Mrs. Arlene Smolich Family and Consumer Science Teacher Early Childhood Education Preschool Program Director (630) 636-2158  -  Room 147 OSWEGO HIGH SCHOOL 4250 RT. 71 OSWEGO, ILLINOIS   60543 asmolich0223@oswego308.org   Fall 2009 Term 1   August-October Term 2   November-January Block 1 7:30-9:03 Early Childhood 1 (Preschool) Early Childhood 1 (Preschool) Block 2 9:10-10:40 Early Childhood 1 (Preschool) Early Childhood 1 (Preschool) Block 3 10:47-12:17 Planning Planning/Lunch 3B ISI Duty 11:17-11:47 Block 4 1:00-2:30 Early Childhood 1 (Preschool) Early Childhood 1 (Preschool)      Spring 2010 Term 3   January-March Term 4   April-June Block 1 7:30-9:03 Early Childhood 2 (Preschool) Early Childhood 2 (Preschool) Block 2 9:10-10:40 Early Childhood 2 (Preschool) Early Childhood 2 (Preschool) Block 3 10:47-12:17 Planning Planning Block 4 1:00-2:30 Early Childhood 1 (Preschool) Early Childhood 1 (Preschool)   "The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows."  -  Sydney J. Harris   November 2009 - A group of 10 administrators from the Chicago Public School System visited our Early Childhood Program to get ideas for their "Teaching Academy" and "Early Childhood Academy".  Thanks to seniors Andy Patton, Brandi Oswood, and Shannon Vokac for giving the visitors their student perspective and showing them their professional portfolios.  We`re VERY proud of how you represented yourselves, the Early Childhood Program, and Oswego High School!!!   GREAT NEWS!!!  April 2009 - In November of 2004, the Oswego School Board unanimously approved English Elective credit for our two advanced classes, Early Childhood 1 and Early Childhood 2.  This was based on 2 main criteria:  The classes meet 22 Illinois English Standards, and the teacher, Mrs. Arlene Smolich, is Highly Qualified in English based on No Child Left Behind guidelines. As part of the grant awarded last fall, we contacted several colleges and universities inquiring whether they would accept Early Childhood 1 and 2 as English Elective Credit for admission. We are happy to report that, thus far, 6 institutions will accept the credit as an English Elective: Eastern, Illinois State, Millikin, Monmouth, Northern, and the University of Illinois.  Thanks to Patti Marcinko, Director of Student Services, and Julie Pavlini, English Department Chairperson, for helping to facilitate this opportunity for our students.   November 2008 - Oswego High School`s Early  Childhood  Program  was  awarded  a  mini-grant for integrating Illinois English Standards into the curriculum.  Part of the grant will be used to purchase additional digital cameras for students to document work in their professional portfolios.   August 2008 - CONGRATULATIONS to 3 former OHS Early Childhood students who have been hired by Oswego School District #308.  Michelle Daly (Class of 2003) will be teaching 2nd grade at Southbury Elementary, Jenna Sheldon (Class of 2004) will also be at Southbury teaching all-day kindergarten, and Leigh Ann Metke (Class of 2004) will be teaching 5th grade at Grande Park Elementary.   July 2008 - Welcome to Ms. Patty Heidel, a senior from Northern Ilinois University, who will be student teaching with Mrs. Arlene Smolich and Mrs. Ann Rodman this fall.   April 2008 - CONGRATULATIONS to Meagan Smith, Marquie Wagner, Becky Weaver, and Jessica Williams who received qualifying scores on the State Preschool Teaching Written Exam.   On April 18, they competed in Springfield with the top 24 students from around the State.   1st Place in the State - Preschool Interactive Bulletin Board Jessica Williams and Meagan Smith, Oswego High School   2nd Place in the State - Preschool Interactive Bulletin Board Marquie Wagner, Oswego High School   Preschool Teaching: TOP TEN in the State of Illinois! 5th - Marquie Wagner;  6th - Becky Weaver 9th - Jessica Williams;  10th - Meagan Smith   January 2008 - Welcome to Ms. Kristin Kauzlarich, a senior from Eastern Ilinois University, who is student teaching with Mrs. Arlene Smolich and Mrs. Ann Rodman this spring.     OSWEGO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION STUDENTS THE BEST IN THE STATE AND NATION!   Heather Bannister, Class of 2006, proudly stood on the National Podium of Champions at the SkillsUSA Competition held in Kansas City, Missouri, June 19-23, 2006. At the awards ceremony held in the Kemper Arena, Heather captured first place in the NATION in the Preschool Teaching Competition.  She received the Gold Medal and shared the podium with 2nd and 3rd place students from Maine and Massachusetts.  Heather competed against first place winners from 26 states.    The journey to the National Competition began in February when students around the state took content-area written tests at one of eight locations in Illinois.  The top scorers advanced to the state competition where Heather took first place in the state of Illinois.  All first place state winners earned the opportunity to compete at the national level against other students who also placed first in their respective states.  Heather, who is currently attending Eastern Illinois University, was accompanied by her teachers and advisors, Mrs. Ann Rodman and Mrs. Arlene Smolich.   The Preschool Teaching Competition included a written test, book reading, transition activity, written  lesson  plan  based  on  standards  from  the  National  Association  for the Education  of  Young  Children,  and  execution  of the  lesson.  In the 2005 state competition, Oswego students swept the top three spots, taking 1st, 2nd,and 3rd places. Brittany Jacobs, Class of 2005, placed first in Illinois and then 3rd in the nation in the Preschool Teaching category.  Brittany has just returned from a 2nd mission trip to  Africa and is majoring in Children`s Ministry.     Oswego High School Early Childhood Education NATIONAL Champions Kansas City, Missouri   Student Champion Graduation Year Place Competition Heather Bannister 2006 1st Preschool Teaching Brittany Jacobs 2005 3rd Preschool Teaching   Oswego High School Early Childhood Education STATE Champions Springfield, Illinois   Student Champion Graduation Year Place Competition Heather Bannister 2006 1st Preschool Teaching Brittany Jacobs 2005 1st Preschool Teaching Amanda Curry 2007 1st Written Content Test Tammi Allen   2007 1st Preschool Interactive Bulletin Board Alicia Klein 2007 1st Preschool Interactive Bulletin Board Emily Demerath 2005 2nd Preschool Teaching Laura Hernandez 2006 2nd Preschool Interactive Bulletin Board Tess Prestage 2007 2nd Preschool Interactive Bulletin Board Jessica Sippel 2005 3rd Preschool Teaching   CONGRATULATIONS!