Education

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Free poetry, film on tap this weekend

URBANA – Two free events are taking place this weekend at the Urbana Free Library.

At 4 p.m. today the Teen Film Crew will present the "Twin City Horror Movie Premiere" in the Lewis Auditorium of the library at 210 W. Green St., U.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Novelist Tim O'Brien to present James Jones lecture at Eastern

CHARLESTON – National Book Award winner Tim O'Brien will present the third annual James Jones Lecture at 7 p.m. Friday at the Doudna Fine Arts Center at Eastern Illinois University.

The lecture is part of the James Jones Symposium on Friday and Saturday at EIU.

'Pumpkin Fun' event set

HOOPESTON – The Hoopeston Public Library and the University of Illinois Extension, Vermilion County office, will present "Pumpkin Fall Fun" from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the library, 110 N. Fourth St.

The event is for children ages 5 through 13 and their families. Activities will include pumpkin and gourd decorating and making pine cone birdhouses and easy pumpkin treats.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Unit 4 holding forum on high school redistricting

CHAMPAIGN – Parents and students in the Champaign school district will be able to comment on a new option for high school redistricting at a forum this evening.

The school district will hold a community forum at 6 p.m. at the Mellon Administrative Center, 703 S. New St., C., to talk about the proposal.

Consent decree over for Champaign schools

CHAMPAIGN – The Champaign school district's consent decree is officially over, and now it will be up to the district and the community to ensure Champaign's black students receive an equitable education, without any oversight by the court.

Speaker offers advice to youths dealing with loss

CHAMPAIGN – At one point in his life, Javae Wright Sr. had nothing but $500 and a dream – a dream to own his own shoe company.

Not only did Wright make his dream come true, establishing Leadaz International Sportswear in Champaign-Urbana, he also devotes time to working with young people, to inspire them to realize their own dreams.

Groundbreaking set for Parkland's diesel center

CHAMPAIGN – Parkland College is about to break ground on a diesel center that's part of a program where 100 percent of students get a job.

The groundbreaking ceremony for Parkland College's new Diesel Technology Addition will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at the campus's Tony Noel Agriculture Technology Applications Center.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Final approval granted in consent decree settlement

CHAMPAIGN — The Champaign school district’s consent decree case is officially over.

Federal District Court Judge Joe Billy McDade entered an order Wednesday afternoon approving the proposed settlement agreement reached by the school district and the plaintiffs this summer.

Children's agency celebrates 115th anniversary

DANVILLE – Over its 115 years of caring for children in need in the Danville community, a Danville agency has gone from a home where children stayed full time to a home for programs serving babies through teens.

The Center for Children's Services will honor its long history with a showcase of local talent at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Danville High School auditorium. The event is free, but donations will be accepted.

Champaign sets high school redistricting meeting

CHAMPAIGN — Parents and students in the Champaign school district will be able to comment on a new option for high school redistricting at a forum Thursday evening.

State shortfall may spell furloughs at UI

URBANA – The University of Illinois has so far seen only $400,000 of $317 million it is owed by the state, leading to a virtual hiring freeze and the possibility of furloughs.

Local veterans to speak about Iraq, Afghanistan

CHAMPAIGN – "Memories of War – Iraq & Afghanistan" is the topic of a panel discussion involving local veterans.

Panelists include Sgt. Bryan Abbott, Gunnery Sgt. Shawn Johnston, Staff Sgt. Katie Maglia, 2nd Lt. Shannon Potts and Staff Sgt. John Robinson.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

UI flash index's big increase is its first in two years

URBANA – The University of Illinois flash index rose substantially for the first time in two years, but a UI economist said it's too early to tell whether the recession is ending.

The index rose from 90 in September to 90.7 in October, said economist J. Fred Giertz, who compiles the index for the UI's Institute of Government and Public Affairs.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Pumpkins flung far in fundraiser for schools foundation

CHAMPAIGN – Wide-eyed 8-year-old Elijah Wasson of Champaign was awestruck as he saw a pumpkin soar overhead some 900 feet before splattering in a grassy field.

"Whoa!" he said as he gazed at the sky. "That was awesome!"

Ranks of millionaire college presidents up again

The fast-growing group of millionaire private college and university presidents hit a new record in recent years, and it's likely more college leaders will make seven-figure salaries once the slumping economy rebounds.

A record 23 presidents received more than $1 million in total compensation in fiscal 2008, according to an analysis of the most recently available data published Monday by the Chronicle of Higher Education. A record one in four in the study of 419 colleges' mandatory IRS filings made at least $500,000.

