Winnetka Talk

Fleet Street comes to the New Trier stage

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 21:38:00 -0500

WINNETKA — Last week the student-actor of New Trier High School’s production of “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” took their first looks at the impressive set built by their peers as they work toward opening night.

New Trier marketing students order up a tasty lesson

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 06:09:22 -0500

WINNETKA — A friendly New Trier High School competition, an hour off of school and plenty of free food and drinks led many excited students last week to Capt’n Nemo’s on Green Bay Road.

New Trier Robotics Club hits the pool

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 13:44:00 -0500

GLENVIEW — The group of New Trier High School students meeting at the Glenview Park District pool isn’t the Trevian swim team.

New Trier to consider mobile learning program expansion

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 09:18:36 -0500

NORTHFIELD — With district officials citing the success of New Trier High School’s mobile learning initiative the School Board is prepared to hear a presentation about the possible expansion of the program and the projected budget to do so.

Bonnie Stern Miller to join husband in New Trier H.S. Hall of Honor

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 15:06:01 -0500

WINNETKA — Bonnie Stern Miller returned to New Trier High School last year to accompany her husband, Tom, who was selected to join the school’s Alumni Hall of Honor. Thanks to her New Trier friends’ nomination, including her old neighbor from Glencoe, Gail Gumbiner, Miller will join her husband Tom in New Trier’s Hall of Honor Mar. 14. The duo will again speak with the students to share their experiences. “(The New Trier) students are really enthusiastic and I’m excited to come back,” Miller said. “(The honor) is very meaningful to me and I appreciate it.” Bonnie and Tom, who …

New Trier principal leaves Winnetka campus for position at Northwestern

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 14:28:04 -0500

WINNETKA — Timothy Dohrer, principal at New Trier High School’s Winnetka campus, has tendered his resignation and accepted a position at Northwestern University, a new release from District 203 stated. Dohrer, a 23-year veteran of New Trier, has served as Winnetka campus principal since 2009. He will leave the school at the end of June and his appointment at Northwestern becomes effective July 1. “It’s been an incredibly tough decision and one that’s not being taken lightly,” Dohrer said. “I have grown up here at New Trier High School. My entire professional career as an educator has been affiliated with …

Educator takes lesson from Kenyans

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 06:01:17 -0500

WINNETKA — Instead of spending her Thanksgiving at home, North Shore Country Day School Academic Integrator Katie Kirsch was receiving thanks from students during a volunteer trip across the world. As part of a team affiliated with Be Free Revolution, Kirsch spent 10 days in Nairobi, Kenya to volunteer with the young school children of Africa. “I had heard about the organization because it was founded by my cousin’s sister-in-law,” Kirsch said. “One of the things that appealed to me is they form partnerships with the same schools in Africa and visit those schools each trip. They build solid relationships.” …

Festival puts music in the spotlight

Fri, 28 Dec 2012 14:10:01 -0500

WINNETKA After 95 years, the New Trier Winter Music Festival continues going strong, “Fruitcake” and all. Shortly before the Dec. 16 performance, senior Rachel Jones and sophomore Solena Rizzato, both of whom perform in the choir and symphony orchestra, were preparing for the show as the Gates Gymnasium slowly filled. Rizzato has attended the festival since before she became a New Trier student and enjoys having the music department in the spotlight. “We want to get people in the holiday spirit,” Rizzato said. “It’s just fun and spontaneous. Every year it is so, so amazing.” This show would be the …

NT partnership guides budding engineers

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 15:02:01 -0500

WINNETKA — With American schools placing a greater emphasis on science, technology, engineering and mathematics courses, New Trier High School looked to working professionals from the local community to help guide their students.

Becker contemplates Roycemore farewell

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 06:18:09 -0500

EVANSTON — When Joseph Becker first thought about retiring as headmaster of Roycemore School, he couldn’t. He simply didn’t have the time.

D.36 OKs 3 percent levy hike

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 18:34:30 -0500

WINNETKA — The Winnetka Public Schools District 36 board approved a 3 percent levy increase Tuesday, but not before hearing from residents concerned about their rising property tax bills. According to a memo from district Chief Financial Officer Susan Pingitore, the district’s anticipated levy increase will be $1.02 million without new growth. The same memo states the district is estimating $16.5 million in new growth during the levy, compared to last year’s new property value of $14,472,250. Resident Jim Wyant joined others during the public hearing in voicing their concerns over the district, with very healthy reserves, continuing to ask …

Smith heads to Roycemore

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 06:18:23 -0500

Roycemore School’s new head of school Kevin Smith grew up in Cleveland. He was inspired to become a teacher by some of his University of Dayton professors. For 26 years he has taught science, health, reading and physical education, and coached numerous sports at independent schools in Ohio and Colorado. He said last week that his five years as Head of Denver Academy in some ways mirrors his new mission; in Denver he succeeded a headmaster with 36 years’ tenure, at a school that had, like Roycemore, recently moved. “It was a similar environment, where kids achieve at a very …

Teacher’s travels add global perspective

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 14:56:00 -0500

WINNETKA — When Camille Dominguez was first presented with the opportunity to travel abroad and experience the education systems of European countries she wasted no time applying.

D.29 appoints Stange

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 23:00:37 -0500

The Sunset Ridge School District 29 Board of Education has appointed Edward J. Stange district superintendent. Stange, who is now the assistant superintendent/director of student services will assume the post on July 1, 2013 when Linda Vieth retires. The board unanimously approved the appointment Dec. 4. Sunset Ridge District 29, 525 Sunset Ridge Road, Northfield is a kindergarten through eighth-grade district, with an enrollment of 496 students. “Throughout the search process, the Board of Education was extremely diligent in assessing educational philosophy supportive of our mission statement, expertise in institutional management, and familiarity with our learning community’s culture,” Board President …

Crow Island students give back for the holidays

Sun, 23 Dec 2012 06:11:01 -0500

WINNETKA — Crow Island School’s kindergarten teachers often discuss a concept called “filling your bucket” with their students.

Test data makes Avoca 37 proud

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 01:21:03 -0500

GLENVIEW — The fourth-grade math class graph projects hanging in an Avoca West School hallway made Avoca District 37 Superintendent Kevin Jauch grin when he saw them last week.