Thousands of women will be diagnosed with cancer this year, and many will lose their hair as a result of chemotherapy.
Or not.
While many patients and physicians accept the inevitability of hair loss during treatment, Marilyn Smith of Mount Pleasant defied the odds by trying a different approach.
The Penguin Cold Cap is just what it sounds like — a plastic cap filled with dry ice that fits on a patient's head while the drugs are being administered.
"When I brought it up to my doctor, he said it wouldn't work," said Smith, a 49-year-old mother of two who was diagnosed with breast cancer in September.
"But he said if I wanted to try it, I could."
When Smith began treatment the next month, she came armed with blue plastic caps and coolers full of dry ice.
"I was determined not to lose my hair if I didn't have to," she said.
Bottom line, it worked.
Smith kept her full head of blond hair and convinced her oncologist that there is an option to wearing wigs and scarves.
Well worth it
Smith heard about the Penguin Cold Cap from an out-of-state friend who used it successfully. An active runner, golfer and tennis player, Smith decided she had nothing to lose but her hair.
Indeed, hair loss is one of the most traumatic aspects of cancer treatment for women. While men endure the indignity better, hair loss carries a more powerful psychological punch for women.
Unfortunately, the Cold Cap is not considered an option in the United States. So Smith went online (www.msc-worldwide.com) to investigate and order the materials from a doctor in London.
The theory behind the product is simple: The cap keeps the scalp cold during intravenous treatments and prevents hair loss.
But it takes some effort on your part.
"You have to be motivated to do it," Smith said. "You have to put the cap on before the treatment begins, change it every 20 minutes to keep it cold, then keep it on for two hours after the treatment.
"I knew it was working when my eyebrows fell out and the hair on my head did not," she said. "It's a little cold and your head feels a little numb. But it's worth it."
A huge deal
Smith's oncologist, David Ellison of Roper St. Francis Hospital, once a skeptic, is now a believer in what the Cold Cap can do for his patients.
"It was used here in the 1980s, and it didn't work that well," Ellison said. "But it's more sophisticated now, and it definitely worked for Marilyn. She did not lose her hair."
Smith's long blond locks are testament that her $825 investment paid off.
"It clearly worked," Ellison said. "And she was taking the kind of drugs that cause hair loss 100 percent of the time.
"The process is somewhat expensive and labor intensive, but it was a wonderful improvement in her quality of life."
And, Ellison said, he would be happy to accommodate any future patients under his care who are willing to try the product.
"Michael Jordan made it cool for men to shave their heads," Ellison said with a keen sense of understanding.
"But for women, this is a huge deal."
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Spa Products Show Strongest Growth in 2008
Historically, the beauty industry has weathered store closings, recession and war with strong sales. Due to one of the worst economic downturns in the nation’s history, 2008 was different. It was the first year each beauty category truly struggled and total prestige beauty sales declined 3% versus 2007, according to The NPD Group, Inc., a leading market research company.
Prestige Makeup
Although fragrance sales have struggled for the past few years, the decline in makeup was most surprising. Annual 2008 marked the first time makeup products posted a decline, dropping 3% in dollars and 6% in units. All segments in the makeup category showed declines including face, eye and lip segments.
And yet, despite the declines, there were still key areas in the category that helped stave off stronger declines within makeup. One bright spot for makeup was natural, which experienced a surge in prestige offerings in the past year. Premium priced products in the face segment also showed strength in 2008, even as other makeup segments struggled with their premium price offerings.
Prestige skin care
Prestige skin care was the only category to stay somewhat afloat, staying even with last year on a dollar basis, and capturing 29% dollar share, an additional share point over 2007, of total prestige beauty sales. Total prestige skin care products, which include face, body, sun and hair products, generated $2.4 billion in 2008.
There were also some beacons of light which had stronger performances: anti-aging and specialization, premium price, and natural brands. Anti-aging face products grew, and products that offered specialization (such as allergy relief, redness and whitening/brightening) were up double digits. Premium priced face products (priced $70 and up) increased 4% in dollars from 2007.
Prestige Makeup
Although fragrance sales have struggled for the past few years, the decline in makeup was most surprising. Annual 2008 marked the first time makeup products posted a decline, dropping 3% in dollars and 6% in units. All segments in the makeup category showed declines including face, eye and lip segments.
