At the Community Foundation of the Fox Valley, we’re celebrating the culmination of this year’s scholarship program. More than 1,300 students applied, and we were deeply moved by their dedication, talent, and determination to pursue higher education. Thanks to the generosity of this remarkable community, we are proud to award
The Golden Apple Foundation, the leading Illinois-based nonprofit committed to preparing, mentoring, honoring, and retaining great educators who advance educational opportunities for students, surprised Matthew Erbach, a ninth through 12th grade teacher at South Elgin High School in Elgin, with the prestigious Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. Erbach
May 15, Aurora University announced a Learning Commons to replace Charles B. Phillips Library. AU President Susana Rivera-Mills, Ph.D., presided at an earlier internal groundbreaking ceremony for students, faculty, staff and board of directors. She said construction on the three-story, multi-functional building is planned for a plot along Prairie Street
A 2025 Aurora University graduate poses for a photo outside Eckhart Hall Saturday, May 3, after spring commencement ceremonies.
Members of the Aurora Lions Club learned cyber safety tips at the club’s meeting May 1. Dan Vargas, an Aurora Lion and assistant information technology supervisor for Fox Metro water reclamation district in Oswego, presented “Cyber Safety Basics” at Paulie’s Pub in Aurora. Vargas explained aspects of information technology, including
Bill Foster (D-IL) and Mike Lawler (R-NY) announced the reintroduction of the bipartisan Keep STEM Talent Act to make certain advanced Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) degree holders eligible for permanent resident status. This would allow these graduates to remain in the United States following their graduation and would
March 25, 2025Dear editor; Homeschooling is on the rise and some school administrators are very concerned that they’re losing tax resources with declining enrollment numbers. Representative Terra Costa Howard (D-Lombard) is targeting homeschooling families with HB 2827, claiming that she wants to protect children from parents “who don’t do it
Marmion Academy is proud to announce that senior, Juan Campos, Jr. of Aurora, has been awarded the prestigious Global Seal of Biliteracy (www.theglobalseal.com), an international language certificate that recognizes and celebrates his level of proficiency in Spanish and English. The Global Seal of Biliteracy validates language skills and expands future
By Peter HancockCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com Enrollment at Illinois community colleges grew to more than 285,000 in the spring semester this year, an 8.9% increase over a year ago and the largest spring-to-spring enrollment increase since the Illinois Community College Board began collecting systemwide data in the late 1990s. In a
By Beth Hundsdorfer & Molly ParkerCapitol News Illinoisnews@capitolnewsillinois.com Hundreds rallied Thursday at the Capitol in Springfield to voice their opposition to a bill that would require oversight of families who homeschool their children, a response to concerns that the state offers no restrictions on homeschooling families. The bill, called the
By Molly Parker & Beth HundsdorferCapitol News Illinois Following a ProPublica and Capitol News Illinois investigation, an Illinois lawmaker has introduced legislation that would require families to tell their public school districts if they are homeschooling. A new Illinois bill aims to add some oversight of families who homeschool their
By Peter HancockCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com Fourth and eighth grade students in Illinois generally scored as well or better than the national average in reading and math, according to results of the latest round of national test results. But their scores remain below pre-pandemic levels and, in the case of reading,
The Dominican Literacy Center in Aurora needs female volunteers to help women learn to read, write and speak English. Alison Brzezinski, DLC tutoring coordinator, said training will be offered from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18. Training will take place at the center, 260 Vermont Street in Aurora,
Students participating in Naperville’s KidsMatter Teen Philanthropy Initiative (TPI), have been giving back this holiday season, helping not only several significant causes and charitable events, but their own philanthropic learning. TPI mentor, Kristen Refness, and some of her team members in the Teen Philanthropy Initiative, recently volunteered at Loaves &
By Peter HancockCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com Education officials from five statewide organizations are pushing for fundamental changes in the way student achievement is measured each year and how schools are held accountable for meeting the state’s academic standards. In a new report entitled Vision 2030, organizations representing local school boards, superintendents,
The Dominican Literacy Center in Aurora seeks female volunteers to tutor immigrant women in English. Alison Brzezinski, DLC tutoring coordinator, said training sessions will be held from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18. Training will take place at the center at St. Therese Church, 260 Vermont St. in
Marmion Academy, a college-prep high school in the Fox Valley, has announced it will implement a hybrid co-ed model after more than 93 years as single-sex, all-boys school. The announcement follows a November 16 vote by the Marmion Abbey chapter of monks to approve the planning and implementation of a
Illinois Math & Science Academy (IMSA) student, Arnav Patel, center, explains his Student Inquiry and Research project at the Japan Super Science Fair in Kyoto, Japan.
Aurora University president Susana Rivera-Mills, Ph.D. has been included in Crain’s Chicago Business’ Notable Latino Leaders feature. John D. Ammons, Aurora board of trustees chair, made the announcement in an email to alumni. He said, “Crain’s Chicago Business, a leading regional publication known for its in-depth news and analysis, annually
By Peter HancockCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com The Illinois State Board of Education recently released the 2024 School Report Card, showing a record-high proficiency rate for students in grades 3-8 in English language arts while math scores still have not fully recovered from the low point they hit during the pandemic. In
