Thursday, July 19, 2012
The Gower School District eliminated its annual trip to the amusement park, but parents argued at a board meeting this week that the trip was a "tradition" and great for bonding.
At the same meeting where they questioned the possible elimination of the traditional sixth-grade White Pines Ranch trip, parents in Gower School District 62 also expressed concerns about the recent decision to eliminate the end of the year eighth-grade outing to Great America. “It kind of seems like books have already been turned back in by the time they go to Great America,” parent G’nee Andrulis said Tuesday night. “For the benefit the students get, I’m not sure we’re losing a whole lot in terms of education. “If it’s a tradeoff of classroom time versus other time, I think there’s a lot of benefit to be had by that last bit of bonding that group gets before they head off into the big world,” she said. Read more: Gower Parents Urge …
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Tracy Murphy is coming to the Gower District from Thompson Junior High in Oswego.
The Gower 62 Board of Education approved the hiring of Tracy Murphy as the new principal for Gower Middle School Tuesday night. Murphy, who is currently principal of Thompson Junior High in Oswego, will officially begin her duties as principal July 1. She succeeds current Gower Middle School Principal Rebecca Laratta, who last month was appointed to the post of Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Innovation. While she is happy in Oswego, Murphy wanted to work in a smaller district, she said. “I think it’s a chance to know the students, the families better when it is (a smaller district),” Murphy said. “I work at a very large junior high right now. We’re 900 students this year, we’ll be 1,000 next year. Going to a …
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
The Gower District needs voter approval to pay for repairs and improvements to the middle and elementary schools.
The decision of whether or not to build an addition on Gower Middle School in Burr Ridge and make other facility improvements will be answered by the voters. But if the measure passes, District 62 residents are not expected to see an increase on their tax bills. Instead they would continue to pay at their current rate for the bond issue approved in 2004. “Kind of a scenario where if you have a car payment, we’re just going to continue that car payment. Just the status quo, no impact on your tax obligation,” Board President Ryan Asmus said. “We’re hopeful that folks will be excited about that because this is a great time to borrow money and also get great construction bids.” With the voters’ approval, the district would look to refinance …
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Board will vote on funding plan in December. They also approved the tax levy for 2012-2013.
The Gower School District 62 Board of Education is moving closer to approving an $8.5 million facilities renovation project The board will vote to place a bond referendum on the March ballot at their next meeting, Superintendent Steve Griesbach said Tuesday. “This is a big deal for us,” he said. If voters approve the referendum, Griesbach said they want to invest in the science program at the middle school by upgrading the classroom so students will be able to perform more sophisticated experiments. Griesbach said he also wants to renovate the gym at Gower West and construct a new gymnasium at Gower Middle School. “If we can do this, it will improve the fitness of our students,” he said. Gower Middle School was built in 1982 and has had …
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Gower School District 62
7700 Clarendon Hills Rd, Willowbrook, IL
/articles/gower-board-could-fund-renovations-through-referendum
306807
/locations/5813176
Thursday, November 3, 2011
The Harlem Wizards took the court at Gower Middle School to raise money for the Gower PTO.
- VOLUNTEERS IN THE NEWS
- Sabrina Wu
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Thursday, November 3, 2011
Families in Burr Ridge came out to the Gower Middle School gym to watch the Gower Gladiators take on the Harlem Wizards Tuesday night. Started in 1962 by New York sports promoter Howie Davis,The Harlem Wizards are a professional basketball team that perform a style of show basketball that includes comedy, audience participation and fancy ball handling during the game. The team raises money for schools, non-profits and foundations all over the world, and the profits from tickets sold for Tuesday night's game went to benefit the Gower Parent Teacher Organization. "We're here to raise money for the Gower Middle School," said Eric "Broadway" Jones before the game. "It's tough times for everyone, and so everybody needs to raise money, and what …
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Projects are estimated to cost $8.4 million.
