Education Partners, good afternoon:

There will be lots more news tomorrow following tonight’s Board of Education meeting, but I thought you’d appreciate getting this info today:

• A few weeks ago, the Greater St. Charles Education Foundation donated LCD projectors – supplied by the DuKane Corp. -- to each of the middle and high schools, as it did last fall to the elementary schools. The projectors have all arrived and are in use, so last week representatives of DuKane and the Education Foundation visited Thompson Middle School to see the fruits of their generosity. Here are some pictures: http://www.d303.org/news/newsphotos/projector/index.htm
• Congratulations to St. Charles North High School junior Lauren Switzer, who was one of 35 girls from 13 states named to PARADE magazine’s All-America Girls Soccer Team. Here is a picture of her receiving her plaque: http://www.d303.org/news/newsphotos/lauren/index.htm
   
• Congratulations as well to St. Charles North High golf coach Rob Prentiss, who is one of eight finalists for Coach of the Year honors through the National High School Athletic Coaches Association. Click here for more info, which is posted on our District 303 news page, and also under “303 Excels.” Here is more information about this latest honor: http://www.d303.org/news/press/prentisspr.htm
  
  If Prentiss wins this award in June, it will not be the first time he’s been named the best of the best. Here is an article from our News Archive: http://www.d303.org/news/press/prentisspr.htm
   
• The deadline to register for elementary summer school has been extended to June 3, 2005. We’ve updated the pertinent info on the front page of our website: http://www.d303.org/news/press/DISTRICT%20303%20SUMMER%20SCHOOL%202005main.htm Please spread the word.
   
• A reminder that the District 303 community is invited to a panel discussion hosted by the Gifted/Talented Parent Support Group of District 303, about summer programs for gifted students. The meeting will be held from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, May 24, 2005 at St. Charles East High School. Click here for more: http://www.d303.org/news/press/giftedgroup0505pr.htm
   
• St. Charles East High School freshman Katie Born and sophomore Chris Geldes were named to 2004-2005 North Suburban Math League Honorable Mention All-Conference team. The North Suburban Math League comprises 55 top Chicago-area schools including IMSA, Evanston, Naperville North, and Stevenson. The team competes at five meets annually. Kudos to Katie and Chris.
   
• Congratulations to Wredling Middle School guidance secretary Mary Jo Kohlhagen, and Haines Middle School mathematics teacher Chuck Robinson, for both being named Outstanding Leaders at the recent Illinois Education Association Region 53 Annual Awards Dinner.
  
  Kohlhagen has served as a Building Representative, Region Representative, Vice President and Negotiations Chairperson for the St. Charles Educational Support Personnel Association. She has served on the District Calendar Committee, Strategic Planning committee and has assisted elementary secretaries in SASI training.
  
  Robinson most recently served on the SCEA Negotiation Team, and has attended school board meetings for 23 years. He published the first (and only) directory of businesses run by SCEA members, organized and ran an SCEA full staff party and dance, served as the SCEA representative on the Discipline Committee, helped negotiate the transition to an eight-period day at middle school, and served on the district Insurance Committee. Presently, Robinson is a member of SCEA's Sick Bank Committee. He is retiring in June.
   
• St. Charles North High global studies teacher Laurel Howard will be a guest speaker along with her husband, Alan, at the Carol Stream Relay for Life on June 10 and 11, 2005. They’re both cancer survivors and will address fellow survivors and caregivers before the Kickoff Lap at the June event. Relay for Life is a 12 hour walkathon that raises money through donations through 10-15 member teams of walkers and runners.
   
• The St. Charles North High girls and boys swimming and diving teams and the St. Charles North girls basketball team have all won the new IHSA Team Academic Achievement Award. The program rewards teamwork not only in competition, but in the classroom as well. This award goes to teams whose members maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or higher throughout their season.

And finally…

A ways back we told you about a very unique initiative to raise funds to help the victims of the December 2004 tsunami – a specially-made T-shirt created by Wildrose/Munhall elementary schools art teacher Rebecca Hubbs.

Sales of those shirts have so far raised $5,566. More shirts are still available. If you would like to purchase a shirt please contact Rebecca Hubbs rhubbs@d303.org or call Wild Rose Elementary – (630) 377-4890 -- and ask for Barb. All proceeds will go to the American Red Cross Tsunami Fund.

Whew! That’s plenty for now. Have a good night.

Tom Hernandez