Andrew Larson– Superintendent

Mary Hettinger – Asst. Superintendent

Junior High Principal

Phil Morrison – High School Principal

Tim Gateley – Asst. Principal - UHS

Janet Ellis Nelson – Unity West Principal

– Asst. Principal

Laura Fitzgerald – Unity East Principal

Cindy Keller Higgins– Special Education Director

District Information

Mentor Program

Wages/Benefits

Class Sizes/Enrollments

Our Campuses

Extracurricular

Co-Curricular

Application

Technology

Visit Us on the Web

Andrew Larson– Superintendent

Mary Hettinger – Asst. Superintendent

Junior High Principal

Phil Morrison – High School Principal

Tim Gateley – Asst. Principal - UHS

Janet Ellis Nelson – Unity West Principal

-Asst. Principal

Laura Fitzgerald – Unity East Principal

Cindy Keller Higgins– Special Education Director

District InformationCommunity Unit School District #7, also known as Unit Seven Schools, is a district that services preschool through twelfth grade. The school district covers 173 square miles and fulfills the educational needs for the communities of Tolono, Philo, Sidney, Sadorus, and Pesotum. In August of 2002, we opened the doors to three new schools Unit East Elementary with a student enrollment of approximately 300, housing students from Sidney and Philo; Unity West Elementary with a student enrollment of approximately 400, housing students from Pesotum, Sadorus, and Tolono; and Unity Junior High with a student enrollment of approximately 200. The total cost of our new facilities was 21 million dollars for 156,414 square feet of educational space. Along with our existing high school, we now have four schools instead of seven. Unit Seven Schools provide a comprehensive curriculum for grades K-12. Pre-school and early childhood programs are available to further the developmental needs of three, four, and five year old children. A full day program is available to the five-year-old entering kindergarten.

Andrew Larson– Superintendent

Mary Hettinger – Asst. Superintendent

Junior High Principal

Phil Morrison – High School Principal

Tim Gateley – Asst. Principal - UHS

Janet Ellis Nelson – Unity West Principal

– Asst. Principal

Laura Fitzgerald – Unity East Principal

Cindy Keller Higgins– Special Education Director

Mentor Program

The first year of teaching is a critical time for informing, supporting, and nurturing. The Unity Mentorship Program provides a mentor for all new teachers to the District.

Our program goals:• To encourage the sharing of information by fostering a climate of support and

guidance.

• To support teacher improvement through continual professional growth and development.

• To encourage collaboration.

• To make first year teachers feel welcome, secure, and part of the Unity Team.

• To ensure success in the first year teachers by assisting them in improving all areas of their instructional effectiveness

Our program features:

• A one day orientation for all new teachers with their mentors and administrators prior to school beginning.

• Mentor teachers appointed who work and offer support to first year teachers for the entire year.

• Monthly meetings with building principal and mentor.

• Faculty handbook to provide basic information about building and district.

Andrew Larson– Superintendent

Mary Hettinger – Asst. Superintendent

Junior High Principal

Phil Morrison – High School Principal

Tim Gateley – Asst. Principal - UHS

Janet Ellis Nelson – Unity West Principal

– Asst. Principal

Laura Fitzgerald– Unity East Principal

Cindy Keller Higgins– Special Education Director

Salary and BenefitsTeacher Salary & Benefits• Competitive salary and benefits package• Board paid for single health, major medical, and

hospitalization• Option for annuity plan instead of board paid health

insurance• Optional Dental plan available at reduced cost to families• Increasing percentage of Board paid contributions to Illinois

Teacher Retirement System totaling 100% by 2006-07 school year

• Paid sick and personal days• Extensive district-sponsored and campus sponsored

professional growth opportunities tailored to needs of faculty and students

• Collaboration with surrounding colleges and universities for implementing research based best teaching practices

