Braidwood Journal

RC students’ community service will increase

Published by admin on Tue, 01/29/2019 - 3:44pm

Students at Reed-Custer High School will soon give back to their communities even more, as part of their civics education.

The district administration said they’ll increase the number of community service hours each student must complete at RCHS, part of the district’s high school graduation requirement.

Director of Teaching and Learning Danielle Valiente said that the current community service requirement is 20 hours throughout their four years of high school.

Melissa's Closet & Crystal's Jewelry Box return to make prom dreams come true

Published by admin on Tue, 01/29/2019 - 3:42pm

 

It isn’t easy to turn tragedy into something meaningful.

But for the past several years, organizer’s at Melissa’s Closet and Crystal’s Jewelry Box have been able to make prom dreams come true for hundreds of high school students, all to honor two former Reed-Custer High School students.

Melissa Michalowski and Crystal Carr were both seniors at RCHS when they were killed in a car accident in December 2008.

Melissa had worked at Whitmore Ace Hardware in Braidwood, where she was known to be a bright and shining employee who came to work happy every day.

Final school calendar gets the OK

Published by admin on Tue, 01/29/2019 - 3:37pm

The Reed-Custer School Board has given the official thumbs up for next year’s school calendar.

On Jan. 16, the board approved the final draft of the 2019-2020 calendar, after a few tweaks by the district administration. Among those tweaks over the previous proposal are plans for how parent teacher conferences are scheduled at the middle school and the high school. That change will place high school parent-teacher conferences in September and October, and middle school and elementary school conferences also in October.

Reed-Custer finances in top shape

Published by admin on Tue, 01/22/2019 - 7:15pm

The Reed-Custer School District remains in a strong financial position.

On Jan. 16, the district’s financial audit for the 2018 fiscal year, which ended on June 30, was presented to the members of the Board of Education.

The audit produced an unmodified audit opinion, the highest audit insurance the district can receive.

“Your financial statements present fairly in all the general respects,” said Nick E. Cavaliere, CPA, CFE, a partner with the district’s auditor Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP. “That’s what you want to hear, that you’ve had a clean audit.”

City: PACE program successful so far

Published by admin on Tue, 01/22/2019 - 7:13pm

After a half year of offering rides to folks who need a lift around Braidwood and beyond, the city is reporting that the program is showing signs of success.

Earlier this month, city officials announced that rides have increased to near-daily use on Braidwood’s PACE bus, a passenger van leased to the city for public transportation use.

“It’s been six months since we got the PACE bus running, and it’s been terrific,” said city administrator Don Labriola. “We give rides every day, the wheel chair lift is working fine. It’s been a great success.”

Students lauded for achievements

Published by admin on Tue, 01/22/2019 - 7:12pm

The Reed-Custer School Board took a moment this month to honor several Comet seniors who have gone above and beyond in academic and extracurricular achievement.

On Jan. 16, the board recognized RCHS senior Casey Cromp, who was selected to the Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) All State Conference, which meets this week in Peoria.

District to tweak guidelines for social media groups

Published by admin on Tue, 01/22/2019 - 7:09pm

The Reed-Custer School Board will consider a change to district policies with regard to how teachers and staff use social media to represent the school.

On Jan. 16, superintendent Mark Mitchell presented a draft of a change to the district’s policy on usage and conduct related to social media and personal technology. The change would add language designed to help district administrators keep up with the multitude of social media pages that serve as information centers for various groups, clubs, sports and activities.

Braidwood finances deep in the red

Published by admin on Tue, 01/15/2019 - 7:38pm

The city of Braidwood is facing a dire financial situation, despite the mayor’s reassurance earlier this month that things are moving along well. And, it appears, at least part of the problem stems from a previous audit that was off by hundreds of thousands of dollars for some funds.

Leopold in the Spotlight for January

Published by admin on Tue, 01/15/2019 - 7:36pm

 

The Reed-Custer High School Senior Spotlight winner for the month of January is Luke Leopold.

Luke is the son of Robert and Erin Boseo.

During his high school career, Luke has been involved in Basketball, RC Chatter, and National Honor Society. He was also a mentor for an RCMS student, a Student of the Month, and was the videographer for football, basketball, and volleyball games.

Luke’s teachers said he’s a hard worker who sets a good example for his peers.

Mrs. Dennis called Luke a model student.

Ballot set for spring election

Published by admin on Tue, 01/15/2019 - 7:34pm

After a handful of challenges to candidate petitions, the races for mayor and commissioners are now official for the April 2, 2019 consolidated election.

Objections were filed to the nominating papers of three candidates by Braidwood resident Bruce Keller.

Those objections went before the city of Braidwood Municipal Officers Electoral Board for a determination. By state law, the local electoral board is made up of the mayor, the clerk, and the longest serving member of the City Council.