And yet, despite the declines, there were still key areas in the category that helped stave off stronger declines within makeup. One bright spot for makeup was natural, which experienced a surge in prestige offerings in the past year. Premium priced products in the face segment also showed strength in 2008, even as other makeup segments struggled with their premium price offerings.
Prestige skin care
Prestige skin care was the only category to stay somewhat afloat, staying even with last year on a dollar basis, and capturing 29% dollar share, an additional share point over 2007, of total prestige beauty sales. Total prestige skin care products, which include face, body, sun and hair products, generated $2.4 billion in 2008.
There were also some beacons of light which had stronger performances: anti-aging and specialization, premium price, and natural brands. Anti-aging face products grew, and products that offered specialization (such as allergy relief, redness and whitening/brightening) were up double digits. Premium priced face products (priced $70 and up) increased 4% in dollars from 2007.
Beauty on a budget
If you're the sort of woman who caresses your mascara wand and wants to put your anti-ageing cream on the mantelpiece, the idea of beauty on a budget might be enough to make you break out.
But if you need to make serious savings, beauty buys are one area where you can cut back. Whether you'll want to is a whole other psychological argument.
But buying your supplies alongside the groceries is hardly hardship - or unusual - and it doesn't mean a solely soap and water regime (though for less than a cup of coffee Dove does a sensitive skin beauty bar!).
Downshifting to budget brands costing under $25 for makeup means you can easily knock half to two-thirds off prices per item. Good skincare basics can also be found under $25, but for heavy duty creams and serums you'll generally have to exceed that amount by up to $20 more. That takes you well into respected ranges with some serious ingredients (and some seriously silly ingredient names).
A simple care routine and use of sunblock does most of the work in keeping your skin a picture of good health. While luxury brand extras can make extra impact, does quadruple the price actually make you look or feel four times better if your credit card is weighed down?
We found some perfectly serviceable cheaper lines - not all of which need decanting into nicer bottles.
Read labels carefully and try testers as the textures of shadows and creams can vary widely and colour ranges are limited. Do check the functionality of dispensers. And get used to going without those enticing gifts with purchase; the budget equivalent is the mailout discount coupon.
If you're not quite ready to get supermarket savvy, then explore the fertile middle ground inhabited by the likes of industry giants L'Oreal and Revlon. There's also a host of interesting boutique or homegrown organic and natural skincare brands tucked away in pharmacies, health, variety and department stores.
Best bargains
Eyes: Maybelline is the queen of mascaras. There are other good ones about, but you won't go wrong with a Maybelline formula and they all cost under $25, with America's top-selling Great Lash just $17.99. The company does a good range of liners and shadows, but there's competition here, especially for younger consumers, with fun colour options from the likes of Farmers' own brand Chichi, newcomer Bys and trusty English line Rimmel. Australis' multi-colour palettes are amazing value and a great way to experiment.
I'm also impressed with Za. The range isn't large, but includes useful items like a brow brush and coloured mascaras, though these have an unusually fine comb.
Foundations: Covergirl's choices are particularly good, including Advanced Radiance, offering good, moisturising coverage for mature skins. If you opt for the lighter Trublend range, then the shade of foundation you select will have a matching concealer and blush. It comes in a glass jar with a pump dispenser, like a more expensive product. Australis is one of few in this category to make a primer. If you've got the compact, then Moisture Mist's category leading Beauty Cake makeup refill at $27 is only just over our limit.
But if you need to make serious savings, beauty buys are one area where you can cut back. Whether you'll want to is a whole other psychological argument.
But buying your supplies alongside the groceries is hardly hardship - or unusual - and it doesn't mean a solely soap and water regime (though for less than a cup of coffee Dove does a sensitive skin beauty bar!).
Downshifting to budget brands costing under $25 for makeup means you can easily knock half to two-thirds off prices per item. Good skincare basics can also be found under $25, but for heavy duty creams and serums you'll generally have to exceed that amount by up to $20 more. That takes you well into respected ranges with some serious ingredients (and some seriously silly ingredient names).
A simple care routine and use of sunblock does most of the work in keeping your skin a picture of good health. While luxury brand extras can make extra impact, does quadruple the price actually make you look or feel four times better if your credit card is weighed down?
