The Mundelein High School District 120 Robotics Team placed first in the first VEX Robotics qualifying tournament, in Illinois, this season. Members of the team are (standing, from left) Edward Hogea, Giorgi Bazgadze, Steffen Brown, Isaac Fuksman, Raymond Hogea, August Holsman, Brandon Valeroso, Emily Navarette, (kneeling, from left) Noah McNeilly and Matthew Chen.

Barrington

Barrington High named Apple Distinguished School

Barrington 220 Community School District announced that Barrington High School (BHS) has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished School. Apple Distinguished Schools are acknowledged as centers of innovation, leadership and educational excellence that use Apple products to inspire creativity, collaboration and critical thinking. BHS earned the recognition for its implementation of the One to World initiative, which provides all students with a MacBook device. The One to World initiative is a learning program steeped in curriculum, pedagogy and professional learning. It integrates 24/7 availability of technology devices, provides ubiquitous access to the internet, and delivers a set of innovative apps and services for learning and teaching. The BHS One to World initiative, introduced during the 2014-15 school year, challenges traditional views of education by placing students at the center of the learning process and shifting ownership from teacher to student. Through the use of devices, BHS students have access to course materials and online resources without the constraints of time and place, allowing them to personalize the learning process by controlling pace and developing an individualized path to understanding. For more information, call 847-381-1400 or visit www.barrington220.org.

Deer Park

Village offers lower rate for electric energy use

The village announced that it recently updated its electrical aggregation program to offer residents a lower rate for electric energy usage. The current ComEd rate is 7.292 cents, and the village’s program rate with Dynergy Energy is 7.448 cents. When the village last renewed its aggregation program, ComEd had published its annual residential rate at 7.76 cents. The village then selected a lower rate of 7.448 cents from Dynergy. Months later, ComEd unexpectedly adjusted its rate downward to 7.292 cents. This rate will remain in place through May 2019, but is expected to rise to about 7.5 cents in June.

The unexpected reprieve is due to a settlement negotiated by the Illinois Commerce Commission and regulators in other states that make up the 13-state regional power grid, the PJM Interconnection, a transmission organization that coordinates the movement of electricity. Deer Park residents can return to the lower ComEd rate at any time — with no early termination fee. To initiate the change, call Dynergy Energy at 844-351-7691. For more information, call the village’s electric aggregation program consultant, NIMEC, at 800-727-3820 or visit www.villageofdeerpark.com. 

Mundelein

Mundelein High Robotics Team makes state tourney

Mundelein High School District 120 announced that MHS Robotics Team, led by physics instructor Manny Aldana, recently placed first in the first VEX Robotics qualifying tournament, in Illinois, this season. The MHS squad finished ahead of 23 other teams to claim the first-place finish. By winning the title, the MHS team automatically qualified for the state-wide robotics tournament, in March 2019, and the CREATE U.S. Open Robotics Championship, in April. The MHS Robotics Team includes Giorgio Bazgadze, Steffen Brown, Matthew Chen, Issac Fuksman, Edward Hogea, Raymond Hogea, August Holsman, Noah McNeilly, Emily Navarette and Brandon Valeroso. For more information, call 847-949-2200 or visit www.d120.org.

Deerfield

Upcoming Winter Celebration offers host of activities

The village announced that Deerfield’s Winter Celebration will be held at various locations from 5-9 p.m. Dec. 7 and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 8. Festivities begin with horse-drawn carriage rides, a live ice sculpting show and roasted chestnuts on the front lawn at Village Hall, 850 Waukegan Road, and live performances by the Deerfield High School Choraliers, The Caroling Party (featuring costumed Dickens-style carolers) and Deerfield’s own The Hurricane Saxophone Quartet inside the building. Complimentary treats include cookies, hot cider and hot chocolate, popcorn, and corn pudding and baked beans with brisket. Community events also will be held at Swansons Blossom Shop, 814 Waukegan Road (noon to 3:30 p.m.); Jewett Park, 836 Jewett Park Drive (3-9 p.m.); Leather Creations (4-7 p.m.); and First Presbyterian Church, 824 Waukegan Road (5-9 p.m.). Festivities continue on Dec. 8 with pony and carriage rides at Forest Plaza at The Shops at Deerfield Square, 740 Waukegan Road, with carriage rides stopping at Village Centre Plaza, 625 Deerfield Road, for a meet-and-greet with Santa (pets are welcome), and an interactive, life-sized snow globe. A variety of other holiday events will be held at several businesses and establishments on Deerfield and Waukegan roads. Winter Celebration events are free, and all ages are welcome. For more information, call Communications Specialist Kylie Clerk at 847-719-7404 or visit www.deerfield.il.us.

Round Lake

Village Board approves revised plan for parkway trees   

The Round Lake Village Board recently approved an updated Urban Forest Management Plan that includes two minor changes, First, the revised plan includes a progress report on replanting the village’s parkway trees. Between fall 2017 and spring 2018, the village planted approximately 400 parkway trees. These trees were mainly planted in the Parkview and Valley Lakes subdivisions. At this rate, the village expects to complete the replanting work in four to five years. Secondly, the revised plan includes additional tree species in the approved parkway trees list. Additional trees include Burr Oak, Chinquapin Oak, Shingle Oak and White Oak. For more information, call 847-546-5400 or visit www.eroundlake.com.

–Lake County News Briefs–