Crystal Lake Elementary District 47 is currently hiring paraprofessionals and substitutes and is hosting an upcoming job fair.

McHenry County Mental Health Board's Community Connections Summit is planned for Sept. 12 at McHenry County College, with a focus on how to rise and thrive together to transform challenges into opportunities.

The Salvation Army of McHenry County and Crystal Lake Elementary District 47 made sure students were well-equipped for the new school year at recent back-to-school events.

The Salvation Army of McHenry County and Crystal Lake School District 47 helped ensure that hundreds of local children had backpacks, supplies and haircuts to start the new school year. The district and charitable group hosted separate back-to-school fairs to connect families with resources as children return to classrooms.

A visitation and memorial service are planned Aug. 9 and 10 for John Blazier, who died months after both of his parents, Bob and Rosemary Blazier, who were known as "Mr. and Mrs. Crystal Lake."

The Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce has named Steve Slack grand marshal of the 2025 Independence Day Parade.

Ten accomplished mentors, businesswomen, organizers, local leaders and family pillars are honored by Shaw Media/Northwest Herald with 2025 Women of Distinction awards on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.

Ellen Hanson, a recipient of the Northwest Herald's Women of Distinction honor, was a longtime teacher but has had many other roles helping others in the Crystal Lake area.

Manuel Gonzalez started off as a custodian in Crystal Lake Elementary School District 47. Now, he’s a dual language teacher at the district’s Canterbury Elementary School.

President Trump's Department of Education has canceled a multimillion-dollar mental health grant awarded to Crystal Lake School District 47, saying the program conflicts with administration priorities.

Health teacher Nicole Thompson of Bernotas Middle School in Crystal Lake was honored with the inaugural Turning Point Heart Award.

Voters this week in McHenry County determined who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries. See the results here.

Crystal Lake Elementary District 47 has named Kathryn Cruz the new principal of West Elementary starting with the 2025-26 school year.

Crystal Lake School District 47 say multiple air quality tests have been completed, with no abnormal results, following concerns from staff and parents about odors at Bernotas Middle School.

Only one incumbent ran for school board in both Crystal Lake-based school districts 47 and 155. How did they do and who else prevailed at the ballot box.

This spring, McHenry County voters get to decide who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries.

The April 1 election for municipal offices is nonpartisan on paper, but the Democratic Party of McHenry County and at least one GOP Township organization are making recommendations.

Area spellers challenge themselves as they compete in the McHenry County Regional Office of Education’s 2025 Spelling Bee on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at Bernotas Middle School in Crystal Lake. The 21 contestants are vying for a spot in the 100th Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Three of the eight candidates running for Crystal Lake-based School District 47 board answered questions on their views including current budget concerns and possible cellphone bans at a forum Thursday.

Debra Barton: I see the top three issues right now as 1) maintaining financial stability in the district while maintaining our high-quality programming, 2) elementary school boundary changes, and 3) implementing the newly adopted Strategic Plan.

Are you satisfied with how math is taught in the district? Lea Grover: I am satisfied with how math is taught, but I am not satisfied with the metrics imposed on the students and teachers by which this is measured

Are you satisfied with how math is taught in the district? Alena Hansen: Based on the feedback I’ve received from teachers, no

Devon Hubbard Tessmer: Overall, I appreciate the district’s efforts to provide a strong foundation in math for all students, and I’m encouraged by the new math curriculum implemented this year

Mike Mueller: First, communication is a major area that needs improvement. The current uproar over staff reductions has shown that the district tends to be reactive to situations versus proactive

Andrew Buckler: My understanding is that some students are doing well with the new curriculum while others are not. The issue is that the math teachers were not as involved as they should have been with the selection of the curriculum

Maria Krause: From student feedback, those who have enjoyed and succeeded in good grades throughout elementary school have expressed concern over the curriculum in middle school

Nine educators in McHenry County from school districts in Crystal Lake, McHenry, Woodstock, Cary and Johnsburg have been recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education through this year’s “Those Who Excel" and "Teacher of the Year” awards.

Crystal Lake District 47 officials posted on Facebook late Monday that Husmann School was closed Tuesday.

As Crystal Lake District 47 looks at staffing cuts, its teachers union wades into the discussion after the district cited the new union contract as one reason for its financial pressures.

Two weeks after Crystal Lake School District 47 sent out an email to staff about potential staffing and program changes, teachers and parents spoke out about concerns as little information comes to light from the district.

Crystal Lake-based School District 47 could face staffing reductions for transitions in order to stay in budget after agreeing to salary increases in a new teacher contract.

Road conditions were worsening and many McHenry County schools called off after-school activities Wednesday as snow began piling up on its way to a possible half a foot of accumulation.

Which school districts in the McHenry County area have announced schedule changes Wednesday because of the snow forecast?

McHenry County schools joined districts throughout northern Illinois and called off school on Tuesday.

Robert Blazier – whose decades-long, immeasurable impact on the Crystal Lake area spanned education, philanthropy, health care, business and the arts – has died at 98.

Take a look back at some of the biggest news stories of 2024 in the McHenry County area.

A selection of some of the best feature photos from 2024 in the Northwest Herald.

Crystal Lake-based District 47 chose between two options for middle school attendance boundaries, one of which had more parental pushback.

The father of a former Crystal Lake student is suing the city and School District 47, claiming his civil rights were violated after he used a paper gun in a school project.

The Crystal Lake School District 47 school board is set to consider changes its middle school boundaries for the next school year that could mean more busing but would better group together future high school classes.

Rosemary Blazier is remembered for her generosity and leaves behind a legacy at countless local organizations.

Search our table to see what designation your McHenry County school received on the 2024 school report card.

This week, the Illinois State Board of Education released school- and district-level data showing what percentage of McHenry County students were considered proficient in math and reading last year. Check out this chart to see if that's an improvement over the prior year.

McHenry County school districts said they still see long-tail effects of COVID-19 but note scores released this week in some cases are higher than pre-pandemic levels.

Artist and parent Sara Jean Stevens is the face behind the colorful murals found at Husmann and North elementary schools.

Sara Jean Stevens started painting her kids' school's walls to bring some fun and happiness to the place. Now she's started a company called Moth and Moon Co. to spread her talents.

After a year of negotiations, Crystal Lake School District 47 and its teachers union both approved the tentative agreement on a new contract that includes increased benefits, pay raises and plan time for teachers.

Leonetta Rizzi has a long history of social service work, currently as executive director of the McHenry County Mental Health Board. She is a recipient of the Northwest Herald's Women of Distinction award.

Defense attorneys want argue at the civil trial of the death of a 3-year-old toddler struck and killed by a school bus in Cary that the child’s parents were “negligent” and “caused” his death, according to a filing in the McHenry County court.

Woodstock School District 200 to get 3 electric buses; grant money from the Volkswagen emissions settlement is helping to fund the vehicles.