Dr. Dave Palzet to lead 5th-8th grades

November 17, 2010

(Wilmette, IL...) District 39 Superintendent Ray Lechner today announced an administrative restructuring that will better serve Wilmette students. Effective July 2011, Dr. Dave Palzet will assume the responsibility for both Wilmette Junior High School (WJHS) and Highcrest Middle School, in an effort to create a 5th-8th campus model. Under this new model, there will be improved curriculum alignment, as well as improved articulation between grade levels.

Dr. Lechner states that, “Dave Palzet is the ideal person to lead this new configuration. He has had outstanding success at WJHS with students, staff, and parents alike, including the awarding of a National Blue Ribbon this fall. This is a great opportunity to create a closer community between Highcrest and WJHS. As a part of the new structure, an assistant principal will be in place for each grade, 5-8. This change in the administrative structure will improve the instructional alignment and make better use of teacher resources. While the District will see some cost savings, the potential for programmatic benefits is the driving force for this decision. Next year will be a pilot to ensure the success of this format.”

Dr. Palzet adds, “I look forward to this new structure as a way to provide a consistent administrative philosophy to our 5th-8th grades. Transitions will be easier for our students, especially the 6th graders. It will allow for expanded extra curricular offerings at Highcrest and common academic themes in all four grades. Progress reporting will improve because we can align the two schools philosophically, as well as in practice. We will also have increased articulation between the grade levels so teachers will be better informed about the students’ abilities and needs.”

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