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September 8, 2014 • $1.00
INSIDE PREP FOOTBALL A look at the top five area teams according to our staff and notes from last week’s games / B2
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Enrollment uptick brings changes Larger class sizes, more sections in D-156 schools follow 3 years of declining student rolls ENROLLMENT IN McHENRY
By EMILY K. COLEMAN ecoleman@shawmedia.com 5,000
4,726
4,763
4,738
4,813
4,795
4,878
4,753
4,694
4,578
4,578
4,500
ENROLLMENT
McHENRY – Larger class sizes and added sections at McHenry’s high schools are the result of unexpectedly higher enrollment. The number of students registered to attend McHenry High School’s east and west campuses is only one more than last year, Superintendent Mike Roberts said. But based on three years of declining enrollment, District 156 was expecting a drop in enrollment and planned accordingly. Some 80 students have been added to the rolls since March sign-ups, which also is when school districts start figuring out what their staffing and section sizes will be in the fall. Existing classes have absorbed as many students
4,326
3,500 3,000 2,500
2,286
2,409
2,458
2005-06
2006-07
2,450
2,450
2,511
2,492
2,479
2,408
2,300
2,301
2,000
2004-05
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10
2010-11
2011-12
2012-13
2013-14
YEAR McHenry District 15
as they can, bumping some classes into the low 30s, Roberts said. “In the perfect world, there would be 25-26 kids in a class-
McHenry District 156
room,” he said. “It would be the best for the teacher and the best for the taxpayer. Well, we have many, many at 30. Can you handle 30? Yes.
Tentative 2014-15
Northwest Herald graphic
Do we have some classes that are 32-33? Yes. They’re rare, but they exist in both systems. But at the same time, we have some classes at 21-22.”
Additional sections also were added in the English, science, social studies and physical education departments, where there were just
BEARS SEASON OPENER
too many students to absorb, Roberts said. The added sections in three
See ENROLLMENT, page A8
Call to arms against ISIS Arab League head pushes for action By SARAH EL DEEB and SAMEER N. YACOUB The Associated Press
H. Rick Bamman – hbamman@shawmedia.com
Bears’ defensive end Jared Allen encourages fans to make some noise for Buffalo’s first position Sunday in the season opener at Soldier Field.
UPSET AT THE ONSET Bears stumble in overtime loss to Bills NATION & WORLD
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he Bears and quarterback Jay Cutler couldn't overcome costly turnovers Sunday, as the Buffalo Bills handed the Bears a 23-20 overtime loss in the regular season opener at Soldier Field. Heavily favored to win coming into Sunday, the Bears nearly came back from a 17-7 first half deficit despite turning over the football three times. Kicker Robbie Gould sent the game into overtime on a 37-yard field goal with 30 seconds left in regulation. But Bills running back Fred Jackson sealed a victory for Buffalo on a 38-yard run in the extra period, setting up kicker Dan Carpenter for a game-winning field goal. For the game, the Bears' retooled defense yielded 193 total rushing yards after ranking last in the NFL last season in run defense.
Full Bears coverage in Sports n Arkush: Did Marc Trestman’s Bears come into their game against the Bills unprepared? PAGE B1 n Telander: Retro Jay Cutler makes appearance with two interceptions in home opener. PAGE B1 n Arnold: Matt Forte’s performance offers silver lining to team’s loss in season opener. PAGE B7 n Bears notes: New look, same results for run defense. PAGE B6-7 n 3 and out: Looking at the Bears’ successes, struggles. PAGE B6
LOCAL NEWS
WHERE IT’S AT
Group nixes marijuana center
Advice ............................B10
Facing a time crunch, a business group has canceled bid to open a center in Marengo / A3
Comics............................B9
CAIRO – The head of the Arab League urged its members Sunday to confront Islamic State extremists “militarily and politically,” issuing an apparent call to arms as President Barack Obama prepares to go to lawmakers and the American public with his own plan to stop the militants. Backing from the 22-country Arab League could provide crucial support across the Middle East for Obama’s effort to assemble an international coalition against the Islamic State, the marauding group that has conquered a swath of Iraq and Syria and committed beheadings and mass killings to sow terror. Already, NATO forces have agreed to take on the extremists. Arab League chief Nabil
See MILITANTS, page A8
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More shelling in Ukraine Two days after declaring a cease-fire, pro-Russian militants and government forces are back to clashing / A6
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Indians sweep White Sox White Sox offense unable to capitalize on strong effort by Scott Carroll in 2-0 loss / B3
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