A former Lyons Township High School District 204 administrator with an extraordinary name who left town 2-1/2 years ago to pursue the superintendency of Oak Park/River Forest High School District 200 has announced his retirement.
The 36-year career educator, Attila Josef Weninger, the former director of human resources and director of curriculum and instruction at District 204 -- hired by OPRF, a one-school district, in May 2007 namely to address the district's widening achievement gap between white and black students -- will retire at the end of the school year.
A native of Salzburg, Austria who often finds himself at the start of any new job answering questions about his surname, he has been credited for totally restructuring OPRF's administration and had recently embarked on a controversial plan to create new division (subject) heads to serve their respective departments and dual administrative roles by the fall of 2010.
Weninger, according to the Oak Park-based community newspaper the Wednesday Journal, had been negotiating with his School Board since Aug. 24 on a new contract extension, but those talks did not lead to a new pact.
First hired at a salary of $200,000 per year with increments based on his progress on certain specified goals such as closing the achievement gap, the 11-year LT veteran administrator just began the final year of his initial three-year contract.
On Oct. 15, he told reporters he resigned for unspecified personal reasons.
In May 2008, he survived a flap over not attributing a story he recited at a Memorial Day ceremony to a speech used on the campaign trail by then-Republican presidential hopeful
Arizona Sen. John McCain about a Vietnam-era veteran prisoner-of-war.
Contending the same story was originally told to him by his Vietnam veteran brother, he was still accused of plagiarism but was never penalized by his board. Instead, they issued a statement saying he "showed poor judgement" in his actions.
Just this week, the 58-year-old educator embarked on plans to soon begin a districtwide internal operations review to assess how OPRF conducts its business and delivers services.
Within the next year, he also has had plans to change the district's leadership culture -- something also unsuccessfully attempted by a former superintendent who served in his position from 1988 to 1991.
Weninger, who received both his masters degree in 1979 and his doctorate in 1992 from Northwestern University, was a former English teacher and principal in Roselle and Wheaton as well.
In announcing Weninger's retirement, board President Dietra Millard -- the only member to initially vote against his hiring in 2007 -- stated the district will soon begin discussing a search for his successor and seek input on "the qualities key to future school leadership."
Friday, October 16, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
LT TOPS AMONG ILLINOIS SCHOOLS
For the 11th consecutive year, Lyons Township High School was one of just 58 Illinois school districts honored with a Bright A+ award.
The award is based on academic performance, and districts earning the award are among the top 5 percent of all Illinois school districts.
High school districts were judged based on the ACT composite score of all students tested.
The Bright A+ awards are sponsored by School Search, a firm that provides comparative school district information to corporations, homebuilders, libraries, real estate professionals and relocating families.
Not only does LT score in the top 5% in the state, LT's ACT score of 24.1 is significantly higher than state and national averages.
Each year nearly 90 percent of the graduating seniors are college-bound.
Their outstanding ACT scores are instrumental in gaining admittance into top colleges and universities across the country.
The award is based on academic performance, and districts earning the award are among the top 5 percent of all Illinois school districts.
High school districts were judged based on the ACT composite score of all students tested.
The Bright A+ awards are sponsored by School Search, a firm that provides comparative school district information to corporations, homebuilders, libraries, real estate professionals and relocating families.
Not only does LT score in the top 5% in the state, LT's ACT score of 24.1 is significantly higher than state and national averages.
Each year nearly 90 percent of the graduating seniors are college-bound.
Their outstanding ACT scores are instrumental in gaining admittance into top colleges and universities across the country.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
LT HOMECOMING: BLAST FROM THE PAST
When Sue Schierholtz and fellow students from her Class of 1959 reunion visit the Lyons Township High School North campus this weekend, some of them are going to have a hard time finding the football field and may be surprised the building sports a swimming pool.
Then again, the same may hold true for classmates of Lorraine Redis Koshgarian of Burr Ridge, who not only graduated in a class of 300-plus at the North campus in 1949, but also from Lyons
Township Junior College -- which was then on the top floor of the La Grange campus.
We had a wonderful, wonderful class spirit and us girls in particular," she recalled. "There were some 30 of us who really hung together and went to basketball games, everything we could. Those were the days; when you could travel around safely."
