KJHS Track practice will be from 3:30-5:00 today, Friday, March 20 at the track.
The KJHS Spirit Week begins on Monday!
There will be no KJHS Track practice today, Tuesday, March 17. Practice will begin tomorrow, Wednesday, March 18 from 3:30-5:00 in the KJHS Gym. Stay safe and warm again today!
Due to weather conditions, there will be no KJHS Track practice today, Monday, March 16. Practice will begin tomorrow, Tuesday, March 17 from 3:30-5:00 in the KJHS Gym. Stay safe and warm today!
Good morning! Here is this week's KJHS Newsletter - https://app.smore.com/n/t69fk. Thanks for taking a couple minutes to check it out. I hope you didn't put your snowblower and shovel away yet!!
Message from the Superintendent
The Knoxville Community Unit School District will soon embark on a new era. In August of 2023, the district architect at the time performed what is called a “Ten Year Health and Life Safety Survey”. These surveys, as the name indicates, are state mandated every ten years to ensure that public schools maintain healthy and safe environments for students. These inspections cover every inch of the buildings and often bring to light issues that teachers and administrators don’t know or think about. Buildings can be “grandfathered” to code changes based on their age and purpose. It is important for districts to maintain and keep their buildings in great shape - there is seldom, if ever, a greater one time investment for a school district than its physical buildings.
Mable Woolsey Elementary School was built in 1962 to serve the community of Knoxville. At the time, the district also was home to the Gilson Elementary, Delong Elementary, Appleton Elementary, and at some point Raymond Marquith Elementary schools. All of those buildings are long since off the district’s roll. Realize too that Mable Woolsey was built at a time when 2 electrical outlets and air conditioning in a room were “extras”. There was no internet to communicate with parents, staff, and the world. There were only a handful of special education spaces needed, We had no full time nurse, counselors, or interventionists. The building went through several updates and transformations with the original kindergarten addition taking place at the end of its first decade, the West end kindergarten/media center addition in 2001, and the addition of the East end 4th grade wing in 2009. As great and functional as those additions were at the time, they too have reached peak potential in many ways.
Upon completion of the inspection, a 10 year survey amendment was filed with the Illinois State Board of Education. That amendment lists all of the work items/violations of code and attaches an estimated cost. Upon the filing in August of 2023, Mable Woolsey Elementary needed a facelift to the tune of $14,000,000. Items on the list are ranked into 3 categories based on how urgent they need to be completed. Many of the items were obligated to be completed within 5 years. So, if no items were to be addressed at all, the district would be expected to close the building at the beginning of the 2029-2030 school year.
Given the amount of major items within that list, the administration and the board at the time realized that putting that kind of money into an already aging building wouldn’t avoid another huge price tag after the next 10 years were up. So, the district responsibles sought to find a way to replace our outdated and suffering elementary fixture. She served us well, but her time to retire is soon upon us. Over the last year, the board has met with architects, construction managers, financiers, teachers and staff to determine what the best course of action might be for the future of Knoxville Elementary students.
In short, the Knoxville CUSD 202 is going to build a new school building and demolish the Mable Woolsey Elementary School. Over the next few weeks, we’ll share with you the steps and processes that the administration and board have gone through to begin to make this concept of replacement a reality. We’ll then show you what decisions have been made and where we stand in the design phase of this project as well as how it will impact the community and the taxpayer. Finally, we’ll lay out the timeline for construction and how the students will be introduced into their new spaces.
The Knoxville Community Unit School District will soon embark on a new era. In August of 2023, the district architect at the time performed what is called a “Ten Year Health and Life Safety Survey”. These surveys, as the name indicates, are state mandated every ten years to ensure that public schools maintain healthy and safe environments for students. These inspections cover every inch of the buildings and often bring to light issues that teachers and administrators don’t know or think about. Buildings can be “grandfathered” to code changes based on their age and purpose. It is important for districts to maintain and keep their buildings in great shape - there is seldom, if ever, a greater one time investment for a school district than its physical buildings.
Mable Woolsey Elementary School was built in 1962 to serve the community of Knoxville. At the time, the district also was home to the Gilson Elementary, Delong Elementary, Appleton Elementary, and at some point Raymond Marquith Elementary schools. All of those buildings are long since off the district’s roll. Realize too that Mable Woolsey was built at a time when 2 electrical outlets and air conditioning in a room were “extras”. There was no internet to communicate with parents, staff, and the world. There were only a handful of special education spaces needed, We had no full time nurse, counselors, or interventionists. The building went through several updates and transformations with the original kindergarten addition taking place at the end of its first decade, the West end kindergarten/media center addition in 2001, and the addition of the East end 4th grade wing in 2009. As great and functional as those additions were at the time, they too have reached peak potential in many ways.
Upon completion of the inspection, a 10 year survey amendment was filed with the Illinois State Board of Education. That amendment lists all of the work items/violations of code and attaches an estimated cost. Upon the filing in August of 2023, Mable Woolsey Elementary needed a facelift to the tune of $14,000,000. Items on the list are ranked into 3 categories based on how urgent they need to be completed. Many of the items were obligated to be completed within 5 years. So, if no items were to be addressed at all, the district would be expected to close the building at the beginning of the 2029-2030 school year.
