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McHenry County News DISPLAY ADVERTISING & CLASSIFIEDS: 815-654-4850 • CIRCULATION: 815-654-4854 • E-MAIL: McHenryNews@RVPublishing.com 11512 N. 2nd ST. • MACHESNEY PARK, IL 61115
VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 9
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2018
OWC helps WHS students cover AP exam costs District 200 high school students are offered a tremendous opportunity to advance their education and bank college credit by taking Advanced Placement exams, and even more students can take advantage of that benefit thanks to one local business. Other World Computing in Woodstock has donated more than $20,000 over the last several years, which allows Woodstock High School students who might have difficulty affording the $94 testing fee to enter AP classes to take those exams without that concern. WHS Principal Justin Smith said students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the AP course and subsequent exam options not only to push themselves academically, but because of the financial benefits of obtaining transferable college credit while still in high school. “In the last few years we have seen a substantial increase in the number of additional students who are challenging themselves by taking AP classes. This is a great opportunity for our students to experience college level course work while still in high school and helps students make a successful transition to college,” Smith said. Smith said some students take as many as five AP exams, which is a significant cost for many families.
He said OWC’s contributions over the years has been greatly appreciated and allowed many students to take additional exams that otherwise might have been out of reach. OWC President Jen Soulé said her company wanted to make certain that the cost of AP testing, which the school district does not control, wasn’t a barrier for any students who wanted to better themselves academically. The company specifically pays for fees in STEM AP courses such as calculus, physics, statistics, computer programing and environmental science. “Supporting these young men and women is investing in the future and OWC’s mission also focuses on the future,” Soulé said. “We can’t wait to see what how these programmers, inventors, engineers, researchers and scientists of the future will impact the world.” Smith said students who pass the AP exams with a score of 3 or higher are guaranteed to earn college credit at Illinois public university, which is also widely accepted at most universities and colleges across the United States. Students are always encouraged to use the College SUBMITTED PHOTO McHenry County News Board,¨Search for Credit Policies¨ to determine whether successful honor Other World Computing in Woodstock has donated more than $20,000 over the last several years, scores will be accepted at each col- which allows Woodstock High School students who might have difficulty affording the $94 testing fee to enter AP classes to take those exams without that concern. lege and university.
Art Vallicelli tapped as new WHS principal Veteran former teacher and administrator Dr. Art Vallicelli has been selected as the new principal at Woodstock High School. Vallicelli has been an assistant principal at WHS since 2013 and previously taught English since 2005. His first two years of teaching were Art Vallicelli at Bernotas Middle School in Crystal Lake. “We are excited to hire Dr. Vallicelli as the principal at Woodstock High School; he will continue to ensure an excellent experience for our students,” said Dr. Mike Moan, Woodstock Community Unit School District 200 Superintendent. The Woodstock Community Unit School District 200 Board of Education approved the promotion at its Feb. 13 meeting. Vallicelli will replace Dr. Justin Smith who recently accepted a new District 200 position as assistant superintendent for middle school and high school education. Vallicelli was chosen from a strong pool of candidates in a process that engaged over fifty members of the District 200 and Woodstock HIgh School Community including staff, administration, parent, and student representation. Vallicelli earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Illinois and his doctorate in curriculum leadership from Northern Illinois University in 2012. “One thing I’m looking forward to is working with an incredible student body and supportive families and parents,” Vallicelli said. “Our kids do amazing work, and we need to continue developing whatever goals they have.” He’s also excited about working with a skilled staff and meeting the challenges that come with personnel changes that the years have brought and will continue to bring. “We’re having a turnover of excellent veteran teachers, but we’re bringing in a lot of new and vibrant teachers who bring great energy and skills,” he said. “We’ve got a great blend of ex-
tremely talented staff at different points in their careers.” Vallicelli said his English teaching experience ranged from remedial readers to AP honors students, which has given him a broad perspective of the spectrum across the school. While Vallicelli has been on the school’s literacy, class size and technology committees among many other responsibilities, he also headed the high school’s Freshman Academy, which helps the youngest students at WHS make that big transition, whether they need after school tutoring or other guidance. “The research says grade nine is the pivotal year. The kids who have a good freshman year go on to have a successful high school career,” he said. He also developed and supervised requirements for the school’s Cum Laude program, which takes attributes such as citizenship and character — more than just grades — into consideration. “It’s a comprehensive award, and it doesn’t just cover one aspect of a student’s effort,” said Vallicelli. Vallicelli said he also believes that WHS needs to continue pushing students on technical skills while balancing that with making sure they also grow in their maturity and ability to interact with staff and their peers beyond screens. “We’re in a digital age, and as a whole, schools tend to lag behind. D200 has made this a priority, and I agree. I want to make sure our kids are ready with 21st Century skills, not 20th Century skills. I think that’s very important,” he said. Vallicelli, 38, is married with three children and originally from Elmhurst. He will earn a salary as principal of $134,000. Dr. Justin Smith congratulated Vallicelli on his promotion and said WHS is in good hands. Smith also said he’s excited about his new assistant superintendent role with District 200. “District 200 is a truly special place with an outstanding staff, supportive parents, and creative students. I look forward to the opportunity to work with our middle and high schools on their curricular innovations, 21st century skills, and college/career efforts,” he said.
