|
 Over
the years, this building has had various uses. At one point, it
housed Abe Lincoln Elementary School. Later, it was the site for the
New Wine School and Little Lambs Day Care, so having a school there
again brings everything full circle.
Kent Froebe, Superintendent of Lincoln Elementary School District
#27 said the Logan County Superintendents approached Regional
Superintendent, Mark Jontry this past spring about the possibility
of starting a satellite location for a Regional Alternative School
in Lincoln. Jontry was very receptive of the idea.
Between 1997 and 2019, many area students who needed an alternative
learning environment went to Salt Creek Academy in Fancy Prairie.
The school closed in 2019 and since then, area students have had to
go to schools in either Springfield or Bloomington.
All Logan County School Districts along with Clinton in Dewitt
County will be charter members of the new school, which will be
called Abe Lincoln Academy. Froebe said Lincoln Elementary School
District #27 will be the managing district and will oversee the
day-to-day operations of the new school and Del Sutter will be the
program director.
The school district charter members include
Chester-East Lincoln Community Consolidated School District #61,
Clinton Community Unit School District #15, Hartsburg-Emden
Community Unit School District #21, Lincoln Community High School
District #404, Lincoln Elementary School District #27, Mt. Pulaski
Community Unit School District #23, New Holland-Middletown
Elementary School District #88 and West Lincoln-Broadwell Elementary
School District #92. Sutter says the academy would consider taking
students from other districts as space allows.
The purpose of the Abe Lincoln Academy will be to serve
expulsion/suspension eligible students between grades sixth through
twelfth by providing an alternative learning environment.
The goal is to provide a safe, structured and caring environment for
the struggling students in Logan County with the main goal of
promoting academic success and to fostering a positive outlook for
the future.
Froebe said the school will open Wednesday, August 16.
The Academy will follow District #27 school calendar.
Left to right John
Jensen, Del Sutter, Kent Froebe
and Kevin Curry
Abe Lincoln Academy will have two teachers and one
Director as they start the year. As the enrollment grows, Froebe
said they will look to hire more faculty & staff.
Given the current space being rented and the number
of staff, Froebe said they would be able to have between 15-20
students.
When the school opens, the staff to student ratio will be around
2:1. Froebe said the ratio will change as the school year
progresses.
[to top of second column] |
Del Sutter will be the director of the program, coming in with many
years of experience, having served as the director of Salt Creek
Academy for 22 years.
Joining Sutter will be teacher John
Jensen who taught at Salt Creek Academy for 11 years. Jensen‘s
background focuses on the areas of social sciences and education.
The part time teacher will be Kevin Curry, who is currently studying
for a degree in education at Grand Canyon University. Curry will
teach at the school Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Superintendent Froebe said, “we are very excited to
offer this Academy for students who are struggling in their current
school environment. We are equally excited to have hired Del Sutter
as our new Director. Sutter spent over 20 years as a teacher and
Director at Salt Creek Academy, a former alternative school in Fancy
Prairie.”
One of the advantages the school will have is smaller classes,
according to Sutter, allowing for more one-on-one assistance.
Students will work at their own pace and receive credit as the
courses are completed.
Sutter said that they will emphasize regular
attendance, grade advancement and recovery of course credits.
Students will be utilizing online learning tools or using
traditional learning methods, with the decision being based on the
students’ learning style.
Along with that curriculum, Sutter said they will be offering
Imagine Learning, an online language and literacy program formerly
called Edginuity.
The school curriculum will include basic classes in
English, Math, Science, Social Science, Computer Education and
Technology, Health and P.E. Sutter said there will also be a focus
on learning life skills, social skills, communication skills and
understanding career options.
Once students complete the program, they will receive diplomas from
their home school, rather than a GED, according to Sutter. This
school will give struggling students a helping hand for their
future.
[Angela Reiners] |
