Batavia, Huntley schools' music programs receive national recognition
Batavia Public School District 101 and Marlowe Middle School in Lake in the Hills recently were recognized for their efforts toward providing music access and education to all students.
District 101 is among 476 school districts nationwide to receive the Best Communities for Music Education Award for 2016, while Marlowe is among 118 schools nationwide to receive the SupportMusic Merit Award for 2016 from the NAMM Foundation.
New federal education legislation, Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), recommends music and the arts as important elements of a well-rounded education for all children.
"This is the second time in three years we have received this recognition … we must be doing something right," said Lisa Hatfield, District 101 fifth-grade band teacher. "This designation just continues to prove that our students, staff, administration, and community members highly value music education in our schools. It is such an honor to be a part of something that brings Batavia together in such a fun and creative way, while enriching the lives of our students one note at a time."
District 101 offers music education from the elementary grades through high school. Roughly 65 percent of students are involved in some musical ensemble throughout each year. Enrollment numbers have been increasing steadily, leading to larger performances and community support, officials said.
To qualify for the award, Marlowe answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, and community music-making programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.
The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its roughly 10,300 members worldwide. For more information, visit nammfoundation.org.
Low cost and free prom dresses available:
CHIP IN Batavia (Community Helpers Impacting People In Need) is teaming up with Zano Salon & Spa in Batavia to provide free prom dresses to low-income and homeless students who cannot afford to purchase a dress.
"We do not want the need for groceries, rent, or bills to make it impossible to afford prom," said Melinda Kintz, who cofounded CHIP IN Batavia with Joanne Spitz. "Prom remains a 'rite of passage' for high school students and memories of this occasion can last a lifetime. CHIP IN would like to make sure they are all good memories."
Students from Batavia High School and other surrounding high schools who are in need can visit their school guidance counselor to qualify/receive a coupon for a dress at no cost.
Due to an extensive inventory of dresses in the CHIP IN/Zano Collection this year, the sale is open to all other students at a cost of $25 or $50, depending on the dress.
"It is our goal to make sure everyone who needs and wants a dress can get one," Spitz said. "All proceeds will go to CHIP IN Batavia to support additional needs."
Zano Salon has invited its clients to donate dresses to the cause. CHIP IN has more than 100 dresses of all colors, styles, and sizes - most worn once and some with price tags attached.
The dress sale is being hosted by the Congregational Church of Batavia at 21 S. Batavia Ave. Hours are: 3 to 7 p.m. April 14 and 15, and 1 to 5 p.m. April 16 and 17.
Donate gently used prom dresses at the Zano Salon & Day Spa, 2016 W. Wilson St., during business hours through April 8. For information, email info@chipinbatavia.org.
Fox Valley schools lauded for promoting global learning:
Three Fox Valley area schools were among 80 schools nationwide dubbed 2016's Top Global Learning Schools by AFS-USA, an international student exchange leader.
Award recipients were selected in partnership with The National Society of High School Scholars, an international honor society dedicated to highlighting the accomplishments of high-achieving students.
Batavia, Geneva and St. Charles North high schools were among the recipients.
The award recognizes exceptional dedication to fostering global citizenship through intercultural learning inside and outside of the classroom. From hosting international students, to encouraging American students to study abroad, to incorporating intercultural learning initiatives into their curriculum, these schools demonstrated a strong commitment to developing the global competency of their students, according to a news release.
Batavia High School, over the past few decades, has sent 23 students to study abroad and has hosted 29 exchange students. Geneva High School also sends students abroad, and has hosted at least four exchange students each year for a total of 31 students in seven years.
The school also hosts an International Education Week each year, inviting exchange students to give cultural presentations in its classrooms. St. Charles North High School encourages students to study abroad and also welcomes international students. Teachers and staff work with AFS volunteers to send out regular communications to students and parents promoting global learning.
AFS-USA is offering all students at these schools the opportunity to win a $1,000 scholarship to study abroad. Students can enter to win by answering the question: "What does it mean to be a global citizen?"
Each year, AFS-USA awards more than $3 million in scholarships and financial aid to U.S. students, and maintains a network of more than 4,000 volunteers who support educators, students and their families nationwide. For more information, visit afsusa.org.