Central District 301 receives high marks in two reports
Central Community Unit School District 301 recently received high marks on the Illinois Report Card and from U.S. News & World Report
All seven Central 301 schools earned an “exemplary” or “commendable” designation, placing them among the top-performing schools in the state, according to a news release on the state report card.
Exemplary schools include Central Middle School in Burlington, Country Trails Elementary School in Elgin, Howard B. Thomas Grade School in Burlington and Lily Lake Grade School in Maple Park. Commendable schools are Central High School in Burlington, Prairie Knolls Middle School and Prairie View Grade School, both in Elgin.
U.S. News & World Report named Lily Lake Grade School, Country Trails Elementary, Prairie Knolls Middle School and Central Middle School among the Best Schools in Illinois. These schools placed within the top 40% statewide for reading and math achievement, according to the release.
Food drive underway, free meals available in Dundee area
The Dundee Library, 555 Barrington Ave., East Dundee, is currently hosting a food and personal products drive through Tuesday, Dec. 30, while Emmett’s, 128 W. Main St., West Dundee, is offering free carryout meals to people in need up to Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 27.
The items collected by the library will be given to the FISH Food Pantry in Carpentersville, according to a news release. Nonperishable food items, including pet food, as well as hygiene and personal care products, are being taken during regular library hours.
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Those unable to bring donations to the library are encouraged to visit the Fish Food Pantry website, www.fish-food-pantry.org, for information on volunteering, making a financial contribution, and learning about the items that are needed most.
With many feeling a strain caused by the rising cost of groceries and delays in benefits, Emmett’s is offering a meal to anyone who could use one, no questions asked, according to a post on the restaurant’s Facebook page. The community table meal will include a turkey club sandwich, a choice of side, and a cup of soup.
To place an order and for more information, call 847-428-4500.
Boys & Girls Club renovating Woodlands Impact Center
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northwest Suburbs held a wall-breaking ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 13, to launch the renovation of the Woodlands Impact Center, 775 Navajo Drive, Carpentersville.
The 40,000-square-foot center will offer underserved youth and their families after-school and summer programs, as well as individualized support, according to a news release. The space is being designed to serve 550 middle and high school students from School Districts 220 and 300.
Renovations are expected to be done by late summer 2026. The facility was originally known as Woodlands School and was previously owned by Barrington Community Unit School District 220.
The Woodlands Impact Center will hold labs for building, creating, making podcasts and music, and cooking. Other amenities will include a gymnasium and a community resource center providing access to counseling, food, clothing and potentially medical services.
For more information, go to bgcnws.org.
Upcoming Dinosaur Explorer events at Elgin library
The Gail Borden Public Library is holding several upcoming events related to the Dinosaur Explorer exhibit at the main branch, 270 N. Grove Ave, Elgin.
They include:
- Paleontologist Gregory Erickson, who created the Dinosaur Explorer exhibit, will discuss polar dinosaurs from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, in the Meadows Community Rooms. Attendees will learn about species that once thrived in icy conditions, see real fossils up close, ask questions, and win prizes. Register at attend.gailborden.info/event/14891837.
- A Dino Fiesta will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, in the Meadows Community Rooms. The gathering will feature dino-themed crafts and games and be held in English and Spanish. No registration is required to attend.
- A free screening of the 1993 movie “Jurassic Park” will be shown at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30, in the Meadows Community Rooms. Register to attend at attend.gailborden.info/event/14748236.
For more information on the exhibit, go to www.gailborden.info/dino2025.