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McHenry County News DISPLAY ADVERTISING & CLASSIFIEDS: 815-654-4850 • CIRCULATION: 815-654-4854 • E-MAIL: McHenryNews@RVPublishing.com
VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 10
11512 N. 2nd ST. • MACHESNEY PARK, IL 61115
THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2018
Polar Plunge was a great success The Algonquin Police Department team was represented by 19 Plungers, and approximately 30 family members who came out to support us at this year’s Polar Plunge. With all monies in, we raised more than $6,000. Not only did we raise a great amount of money but our efforts continue to raise awareness for this cause. As a result of our efforts, we received a “Golden Plunger” award for raising the most funds as a Law Enforcement team. Thanks to Officers Bucheleres, Palmer, Watson, and Susan Morgan for volunteering their time to be on the committee to help organize the event. Officers Bucheleres, Palmer and Watson also plunged and Susan participated by photographing everything for us. Thanks to Officers Skrodzki, Nicholson, Beltran, Falardeau, Gough, Slabinski, Koehler, and Sgt. Sowizrol for their fundraising efforts and plunging. Continuing on with the thanks we had our Intern, Katie Loizzi, and Police Explorers and High School students Joe, Yohanan, Amelie also plunge. We also had a new resident of Algonquin reach out to us on Facebook and ask if she and her son could join our team. Thank you to Katie and Alex Herrera for reaching out, plunging with us and then going to lunch with us. Though they were not able to make it to the plunge, the Seegers family and Special Olympian Peyton Wingett and his father Jeff join us for lunch. Thanks to Deputy Chief Sutrick and the
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Algonquin Police Department received a “Golden Plunger” award for raising the most funds as a Law Enforcement team at this year’s Polar Plunge for Special Olympics.
Algonquin Police Benevolent Organization for their donation to purchase the shirts we all wore and Chief Bucci for his donations and purchase of the appreciation banner for
our sponsors. The sponsors being Rosen Hyundai, Whitey’s Towing, Zukowski, Rogers, Flood & McArdle Law Firm, Judicial Attorney Services, and Aspen
Exterior Company. The team page is still up and donations can be received until March 18. https://soill.donordrive.com/index.cfm.
Dr. Art Vallicelli named principal of Woodstock High School Northern Illinois University in 2012. “One thing I’m looking forward to is working with an incredible student body and supportive families and parents,” Vallicelli said. “Our kids do amazing work, and we need to continue developing whatever goals they have.” He’s also excited about working with a skilled staff and meeting the challenges that come with personnel changes that the years have brought and will continue to bring. “We’re having a turnover of excellent veteran teachers, but we’re bringing in a lot of new and vibrant teachers who bring great energy and skills,” he said. “We’ve got a great blend of extremely talented staff at different points in their careers.” Vallicelli said his English teaching experience ranged from remedial readers to AP honors students, which has given him a broad perspective of the spectrum across the school. While Vallicelli has been on the school’s literacy, class size and technology committees among many other responsibilities, he also headed the high school’s Freshman Academy, which helps the youngest students at WHS make that big transition, whether they need after school tutoring or other guidance. “The research says grade nine is the pivotal year. The kids who have a good freshman year go on to have a successful high school career,” he said. He also developed and supervised requirements for the school’s Cum Laude program, which takes attributes such as citizenship and character — more than just grades — into consideration. “It’s a comprehensive award, and it doesn’t just cover one aspect of a SUBMITTED PHOTO McHenry County News student’s effort,” said Vallicelli. Woodstock High School celebrated last week that Dr. Art Vallicelli has been confirmed as their prinVallicelli said he also believes cipal for next year. that WHS needs to continue push-
Veteran former teacher and administrator Dr. Art Vallicelli has been selected as the new principal at Woodstock High School. Vallicelli has been an assistant principal at WHS since 2013 and previously taught English since 2005. His first two years of teaching were at Bernotas Middle School in Crystal Lake. “We are excited to hire Dr. Vallicelli as the principal at Woodstock High School; he will continue to
ensure an excellent experience for our students,” said Dr. Mike Moan, Woodstock Community Unit School District 200 Superintendent. The Woodstock Community Unit School District 200 Board of Education approved the promotion at its Feb. 13 meeting. Vallicelli will replace Dr. Justin Smith who recently accepted a new District 200 position as assistant superintendent for middle school and high school education.
Vallicelli was chosen from a strong pool of candidates in a process that engaged over 50 members of the District 200 and Woodstock HIgh School Community including staff, administration, parent, and student representation. Vallicelli earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Illinois and his doctorate in curriculum leadership from
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District 200 is a truly special place with an outstanding staff, supportive parents, and creative students. I look forward to the opportunity to work with our middle and high schools on their curricular innovations, 21st century skills and college/career efforts.” – Dr. Art Vallicelli
ing students on technical skills while balancing that with making sure they also grow in their maturity and ability to interact with staff and their peers beyond screens. “We’re in a digital age, and as a whole, schools tend to lag behind. D200 has made this a priority, and I agree. I want to make sure our kids are ready with 21st Century skills, not 20th Century skills. I think that’s very important,” he said. Vallicelli, 38, is married with three children and originally from Elmhurst. He will earn a salary as principal of $134,000. Dr. Justin Smith congratulated Vallicelli on his promotion and said WHS is in good hands. Smith also said he’s excited about his new assistant superintendent role with District 200. “District 200 is a truly special place with an outstanding staff, supportive parents, and creative students. I look forward to the opportunity to work with our middle and high schools on their curricular innovations, 21st century skills, and college/career efforts,” he said.