Japanese program arrives at Olive-Mary
Olive-Mary Stitt students are getting a taste of the Japanese language and culture, thanks to $64,000 grant from Omron Corp. in Schaumburg, a subsidiary of a Japanese company.
The grant will help pay for a teacher and supplies. More than 100 fourth- and fifth-graders started the new program in September, said Marybeth Anderson, principal of the Arlington Heights elementary school.
"We'll be looking for ways to keep this going in middle school," Anderson said. "Olive has a large number of Asian students and families. This is a great partnership."
Olive students have already written thanks-you notes in Japanese to Omron officials.
"Idol" contest without Paula: "Teen open mic night" is returning to downtown Arlington Heights from 8:30 to 10 p.m. on Friday at Beaner's Coffee, 21 S. Dunton Ave.
Teens can bring standup or sketch comedy, poetry, songs or readings to the free event. Performers will receive a free tall coffee drink and discounts will be available for all attending.
No registration is needed. The Arlington Heights Memorial Library sponsors the event.
Projects in the works: A number of projects were recently approved by the Arlington Heights Plan Commission and are headed for final approval from the village board in November.
• The Esplanade at Arlington Park. This shopping center would have a bank and coffee shop and be located just west of the racetrack along Euclid Avenue. No tenants have been signed, but plans include several restaurants.
• Ace Dental Lab, 3275 N. Arlington Heights Road.
• Goldcoast Bank at the northeast corner of Euclid Avenue and Wilke Road.
What happened to the A/C? A lot of District 25 parents have asked me what's the deal with the air conditioning decision. Here's the latest: The board is scheduled to talk about air conditioning all nine schools again on Nov. 8. At that meeting, the board will hear the administration's recommendation and a funding plan.
The board will probably vote on the issue on Dec. 13.
It would cost $13 million to air-condition all nine schools. The board has also talked about spending less money on alternative devices or only air conditioning the middle schools and the second or third floors of elementary schools, since those floors are typically hotter.
The board has held two public hearings on the issue, where a variety of parents, students and teachers addressed the issue. Pretty much every speaker said air conditioning was worth the money.