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Dennis Lab School celebrates 50 years of Monarch legacy; staff highlight project‑based learning and international teacher exchanges
Summary
Dennis Lab School staff told the Decatur SD 61 board about the school’s history, a year‑long Monarch anniversary celebration, recent international teacher hires and staff culture initiatives tied to project‑based learning.
Keith Creighton, assistant principal at Dennis Lab School, told the board the school marked the 50th anniversary of its Monarch symbol and highlighted long‑running project‑based learning at the lab school.
“Dennis School has deep roots in Decatur,” Creighton said, recounting the school’s founding in 1910 and describing how earlier student projects influenced state policy decades ago. He said this year’s “Monarch Madness” celebration included books for every student, a picnic lunch and plans for a commemorative bench being commissioned and funded through local grants.
Creighton said Dennis has welcomed international teachers this year—three from Ghana and one from Guyana—with a fifth teacher expected later in the year. “It’s been inspiring watching the exchange of culture and curiosity go both ways,” he said, and described playground activities and planned cross‑cultural events such as the winter concert.
Staff culture efforts received notice during the presentation. Creighton described “Monarch Meetups,” monthly gatherings to rebuild staff connections, and a “Monarch of the Month” program led by Cassie Mann to recognize students who demonstrate the school’s values.
Board members asked clarifying questions about the number and origin of international teachers; Creighton replied that four were in place and a fifth was expected from Cameroon. The presentation did not include any formal board actions; it was presented as a district highlight for the board and public record.
