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
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
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
An Aurora church became a space-rocket launching site Wednesday, July 31. For a family science night, youth and adults launched water-bottle rockets in the Wesley United Methodist Church parking lot. Approximately 30 persons participated. Jim “Science Guy” Merk, a Church member and a retired West Aurora schools science teacher, led
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
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
Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry in Aurora will hold a back-to-school fair with free school supplies, a pop-up market and outdoor cooking class on Saturday, July 27. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Marie’s Garden, an urban farm at 834 N. Highland Avenue in Aurora.
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,
Senior Fraud Awareness Day was May 15, and more than 200 Aurora senior citizens eagerly showed up for a special workshop presented by the FBI and the City of Aurora. Last year, the frequency of elder fraud crimes targeting Americans over 60 reached an alarming high, surpassing any previous year.
The Fox River Valley Library will have an exciting Summer adventure with our Summer Reading Challenge! This year, we are thrilled to announce that the theme is “Adventure Begins at Your Library.” Dust off those reading glasses, ignite your imagination, and prepare for an unforgettable journey through the pages of
Lucas Heidenry gives an opening reflection at Lisle High’s graduation ceremony at the school gym Friday, May 17.
West Aurora High School graduate Angelina Fuller, right, chats with friends Monday evening at a picnic open house in her honor.
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.
Discipling Anti-Racist Youth: Part 2,” a free workshop, will be held from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 18, at Wesley United Methodist Church, 14 N. May St. in Aurora. Youth leaders and aspiring youth workers are invited. Admission, breakfast, and parking are free. Workshop facilitator is Richard Guzman,