Former ‘97 State Champ Mike Brasile hired as Blue Streaks head football coach Mike Brasile might have been wearing purple for the last four years, but there is no question that the 1997 State Champion Blue Streak two-way lineman bleeds blue. Brasile was hired as Woodstock High School’s new head football coach Mike Brasile upon the Feb. 13 approval of the Woodstock Community Unit School District 200 Board of Education. “I am very excited to have Coach Brasile come back home and lead our football program,” WHS Athletic Director Chris Kirkpatrick said. “His experience in running a quality program, and his firsthand knowledge of the tradition of Woodstock football are just a few of the things that he will bring to the program.” Brasile, who has been the head coach at Hampshire High School since 2014, said he and his family are excited about leading the Blue Streaks program next season. Brasile’s father Robert is a 1962 Woodstock High School grad and Mike has lived in Woodstock for 35 of his 37 years in Woodstock other than two years of graduate school in Colorado. Brasile and his wife Heidi, stepdaughter Anna and 3-year-old son Levi still call Woodstock home. The Board approved Brasile’s salary as a teacher at $51,597 with a football coaching stipend of $9,657. In addition his days as a star player, Brasile began his high school football coaching career at WHS. He was the freshman defensive coordinator in 2006 and joined the varsity staff as an assistant on playoff teams in 2007 and 2008 as a line coach and was offensive coordinator for three years including on the 2009 state semifinalist team. “That was an amazing experience. Being from Woodstock, I have a lot of pride in the community and the school itself. Once you’re
part of it, you take a lot of pride in it,” Brasile said. After two years at Leyden High School in Franklin Park, Brasile got his first head coaching job closer to home at Hampshire High School where he received the 2015 U.S. Marines Coaches Semper Fi Award following the success of his 2015 playoff team. Brasile said he has greatly enjoyed his time in Hampshire and reflected on the difference between being an assistant compared to taking on head coaching responsibilities. “As an assistant, you never really understand how much it consumes your mind and your life,” he said. After graduating from WHS in 1999, Brasile went to Ball State University on a football scholarship but eventually transferred to Augustana College where he had a successful four-year playing career. Brasile was one of the founders of the Woodstock Thunder youth football program and has always believed in the lessons that playing football can provide. “I believe the game of football is the ultimate in teaching hard work, perseverance and teamwork — Teaching those life lessons within the game,” he said. All WHS football players and parents are encouraged to attend a meet and greet event with Coach Brasile at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 27, in the WHS auditorium. Brasile said he hopes to continue the proud Blue Streak tradition and bring back the success. He expects to develop committed players who take accountability for their effort and expect that commitment from their teammates. “Success is never given. It’s only earned. That’s something I truly believe in,” he said. Brasile said he looks forward to preparing for the 2018 season and said he expects Blue Streak players to play a physical brand of football. ‘If you step onto Larry Dale Field, you’ll walk off knowing you played Woodstock.”