Ellis Middle School

Ellis Middle School
File:M.PNG
Location
225 South Liberty Street, Elgin, Illinois 60120 United States
Information
Type	Public School
Motto	"It's A Great Day To Be An Eagle!"
Established	1951
School district	School District U-46
Principal	Perry Hayes
Grades	7-8
Enrollment	Approximately 645
Color(s)	Red Gray
Mascot	Eagle
Website	Ellis Middle School

Ellis Middle School is continuing their... Tradition of Excellence! Ellis Middle School has continued it's tradition as a state award winning school. State Superintendent of Education, Dr. Chris Koch presented Ellis Principal Mr. Hayes with a certificate naming Ellis to the Illinois Honor Roll, a state program aimed at recognizing schools for continued academic progress. “Making the Illinois Honor Roll represents the hard work and dedication put forth in the classroom and at home everyday,’’ said Superintendent Koch. “It is an achievement that principals, teachers, parents and students should celebrate together.’’

Mission Statement

The mission of Ellis Middle School is to provide for the unique developmental needs of the early adolescent. We will foster an environment in which all students may reach their full potential academically, physically, emotionally, socially and culturally. We will promote academic achievement and the development of interpersonal skills necessary for success in a multi-cultural society.

History of Ellis

<schools.u-46.org/ellis>Ellis Middle School – originally called Ellis Junior High - was born out School District U-46’s need for additional classroom space in the years following World War II. Once confined largely to the city of Elgin, the system faced growing enrollments in the late 1940s, due not only to the postwar baby boom, but to state consolidation laws, which prompted it to annex a variety of smaller districts, primarily to the east and south. To meet this need, residents were asked to support two separate referendums, one in 1946 and the other in 1948. The first authorized the purchase of a north-end site and the second the purchase of a southea<schools.u-46.org/ellis><schools.u-46.org/ellis>st parcel and construction of the two schools. Both questions passed by wide margins, and a five-acre parcel was acquired for Ellis and a seven acre parcel for its twin Larsen. The price tag for each site was just over $60,000 while the amount allotted for the construction of each school was just over $1 million. Ground was broken for Ellis in 1950, and during construction, the building was named for prominent district staff member, Emmie U. Ellis. Ellis had served as an elementary principal and English department head at Elgin High School. What has been a strong resemblance between the buildings was due to the selection of the same architects - LeRoy W. Thompson of Chicago and Elmer Gylleck and Associates of Elgin. Working with a variety of local subcontractors, Ellis was built under the supervision of Lamp Construction Company. Incorporating advances not found in earlier counterparts, lockers were built flush to the wall, and doors were recessed to avoid swinging outward to the hall. The schools also include a "small theater" or auditorium, large gymnasium, library, and classrooms arranged in "core suites," which provide common storage and office space. Fluorescent lighting was installed in every room, and green chalkboards took the place of their black counterparts found in many older buildings. Though hopes were high for opening the buildings in the fall of 1951, postwar shortages combined with the scarcity of skilled labor, delayed the completion of each building. Priority was given to construction of classrooms, leaving other areas partially completed until the spring. "We held gym classes in the hall most of the year," noted Rhene Cassell, who served as Ellis ' first physical education teacher. Bill Horn, a student during Ellis’ first year added, "We had no bells at first. The main office secretary would step into the hall and blow a whistle to signal the end of a period." The new seventh- through ninth-grade junior high arrangement relieved the overcrowding at the district's elementary schools, which previously housed seventh- and eighth-graders. Elgin High School, then the district’s only high school, took on a new 10th- through 12th-grade configuration as well. A subject of community pride, both Ellis and Larsen were touted in a community publication promoting Elgin's "All American City" award in the mid-1950s. Chosen as principal at Ellis was Samuel Nicholas, former Elgin High School industrial arts teacher. A school in which principal tenure is longstanding, the school has only seen four other principals - Keith Sack, James Feuerborn, and Dave Smiley. The current principal Perry Hayes has been at the helm since 2001. In keeping with district-wide changes, the building was reconfigured as a middle school in 1982 with the district's move to four-year high schools. The change made available additional classroom which then housed the district's preschool program, previously housed at Columbia School. In the mid-1990s, Ellis was included in a district-wide effort to provide the latest in technology in all rooms, including computers with Internet and e-mail access, as well as television with cable TV access. A decade ago, both buildings were also retrofitted with air conditioning and a new heating and cooling system, as part of a district-wide program. What some view as the most significant educational change occurred in 2000 when a district-wide initiative resulted in the creation of what many call a true middle school program. Staff agreed to add an extra period to the day for reading, and create "cores," which allowed for most students to have the same five teachers for reading, English, social studies or U.S. history, science, and mathematics. "It took advantage of research, which tells us smaller communities of learners are better for this age group than the junior high model we used previously," said Ellis principal Perry Hayes. Ellis had a number of long-time staff members who have chosen to remain at the school for many years. Even after retirement, the Ellis staff has always been small and close-knit, say many veterans. Ellis saw an addition in 2003 that included eight classrooms, cafeteria and library expansion, and several offices. It also added an alumni courtyard which contains a number of engraved bricks bought by many students, staff, and alumni during the school’s 50th anniversary celebration. “Many staff and students have strong ties to the building and return to visit long after they have left, added Hayes. “Many people tell me time and time again that their time at Ellis was a very positive experience in their lives.”<schools.u-46.org/ellis>