• Course credit reimbursement for pre-approved courses• People and resources to help teachers succeed• Extensive athletic and extra-curricular employment

opportunities• Modern facilities, equipment and technology suited for

teaching and learning

Andrew Larson– Superintendent

Mary Hettinger – Asst. Superintendent

Junior High Principal

Phil Morrison – High School Principal

Tim Gateley – Asst. Principal - UHS

Janet Ellis Nelson – Unity West Principal

– Asst. Principal

Laura Fitzgerald – Unity East Principal

Cindy Keller Higgins– Special Education Director

Class Size / EnrollmentsAverage Class Sizes

Kindergarten – 20.2

Grade One – 17

Grade Three – 21.5

Grade Six – 19.6

High School – 18.3

Enrollments

Unity East Elementary School – 336 – including Pre-K

Unity West Elementary School - 486

Unity Junior High School - 212

Unity High School - 475

Andrew Larson– Superintendent

Mary Hettinger – Asst. Superintendent

Junior High Principal

Phil Morrison – High School Principal

Tim Gateley – Asst. Principal - UHS

Janet Ellis Nelson – Unity West Principal

– Asst. Principal

Laura Fitzgerald – Unity East Principal

Cindy Keller Higgins– Special Education Director

Our CampusesUnity High School

Classroom

Rocket Center

Inside

Outside

Unity Junior High School

Computer Labs

Classrooms

Cafeteria

Unity East

Media Center

Classroom

Gym

Unity West

Gym

Classroom

Playground

In August of 2002 we opened the doors to three new schools Unit East Elementary with a student enrollment of approximately 300, housing students from Sidney and Philo; Unity West Elementary with a student enrollment of approximately 400, housing students from Pesotum, Sadorus, and Tolono; and Unity Junior High with a student enrollment of approximately 200. The total cost of our new facilities was 21 million dollars for 156,414 square feet of educational space. Along with our existing high school, we now have four schools instead of seven.

Andrew Larson– Superintendent

Mary Hettinger – Asst. Superintendent

Junior High Principal

Phil Morrison – High School Principal

Tim Gateley – Asst. Principal - UHS

Janet Ellis Nelson – Unity West Principal

– Asst. Principal

Laura Fitzgerald – Unity East Principal

Cindy Keller Higgins– Special Education Director

Extra Curricular ActivitiesUnity Junior High is a member of the IESA and offers the following:

Boys and Girls Basketball, Boys and Girls Cross Country, Girls Volleyball, Boys and Girls Track and Field, Wrestling, and Baseball.

Unity High School is a member of the IHSA and offers the following:

Football, Soccer, Girls Volleyball, Boys and Girls Cross Country, Wrestling, Boys and Girls Basketball, Boys and Girls Track and Field, Baseball, Softball, Cheerleading, and Dance.

Community Sports include the following:

Youth Football, Wrestling, Soccer, Basketball and Park District Baseball and Softball.

Andrew Larson – Superintendent

Mary Hettinger – Asst. Superintendent

Junior High Principal

Phil Morrison – High School Principal

Tim Gateley – Asst. Principal - UHS

Janet Ellis Nelson – Unity West Principal

– Asst. Principal

Laura Fitzgerald – Unity East Principal

Cindy Keller Higgins– Special Education Director

Co-Curricular ActivitiesUnity Junior High offers the following:

Student Council, Spirit Club, Yearbook Club, a Musical through Chorus, Plays through Drama Club, Jazz Band, along with four dances during the year, sponsored by Student Council.

Unity High School offers the following:

Art Club, Biology Club, German Club, NHS, Pep Club, Rocket Yearbook Club, Scholastic Bowl, Spanish Club, FFA, Band, Chorus, Student Council, Drama Club, Math Contest, Chess Club, and FCCLA.

Andrew Larson– Superintendent

Mary Hettinger – Asst. Superintendent

Junior High Principal

Phil Morrison – High School Principal

Tim Gateley – Asst. Principal - UHS

Janet Ellis Nelson – Unity West Principal

– Asst. Principal

Laura Fitzgerald – Unity East Principal

Cindy Keller Higgins– Special Education Director

TechnologyUnit Seven Schools is working hard to foster life-long learning. It is the belief of our district that technology should play a key role in the education of our students. A new wireless wide area network, a new student information software, digital/on-line grade book and attendance, district e-mail service, and a district technology committee are all areas that Unit Seven has embraced to improve and expand.

We feel that technology is a tool for instruction and are willing to provide staff development to integrate various technologies into our curriculum.

Students using the wireless, laptop lab

Come Visit Our Schools

www.unitsevenschools.com

www.unityrockets.com

www.ujhs.com

www.unityeastelementary.com

www.unitywestelementary.com