South View class teaches principles of engineering

DANVILLE – South View Middle School seventh-graders Jelicia Cotton and Ashylee Harrier weren't sure what to expect in their new pre-engineering class.

After a few days, they discovered it involved doing things they like to do: drawing, building, using the computer and working with classmates.

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Few apply to join Champaign schools' equity committee

CHAMPAIGN – Only three people have applied to be on a new equity committee for the Champaign school district.

The school district, which is seeking community members to serve on its new Education Equity Excellence Committee, planned to choose between five and 10 residents for the group.

CUPunkin'Chuckin' a different type of fall fling

Fling a few pumpkins at more than 350 miles per hour, spit pumpkin seeds as far as you can and bring your soft jack-o'-lanterns to toss at a toilet or bathtub.

Add these events to soft ground conditions after lots of rain this month, and you've got one silly spectacle designed to raise money for the community's public schools.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Anti-gay bullying to be addressed

CHAMPAIGN – A Safe Schools forum next week will look at bullying of gay students in schools and how teachers and administrators can respond.

State Superintendent Christopher Koch will be part of the forum.

Clinics plan to charge for H1N1 vaccine

CHAMPAIGN – Planning to get an H1N1 vaccination? Better check your insurance coverage.

'Heart of the team' dies in morning crash

HOOPESTON – Hoopeston Area High School students and staff said a Rankin teen, who was killed in a pickup truck-semi tractor trailer collision early Thursday morning, was the heart of the boys' basketball team and the school.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

UI receives H1N1 vaccine, but not the kind it needs

URBANA – H1N1 vaccine has arrived on the University of Illinois campus, but it came with two complications: It's the wrong kind for people who need it the most – those with chronic health conditions – and there's not enough of it to hold a walk-in vaccination clinic.

New home helps Danville's alternative education program

DANVILLE – Last year, Danville High School student Brittany Crosby got behind in English and science and ended up failing the classes. She worried that she might not graduate on time until she enrolled in the High School Options alternative-education program at Laura Lee Fellowship House.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

H1N1 vaccine plans change; T'boro vaccinations Thursday

CHAMPAIGN – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District will begin H1N1 vaccinations Thursday at Thomasboro Grade School, district Administrator Julie Pryde said.

The public health district will then set up vaccination clinics in the two year-round Champaign schools that are in session Friday, Kenwood and Barkstall elementary schools. Plans to offer vaccinations at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School in Urbana on Friday were canceled because there wasn't enough time for the school to get ready, Pryde said.

Official suggests budget cuts for Champaign schools

CHAMPAIGN – The Champaign school district needs to cut $2 million from its budget for each of the next two years, says its chief financial officer, Gene Logas.

Logas talked to school board members at a Monday night study session about his predictions for the district's finances for the next two years and his suggestions for making cuts to balance the budgets.

Award-winner stopped at nothing to earn college degree

It takes a lot to impress Marlo Britton.

A case manager for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's Bureau of Workforce Development, Britton said she has never seen anyone as determined as Cecil Rhodes. And that's saying something, because Britton's mother raised 13 children.

Volunteers sought to help people complete tax forms

DANVILLE – AARP is seeking volunteers in the Danville area to help middle- and low-income taxpayers complete their federal and state income tax forms for 2009.

Volunteers will assist with preparing and electronic filing of tax returns. Training is free, and volunteers are asked to serve a minimum of three hours per week from Feb. 1 through April 15.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

UI faculty members applaud outgoing leaders

URBANA – At the prompting of Stanley Ikenberry, University of Illinois faculty stood and applauded the university's outgoing leaders Monday afternoon after they delivered their last formal addresses to the campus senate together.

Glimpse of new Washington School presented

CHAMPAIGN – Teachers, staff and administrators need to look "very, very critically" at the draft plans for a new Washington Elementary School to ensure the design will meet the school's needs, said Champaign school board member Kristine Chalifoux.

The school board and the public got a look at the draft design plan for the school Monday night.

Middle school students stand up for recycling

OAKWOOD – About 20 Oakwood Junior High students were going door to door Monday afternoon, asking residents if they want recycling and would pay a couple dollars for it.

Danville school district finalizes proposals for funds

DANVILLE – After months of planning, Danville school officials have finalized grant proposals for the $3.6 million in federal stimulus funding that the district is eligible to receive.

