ROCHELLE – During its monthly board meeting Tuesday, the elementary board heard a special report from Amy Hayden about the district’s Hub Program.
During her report, Hayden discussed the significant increase in enrollment in the program compared to the previous year. She attributes the increase to the change in the way enrollment in the program is done or possible enrollment of siblings of current members.
“We changed our enrollment procedure this year and folded it into the general enrollment at the beginning of the year and I think that accounted for some increase,” said Hayden.
She also discussed the goals of the program and certain areas that could be improved upon.

One of the main areas that leaders would like to work on is emotional and social support for kids.
“We know that there our kids need social and emotional support and we also know that is one area where we don’t have as much staff as we do for academic support,” explained Hayden.
The main goal of improving this area of support is to give the kids more face time with counselors if they need it.
The second part of the special reports was an update on the district’s dual language program. Hayden informed board members that enrollment in the district’s dual language program has also been very good, with approximately 68 applications already handed in for next year’s program.
She added that anyone who signs up after moving forward would be put on a waiting list.
Following the special reports the board passed a motion to pay the bills and approve the financial report.
Another topic of discussion during the meeting was the previous idea to change the way the Rochelle Middle School graduation ceremony was held. The idea was to change the current formal ceremony held at night to a more informal ceremony held during the day. The district surveyed Rochelle Middle School parents to get their opinion on the change and the responses were clear.
“We went out and surveyed the parents and I am really glad we did, it was very clear among the parents that we, as a district, continue to have a formal ceremony,” said district superintendent Jason Harper.