Students return to new administrators, facilities at Kane, McHenry schools
Thousands of students returned Wednesday for the first day of classes at several school districts in the Fox Valley.
Classes resumed in Burlington Central School District 301, Cary District 26, Fox River Grove District 3, Geneva Unit District 304, Huntley Community School District 158, Kaneland Unit District 302, and St. Charles Unit District 303.
District 158 welcomed several new administrators this year, including Julie McLaughlin, the new principal at Martin Elementary School in Lake in the Hills.
New assistant principals are Lindsay Morley at Martin Elementary, Kathryn Romero and Adam Chorba, both at Heineman Middle School in Algonquin, Jennifer Fisher at Marlowe Middle School in Lake in the Hills, Sarah Bernaky at Chesak Elementary School in Lake in the Hills, and Michele Happold at Leggee Elementary School in Huntley.
Among the highlights in Geneva 304 is a new early learning program for preschoolers within a section of Fabyan Elementary School.
St. Charles students started the school year with new Superintendent Jason Pearson.
District 303's Wredling Middle School got new and upgraded science labs, construction continues at Thompson Middle School to enhance the building in preparation for the eventual closing of nearby Haines Middle School, and St. Charles North High School debuted a $1.2 million artificial turf athletic field.