Aurora National Merit Semifinalists
Marmion Academy’s, Caleb Quitno, left, and West Aurora High School senior James Chan, have been named a National Merit Semifinalists in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program.
Students honored, youth poetry
Four young writers from Aurora, Naperville, and Burr Ridge have been recognized in the 2026 Gwendolyn Brooks Youth Poetry Awards, Illinois Humanities’ annual statewide competition honoring poets in grades K-12. The four suburban students are among 39 poets receiving awards or honorable mentions from a record 1,063 submissions representing 186
Aurora University students rally for move-in day
Celebrating fall move-in day, new Aurora University students pack the bleachers in Thornton Gym for a group photo.
Different ways to learn: School, first-hand, listening
By Dr. Glenn Mollette There is more than one way to learn. The formal method is the classroom. Elementary, junior, and high school. This is of course the minimum standard for our society today. Many of us spent years of other classroom studies. Today many people are studying online or
Back-to-School Fun in Elgin
Families are invited to the 7th Annual Back to School event from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15 at Marie Grolich Park in Elgin. There will be free school giveaways, food, games, and prizes while getting ready for the new school year. For more information, call 847-361-4056. —Kane County
West Aurora School District 129 distributes supplies to 1,500 students
West Aurora School District 129 students and their parents/guardians receive backpacks filled with school supplies at Celebrating Back 2 the Books recently.
Understand your Kane County Court System: New Video Series
The 16th Judicial Circuit, in partnership with local marketing firm It’s Me, Marketing, is excited to announce Bridging Kane County Courts to the Community, a new 14-part video series designed to help Kane County residents understand how their local court system works in plain language, on their own time. Courts
Summer Sizzle at Aurora University for new students
Volleyball was among activities featured in “Summer Sizzle,” a new-student welcome program at Aurora University July 21.
Aurora Summer Civics Series, budget, long-term plans
The City of Aurora government and mayor John Laesch are set to host a new Summer Civics Series to engage the community on the City’s plans for the 2027 budget and its long-term outlook for public safety, infrastructure, and sustainability. The City of Aurora Summer Civics Series will start Saturday,
What is dyslexia and how can I help my child?
If your child struggles with reading, they’re not alone. Dyslexia affects about 15% (or 1.24 billion) of people worldwide, and experts estimate that many struggling readers go undiagnosed. The good news? Early intervention can make a huge difference in helping children build confidence and strengthen their reading skills. To help
Women to teach women English
Aurora’s Dominican Literacy Center needs women to teach immigrant women English. Training will take place Saturday, Aug. 22, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the center, 260 Vermont Ave. in Aurora. No teaching or foreign language experience is required. One-on-one tutoring sessions run from September through May with day
Community Foundation scholarships: 547 receive funds
Five-hundred forty-seven residents of the greater Aurora Area are off to pursue their higher education goals this fall with financial support from their fellow Fox Valley residents, through the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley Scholarship Program. Collectively, the Community Foundation’s 2026 Scholarship Program will award $3 million over
Covenant Living at the Holmstad awards scholarships
The Resident Association of Covenant Living at the Holmstad has awarded scholarships to eight graduating high school seniors employed at the senior living community. The students were recognized during a recent celebration dinner on campus. The scholarships are funded primarily through proceeds from the Holmstad’s annual fall Bazaar, where residents
Education bills: Cell-phone ban, child care licensing
By Peter HancockCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com Governor JB Pritzker says he intends to sign legislation imposing a statewide ban on cell phones and other wireless communication devices during instructional time in public schools and charter schools. Although many districts in Illinois have already adopted more stringent bans of their own, Senate
Mayor of Aurora Honors Aurora University Student
Mayor of Aurora, John Laesch honored an Aurora University student at Tuesday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting for being selected to represent the State of Illinois at the 2026 College Student Congress presented by the Henry Clay Center in Washington, D.C.. Giselle Martinez, who is majoring in political science,
School choice option at standstill, legislators weigh pros/cons
By Marisa Guerra EcheverriaMedill Illinois News Bureaunews@capitolnewsillinois.com Diverse interest groups — from public school activists and downstate voters to state officials and school boards — have pushed governor JB Pritzker to finally make a decision about the Donald Trump administration’s Education Freedom Tax Credit. Yet, there has been mostly silence
Kane County Educator of the Year: Noemi Hernandez
Congratulations to Noemi Hernandez, a first grade Dual Language teacher at Washington Elementary School, who was named Educator of the Year at the 50th annual Kane County Educator of the Year awards banquet May 1. Noemi has taught in U-46 for more than 25 years, yet her relationship with the
IMSA students win at Createur Pitch Competition
Illinois Mathematics & Science Academy students, Isaac Lee, Olivia Pan, and Matthew Park took first place at Olivet Nazarene University’s “Createur Pitch Competition” with their product HIALO, a diagnostic headband
State education officials present $10.9B budget request
By Peter HancockCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com State education officials presented their case this week for a $10.9 billion budget to fund preK-12 public schools for the next fiscal year, saying the Evidence-Based Funding formula that has been in place for nearly a decade is now paying dividends. “Graduation rates are at
Be a hometown tourist through the Museum Adventure Pass
It’s Springtime, and time to go out exploring. You won’t have to go far from home though, as your library has some great adventures available through the Museum Adventure Pass. I talked recently to Deanna Howard, director of the Plano Community Library District. She tells us, “Most of the libraries