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District 181

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

District 181 Election: Do iPads Belong in the Classroom?

Patch asked the question, and the five District 181 Board of Education candidates provided their answers.

In its 2013 candidate questionnaire, Patch asked the five candidates for Community Consolidated School District 181 Board of Education the following questions: Do you support continuing the @d181 Initiative? What is your stance on iPads in the classroom? Here, in alphabetical order, are the candidates' responses: Gary Clarin: "I am a firm believer in technology and its use to promote student problem solving. At the February board meeting, I recently attended, D181 was awarded the Apple Distinguished Program, recognizing D181 for its exemplary use of computers in the learning process. The world in which we live continues to expand and the use of technology allows us to meet the accelerated learning it presents. I promote technology and if …

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Parent-Education Meetings on D181 Curriculum Overhaul Set

District 181 Superintendent Renée Schuster provided details about the upcoming meetings where parents can learn and ask questions about the new Advanced Learning Plan in a letter last week.

District 181 administration has scheduled two meetings for parents to learn more about the Advanced Learning Plan passed by the district's board of education last month after it dominated discussion for more than a year. READ: D181 Board Approves Long-Term Curriculum Overhaul Superintendent Renée Schuster released information about the meetings, which will take place March 19 at the Hinsdale Public Library (1 p.m.) and Elm School (7 p.m.) in a letter sent to media on March 4.  Here's a slightly trimmed version of Schuster's letter: During the Feb. 25 board of education meeting, our board approved the Advanced Learning Plan with a 6-0 vote. I am extremely pleased that we have our board’s support as we move forward, together, in providing …

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

D181 Admin Promoted to Assistant Superintendent for Learning

Kevin Russell will replace Janet Stutz this summer after a year of serving as District 181's director of curriculum, assessment and instruction.

Kevin Russell is on the move again. The District 181 Board of Education approved by a 5-1 vote Monday night the appointment of Russell to the post of assistant superintendent for learning after the former Walker School principal served one year as director of curriculum, assessment and instruction. Effective July 1, Russell will replace Janet Stutz, who will leave to become superintendent of Orland School District 135. READ: Janet Stutz Leaving D181 for Orland Superintendent Job Russell talked about his approach to the new position after Monday night's meeting at Elm School. "I think when you look at what’s on the horizon with the Common Core, with our advanced learning plan, which is really raising the bar for all kids," Russell said, "my…

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

UPDATE: D181, Hinsdale Central, South All Cancel After-School Activities

A winter storm warning from the National Weather Service is in effect until midnight.

Updated at 12:49 p.m. District 86 has canceled all after-school activities at both of its high schools. "All after school activities and athletics are canceled at Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South," an email from executive assistant to the superintendent Meredith Lannert reads. Tuesday's original story: District 181 has canceled all after-school activities Tuesday. "Please note that all district after-school activities and athletics have been canceled for today, Tuesday, March 5, due to inclement weather," an email from communications director Bridget McGuiggan reads. The National Weather Service is forecasting snow totals between 4 and 8 inches Tuesday, and a winter storm warning is in effect until midnight…

Friday, March 1, 2013

Election 2013: District 181 Board of Education

Patch has your guide to the 2013 election for the Community Consolidated School District 181 Board of Education.

Five candidates have submitted their names to run for three open seats on the Community Consolidated School District 181 Board of Education in the 2013 election. One of the candidates—Sarah Lewensohn—is a sitting board member, while the other four—Gary Clarin, Richard Fitzgerald, Mridu Garg and Jill Vorobiev—would be newcomers. Clarin, Garg and Vorobiev were endorsed by the Hinsdale Village Caucus. Early voting begins March 25. Election Day is April 9. Patch put together the following guide to help voters get to know each candidate and keep track of the latest election news.  Bios are listed in ballot order. Interesting stories relevant to the District 181 election: Join Patch! Create a free user account and join the discussion about the …

Election 2013: Jill Vorobiev

Jill Vorobiev is one of five candidates running for three open seats on the Community Consolidated School District 181 Board of Education.

Name: Jill S. Vorobiev Position sought: Community Consolidated School District 181 Board of Education Website: www.hinsdalecaucus.org Email address: jvorobiev@gmail.com Residence: Hinsdale Family: Son Nikolai, 14; daughter Alexi, 12. Education: Bachelor's degree from Amherst College, law degree from Notre Dame School of Law. Occupation: Labor and employment attorney at Jones Day in Chicago Years in District 181: 15 Previous elected offices: N/A Applicable experience qualifying you for the position: I believe that my 15+ years of legal experience managing and resolving complex issues (particularly in the field of labor and employment matters), 15 years of living in the community, 10+ years of recent and current experience with children in …

Election 2013: Gary Clarin

Gary Clarin is one of five candidates running for three open seats on the Community Consolidated School District 181 Board of Education.

Name: Gary Clarin Position sought: Community Consolidated School District 181 Board of Education Email address: meilahn1@aol.com Residence: Clarendon Hills Family: Wife Janet; son Dan, 30; daughters Julie, 28, and Becca, 24. Education: Bachelor's degree from Governors State University, MBA from Keller Graduate School. Occupation: President/Owner of Meilahn Mfg. Company Years in District 181: 25 Previous elected offices: None Applicable experience qualifying you for the position: What is the primary reason you are running for this office? The primary reason that I am running is my three children have benefited from the education they received, not only in District 181 but also in District 86. Now that they are out of college and each …

Election 2013: Mridu Garg

Mridu Garg is one of five candidates running for three open seats on the Community Consolidated School District 181 Board of Education.

Name: Mridu Garg  Position sought: Community Consolidated School District 181 Board of Education  Website: www.hinsdalecaucus.org  Email address: mridu.garg@yahoo.com  Residence: Hinsdale Family: Two children, ages 10 and 7.  Education: Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and MBA, both from University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Occupation: Currently, full-time parent. I have held various positions in the financial, insurance and telecommunications industries. Positions held involved system and software development, project leadership and collaboration with customers, sales, and marketing.  Years in District 181: 4 Previous elected offices: None  Applicable experience qualifying you for the position: I believe I am qualified to …

Election 2013: Richard Fitzgerald

Richard Fitzgerald is one of five candidates running for three open seats on the Community Consolidated School District 181 Board of Education.

Name: Richard Fitzgerald Position sought: Community Consolidated School District 181 Board of Education  Email address: fitzgerald4d181@gmail.com Residence: Burr Ridge  Family: Wife Julie; daughters Maura, 9, and Amelia, 6.  Education: Benet Academy; Bachelor's degree from Marquette University.  Occupation: Commodity trader Years in District 181: 7 Previous elected offices: None Applicable experience qualifying you for the position: What is the primary reason you are running for this office? I believe that each elementary school, as well as, each community should be represented on the board.  I fill the role of both Burr Ridge resident and Elm School parent. What will be your single most important priority if you get elected? To oversee …

Election 2013: Sarah Lewensohn

Sarah Lewensohn is one of five candidates running for three open seats on the Community Consolidated School District 181 Board of Education.

Name: Sarah Lewensohn Position sought: Community Consolidated School District 181 Board of Education  Email address: slewensohn@d181.org Residence: Hinsdale Family: Husband Bruce Albelda; two daughters, ages 15 and 13. Education: MBA from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania; bachelor's degree in economics from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Occupation: Managing director of investor relations for publicly traded bank holding company. Years in District 181: 21 Previous elected offices: Currently serve on the board of CCSD 181. Applicable experience qualifying you for the position: What is the primary reason you are running for this office? To continue to serve, in the same manner I am currently, in a way that is mindful of the…

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