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Gravel named associate superintendent

A story on Northern Illinois University's College of Education website said R.J. Gravel came to DeKalb as a prospective music major. Before his freshman year had begun, however, he took a job in a supervisory position at a residence hall.

That spurred interest, led him down a different path. Gravel's leadership skills continue to take him places.

On Jan. 26, Gravel was promoted to associate superintendent to Glenbrook High Schools District 225 Superintendent Charles Johns. He formerly was District 225's assistant superintendent for business services.

"Over the past six years, I have been fortunate to work with some of our nation's best educators, a tremendously talented student population, and an active parent community," Gravel reported to the Daily Herald. "I am grateful to the Board of Education, and Dr. Johns, for the opportunity to continue serving the Glenbrooks for years to come in this new position."

His four advanced degrees in instructional technology, school business management and educational administration - all at Northern Illinois, along with his original bachelor's degree in political science - quickly warranted the business services position just one year after he came from Johnsburg School District 12 in 2015 to serve as District 225's director of technology services. Great communication ability and the curiosity to learn and grow helped, too.

As stated in the board document concerning his Jan. 26 promotion, "His ability to bring individuals together as a team and his extensive skill set across instructional and operational areas enabled him to build a highly functional team in a very short amount of time, positively impacting the experiences of students and staff."

In board meetings Gravel demonstrates a firm grip on all matters of school administration, from the budget to COVID response. Better yet, he can translate complicated "legalese" into terminology people can understand.

His new job description includes the simple notice that the associate superintendent "assists the superintendent in all aspects of leading the school district."

This remains consistent with his professional trajectory.

"The greatest difference," Gravel told the Daily Herald, "is that my role will continue to evolve supporting the board of education's initiatives, and other duties as assigned by Dr. Johns."

Local schools to receive CARES Act funds

Under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Illinois schools will be awarded an estimated $2,250,804,891 toward the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER II) Fund.

Several schools serving Glenview and Northbrook will be receiving funds. They are:

Northbrook School District 27 ($182,101), Northbrook School District 28 ($165,423), Northbrook/Glenview School District 30 ($256,829), West Northfield School District 31 ($536,352), Glenview School District 34 ($1,424,445), Avoca School District 37 ($201,046) and Northfield Township High School District 225 - more commonly known as Glenbrook High Schools District 225 - ($832,633).

Schools may use funds to reduce deficit spending, to shore up their fund balances and otherwise pay for expenses of operation during the pandemic.

The final ESSER II allocations won't be determined until an award is issued by the U.S. Department of Education.

Historic win

Not a normal brief, but locally flavored ...

On Jan. 30, the Augustana women's swimming and diving team beat Wheaton College in a dual meet for the first time in 41 years, 99-98.

The last time the Vikings beat Wheaton College in women's swimming occurred on Jan. 19, 1980, when Jimmy Carter was United States president.

We note this because one of Augustana's four event victories came in diving, where Glenview's Kaite Zaborenko won that event. The freshman is a Glenbrook South graduate.

February is for takeout on the North Shore

According to Chicago's North Shore Convention and Visitor's Bureau, February is North Shore Restaurant Month - Takeout Edition.

There are deals for complementary items at a variety of restaurants throughout the North Shore. Of course, this does not include Valentine's Day.

For participating restaurants, visit northshorediningdeals.com.

'Glenview's Greatest Tailgate Party'

There's still time to get in at "Glenview's Greatest Tailgate Party" from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6.

The Glenview Park District will offer this Super Bowl-themed tailgate party in the parking lot at Glenview Park Golf Club, 800 Shermer Road, rain, snow or shine. Spots are limited and tickets must be purchased in advance.

The cost is $149 per car, with a maximum of six people per car. Participants will receive a bucket of chicken wings, pizza, beer, soda and water. Additional food and beverages will be available for purchase.

People can bring their tailgate gear, footballs, baggo, chairs, napkins, grills, food to cook, etc. Plans include kids' games; a punt, pass and kick competition and football highlights on a big video board.

Cars will park at a safe distance from each other, sanitation stations will be set up around the parking lot, and restrooms will be available in the clubhouse.

For details or to purchase tickets, visit www.glenviewparks.org/event; information is on the calendar for Feb. 6.

Valentine's wagon rides

There's no guarantee these will still be around because they go like hot cakes, but ...

The Glenview Park District has scheduled a Valentine's Wagon Ride - the "Valentine's Treat Trail" - through The Grove for Feb. 13, with time blocks every 20 minutes starting at noon and ending at 3 p.m.

Rides last about an hour, at a cost of $150 for a group of 10 people - no single tickets are available.

After the ride, people can enjoy s'mores, hot chocolate and popcorn around a campfire. There will be crafts and photo stations as well. Dress for the weather.

This season, wagon rides at The Grove and Wagner Farm (new ones at Wagner Farm have been scheduled) have quickly sold out.

For information and to buy tickets, visit glenviewparks.org and go to "Events Calendar" on the landing page.

Monarchs and milkweed

Go Green Northbrook is starting another initiative, "Monarchs, Milkweed and More." It's an attempt to bolster the declining monarch butterfly numbers by increasing their habitat.

A PowerPoint and question-answer session will be held on Zoom at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10. No experience is needed to join this initiative, only interest.

In the session, people can learn how to help these butterflies' survival by planting a native garden that includes milkweed and other pollinator plants.

To participate, email marilyn@gogreennorthbrook.org for information and a Zoom link.

CAPTive audience

Northbrook's Climate Action Planning Team (CAPT) will meet remotely at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8. Public comments will be received at the meeting's start before CAPT members start business.

CAPT is looking at ways to decrease the village's carbon footprint through biking or walking. According to Go Green Northbrook, 70% of village citizens prefer to drive to work even though most of them live within a half-mile of public transportation. Go Green also noted that Northbrook ranks seventh among eight nearby suburbs in "walkability" and sixth in "bikeability."

With an eye toward this, CAPT seeks to lower vehicle miles traveled by increasing biking and walking, public transportation ridership and carpooling, and transition to alternative fuels including the installation of 200 electric vehicle charging ports.

For a Zoom link to the Feb. 8 meeting, contact Michaela Kohlstedt at michaela.kohlstedt@northbrook.il.us. Future CAPT meetings are planned for March 8 and April 12.