Jeff Schuler

COUNTY

Health benefits of nature topic of free seminar

New research supporting the health benefits of spending time in nature will be the focus of the 2018 DuPage Environmental Summit. The summit will be held 8:30 a.m. to noon Jan. 25, at the Northern Illinois University-Naperville Meeting and Conference Center, 1120 E. Diehl Road, Suite 150, Naperville.

“Nature RX: How Spending Time in Nature is Good for Our Mind, Body, and Soul” is this year’s summit theme. The topic will be explored with a variety of health and environmental professionals who will cite new studies supporting nature’s benefits to the human spirit.

This free seminar is open to community leaders, conservation groups, health professionals, social service agencies, and anyone interested in learning more about how nature has a positive influence on mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.

Presented by The Conservation Foundation, the summit also will feature an environmental exhibit area that will open at 7:30 a.m.

Research continues to support the idea that spending time outside and even near a window during our busy lives can make us feel better.

The keynote speaker, Teresa H. Horton, Ph.D. from the Laboratory for Human Biology Research at Northwestern University, will talk about how exposure to natural landscapes has restorative effects on human health and overall well-being.

A detailed agenda can be found online at theconservationfoundation.org. Registration is suggested, and can be made online at theconservationfoundation.org.

WHEATON

Warming shelters open for families

Facilities are opening their doors to help keep families warm in Wheaton during the bitter winter weather. Families are urged to call the facility, if possible, to make sure they are open and are not at capacity. 

• Wheaton Public Library, 225 N. Cross St.: The Wheaton Public Library often serves as a warming center for Wheaton residents during inclement weather. According to the DuPage County Community Resource Information System (CRIS) website, intake is allowed during normal business hours with two forms of identification. Call (630) 668-1374 to confirm that the library is serving as a warming center on the day you plan to come.
• Trinity Episcopal Church, 130 N. West St.: According to DuPage PADS, Trinity Episcopal Church functions as an interim/overnight warming center for DuPage County on Mondays from October to April. The facility is accessible via the Metra station and No. 714 and No. 747 buses. The total capacity of Trinity Episcopal Church’s warming center is 50. Call (630) 665-1101 to confirm before arrival. 

Homeless families or individuals who needs shelter during the winter, should contact DuPage Pads Outreach at (630) 682-3846. 

Tickets on sale for winter wine walk

Residents will have a chance to sample wine from a dozen of the city’s restaurants at Downtown Wheaton’s Winter Wine Walk Jan. 20. The wine walk includes 1-oz. tastings, and free trolley rides will be available to ferry guests to the stops on the route. 

Participants can check in at the Downtown Wheaton Association, 108 Wesley St. to get a souvenir wine glass, a swag bag and a map of all the stops. The stops on Wheaton’s Winter Wine Walk include: 

• Andrew’s Garden
• Dry City Brew Works
• Eyes on Wheaton
• GIA MIA Pizza Bar
• Ivy Restaurant
• Jeans & A Cute Top Shop
• Kimmer’s Ice Cream
• Miroballi Shoes
• Strand Fitness

The event will be held 4-7 p.m. regardless of the weather. Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the event, and can be purchased at downtownwheaton.com.

School superintendent gets 4-year contract

The superintendent of Wheaton-Warrenville Community Unit School District 200 Board of Education has a new four-year contract. The School Board approved a performance-based contract for Jeff Schuler, by a 6-1 vote. The contract will run from July 1, 2018, through June 30, 2022.

Schuler started with the district in 2014 at an annual salary of $225,000. No district administrators, including Schuler, received a salary increase for the current school year. Schuler requested the board keep his current $238,586 annual base salary the same as the 2016-17 school year to be consistent with other administrator contracts.

The contract calls for the board to increase Schuler’s salary annually to keep pace with inflation. In addition, he has the opportunity to earn an annual performance bonus – not to be added to his salary – of 2 percent of his base salary if the board deems his overall performance rating to be excellent. If his performance rating is judged to be proficient, Schuler will receive an additional annual base salary increase of 1 percent of the prior contract year’s annual base salary.

The new contract also calls for Schuler to receive a one-time board contribution of $10,000 if it is extended again at the end of his contract or $5,250 if it isn’t.

AURORA

Mentors needed to help people get out of poverty

Hope Takes Action-Aurora is starting its fourth program in January, and needs volunteers and supplies to help individuals get out of poverty.

The participants are accompanied by mentors who are trained and available to be their coaches. The mentors are people from the community who will be supportive listeners and friends as these individuals move closer to their dream of escaping poverty. The program plans to have graduates from the 18-week program in the spring.

For more information and to volunteer, contact (630) 354-8894 or go to hopetakesaction.aurora@gmail.com.

–Dupage County News Briefs–