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Pool pass perks

Pool passes for Dundee Township pools are now available. Purchase a pool pass before May 31 and receive a free beach bag filled with coupons redeemable at various park district locations. Dolphin Cove and Sleepy Hollow Pool will open full time for the summer beginning Thursday, June 18.

Sherman lands grant

Sherman Hospital recently was awarded a $400,000 grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation for its geothermal lake project at the new hospital campus at Randall and Big Timber roads. Overall, the foundation has awarded more than $6 million in grants to advance the use of geothermal energy in Illinois. The Sherman Hospital grant is the foundation's largest individual award to support a geothermal system. The 15-acre lake is expected to trim $1 million of year from energy costs at the new hospital, which will open on Dec. 15.

Apply for District 300 panels

Community Unit District 300 is accepting applications from district residents to serve on committees that advise the school board. Board President Joe Stevens selects committee members and may remove a member if he misses three or more meetings in a year. Committees typically meet once a month. To apply for a standing board committee, which includes board members, call (847) 426-1300 ext. 8344. To apply for one of the committees that advises the district on how to spend 2006 referendum funds, call (847) 551-8351.

Fourth grader earns top score in national math contest

Da Vinci Academy fourth grade student Joe Bartusek, of Geneva, won first place nationally in his grade level in the Noetic Learning Spring Math Contest. Over 700 students from 34 schools participated, and Bartusek had the highest score among all fourth graders. Three other students from the Elgin academy placed in the top ten nationally of their respective grade levels: second grader Max Martin of Geneva, third grader Ben Simon of Geneva, and third grader Katharine Stecher of South Elgin.