On Wednesday, they will present to school board members a proposal for $1.8 million in Title I funds, and one for $1.72 million in Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Part B and $63,000 in IDEA special-education early childhood funds.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Unit 4 board to look at Washington, Garden Hills plans

CHAMPAIGN – The Champaign school board will review design plans for rebuilding Washington Elementary School and expanding Garden Hills Elementary School at a study session tonight, with the goal of approving designs for the two schools at its Nov. 9 meeting.

The board meets at 7 p.m. at the Mellon Administrative Center, 703 S. New St., C.

Uni High student trying to take on dropout prevention

URBANA – Linda Ly hopes to make a difference this school year for students who are thinking about dropping out of school.

Ly, a 17-year-old senior at University Laboratory High School, doesn't have a lot of firsthand knowledge of the subject.

DACC board considering bond issue as insurance

DANVILLE – Earlier this year, Danville Area Community College officials had to borrow money from the college's working-cash fund to keep operations going – because of not one but two late state funding payments, totaling about $2 million.

Now faced with even more uncertainty as to when this year's state payments will arrive, DACC trustees on Tuesday could take steps to ensure that the college doesn't run out of money this spring.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Herman: 'It's good to have the ambiguity resolved'

Chancellor Richard Herman, who announced his resignation last week, will spend his last day in office Monday. He sat down with The News-Gazette's Julie Wurth on Friday to talk about his decision to resign, his accomplishments and regrets over the past decade as provost and chancellor, the upheaval caused by the "Category I" admissions scandal, and the school's future. Excerpts follow. For the complete version, please click here.

UI's annual faculty meeting will have new roster at top

URBANA – Monday's annual meeting of the University of Illinois faculty may require a lineup card.

Normally the session hosted by the campus senate is a chance for professors to question the president and chancellor, and sometimes the provost, on all manner of issues.

Country-of-origin exhibition now on view at I space

CHICAGO – A nearly ubiquitous country-of-origin label seen on countless U.S. consumer goods is the subject of a new exhibition on view through Nov. 14 at I space, the Chicago gallery of the University of Illinois.

The exhibition, "made in china: Erik Hemingway and Allison Warren," explores the meaning of the phrase that appears on a practically endless stream of consumer goods marketed worldwide.

Outgoing UI chancellor opens up on his thoughts, views

Chancellor Richard Herman, who announced his resignation last week, will spend his last day in office Monday. He sat down with The News-Gazette Friday to talk about his decision to resign, his accomplishments and regrets over the past decade as provost and chancellor, the upheaval caused by the "Category I" admissions scandal, and the school's future.

Wine event proceeds to benefit UI hospitality program

URBANA – The local fifth annual celebration of a French wine release will be Nov. 23.

The Beaujolais Nouveau Celebration will include French wine and a cold buffet for $75 per person. Proceeds are for the University of Illinois' Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition's hospitality management program.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Land-grant law keys wide-ranging talks

URBANA – U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and several leaders at the University of Illinois are joining a host of government leaders, presidents of public universities and Lincoln scholars on the campus this weekend to discuss the future of higher education in the United States.

The conference, which kicked off Friday evening, is called "Lincoln's Unfinished Work: The Morrill Act and the Future of Higher Education."

Friday, October 23, 2009

Many area schools are feeling H1N1 flu virus's effects

Watseka High School started out the week with a slightly higher than normal absence rate, but by Wednesday, one-third of the students were home sick with the flu. With so many absences, the district decided to close the school Thursday and today.

Administrators at University Laboratory High School in Urbana faced the same decision Thursday morning, when they had 70 of their 310 students out sick.

H1N1 largely absent so far in Danville-area schools

One case was confirmed Thursday in a Danville 6-year-old, but schools haven't had problems seen in other districts

Although Vermilion County health officials on Thursday confirmed that a Danville 6-year-old has tested positive for the H1N1 virus, school officials in Vermilion County said they haven't experienced a spike in absenteeism of students or teachers due to the flu.

Graduate student union plans attention-getting rally

CHAMPAIGN – The graduate student union at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana will rally Monday before a targeted audience: fellow graduate students.

From 8 to 8:30 a.m., the Graduate Employees Organization will rally outside the I Hotel and Convention Center, 1900 S. First St., C, where the Illinois Association of Graduate Schools Conference on Graduate Education and the Economy is being held.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Artist's landscape on sale to benefit Danville schools

DANVILLE – The latest print in local artist Amy Chrisman's series of Vermilion County landmarks is now available through a fundraiser by the Danville Public School Foundation.

The giclee print features Danville High School, the school district's flagship school.

