Libertyville firefighter receives award

The Libertyville Elementary District 70 Board of Education, along with the school administrators and educators, continue to set “Character Education” as a goal for the Libertyville learning community.

Each school year begins with “character” and “leadership” as goals that drive district actions, programs, services and curriculum. Through the efforts of the District 70 Character Counts Committee, teachers, community members and students eagerly begin to find ways to integrate the foundations of good character education throughout lives and community.

For the second year in a row, the school district presented a Character Counts Community Service Award. This year staff recommended people for the award and members of the Character Counts committee selected the honoree. The award was presented during a December board of education meeting after staff recommended Libertyville firefighter Jeff Schmidt for his dedication to the students through a program called Risk Watch, his commitment to the annual Fire Safety Poster Contest and overall service to schools and community.

The Risk Watch program, held in many of the District 70 schools, is a hands-on, practical program that demonstrates to students how to avoid accidents and injury through eight different, and engaging topics.

Schmidt coordinates the presentations for the schools with firefighters, police and medical experts.

“Jeff is a driving force behind this program and our schools' fall Fire Safety poster contest,” Superintendent Dr. Guy Schumacher said before presenting the award. Schmidt also coordinates car seat checks in the village and can be seen attending many community events.

“Jeff Schmidt is someone who expects no acknowledgment but merely wants to help people in his community lead safe lives, and through District 70 deserves such praise.” Schumacher added.