Volume 141 No. 35
Friday, August 7, 2015
Single Copy Cost 50¢
Pants ... not too tight, not too loose Tonica’s student handbook changes By D ave Cook
news@tonicanews.com
TONICA — Though it seems too soon to be happening already, summer is winding down,
and the new school year is fast approaching. Tonica’s students and parents alike will no doubt notice the recently approved changes to this year’s student hand-
book. One change to the student handbook is that no extremely tight or excessively baggy pants will be allowed. If tights are worn for warmth during colder weather, there will need to be a skirt, dress or other appropriate cloth-
ing item worn over them. In addition, the honor roll will now no longer be figured by hand, but rather by a new program called “TeacherEase.” This new program will allow teachers to track and analyze student progress. Teachers will then be
able to communicate with parents through a portal which will allow parents to track their children’s performance and progress throughout the school year. Any missing work which is turned in after an unexcused absence will now only receive
partial credit. As required by the state, all sixth-grade students will have to have received a meningococcal immunization. The new school year begins for teachers on Monday, Aug. 24 and for students on Tuesday, Aug. 25.
Keep the steaks on the grill and the flames off the deck Summer grilling safety By Zita Henneberry news@tonicanews.com
A hot summer can mean steaks on the grill, but it shouldn’t mean grill and grease fires. Area fire chiefs encourage all area residents to be cautious and safe when grilling out this summer. In recent years, there have been less fires and problems caused by grilling. However, most area fire chiefs/personnel are unaware if the grills have improved or if people are simply being more safety conscious. While people have been safer in recent years, he does not want anyone to become lax about grilling safety. Make sure the grills are far from any structure that may catch fire, especially with gas grills. With charcoal grills, make sure there is nothing beneath them; the embers may fall out and catch fire on surfaces like a wooden deck. The grills need to be clear of flammable structures just as they need proper ventilation. According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), both propane and charcoal grills should only
Grilling Page 2
Tonica News photo/Dave Cook
Pretty as a picture ... Darlene Frangenberg of Tonica enjoys working in her garden and heavily flowered backyard during a perfect summer day. Visitors to her yard, including the numerous birds and bees, enjoy a colorful view in any direction they gaze.
An international experience ... at the Academy Students from Mexico get a taste of life in the USA By Goldie Rapp news@tonicanews.com
PERU — St. Bede Academy has kicked off its second year of international summer camp. The school is hosting 16 students from Mexico, who are getting a taste of the St. Bede life. Students have spent the last three weeks exploring
the Illinois Valley and beyond, taking classes at the Academy and making lifelong friends with the students and staff. The camp offers international students an opportunity to experience what life might be like if they chose to attend the Academy. After being impressed with St. Bede and all it
had to offer when sending her own daughter to the academy, Angeles Diaz Vega of Mexico, created a partnership with St. Bede. She now educates fellow parents in Mexico about St. Bede. She explained many parents strive to send their students to school in America to be introduced to the culture and English
language. “The English language is very important in Mexico because all the private schools teach English and French, but now the government this year made it mandatory that it’s spoken in public schools too,” she said. “The world is moving with the English language, and parents want their students to speak really good
St. Bede Page 2
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English; so they will be able to study around the world.” Diego Sanchez of Metepec, Mexico City, is just one student who hopes to study at St. Bede next year. He said the school has a good academic level, and the people make it a great place to be. “I’ve noticed it’s not
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