Reduced-cost internet for families receiving free lunches

re: http://cu-citizenaccess.org/content/comcast-offers-lnternet-plan-low-income-households

This sounds promising. I acknowledge up-front that there are going to be many naysayers about this program, and some of them might even have legitimate concerns. Martin Wolske has striven to provide Broadband access to impoverished areas of Saint Louis, and after talking with him, I was highly encouraged to hear how such a project impacts the residents. Which is why I think this news from Comcast is promising.

I say this on the heels of Peisker’s latest update concerning “To The Point”, which is going paperless. It becomes a question of how folks consume news, which varies more and more as technology evolves. Some still like the tangible, tactile nature of printed things. That is how I personally prefer to read books. But some like RSS and feeds (count me for RSS feeds of Facebook and news). And there are many other options. Most of those options are online, especially the “cheaper” ones. In reality, “cheap” just means you are pushing the costs from one category or entity to another. Perhaps the only real “free” form of communication is face-to-face.

News from Lynn Peisker (Great Schools, Together; new staff; etc)

Lynn Peisker of Unit 4 continues to crank out helpful and informative tidbits. Her latest is the next installation of “To The Point” and includes an update about “Great Schools, Together”. I have not yet had a chance to read it, but hope so soon. Lynn has also been very active in updating the Unit 4 Facebook page (which I encourage you to subscribe to).

 

More to follow soon.

 

Here is a syndication of what she supplied to the KCN:

Today, we welcome new administrators approved by the Board of Education at last night’s meeting:

Barb Daly has been approved the Champaign Unit 4 Board of Education on August 8 as the Interim Principal of Westview Elementary School.  Under Ms. Daly’s leadership as principal, Bottenfield Elementary earned Unit 4’s first Illinois State Board of Education Academic Excellence Award.  She also served as Principal for South Side Elementary, as well as a teacher and a teacher’s aide during a 34-year career in Unit 4.

 

“It is exciting to have an educator with Ms. Daly’s skill and experience available to lead Westview.  Her expertise will allow students, families and staff to make a smooth transition and have another successful school year.  We are elated to have her back in Unit 4,” said Dr. Robert Malito, Interim Superintendent.

 

In addition, The Board of Education has approved:

 

James P. Eastin has been named Assistant Principal at Garden Hills Elementary School.  Mr. Eastin holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Milliken University and a Master of Science in Educational Administration from Eastern Illinois University.  He was most recently the K-12 Principal at Oakland CUSD #5 in Oakland Illinois.

 

Christopher D. Gilbert has been appointed as Assistant Principal at South Side Elementary School.  Mr. Gilbert holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Ohio State University and a Master of Education from Cleveland State University.  He most recently served as a Resource Teacher at the Achievement Center for Children in Highland Hills, Ohio.

 

Rachel Maehr has been appointed as Assistant Principal at Barkstall Elementary School.  Ms. Maehr holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois and Masters’ Degrees in Social Work and in Education, Organization and Leadership, both from the University of Illinois.  She was a School Social Worker at Centennial High School and previously served as Student Services Coordinator at Barkstall Elementary from 2005-2009.