D99 Appoints Three Staffers to New Leadership Roles

North High School has a new associate principal for curriculum and a new assistant principal for student activities and programs, and both school has a new overseer of special education services for students with disabilities.

Community High School District 99 has appointed two current staff members and a former staffer to three new leadership positions within the District. Current staff members Janice Schwarze and Kristin Bormann will respectively become North High School’s associate principal for curriculum (Schwarze) and assistant principal for student activities and programs (Bormann), starting on July 1.  Additionally, former staff member Scott Wuggazer will oversee special education services for students with disabilities at both North High and South High. “We are so glad to welcome back Scott, who has been a proven and effective leader at both of our schools,” said D99 superintendent Dr. Mark McDonald in a release. “Also, promoting Janice and Kristin from…

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Downers Grove High Schools Rank Among Best in Area, State

Both District 99 schools were recognized by the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times for their performance on the Prairie State Achievement Exam.

Both schools in Downers Grove's Community High School District 99 were among the top-performers in the Chicagoland area and state, according to rankings published last month by the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times. Both newspapers used 2012 Illinois School Report Card data in determining the rankings. Downers Grove North High School was ranked 23rd in the Chicago area and 24th in the state by the Chicago Sun-Times, down slightly from 2011 when it was ranked 20th in the area and 21st in the state. The Chicago Tribune ranked North High 28th among schools in DuPage, Kane, Cook, Lake, Will and McHenry counties. Downers Grove South High School was ranked 45th in the Chicago area and 57th in the state by the Sun-Times—an improvement …

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Ray

11:26 am on Thursday, November 15, 2012

A 23 is still over a 70 percentile and is more than respectable.   more ›

What Should Woodridge Do with the 44 Open Acres Near Towne Center?

We want to hear from you. Should the space be open? Developed?

A six-year battle finally transferred the ownership of 44 open acres of land near Woodridge's Towne Center from Community High School District 99 to Woodridge in 2010.  Now the big question is what to do with the land.  What do you think? Tell us in the comments below.  The village of Woodridge and Woodridge Park District plan to complete a Towne Center Master Plan by the end of the year. Last month, the two groups started looking for proposals for the plan which "will identify community needs and an implementation plan that contemplates land uses, project phasing and financing for the Town Centre Area of the Village of Woodridge," the village said in a press release.  The consultant will also coordinate public input, including public open…

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How Districts are Trying to Recruit Minority Teachers

A look at the tactics by Districts 68, 99 and Valley View District 365U.

A Valley View School District 365U parent recently asked Superintendent James Mitchem Jr. why there were "very few" African American teachers in the district. African American students made up 22 percent of the student population last school year.  “It is a very important issue for the vitality of this school district,” she wrote. “It may also help bridge the achievement gap.” Her question and Mitchem's answer were posted on the district website.  Mitchem wrote that he, too, was concerned with the demographics of district staff not reflecting the demographics of its students. He named some challenges for having a more diverse staff.  “Only a very small percentage of minority professionals go into the field of education, and when they do, …

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Downers Grove South Coach Chosen for All-American Coaching Staff

Ellen O'Brien will be one of eight high school coaches across the country at the 2012 Mcdonald's All American Girls basketball game.

Editor's note: The following is a press release from Community High School District 99.  A coach from South High School in Downers Grove has been officially selected to be part of the coaching staff for the 2012 McDonald’s All American Girls Basketball Game. Ellen O’Brien, head girls basketball coach at South High, was selected to serve as one of just eight outstanding high school coaches from across the country. Each year, the McDonald’s All American Games feature top high school basketball boys and girls players from around the country, who participate in an East Vs. West All-Star Game to raise funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities. Of the 24 girl basketball players, three are from Illinois this year. McDonald’s All American alumni …

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Juvenile Students at DGN Charged with Possession

Two students were charged March 5. Two DGS students were charged with disorderly conduct March 8.

The following incidents and arrests were reported by the Downers Grove Police Department: Delivery/Possession of Controlled Substance Two juvenile students at Downers Grove North were charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance on March 5 after a dean at DGN received info that one of the students was in possession of illegal drugs led to police officials finding 15 Vicodin pills on the students. One of the two juveniles charged with possession was also charged with Delivery of a Controlled Substance. Disorderly Conduct Two juvenile male students got into a fight at Downers Grove South on March 8 and both were charged with Disorderly Conduct. Patch reports on law enforcement activity in our town, using information provided by official…

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VIDEO: D99 Cheerleaders Prep for State

Check out the skills and routines both co-ed varsity cheerleading squads will show off in Bloomington, IL Friday. Good luck!

Both the Downers Grove North and Downers Grove South co-ed varsity cheerleading squads had their final practices before state Friday. Woodridge Patch was there to get video of the squads showing off their skills.  Both teams qualified for the 2012 IHSA Co-Ed Division State Finals at their sectional Saturday, scoring within .37 points of each other. DGS took second with 86.57 points; DGN took third with 86.2 points. Barrington High School took first place with a score of 89.93. The squads will compete against 23 other schools. The preliminary round for the large and co-ed divisions will begin at 3:30 p.m. Friday at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington, IL. The final round for the co-ed division will begin at 3 p.m. on Saturday.   We'll…

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Part of Prince Street to be Closed

Community High School District 99 now has control of the street, which will allow the district to expand its campus and add a bus parking lot and athletic fields.