9/16/26 Elementary & Middle School Student of the Week – Aniah Saint Felix
September 28, 2026
By Kevin Lyons District 200 Dean Street Dragons left their mark on the planet to close out the school year with the Dean Street Elementary Native Plant Habitat. On May 20, students from all grade levels planted more than 500 prairie clovers, black-eyed Susans, goldenrod, wild petunias, and many more native species. Even more plants […]
D-200 teacher, McHenry County Early Career Educator of the Year By Kevin Lyons District 200 Allisen Mueller’s colleagues and students at Dean Street Elementary School already knew she had made an excellent choice to switch careers, but countywide recognition for that transformation provided a joyful exclamation point. On May 9, Mueller was recognized by Diana […]
The art of letter-writing is not lost in Dean Street School’s third grade By Janet Dovidio news@thewoodstockindependent.com The students in Dean Street Elementary School’s third grade have a special community project that has grown in the past year with the help of their teacher, Laura Bianchi. “For the second year in a row, my class […]
Students in teacher Scott Becker’s class of third- through-fifth graders at Dean Street Elementary are learning with games and activities bought with an Impact Grant from the District 200 Education Foundation. “The cooperative, fun activities provided by these products can help build better relationships between students,” Becker said. “My students will increase their skills in […]
The week leading up to Nov. 11 was a prime opportunity for Woodstock schools to celebrate Veterans Day. As has long been the practice, numerous schools held assemblies and breakfasts, and veterans were invited to speak in classrooms while local businesses and the VFW Post 5040 honored veterans with ceremonies, food, and the opportunity to […]
Maribeth Dhom, the principal’s secretary at Dean Elementary School for the past 12 years, said her favorite time of year was “when the kids came back to school, and they were so excited to see you.” “Mrs. Dhom, do you remember me?” one would inevitably say after a summer away. “Of course, I remember you!” […]
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.