Skokie Review

Band program blooming at East Prairie

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 06:11:17 -0500

Joining the school band doesn’t always top the list of the most popular extracurricular activities, but at East Prairie School in Skokie, nearly half of the 300 fourth- through eighth-grade students play an instrument in the school’s band program, which has seen a 50 percent increase during the past decade.

Dist. 67 hires Lincolnwood native, Dist. 65 employee as superintendent

Sun, 05 May 2013 06:14:58 -0500

After the last two superintendents of Golf Elementary District 67 resigned, citing the long drive from their homes, the school board Thursday appointed a Lincolnwood resident to the post. Beth Sagett-Flores will replace Jamie Reilly, the outgoing superintendent who served for the past three years. Sagett-Flores is slated to start July 1. She comes from Evanston/Skokie Elementary District 65, where she serves as human resources director. Prior to that, she was principal of Lincolnwood Elementary School in District 65 for seven years. Sagett-Flores also has served as a principal, middle school teacher and special education teacher at Chicago Public Schools. …

Skokie District 73.5 candidates speak out

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:34:02 -0500

Only one of the half-dozen candidates participating in last week’s District 73.5 forum will not be elected April 9. Five candidates vying for four open seats with four-year terms on the board were joined by one candidate running uncontested for a two-year term.

Meyer School kids dance to aid others in Skokie

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 06:30:40 -0500

They hit the dance floor with their parents, their brothers and sisters, their friends and even their teachers, many of them hoofing away for a few hours. Meyer School’s third annual “mini dance marathon,” which seems to have gained the momentum of a tango dance itself, raises money for Children’s Memorial Hospital. The event meshes perfectly with a key mission of the school, which is to teach children at the youngest age about caring and compassion. These are preschoolers and kindergartners, but they are made to understand the reason for the event by their educators and by their families. In …

Niles West picks new principal

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 13:06:15 -0500

Familiar faces will take on new roles at District 219 next school year, beginning with Jason Ness’ promotion to principal of Niles West High School. The Board of Education approved Ness’ transfer from assistant principal of student services, as well as the hire of other staff, following a closed session meeting Feb. 11. “It’s really hard to put into words, but it’s very humbling,” Ness said of the appointment. In addition to preparing students to be career and college ready upon graduation, Ness, a clinical psychologist, said he looks forward to addressing children’s social and emotional needs related to character …

Contested races, new faces mark Skokie school elections next spring

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 06:37:29 -0500

SKOKIE For those who have grown tired of uncontested races with incumbents seeking re-election, the April 9 election may be a breath of fresh air. Not only is the village’s Caucus Party facing a rare election season with a highly contested race for trustee seats, but several school districts also have contested races or at least guaranteed new faces joining their boards. In fact, Skokie Fairview School District 72 is a rarity in that all three incumbents are seeking re-election, but they will face three newcomers. Incumbents Jeff Brill, Vicki Goldberg and John A. Del Genio will fight to win …

Survey: Community satisfied with District 68

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 10:43:34 -0500

SKOKIE School District 68 has released results of a comprehensive survey of faculty, parents and students measuring their “perceptions” of the largest elementary school district in Skokie. Some of the topic questions were exclusive to the three stakeholder groups while others were universal and applied to all groups. While a similar survey was issued in 2010 and the district can now compare results, more people responded to the survey this time around, which educators view as a success in itself. About 47 percent of parents who were provided the survey responded, up from 24 percent two years ago. Perhaps the …

Students gain memorable lesson in going homeless

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 06:10:22 -0500

One very cold night can equal the education of a lifetime. Nearly 30 Oakton Community College students proved that point when they went homeless the night of Nov. 27, building and living in their own cardboard shanties on the Des Plaines campus.

‘Freddie the Frog’ leaps onto Niles West stage

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 01:16:05 -0500

SKOKIE — Young children wrapped up in the musical adventures of a frog and his over-sized elephant friend may not realize by listening they’re actually building life skills.

District 68 sets $24 million tax levy

Sun, 30 Dec 2012 15:04:35 -0500

SKOKIE — School District 68 has set its proposed 2012-13 tax levy at $24 million not including the bond and interest fund, a 4 percent hike over last year’s levy.