Mercer County
Golden Eagles
Mercer County Golden Eagles
Announcements
- Check out the new Athletic Booster Newsletter on the link to the left.
- The last day of student attendance is May 29th with a 1pm dismissal. Teacher work day is the day AFTER, May 30th, 2013. Schedules for the last week of school are up-to-date on the Activities Calendar and the individual building announcements.
- There will be an Awards Assembly at the Junior High on the 24th at 1:15pm.
- 8th Graders: There will be a mandatory meeting for parents/guardians and students going on the 2013 DC Trip on Wednesday May 22nd at 6pm at the Jr. High.
Monmouth College for Kids Transportation
Attention High School Students and Parents:
Paper copies of next year’s schedules for classes will not be distributed to students before the end of the school year. Schedules will become available on the parent/student portal by June 12th. If you need or have forgotten your portal Login you may email ksheese@mercerschools.org or scarey@mercerschools.org. Thank you and have a great summer!
Summer Meals Program
The USDA is sponsoring a meals program prepared and served by the Church of Peace at Apollo School. Lunch will be served from 12-12:30pm Monday through Friday June 3rd-July3rd at the following sites:
Apollo Elementary
New Boston Elementary
Junior High School in Joy
Seaton Presbyterian Church
There is no charge and anyone 1-18 years of age is welcome. There will be different menus each day.
Hope to see you this Summer!
For more information, please call the USDA at (202) 720-5964
Registration Prices
Registration fees for 2013-2014 are as follows:
High School - $80 (other class fees determined by schedule)
Drivers Education - $100
Parking Fee - $20
Junior High and Intermediate School - $57
Elementary Schools - $55
Meal Prices 2013-2014
Breakfast and lunch prices were increased 20 cents each. Milk was increased 5 cents per carton
Meal Prices for 2013-2014 are as follows:
Lunch (High School) $2.50
Lunch (K-8) $2.25
Breakfast (K-12) $1.40
Adult Lunch $3.05
Adult Breakfast $1.90
Milk $.40
Semester Milk $28
Kids and Animals Team up at Mercer County Farm Camp
Mercer County 2nd graders visited ACE Camp at the Fair Grounds (Ag Classroom Education). Click the link below for Channel 8's news story.
http://wqad.com/2013/05/07/kids-and-animals-team-up-at-mercer-county-farm-camp/
News from the Superintendent
With all of the discouraging news regarding reduced State funding, it is important to regularly remind ourselves of the good things happening in our District. The students, staff and community go above-and-beyond on a daily basis to maintain the excellence that defines our District’s educational program. Here are some highlights.
Academics
1. New Boston Elementary School was awarded the 2012 Illinois Spotlight Award. The award is given to schools that meet specified academic achievement criteria over a period of several years. This award is only given to schools where more than half of the students come from low-income homes. Statewide, only 105 schools were given the Spotlight Award.
2. Apollo elementary School was awarded the 2012 Academic Excellence Award. Like the Spotlight Award, schools must meet specified academic achievement criteria over a period of several years. Very few schools in western Illinois were given this award.
3. The high school curriculum offerings are broad and meet the needs of diverse learners. There are four Advanced Placement classes, two dual-credit classes, Spanish and French classes, and a full slate of agriculture and industrial arts classes offered. There is also a wide variety of visual arts classes available to the students.
4. Mercer County School District is well-known for its excellent fine arts program. The high school band has over 100 members. Students are able to demonstrate their skills through the high school’s jazz band, show choir, annual musical, annual play and art shows.
5. For several years, the junior high Science Explorers have qualified to go to the state Science Olympiad competition. Numerous individual and team awards have been won at these competitions. Similarly, high school students have participated in math and science competitions and have won various awards.
Athletics
1. In the spring of 2012, the Mercer County High School wrestling team placed 3rd at the team dual meet.
2. In the fall of 2012, the Mercer County High School football team won the state championship.
3. In the spring of 2013, the Mercer County High School wrestling team placed 2nd at the team dual meet.
4. Over the years, various members of the junior high and high school wrestling teams have been finalists and have won individual state championships.
