Category Archives: News Briefs

Superintendent-Y Stuff: A Walk with Mr. Walk

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•April 3, 2019•

By Supt. Ted Walk,
Sullivan CUSD #300

At Sullivan Schools, we have a number of pre-kindergarten students who attend Project Help, which is a preschool program organized and ran by the Assistant Director of Eastern Illinois Area of Special Education.
It is a program that is funded largely through a Preschool-for-All Grant. For about the past decade, the district has leased a classroom off-site for students participating in this program.
This year, we were able to return the program to Sullivan Elementary School and were able to use grant funding to support an additional classroom, effectively doubling the number of pre-kindergarten students who can take advantage of this program.
While there are always complications when hosting a program that is operated largely by an outside organization, there have been tremendous benefits to having these classrooms on site. Read More

OVHS Work Day

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OVHS Work Day
OVHS students worked at Bo Wood helping prepare for the season. The students helped the Corps of Engineers complete necessary tasks to get the park ready to be opened. The partnership between Okaw and the Corps continues to give back to Lake Shelbyville and the surrounding communities.

Remember When? 4-3-2019

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25 Years Ago This Week

Seven lettermen are among the eight juniors, seven sophomores and six freshmen who made up the 1994 Bethany Mustang baseball team. Commenting on his young team, Coach Dave Benning said he felt more confident with each practice. Mustangs making up the team are Wes Plummer, Deacon Patient, Rick Seeley, Kevin Bowser, Aaron Calhoun, Bliss Schwartz, Phil Ozier, Adam Gurchiek, Aaron Osman, Jon Ashley, Adam Yeager, Clay Brush, Scott Seeley, Shannon Pham, Eric Stollard, Shane Martin, Dan Webner, Rob Neathery Mike Smith and Derek Pickup.
Sullivan Middle School sixth grade held a Medieval Fair in the gym. Members of the community participated with teachers Angie Bendler and Joyce Shellabarger to coordinate the event. Nancy Burcham worked with Andrea VanOrmer, Kari Taylor, Kelly Moore, Jon Livergood, Amanda Scribner and Kara Herbert to make stained glass suncatchers. Other members of the community helping the students were Theresa Poland, woodworking, and Ruth Shasteen, calligraphy. Read More

Building 1225 Breathes New Life into Vacated Retail Space

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Building 1225 Breathes New Life into Vacated Retail Space
Photo by Ellen Ferrera
1225 Ribbon Cutting
Ribbon cutting for 1225 Building drew a good crowd Sunday including Mayor Ann Short (center), Vineyard Church Pastor Jim Plank (on mayor’s left, blue shirt), Sullivan Chamber Economic Development Director Laurrie Miner (far right) and members of the Vineyard Church.

SES Gold Slip Winners

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SES Gold Slip Winners
Gold Slip winners at Sullivan Elementary School for the month of March. Jozelyn Meador noticed that some of her classmates left equipment on the blacktop after recess. Rather than just leaving it there, she quietly picked it all up to bring inside. Infinti Phillips saw another student spill a water bottle on the floor and volunteered to clean it up without being asked.
Addalyn Hendry is always helping others. When another student needed something, Addy selflessly gave that student hers. She is helpful not just in the classroom, but everywhere.
Emmersyn Jiannoni’s determination and hard work is very impressive. She has been a great role model.
Connor Ruge opens the door for Mrs. Crowe nearly everyday when she has a big load of trash to take out of the cafeteria. He has done this the entire school year.

Bright Lights, Big City for SHS Prom

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Sullivan High School prom is Sat. April 13. Prom court left to right: Natalie Drury, Madison Atchison, Hannah Schlieker, Zoe Ray; Back: Jadon Nuzzo, Wyatt Sentel, Nij Patel. Not pictured Dalton Rogers. Story on page 9.

•April 3, 2019•

The Sullivan junior class will host the 2019 prom Saturday, April 13. Doors will open at 6 p.m. All students must arrive by 6:50 or risk not being allowed admission.
Coronation will begin promptly at 7 p.m. The public is invited. After the court dance, dinner will be served at approximately 7:30 being catered by Griffin’s Catering. The dance will end at 11 p.m.
This year’s theme is Bright Lights Big City. The final day for ticket sales is April 8.
This year’s prom assembly will be provided by Dr. Mark Strauss of http://www.impactinjuryanalysis.com.
Mark Strauss has spent 30 years analyzing how accidents occurred and how people were injured.
He performs his analysis on industrial, agricultural and car accidents that have occurred throughout the country. Read More

Benefit for Schrock Family

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•April 3, 2019•

Tragedy struck the Larry and Ruby Schrock family when an explosion leveled their rural home and took the life of their son Jared on Feb. 1, 2019.
A family benefit is being hosted by area churches Saturday, April 13 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The event is located at The Arthur Christian School where lunch is served for donations from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. including sandwich choice, sides and dessert. Read More

Moving from “Someone should” to “I should do something”

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Dan and Susie Selock spoke to SMS students about Marion Medical Mission whose mission it is to provide clean water to villages in Malawi.

•April 3, 2019•

Sullivan Middle School hosted Dan and Susie Selock as special guest speakers in February.
The Selocks are involved with an organization called Marion Medical Mission whose mission is to provide clean water to villages in Malawi.
They shared stories and pictures to illustrate to the students how important this work is and how big an impact it has on these people who live in these villages to finally have access to something we so often take for granted here in the United States.
Along with their stories and pictures, the Selocks shared the story of how the Marion Medical Mission became involved in this work. They recounted a conversation which centered on the limited effects of providing medical assistance in this part of the world because of the lack of clean drinking water. This meant that they were constantly trying to treat illnesses that were brought on by sharing a water source with animals and the other limitations that come in the form of hygiene and sanitation. Read More

SBL Health Screenings

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•April 3, 2019•

SBL Lincolnland Home Care and Lincolnland Hospice will conduct a free blood pressure clinic from 8:30 to 9 a.m. on Thursday, April 18, 2019 at the Senior Center, Sullivan. For more information, call Lincolnland Home Care at 1-800-879-3212.
SBL Lincolnland Home Care, Lincolnland Hospice and Lincolnland Home Medical will sponsor bingo from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. following the blood pressure clinic.
Please Note: If the schools are closed due to adverse weather, the senior center will also be closed.

Findlay High School Alumni Banquet

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•April 3, 2019•

Plans are underway for the annual Findlay Alumni Banquet to be held at Okaw Valley Middle School gym (formerly the Findlay High School gym) on April 13 at 6 p.m. Registration will be from 5-5:45 p.m. Honored classes this year will be 1949, 1959, 1969, 1979, 1989, and 1999. Read More