Three School Dist. 129 educators are being honored this month with Golden Apple Awards, which signify excellence in teaching.
The awardees, who were nominated by their peers, will be recognized at 6 p.m., Nov. 17 during the school board meeting at West Aurora High School, 1201 W. New York St., Aurora.
Awards were earned by Scott Robowski, a chemistry teacher at West High; Kathy Wagner, a social studies/language arts teacher at Herget Middle School; and Kathy Gaddis, an exceptional needs classroom teacher at Hope D. Wall School.
Robowski has been with the district since 1996. His teaching philosophy is to build on a student’s natural curiosity about how the world works. In the nomination, one colleague said Robowski had the “strongest work ethic of anyone I have worked with in 17 years.”
Robowski also has volunteered for several charity efforts in the district and community.
Wagner, who has worked in the district for 22 years, uses a variety of methods to get all of her students engaged and motivated. A colleague wrote of Wagner, “The actual instruction provided by this nominee is not work, but is closer to art.”
Gaddis said she believes her primary goal is to allow each student to become as independent as they possibly can, while educators fill in the gaps. Gaddis, who has helped students with Girl Scouts and Special Olympics activities, said she is grateful to her peers and to everyone at Hope Wall.
“Teaching children with disabilities is a constant challenge, which I feel makes me a better teacher,” said Gaddis, who has worked at Hope Wall since 1994. “I love what I do, and feel blessed to be given the opportunity to teach. I find it very rewarding. This award shall be a reminder of how much I have been able to accomplish as an educator and a reminder to continue teaching children with disabilities to the best of my ability.”
POSTED ON:
Friday, September 26, 2008 — 8:36:00 AM
West High’s Sept. 30 Car-Less Drive-In Movie a Family Event (Revised)
West Aurora High School is having a car show and showing the movie “Grease” at 7p.m., Sept. 30, in the outdoor courtyard at the front of the school, 1201 W. New York St., Aurora.
A Homecoming family event, the “Car-less Drive-In” is open to the public with a $2-per-person admission. Moviegoers should bring their own lawn chairs or blankets.
Arrive hungry because there will be a “Build Your Own Sundae Bar” featuring Oberweis Ice Cream beginning at 6 p.m. for $2, as well as hot dogs, soft drinks and popcorn for $1 each.
POSTED ON:
Tuesday, September 16, 2008 — 3:12:00 PM
Car Seat Safety Check at Todd Early Childhood Center Sept. 20
Experts will be on hand to check child safety seats from 9:45am-2:15pm, Sept. 20 at Todd Early Childhood Center, 100 Oak Ave., Aurora.
This event will be taking place at about 100 locations in Illinois, and Todd is the site for Aurora. AAA Chicago will have eight technicians on hand to check:
* Location and angle of seat.
* Installation of seat, harness and other components.
* Security/safety of child in seat.
* Recall status by make and model year.
In addition, technicians will provide parents with free information on:
* How to properly install the seat.
* How to properly secure your child in the seat.
* The different types of child safety seats and when to use them.
* The overall safety belt system.
* Common mistakes and how to avoid them.
Motor vehicle crashes are the number-one killer of young children in America, too often from the improper use or non-use of child safety seats and booster seats. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 7,500 lives have been saved by the proper use of child restraints during the past 20 years.
POSTED ON:
Thursday, September 11, 2008 — 8:12:00 PM
New Procedure for Denying Release of Student Images for District Publicity
The image or likeness of a student in pictures, videotape, film, or other media is not confidential and may be released by the school district without consent of parents or guardians. The school district uses such images routinely in district publications and on its Web site and also distributes them to the media.
Beginning this month, if you do not want your child’s image released, you must tell the principal in writing. A form to disallow release of student images is available at the schools and online. This written notice to the principal must be received no later than October 13.
POSTED ON:
Friday, February 29, 2008 — 10:55:00 AM
Reminder to Vote: Special Congressional Election March 8
On Saturday, March 8, there is a special election to select the candidate who will fill the vacancy for 14th Congressional District Representative.
The two candidates appear on the ballot in this order: Jim Oberweis, Republican, and Bill Foster, Democratic.
You can vote early through Monday, March 3. To find out where to vote early,
“A share in the sovereignty of the state, which is exercised by the citizens at large, in voting at elections is one of the most important rights of the subject, and in a Republic ought to stand foremost in the estimation of the law. “
-- Alexander Hamilton
POSTED ON:
Monday, December 17, 2007 — 10:01:00 AM
Children With Disabilities Workshop - January 9, 2008