5. The high school has a wide variety of extra-curricular activities including golf, cross country, scholastic bowl, and bass fishing.
6. The community has worked together to donate money, time and services to the school’s track renovation program. When finished, over one million dollars will have been donated toward the project’s completion demonstrating the support, selflessness and character of the community’s residents.
Finance
1. Over the past four years, the District has strengthened its cash reserves by over 1.7 million dollars. We now have 4.2 million dollars set aside in savings. This was done despite reduced and late payments from the State of Illinois.
2. The Illinois State Board of Education has given Mercer County School District its highest financial profile rating. This rating of “recognition” is intended to identify the District’s financial strength and soundness.
3. In April of 2013, the voters of Mercer County overwhelmingly approved a one-percent sales tax measure that will annually generate several hundred thousand dollars for the school district.
Softball Summer Camp
Softball Camp for those who have completed 2-4th grade is May 30 - June 1st and 5th - 8th grade is May 29th - June 1st.
Mercer Carnegie Public Library District
Summer Reading Program 2013
Volleyball Camp
MCHS Summer Volleyball Camp for students entering grades 3rd-8th will be held from June 3-6, 2013.
New Boston Baseball/ Softball Sign up
Eliza Softball Sign up
Keithsburg Softball Sign up
Aledo Park Baseball Sign Up
Mitchell Warwick Golf Outing, Auction and Ribeye Dinner
Saturday, June 22nd, 2013
8:00am Tee Time
Limited to 72 foursomes!!!
Click Here for Golf Outing Flyer
2013 CHUTE CAMP
4th through 7th grade Basketball Chute Camp- June 5 & 6 at Rockridge.
High School Girls' Basketball Camp
The Mercer County High School girls' basketball program will conduct a basketball camp this summer. All girls entering 3rd thru 12th grades that are interested in learning and improving their basketball skills are encouraged to attend. Click the link below for more information.
Girls' Basketball Camp Registration Form
Common Core Standards
A link to the Common Core Standards has been added to the Curriculum tab to the left. You may also access the site below.
Exciting Announcement!
Two awards have been given to schools in our district by the Illinois State Board of Education. The Academic Excellence Award has been given to Apollo Elementary and the Spotlight Schools Award has been given to New Boston Elementary.
To earn an Academic Excellence Award, a school must meet the following criteria:
- Schools must have made Adequate Yearly Progress in 2011 and 2012.
- Ninety percent of students must have met or exceeded state standards in both reading and mathematics for the three most recent school years
The criteria for selecting Spotlight Schools are as follows:
- At least half the students enrolled are classified as low-income students in 2012.
- Schools must have made Adequate Yearly Progress for the last two years, 2011 and 2012.
- At least 60 percent of students must have met or exceeded standards in both reading and mathematics in 2012, and at least 50 percent of students met or exceeded those same standards in the two preceding years; 2011 and 2010.
Across the state, 454 schools earned the Academic Excellence Award. Only a few schools in western Illinois earned this award and no other school in our ROE received it. New Boston is one of 105 Spotlight Schools earning honors this year. You can learn more at http://www.ihonorroll.niu.edu
Sales Tax Presentation
Click on the link below for information presented by Stifel, Nicolaus & Co., Inc. on the 1% Sales Tax.
Community Forums Held
The Mercer County School District Board of Education held two community forums on October 3 & October 16 regarding the district’s financial situation. Information about the financial history of our district and the financial future of our district were discussed. A copy of the Forum handout can be viewed by clicking the link below.
Free and Reduced Meal Application 2012-2013
Letter to Households/ Income Guidelines 2012-2013
Participation Fee
Once again this year, there will be a participation fee for school sports. Payment of fees will be expected before the sport begins. Students will be required to pay $35 for a single sport, $50 for multiple sports, with a family cap of $150. (This excludes academic activities such as Swing Choir, Jazz Band, Science Olympiad, FFA activities, Summer Engineering Camp, and Scholastic Bowl) Families having difficulty paying these fees need to contact Athletic Director Nat Zunkel for assistance.
State of the District Report
On February 8th, the State of the District Report was presented to the Board of Education. The written report may be viewed by clicking on the link below.
State of the District Report