We found some perfectly serviceable cheaper lines - not all of which need decanting into nicer bottles.
Read labels carefully and try testers as the textures of shadows and creams can vary widely and colour ranges are limited. Do check the functionality of dispensers. And get used to going without those enticing gifts with purchase; the budget equivalent is the mailout discount coupon.
If you're not quite ready to get supermarket savvy, then explore the fertile middle ground inhabited by the likes of industry giants L'Oreal and Revlon. There's also a host of interesting boutique or homegrown organic and natural skincare brands tucked away in pharmacies, health, variety and department stores.
Best bargains
Eyes: Maybelline is the queen of mascaras. There are other good ones about, but you won't go wrong with a Maybelline formula and they all cost under $25, with America's top-selling Great Lash just $17.99. The company does a good range of liners and shadows, but there's competition here, especially for younger consumers, with fun colour options from the likes of Farmers' own brand Chichi, newcomer Bys and trusty English line Rimmel. Australis' multi-colour palettes are amazing value and a great way to experiment.
I'm also impressed with Za. The range isn't large, but includes useful items like a brow brush and coloured mascaras, though these have an unusually fine comb.
Foundations: Covergirl's choices are particularly good, including Advanced Radiance, offering good, moisturising coverage for mature skins. If you opt for the lighter Trublend range, then the shade of foundation you select will have a matching concealer and blush. It comes in a glass jar with a pump dispenser, like a more expensive product. Australis is one of few in this category to make a primer. If you've got the compact, then Moisture Mist's category leading Beauty Cake makeup refill at $27 is only just over our limit.
Makeup days
Need cosmetics or beauty products? Dillard's at Independence Mall is the place to go this month. Three brands are offering generous bonus gifts to go along with your purchases during April.
For Clarins lovers, come in before Sunday to choose from one of four deluxe Skin Care Collections when you purchase two full-size Clarins products. One product must be skin care, and gift sets count as one product. The bonus gifts each include four items and come in the following choices: restorative, firming, hydrating or brightening.
Through April 13, spend $24.50 or more on Elizabeth Arden products and get a gift set that includes Ceramide Gold Ultra Restorative Capsules for face and throat treatment; Prevage anti-aging night cream; Ceramide Plump Perfect Lipstick in Perfect Ginger; a Quad Eyeshadow Compact with Teak, Sherbet, Limelight and Topaz; Ceramide Purifying Cream Cleanser; a choice of three shades of Intervene Makeup SPF 15; and a choice of a bag with an organizer.
And starting Sunday through April 26, buy $29.50 in Lancome products and get a bonus of lifting cream, night cream, mascara, a compact of four eyeshadows and two full-size lipsticks in your choice of warm or cool colors, all tucked into a bright makeup bag.
If you spend $55 or more, you get to add a full-size cleanser of your choice: clarifying for normal/combination skin or comforting for dry skin.
For Clarins lovers, come in before Sunday to choose from one of four deluxe Skin Care Collections when you purchase two full-size Clarins products. One product must be skin care, and gift sets count as one product. The bonus gifts each include four items and come in the following choices: restorative, firming, hydrating or brightening.
Through April 13, spend $24.50 or more on Elizabeth Arden products and get a gift set that includes Ceramide Gold Ultra Restorative Capsules for face and throat treatment; Prevage anti-aging night cream; Ceramide Plump Perfect Lipstick in Perfect Ginger; a Quad Eyeshadow Compact with Teak, Sherbet, Limelight and Topaz; Ceramide Purifying Cream Cleanser; a choice of three shades of Intervene Makeup SPF 15; and a choice of a bag with an organizer.
And starting Sunday through April 26, buy $29.50 in Lancome products and get a bonus of lifting cream, night cream, mascara, a compact of four eyeshadows and two full-size lipsticks in your choice of warm or cool colors, all tucked into a bright makeup bag.
If you spend $55 or more, you get to add a full-size cleanser of your choice: clarifying for normal/combination skin or comforting for dry skin.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Fashion for Muslim women hits the runway this weekend in Morton Grove
Retailers such as Marabo (shown above) offer modest and fashion-forward clothing for Muslim women.
Check out latest spring and summer fashions for Muslim women from e-retailers and Chicago vendors at the Muslim Women's Spring Fashion Show & Bazaar. The event is from 2 to 3 p.m. this Saturday, April 4, at MCC FTS Gymnasium, 8601 N. Menard in Morton Grove.
