Fox Valley briefs

Pingree places in safety challenge

The Pingree Grove Police Department placed second in the 2008-09 Illinois Traffic Safety Challenge, a statewide highway safety program that honors police agencies for handling traffic and highway safety issues in their towns. The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police organizes the program and will give Pingree Grove its award Aug. 12 during the annual Midwest Police and Security Expo in Rosemont.

ECC employee lauded

Mark Carriveau, an Elgin Community College electronic imaging specialist, was recognized for his service as a member of the University Photographers' Association of America. Carriveau, of West Chicago, received the Distinguished Service Award from the association June 29. Founded in 1961 by a group of New England-area college photographers, the association has evolved into an international organization of more than 260 members who hail from colleges and universities across the United States, Canada, Australia and Israel. The association addresses the application and practice of photography as it relates to higher education. Carriveau has worked at ECC since 1996.

Hampshire to pilot program

Starting in the fall, Hampshire Elementary School will host a two-year pilot program for full-day kindergarten. While a similar program on the east side of Community Unit District 300 will serve at-risk children, the Hampshire program will be open to all children. Parents must pay $200 a month to defray the cost of the program. District officials hope the program will lead to better academic performance and greater social development. Depending on the success of the pilot, it could expand to other schools, Education Committee Chairman Dave Alessio said.