Given the amount of major items within that list, the administration and the board at the time realized that putting that kind of money into an already aging building wouldn’t avoid another huge price tag after the next 10 years were up. So, the district responsibles sought to find a way to replace our outdated and suffering elementary fixture. She served us well, but her time to retire is soon upon us. Over the last year, the board has met with architects, construction managers, financiers, teachers and staff to determine what the best course of action might be for the future of Knoxville Elementary students.
In short, the Knoxville CUSD 202 is going to build a new school building and demolish the Mable Woolsey Elementary School. Over the next few weeks, we’ll share with you the steps and processes that the administration and board have gone through to begin to make this concept of replacement a reality. We’ll then show you what decisions have been made and where we stand in the design phase of this project as well as how it will impact the community and the taxpayer. Finally, we’ll lay out the timeline for construction and how the students will be introduced into their new spaces.
All buses will be on time, as an additional driver has been secured. Buses are back on schedule for drop off this afternoon! Thanks and Have a great weekend!
Please see the following changes to our upcoming lunch menu.
Tuesday, March 17th - Spaghetti w/ Marinara Sauce
Wednesday, March 18th - Garlic Cheese French Bread Pizza
Tuesday, March 17th - Spaghetti w/ Marinara Sauce
Wednesday, March 18th - Garlic Cheese French Bread Pizza
Good luck to Jetson Young, Jameson Quinn, and Zander Caudron as the compete today at the IESA State Wrestling Meet. Let's go boys - Go Big Blue!!
Due to the potential for severe weather this evening, the KJHS Scholastic Bowl match at Alwood has been postponed.
Good afternoon! Here is this week's KJHS Newsletter - https://app.smore.com/n/t69fk. Just a reminder that yearbook orders are now being accepted - don't forget to order! I've also included next year's school calendar in the newsletter. Thanks for taking a couple minutes to read through this week's edition and have a great weekend!
The KJHS 7th Grade Volleyball team heads to Rockridge tonight for an IESA Regional Championship game against the Orion Chargers. The game begins at 5:30 pm in the high school/south gym at Rockridge Jr/Sr High, 14110 134th Ave W, Rockridge, IL 61284. Spectators should park in the South lot near the baseball field and enter through Door #1. Good luck and Go Big Blue!!
The KJHS Scholastic Bowl team and 7th Grade Volleyball team are both in action tonight. Scholastic Bowl hosts United at KJHS in a non-conference showdown with the Red Storm. The meet begins at 4:00 pm. 7th Grade Volleyball, meanwhile, heads to Rockridge for a Regional Semifinal Matchup with the Mercer County Golden Eagles. The game begins at 5:30 pm in the high school/south gym at Rockridge Jr/Sr High, 14110 134th Ave W, Rockridge, IL 61284. Spectators should park in the South lot near the baseball field and enter through Door #1. Good luck and Go Bullets!!
Good afternoon! Here is this week's KJHS Newsletter - https://app.smore.com/n/t69fk. Please take a minute to check out all of the different registrations, sign ups, and order forms throughout the newsletter. Have a great weekend!
The 21st CCLC after school program offered by the Regional Office of Education has been CANCELLED for Wednesday March 4th and Thursday March 5th.
Any KJHS students planning to attend will need to make other arrangements.
Thank you!
KJHS Wrestling is hosting an IESA Regional tournament tomorrow, Saturday, February 28 at Knoxville High School. Matches will be held in the main gym at KHS. Doors open at 8:00 am and wrestling will begin at 9:00 am. Entry fee is $10 per person ages 5 and up. Please note that this is set by the IESA, not the school. If you are free, come on out and cheer our wrestlers on. Go Bullets!!
The KJHS Volleyball teams host Kewanee tonight in their final matches of the regular season. Come on out and cheer our Bullets on as we take on the Steamers. The 7th grade game begins at 5:30 pm. Good luck and Go Big Blue!!
The KJHS Scholastic Bowl and Volleyball teams head to Monmouth-Roseville for conference matchups with the Titans. All events will be held at Monmouth-Roseville Junior High, 200 E Gossett St, Roseville, IL 61473. The Scholastic Bowl meet begins at 4:00 pm and the 7th grade volleyball game starts at 5:30 pm. Good luck kids - Go Bullets!!
Good afternoon! Here is this week's KJHS Newsletter - https://app.smore.com/n/t69fk. Thanks for taking a few minutes to read through all of the information. Have a great weekend!!
KJHS Scholastic Bowl and Volleyball both are in action tonight, hosting Orion in conference matchups with the Chargers here at KJHS. Scholastic Bowl begins at 4:00 pm, while the 7th grade volleyball game begins at 5:30 pm. Please note - there will be NO concessions tonight. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience. Good luck and Go Big Blue!
