Every year, school districts have the opportunity to reach out to different corporations and businesses to earn equipment, materials, and even cash, to help fund projects that the school may not have otherwise had the resources to do so.  Over the years, the Dixon Public Schools have used some of these opportunities that the corporations and business have provided.  For example, Washington Elementary’s Physical Education department has been a part of the Box Top$ for Education and Campbell Soups Labels for Education for many years.  Through these two programs, Washington’s PE Department has been able purchase equipment and materials for the students.  At the beginning of the 2012-2013 school year, Washington was able to purchase new equipment using the cash that was received through the Box Tops For Education Fund.  This money purchased new basketballs, hula hoops, poly spots, floor tape, bean bags, soccer balls, and more equaling over $500.  From the Box tops that Washington’s PE department received last year, it will be receiving a check for just over $1,400.  With these funds, Washington Physical Education is able to replace equipment and add new equipment for our students.  One of the goals of Washington’s Physical Education department is to replace the current basketball hoops with adjustable ones that will meet the needs of the Kindergarten and first grade students that attend the school and meet the needs of any organization that would use our facilities for basketball whether it be young or older student youth programs.

This Year Washington has begun two new programs to raise cash for education.  These programs will be used in other areas outside of the Physical Education Department.  These new programs are the Prairie Farms Cash for Caps and the Tyson Project A+.   The Prairie Farms cash for caps give 5 cents per cap and the Tyson Project A+ give 24 cents per label.   It may only seem like a few cents, but this money really starts adding up and really helps our schools.  You can contact your child’s school to find out what programs they are currently participating in.  Whatever school that you drop off the participating labels and caps to, will use the money for their school.

There are points associated with virtually EVERY product you use on a daily basis.  Why not clip the labels to help support our schools and get them additional resources.

Washington Elementary is currently participating in:

Box Tops for Education:  www.boxtops4education.com
Campbell’s Labels for Education: www.labelsforeducation.com
Tyson Project A+: www.projectaplus.tyson.com
Prairie Farms Cash for Caps: www.swissvalley.com/consumer/cashforcaps.cfm

 For more information please visit the company’s website provided above or stop in and grab an information sheet located by the posters across from the Washington Office to find out what products you may already  have in your pantry that could earn points.

Dixon Public Schools has rescheduled the open computer lab dates to participate in the 5Essentials Parent Survey.  As a reminder, this survey was designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your child’s school. As a parent, this opportunity will allow you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness in a survey about your child’s school.

You are also able to access this survey online at home by going to https://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/.

March 18, 2013- RMS Lab (enter through door #1) – 4:30-6:00 pm

March 19, 2013 – DHS Lab 120 (enter through the cafeteria doors) – 4:30-6:00 pm

For more information about the Illinois 5Essentials Survey, or to view sample school reports, please visit https://illinois.5-essentials.org. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at (815) 284-7722 ext. 5107 or e-mail me your questions at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

JOINT PRESS RELEASE
MARCH 13, 2013 at 2:05 a.m.

The Dixon Public Schools Board of Education and Dixon Education Association are pleased to announce that at 1:40 a.m., Wednesday morning, the parties reached agreement on a four-year contract.  Both students and teachers will return to school on Wednesday, March 13th and begin ISAT testing by the end of this week.  

The specific details of the contract will be made available after the teachers ratify and the Board approves the tentative agreement.  The DEA plans to ratify the agreement on Monday, March 18th and the Board of Education will approve the agreement at its March 20th meeting.

The Board and DEA affirmed that with this strike now being resolved, it is time for the parties to put any disagreements behind them and move forward in a positive direction for the benefit of the students, parents and community.

“With the assistance of the federal mediator, both parties worked hard to find creative solutions to resolve the outstanding issues,” said Sandi Sodergren-Baar, President of the DEA.  “We are confident that the settlement is the best one for our schools and will keep the District moving forward,” said Tom Balser, Board President.