West Chicago Lions Club hosted its 52nd Annual New Teachers Luncheon Friday, August 11, 2017, at St. Andrews Golf & Country Club. Attending were teachers and staff from Benjamin School District 25, Community High School District 94 and West Chicago Elementary School District 33.
Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce provided welcome and informational packages for the teachers. Included were packets, certificates and small gifts from various Chamber members. Reverend Nancy Rethford, pastor at First United Methodist Church and Lions Club member, gave the invocation. Lions Club President Lori Chassee welcomed the new staff to West Chicago, plus presented an overview of the Lions Club, internationally, nationally, district-wide and locally. “The Lions Clubs are the largest service clubs in the world with 1.35 million members. Locally the Club is invoked many community events and provide vision tests starting at six months… West Chicago is a wonderful community.”
Mayor Ruben Pineda said the Lions Club’s long-standing tradition of welcoming new teachers to our school districts is an important one and an indication of the Club’s commitment to education and community outreach. “Teachers have a meaningful influence on students, who learn the challenges in their complex world.. …Youths love learning…you help instill confidence.” He advised them to explore the City’s parks, library, ARC, prairies, museums and public art gallery.
New teachers in West Chicago ElementaryDistrict 33 are Judith Lopez, Library Learning Center; Ruheena Padshah, Preschool; Meghan Tharaldson, Speech; Anne Haddad, Facilitator; Walker Bria, Preschool; Pedro Vargas, Bilingual Preschool; John Gelasi, Orchestra; Cassandra Ruiz, Band/Orchestra; Sheryl Leturgey Clark, Instructional Coach; Lisa Whitney, Bilingual, Fourth Grade; Gustavo Rodriguez, Bilingual Fourth Grade; Mary Zabinski, Third Grade; Daniel Ballines, Physical Education/Health; and Hannah Larsen, Physical Education/Health.
Others are Kelsey Mangler, Art; Susan Ramel, Music/Choir; Crystal Lizon, Math; Rita Butler, Science; Britnee Gilleylen, Language Arts/Literature; Gianna Deluca, Language Arts/Literature; Keven Hohenzy, Language Arts/Literature; Alexia Garcia, Choir; Ilana Ayala, Bilingual Second Grade; Michelle Bertram, Fifth Grade General Education and Maria Diamond, Bilingual Fifth Grade.
New to the staff are Krista Gardziella, Media Specialist; Jillian Zelinski, Social Emotional Learning; Isabel, Chaidez, Speech/Language Pathologist; Cynthia Knoll, Computer Programmer; Rebecca Cuculich, Facilitator; Marilou Jongko, Facilitator and Gladys Osornio, Bilingual Psychologist.
New administrative staff are Mark Truckenbrod, Principal at Currier School, Lori Comes, Coordinator for Student Services, and Assistant Principals Heather Santiemmo, Early Learning Center; Kellie Barros, Currier; Irene Villa, Gary; Jacqueline Campos, Indian Knoll, Mary Kassierm Pioneer, Brian Marroquin; and Joe Trsar, Wegner.
New faculty at West Chicago Community High School are Alexandra Balaskas, Science; Michelle Cevaal, Family and Consumer Science; Kelsey Jacob, Physical Education; Joseph McCollum, Akta Naik and Kristin Nordquist, Math; Shannon McMullen, English; Anna Murray, English; Alejandra Tantachuco, World Languages; James Wallace, Band Director and Teacher; and Joseph Zeman, Humanities. New staff members are Cheryl Moore, Director of Human Resources and Maria Vlantis, School Psychologist.
Megan Peterson is the new teacher at Benjamin Middle school, teaching English, Social Studies and STEM subjects. Jen Szabo is the new District Administrative Assistant. (www.merleburl.com)
AROUND AND ABOUT
West Chicago City Museum continues its Historiography program, a non-fiction book reading group. The discussion group meets at noon, Thursday, August 17, 2017, at the Museum, 132 Main Street. Guests can bring a sack lunch; dessert and drinks are provided. The book under discussion is “Remembering Marshall Fields” by Leslie Goddard. Call the museum at (630) 231-3376 for further information.
“Introduction to Beekeeping” is the program at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, August 17, 2017, in the meeting room at West Chicago Public Library District, 118 West Washington Street. Beekeeper Sarah Bass, West Chicago resident and artist, gives an interactive presentation geared for all ages. In addition to guests seeing supplies for beekeeping, persons have the opportunity to test honey from a local comb. Call the adult services at (630) 231-1500, extension 4, to make a reservation.
It is time for the community pep rally at the Eighth Annual Wildcat Sports Festival, Blue and White Night, Friday, August 18, 2017, at West Chicago Community High School, 326 Joliet Street. The festivities showcasing the school’s fall athletic programs, begin at 4:30 p.m. and end with the varsity football scrimmage around 8:00 p.m. In addition to football, the athletic teams include cross-country, golf, boys’ soccer, girls swimming, girls’ tennis, and girls’ volleyball.
