Monday, August 20, 2012
The Route 30 construction project requires motorists to be even more aware of safety precautions around school buses this year.
At 160-strong, they spent the summer parked in the quiet lots of the Lincoln-Way School District 210 Transportation Department, located on a road that bears the name of their sole purpose on this earth. Those long yellow buses—the appearance of which has changed little in the past 20 or so years—have been inspected, repaired, retooled and cleaned-up all on Schoolhouse Road in unincorporated New Lenox. And now it's the end of August, and they have already taken to the streets that encompass the 105 square miles of the district. Elementary districts start this week: Aug. 21 for D122 and D157C, Aug. 22 for Summit Hill D161 The wheels of the bus will definitely go round-and-round, but LW Transportation Director Rich Wilkey along with his …
Friday, August 10, 2012
Sales are expected to jump this year for back-to-school spending, according to the National Retail Federation. How is that affecting your wallet? Share you thoughts and tips about how you navigate the school supplies nightmare.
- BACK TO SCHOOL
- Joe Vince
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Friday, August 10, 2012
$688.62. That is the amount the average person with children in grades kindergarten to 12th grade is expected to spend this year on back-to-school shopping, according to the National Retail Federation's annual back-to-school spending survey. Last year, the survey predicted families would spend $603.63. "With more children entering elementary and middle school this fall and after cutting back their spending last year, parents with growing children will hit the stores this summer to replace and replenish what their children might have had to “make-do” with last school season," according to a NRF press release. READ: Check Out Our Back to School Guide So You're Ready Before Classes Start Parents surveyed said they would spend the most on …
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Following the hiring of three new teachers for the District 159 music program, Patch's readers reacted to the news in some different ways. Now Patch wants to hear your opinion on the issue.
Music will once again be filling the halls of Mokena School District 159 schools this year, thanks to the recent hiring of two full-time and one part-time teacher, one of whom previously taught in the district. The three teachers will all also teach physical education as well. The hires were made after the resignation of two teachers who worked in the district last year. Earlier this week, Patch let our readers know about the recent hires and the resulting comments on both here and our Facebook definitely drew our attention. What do you think? Are music and physical education a necessity, or should they be considered luxuries? So what do you think? Do your kids benefit from music and physical education? Join the conversation and share your…
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Do you remember your favorite lunch box? Today's kids have as many options as ever but nothing will take the place of the Partridge Family or Scooby-Doo.
Lunch boxes have changed in design and shape over the years, but the basic idea is the same. Along with space inside for a cold drink, sandwich and snack, the cover is devoted to a favorite cartoon, character, TV show or movie. That's why Justin Bieber and Darth Vader and Japanese cartoon characters are staring out at shoppers from the shelves of Target. Back in the '70s, the lunch boxes were aluminum. In the '80s, they gave way to plastic. Vintage lunch boxes now are highly collectible. They are displayed as collections in people's homes, and sometimes they get their own art gallery shows. (Yes, I've gone to one.) Do you remember a favorite lunch box? What was it? Have a picture handy? Share it with Patch! Want more back-to-school news, …
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Mokena kids in kindergarten through 6th grade can get a free haircut at JCPenney during the month of August.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Kids in kindergarten through 6th grade can get a free haircut at JCPenney during the month of August.
Brown, blonde, black and red locks of hair were falling fast and furious to the floor at the JCPenney hair salon, located in the far southeast corner of the Mokena store, where half-dozen stylists were busy clipping, cutting and shaving children's hair as part of a free back-to-school haircut project for kids during the month of August. In the first day of the project, the Mokena store was at the ready for a day dedicated to kid cuts. The store had 140 booked appointments so far over, and they were expecting more as the word spread. But that doesn't mean that they won't take walk-ins, said Kim Gignac, JCP salon leader. In consideration of budget-conscious families especially at the start of the school year, Gignac said, the store is …
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Professional organizer Emily Smith shares some pointers to take the stress out of the upcoming school year.
It's that time of the year again—summer's days are numbered, and kids will be back in school before you know it. This can be a particularly stressful time for parents as they scramble to readjust to a busier schedule for themselves and their children. Emily Smith, professional organizer for Simplify With Smith, spoke with Patch to share some back-to-school tips. "The goal is to ease the stress and the craziness or the hectic-ness of school starting," Smith said. Here are some organizational pointers directly from the pro to get parents through the next few months: While it may seem like there's still plenty of time to put off employing these tips, Smith insisted that parents avoid procrastinating. "People think, 'Oh, I've got another month…
Registration, school supply lists, bus routes—you name it, you can find the most important back-to-school facts, all on Patch!
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
From Facebook to apps, Darien Patch is here to help you stay in touch with your hometown when you go back to school.
It always feels good to bring along a little piece of home when you head back to school. Whether you’re an eager freshman or a wizened senior, let Mokena Patch help you stay in touch with your hometown while you’re off living the collegiate life.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Ready or not, here it comes: the first day of school is slowly sneaking up on Mokena's students. With summer more than halfway over, Patch has compiled a list of when school starts for all grade schools, junior highs and high schools Mokena kids attend.
Johnny Stoll
12:51 pm on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
I have to laugh, looking at the MPS logo. "Where Children are the First Priority". It comes off kinda badly when I saw the teachers with their picket signs last year outside of MES, walking on Wolf Rd, right up until the first period started, complaining that they're working with no contract. I don't have a contract. Do you? Hellsbelles, I'm under-employed currently, but it's something I'm proud … more ›