Education

Illinois Valley Community College’s Truck Driver Training Program is celebrating its 25th anniversary this week with an open house that will showcase two just-installed driving simulators, as well as its main-campus headquarters and truck fleet. 

Due to a threatening message directed at Tri-Point schools, classes were cancelled today at the district’s three schools.

The school will receive funds to replace its existing desks with 12 new whiteboard tables for teaching and necessary supplies, including markers and erasers.

Coal City High School has announced the members of its Prom Court for the 2025 Prom on Saturday, April 26.

For international student Zixuan “Maggie” Yang, finding an American college that welcomed her with open arms was as critical as finding one that opened the world to her. At Illinois Valley Community College, she found the real human connection she was seeking.

With all ballots counted, the Batavia School District 101 is set to swear-in two new board members while welcoming back two familiar faces. The updated voting totals include all mail-in ballots.

Seven Minooka Community High School students taking classes at the Grundy Area Vocational Center were presented with Director Awards for their outstanding performances in class.

After a fundraiser was started to pay off unpaid student lunch fees at Dixon Public Schools, administrators found it would be too costly to enroll in a federally assisted program that provides free meals to all students.

Parking restrictions in Yorkville outside Grande Reserve Elementary are designed to mitigate safety concerns raised by teachers and parents of traffic backing up along the street with schoolchildren darting between cars.

Morris Community High School is moving forward with plans for an addition after voters said "yes" to a $67 million referendum that allows the district to sell bonds to build a brand new, two-story addition.

The Sycamore Education Foundation recently named Virginia Sherrod, Wright B. George, and Chad McGehee as the recipients of the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award.

The Kankakee School Board voted Monday to extend Superintendent Teresa Lance's contract by one year and give her additional time to move to the area. She will also receive a 4% salary increase next year.

Superintendent Robert Schiffbauer shares information on Minooka Community High School's $82 million expansion to add both a fieldhouse and a Career and Technical Education building.

Zoey Near plans to attend Michigan Technological University to major in aerospace engineering.

The Dixon School Board on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, approved three bids for new flooring and ceiling tiles in the gym and a playground.

Minooka Community High School will celebrate its graduating seniors with its graduation ceremony at 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 18 in the Central Campus athletic stadium.

The Ottawa High School music program is among the best in the state.

The DeKalb School District 428 school board this week approved an update to superintendent Minerva Garcia-Sanchez’s employment contract, which now includes 278 additional sick days, district documents show.

Resignations accepted April 16, 2025, include a Dixon High School principal's secretary and a high school choir teacher.

The resolution approved Wednesday also pushes for predictable funding for public education.

About 200 students who completed degrees or certificates are expected to participate in the Illinois Valley Community College 59th annual commencement ceremony at noon on Saturday, May 17, in the gymnasium.  

To ensure the facilities expansion reflects the community’s desires, Yorkville 115 is hosting a series of public sessions to explore proposals designed in committee.

The Grundy Area Vocational Center (GAVC) is set to receive over $4 million in renovations pending the approval of the project from Morris, Coal City, Gardner and Minooka high schools, along with its own board.

The Illinois Valley Community College Board of Trustees launched a multimillion-dollar renovation project to improve lab and testing areas on campus. 

Registration opened for the 23rd annual Carus summer science camp – a free, weeklong program designed to spark curiosity and inspire young minds through hands-on STEM learning.

The Illinois Valley Community College Board of Trustees will host its organizational meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 22, in CTC 206.  

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

DuPage County offers college and occupational training scholarships for low-income individuals with high academic potential.

Lemont High School senior Matthew Bechtlofft earned his first state championship in the graphic design competition at the Future Business Leaders of America State Leadership Conference

District superintendent Matt Zediker said the district does not have any current estimates on the number of students who will be impacted.

State Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel is asking the state to address concerns about high caseloads for special education teachers that can impact student care.

Patricia Gonzalez has been hired in Kankakee School District 111 for a new superintendent's cabinet position that will oversee the multilingual program, special education program, student success department and health services.

Incumbents are returning to the Waubonsee Community College Board of Trustees.

Fifth and sixth-grade students at Central Intermediate School in Ottawa put their entrepreneurial skills to the test on Wednesday during their Lemonade Day My Way event in the school’s auditorium.

The Whiteside Area Career Center has announced its list of students of the month for March 2025.

With all ballots counted, newcomers Joseph Rand and Julie Hart are set for their first terms for the Yorkville School District 115 board. The updated voting totals include mail-in-ballots.

An even split of newcomers and incumbents were elected to the St. Charles District 303 School Board.

Streator High School honored its students of the month for April 2025 during its regular school board meeting Tuesday. 

Increased traffic around Morris Elementary School has created a need for a lower speed limit on the surrounding roads, and the Morris City Council voted to decrease the speed limit on Dupont Ave. and Locust Road between Route 6 and Edgewater Drive to 20 mph.

Under the direction of two staff members, Lindsey Breeden and Aaron Mendoza, students revamped the area April 5.

Fifth-grade students from Joliet Public Schools District 86's A.O. Marshall Elementary took second place in a statewide competition meant to simulate investing and educate students on the American economic system.

Next year some ACCESS students will attend a new elementary school for the fifth time, which parents say is extremely disruptive and detrimental, especially for students with autism.

A community night will be from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, May 8, for the general public to view the “Anne Frank: A History for Today” traveling exhibit.

Hall High School conducted its annual National Honor Society ceremony on April 9 in the Richard D. Manahan Auditorium at the high school. 

The Starved Rock Country Community Foundation recently played a role in the 38th Annual Teen Showcase at Illinois Valley Community College.

Oswego High School educator is one of 30 finalists for the Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching.

Here are the honor roll students for Mazon-Verona-Kinsman Middle School.

Illinois Valley Community College sophomore Emma Coss of Ottawa has been recognized as one of the nation’s outstanding community college students and will receive a $1,500 scholarship as a 2025 Coca-Cola Academic Team Gold Scholar. 

Whether it is to elevate the skills of an entire workforce or help an individual refresh or reframe a career, Illinois Valley Community College’s Continuing Education and Business Training Services has a training program for that – or can develop one.

Oglesby Knights of Columbus recently donated $1,500 to Holy Family School.