Wood Dale boosts school program
Making good on a financial commitment made in March, Wood Dale aldermen have increased their funding of the Choices program they foster with Wood Dale schools.
In 2002, some aldermen cast the program aside by city officials as a "glorified baby-sitting service."
But now, Wood Dale Elementary District 7 officials say the program has grown into a nearly $40,000 social service that has improved both the quality of students' lives and education.
The program, now in its fifth year, focuses on improving the social and educational skills of the district's at-risk students.
Three days a week, 20 students from each of the district's three elementary schools meet for one hour immediately after school with certified teachers and social workers.
District officials said about nine students usually are on the waiting list. But a lack of funding has prevented expansion of the program.
The $5,000 from the city, which has been matched by the district, has allowed the program to expand to serve 60 students, lower the teacher ratio and include 50 hours of social work services to assist students and teachers.
Superintendent John Corbett this week thanked city council members for their involvement and stressed how the partnership has helped students, families and teachers.
"The successes we've seen in the decreased number of missed assignments and the increased quality of the work these students are producing has been tremendous," Corbett said. "It's proof of what can happen when good municipal relationships are formed and strengthened."
Alderman Joseph Kolz, a former automotive teacher, said he was happy to help.
"I'm totally behind anything we can do to help students get through school because without an education, you're up the creek," he said.
Deputy Police Chief Greg Vesta said he is pleased to see the program expand.
"It's great to get to have contacts with the kids and families that aren't your typical police contacts," Vesta said. "More than a school program, this really is a community program."