Briefs: Restoration donation
Peabody Energy is donating $125,000 over five years to the DuPage County Forest Preserve to help with the restoration of Mayslake Hall, at an estate in Oak Brook previously owned by the founders of the company. The estate also was once used by an order of friars as a spiritual retreat. The building and adjacent land was purchased by the forest preserve in 1993. Mayslake Hall has been undergoing a series of repairs since it was purchased.
Dist. 53 earns academic award
Butler School District 53 earned the 2008 Bright A+ Award for its academic performance, which places it among top school systems in Illinois. Only 60 of the state's 871 school districts received the award. The recognition is presented by SchoolSearch, and education research and consulting firm, based on results on the Illinois Standards Achievement Test from the 2007 School Report Card. School districts with an average of 93.33 percent of students who meet or exceed state standards qualify for the award. Butler students met the mark with 97.2 percent.
New Dist. 2 board member
The Rev. Luis F. Reyes, pastor of First United Methodist Church and eight-year resident of Bensenville, has been appointed to the Bensenville School District 2 school board, filling the vacancy left by Beth Matteson when she moved out of state. Reyes took the oath of office during the Oct. 15 board meeting. He will complete Matteson's term, which expires in April. Reyes has been trained in conflict resolution and community organizing. Through work in his church, he has traveled across the country and abroad working with others in the areas of empowerment and racial justice.
Band concert in Wheaton
Wheaton Warrenville South High School will hold a band concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, in the auditorium. The concert features the music of Ralph Vaughn Williams, Camille Saint-Saens, and Phillip Sparke. Admission is free. The school is located at 1993 Tiger Trail, Wheaton. For details, call (630) 784-7200.
Glen Ellyn nurse awarded
Glen Ellyn Elementary District 89 nurse Sandy Lawinger recently was named the 2008 Illinois School Nurse Administrator of the year. The award, sponsored by the Illinois Association of School Nurses, recognizes one individual each year who's done an exemplary job of administrating and coordinating school nursing services and health programs for schools.