Elementary students succeeding at reading goals

•January 22, 2025•

by Ariana R Cherry

Elementary principals in the ALAH School District District recently shared their updated progress in reading levels at the most recent school board meeting held Wednesday, January 15. 

Principal Chris Forman of Atwood Hammond Grade School expressed how proud he was of the students in his building for exceeding their reading goal with 64.87% of students reading at or above their grade level. Andrew Peralta, principal of the Arthur Grade School shared that 56% of his students are reading at or above their grade level while principal Marla Graham stated that 40% of her students are reading at or above their grade level compared to the 39% from last year. 

The board approved several donations from community organizations, including $2,000 from MCC Thrift Shop to both Atwood Hammond Grade School and Lovington Grade School for the Backpack Program. An additional $2,000 donation was received to help pay for lunch balances. The December 2024 bank statement was $2,678,922.47. The following balances were recorded: 

Prioritize your well-being with resolutions for a healthier and more fulfilling new year

•January 15, 2025•

by Angela Hogan 

A new year is an excellent time to start improving your health. Small changes can yield significant long-term benefits. Here are eight resolutions worth considering:

1. Eat more whole foods

Fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and lean proteins are “nutrient-dense.” This means they are high in nutrients for the recommended serving size. Consuming whole foods can help keep you full and sustain energy. Start today:

•January 8, 2025•

As the time for making New Year’s resolutions is here, the American Red Cross asks you resolve to make a difference and support your community by becoming a volunteer in 2025. 

“We’re seeing both the frequency and intensity of disasters increase across the country and the Red Cross is responding to nearly twice as many large disasters as we did a decade ago to help people. This uptick in responses means we need more volunteers. The need to help has never been greater,” said Catherine Rabenstine, Interim CEO of the Illinois Red Cross.

•January 1, 2025•

by Ariana R Cherry

The December meeting of the ALAH Board of Education was marked by a continued discussion on the referendum that had recently failed to pass. Community member Jeremy Hale voiced his disappointment at the outcome, emphasizing the community’s division and the urgent need to prioritize the children’s education and future. 

“I am here to help, and I want success for us,” Hale began. “I’ve heard a lot of good and bad things here about this school. I am disappointed that not everyone is on the same page in this community. I don’t feel that everyone is putting our kids first,” he continued. I feel good about the growth of the referendum from both the first and second time. I feel there are still potential yes votes out there about the referendum and those who still haven’t been informed enough yet,” Hale went on. “We should all be on the same page when it comes to our kids. We shouldn’t be focusing on the building. All the other towns (Tuscola, Sullivan, etc) - they are all moving forward. We are stagnant…and keeping our kids stagnant. We’ve got to improve, rebuild, and we have to make it better for our kids and our future,” he concluded. 

•December 25, 2024•

Don’t let your Christmas tree go to waste this year after the holidays. Extend your tree’s life by donating it for Fish Habitat Improvement Day at Lake Shelbyville. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lake Shelbyville Fish Habitat Alliance and Illinois Department of Natural Resources will place the discarded trees into Lake Shelbyville to enhance the fisheries for years to come.