The Weekly Post
Thursday July 25, 2013 Vol. 1, No. 22 Hot news tip? Want to advertise? Call (309) 741-9790!
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‘Common Core’ to be the new school standard By BILL KNIGHT
The Common Core State Standards being implemented in public schools are about as revolutionary as the three Rs: Reading,’Riting and ’Rithmetic. However, parents may notice more rigorous assignments in a couple of months, and in a couple of years, communities may notice kids much better prepared for careers, college or civic involvement. In the next year or so, Common Core State Standards (CCSS) have the potential to change education in elementary, middle and high schools throughout the nation. For The Weekly Post
Online information
There are many online resources for background and details on the Common Core State Standards. Here’s are two sites: • www.corestandards.org • pta.org/parents/content.cfm?ItemNumber=2910
“Common Core is common sense,” says Monica Freaner, a Brimfield teacher who’s also chair of the Illinois Education Association (IEA) union’s Region 16. “It feels natural.” In fact, it’s already happening, in steps.
“Elmwood has been proactive in its review, discussion and implementation of these standards,” says Elmwood Elementary Principal Tony Frost. “Over the last two years Elmwood teachers and administration have dedicated many hours of in-service time to understand the new learning standards and how it will impact teaching and learning. “All of our teachers are currently using these standards to provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn. We have [examined] our current curriculums in order to determine what and when certain topics and concepts
WHITNEY’S WALK
10th Whitney’s Walk ahead of schedule
BRIMFIELD – Saturday is the 10th annual Whitney’s Walk For Life to raise money for suicide prevention, and organizers say they’ve surpassed their goals. Held at Jubilee College State Park on U.S. Route 150 between Brimfield and Kickapoo, Whitney’s Walk includes a 5K run starting at 7:55 a.m. and a 5K walk at 8 a.m.. “As of [Monday] morning we have 1,074 participants and have raised $112, 883,” said Jamie Sanders of the Mental Health America of Illinois Valley, which benefits from the fund raiser. “Our goal was $110,000.” For more information, call MHAIV at (309) 692-1766.
Rural fire district vetoes annexation By JEFF LAMPE
The Elmwood Rural Fire Protection District (ERFPD) voted down a proposed merger with the Elmwood Fire Department. Trustees Dave Wagner, Tom Shissler and Daniel Bowhay voted unanimously against annexation last week. “We just thought at the time it is not necessary. And the consensus of the board was we wanted to know if the city of Elmwood Weekly Post Staff Writer
had come up with other sources to make up for the shortfall with [BYE Ambulance Service, Inc.],” ERFPD president Wagner said. “And it all came about pretty fast. It’s an option down the road and we are going to look at it every year.” The idea of joining departments was put forward by the Elmwood City Council, members of which circulated petitions seeking signatures to put annexation on the ballot next spring for
a referendum vote. A merger would have allowed the ERFPD to raise taxes for ambulance service and could have generated more funds for BYE. Even if Elmwood city voters had approved a merger, the matter ultimately rested in the hands of ERFPD trustees to accept or to reject. Now in the wake of the ERFPD’s decision, the petition drive will not move forward and there will be no referendum.
should be taught, strengths and weaknesses, and how to appropriately supplement our curriculums to meet the Common Core learning expectations. “These standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world,” Frost continued. “We have focused our discussions on two things: what and when we teach grade level concepts and how we teach these concepts. Teachers have been very receptive.” Common Core is designed to establish consistency across the nation in literature, writing, math and science, but also – some say especially – in thinking and problem solving. Goals Continued on Page 2
Gilles pleads guilty to embezzlement By BILL KNIGHT
BRIMFIELD – Customers of Brimfield Bank lost no money in a case of embezzlement in which a former cashier has pleaded guilty, according to a bank executive. “There wasn’t any customer account that was threatened,” said Beth Fitch, a vice president at Brimfield Bank, which is marking its 100th anniversary this year. “At no point was the financial security of the bank ever compromised. Customers’ accounts are safe and sound; customers were covered by insurance.” Brimfield News Natalie M. Gilles, 50, of • Village PresiBrimfield has pleaded guilty to dent Danny J. violating Title 18, U.S. Code, Fishel wrote a letSec. 656, embezzlement by a ter to the editor on bank employee. In court prorecycling, Page 5. ceedings she accepted personal • The Brimfield School Board met responsibility for her “criminal to discuss resignaconduct.” tions and new “Starting in or about 2004 hires, Page 7. and continuing to in or about October 2012,” federal prosecutors wrote, “Natalie Gilles … did embezzle, abstract and willfully misapply moneys, funds and credits of Brimfield Bank and moneys, funds and assets intrusted to the custody and care of the bank in that she withdrew funds from customers’ accounts and diverted other funds of Brimfield Bank to her own use and benefit.” The amount totaled about $200,000, according to federal court documents. According to court filings, Gilles’ activity was reportedly discovered by someone with the power of attorney for the account of an elderly woman. Gilles was reFor The Weekly Post
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