TON-10-02-2015

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Volume 141 No. 43

Friday, October 2, 2015

Single Copy Cost 50¢

Challenging can be a challenge How to offer more for students who excel By Zachary J. Pratt news@tonicanews.com

LOSTANT — The Lostant School Board is contemplating the possibility of organizing additional coursework for students who excel in the tasks they are already given. During its meeting Wednesday, Sept. 23, the board discussed a request from a family, which suggested that children be able to take digital coursework at home. The idea that the school might pay for this work was also included. Since he had sent the request, Mike Philips, school board

president, explained the reasoning behind it. “Our thinking was if a child advances quickly enough in the enrichment program — we don’t want to pile stuff on — it would give him something to do,” Philips said. “Mainly it’s to make sure the challenge stays there.” The school would not necessarily have to pay for the program, but it could be there as support. “What we were looking for, and what I would like to see, is that the school provide a bit of structure,” Phillips said. It was mentioned sometimes parents think their children are more advanced and ready for more than they actually

are. If this program were in place, they might go to the school with the idea, and the school could look at what the child is doing in class. If the student seemed ready for the additional coursework, the school could recommend it. But there is also the option, if it appears adding to the child’s workload is likely to cause issues, the school might bring its concerns to the parents’ attention. If it was decided the student was ready to take on the additional work, the school could have a role with that as well. “The kind of support the school could provide is if a parent says they’d like their child to take another class — and the school says it’s a good idea, and there are other kids

Challenging Page 2

Meet you on the dark side of the moon

Tonica News photos/Becky Kramer

Sunday night’s blood supermoon lunar eclipse was a photographer’s paradise. Stargazers in many parts of the world had their cameras ready for a rare supermoon eclipse, the first of its kind since 1982, and the last we’ll see until 2033. The supermoon phenomenon occurs when the moon is full at its perigee — the closest part of its orbit around Earth (226,000 miles), meaning it appears larger in the sky. And those lucky to be in North America, South America, West Africa and Western Europe — including Tonica News readers — could also enjoy the blood moon as a total lunar eclipse also occurred.

Tonica School Board OKs new budget New mentoring program for students has been created By Zachary J. Pratt news@tonicanews.com

TONICA — The Tonica School Board met for its monthly meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 23, a different day than was originally scheduled. The board ran through a number of items, such as the new budget, which was approved. Principal Duane Schupp has put together a reading committee to consider a new series to replace the current 1998 series for kindergarten through eighth grade. The school architect met with administration to review the building. There is a new student mentoring program each Wednesday, where junior high students mentor students in kindergarten through fifth grade. The junior high students are also engaged in community works. This began when 40 students cleaned Vol. 141 No. 43 Two Sections - 16 Pages

up garbage around town. In the area of technology, the school will purchase new copiers from RX Dixon, from where they will also be networked, and will utilize a new one-year contract with Zobrio for IT support. The school now has an agreement with BTU of St. Louis for E-Rate applications. The board discussed the state’s move toward tax caps statewide, focusing on the impact it might have on the Tonica School District, its residents and its students. The board hired a new girls’ basketball coach as well as a part-time custodian, while also approving Janet Martin’s intent to retire. The teacher benefit and salary report was approved, along with the annual school recognition application and the sale of old yearbooks. Bids on snow removal can now go through, as Tonica school prepares for the coming winter.

Remembering Jeremy Zulz Lostant school looks for ways to memorialize former employee By Zachary J. Pratt news@tonicanews.com

LOSTANT — The sudden passing of Jeremy Zulz, a 25-year-old Wenona resident who was head of maintenance at Lostant school and died as a result of a car accident on Sept. 6, left the Lostant Community School, as well as the community as a whole, saddened. Now, various efforts have sprung up to memorialize him. At its Wednesday, Sept. 23, meeting, the Lostant School Board discussed various possibilities through which Zulz might be remembered.

Remembering Jeremy Page 3

Have you ordered your tickets for Women of Distinction? Illinois Valley Living Magazine and the Tonica News invite you to this event, set for 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday. Oct. 15 at Hornbaker Gardens in Princeton. Call 815-875-4461, ext. 6320, for tickets and details.

© The Tonica News


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