NORMAL – Thanks to an area resident and former student of Colene Hoose Elementary School and a unanimous vote by members of Normal-based Unit 5 School Board, youngsters who attend the Unit 5 district school and live in the surrounding neighborhoods will have the opportunity to play in an area known as a “natural playground.â€
At the regularly-scheduled meeting of the governing body on May 12 in the cafeteria of Normal Community West High School, Board members approved an agreement with longtime Normal resident Charlie Jobson and the Jobson Foundation for the playground to be constructed at the school. One of the world’s top designers of playgrounds, Helle Nebelong based in Copenhagen, Denmark, put the design together for the 16-acre project which will be totally funded by Jobson and his Foundation. The gift, which honors Jobson’s parents, totals $5 million.
Jobson was a student sometime during the early years of the school’s existence, which began when it was founded by the district in 1965. Dr. Adam Zbrozek, principal of Colene Hoose Elementary School, explained Jobson wanting to do this “just shows the importance of connections that are made in schools by their students because, later on, it not only changes their lives as they get older, but it changes the lives of other future generations, and that’s what Mr. Jobson was working to do.â€
Dr. Zbrozek said Jobson is a longtime Normal resident who went from kindergarten through fifth grade at the school in its early existence and lived in the neighborhood during those years. Jobson’s parents lived in Normal for 40 years raising their family in that neighborhood.
The playground will encompass 16 acres, have a 100-meter track, amphitheater, and a number of gardens. The school’s current playground will be included into the new expansion. There will also be outdoor classrooms, woods, and grassy areas.
Neblong took care to assure the playground would be accessible to all students. The finalized design is expected to be ready by August and be completed by October. Trees and shrubbery will be added by next spring.
Published reports indicated The Jobson Foundation will donate $75,000 annually over the playground’s first three years to address maintenance costs. Part of that will go to pay for an arborist and a horticulturist Unit 5 will hire to oversee the project.
Dr. Kristal Shelvin Named District’s First Director Of Diversity: Dr. Weikle announced to Board members that Dr. Kristal H. Shelvin will be named the new Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the 2021-2022 school year. The position is not a new cabinet-level post for the district, Board President Amy Roser explained, adding the post had been vacated as a result of attrition and shifting of existing staff which left the post open. She added the position “was reformatted to meet the needs of our district and our students to bring our district forward.â€
Bringing Dr. Shelvin aboard puts the total number of people in cabinet-level positions for the district to 20. Board members unanimously approved Dr. Shelvin’s hiring and she will assume her new position effective July 1.
Dr. Shelvin holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Illinois. She earned her Master’s Degree in Education Administration and a Doctorate in School Psychology, both from Illinois State University. She is also completing a Certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace from the University of South Florida. Dr. Shelvin is also a licensed school psychologist and clinical psychologist. In each role, she works to build collaborations among educators, mental health providers, child welfare staff, medical providers, families, and communities. Her passion is broadening educational opportunities for all students.
A Unit 5 parent for the past 15 years, Dr. Shelvin and her husband, Alton, have two daughters.
“I am thrilled Dr. Shelvin is joining the Unit 5 team,†Dr. Weikle told those in attendance. “She’s a collaborative, results-oriented leader who is very much committed to the diversity, equity, and inclusion work in the Bloomington-Normal community.†Dr. Weikle explained Dr. Shelvin will be responsible for overseeing and leading items related to the District’s Equity Action Plan. Dr. Weikle said that means Dr. Shelvin will be interacting with all District stakeholders including students, staff, families, and community members.
“Lots of districts are talking about having such a position, but Unit 5 is the first to have one such position,†Dr. Weikle explained, adding such a post is more commonly a part of school districts in the Chicago area. She added having such a position “really shows our community the level of commitment we have here in Unit 5 of serving all of our students.â€
Pfizer Vaccine Approval Part Of Superintendent’s Comments: Dr. Weikle informed those in attendance and socially distanced at the meeting, held in the cafeteria of Normal Community West High School that the Food and Drug Administration has approved an expanded emergency authorization for use of the Pfizer Coronavirus vaccine, allowing students ages 12-15 to begin receiving it. She said receiving the vaccine was completely voluntary and took place at Kingsley Junior High School on May 19. The Pfizer vaccine requires two shots be administered with three weeks between shots.
Public Comments Center On Students’ Masks: Katie Lavoie, a parent of future Towanda Elementary School students, asked Board members, “At what trigger, what event, will you allow the children and the families that you serve to unmask and breathe freely?†She followed that question by saying she wanted to Board members to review their oath of office which includes protecting childrens’ rights she reminded were preserved by the U. S. Constitution and the Constitution of the State of Illinois. She said Gov. J. B. Pritzker’s masking order violated the State Constitution and the First Amendment of the U. S. Constitution.
“Masking has harmful effects for the children,†Lavoie added. Explaining masking was recommended by Illinois Department of Public Health, Lavoie, who said she worked in a neighboring school district which she didn’t identify, told Board members, “This recommendation is what you have made a rule at the expense of children. Further, mask requirements are not necessary to stop the spread of viruses.†She added masks increase potential for respiratory infection. “Masks increase bullying, shaming, and conflict,†she said.
“Unmask these children, let them have a choice, let them breathe freely, and develop to their highest potential as stated in this district’s mission,†she said. She concluded by saying, “This nonsense has gone on for long enough.†Her comment was followed by applause from about 10 people who were in the meeting’s audience.
Resident Larry Dibway followed Lavoie, and asked Board members, “Who monitors the cleanliness of each student’s mask? I mean, really? What’s in effect to keep the masks clean so that they wear them?†He said he has been told about a child who chewed through a mask to breathe easier. “You’re literally mandating an apparatus that generates liability. Who’s liable? Those are questions I will leave with you. But this is insanity that needs to stop.â€