Westville school district receives bad news on testing

WESTVILLE – School officials learned Wednesday that too many high school and grade school students in the district performed poorly on standardized state tests last spring for their schools to meet the state's adequate yearly progress goals.

Judith Giacoma Elementary School failed to meet the goals in reading, and Westville High School failed to meet the goals in both math and reading. Judith Giacoma Elementary met its goals last year, but this is the second year in a row that Westville High has not.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

READY school classmates trying to cope with loss

CHAMPAIGN – Trenika Washington created her T-shirt last week, with a photo of her friend Kiwane Carrington on the front and a drawing of a cross on the back, the name "Kiwane" in the center and "Loving Memory" on the sides.

National Gallery of Writing opens online today

URBANA – Nearly 10,000 pieces of writing have been submitted to the online National Gallery of Writing, which will open at 11:01 a.m. today.

Online viewers may search the submissions by title; gallery; topic; author; author's city, state, country and age; purpose of the composition; technology used to create it; format, and audience for the piece.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Danville schools officials reveal plans for stimulus funds

DANVILLE – Danville teachers will have new professional development opportunities, students and teachers will have more technology at their fingertips and two older elementary schools could be rewired to handle more technology, thanks to federal stimulus funding.

School officials said those are some of the things they're looking at doing with the district's $3.6 million allocation.

Parkland, DACC both seeing increase in enrollment

A bad economy has been good for community colleges, including Parkland and Danville Area Community College.

Such institutions are at a record high in enrollment. The statewide full-time equivalency enrollments at community colleges reached a record 223,353 for the fall semester, an increase of 9.5 percent from the year before, according to the Illinois Community College Board.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

'Lights on Afterschool' event debuts this Thursday

DANVILLE – The Boys & Girls Club of Danville will hosts its first "Lights on Afterschool" event from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the club, 850 N. Griffin St.

The event is one of more than 7,500 around the country sponsored by the Afterschool Alliance, which is a nonprofit public awareness and advocacy organization that works to ensure that all children have access to quality after-school programs, according to Stephanie Dixon, the Danville club's program director.

Friday, October 16, 2009

UI president says early years crucial for success of children

URBANA – In August 2006, B. Joseph White was bicycling around campus on move-in day – one of his favorite days of the year – talking to new students and their parents.

Rachel's Challenge teaches students lessons in kindness

CHAMPAIGN – What does it take to change the culture of a school, or a community, to reduce violence and bullying?

It's the little things – a kind word or helping hand from just one person – that can start a chain reaction that encourages others to do the same, according to a program called Rachel's Challenge.

Judge to students: There's no excuse for dishonesty

DANVILLE – As a Vermilion County Circuit Court judge, Craig DeArmond said he has heard almost every excuse.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Wind energy students get massive learning tool

DANVILLE – Every college lab needs equipment for hands-on learning, but the wind energy program at Danville Area Community College has a much "taller" order to fill than most classrooms.

On Tuesday, a 145-foot wind turbine blade weighing 17,000 pounds was delivered to the DACC campus by a semitrailer truck stretching 173 feet in length.

Georgetown high school, junior high miss state goals

GEORGETOWN – School officials learned Tuesday that too many high-school and junior-high-school students in the district underperformed on standardized state tests last spring for their schools to meet the state's adequate yearly progress goals.

Mary Miller Junior High School failed to meet the goals in reading, and Georgetown-Ridge Farm High School failed to meet the goals in both math and reading. Mary Miller Junior High met its goals last year, but this is the second year in a row that Georgetown-Ridge Farm High has not.

Danville schools seek pros' help in facilities planning

DANVILLE – Danville school officials are seeking professional help to put together a long-range facilities plan for the district.

School board members on Wednesday approved seeking from professional firms: a proposal for building assessments of the district's 11 schools, the Jackson Building and the bus garage; a proposal for a 10-year life safety study for the district; and a proposal combining the work.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Reverend: Key ideas for equity panel not adopted

CHAMPAIGN – The guidelines for a new equity committee of the Champaign school district include some, but not all, of the suggestions made by community members about who will be on the committee and how it will operate.

The Champaign school board created the "Education Equity Excellence" committee in September, as part of the settlement agreement in its consent decree case.

Brazilian beer magnate donates $16.5 million to UI

CHAMPAIGN – It isn't Carnaval, but things are looking pretty Brazilian at the University of Illinois this week.

Jorge Paulo Lemann, who took a Brazilian beer and soft drink maker through a merger with Europe's biggest beer company and then Anheuser-Busch, has committed $16.5 million to the Urbana campus.

