Schools

By James Edwards
Medill Reports - Chicago

Chicago high school students received a civics lesson Wednesday afternoon, and they traveled to the state Capitol in Springfield to get it.

Clemente High School students were in Springfield to lobby legislators for more money for schools and for stricter gun laws.

The verdict is out on the money for schools, but the students' request for tightened gun laws - in the wake of the shooting deaths of 20 CPS students this school year - apparently didn't impress legislators.

City Health Department inspectors today shut down the main dining room at St. Xavier University, 3700 W. 103rd Street, for failure to comply with previous orders to eliminate a rodent infestation.

Today’s inspection found numerous mouse feces in multiple areas, including the food preparation area and food storage area.

The dining facility, located in the university’s Warde Academic Center, will remain closed until the infestation has been eliminated and the facility passes re-inspection by the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH).

Check out this article in today's Chicago Tribune about Chicago Public Schools' inaugural college tour for its students. A local sophomore from Morgan Park High School was one of 450 students on the tour.

Shelby Stercic of Mount Greenwood is one of five Saint Xavier University students who have been awarded scholarships for excellence by SXU's School of Education.

Stercic was awarded the Elaine Gallagher Scholarship, a $2,000 tuition grant funded by the estate of alumna Elaine Gallagher and donations made in her memory. Stercic is an undergraduate in the biology secondary education program who epitomizes the roles of leader, coordinator, team player and motivator. The scholarship committee recognizes her enthusiasm for teaching science, love of learning, and demonstration of service.

Congratulations to the following Mother McAuley High School second-quarter honor roll students:

A Honor Roll – Sara Arthurs, Colleen Frost, Molly Hodul, Emily Liston, Beth Magnavite, Mara Magnavite, Theresa Malanao, Meghan McCarthy, Sarah O’Rourke, Margaret Parilli, Tia Puetz, Stephanie Quinn, Emily Rohan, Caileen Seguin, Caitlin Taff and Lauren Tomasek.

Former U.S. Secretary of Commerce William M. Daley will receive the Shield of Saint Xavier during the 23rd Annual Saint Xavier University President’s Scholarship Ball April 12 at the Hilton Chicago.

By Liam Martin
Medill Reports - Chicago

High school athletes who do not meet the strict academic admissions criteria at Chicago's most selective schools now have a greater chance of getting in.

The Chicago School Board decided Wednesday that it will allow principals of the so-called elite eight schools to handpick 5% of incoming freshmen, including student-athletes who are ineligible based on a mathematical formula - comprising attendance, grades and two test scores - now used for admissions decisions.

Location(s)

In light of a host of violent incidents in recent months around Chicagoland, two plays about the impact of gun violence on families and friends of the victims - to be staged this weekend by a combined cast from Brother Rice and Mother McAuley high schools - are rather timely.

For more information about the plays, check out this article in today's Daily Southtown.