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The start of kindergarten at Coal City Community Unit School District 1 is focusing on more than academic routines. Teachers are emphasizing social-emotional learning to help children feel safe and connected as they adjust to a new environment.
In the classroom, students are meeting peers and learning rules for both their classroom and the school building. Instruction includes modeling and playful activities such as Free Choice time, aimed at helping students manage themselves, interact with others, and explore new experiences.
Mr. Pfeifer shared, “we've already created a stoplight and a school bus based on stories we’ve read, which sparked great conversations about safety, responsibility, and working together. These early experiences are teaching us not just how to follow directions and stay focused, but how to be part of a caring classroom community.”
Teachers note that simple actions like waiting patiently or sharing materials contribute to student development. The approach aims to make the classroom a place where each child feels they belong.
Coal City Community Unit School District 1 serves Grundy and Will counties through several schools including Coal City Early Childhood Center, Coal City Elementary School, Coal City High School, Coal City Intermediate School, and Coal City Middle School (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). According to state data, the district employs 153 teachers who earn an average salary of $69,297 before pension contributions; nearly 78 percent are women (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). The district’s student body is predominantly White at 86.9 percent; Hispanic students represent nearly 10 percent (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). In 2020, per-student spending was $21,619 for a total expenditure of $47 million (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).