Although most activities are in Memorial Stadium, some take place in the pool area and Bishop Gym. The event includes athletic scrimmages, Corn Boil by Lootens Steam Engine, team recognition, raffles, concessions, Spirit Wear sales, the pom poms and cheerleading squads and the Wildcat Marching Band. To see the schedule, visit http://il.8to18.com/westchicago/calendar, click on August 18 to see the details. For more information, email WCCHS Athletic Director Doug Mullaney at dmullaney@d94.org or call (630) 876-6290.
Janice and Ralph Jones celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary Saturday, August 19, 2017.
West Chicago Public Library District, 118 West Washington Street, is the site for a “Sunsational Solar Eclipse” event from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday, August 21, 2017. The drop-in type event is geared for all ages, offering STEM , science, technology, engineering and math, programming through a brief presentation about the phenomenon of the total eclipse when the moon sweeps diagonally across the United States from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean for the first time in nearly a century, plus astronomy-related crafts and games. The Chicago area is expected to see approximately 85% of the sun eclipsed.
The presentation takes place at 11:00 a.m. upstairs in the Adult Services Department. The Youth Services department offers crafts such as making a constellation projector and a star wheel map and games such as Constellation Concentration or Space Glove Challenge on the library lawn. Also persons can bring a picnic lunch and receive a free pair of safety viewing glasses. The maximum eclipse coverage in our area is at approximately 1:18 p.m. and will last for approximately two and a half minutes. To view the full schedule of activities visit the library’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/wcpld/ or call Youth Services librarian Amanda Hanson at (630) 231-1552, extension 3, or email ahanson@wcpld.info.
No matter where you viewing the eclipse, remember to look at the sun only with certified eclipse glasses or hand-held viewers or a pinhole projector, which can be made at home.
Wayne/Winfield Area Youth/Family Services offers hour-long computer classes for senior citizens at Wayne Township, 27W031 North Avenue. Not only do seniors learn basic skills, but also have the opportunity to socialize. The fee is $2. Reservations are required and may be made by calling (630) 231-7166.
“Attaching Photos to Emails or Texts” class is at 1:00 p.m. Monday, August 21, 2017. For classes that involve a technology device, persons need to bring their personal items with them.
Wheaton Academy celebrates the beginning of the school year with a picnic and worship at 6:30 p.m. Monday, August 21, 2017. The first day of school is Tuesday, August 22, 2017.
The City of West Chicago and DuPage Airport Authority host an Inaugural Back to School Celebration from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 22, 2017, at DuPage Airport, 2700 International Drive. Youths meet Mayor Ruben Pineda, West Chicago Fire Protection District firemen, West Chicago Police Department policemen, FAA Air Controllers, Flight Instructors, Civil Air Patrol Fox Valley Squadron and Boy Scouts Three Fires Council. Activities include visiting the tower, climbing into airport rescue vehicles, experiencing CAP flight simulators and sitting inside an airplane cockpit. There are refreshments and prizes. For further information or to make a reservation for the free event visit http://daabacktoschool.eventbrite.com.
As part of the countywide Voices of DuPage, the West Chicago City Museum, 132 Main Street, hosts its third Town Hall Share at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 23, 2017. The topic is “We Go A Traveling” with the focus on vacations. It is a lead up to a new exhibit, “Vacations.” Persons are encouraged to bring photos and discuss memorable vacations or trips. Refreshments are served.
Voices of DuPage is a collection of cultural institutions that serve DuPage County residents that seek to preserve and promote our historical legacy. The members, primarily museums and libraries, focus on oral history programs.
Classical Blast is the musical entertainment at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 23, 2017, at The Shell in Reed-Keppler Park. The City and West Chicago Park District sponsor the programs in the concert series
The first day of school for West Chicago Elementary School District 33 is Thursday, August 24, 2017. The new starting time for Leman Middle School is 7:40 a.m. and 8:40 a.m. for the elementary schools. Dismissal is 2:40 p.m. for LMS and 3:25 p.m. for the elementary schools.
West Chicago Garden Club meeting is Thursday, August 24, 2017, at Faith Community Church, 910 Main Street. Social time is at 6:45 p.m., short business meeting at 7:00 p.m. and program at 7:15 p.m. Mary Krystinak of Mary’s Wholesome Living presents a program on how to use and preserve edibles you grow, purchase at the farmers market or pick at a local farm.
The class of 1972 at West Chicago Community High School holds its 45th reunion from Friday, August 25, through Sunday, August 27, 2017. On Friday, the informal gathering is at Hawthorne’s Bar and Grill, 1200 West Hawthorne Lane. Persons from all the WCCHS graduating classes are invited to attend the Friday gathering. The charge is $19.72 per person. Reservations are requested; the form is on the high school’s website, www.d94.org, under Quick Links, for alumni, reunion information, (ttps://www.d94.org/Page/223).
Republic Bank holds a free on-site Paper Shredding event from 10:00 a.m. to noon Saturday, August 26, 2017, at its 105 East Roosevelt Road location. There is a five box limitation. The company providing the service is Proshred® from Tinley Park. Proceeds benefit People Made Visible.
Sincere sympathy is expressed to the family of John W. Akin, who at the age of 45 passed away Monday, August 7, 2017.
Deepest sympathy is expressed to the family of Hildegarde M. Hahn, who at the age of 96 passed away Friday, August 11, 2017.
