...Better Schools Better Citizens

1. District Information Mentor Program Wages/Benefits Class Sizes/Enrollments Our Campuses Extracurricular Co-Curricular Application Technology Visit Us on the Web ...Better Schools Better Citizens Andrew Larson– Superintendent Mary Hettinger – Asst. Superintendent Junior High Principal Phil Morrison – High School Principal Tim Gateley – Asst. Principal - UHS Janet Ellis Nelson – Unity West Principal – Asst. Principal Laura Fitzgerald – Unity East Principal Cindy Keller Higgins– Special Education Director

2. Community Unit School District #7, also known as Unit Seven Schools, is a district that services preschool through twelfth grade. The school district covers 173 square miles and fulfills the educational needs for the communities of Tolono, Philo, Sidney, Sadorus, and Pesotum. In August of 2002, we opened the doors to three new schools Unit East Elementary with a student enrollment of approximately 300, housing students from Sidney and Philo; Unity West Elementary with a student enrollment of approximately 400, housing students from Pesotum, Sadorus, and Tolono; and Unity Junior High with a student enrollment of approximately 200. The total cost of our new facilities was 21 million dollars for 156,414 square feet of educational space. Along with our existing high school, we now have four schools instead of seven. Unit Seven Schools provide a comprehensive curriculum for grades K-12. Pre-school and early childhood programs are available to further the developmental needs of three, four, and five year old children. A full day program is available to the five-year-old entering kindergarten. District Information Andrew Larson– Superintendent Mary Hettinger – Asst. Superintendent Junior High Principal Phil Morrison – High School Principal Tim Gateley – Asst. Principal - UHS Janet Ellis Nelson – Unity West Principal -Asst. Principal Laura Fitzgerald – Unity East Principal Cindy Keller Higgins– Special Education Director

3. Our program goals: • To encourage the sharing of information by fostering a climate of support and guidance. • To support teacher improvement through continual professional growth and development. • To encourage collaboration. • To make first year teachers feel welcome, secure, and part of the Unity Team. • To ensure success in the first year teachers by assisting them in improving all areas of their instructional effectiveness • Our program features: • A one day orientation for all new teachers with their mentors and administrators prior to school beginning. • Mentor teachers appointed who work and offer support to first year teachers for the entire year. • Monthly meetings with building principal and mentor. • Faculty handbook to provide basic information about building and district. Mentor Program The first year of teaching is a critical time for informing, supporting, and nurturing. The Unity Mentorship Program provides a mentor for all new teachers to the District. Andrew Larson– Superintendent Mary Hettinger – Asst. Superintendent Junior High Principal Phil Morrison – High School Principal Tim Gateley – Asst. Principal - UHS Janet Ellis Nelson – Unity West Principal – Asst. Principal Laura Fitzgerald – Unity East Principal Cindy Keller Higgins– Special Education Director

4. Teacher Salary & Benefits • Competitive salary and benefits package • Board paid for single health, major medical, and hospitalization • Option for annuity plan instead of board paid health insurance • Optional Dental plan available at reduced cost to families • Increasing percentage of Board paid contributions to Illinois Teacher Retirement System totaling 100% by 2006-07 school year • Paid sick and personal days • Extensive district-sponsored and campus sponsored professional growth opportunities tailored to needs of faculty and students • Collaboration with surrounding colleges and universities for implementing research based best teaching practices • Course credit reimbursement for pre-approved courses • People and resources to help teachers succeed • Extensive athletic and extra-curricular employment opportunities • Modern facilities, equipment and technology suited for teaching and learning Salary and Benefits Andrew Larson– Superintendent Mary Hettinger – Asst. Superintendent Junior High Principal Phil Morrison – High School Principal Tim Gateley – Asst. Principal - UHS Janet Ellis Nelson – Unity West Principal – Asst. Principal Laura Fitzgerald– Unity East Principal Cindy Keller Higgins– Special Education Director

