ISU’s Board of Trustees have approved the budget item calling for the renovation  of Stroud Auditorium! Please read the announcement from Laboratory School Superintendent Dr. Robert Dean for the exciting details!

The 2008-2009 school year is quickly approaching!  University High School has seen a lot of action this summer -- facility improvements, new faculty hired, and familiar faces in new roles.  Below are a few informational items for you that will assist you in starting the school year: 

Electronic door locks

Much like Metcalf, U-High will be gradually implementing an electronic door-locking system for its external doors over the first couple of months of the school year.  Once in place, the system will allow the school to be secure during all hours, but will also allow us the flexibility we need to keep the school accessible to students, parents, faculty, and visitors. Access to the school will eventually be as described below for the identified groups within the U-High community:

U-High students will access the school by using their school ID as a swipe card.  Therefore, carrying the student ID at all times will be extremely important for all U-High students.  Once we fully implement the system, we will designate a door or doors in which students will be able to access if they happen to be returning to the building from lunch or an appointment.

U-High and COE Faculty will access the school by using a fob, which can be read electronically. The fobs will be distributed before the school year begins, and faculty will have the opportunity to try the system out.

Parents/Visitors will access the school through the buzzer system outside the south doors off of the main parking lot once the system is fully implemented.  The U-High receptionist will give you access once she has identified you.

ISU students will access U-High via the south doors off the main parking lot using their ISU ID.

We will be working out the kinks in the system during the first few weeks of the school year, and will gradually work toward identifying the appropriate times to have doors secure, while designating the access needed for the groups described above.  U-High students and faculty, as well as ISU students, will have opportunity to practice using the system before it is completely implemented.  With everyone’s cooperation, we should be able to improve security and still maintain a high level of access.  Please continue to check our website for announcements regarding access to U-High.

Tech Center Renovation

Great strides are being made in our Tech Center, as the second floor is in place with walls for the classrooms framed up and the lower floor classroom frame is now visible.  We are excited about the progress of the Tech Center and are looking forward to its completion.  We hope to be able to begin using the first floor space by the end of August, with the finishing up of the second floor scheduled for near the end of September.  

New Faculty

We are pleased to announce the hiring of Karen Travis, who will be teaching Biology in the Freshman Program and Chemistry.  Mrs. Travis has six years of teaching experience at Havana High School, is certified in Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, and Zoology, and has her Masters Degree from Northern Illinois University.  Please welcome Karen to University High School!

New Coaches

Please welcome the following new head coaches to the University High School family:

Lieschen Grussing - Girls Golf

Harland Kilborn – Boys Golf

Roger Juers – Girls Tennis

Mike Sondgeroth – Girls Softball

.....from the desk of Jeff Hill, Principal