Both classes are holding their reunions this weekend, '59's at La Grange Country Club (where the Class of 1954 will be all weekend) and '49's at the Doubletree Hotel in Oak Brook. The Class of '59 will hold a Friday, Oct. 9 mixer at the Lake Hinsdale Village Clubhouse in Willowbrook and a Sunday, Oct. 11 brunch at the country club. The Class of '49 has a Friday night mixer at the same hotel.
Plans for each reunion have been underway for a year or more, as well as plans to have a contingent of classmates in the Homecoming parade set for 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10 at the North campus. '49ers will be in a streetcar trolley and '59ers will be in a row of convertibles.
"A lot of us (reunion organizers) do this three-day thing right around Homecoming ... and this time there will be 25 of us in four convertibles," said Schierholtz, who cannot forget all the good times at The Corral, when it was located on Harris Avenue downtown (what is now Les Tissus Colbert). "If you don't get a seat, you walk."
Ever since this year's 50th reunion planning began, a group of classmates has been meeting regularly for breakfast every other month at Moondance Diner in Burr Ridge. Asked what was special about her class, the Western Springs resident couldn't have given a cornier answer.
"Nothing could be finer than the Class of '59-er," she proclaimed. "I made it to The Corral every opportunity I had."
Schierholtz, who went on to become a Chicago Public Schools home economics teacher, said it is sad The Corral is not what it used to be.
"That was the way to get out from under your parents (rule)," she reminisced, adding there were always two sets of parents there as chaperones who kept to themselves. "There were records playing all the time ... and there originally was booths and a dance floor there a step up with a corral-type fence around it. You'd walk around that 'til a guy asked you to dance."
She said the Class of '59, expected to attract more than 2oo to the reunion, was the last class to go through all four years at the North campus.
"There was no swimming pool and where the gym now is was the football field," she said. "We were told to not go across the street but through the undergound tunnel. And we obeyed."
As for the Class of '49, some 75 classmates are expected to show up this weekend.
"I met my husband (football player Herb Koshgarian) at LT; he was two years ahead of me in the Class of '47," said Redis Koshgarian, who raised her five children in a house at Edgewood and 47th Street. "I was a member of the Girls Club and I studied hard."
Unlike she and her husband -- who met at The Corral and married two years after she graduated LT -- their children attended South and North campus.
Her husband's class is the one that purchased the old mechanic's garage that was converted into The Corral, where she always hung out after it opened. I dunno, call it fate.
Her mother even attended LT, but that was back when girls only went for two years and then worked, because they weren't considered worthy enough to complete an education. Like her mother, she walked to school, right up Cossitt Avenue.
Redis Koshgarian, whose husband later operated the Koshgarian rug cleaning company in La Grange then Hinsdale, said she and many of her classmates of 60 years ago remain close.
"We're best friends," she said, noting her classmates came from as far away as Palos Hills back then. "LT was a wonderful melting pot. I can't imagine anyone going through the same experience as we did. I can't even say enough good things about LT."
The Classes of 1954, 1960, 1968, 1974, 1979, 1989 and 1999 also have planned reunions for this weekend and may also be seen in the parade, the game and other alumni events.
Spirit Week concludes
LT's annual Spirit Week began Oct. 5 and climaxes with the student dance on Saturday, Oct. 10.
This year’s theme, "Lights, Camera, Action," featured dress-up days and contests, the annual parade from North to South campus, a “red carpet” experience, search lights and Hollywood decorations.
LT welcomes the community to participate in the festivities and homeowners along the parade route are encouraged to show their school spirit and pride by showcasing their homes in blue and gold.
The pep rally will begin at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9 before the boys’ varsity soccer game at Bennett Field. Nessie and Noil will be on hand and the Homecoming queen will be crowned.
On Saturday, Oct. 10, the parade will be followed by alumni tours at South Campus at 11 a.m. and a reception for alumni at The Corral at South campus at noon.
The parade steps off at the North campus parking lot on Cossitt Avenue, just west of Brainard Avenue, heads south on Blackstone Avenue and west on Goodman Avenue. The route crosses Gilbert Avenue and continues west on 46th Street, south on Clausen Avenue, and east on 47th Street through the Garden Market shopping center to Bennett Field.
LionFest at Bennett Field will include family fun and the Boosters will have food and LT wear for sale during the Varsity football game at Bennett Field. Scheduled kickoff is 1:30 p.m.
The student dance will be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, with nearly 3,000 students expected to attend. The cost of tickets is $15, and $20 at the door.
