Volunteers help save a war memorial
A Hall-Princeton showdown is on tap for Friday night B1
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www.newstrib.com | Thursday, October 3, 2019 | 75 cents
How many homeless students live here? Number of homeless students La Salle — 24 (The number came from the district; the state recorded 16.) The district’s number includes the total number of kids served at some point over the school year. Illinois’ numbers may look different because many of the students transferred or moved during the school year and another district claimed the students at the time of the report, said the district’s homeless liaison.
Numbers provided by Illinois say that at least 100 local elementary or high school students were listed as homeless for the 2017-18 school year, the most recent year provided. Each school district has a homeless liaison to assist students and parents.
Oglesby — 29 (That number was the one provided by the state, and the school’s homeless liaison said the number is a give/take accurate number for the district). La Salle-Peru Township High School — 11 students (The number comes from Illinois). Mendota High School — 6 (The number came from high school; state number stated 10. The district’s homeless liaison stated they thought the state’s number was inflated.)
NEWSTRIBUNE PHOTO ILLUSTRATION/ SCOTT ANDERSON
Families are doubling up, moving around By Ali Braboy NEWSTRIBUNE REPORTER
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family recently came to the Peru local homeless shelter with an 11-year-old boy. When asked what school the child attended, the shelter was told, “He hasn’t been in school for a while because we really haven’t had a place.” “It’s such as a shame that that has to happen,” said Terry Reints. program director Public Action to Deliver Shelter in Peru. That child is not alone. State figures indicate 100 local elementary or high school students were listed as homeless for the 2017-18 school year, the most recent year provided. Those numbers do not include schools with fewer than 10 homeless students. Homeless students are
defined as those who don’t have permanent and adequate homes, according to the Illinois State Board of Education. A homeless student isn’t only someone who lives on the street or in a shelter, it could include someone doubling up in a home (sharing the housing of others) due to loss of housing as well as other situations that could qualify someone as a homeless student. Each school district has a homeless liaison to assist students and parents to get where they need to be, such as helping with registration, connecting families to outside agencies, getting medical records and much more. Local liaisons answered questions when it comes to what they see in our schools. What sort of situations do you see when it comes to students being homeless? More often, La Salle’s public elementary district sees families who are doubled up and highly mobile and bumping around
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from location to location with friends or family, said Sarah Morscheiser, social worker and district homeless liaison. The district does see families staying at PADS, and she said the shelter is good for homeless families because they’re getting case management and a real chance of getting on their feet and getting to the place they want to be. At the shelter, these families’ basic needs are being met, and they can focus on looking for their next job, saving money and finding a permanent place to live. What are the reasons families say they are homeless? Every situation is unique, but she said she sees more personal reasons like someone broke up with their partner and now they don’t have housing. “I’m thinking of some of our families — they have jobs, the parents do work, it’s just not enough to secure a place, or they get behind,” she said. They also see families who were in public housing and for different
reasons can’t go back. “The majority of homeless students within our district are residing with family/friends or their significant other. However, we have had situations where families have been displaced for other reasons, such as fires, domestic, or legal situations,” said Kelly Legrenzi, Oglesby’s district homeless liaison and social worker at the district. “During these difficult times, the student/family may become transient, resulting in situations like sleeping in a car, house-hopping among family and friends, sleeping at PADS, etc.” Most of Mendota High School’s situations are people doubled up, living with another family member or friend because they’ve lost their housing, said Tammy Guerrero, social worker and homeless liaison for the district. How are homeless students affected? “Students who are classified See HOMELESS Page A3
Mendota Elementary — 30 (The number comes from state reports; a comment wasn’t available from the school). The state reported that other area schools including Peru, Waltham, Tonica, Lostant, Princeton, Spring Valley, Dalzell, Ladd, Putnam County elementary districts, Hall, Princeton, DePue and Putnam County high schools either had either non-reported data or suppressed data due to privacy concerns. Student counts reported are counts out of groups 10 or greater. — Illinois State Board of Education, 2017-18
Making a difference Schools and parents say that homeless students’ grades and attendance usually increase if they stay in the local homeless shelter and are consistent with that. “The services we provide do make a difference in the kids’ lives,” said Carol Alcorn, executive director of Public Action to Deliver Shelter. Peru PADS’ new 5,880-square-foot expansion isn’t yet done, and Alcorn didn’t have an official finishing time. When complete, PADS will roughly double its beds and washrooms plus add a proportional amount of classroom space. There will be dedicated family rooms.
Appellate court reverses Ottawa High’s firing of Burgess By Derek Barichello SHAW MEDIA
OTTAWA — Nearly five years after the Ottawa High School Board of Education fired teacher Tim Burgess, the Appellate Court in Ottawa said Monday the decision was “clearly erroneous.” The Appellate Court issued an order Monday to reverse the dismissal and send the matter back to the La Salle County Circuit Court to determine the next steps.
Friday October 4
The school board fired Burgess, also a coach, in 2015, for what certain board members termed “inappropriate and unprofessional conduct,” based on his conduct at a September 2014 union meeting, a November 2014 union meeting and a December 2014 investigatory meeting. “I was happy the judges, in my eyes, made the correct decision,” Burgess said in a teleSHAW MEDIA FILE PHOTO phone interview Wednesday. Tim Burgess was fired from his teaching position at Ottawa High School in “I’m extremely happy for my 2015, but an Appellate Court reversed his dismissal Monday, saying it was See BURGESS Page A2 made erroneously.
Weekend Events!
8-11 pm in the Back Door Lounge: Long Ladder Home Acoustic Rock and Country
8-11 pm Tito’s Pre-party with John Boda Classic Rock, R&B and more
Saturday October 5
9-11 am Hike for a Cure 11 am Take a Hike & Lunch* 12, 1:30 & 3:00 pm Historic Trolley Tour*
9:30 am & 11 am Fall Colors Tour 11 am Take a Hike & Lunch* 12, 1:30 & 3:00 pm Historic Trolley Tour*
Sunday October 6
*Reservations Required
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