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D-300 leader eyes statewide mandate Wants push to make daylong kindergarten a legislative priority By STEPHEN Di BENEDETTO sdibenedetto@shawmedia.com
The Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks show in New York City is the nation’s largest. Macy’s says more than 1,600 shells will be launched per minute during the 25-minute display over the East River.
CARPENTERSVILLE – The new leader at District 300 wants to channel the district’s politically active spirit and push state lawmakers to require full-day kindergarten, a mandate that only 11 states currently allow. Nearly a “We need to month into his tenure, Chief Ex- take a stronecutive Officer ger stance Fred Heid told t h e N o r t h w e s t here, and as a Herald that he will ask board state, to have members to make mandatory mandatory, dayfull-day kinlong kindergarten a legislative dergarten. I’m priority, an annual list used by going to pull school officials to advocate for edu- the data and cation issues de- provide a prebated in Springsentation to field. A statewide rethe board and quirement would help students at to others that the Carpentersville-based school our legislative district and else- platform this where develop socially and emo- year will take tionally before a much stronthey enter the elementary grades ger stance and ensure that and position children with learning difficulon full-day ties receive the necessary sup - kindergarten.” port, Heid said. Fred Heid “We need to take a stronger District 300 Chief Executive Officer stance here, and as a state, to have mandatory fullday kindergarten,” Heid said. “I’m going to pull the data and provide a presentation to the board and to others that our legislative platform this year will take a much stronger stance and position on full-day kindergarten.” Even though District 300 offers some form of full-day kindergarten at its 17 elementary schools, questions internally remain whether the district has the space and money to make required full-day classes work. Board Vice President Joe Stevens said the issue is not on the board’s “radar yet,” adding that Heid hasn’t mentioned having the district advocate for a full-day requirement statewide.
See INDEPENDENCE, page A4
See KINDERGARTEN, page A4
Sarah Nader – snader@shawmedia.com
While swinging as high as he could, Xavier Rackliffe, 6, of Lake Villa watches the Wonder Lake Water Ski Show Team perform Friday during an Independence Day celebration at Center Beach in Wonder Lake. The celebration featured a flag retirement ceremony, parade, face painting, games, food, an open house at the Wonder Lake Fire Department, the Wonder Lake Water Ski Show Team and ended with fireworks over the lake.
FUN
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Family activities, food, fireworks mark Fourth of July celebrations By EMILY K. COLEMAN ecoleman@shawmedia.com ISLAND LAKE – Three-year-old Greta Schreurs went to her first parade Friday. Leaning down, her father, Peter Schreurs, asked her what her favorite part was. Greta paused in her industrious work of carrying sand from the middle of the small beach at Island Lake’s Veterans Memorial Park to the edge of the lake and tossing it in. “That I got candy,” she replied, causing her father to laugh. Peter and Katie Schreurs of Wauconda brought their two daughters, Greta and her 3-month-old little sister, Libby, to the village’s annual Fourth of July picnic. It was their first time attending the event. “We were really impressed,” Peter Schreurs said. “The girls are having a great time. They went on a pony ride, and there’s games for the kids. Now we’re checking out the beach.” Families gathered on blankets in the park, enjoying the free hot dogs and drinks. Balloon toss and hula hoop contests burned off some excess energy. Rich and Angel Ballasch’s four kids – 15-year-old Alexia Ballasch, 4-year-old Gianna and 2-year-old
On the Web For more photos from Fourth of July celebrations across McHenry County, visit NWHerald.com.
twins, Gavin and Levi – will be ready for naps after the picnic, Rich Ballasch said, adding that he has some yard work to get done. The Island Lake residents have been coming to the picnic every year for six years. “It’s family fun,” he said. The family met up with neighbors, Alexia participated in the balloon toss with her mother, and she planned on swimming in the lake. The village of Island Lake wasn’t the only community to celebrate Independence Day with food, music and fireworks. Crystal Lake, Spring Grove and Wonder Lake started their days with parades, followed by a variety of shows, open houses, family-friendly games and plenty of food. Even more communities – Cary, Crystal Lake, Fox River Grove, Huntley, Island Lake, Johnsburg, McHenry, Spring Grove, Wonder Lake and
NATION&WORLD NEWS
See CELEBRATION, page A4
AP photo
Petty Officer 1st Class Jason Thompson (right) of Detroit and Megan Schinker, 13, of Stow, Ohio, watch a reading by Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick on Thursday during a concert at the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade in Boston.
Across the globe, Americans observe 238 years of U.S. independence The ASSOCIATED PRESS The United States marked 238 years as an independent nation as it celebrated the Fourth of July with fireworks, food and music. Nature and politics also played a role this year, with Hurricane Arthur crashing holiday parties along the East Coast and subdued festivities in Moscow amid growing anti-American sentiment over the crisis in Ukraine. Here are
some highlights of Independence Day celebrations across the globe:
Fire in the sky
LOCAL NEWS
WHERE IT’S AT
WWII vet takes Honor Flight
Classified..........................C1-8
DeVere Harmon talks about his experience in the war, visiting the nation’s capital / A3
Advice .................................B11 Comics ...............................B10 Community .........................A2 Local News......................A3-4 Lottery..................................A2
LOCAL NEWS
Movies................................. B9 Nation&World.................... A9 Obituaries .........................A10 Opinions ............................ A11 Puzzles .................................C8 Sports............................... B1-8 State .................................... A6 Weather ............................. A12
Hurricane hits North Carolina, knocking out power to thousands but causing no reported injuries or deaths so far / A9
Shining at the Special Olympics Crystal Lake native Brent Kampert had three top-10 finishes at the national event / A3
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Facing Arthur’s aftermath