Aurora Ward 1 Back to School Bash
Families in Aurora, in line hours prior to the start of the Ward 1 Back to School Bash last weekend.
Reader’s Voice: Applause for students’ wearing masks
August 13, 2021Dear editor; Thank you Shaw Media’s Shea Lazansky for focusing on the pro-mask attitudes of our high school students during the School District 308 Board meeting August 9 (Ledger, August 12). These students stressed the importance of wearing masks to protect themselves, their friends and family, while many...
School districts: Suggested, not required, guidance
By Jerry Nowicki The wide availability of COVID-19 vaccines has changed the State’s approach for mitigating the virus’ spread statewide and in schools. For school districts, that means suggested rather than required guidance, with an emphasis on local control in imposing mitigations. For the governor’s office, that means there are...
Vignettes offer glimpses of returns to the classrooms
The following article, with four vignettes regarding back to school comments, was published in the March 9 issue of The New York Times with an update April 3 on children’s return to school. The article was written by Ellen Almer Durston, Dan Levin, and Juliana Kim. • “Credit…Lucy Hewett for...
Schools lean to online learning; Oswego rally peaceful
Every day decisions must be made in our lives which deviate living from the norm. Much of it is stimulated by the results of the pandemic COVID-19. Schools and school boards must make decisions in uncharted areas. Online only, or a hybrid, or, blend? In the most recent week many...
Schools prepare to open, four in online presence only
COVID-19 has far-reaching consequences, and at this time of year, school districts are feeling the depth of changes. Modifications and changes are creating impacts for the 20 public school districts in the survey by The Voice. The range of schools which begin Fall semester classes vary between August 12 and...
Schools must think creatively, act boldly
By Arthur R. Culver, Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat, John Price, and Tony Sanders For months, we have witnessed in awe the resilience displayed by our students, families, and school staff as they navigate the COVID-19 crisis that has shuttered our campuses. Although many school buildings remain closed through the Summer, educators and...
New guidelines ready for schools’ Fall in-person learning
By Peter Hancock The State has released new guidelines for schools, colleges, and universities to return to in-person learning in the Fall as the State prepares to enter Phase 4 of governor JB Pritzker’s reopening plan Friday, June 26. During a news conference Tuesday in Chicago, Pritzker said every school,...
Schools’ zero tolerance policies often tone deaf
By John W. Whitehead Just when you thought the government couldn’t get any more tone-deaf about civil liberties and the growing need to protect “we the people” against an overreaching, overbearing police state, the Donald Trump administration ushers in even more strident zero tolerance policies that treat children like suspects...
West Branch reopening celebration in Aurora September 3
A new school year is under way, and with a new school year comes the grand reopening for Aurora Public Library’s West Branch. A lot of good changes have happened at West Branch this year and we want them to be a showcase! Join us Tuesday, Sept. 3 starting at...
Back to school, Mooseheart students, Summer growth
Summer calm shifted in Autumn-like activity recently at Mooseheart when the campus’ students walked to school to begin the 2019-2020 school year. Although no tests had been taken, no homework had been assigned and all desks were just being occupied, the anticipation and expectation for the year was apparent when...