Shorewood aims to expand enrichment activities to all grade levels

Shorewood - School district officials have pledged to continue offering rigorous enrichment activities for high achieving students.

Jennifer Cosgrove, advanced learning coordinator, and Kirk Juffer, Lake Bluff Elementary School principal, provided an update on the district's advanced learning program by way of a report to the School Board on Tuesday.

Cosgrove said the district has been offering a wide array of enrichment activities across many grade levels. A sampling of activities includes geography bees, a history club, chess club, art programs, Battle of the Books reading competitions, Math Olympiad, science fairs, spelling bees, involvement in a number of student newspapers and a variety of musical groups.

Participation has been strong, particularly in upper grades, but Cosgrove said one future goal is to allow opportunities across all grade levels.

"As much as possible, we'd like to make opportunities available to the younger ones," she said.

The district administered a survey to get a pulse of what students and parents thought of the advanced learning program. While feedback was generally positive, Juffer said responses did give him and Cosgrove an opportunity to evaluate and set goals for future improvement.

"I think we need to beef up our communication with parents," Juffer said. "There should be further collaboration."

The School Board praised Cosgrove and Juffer for their work and ongoing desire to grow the program.

"I want you to know we really appreciate what you're doing," School Board member Michael Mishlove said.