7 minute read
Amusements
from MidWeek_122221
by Shaw Media
Hundreds show support for Sycamore teachers
By KATRINA J.E. MILTON
kmilton@shawmedia.com
SYCAMORE – Hundreds of people gathered outside Sycamore Middle School on Dec. 14 in a candlelight vigil to stand in solidarity with the Sycamore teachers’ union, whose members have been working on an expired contract since the school year began.
Negotiations between the Sycamore Education Association and Sycamore School District 427 are ongoing, and no agreement has yet been reached. Their previous contract expired July 31, according to district documents.
Jenn McCormick, a member of the union’s press committee and instructional coach at South Prairie Elementary School, said the contract represents stability.
“The contract sets the expectations of educators and administrators,” McCormick said. “It’s definitely impactful on our working conditions.”
Lynnae Ihm, union president and special education teacher at West Elementary School, said that not having a contract for the past 137 days is unprecedented for Sycamore.
Union members and district officials on Dec. 14 declined to reveal details regarding the negotiations, including what teachers are requesting under a new contract.
There are 280 members in the SEA, and Ihm said a majority of the teachers union members were at the vigil. Other local teachers unions, including representatives from DeKalb, Kaneland, Genoa-Kingston, Hinckley-Big Rock and Burlington school districts, were
Katrina J.E. Milton - kmilton@shawmedia.com More than 300 people attended a candlelight vigil on Dec. 14 outside Sycamore Middle School because the Sycamore Education Association and Sycamore School District 427 have still not yet agreed upon a contract. The contract expired July 31.
in attendance.
The vigil started an hour before the Sycamore school board meeting. Union members then crowded into the school board meeting to urge the district to address the contract.
A bargaining committee of six union members have been in discussions with the school district to agree upon a contract.
“[The vigil is] a demonstration of the strength, unity and dedication of Sycamore’s educational staff,” said Jake Brens, a language arts teacher at Sycamore Middle School. “We’re thrilled at the turnout, but not really surprised. Part of our strategic design, the mission of the district, is that people are our greatest asset and students are our greatest priority.”
The union members did not address the Sycamore school board during the public comment section of the meeting.
“We attended with a quiet presence which speaks volumes,” Brens said.
After the meeting, Superintendent Steve Wilder said that although the union did not speak, they made a powerful statement.
“The teachers union is looking for exactly what [the administration is] looking for: a fair and reasonable agreement,” Wilder said. “Nobody is happy that the expired contract has lasted as long as it has. We understand the teachers’ concern, and our hope is to get to an agreement as soon as possible. Discussions are ongoing.”
Brens said that if the status quo remains, the school board can count on another significant union presence at the next meeting set for Jan. 11.
Come dine safely with us in our dining room!
HOURS
Monday: Closed Tues. - Thur, Sat. & Sun. 7am - 3pm | Fri. 7am - 9pm Lincoln Inn at Faranda's 302 Grove St., DeKalb, IL • 815.756.2345 www.farandas.com
THE MIDWEEK
SYCAMORE – A new historical fund has been created through the DeKalb County Community Foundation to help preserve the history of Kirkland.
The Kirkland Historical Society Fund was created to help solicit donations to benefit the Kirkland Historical Society. Donations support the society’s mission to stimulate interest in the Kirkland area history through education, research, collection and preservation, according to a news release.
“When visitors come in asking about a family or building, we want them to be pleased with the information available,” Peggy Stuntz, Kirkland Historical Society Curator, said in a news release. “We have a large and growing collection of Kirkland’s history. To us, this place is a gold mine, and we want to serve the community with it.”
The Kirkland Historical Society is an outgrowth of “Kirkland: Then and Now,” a historical play performed in 2007 commemorating the village’s 125th birthday, according to the release. The historical performance consisted of 14 scenes starting with Kirkland’s beginnings and continuing to the present. The success of the play led to the organization of the Kirkland Historical Society.
An interested group met at the village hall in October 2007 to launch the Kirkland Historical Society. The Kirkland Public Library provided space in the old bank vault to hold and display donated historical items and artifacts.
The group quickly outgrew this space and, in 2009, moved to the Olson’s Quiram-Kirkland Chapel, a space provided by Scott Olson. The collection continued to grow over the next 12 years, expanding into the many rooms within the Chapel. The Kirkland Historical Society bought the building in 2021. The building continues to serve multiple purposes as a historical center, a funeral home, and as a space for community meetings and special events.
The new fund at the community foundation creates a way for the historical society to raise ongoing support to fulfill its mission. These donated dollars provide continuing maintenance, support and service to the community and create future growth with expansion opportunities.
“Our board and staff love that our mission extends throughout DeKalb County,” Dan Templein, community foundation executive director, said in the release. “Partnering with the Kirkland Historical Society in this way allows us to support their mission and grows our capacity to be an even more relevant part of the Kirkland community.”
Donations to any fund at the foundation, including the Kirkland Historical Society Fund, can be made online at dekalbccf.org/donate or by mail to the DeKalb County Community Foundation, 475 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore, IL 60178.
For questions or to get started creating your own charitable fund at the Community Foundation, contact Dan Templin at 815-748-5383 or dan@dekalbccf.org.
Photo provided One of many display cases at the Kirkland Historical Society. A new fund has been created to help solicit donations to the society, with the mission to ensure the preservation of Kirkland’s history.
Great idea for the Holidays! GIFT STEAK BOXES
INBODEN’S MARKET
Gourmet Meats and Specialty Food Store 1106 N. 1st, DeKalb 815-756-5852
Hours: Mon–Sat 8am–7pm; Closed Sun
SM-CL1942154
In need of a creative gift idea? Give the gift of PINNO!
Premium Building s at an Affordabl e Price
Ro se nd ale al e | | Me Me rr rr ill il l | | Mi Mi no cq ua We ya uw eg a | De De la la va n
Nothing Says “Happy Holidays!” like a Personal Shop or She-Shed!
920- 922 -7010
Celebrate Christmas with your local United Methodist HUB Cluster Churches!
*All services on Christmas Eve unless otherwise noted
Creston RochelleUMC UMC
Sunday4:00 pm 12/22and 7pm 5:00 pm Potluck 7:00 Service services
Corner of Center & South, Creston, IL 675 Eychaner Road, Esmond, IL
709 4th Ave, Rochelle, IL 201 E Sprague Street, Malta, IL 507 Main Street, Steward, IL
Esmond Esmond UMC UMC
675 Eychaner Road, Esmond, IL
Malta Malta UMC UMC
201 E Sprague Street, Malta, IL
Steward UMC 7:00 pm TraditionalSteward UMC Candlelight Service7:00 pm Traditional Candlelight Service 507 Main Street, Steward, IL
See all the HUB churches Christmas Schedules at
www.RochelleUMC.com/Christmas