This year's Student Council is partnered with the Cause & Affect Foundation and donate all the proceeds from the sale of t-shirts, buttons and aluminum water bottles to the foundation’s worldwide philanthropy efforts. The Chicago-based nonprofit works to alleviate poverty.
Pizza, anyone?
Since Saturday, Oct. 10 is Homecoming night, Aurelio's at 11 Calendar Court in downtown La Grange will be open late especially for LT students.
From 10:45 p.m. to midnight, the restaurant will be closed down to all but those attending LT Homecoming.
Then again, the same may hold true for classmates of Lorraine Redis Koshgarian of Burr Ridge, who not only graduated in a class of 300-plus at the North campus in 1949, but also from Lyons
Township Junior College -- which was then on the top floor of the La Grange campus.
We had a wonderful, wonderful class spirit and us girls in particular," she recalled. "There were some 30 of us who really hung together and went to basketball games, everything we could. Those were the days; when you could travel around safely."
Both classes are holding their reunions this weekend, '59's at La Grange Country Club (where the Class of 1954 will be all weekend) and '49's at the Doubletree Hotel in Oak Brook. The Class of '59 will hold a Friday, Oct. 9 mixer at the Lake Hinsdale Village Clubhouse in Willowbrook and a Sunday, Oct. 11 brunch at the country club. The Class of '49 has a Friday night mixer at the same hotel.
Plans for each reunion have been underway for a year or more, as well as plans to have a contingent of classmates in the Homecoming parade set for 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10 at the North campus. '49ers will be in a streetcar trolley and '59ers will be in a row of convertibles.
"A lot of us (reunion organizers) do this three-day thing right around Homecoming ... and this time there will be 25 of us in four convertibles," said Schierholtz, who cannot forget all the good times at The Corral, when it was located on Harris Avenue downtown (what is now Les Tissus Colbert). "If you don't get a seat, you walk."
Ever since this year's 50th reunion planning began, a group of classmates has been meeting regularly for breakfast every other month at Moondance Diner in Burr Ridge. Asked what was special about her class, the Western Springs resident couldn't have given a cornier answer.
"Nothing could be finer than the Class of '59-er," she proclaimed. "I made it to The Corral every opportunity I had."
Schierholtz, who went on to become a Chicago Public Schools home economics teacher, said it is sad The Corral is not what it used to be.
"That was the way to get out from under your parents (rule)," she reminisced, adding there were always two sets of parents there as chaperones who kept to themselves. "There were records playing all the time ... and there originally was booths and a dance floor there a step up with a corral-type fence around it. You'd walk around that 'til a guy asked you to dance."
She said the Class of '59, expected to attract more than 2oo to the reunion, was the last class to go through all four years at the North campus.
"There was no swimming pool and where the gym now is was the football field," she said. "We were told to not go across the street but through the undergound tunnel. And we obeyed."
As for the Class of '49, some 75 classmates are expected to show up this weekend.
"I met my husband (football player Herb Koshgarian) at LT; he was two years ahead of me in the Class of '47," said Redis Koshgarian, who raised her five children in a house at Edgewood and 47th Street. "I was a member of the Girls Club and I studied hard."
Unlike she and her husband -- who met at The Corral and married two years after she graduated LT -- their children attended South and North campus.
Her husband's class is the one that purchased the old mechanic's garage that was converted into The Corral, where she always hung out after it opened. I dunno, call it fate.
Her mother even attended LT, but that was back when girls only went for two years and then worked, because they weren't considered worthy enough to complete an education. Like her mother, she walked to school, right up Cossitt Avenue.
Redis Koshgarian, whose husband later operated the Koshgarian rug cleaning company in La Grange then Hinsdale, said she and many of her classmates of 60 years ago remain close.
"We're best friends," she said, noting her classmates came from as far away as Palos Hills back then. "LT was a wonderful melting pot. I can't imagine anyone going through the same experience as we did. I can't even say enough good things about LT."
The Classes of 1954, 1960, 1968, 1974, 1979, 1989 and 1999 also have planned reunions for this weekend and may also be seen in the parade, the game and other alumni events.
Spirit Week concludes
LT's annual Spirit Week began Oct. 5 and climaxes with the student dance on Saturday, Oct. 10.
This year’s theme, "Lights, Camera, Action," featured dress-up days and contests, the annual parade from North to South campus, a “red carpet” experience, search lights and Hollywood decorations.
