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Rich students hit the books on Tuesday with new improvementsBy Danielle HirschThe signs that a new school year is drawing near can be seen throughout Rich Township.Teen-agers can be spotted shopping for new clothes at Lincoln Mall, throwing footballs and jogging at high school tracks as they get back into shape for school sports.While most teens have a few weeks left to enjoy their summer, students in Rich Township High School District 227 will begin the 1999-2000 school year on Tuesday.Compared with other south suburban school districts, District 227 has an usually early starting date — but classes end in mid-May as a compensation.“We’re excited to get off to an early start,” Rich East High School Principal Prentiss Lea said.Students and teachers at Rich East can look forward to a number of school improvements, including a new media center, an upgraded running track and repaved parking lots.The media center has undergone a complete renovation this summer. Work should conclude shortly after the school year starts. The new media center will include a computer lab equipped with 25 Pentium computers with zip drives and DVD’s. An additional eight computers will be scattered throughout the facility, according to Bruce Spielbauer, media center director.“The media center has had a complete redesign. There’s a much more open feel,” Spielbauer said.The media center, which is approximately 6,000 square feet, will include a main reading room, two staff offices, two storage rooms and a teacher work area.The center also will receive new shelving to hold 26,000 books. The books will be equipped with theft prevention devices.“The center has suffered a significant loss of books in the past,” Spielbauer said.In the future, school officials hope to open the media center to the community during the evening hours.Spielbauer said the media center renovation was much needed.“The older media center had orange carpeting and squeaky wooden chairs. We had somehand-me-down pieces of furniture when other media centers were remodeled. Our older media center had a chaotic look where nothing quite matched,” Spielbauer said.In addition to the new media center, Rich East was rewired for computer cable, voice and video, and two computer labs were remodeled with new computers, Spielbauer said. This year, Lea said the administration will try its best to accommodate incoming freshman.“We want to do more to integrate freshman into the school,” Lea said.The first day of school for Rich East freshmen will last from 8:20 to II a.m. to give new students the opportunity to find their classes and meet their teachers.“We want to provide a nice transition and have the freshman attain a comfort level with the school,” Lea said.Rich East upper classmen will attend school from II a.m. to 1:25 p.m. Rich South High School students can look forward to the construction of a new auditorium center in the near future.Plans for an auditorium will get off the ground this year, officials said. Over the summer, Rich South also had its track and parking lots resurfaced.Rich South plans to introduce a character education program this year called “Stars for Life,”according to Margurite Martin, assistant principal of pupil personnel services.“The program will stress self-discipline, teamwork, achievement, respect and success,” Martin said.In terms of accommodating its freshman class, Rich South requires a “Freshman Study Skills” course, which teaches study habits, social skills and managing conflict and includes guidance counseling.According to Martin, the Rich South faculty has already spent a great deal of time with its class of 2004.“Our orientation night was a success. We also have had a number of activities for students to get acquainted with the school,” Martin said. Rich Central High School students and faculty also can look forward to a repaved track and parking lots when they go back to school next week.RealFriafpNewsby Gay WeaverTeach someone toREMODEL OR MOVEWhen your house begins feeling loo small or outmoded, you have two options-to remodel or move to a new home. Many homeowners who do extensive remodeling often sell their homes wtthin a few years of complet ing the work The decisions you make about your renovation could have a significant Impact on whether you can recover your Investment when you sell your home.I see a tot of houses and listen to a lot of buyers. Along with architects and professional kitchen planners, I can provide valuable advice on how to change a kitchen or bath, or add a room that will add to your family's enjoyment and attract future buyers.Before you decide to take the remodeling plunge, you should consider whether expensive improvements will over-ftmprove your home. If you are inclined to make an investment in your home In The South Suburbs that far exceeds the selling price of other homes in the area, it may be better to sell your present home and buy one that corresponds to your needsGay Weaver has been serving the southsuburbs in Real Estate since 1972I Gayhas been inducted into the covetedREMAX Hall of Fame. For xM resultswhen buying and selling, contact her atREMAX South Suburban, 70791333, ext 3057lostmTHEHIGHESTCOMPLIMENTSeeking financial planning for retirement?Lee Kopuios Vice President“You want someone who can help you build wealth. Trustworthiness is another important quality. I am more than satisfied strongly recommend his— Barbara Brown Flossmoor Resident5 Years a Satisfied Clientfinancialsince 1925MemberNYSE
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Hazel Crest Star
Hazel Crest, Illinois, US
Sun, Aug 15, 1999
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IL, USA 25 Apr 2022
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