Nominations sought for outstanding African-American educators
Organizers of Elgin's 12th annual Black History Family Festival are seeking nominations of top African-American educators to recognize.
The festival will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, at Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin.
Nomination forms can be downloaded at bhffelgin.org and must be received by Jan. 13. Information and forms also are available on the Black History Family Festival Facebook page.
"We're seeking to recognize African-American educators in Elgin who are exceptionally dedicated," said Carl King, Black History Family Festival president. "We're hoping to find people who have inspired students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn."
The 2017 festival's theme is "Celebrating African-American Educators." It will feature author Vincent Gaddis, a professor of history and director of the global studies program at Benedictine University. High school seniors chosen by their principals as future African-American leaders also will be recognized.
For information, visit bhffelgin.org.
Lottery registration for District 101 preschool:
Families with children turning 3 and 4 years old by Sept. 1 and living within the boundaries of Batavia Unit District 101 are eligible to participate in a lottery for spots in the district's tuition-free preschool for the 2017-18 school year.
To register for the lottery, parents must complete the Letter of Intent posted at BPS101.net and return it to the preschool at the Early Childhood Center located in Alice Gustafson Elementary School by 3 p.m. Jan. 31.
"We're now heading into our second year of a tuition-free program," said Brad Newkirk, District 101's chief academic officer. "Lifting the financial barrier opens the door to preschool to a broader range of students, which represents the economic diversity of our district."
The preschool offers a language-rich, purposefully designed learning environment based in exploration and discovery. The academic and social-emotional curriculum is aligned with the district's kindergarten through fifth-grade curriculum and Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards.
Preschool teachers hold both general education and special education teaching certificates and have earned the English as a Second Language Endorsement.
Students must be potty-trained by the first day of class.
Parents can learn more about the program and the lottery during a preschool open house from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, at the Early Childhood Center at Alice Gustafson Elementary School, 905 Carlisle Road, Batavia.