several opportunities to get our messages out to the community," said Tom Longfellow, a Mundelein resident and the team facilitator.

The schools action team is an offshoot of the Mundelein Community Study Circles, an effort to improve Mundelein schools as the village changes and grows.

During Phase 1 of the study circles, community leaders, residents, and teachers came together to discuss ways to improve Mundelein. During Phase 2, which began this month, the same people will begin to implement those ideas.

The improvements are separated into three categories: Community, school and communication.

The team has already drafted a schools resource guide, Longfellow said. The community's resource guide targets parents, whereas the schools guide is aimed at students.

"We came together at the October meeting and made changes and modifications, and we have a good draft in place," Longfellow said.

The schools action team is comprised of school administrators, teachers, students and community members.

Diamond Lake School Principal Beth Kiewicz, who is a member of the action team, said the study circle is a great way to bring together community ideas and resources.

"It's a great thing that can really help parents at any economic level," Kiewicz said. "It's been a nice conversation with the community."

The schools action team is also working to establish a student-centered study circle program, he added.

"The adults have their opinions, and those are valid, but the teenagers are the heart of the diversity in Mundelein," said Sarah Longfellow, Tom Longfellow's daughter and a member of the study circles. "We should get their opinions, too, as we go on."

The group hopes to have the first student study circle organized within a few weeks.

Mundelein High School sophomore Bethany Griffin said she thought it was a great opportunity for students to have their thoughts heard.

"It's great that we're actually getting a student voice," the 15-year-old said. "We can share our opinions on all the potential problems and problems that are going on, like racism and homophobia, and help find solutions."

The team also wants to begin diversity celebration for the schools, Longfellow said, but plans are just in the beginning stages.

Longfellow is also working to build a blog for the action team, which will be used both among the members and for the general public.

"Our mission is to get electronic, so we'll have a way of putting ourselves out there for the community," he said.

Anyone interested in participating in the study circle effort can contact Longfellow at .

http://www.pioneerlocal.com/mundelein/news/608316,Mu-SchoolAction-101807-s1.article

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