Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the College Readiness Student Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
District 186 highlights student programs: mock ACT, SIU P4, FAFSA night and music achievements
Summary
At its Oct. 20 meeting the district discussed a mock ACT administration, the SIU P4 program, an Oct. 30 FAFSA night, college/HBCU engagement events and music program successes, including ILMEA qualifiers and expanded fifth‑grade band offerings.
Springfield School District 186 board members heard a student report and staff updates Oct. 20 highlighting multiple student programs and college‑readiness events.
A student representative, Jordan, summarized the mock ACT that the district administers to ninth through 11th graders to familiarize students with the test format and pacing ahead of the spring ACT. Dr. Moody (school staff) described that the mock test helps students and staff prepare for standardized procedures and that participating students can take part in school‑sponsored activities or receive credit for approved volunteer work during portions of the test day.
The board heard about a medical pipeline program, P4, run by Southern Illinois University School of Medicine (SIU), which district speakers said helps high‑school students gain medical knowledge and exposure to health careers. The district also reported a white‑coat ceremony at SIU School of Medicine that included 26 students in the pipeline and recognized organizers and speakers from SIU, including Chris McDowell and Dr. Wendy El Amin.
District staff announced a FAFSA completion night scheduled for Oct. 30 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Lanphier High School’s auditorium and commons, hosted in part by Lincoln Land Community College; staff urged seniors and families to start FSA ID accounts in advance because verification can take several days.
The board also celebrated music program successes: Middle and high school students qualified for ILMEA programs (choir, concert band, orchestra, jazz band and jazz vocal), and the district reported expanded fifth‑grade band participation across several schools with 36 students attending the after‑school program and additional school‑site programs serving another 34 students. The district credited the Public Schools Foundation for support with instruments.