Science rooms with lab space at Gower Middle School and a renovated gym at Gower West Elementary could be in the works for District 62. But first, district officials have to weigh whether or not such improvements are a priority—as well as financially feasible. During a nearly hour-long discussion at the Sept. 20 school board meeting, Superintendent Steve Griesbach presented the board with a list of more than a dozen facility projects at the two schools. Griesbach said he wanted to get the board’s feedback on the proposed projects to determine if the district should pursue them further. Listed in priority order, projects are estimated to cost at least $8.4 million. “But I don’t want to focus on the dollars right now, because we don’t have $…
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Gower Middle School students provide their take on "The Ugly Duckling."
Kevin Neubert is prepping Gower Middle School students for their take on the popular story "The Ugly Duckling." Titled "Honk Jr." the play is a unique take on the classic story. Opening night is on April 28 at 7 p.m. at Gower Middle School.
41.744526
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Gower Middle School
7941 S Madison St, Burr Ridge, IL
/articles/viewfinder-gower-middle-school-preps-for-honk-jr
306602
/locations/4106273
Monday, January 24, 2011
Gower School District shared arts, food, knowledge and fun at its Multicultural Fair Jan. 20.
For the first time in more than a decade, Gower School District 62 hosted an event Jan. 20 celebrating the cultural diversity of its community. The Multicultural Fair held at Gower West Elementary School included performances, food and displays representing more than 16 different cultures. “We are really a melting pot of people from different backgrounds coming together and living in peace and harmony,” said Dr. Young Ra-Hurka, who sits on the Gower school board and has children in the district. Ra-Hurka organized the event in cooperation with teachers, the PTO, parent volunteers and the Gower Foundation. According to the Illinois School Board of Education school report cards, Gower School District is more culturally diverse than some of …
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-87.934767
Gower Middle School
7941 S Madison St, Burr Ridge, IL
/articles/gower-celebrates-multicultural-identity
306602
/locations/3150874
41.74806
-87.95428
Gower School District 62
7700 Clarendon Hills Rd, Willowbrook, IL
/articles/gower-celebrates-multicultural-identity
306807
/locations/3150875
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Gower Middle and Gower West Elementary Schools host holiday shopping event this week.
Local children are shopping for gifts this week while adding to their school's sense of community. The Holiday Bazaar, a market set up by the PTO and other parent volunteers, took place at Gower Middle School Wednesday and will travel to Gower West Elementary School Dec. 9 and Dec. 10. More than 5000 items were purchased for the two schools and all items are $10 or less, with most gifts less than $5. There is a wide selection of gift ideas including mugs, barettes, scarves and other holiday nick-nacks. Big sellers at Gower Middle School included candy canes, especially the blueberry-flavored ones. "[The kids] enjoy it every year," said Andrea Pelin, one of more than 20 parent-volunteers. "You can see the kids' faces; it's why we do it. …
41.744526
-87.934767
Gower Middle School
7941 S Madison St, Burr Ridge, IL
/articles/young-shoppers-check-their-lists
306602
/locations/2678983
41.74806
-87.95428
Gower School District 62
7700 Clarendon Hills Rd, Willowbrook, IL
/articles/young-shoppers-check-their-lists
306807
/locations/2678984
Friday, November 5, 2010
Gower Middle School students are participating in a community service program this weekend at University of Illinois at Chicago's campus, hosted by Northwestern University.
Extracurricular activities for middle school students include the expected sports, band and yearbook staff. But six Gower Middle School students are participating in a lesser-known activity this weekend – service learning. The six students – Haaris Alvi, Sarah Birtch, Josh Feldman, Zain Rajwany, Rebecca Timko and Ben Vandenbosch – are among 64 western suburban students participating in CivicWeekend, a service learning program offered by the Civic Education Project at Northwestern University's Center for Talent Development and sponsored by the West Suburban Consortium for Academic Excellence. The program runs Nov. 5 and 6 during which the students will engage in a variety of community service activities at nonprofit organizations including …
41.744526
-87.934767
Gower Middle School
7941 S Madison St, Burr Ridge, IL
/articles/middle-school-students-lend-a-hand
306602
/locations/2371306
Donna Nuger
11:35 am on Wednesday, December 14, 2011
I would like to see the complete plan and drawings. Gower has been know for providing a quality education for a very reasonable tax. This is a good time to do this type of project. The bonds should not extend past 9 years, since the district will need to continue to upgrade its facilities and programs in the future. Don't tie the hands of future boards with extended terms on the debt. Good … more ›