Elgin High School students clean up their own backyard

Today, Elgin High School teacher Deb Perryman's environmental science students are working with ecologists from Tallgrass Restoration group to beautify the school's nature trail and outdoor classroom, set on the campus' 45-acre nature park. The work they're doing includes controlled burning of brush piles, cleaning up along the trail, and clearing up buckthorn and other invasive species. Perryman says the work is being done in response to the Leave No Child Inside Initiative and President Obama's national service day request.

Confused by FAFSA? Are you or your college-bound senior a little confused by FAFSA? You're not alone.

Judson's financial aid office will hold a financial aid night at 7 p.m. Feb. 23 in the first floor of its Lindner Tower, 1151 N. State Street, Elgin.

Then, college financial aid staff will be on hand to help students and parents - whether they plant to attend Judson or not - fill out financial aid forms.

If you're not able to attend, the college is broadcasting the event live on its Web site. Like the admissions live chat it held in late January, questions can be entered via keyboard or Webcam. Counselors will respond over live-streamed video.

Helping hands: St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School Principal Margaret Sanders writes that her students prepared more than 60 birthday boxes last week to be donated to the FISH Pantry in Carpentersville.

The boxes, which contain cake mixes, frosting, sprinkles, candles, paper plates and napkins, along with a small gift, will be distributed to needy local families who have a member celebrating birthday. The project was the school's service project during the recent celebration of Catholic Schools Week.

U-46 teachers research Lincoln: After Thursday's blowouts, you might think the Lincoln celebrations are over.

Think again.

As part of Elgin Area School District U-46's use of a $1 million grant from the US Department of Education, high school teachers will head down to Springfield in March to do research at the Illinois State Historical Library and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library.

The teachers will use their research for the district's Road map of American History project, a three-year professional development project focused on helping teachers make American History come to life.