Westview Elementary School

Reading Buddies Program Pictures 10.19.07

Current Projects 2006-2007

This past January, hundreds of students at Westview Elementary School gathered in the gymnasium to see world-famous tap dancer, Reggio “The Hoofer” McLaughlin work his magic. The tap icon began his career dancing in the subways of Chicago shortly after he was introduced to the art form in 2^nd grade. After a presentation of his dance, Reggio led students in a hands-on lesson that culminated in students dancing to performance of “Hello, Dolly!”. After the show, dozens of panting, laughing students thronged the dancer for his autograph. Reggio’s visit to Westview was made possible by a grant by Fox Development Corporation.

Field Trips: Field trips are important educational tools, but too often with school budget cuts, such field trips are no longer a part of school curriculum. Fox Development Corporation feels that field trips play a vital role in hands-on, experiential learning. That is why this year, three lucky Westview teachers will be taking their students on field trips to Krannert Center's "The Starkeeper", Children's Discovery Museum in Normal, and Reggio "The Hoofer" McLaughlin who will be coming directly to Westview Elementary! The trips will occur between January and June of the 2006-2007 school year.

Kitchen Remodel: Long overdue for a remodeling, Westview Elementary School’s tiny 60 square foot kitchen serves as a coordination center each day at lunch time as staff members try to feed the school’s nearly 400 students with lunches brought in from another local school. The nearly 60-year old kitchen was showing major wear and tear and did not make the highest and best use of what limited space was available. The tiny facility was recently renovated through a grant from Fox Development Corporation, helping to make it more modern and efficient. Local businesses and Fox staff members came together to install new cabinets, countertops, and appliances.

Westview Summer Institute: In years past, the faculty at Westview Elementary School in Champaign all gathered just a day or two before the students arrived to get their classrooms ready and work on curriculum and class planning. The only time they had to get together as a team was prior to these days, where they had an unpaid retreat. That all changed this past August with a grant made by Peter and Kim Fox of Fox Development Corporation to fund a two-day, all-staff, paid faculty retreat called the Westview Summer Institute.
"Finally, we had the opportunity to get everyone at Westview on common ground and moving in the same direction," said Westview third grade teacher Sue Anderson. "The retreat gave us new life here at Westview."

Over the two-day retreat, teachers, cleaning personnel, staff support employees, and the principal gathered to study different learning styles, engage in teambuilding activities, and devise plans to create a more "community-oriented" Westview school population. "When you do the same thing year after year, you get too used to it – it loses its meaning," noted Anderson. "This retreat really revitalized us."

Their plans have caused a more engaged student population and a more focused faculty, all clearer on rules. New plans for the year include shifting school "assemblies" to "community meetings", complete with student recognition and awards, and school-wide participation in a "continent of the month" study. "Everyone here at Westview certainly appreciates Peter's and Kim's interest in the school and the children and thanks them for this opportunity." commented Anderson. "We definitely hope to be able to do this again next year."

Coming Soon!

Healthier Soy Based Lunches

Past Projects 2004-2005

Krannert Art Museum: Along with students from other Fox-adopted schools, Westview students visited the art exhibition at Krannert displaying Bill Traylor and William Edmondson's work. Each student was bought a book about art to pair with their experience. 

Technology Upgrades: Schools without functioning, modern computers these days are a disservice to children growing up in a high-tech world and community. To allow local school children to experience high tech learning even while in grade school, Fox Development Corporation donated 39 new computers to Westview School, exposing kids to hands-on, technology-integrated learning on a daily basis. This $30,000 donation put multiple computers in every Westview classroom, giving students hands on experience with current technology and an opportunity to engage in  a new style of learning.