The first seeds planted to create friendships between students and trusted adults have sprouted, but more volunteers are needed to expand the program to all of Woodstock School District 200’s elementary schools. Big Brothers Big Sisters of McHenry County relaunched its lunchtime mentoring program in District 200 this past school year after the COVID-19 pandemic […]
District 200 music educator Duane Peiffer leaves behind a legacy of choosing engaging music for his students to play and sing while pushing them to develop music literacy skills and providing an opportunity for aspiring musicians to find success through a different path. Peiffer, who has been able to play numerous instruments from a very […]
Woodstock School District 200’s dual-language program, which began in 2004, continues to grow and thrive amid a push by U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona for more dual-language teaching across the country. Cardona recently took a group of international educators to a dual-language school in Arlington, Va., and has consistently made multilingualism a priority in his […]
As a college student and young adult entering the workforce, Patti Baltes never considered a career in education. Both of her parents, however, were teachers who had met while on the staff at Nichols Middle School in Evanston. After a stint as assistant principal in Barrington, Richard Pace, her father, became the first principal at […]
Amy Varys has taught fifth grade during her entire 34 years of teaching, all of them in Woodstock School District 200. After graduating from Crystal Lake High School, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree at Eastern Illinois University and a master’s in teaching at St. Xavier University in 2002. “I did not find a […]
Staff Report news@thewoodstockindependent.com Some outstanding employees and a volunteer of Woodstock School District 200 were honored recently at the district’s annual Difference Makers event. Staff members who were nominated by their peers for the awards were treated to a cookout May 19 served by Superintendent Mike Moan and top school administrators. This year’s 26 honorees […]
Wage increases are coming for dozens of employees in Woodstock School District 200 in what administrators call “market adjustments” so D-200 can compete in hiring. Although the employees’ wages and benefits are negotiated in contracts that don’t expire until next year, the Board of Education last week approved the pay raises recommended by Superintendent Mike […]
Staff Report news@thewoodstockindependent.com Bids are due June 1 for interested buyers of a 1,660-square-foot home built by students in the building trades program of Woodstock School District 200. Bidding information was published in a public notice in the May 3 issue of The Woodstock Independent. Offers will be accepted until 10 a.m. June 1, with […]
“Culture wars” didn’t break out in Woodstock, but a skirmish was reported in the matter of LGBTQ students in School District 200. Several parents and patrons showed up at the Board of Education meeting April 25 to support the Rainbow Connection Club, which students at Creekside Middle School recently formed to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, […]
School District 200 Life Connections students are running a successful business. You might say it’s a clean operation. The Life Connections Transition Program, which focuses on functional academic, independent living, and vocational skills for students ages 18-22, provides a unique learning opportunity. Teachers Cory Knopik and Julianne Pacana offer instruction and guidance for this new […]
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.
