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Saturday, June 8, 2013 •
The only daily newspaper published in McHenry Co.
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JOE AFFRUNTI • SPORTS, C1
AMERICAN PROFILE • INSIDE
CL native makes the cut at St. Jude Classic
Grilling recipes you can’t live without
Pen pals making a comeback?
Service facility opened Resource center to help locals get better access By JIM DALLKE jdallke@shawmedia.com
Photos by Lathan Goumas – lgoumas@shawmedia.com
Third-grade teacher Sandy Bigos looks at a letter written by Jordyn Berezowski, 9, while she hands out pen pal letters on the last day of school Wednesday at South Elementary School in Crystal Lake. Bigos’ students became pen pals with students at Crystal Lake Central High School. BELOW: Letters written to the students of Sandy Bigos’ third-grade class at South Elementary School by pen pals at Crystal Lake Central High School.
Area schools revive teaching program of the past By JEFF ENGELHARDT jengelhardt@shawmedia.com CRYSTAL LAKE – For Sandy Bigos, reading “OMG i luv u” on a phone screen just does not have the same sentimental value as an old-fashioned, handwritten letter. That is why the South Elementary School third-grade teacher revived a program of the past to teach her students a fading skill of the past. Bigos implemented a pen pal program for the first time this year, teaching her students proper letter formatting, handwriting and social interaction skills. The 25 students, who exchanged letters with Crystal Lake Central honor students, quickly embraced the activity,
with some deciding to keep the letter exchange going with their pen pal even at the end of the school year. “Because of all the technology, just being able to know
how to write a letter is completely declining,” Bigos said. “I tell my students being able to write a letter can be more valuable than anything money can buy.”
Bigos said the benefits of a pen pal program go beyond educational purposes of spelling and grammar. She said by interacting with area high school students, her third-graders were able to learn more about the community and establish important relationships that those without an older brother or sister might not have. Pen pal writing is a process many students no longer experience, including Brooke Larsen, the 15-year-old Crystal Lake Central junior who coordinated with Bigos. Larsen said she never had a pen pal in elementary or middle school and was excited for the opportunity.
See PEN, page A8
“I’m always texting, so it was cool to be able to write a letter to a pen pal buddy and interact with younger kids. Everyone should have an opportunity to do something like this.” – Brooke Larsen, Crystal Lake Central junior
WOODSTOCK – A new community resource center in Woodstock will offer area residents better access to human services. The Illinois Department of Human Services held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday to announce the opening of its newest Family and Community Resource Center, located at 512 Clay St. The center, which has been officially open since May 20, provides residents in need with cash, medical and SNAP (formerly food stamps) assistance. “We offer everything from
See CENTER, page A8
WOODSTOCK
SMITH’S WIFE GETS PROBATION A woman whose husband placed online ads for sex with her and killed a man who responded was given probation for her role related to the shooting. Kimberly A. Smith, 30, formerly of the Woodstock area, pleaded guilty in April to disorderly conduct, a Class 4 felony, for filing a false police report. For more, see page B1.
Gina Kappler Kyle Grillot – kgrillot@shawmedia.com
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McHENRY: Gina Kappler starts Gum Gal career, a gum pollution cleaning service based in McHenry. Business, E1 Vol. 28, Issue 159
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The Family and Community Resource Center in Woodstock can assist residents by providing Medicaid for new babies, nursing care for the elderly and assistance for people with disabilities, among other programs.
Benefits paid to Mendoza could cost D-47 $23K By JEFF ENGELHARDT jengelhardt@shawmedia.com CRYSTAL LAKE – District 47 could pay more than $23,000 in family health insurance benefits to former Superintendent Donn Mendoza as part of a resignation agreement reached Thursday night during a special meeting. Mendoza’s family insurance plan costs the district $1,936 a month, and under the agreement, the district could continue to pay for insurance coverage through June 2014.
See MENDOZA, page A8
LOCALLY SPEAKING
At a glance
Donn Mendoza resigned as District 47’s superintendent. His family insurance plan costs the district $1,936 a month.