5. Class Size / Enrollments Average Class Sizes Kindergarten – 20.2 Grade One – 17 Grade Three – 21.5 Grade Six – 19.6 High School – 18.3 Enrollments Unity East Elementary School – 336 – including Pre-K Unity West Elementary School - 486 Unity Junior High School - 212 Unity High School - 475 Andrew Larson– Superintendent Mary Hettinger – Asst. Superintendent Junior High Principal Phil Morrison – High School Principal Tim Gateley – Asst. Principal - UHS Janet Ellis Nelson – Unity West Principal – Asst. Principal Laura Fitzgerald – Unity East Principal Cindy Keller Higgins– Special Education Director

6. Our Campuses Unity High School Classroom Rocket Center Inside Outside Unity Junior High School Computer Labs Classrooms Cafeteria Unity East Media Center Classroom Gym Unity West Gym Classroom Playground In August of 2002 we opened the doors to three new schools Unit East Elementary with a student enrollment of approximately 300, housing students from Sidney and Philo; Unity West Elementary with a student enrollment of approximately 400, housing students from Pesotum, Sadorus, and Tolono; and Unity Junior High with a student enrollment of approximately 200. The total cost of our new facilities was 21 million dollars for 156,414 square feet of educational space. Along with our existing high school, we now have four schools instead of seven. Andrew Larson– Superintendent Mary Hettinger – Asst. Superintendent Junior High Principal Phil Morrison – High School Principal Tim Gateley – Asst. Principal - UHS Janet Ellis Nelson – Unity West Principal – Asst. Principal Laura Fitzgerald – Unity East Principal Cindy Keller Higgins– Special Education Director

7. Extra Curricular Activities Unity Junior High is a member of the IESA and offers the following: Boys and Girls Basketball, Boys and Girls Cross Country, Girls Volleyball, Boys and Girls Track and Field, Wrestling, and Baseball. Unity High School is a member of the IHSA and offers the following: Football, Soccer, Girls Volleyball, Boys and Girls Cross Country, Wrestling, Boys and Girls Basketball, Boys and Girls Track and Field, Baseball, Softball, Cheerleading, and Dance. Community Sports include the following: Youth Football, Wrestling, Soccer, Basketball and Park District Baseball and Softball. Andrew Larson– Superintendent Mary Hettinger – Asst. Superintendent Junior High Principal Phil Morrison – High School Principal Tim Gateley – Asst. Principal - UHS Janet Ellis Nelson – Unity West Principal – Asst. Principal Laura Fitzgerald – Unity East Principal Cindy Keller Higgins– Special Education Director

8. Co-Curricular Activities Unity Junior High offers the following: Student Council, Spirit Club, Yearbook Club, a Musical through Chorus, Plays through Drama Club, Jazz Band, along with four dances during the year, sponsored by Student Council. Unity High School offers the following: Art Club, Biology Club, German Club, NHS, Pep Club, Rocket Yearbook Club, Scholastic Bowl, Spanish Club, FFA, Band, Chorus, Student Council, Drama Club, Math Contest, Chess Club, and FCCLA. Andrew Larson – Superintendent Mary Hettinger – Asst. Superintendent Junior High Principal Phil Morrison – High School Principal Tim Gateley – Asst. Principal - UHS Janet Ellis Nelson – Unity West Principal – Asst. Principal Laura Fitzgerald – Unity East Principal Cindy Keller Higgins– Special Education Director

9. Technology Unit Seven Schools is working hard to foster life-long learning. It is the belief of our district that technology should play a key role in the education of our students. A new wireless wide area network, a new student information software, digital/on-line grade book and attendance, district e-mail service, and a district technology committee are all areas that Unit Seven has embraced to improve and expand. We feel that technology is a tool for instruction and are willing to provide staff development to integrate various technologies into our curriculum. Andrew Larson– Superintendent Mary Hettinger – Asst. Superintendent Junior High Principal Phil Morrison – High School Principal Tim Gateley – Asst. Principal - UHS Janet Ellis Nelson – Unity West Principal – Asst. Principal Laura Fitzgerald – Unity East Principal Cindy Keller Higgins– Special Education Director Students using the wireless, laptop lab

27. Come Visit Our Schools www.unitsevenschools.com www.unityrockets.com www.ujhs.com www.unityeastelementary.com www.unitywestelementary.com