(Above) DHS Athletic Director Mark Bacys speaks on behalf of a new DHS workout/exercise program designed to give students a needed outlet.
A special District 118 School Board meeting, focused on educational support programs, took place Friday afternoon. Everything was passed after lots of questions, including one program that’s a brand new opportunity at the high school. All five will primarily be funded by COVID relief money, commonly known as ESSER funds, for the next two years. After that, the hope will be to sustain the programs with various grants and other outside sources.
The “It Takes a Village” Mentoring Program had been offering guidance to third and fourth graders at Meade Park, Edison, and Mark Denman Schools. This year they will add Liberty School to their list; and offer guidance to female students as well, expanding from seven to 15 counselors. They will also continue guiding their students from last year who are now fifth graders at South View. Leading the way, local pastor LeStan Hoskins; and his wife Jennifer, a District 118 teacher.
Presenters to the District 118 Board included Pastor LeStan Hoskins and his wife, District 118 teacher Jennifer Hoskins; along with 2011 DHS graduate Dennis Forest.
AUDIO: (LeStan) The goal is to reach up to 100 students, and so we’re just trying to make a difference in the life of our students here in the school district. (Jennifer) We’ll be doing Mark Denman, Edison, Meade Park, Liberty, and South View this year. So we’re excited.
City of Danville Alderwoman Tricia Teague, along with David Groves, Jr; spoke for the Laura Lee Fellowship House. Groves says he’s continuing with an important job, that helped him.
AUDIO: I believe the main thing we’re doing here is providing a safe haven for students, as the Laura Lee Fellowship House always has. The beauty of it is we’re seeing a different generation. My grandma grew up in the Laura Lee. My mom grew up in the Laura Lee. I grew up in the Laura Lee. So providing this opportunity allows for us to provide opportunities for the future, but continue to see generations feel safe, and feel confident with who they are.
In addition, $84,000 was approved for Project Success, and then up to $60,000 for a new DEF20 Program proposal at the high school. 2011 DHS graduate Dennis Forest will be leading the way; as students who need a special outlet and new attitude are shown how to achieve peace of mind through exercise and working out. A student, benefitting from the program already, was there to speak. And DHS Athletic Director Mark Bacys spoke on the program’s behalf; saying that a recent incident at a school activity provoked some outside the box thinking, after some parents said; please help us, we need to try something new.
AUDIO: Feels good to see this need that we kind of new was out there; but when it presented itself right in front of us; to be able to help students out and whoever’s struggling; it’s going to be a great thing for the students at the high school And if we can expand it to the staff, that would be great too.
It was mentioned during a recent 118 Board meeting that the overall population of District 118 is down about one-thousand students from about this time a year ago: 5,200 to 4,200. But despite that, the need for special guidance programs like this seems to be stronger than ever, especially after the isolation that happened during the pandemic. District 118 Director of Educational Support Programs Kelly Truex says it’s great to have these programs available, and great to have support for them from the school board.
AUDIO: It is exciting to have this much support for our students. Because we want to provide different opportunities for them; to meet their interests, and to recover from COVID. And to help them find their way.
Also passed was continued use of the East Central Illinois Community Action Agency After School and Summer Tutorial Service.