Group's efforts putting emphasis on writing

URBANA – Just a generation ago, many folks in most professions seldom wrote a sentence after they graduated from high school.

How things have changed.

"Now it doesn't matter what you do, if you're a 21st-century person, you're on a keyboard," said Kent Williamson, executive director of the National Council of Teachers of English, based in Urbana.

To recognize and celebrate that, the council, along with 18 partners nationwide, established the National Day on Writing, which will fall on Oct. 20 every year.

'Lights on After School' rally/fall party set Oct. 22

DANVILLE – The Georgetown-Ridge Farm Teen REACH group will host a "Lights on After School" rally/fall party from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 22 in the parking lot at the Georgetown-Ridge Farm group's site.

They will be joined by members of the Danville Family YMCA Teen REACH program.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Champaign high school redistricting options presented

CHAMPAIGN – The best option for changing high school boundaries in Champaign would affect families south of Windsor Road and in two areas between Russell Street and Mattis Avenue, according to a demographer hired to develop redistricting options for the Champaign school district.

Jerome McKibben presented two options at a community forum Monday night, then the school board discussed them.

Monday, October 12, 2009

UI students say they're willing to join in recycling effort

CHAMPAIGN – University of Illinois students will recycle if given the chance, supporters told the city council during a discussion of Champaign starting a recycling program for apartments and other multifamily properties.

"If you make the resource available, the students will use it," Cassie Carroll, a University of Illinois graduate and executive director with the Illinois Green Business Association, said at Tuesday night's city council meeting.

Champaign, Mattoon share in federal grant funds

Police in Champaign and Mattoon say money from a federal grant will help them identify and prosecute child predators, fight child sexual exploitation over the Internet and enforce sex offender registration laws.

Champaign and Mattoon police are two of eight Illinois police agencies sharing a grant of nearly a half-million dollars from the U.S. Department of Justice.

Hoopeston elementary school earns field trip grant

HOOPESTON – John Greer Elementary School in Hoopeston is one of 28 schools awarded a field trip grant to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield.

A Midwest Generation contribution to the library foundation allows school and groups that serve low-income youths to visit the museum.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Mental health grant panel has youngsters in mind

CHAMPAIGN – Adrienne Spires has been a counselor, educator and parent of two daughters.

It's that last job that landed her on a panel alongside academics and agency directors who will help decide how to spend a $9 million Champaign County mental health grant.

An interim steering committee appointed this week will begin the planning process for the six-year federal grant, and 10 of the 19 members are teens or parents. The money – $1 million the first year – comes from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or SAMHSA.

Urbana district hopes suit shows need for sharing info

URBANA – The Urbana school district's lawsuit against the Normal school district is a way for it to recoup some of its financial losses from settlements to students abused by former Urbana teacher and convicted sex offender Jon White, said Joseph Perkoski, the Chicago attorney who filed the lawsuit on behalf of the Urbana school district.

The Urbana district has agreed to pay more than $2 million in present-day dollars in settlements to the families of White's victims.

Beckman Institute marks 20 years of collaboration

URBANA – In 1985, the Illini baseball field, Strawberry Fields and a cinder track, five laps to the mile, dominated the area near Wright and University.

Within four years, a $50 million facility jutted from the area, a 20-year experiment in bringing scholars from different fields under one roof that has paid off with research that benefits our daily life.

UI has funny way of showing it has 'no secrets'

Earlier this year, University of Illinois President B. Joseph White appeared before an Illinois House committee and pledged that the university would be open and transparent when dealing with the public.

"We're a public university. There should be no secrets," he said.

Event will give teachers tools to use in classrooms

Want to teach children about the environment? The best way is to figure out how to get them outdoors.

"The well-being of our kids is being threatened because they are not spending enough time outside," said Kristin Camp, science and health curriculum coordinator for Champaign schools.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Unit 4 nets grant to help with assignment plans

CHAMPAIGN – The Champaign school district will evaluate and refine its student assignment system – which is using new criteria this year – with the help of a $250,000, two-year federal grant.

Friday, October 9, 2009

High school boundary proposals whittled to 2

CHAMPAIGN – The Champaign school district has narrowed the options for drawing new boundary lines for its two high schools to the original two plans presented early this year.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Quinn, UI students rally for MAP grant funding

URBANA – Kimberly Nunley doesn't come from money – the Chicago native is a former ward of the state, and has three small children of her own.

She wants to continue her studies at Parkland College, and possibly on to Millikin University, but there's no money for the spring semester – because the Legislature didn't fund the second half of a state grant she was promised.