LT welcomes the community to participate in the festivities and homeowners along the parade route are encouraged to show their school spirit and pride by showcasing their homes in blue and gold.
The pep rally will begin at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9 before the boys’ varsity soccer game at Bennett Field. Nessie and Noil will be on hand and the Homecoming queen will be crowned.
On Saturday, Oct. 10, the parade will be followed by alumni tours at South Campus at 11 a.m. and a reception for alumni at The Corral at South campus at noon.
The parade steps off at the North campus parking lot on Cossitt Avenue, just west of Brainard Avenue, heads south on Blackstone Avenue and west on Goodman Avenue. The route crosses Gilbert Avenue and continues west on 46th Street, south on Clausen Avenue, and east on 47th Street through the Garden Market shopping center to Bennett Field.
LionFest at Bennett Field will include family fun and the Boosters will have food and LT wear for sale during the Varsity football game at Bennett Field. Scheduled kickoff is 1:30 p.m.
The student dance will be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, with nearly 3,000 students expected to attend. The cost of tickets is $15, and $20 at the door.
This year's Student Council is partnered with the Cause & Affect Foundation and donate all the proceeds from the sale of t-shirts, buttons and aluminum water bottles to the foundation’s worldwide philanthropy efforts. The Chicago-based nonprofit works to alleviate poverty.
Pizza, anyone?
Since Saturday, Oct. 10 is Homecoming night, Aurelio's at 11 Calendar Court in downtown La Grange will be open late especially for LT students.
From 10:45 p.m. to midnight, the restaurant will be closed down to all but those attending LT Homecoming.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
FOREST ROAD SET FOR TOY SALE
Forest Road School kicks off its 22nd annual Used Toy Sale from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Oct. 17, 901 Forest Road, in La Grange Park.
The sale features dolls, action figures, games, bikes, sports equipment, and more. Adults only are admitted between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Children will be admitted with an adult after 11:00 a.m.
Seller registration is 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. , Oct. 7, and 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Oct. 8. Toy drop off is Oct. 15 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Oct. 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
More information is available by calling (708) 352-4718.
The sale features dolls, action figures, games, bikes, sports equipment, and more. Adults only are admitted between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Children will be admitted with an adult after 11:00 a.m.
Seller registration is 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. , Oct. 7, and 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Oct. 8. Toy drop off is Oct. 15 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Oct. 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
More information is available by calling (708) 352-4718.
Friday, October 2, 2009
LP YOUTH HAVING THEIR SAY
La Grange Park Trustee Scott Mesick likes the idea of junior high and high schoolers sharing their opinions about the issues of the day with the village's elected leaders.
And when the monthly civics lesson dubbed the Youth Advisory Commission regular meeting gets underway, observers say it's the closest exercise to the real thing.
On the second Monday of every month, young students from Park Junior High School in La Grange Park and both Lyons Township High School in La Grange and Nazareth Academy in La Grange Park assemble in the Village Hall meeting room at 7 p.m. -- and just like their real-life counterparts -- they debate and discuss every issue in that month's standard board packet.
When all is said and done, after the young pseudo-government representatives reach consensus on the issues they have reviewed and researched all weekend, they choose one of their own to appear at the following night's real Village Board meeting to report on their opinions.
"It's real interesting; it gives us a read on what young people are thinking," said Mesick, a father of six elected to the board in 2007. "One youth sits in at every meeting and we ask questions. It's interesting how they went about reaching their decisions ... but some are more vocal than others."
Mesick said society seems to think the kids in that age group are glued to the TV screen, computer monitor or busy texting, emailing or calling their friends every night.
But these are kids who "take the initiative" to make their voice and opinions count, he said.
"The Youth Commission is a very workable thing," he added. "We really have seen some good ideas expressed. If we just listen to them we might learn something."
Assistant Village Manager Julia Cedillo is the staff liaison to the youth panel and admits in her seven years of municipal work in Cook, DuPage and DeKalb counties -- she worked for Woodridge's village manager for six years before coming here a year ago -- she has never heard of anything of the sort. She also worked for the City of DeKalb.
"Youth Advisory is a great commission and is really one of the (unique) programs as far as villages are concerned," she said.
The program, which selects students based on applications downloadable on the village website, has been around since 2002 and its revolving 10 members are appointed by Village President Jim Discipio for 2-year terms. Members must attend the 7th through the 12th grade.