Sincere sympathy is extended to the family of James Allen Kosunik, who at the age of 82 passed away Tuesday, August 8, 2017.
At the Monday, August 7, 2017, City Council meeting, City Clerk Nancy Smith administered the oath of office to Julio Calabrese, who received a promotion from sergeant to Patrol Commander and to Richard Langelan, who received a promotion from police officer to Sergeant Investigative Division.
Calabrese started his police career in 1991 for a small town in Cook County. He joined the West Chicago Police Department in 1995. Although he worked in patrol, Calabrese spent the majority of his career as a detective. In 2010, he was promoted to sergeant, working as a patrol sergeant and a detective sergeant. For 15 years has been an investigator for the DuPage County Major Crime Task Force and recently was appointed Task Force Commander. In this position he was responsible for the more than 70 investigators throughout the county and the investigation of major crimes when requested. Also he was a DARE Officer for five years and has been a Master Firearms Instructor or 15 years. His numerous police accommodations include a certificate of recognition from the FBI. Calabrese is a recent graduate from Northwestern Center for Public Safety School of Police Staff and Command, a 10-week management class. He replaces Steve Laub, who recently retired. (www.merleburl.com)
After receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Administration of Justice from Southern Illinois University, Langelan joined the West Chicago Police Department 16 years ago. He has worked in patrol and the Traffic Safety Unit. Other areas in which he has served are Evident Technician, Field Training Officer and Field Sobriety Test Instructor. Langelan received recognition from the Alliance Against Intoxicated motorists and also from the Illinois Department of Transportation of his efforts in arresting more than 200 impaired driving offenders during his career. He also was the recipient of a Life Saving Award from the Department. (www.merleburl.com) Police Chief Mike Uplegger introduced Anthony Cargola as the new Investigations Unit Sergeant.
At the meeting Monday, August 7, 2017, City Council approved and Intergovernmental Agreement between DuPage County and the City for participation in the DuPage Justice Information System Project. The item summary describes the background. “For the past two plus years, DuPage County has been working under a grant from the Illinois Criminal Justice Authority to develop a model justice information system to integrate all aspects of the criminal justice system into one countywide program. This would replace the existing Computer Aided Dispatch and Report Management System and allow for easier exchange of information with the State’s Attorney’s office and corrections as well as fellow police departments. The DuPage Justice Information System has a cost sharing mandate built in for common expenses to include equipment replacement.
After some discussion it was decided not to send the issue of Video Gaming to the Monday, August 28, Public Affairs Committee meeting, but to have an advisory referendum giving more residents the opportunity to show their preference. Council approved the motion to direct Staff to prepare an advisory referendum question regarding Video Gaming/Gambling on the March 2018 Consolidated Election ballot.
West Chicago had some Champion winners in the livestock and home economic competitions at the Dupage County Fair. In the Poultry competition, Champion Duck, junior open, winner was Elli Wifler. For Rabbit competition, Amy Dote won for Champion Wooly, junior open. In the Ag Sciences, Home Economics, Arts competition, Champion Grain winner was Kline Creek Farm.
Through a competitive process by the DuPage County Local Workforce Innovation Board, the Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce was selected to serve as the One-Stop Operator for WorkNet DuPage. The role of the One-Stop-Operator is to assist in creating a seamless delivery of services to businesses seeking new hires and individuals seeking employment. The OSO reports regularly to the LWIB, which provides oversight and policy direction.
WorkNet DuPage, located in Lisle, houses nine partner agencies that serve to meet the needs of workers in DuPage County and the region. They are The DuPage County Workforce Development Division, Choose DuPage, the Illinois Department of Employment Security, the Department of Human Services/Rehabilitation Services, College of DuPage, Parents Alliance Employment Project, National Able, and Community Assistance Programs.
Emily Crement is the new principal art Leman Middle School. She has 16 years of experience in the field of education. For the last ten years, she served as an Instructional Specialist and a Reading Specialist at Lincoln Middle School in Berwyn North District 98. Prior to that, she was a Reading Specialist at Prairie Oak Elementary School as well as a classroom teacher. Emphasizing student-centered instruction and inquiry, Emily has provided professional development to teachers and school administrators throughout Cook County on the new Illinois Standards for Social Science. Crement currently is pursuing her doctorate in Educational Leadership with a focus on teacher professional learning at National Louis University. (www.merleburl.com)
The weather was perfect and approximately 400 persons attended the 27th planned Annual National Night Out Tuesday, August 3, 2017, at West Chicago Police station. It was ideal for the residents attending, touring the police station, visiting the various booths to receive information on safety and crime prevention, plus learning about the services, many organizations and taxing bodies offer. Starting off the evening was the Presentation of the Colors by the West Chicago Police Color Guard. (www.merleburl.com)
At the Softball game played by members of the West Chicago Fire Protection District and West Chicago Police Department Sunday, July 30, the score was fire-25, police-20. The funds raised to benefit Special Olympics Illinois to date are $2,335. Monies are still coming in from the fire department and silent auction. Chicago Elite Athletes provided the Silent Auction items.
My email address is merleburl@earthlink.net.