Dist. 129 Supt. Jim Rydland is recommending that the Board of Education on April 7 appoint Edward Howerton as the next assistant superintendent for Human Resources.

Howerton, who has been principal of Oswego East High School since 2003 and is an adjunct professor at Governors State University, would fill a vacancy left by the retirement of Chris Crouch this past June.

“The Board is aware of my proposed recommendation and supports Ed’s selection,” says Rydland.

Howerton also has served as an assistant principal in Naperville and Elmwood Park and taught English at high schools in Aurora and Batavia. He has a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Northern Illinois University and a doctorate from Aurora University in Educational Administration.

Howerton and his family live in Aurora.

• McCleery, 3-6 p.m., April 3


• Nicholson, 12-3 p.m., April 4


• Smith, 3-6 p.m., April 8


• Hill, 3-6 p.m., April 10


• Goodwin, 3-6 p.m.,April 15


• Schneider, 12-3 p.m., April 16


• Greenman, 3-6 p.m., April 17


• Freeman, 3-6 p.m., April 22


• Hall, 3-6 p.m., April 24


• Fearn, 3-6 p.m., April 29


• Lincoln, 12-3 p.m., April 30

A los padres de estudiantes de 4to y 5to curso,

Se ha acaba de pasar una nueva ley en Illinois que cambia los requerimientos para los exámenes físicos escolares.

Empezando en otoño del 2008 se requerirá exámenes físicos escolares para poder entrar en Kindergarten, 6tocurso, y 9no curso. (Previamente se requería un examen físico escolar para entrar 5to curso.)

Los estudiantes que han tenido un examen físico en preparación para la entrada escolar de 5to curso para el otoño del 2007, pueden usar ese examen físico para la entrada de 6to curso para el otoño del 2008.

Ya no se requiere un examen físico para 5to curso.  Sin embargo, todos los estudiantes que entren a 5to curso tienen que tener una prueba de las series de vacunas de Hepatitis B.  Si su estudiante no tiene prueba de esas series se le notificara individualmente por la oficina de salud de su escuela.

To the Parents of current 4th and 5th grade students,

A new Illinois law has been passed that changes the requirements for school physical examinations.

Beginning in the Fall of 2008 school physical examinations are required to enter kindergarten, 6th, and 9th grades.  (Previously a school physical examination was required to enter 5th grade.)

Students who had a physical in preparation for school entry into 5th grade in the fall of 2007 may use that physical for entry into 6th grade for the fall of 2008.

There is no longer a requirement for a 5th grade physical.  However, all students entering 5th grade must have proof of the series of Hepatitis B vaccines.  If your student does not have proof of this series you will be notified individually by the health office of your school.

On Saturday, March 8, there is a special election to select the candidate who will fill the vacancy for 14^th 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,

·         non-Aurora residents can visit http://www.kanecountyelections.org/EarlyVoting/earlyvotingsitemap.asp.

·         Aurora residents can visit http://www.aurora-il.org/electioncommission/early_voting.php.

Visit the local government election websites for more information:

Kane County Clerk: http://www.kanecountyelections.org/

Aurora Election Commission: http://www.aurora-il.org/electioncommission/index.php

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“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

Dear District 129 Parents and Staff:

Today we have confirmed student cases of MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) at Fearn Elementary School and West Aurora High School.   MRSA is a bacterium that is resistant to some antibiotics commonly used to treat infections.   We have been in contact with the Kane County Health Department and are following all of their recommendations.  Cleaning procedures have taken place as recommended by the health department.   We clean our schools daily according to these procedures using disinfectant products that kill bacteria including MRSA.    

Good hygiene both at home and at school can reduce the risk of infection.   We are committed to these practices in all of our schools.

Practice Good Personal Hygiene
 Keep your hands clean
 Practice frequent hand washing with soap and water
 Use an alcohol hand gel when soap and water are not available
 Bathe/shower with soap each day
 Avoid sharing personal items (examples include towels, soap, razors, deodorant, lip balms, clothing and uniforms)
 Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with a clean, dry bandage
 Avoid contact with other people’s wounds and bandages
 See health care provider about non-healing wounds

Additional Guidelines for Sports Participants
 Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with clean, dry bandages
 Keep equipment clean
 Wash  uniforms frequently
 Don’t store wet, dirty clothing in lockers
 Bathe/shower with soap after every sports practice or competition
 Athletes with draining wounds or infections should not participate in practices or games until the wound has stopped draining

The health of our students is a priority.   We will continue to implement cleaning and personal hygiene practices that reduce the risk of transmission of infections in school.   If you would like additional information about MRSA see our web site:  www.sd129.org/MRSA.htm

Thank you for your help in promoting good hygiene practices at home and school.

Dr. Jim Rydland, Superintendent of Schools
jrydland@sd129.org
630-740-9303 (Cell Phone)