Volume 143 No. 12
Friday, February 24, 2017
Single Copy Cost 50¢
Wanted: Bus drivers in Tonica
Superintendent applauds volunteerism By Zachary J. Pratt news@tonicanews.com
TONICA — The Tonica School District has been at risk of only having one bus driver; it is looking to rectify the issue. At its February meeting, the board gave Interim Superintendent Jim Whitmore the OK to seek proposals in search for a solu-
tion. “As everybody knows, we are struggling to find bus drivers — have been for years,” Tonica School Board President Jeremy Hillyer said. “We’ve been on the brink of one driver, a one-bus route, which I think would be catastrophic for this district,” Whitmore added. Hillyer mentioned a
group of 10 districts formed a coalition which allowed them to work through the same sort of issue. Tonica had possibly been going to join. Also at the meeting, the board had a long discussion about the Tonica School District policy manual, and it was decided it will be updated and digitized. The contract with the Illi-
nois Association of School Boards provides the update and digital service to the school for $4,600, spread out into three payments. The move was made because of the state of the school’s existing physical manuals which are in disrepair. “We must have several board members that don’t have a policy manual at all because they are in all degrees of calamity,” Whitmore said, adding the
results will not be immediate, perhaps taking several months, but the finished product will be a major improvement. Also, Whitmore expressed his gratitude and appreciation for those who are willing to step up and fill positions when the school is in need. “I want to express my appreciation to the suddenly-developed volleyball staff we have,” Whitmore said. This instance is not the
‘Crikey!’
Lock-in — locked out in Lostant Too many uncontrollable factors cancel the event, though the dance is still on By Zachary J. Pratt news@tonicanews.com
LOSTANT — The Lostant Elementary School dance is locked in; the proposed lockin is not. The Student Council dance is set for 6 to 8 p.m. April 28, but the proposal for a lockin immediately following has been denied. At the February board meeting, one of the main issues was the numbers of boys and girls, along with the need for volunteers to chaperone, especially male volunteers. “There are a lot more boys than girls, so I’d say we need men there. And if we don’t have that, we don’t do it,” said Cindy Burcar, board of education member. “I also think that for every five students, we should have a chaperone.” The school mandates that men and women both go along on field trips, which furthered the argument the same should be true for an overnight event. Another factor was the question of whether there were any rules in place about who can chaperone. In the end, it was decided there were too many factors which would be uncontrolla-
Lostant Page 3 Vol. 143 No. 12 One Section - 8 Pages
© The Tonica News
first occurrence of people taking it upon themselves to fill in when necessary. “Every challenge that we’ve had since before the school year, someone has stepped up to stand in the gap,” Whitmore said, commenting on the care the community has placed on the school. “We’ve had staff members standing in the gap. We’ve had board members standing in the gap,” Whitmore said.
Large reptiles thrill Tonica Grade School By Dave Cook
news@tonicanews.com
TONICA — As students and staff filed into the gym for the assembly, there were several large plastic containers and an irregularly-shaped denim bag on the floor. While the plastic totes suggested nothing unusual, what they contained was anything but, for they contained reptiles — some very large reptiles. The Feb. 15 presentation of Jim Nesci’s Cold Blooded Creatures at the Tonica Grade School was sponsored by the Tonica Parent Teacher Council (PTC). They most certainly got their money’s worth as students and staff alike were thrilled by the reptiles and knowledge shared by Nesci during a high energy presentation. Sarah Patyk, president of the PTC, said, “We do a program every year and try to get something both fun and educational.” The PTC raises funds through the year to sponsor educational programs and to help purchase supplies for classrooms. Along with the programs and supplies, the PTC also sponsors a school trip to the movie theater every March. Nesci has worked with reptiles his whole life and began giving presentations to schools when he was young and invited by a friend who was a teacher. Since then he has performed before countless schools and before people of all ages. Nesci and his reptilian friends have appeared on “The Oprah Show,” “Animal Planet,” “The Tonight Show,” HGTV, “Regis & Kelly” and “The Today Show.” He has also lectured at The Shedd Aquarium, Lincoln Park Zoo, The Field Museum and The Academy of Tonica News photo/Dave Cook Sciences. His most famous associaIt’s not every day you go to school and get to help hold an enormous snake. Tonica Grade School students and tion is with the one and only Steve
staff recently enjoyed an informative and highly entertaining educational presentation from Jim Nesci’s Cold Blooded Creatures. The event was sponsored by the Tonica Parent Teacher Council.
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