Lake Co. briefs
Local high schools honored:
Five Lake County high schools have been ranked among the best in the nation in U.S. News & World Report's annual list. Among the 37 public high schools in Illinois honored with silver medals were: Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, and Barrington, Deerfield, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Libertyville and Vernon Hills high schools. Only two Illinois schools, both in Chicago, were ranked in the Top 100 and received gold medals. Thirty-two Illinois schools earned bronze medals.
Dist. 73 to hold tax levy public hearing:
Hawthorn Elementary District 73 will host a public hearing at 7 p.m. today regarding the proposed property tax levy increase. The meeting will be at the district office, 841 West End Court, Vernon Hills. People who wish to provide testimony should call Joe Yomtoob at (847) 990-4200 or (847) 990-4218 before the meeting. The district estimates total property taxes levied for 2008 at $44,541,313, which is a 13.7 percent increase over the previous year. The levy does not reflect the amount of money the school district will actually receive.
Island Lake design winners announced:
Winners of Island Lake's fourth annual village vehicle and boat sticker contest will be announced at 12:45 p.m. today during an assembly at Cotton Creek School. The school co-sponsored the contest with Matthews Middle School. More than 100 entries were submitted. Cotton Creek students were asked to design the village boat sticker and Matthews students were asked to design the vehicle sticker. Each winner will receive a certificate of excellence from the village.
Community input sought:
Mundelein High School is looking for input from the community on how to upgrade the new schoolwide summer reading program that began last summer. The goal is to design a reading program around a schoolwide theme. The theme would be the basis for a day of celebration, guest speakers, debates and discussion in the fall. To offer ideas or take part in planning, call English department chair Doug Lillydahl at (847) 949-2200 ext. 1099 or e-mail to dlillydahl@mhs.k12.il.us.
Dist. 70 goes green with "Virtual Backpack":
In a continued move toward eco-friendliness, Libertyville Elementary District 70 will begin posting fliers from nonprofit and community agencies on its Web site rather than sending them home with students as paper fliers. line. Beginning in January 2009, any approved information from nonprofit, intergovernmental and business partners will be posted on the D70schools.org for a month. Residents can find the fliers posted under a link called "Virtual Backpack." As the program is being initiated, parents will be reminded about the D70 Virtual Backpack through school newsletters and school e-mails. All groups must electronically submit information for approval by sending a one-page PDF file to Becky Der-Yeghiayan at Bder@d70schools.org at least two weeks before the desired posting date.
Prairie Crossing partnership continues:
Prairie Crossing Charter School in Grayslake has renewed a partnership with the nation's largest producer of construction aggregates. Birmingham, Ala.-based Vulcan Materials Co. will provide an unspecified financial contribution to the charter school, which has an environmentally focused curriculum. Last year, Vulcan gave $1,500 to the public charter school that's within the boundaries of Woodland Elementary District 50 and Fremont Elementary District 79. Vulcan, which reported third-quarter net sales of $959 million, also is known for producing asphalt mix, concrete and cement. Prairie Crossing officials said the company has a strong commitment to environmental stewardship and operates a facility in Grayslake.