Students at Woodstock’s two high schools are likely to walk out of school next week. Just how many will participate in the National School Walkout on March 14 isn’t known. But District 200 officials are preparing for it. “We’re not going to encourage a walkout by any means,” Superintendent Michael Moan said.“But if something happens, […]
Woodstock Police last week searched a local house for a weapon that didn’t exist. But they were not taking any chances. The search resulted from a social media post by a 17-year-old male student at Woodstock North High School that Police Chief John Lieb said “could be construed as threatening.” When the boy was identified, […]
Woodstock District 200 students observed Computer Science Education Week, Dec. 4 to 10, along with millions of students throughout the world. At Prairiewood Elementary School, they commemorated the week with the entire student body participating in the international Hour of Code event Dec. 6. Technology is undeniably a growing part of everyday life today, and […]
Tax levy and rate drop, property values expected to rise to $810 million Taxable values for properties in Woodstock School District 200 are again expected to rise this year. District officials estimate the equalized assessed value of properties within the district’s boundaries will rise to $810 million in 2017, up from 2016’s EAV of $757.8 […]
An award-winning Spanish author whose children’s books have been translated into a dozen languages visited Woodstock schools last week. Margarita del Mazo held storytelling sessions for kindergartners through fifth-graders and conducted workshops for teachers throughout Woodstock School District 200. Del Mazo is the author of popular children’s books, including “No Quiero Ser Rey” (“I Don’t […]
26 Illinois schools received grant A grant is helping to expand an engineering program for high schoolers in Woodstock School District 200. Students in Project Lead the Way now have the option to study computer engineering, the newest course in the rigorous, STEM-heavy program available at Woodstock and Woodstock North high schools. This is the […]
Woodstock School District 200’s new budget calls for small decreases over last year in revenues and expenditures, but state funding could go up slightly once a new formula kicks in. District 200 will spend $94.65 million in the 2017-18 fiscal year, a drop from the previous year’s budget of $95.15 million. Revenues will total $94.24 […]
District officials say they won’t make mono- and dual-language schools Woodstock School District 200 will consider ways to close Dean Street Elementary School, but officials won’t move forward with a plan to separate schools by language program. School board members asked administrators for a rundown of how they might shutter Dean if the board approves […]
Concerns about potential segregation and the loss of a neighborhood school continued to dominate discussions at a community forum hosted by Woodstock School District 200 Sept. 20. The meeting at Woodstock High School was the last in a series of sessions held on a proposal which includes closing Dean Street Elementary School and creating separate […]
When author Marc Tyler Nobleman visited Greenwood Elementary School Sept. 15, his first words to the students elicited a cheer. “I am here because you are my boss,” Nobleman, a children’s author, told the kids. Nobleman is the author of more than 70 books for young people, including “Brave Like My Brother,” “The Chupacabra Ate […]
Larry Lough is editor of The Independent and reports local news.
Janet Dovidio has been a freelance correspondent for The Independent for eight years.
Susan W. Murray wrote for The Independent, covering various beats, from 2005 to 2008.
Tricia Carzoli is a freelance writer and photographer that on community news.
