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ALAH Board of Education Approves the District to Seek Bids to Repair School Parking Lots

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•March 22, 2023•
by Ariana R. Cherry

Superintendent Shannon Cheek spoke with members of the Board of Education about the school parking lots and their condition at the most recent meeting held Wednesday, March 15. What, originally, he thought would be a simple fix at the Atwood-Hammond Grade School will actually be much more of a significant repair after a closer look.
The area near the playground and east lot where most people usually park is estimated to be around $61,000. Cheek also said the staff area parking lot was estimated to be a bit lower at just $10,500. He feels that the parking lots at the Atwood-Hammond Grade School are in need of some major repair and by doing so, could extend their life much longer. The ALAH High School parking lot is also not in the best condition, but Cheek said it could get by another year by just simply filling in some of the cracks and holes. The Arthur Grade School’s parking lot east of the building has been estimated to be at $43,000. The board approved Cheek to collect bids and see what the total costs would be. He informed the board that it may not be a reality that all three parking lots can be repaired. Read More

Learn How to be Part of a Successful Deer Donation Program

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•March 22, 2023•
In response to rising food and meat prices and the challenges food pantries have in obtaining meat, University of Illinois Extension, along with key partners, launched the Illinois Deer Donation Program in 2022. This 12-county pilot program fought food insecurity by matching hunters in East Central Illinois with meat processors and food pantries.
Extension is presenting a live online webinar summarizing the outcomes of the inaugural program on April 19, from Noon to 12:45 p.m. Information covered will include pounds of meat donated, number of pantries reached, and plans for next year. Representatives of The Master’s Hands food pantry and Morgan’s Meat Market will share their experiences participating in the program. Read More

Facts for Families: Give Kids a Break

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•March 22, 2023•
By Cheri Burcham
Family Life Educator

Now that we are all getting back out and attending events again, we need to find a happy medium with balancing “down time” with activities – especially with our children. This article was written by Extension Educator Susan Sloop and is a good reminder to allow children breaks. Susan says: Is your child forgetful, crabby, or constantly tired? He may be “overscheduled.” Would you be surprised to find your child’s day is as hectic as your own? People who study young children say that youngsters need time for unstructured activity—what adults sometimes call “free time” or “down time.”
Why is free time good for children?
· Health. A child’s body and brain need relief from demands and expectations. Rest and recreation help keep a child healthy and ready to learn! Read More

Windsor February Students of the Month

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Windsor February Students of the Month
Windsor Jr./Sr. High School recently announced their February Students of the Month Gracie Brownlee and Izzi Cloe.
Gracie Brownlee is the daughter of Greg and Ashleah Brownlee. She is currently a senior and is involved in Student Council and Yearbook. She plans to attend Urshan College.
Izzi Cloe is the daughter of Darrell and Alison Hite. She is currently in 8th grade and is involved in Volleyball, Cheerleading, Softball, Scholastic Bowl, FFA, and Club 217 Volleyball. Izzi plans to one day become a Veterinarian.

IDPH Launches $30 Million Program to Distribute Air Purifiers in Illinois Schools

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•March 22, 2023•
Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) have announced that the state is launching a $29.6 million program to distribute more than 60,000 HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) purifiers to Illinois schools to help reduce the transmission of respiratory viruses, including COVID-19.
IDPH is coordinating the program with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). The program is funded by the CDC through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and is targeted for school districts that serve lower income communities and counties that have elevated air pollution counts. IDPH estimates almost 3,000 schools will be eligible for the program, covering 68 percent of school districts in the state. It will cover schools throughout the state, including Cook County, with the exception of Chicago, which has received a separate federal grant. Read More

“Fund My Classroom” Program

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•March 22, 2023•
Western Governors University (WGU) today announced the return of its “Fund My Classroom” initiative, issuing a call for K-12 teachers across the state to nominate their proposed classroom projects for the opportunity to receive full or partial funding. The fully online, nonprofit university is pledging up to $100,000 in grant money across four states for K-12 teachers who have innovative ideas that will further engage their students but need funding to help bring these ideas to life. Teachers can submit their proposed projects online at wgu.edu/fundmyclassroom through April 14. Selected classroom projects will be announced during Teacher Appreciation Week, which runs May 8-12. Read More

Agri-Fab Food Drive

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•March 22, 2023•

Agri-Fab is hosting a community food drive through April 1. There are several different ways to participate. Non-perishable food or monetary donations can be dropped off to your local food bank or Agri-Fab’s HR office, donations can be mailed marked food drive to Agri-Fab, 809 S. Hamilton, Sullivan, IL 61951. Agri-Fab will do a porch bag drop-off on Saturday, March 25. Fill up your bag with non-perishable food and leave it for pick up on Saturday, April 1.

Tales and Tunes with Trudy Incorporates Music, Reading and Movement

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Trudy (Beauchamp) Feyerisen, a Lovington native, leads an activity at Arthur Public Library recently during Tales and Tunes With Trudy. The program is held on Thursdays at 3:45 pm at the library and incorporates reading, music and movement.

•March 22, 2023•
by Crystal Reed

Trudy (Beauchamp) Feyereisen, a native of Lovington, has been leading a children’s program at the Arthur Public Library for around 2 months now that incorporates reading, music and movement. Tales With Trudy has a theme every week and the theme incorporates holidays, seasons and other concepts. One recent program focused on friendship.
Feyereisen spent four years as a kindergarten-fifth grade music teacher in northern Illinois. Then she left to go to seminary. After she met her husband she moved to California. Read More