No Excuses University

Ellis Middle School is going to College! Actually all of our students are learning more about how to be prepared for college through "No Excuses University". NEU is an idea that every student deserves the opportunity to be educated in a way that prepares them for college if they chose to attend. Ellis has been accepted into the "No Excuses University" program!!!

School Bell Schedule

1st Period

9:00 - 9:40

2nd Period

9:43 - 10:23

3rd Period

10:26 - 11:06

4th Period

11:09 - 11:49

5th Period

11:52 - 12:32

6th Period

12:35 - 1:15

7th Period

1:18 - 1:58

8th Period

2:01 - 2:41

9th Period

2:44 - 3:24

P.B.I.S (Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports)

The PBIS initiative is grounded in the concept that through the use of positive teaching and reinforcement strategies by ALL school staff, it is possible to reduce the use of reactive discipline such as trips to the office, suspensions, etc. PBIS may appear as 3 school-wide expectations that guide school behavior such as "Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Safe" P.B.I.S Video

Main Office

The main office is located on your left-hand side when entering through the upper Liberty Street entrance (Door number 12) and is located upstairs on the second floor if entering from the parking lot (Door number 9).

• Ms. Herrera is our Administrative Secretary.
  

She supports our Principal , Mr. Hayes, along with her many other responsibilities. She is in charge of scheduling substitutes and handles the daily finances. Her desk is located in the main office.

• Mrs. Downey is our Attendance Secretary.
  

She has the responsibility of daily attendance tracking and supports our Assistant Principal, Mr. Bolden. Her desk is in the office to the left of the main office.

• Ms. Ruiz is our Support Secretary.
  

She is responsible for providing support for all the main office personal and handles the ELL Department. Her desk is on your right when you enter the main office.

Teaching Staff

7th Grade

• Blue Core

    * Mrs. Fragoso- English
    * Mrs. Ingente- Math
    * Ms. Zombori- Reading
    * Mrs. Yee- Science
    * Mrs. Daufenbach- Social Studies

• Green Core

    * Mrs. Gutierrez- English
    * Mrs. Elwood- Math
    * Mrs. Swaback- Reading
    * Mrs. Majewski- Science
    * Mrs. McKee- Social Studies

8th Grade

• Red Core

    * Mrs. Kettner- English
    * Mrs. Brady- Math
    * Mrs. Wroten- Reading
    * Mrs. Kasper- Science
    * Mrs. Heinz- U.S. History

• Gray Core

    * Mrs. Huerta- English
    * Mrs. Brady- Math
    * Ms. Vazzana- Reading/ U.S. History
    * Mr. Velazquez- Science

Physical Education

    * Mr. Malek- Boys P.E.
    * Mr. Wilson- Boys P.E.
    * Mr. Gallo- Girls P.E.
    * Mrs. Reigner- Girls P.E.

Rotation

    * Mrs. Addams- Art
    * Mr. Holden- Band
    * Mr. Burau- Computers
    * Ms. Syzbeko- Choir/ Orchestra
    * Ms. Juenger- F.A.C.S
    * Mrs. Irizarry- P.L.T.W

Library

Monthly Class Visits for Students

• All students come to visit the library with their Reading or Spanish class about once every month. Books are checked out for four weeks also, but the dates may not always coincide exactly. It is the student's responsibility to get books returned on time. So...how do you do that and make sure your books are returned on time? On the days that the library is open you can always run in to return a book between class periods as you pass by the library. Or, for your convenience, there is a book return basket outside both library entrances.
  

Library Procedures

• Books may be checked out for four weeks at a time. If you think you will finish your book quickly, you may check out two-four books per visit. Please return books as you finish them instead of keeping them until your next class visit. Many books are very popular and have a long reserve list. Remember to check the stamped date inside your book so you can return your books on time!

Join me in my journey to read as many books in the Ellis Library as possible! Visit my Virtual Bookshelf at "Shelfari" to read reviews and comments about the books I have read from people around the country.

Dress Code

Dress Code PowerPoint

Student Handbook

Student Handbook 2013-2014

P.T.E (Parent and Teachers of Ellis)

P.T.E Website