Education in the News

by Bob McParland

Congratulations to our schools and staff !

Illinois State Superintendent C. Koch congratulated District 130 as the Spotlight School Award for the 2009 Honor Roll went to George Washington Elementary School Nathan Hale Primary School and Nathan Hale Intermediate School.

This means that almost 60% met or exceeded standards in reading and math in 2009, and 50% met or exceeded the standards in reading and math in 2006 and 2007. Only 425 in Illinois are spotlight schools.

The Academic Improvement Award went to Nathan Hale Middle School which showed an upward trend in state test results and improvement of at least 7.5 points in state test scores in reading and math between 2008 and 2009, and an improvement of at least 15 points in state test scores in both reading and math between 2007 and 2008. Only 147 schools in Illinois received this award.

St. Benedict eighth grade students excel

Special congratulations to Ryan Barr who had one of the top scorers on the St. Rita High School entrance exam. He was awarded a $2,500 Academic Scholarship, renewable each year, for a total of $10,000. Jerry Martinez was awarded an Academic Scholarship from St. Rita High School. He will receive $1,000 for the first year for scoring in the 94th percentile on the entrance exam.

Special congratulations to Regina Bressanelli, who scored in the 99th percentile on the Mother McAuley High School exam. Regina will be awarded a $2,000 Academic Scholarship. Congratulations to Diana Sanchez, who scored in the 98th percentile on the Mother McAuley entrance exam. Diana will receive a $500 scholarship.

National Kids’ Art Contest Highlights Importance of Endangered Species

Youngsters around the country will celebrate Endangered Species Day 2010 by entering the Endangered Species Art contest. The art contest is part of the fifth annual national Endangered Species Day, celebrated on and around May 21, 2010.

The Endangered Species Day Art Contest is organized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Endangered Species Coalition, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Ogden Museum of Southern Art/University of New Orleans. The deadline to enter is March 26.

Winners will be chosen in four age categories (K-Grade 2, Grades 3-6, Grades 7-9, Grades 10-12), and the winning artwork will be displayed at the Ogden Museum/ University of New Orleans. One national winner will be honored at a reception in Washington, D.C., and the winner’s name will be engraved on a special trophy. Initial judging will be conducted by the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, a Smithsonian Affiliate. The final winners will be chosen by a national panel of artists, educators, scientists and others.

Artwork should highlight one or more endangered species—mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, fish, plant, and/or invertebrate (insect, spider, snail, coral, crustacean or clam)—found in the United States. Entrants are encouraged to depict species local species.

Endangered Species Day is a celebration of our nation’s wildlife and wild places. Started in 2006 by the United States Congress, Endangered Species Day is the third Friday of May. The 5th Anniversary of Endangered Species Day will be celebrated on May 21, 2010. Endangered Species Day is an opportunity for young and old to learn about the everyday actions that people can take to help protect our nation’s disappearing wildlife and last remaining wild places.

For more information on the contest and a list of endangered plants and animals, visit http://www.fws.gov/endangered/