Category: Education

Three West Aurora students, National Merit Scholarship

West Aurora School District 129 is pleased to announce that West Aurora High School students, Abigail Cummings, Natalie McLear, and Conor Wendel have been named Commended Students in the esteemed 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program. In recognition of this accomplishment, West Aurora High School and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation

Move-in weekend at Aurora University

Resident students moved into Aurora University dormitories halls Friday, Aug. 23 and Saturday, Aug. 24.Freshmen and new transfer students moved in Friday followed by returning students Saturday. Approximately 700 new freshmen were among the just under 6,000 students enrolled. They represent 26 states and three foreign countries. Transfer student enrollment

Glen Ellyn lawmaker seeks home school laws

By Beth Hundsdorfer & Molly ParkerCapitol News Illinoisinvestigations@capitolnewsillinois.com An Illinois lawmaker heading a child welfare committee said the state must strengthen its laws and policies to protect homeschooled children facing inadequate education, abuse and neglect. Representative Terra Costa Howard, the chair of the Adoption and Child Welfare Committee in the

Eola Road Library Branch plans upgrades

Aurora Lions Club members recently learned of Aurora Public Library District plans for Eola Road branch upgrades. In a Lions meeting at Santori Aurora Public Library July 18, APLD executive director, Michaela Haberkern, provided history, floor plans, and renderings for the $11.3 million project. According to Haberkern, renovations will include

Pritzker signs bill creating new Department of Early Childhood

By Peter HancockCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation Tuesday, June 25, to create a new cabinet-level State agency dedicated to early childhood education and development. The new Department of Early Childhood, which will become operational in July 2026, will take over programs currently housed across three State agencies,

House okays program for student teacher stipends, but not the funding for it

By Peter Hancock & Andrew CampbellCapitol News Illinoisnews@capitolnewsillinois.com The Illinois House approved a bill Tuesday to allow student teachers to receive stipends while earning their education degree, even though the money needed to fund those stipends is unlikely to be included in next year’s budget. House Bill 4652, by Rep.

2024 Illinois teacher of the Year, Dr. Rachael Mahmood, Georgetown Elementary School in Aurora

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week, and Aurora is showing appreciation to the top teacher in the state. Aurora mayor Richard Irvin surprised Dr. Rachael Mahmood, the 2024 Illinois Teacher of the Year, with a special visit to her fifth-grade classroom at Georgetown Elementary School in Aurora. Mayor Irvin presented

Reader’s Voice: College course on sewing/tailoring

April 5, 2024Dear editor; I am reaching out to propose a news release for publication in your esteemed newspaper, highlighting the introduction of Moraine Valley Community College’s Sewing/Tailoring & Pattern Making classes. We are thrilled to announce these valuable classes, to be held at the College campus, 9000 W. College