Citing the school’s “solid record of educational excellence in academics, athletics and activities,” Newsweek magazine named North High School among the nation’s top six percent of public high schools for the third year in a row. The rankings are determined by the number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or Cambridge (AICE) tests given at a [...]
Entries Tagged as 'Education'
Bill would allow 4-day school week
March 23rd, 2010 · 31 Comments · Education
At a time when students in other industrialized nations spend up to eight hours a day at school, 220 days a year, the Illinois House has passed legislation that would allow school boards to trim the school week to four days in order to save money. Students still would be required to attend school the [...]
DGEA, parents address D99 board
February 24th, 2010 · 11 Comments · budget, District 99, Education
At least 80 parents, students and teachers, including representatives of the Downers Grove Education Association, attended the Feb. 22 D99 school board meeting in an effort to convince the board to rehire North High science teacher Andrew Klamm, who reportedly will be denied tenure. Anticipating the large turn out, the meeting was moved to the [...]
Tags: Andrew Klamm
D99: State Speech finals
February 21st, 2010 · 2 Comments · District 99, Education
In one of the tightest state competitions ever South finishes 1 point away from a seven-peat, and North finishes with the seventh highest point total. D99 students finished in the top five in seven different events, and South fields two state champions. Full results after the break. Congratulations on a job well done!
Tags: D99·speech·state finals
Deadlines near for DGJWC awards
February 17th, 2010 · 1 Comment · Education
The Downers Grove Junior Woman’s Club is offering several scholarships for high school seniors and current college students. Two high school seniors will each be awarded a $1,250 Senior Scholarship. Applicants must be a resident of Downers Grove or living within the boundaries of Community High School District 99, and must be in the top [...]
Tags: scholarships
D99: North and South head to state
February 15th, 2010 · 10 Comments · District 99, Education
Instilling dread in the competition for another year. The last weekend of Sectional competition is over, and both North and South advanced several team members as well as Performance in the Round to the State Final competition next weekend, Feb. 19-20 in Peoria IL. North advanced eight Speech team members in six solo and duet [...]
Teaching to the test
November 9th, 2009 · 8 Comments · District 58, District 99, Education
Who thinks No Child Left Behind is a good idea? I haven’t met any parent or teacher who supports it. Dgmom743 posed a question that for many of us has a clear answer: No. Any law or practice that promotes standardized tests as the sole measure of achievement is not only a bad idea, it’s [...]
Tags: ISAT·NCLB·standardized tests
Five questions: Paul Zaander
November 5th, 2009 · 7 Comments · District 58, Education
Paul C. Zaander was named superintendent of D58 in September, culminating a 20-year career in the district. Originally a classroom teacher in another district, Zaander came to D58 as principal of Lester School principal before being promoted to assistant superintendent of curriculum, deputy superintendent for personnel and staff development and, finally, interim superintendent following the [...]
Tags: Paul Zaander
Making the grade
November 2nd, 2009 · 8 Comments · District 58, Education
With the first quarter of the school year gone and report cards set to go home today, D58 parents will get their first official look at the district’s new standards-based reporting. There is plenty of background to be obtained on the district’s Web site, through school meetings and from information that has been coming home [...]
Through the roof
May 3rd, 2010 · 7 Comments · Commentary, District 58, District 99, Education, state politics, Taxes, Village Hall
Our 2009 tax bill is officially through the roof, breaking through the $6,000 barrier for the first time. That’s right, $6,000-plus for an 1,875-square-foot, 85-year-old residence on a 50-foot lot. And that’s it for me. This year, I finally will file the appeal I’ve threatened so many times in the past. This year, I’ll stay [...]
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Tags: property taxes