FREE motoring
august, 2013
ures
INSIDEFeat n CovEr
Story
n DEalEr
DIrECtory
s babE’Ca Rs and
d be What coul
a
better!
MOTORING
SCHOOLS
Take a look at the latest in car trends and styles
District plans forums on learning standards
INSIDE
restored ev“I fixed and l piece, specia ery single l year and to its origina the original model. It has . You won’t hold downs in any auto find them store.”
PAGE 7
T HE ENTERPRISE BACK TO Your Complete Source For Plainfield News Since 1887
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Volume 126 No. 2
www.enterprisepublications.com
75 cents
Serving Will and Kendall counties
28 pages
SCHOOL
New academic year starts today in Plainfield schools By Suzanne Baker Enterprise reporter
Elsa Kramer is among the nearly 29,000 students heading off to school this morning for the start of the 2013-14 academic year in the Plainfield School District. While the start of new school year is old hat for most Plainfield students, today is the first day of big kid school for kindergarten pupils like Elsa, who attends Ridge Elementary School on the south side of the district. The Plainfield 5-year-old is looking forward to all those things big kids get to do, such as attend gym class, play on the playground and carry a backpack to school every day. “I like my Chicago Bears backpack because it has hearts all over. It’s so cute,” Elsa said. Elsa even planned out what she’s wearing on her first day. She’s going with her “sweets dress”because it’s decorated with ice cream, candy and cake.“It’s super cute,” said Elsa. In addition to buying school supplies, mom Sharon Kramer said she has been working with Elsa to practice the family’s
drop-off procedure. Even for a seasoned veteran, the elementary school car line can be a daunting experience, particularly since no one wants to be “that person” who holds up the flow. “Elsa is going to have to unhook herself from her seat and open the door herself,” Sharon said. “So we’ve been going over to the school and practicing.” Whatever parents can do to ease the transition of going to a new school is very important, said Principal Jeff Schafermeyer at the annual Walker’s Grove Elementary School Kindergarten Play Date held a week ago on the playground in the back of the school. Like the kindergarten students who attended the play date, Schafermeyer is new to Walker’s Grove. The goal of the third annual event hosted by the Walker’s Grove Parent Teacher Organization is to introduce the kids and parents alike to fellow classmates, other parents, teachers and administrators. Liz Orrico, PTO vice president, said the play dates help children get comfortable with the school. “Sometimes kindergarten is scary,” she said.
INSIDE
s and CaRs
$3 million seized in marijuana bust. See page 3.
SUZANNE BAKER/ENTERPRISE STAFF
Elsa Kramer will sport a Chicago Bears backpack on her first day of kindergarten today at Ridge Elementary School.
Kids aren’t the only ones who benefit from the play date.“The biggest surprise we see is when parents introduce themselves only to realize that they live just a few doors down,” said Jen Novak, president of the PTO. Once they realize how close they live, the parents can work out carpools for themselves and play dates for the new
Opinions............................................6 Community Events...........................8 Police Report..................................10 Sports.............................................13 Puzzles............................................20 SUBSCRIBE TODAY! — Call (815) 436-2431 or go online to www.enterprisepublications.com
classmates. Walker’s Grove Assistant Principal Robert Battey spent the play date walking around the playground looking for parents new to the school. “Some the parents are old pros at this; others this is their first time,” Battey said.“I See BACK TO SCHOOL, page 4
k c i l c re he
& have
T he Enterprise
delivered to
yourdoor
everyweek! T he Enterprise Subscribe & Receive ALL the in depth
local news, sports, & event coverage
of Plainfield!