Current members include Daniel Golden from Nazareth, Grace Flaherty from LT, Grant Lundahl from LT, Abby Gies from Fenwick, Mitchell Serafin from Nazareth, Aubrey Aikens from Park, Margaret Brewick from Nazareth, Matt McGuinn from Park, Jack Roache from Nazareth and Jordyn Faron from LT.
The students receive a packet, just like trustees, delivered to their home once a month, on the Thursday before each monthly meeting, at which the Roberts Rules of Order govern the parliamentary procedures at every session.
They assign a new chairman for every meeting to keep things fresh and to give everyone the chance to assume the leadership position.
"I am just impressed with the level of engagement and discipline they bring to each issue," Cedillo said. "I am amazed they have such (well-researched) view of the issues."
She cannot recall a time when the young commissioners changed a board's viewpoint. And though the kids neither call or are counseled by the trustees, they just so happen to agree with them on most matters.
They often come to meetings with opinions, ready to debate.
Cedillo said the kids are learning "an incredible skill" by discussing and researching the pros and cons of municipal issues.
And, she said, they are also learning that not everyone attends public meetings, as evidenced by many of the Village Boards in the region, including their own.
"I wish they would (attend)," said Cedillo, noting how fascinatng it is to see the kids at work. "They're seriously dedicated."
And when the monthly civics lesson dubbed the Youth Advisory Commission regular meeting gets underway, observers say it's the closest exercise to the real thing.
On the second Monday of every month, young students from Park Junior High School in La Grange Park and both Lyons Township High School in La Grange and Nazareth Academy in La Grange Park assemble in the Village Hall meeting room at 7 p.m. -- and just like their real-life counterparts -- they debate and discuss every issue in that month's standard board packet.
When all is said and done, after the young pseudo-government representatives reach consensus on the issues they have reviewed and researched all weekend, they choose one of their own to appear at the following night's real Village Board meeting to report on their opinions.
"It's real interesting; it gives us a read on what young people are thinking," said Mesick, a father of six elected to the board in 2007. "One youth sits in at every meeting and we ask questions. It's interesting how they went about reaching their decisions ... but some are more vocal than others."
Mesick said society seems to think the kids in that age group are glued to the TV screen, computer monitor or busy texting, emailing or calling their friends every night.
But these are kids who "take the initiative" to make their voice and opinions count, he said.
"The Youth Commission is a very workable thing," he added. "We really have seen some good ideas expressed. If we just listen to them we might learn something."
Assistant Village Manager Julia Cedillo is the staff liaison to the youth panel and admits in her seven years of municipal work in Cook, DuPage and DeKalb counties -- she worked for Woodridge's village manager for six years before coming here a year ago -- she has never heard of anything of the sort. She also worked for the City of DeKalb.
"Youth Advisory is a great commission and is really one of the (unique) programs as far as villages are concerned," she said.
The program, which selects students based on applications downloadable on the village website, has been around since 2002 and its revolving 10 members are appointed by Village President Jim Discipio for 2-year terms. Members must attend the 7th through the 12th grade.
Current members include Daniel Golden from Nazareth, Grace Flaherty from LT, Grant Lundahl from LT, Abby Gies from Fenwick, Mitchell Serafin from Nazareth, Aubrey Aikens from Park, Margaret Brewick from Nazareth, Matt McGuinn from Park, Jack Roache from Nazareth and Jordyn Faron from LT.
The students receive a packet, just like trustees, delivered to their home once a month, on the Thursday before each monthly meeting, at which the Roberts Rules of Order govern the parliamentary procedures at every session.
They assign a new chairman for every meeting to keep things fresh and to give everyone the chance to assume the leadership position.
"I am just impressed with the level of engagement and discipline they bring to each issue," Cedillo said. "I am amazed they have such (well-researched) view of the issues."
She cannot recall a time when the young commissioners changed a board's viewpoint. And though the kids neither call or are counseled by the trustees, they just so happen to agree with them on most matters.
They often come to meetings with opinions, ready to debate.
Cedillo said the kids are learning "an incredible skill" by discussing and researching the pros and cons of municipal issues.
And, she said, they are also learning that not everyone attends public meetings, as evidenced by many of the Village Boards in the region, including their own.
"I wish they would (attend)," said Cedillo, noting how fascinatng it is to see the kids at work. "They're seriously dedicated."
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