Heading into Danville High School’s graduation weekend, a lot to celebrate in District 118 was highlighted with Thursday night’s special board meeting. Superintendent Dr. Alicia Geddis was thrilled to announce that ten percent of 190 DHS graduates were getting full rides to go to college. And that was just the beginning.
AUDIO: To various colleges from NYU to Oklahoma; from aeronautical engineering to theater; our kids should be celebrated. And then there was another, I think it was another 37 that received scholarships that ranged from 80 percent of their tuition to five percent of their tuition.
In addition, Dr. Geddis had been working on a new program designed to match career ambitions of seniors with employment needs at Danville workplaces. She matched up numerous students with their interests, and recommended to the board a new summer work program. It passed, Dr. Geddis was very happy; and she hopes it expands even further.
AUDIO: We are creating a summer work program with these graduates; in the areas of technology, food service, the building trades, and education; so that they can go and have on their resume that they have experience. They needed the experience; they need the money to help pay for college. And I hope that there is a part two to that; particularly in that field of education where we need teachers. And maybe the board could help us do something with their tuition, and they will agree to come back and serve as teachers with us.
Meanwhile, this year’s Dr. David L Fields excellence in teaching awards were announced. They were presented to Kim Fraser at Danville High School, Erin Bergeron at North Ridge, Karin Klett at South View, Emily Carter at Northeast Magnet School, and Amber Tutwiler at Edison Elementary. Bob Richard from the Danville Public Schools Foundation said afterwards, every year, it’s amazing to learn what the teachers have done to be recognized.
AUDIO: These awards were established way back in 2001, and the district selects what they consider their five best teachers for this academic year. The principals make the nominations. Every year we just see fantastic teachers come forth.
Also during Thursday’s District 118 Board meeting, some new appointments within the District were announced. Chris Rice is moving from Meade Park principal to Coordinator of Early Learning. Robin Fluno is moving from assistant principal at North Ridge Middle School to principal at South View Upper Elementary. Tanner Delauier is moving from assistant principal at South View to principal at Meade Park. And finally Nicole Zaayer, current principal at the closing Garfield School, has been named the new principal at Southwest Elementary.