You'll be supporting Muslim-owned companies who make trendy clothing for Muslim women while helping raise funds for MCCFTS and Gaza relief efforts. Tickets are $20 at the door; $10 for children 11 and under. (Pre-purchsed tickets are $15. Contact muslimwomensfashionshow@gmail.com.)
Fashion retailers include Shukr, Artizara, Primo Moda, Raaz Inc., Contemporary Modestwear, Islamic Outfitters, Marabo, Just Long Shirts.com and El-Jeeb Clothing.
After the show, stay for a bazaar, from 3 to 6 p.m., to shop and snack. Babysitter available for a fee!
Check out latest spring and summer fashions for Muslim women from e-retailers and Chicago vendors at the Muslim Women's Spring Fashion Show & Bazaar. The event is from 2 to 3 p.m. this Saturday, April 4, at MCC FTS Gymnasium, 8601 N. Menard in Morton Grove.
You'll be supporting Muslim-owned companies who make trendy clothing for Muslim women while helping raise funds for MCCFTS and Gaza relief efforts. Tickets are $20 at the door; $10 for children 11 and under. (Pre-purchsed tickets are $15. Contact muslimwomensfashionshow@gmail.com.)
Fashion retailers include Shukr, Artizara, Primo Moda, Raaz Inc., Contemporary Modestwear, Islamic Outfitters, Marabo, Just Long Shirts.com and El-Jeeb Clothing.
After the show, stay for a bazaar, from 3 to 6 p.m., to shop and snack. Babysitter available for a fee!
Akshay Kumar 'Unbuttoned' at Lakme Fashion Week
ndia is one of those countries where religion and culture still mix and a lot of things are still considered taboo. But sometimes these things just go a little too far and get blown out of proportion. Maybe it's because people put movie stars on pedestals and expect them to follow rigid standards of what's proper or right. Most of the time they themselves don't even live up to these standards. Or maybe people just think that things are a certain way, when they really aren't.
Well this time the man affected is Akshay Kumar and his wife Twinkle Khanna. That's right-the mega star has had a case filed against him. Why? Because at Lakme Fashion Week when he was getting ready to walk the catwalk, he asked his wife Twinkle Khanna to unbutton his jeans. Seeing as how he's the brand ambassador of Levi's "Unbuttoned", it wasn't like he was being dirty.
Of course, someone out there had to get all bent out of shape and said he was "offended" by the action. The culprit who filed a case against the superstar is a social worker by the name of Anil P. Nayar and he thinks the act was "vulgar and indecent". SG Pandey, a lawyer of the man told Reuters that "After the preliminary inquiry, we will register a case against Akshay Kumar, Twinkle Khanna, the abettor of the Lakme Fashion Week show and the top management of the Grand Hyatt and we will take action against them." Do they really think that they'll actually win?
Seems like this guy's just after some money and probably just needs to get out more. If he's so offended by silly things like this, why was he at a fashion show where he would undoubtedly see scantily clad women? This is on par with people in the slums trying to sue Danny Boyle because his movie was titled 'Slumdog Millionaire', people forcing Shahrukh Khan to change his recent movie from 'Billu Barber' to just 'Billu', or my personal favorite the Richard Gere/Shilpa Shetty kiss of 2007.
These people just seem to come out of the woodwork and never seem to reflect the views of the majority. It's lucky for Akshay Kumar that he is a big star. He and his wife probably have their own set of lawyers to deal with this incident.
So what do our readers think about this latest case? Do you think that the social worker was going too far? Or do you think that it was "vulgar and indecent" for a husband to ask his wife to unbutton his jeans before he went on stage for a brand of jeans called "Unbuttoned"? Let us know your thoughts on this incident.
Well this time the man affected is Akshay Kumar and his wife Twinkle Khanna. That's right-the mega star has had a case filed against him. Why? Because at Lakme Fashion Week when he was getting ready to walk the catwalk, he asked his wife Twinkle Khanna to unbutton his jeans. Seeing as how he's the brand ambassador of Levi's "Unbuttoned", it wasn't like he was being dirty.
