Beginning in 2021, the IHSA will assign football teams to eight or nine team groupings (i.e. “districts”) based on classification and geography. Previously, schools did not officially know their postseason classification until the completion of the regular-season.

STATE

Schools approve IHSA

football postseason changes

Beginning in 2021, the IHSA will assign football teams to eight or nine team groupings (i.e. “districts”) based on classification and geography. Previously, schools did not officially know their postseason classification until the completion of the regular-season.

The IHSA will assign each school’s regular-season games against their district opponents. Districts will be set for two years, allowing home and away scheduling within the district. Schools will have the autonomy to schedule their non-district opponents for any open weeks, but those non-district games will not count toward playoff qualification. The district assigning process will be similar to how schools are assigned to regionals and sectionals in other IHSA sports and activities. 

The main goals of the change are to limit the constantly reshuffling conferences, and to de-emphasize the drive to win five regular season games.

The IHSA announced that the proposal passed by a vote of 324 to 307, with 69 “no opinion” votes.

DeKALB

NIU gets state grant

to help more at-risk preschoolers

The Child Development and Family Center at Northern Illinois University will be able to provide full-day preschool services to more DeKalb children because of a $1.6 million award it has received from the Illinois State Board of Education.

This grant will pay the cost for 40 preschoolers to attend the Preschool for All Expansion (PFA-E) program that will give at-risk 4-year-olds access to full-day early childhood education and comprehensive services.

The Expansion program focuses on the child’s social and emotional development to prepare them for kindergarten, and the teachers in the program work to create an environment conducive to children’s success.

Additionally, the program has a family coordinator who works with families to facilitate access to needed services such as dentists, doctors, and other community-based services available through the county health department and social service agencies.

The grant represents the only PFA-E in the DeKalb county area. Additionally, while most programs are half-day, NIU’s Expansion program is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and wraparound child care services are available to extend the day from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To take advantage of the program, a child must be 4 years old and from a family with income at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. Other risk factors are assessed upon application. Families do not have to be affiliated with NIU, and the program is open to children with disabilities.

The program has potential benefits for NIU students in the Human Development and Family Studies program as well. Opportunities for experiential learning and in-class observation will be developed, offering students insights on serving at-risk children and their families.

Winter break code workshop

to be held for middle schoolers

Middle-school students who do not have classes Jan. 2-4 are invited to go to the NIU Digital Convergence Lab for three days to learn how to code with MakeCode and JavaScript in Minecraft. Classes will be held from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. in Digital Convergence Lab, Room 338 at the NIU Founders Memorial Library, 217 Normal Road. Parents will sign in students at the turn around on the south/west side of the library on Carroll Avenue between 7:45 – 8 a.m. and pick them up at 4:30 p.m. at the same location.

Cost: $150 for the three-day workshop Space is limited to 20 students. For more details and registration, visit go.niu.edu/noschooldays or send an email to dcl@niu.edu.

Young actors can see

recordings of their performances

Get a glimpse of what happens behind the scenes when recorded performances of the DeKalb Public Library’s acting clubs are shown at 3 p.m. Dec. 28 at the library, 309 Oak St. All the recorded performances will be available for viewing. This free program is for youth who are 9-17 years old,or in 4th –12th grades. No registration required. For additional information, send an email to susang@dkpl.org or call 815-756-9568, ext. 3401.

MALTA

KC holding registration

for adult classes

The Kishwaukee College Workforce and Continuing Education department is holding registration for adult education classes before the spring 2019 semester begins.

Registration continues online at kish.edu until Jan. 10.

The Workforce & Community Education Division is designed to help anyone who is ready to return to school and begin again or continue their education after stepping out for any of a variety of reasons. Adult education courses include high school equivalency/GED and English as a second language classes, which are meant to prepare students for such tests.

For a complete listing of registration dates, visit kish.edu/wce. For information about adult education classes, contact Jaime Schrader at 815-825-9408 or jschrader1@kish.edu.

–DeKalb County News Briefs–