Of course, someone out there had to get all bent out of shape and said he was "offended" by the action. The culprit who filed a case against the superstar is a social worker by the name of Anil P. Nayar and he thinks the act was "vulgar and indecent". SG Pandey, a lawyer of the man told Reuters that "After the preliminary inquiry, we will register a case against Akshay Kumar, Twinkle Khanna, the abettor of the Lakme Fashion Week show and the top management of the Grand Hyatt and we will take action against them." Do they really think that they'll actually win?
Seems like this guy's just after some money and probably just needs to get out more. If he's so offended by silly things like this, why was he at a fashion show where he would undoubtedly see scantily clad women? This is on par with people in the slums trying to sue Danny Boyle because his movie was titled 'Slumdog Millionaire', people forcing Shahrukh Khan to change his recent movie from 'Billu Barber' to just 'Billu', or my personal favorite the Richard Gere/Shilpa Shetty kiss of 2007.
These people just seem to come out of the woodwork and never seem to reflect the views of the majority. It's lucky for Akshay Kumar that he is a big star. He and his wife probably have their own set of lawyers to deal with this incident.
So what do our readers think about this latest case? Do you think that the social worker was going too far? Or do you think that it was "vulgar and indecent" for a husband to ask his wife to unbutton his jeans before he went on stage for a brand of jeans called "Unbuttoned"? Let us know your thoughts on this incident.
Michelle Obama: Fashion Icon?
e crowd as she leaves Palais Rohan in Strasbourg, France, April 3, 2009.
The Obamas' trip to Europe marks the president's debut on the world stage, but it's his wife who has been stealing tabloid headlines.
The European reaction to the Obamas recalls the Kennedys' trip to Paris in 1961, when Jacqueline Kennedy wowed with her glamorous style and fluent French. The attention and reception the first lady received on that trip prompted the president to joke about his standing in the power couple. "I am the man who accompanies Jacqueline Kennedy to Paris," Kennedy said.
Michelle Obama has also won rave reviews from a once-skeptical public, with a recent Gallup poll giving her a 72 percent favorability rating, slightly higher than the president’s. Though detractors still occasionally pan her fashion choices or cluck prudishly over her athletic bare arms, Americans clearly have taken to their new first lady.
The triumph of Michelle Obama is a tale as surprising and as profound as the election of her husband, the nation’s first black president. The first lady is a national icon, a mirror for our changing mores, a symbol of our aspirations for wives and mothers, a role model for gracious hostesses and socially conscious volunteers.
The Obamas' trip to Europe marks the president's debut on the world stage, but it's his wife who has been stealing tabloid headlines.
The European reaction to the Obamas recalls the Kennedys' trip to Paris in 1961, when Jacqueline Kennedy wowed with her glamorous style and fluent French. The attention and reception the first lady received on that trip prompted the president to joke about his standing in the power couple. "I am the man who accompanies Jacqueline Kennedy to Paris," Kennedy said.
Michelle Obama has also won rave reviews from a once-skeptical public, with a recent Gallup poll giving her a 72 percent favorability rating, slightly higher than the president’s. Though detractors still occasionally pan her fashion choices or cluck prudishly over her athletic bare arms, Americans clearly have taken to their new first lady.
The triumph of Michelle Obama is a tale as surprising and as profound as the election of her husband, the nation’s first black president. The first lady is a national icon, a mirror for our changing mores, a symbol of our aspirations for wives and mothers, a role model for gracious hostesses and socially conscious volunteers.
Longer school days will make up for snow losses
HARVARD -- Further changes have been announced to the Harvard school calendar, due to the additional snow days used this stormy winter.
Massachusetts law requires students to attend class for 180 days in a school year. Following the lost school days due to December's ice storm, the school calendar was adjusted. Lost time would have been made up by holding a half-day of school on Good Friday, April 10 (which is traditionally a holiday break from school) and extending the last day of school to Friday, June 26.
However, there were two more snow days used even after those adjustments were made. Harvard School Superintendent Thomas Jefferson then petitioned the state for relief from the 180-day requirement.
Jefferson announced to the School Committee at Monday's meeting, and again with pre-recorded ConnectEd telephone calls to student family households on Tuesday, that the Commissioner of Education has provided the Harvard schools with a conditional waiver to the 180-day requirement. But there were strings attached.
To help make up the lost time, eight school days will be extended by adding 45 more minutes of instructional time to the end of regular school days. The extended days will occur on a series of seven Mondays and one Tuesday, as listed below. The extended day will apply to both Harvard Elementary and Bromfield School students. Parents were told that the School Department is aware that particular family needs may require releasing students at an earlier
time and so regular procedures for the early release of a student should be followed in those eventualities.
The eight school days lengthened by 45 minutes each will be on Monday, March 30; Monday, April 6; Monday, April 13; Monday, April 27; Monday, May 4; Monday, May 11; Monday, May 18; and Tuesday, May 26.
Moment of silence
The School Committee opened its meeting with a moment of silence in memory of Jessica Peterson and in support of the Peterson family. A Bromfield freshman, "Jessie" was killed last weekend when a dead tree fell on her and her mother at their East Bare Hill Road home.
Economic stimulus for Harvard
It's a "good kind of problem we've never had before," said Superintendent Jefferson.
Jefferson was pleased to report to the School Committee that the Harvard School System will receive federal economic stimulus funds, to the tune of $53,277.
Gov. Deval Patrick announced last Thursday that $168 million in federal education recovery funds were being divided between cities and towns for school districts for fiscal year 2010.
In addition, Jefferson told the committee he expects a second round of education spending for FY2010, and that preliminary estimates he's heard could bring the town an additional $170,000 in funding over two years via the Individuals with Disabilities Educational Act. Jefferson said Harvard was eligible for the money because its Chapter 70 reimbursement remained below the 17.5 percent target established in the state's revised formula.
Because it's a windfall and not a steady revenue stream, Jefferson warned that the money should not be used for funding personnel for fear of having to cut back again later. Rather, Jefferson suggested spending for intervention programs, professional development, and upgrading technology, which "are all key goal areas aligned with our strategic plan."
When the committee considered pulling back on a town meeting request for funding for additional Smart Board units for the classroom, Jefferson advised that the warrant article be left in place until all the conditions for the stimulus money are more clearly understood over the next couple of weeks.
School choice advertising
The Harvard schools are projected to receive some $408,000 this year thanks to school choice enrollment. However, seven students are due to graduate.
Jefferson announced he'll start advertising to fill potential openings in grades K (half-day slot only), three, six, 10 and 11. The addition of 10 more school choice students into the system would help keep the town "on target" to meet the $425,000 school choice funding stream built into the School Department's proposed FY2010 budget.
Massachusetts law requires students to attend class for 180 days in a school year. Following the lost school days due to December's ice storm, the school calendar was adjusted. Lost time would have been made up by holding a half-day of school on Good Friday, April 10 (which is traditionally a holiday break from school) and extending the last day of school to Friday, June 26.
However, there were two more snow days used even after those adjustments were made. Harvard School Superintendent Thomas Jefferson then petitioned the state for relief from the 180-day requirement.
Jefferson announced to the School Committee at Monday's meeting, and again with pre-recorded ConnectEd telephone calls to student family households on Tuesday, that the Commissioner of Education has provided the Harvard schools with a conditional waiver to the 180-day requirement. But there were strings attached.
To help make up the lost time, eight school days will be extended by adding 45 more minutes of instructional time to the end of regular school days. The extended days will occur on a series of seven Mondays and one Tuesday, as listed below. The extended day will apply to both Harvard Elementary and Bromfield School students. Parents were told that the School Department is aware that particular family needs may require releasing students at an earlier
time and so regular procedures for the early release of a student should be followed in those eventualities.
The eight school days lengthened by 45 minutes each will be on Monday, March 30; Monday, April 6; Monday, April 13; Monday, April 27; Monday, May 4; Monday, May 11; Monday, May 18; and Tuesday, May 26.
Moment of silence
The School Committee opened its meeting with a moment of silence in memory of Jessica Peterson and in support of the Peterson family. A Bromfield freshman, "Jessie" was killed last weekend when a dead tree fell on her and her mother at their East Bare Hill Road home.
Economic stimulus for Harvard
It's a "good kind of problem we've never had before," said Superintendent Jefferson.
Jefferson was pleased to report to the School Committee that the Harvard School System will receive federal economic stimulus funds, to the tune of $53,277.
Gov. Deval Patrick announced last Thursday that $168 million in federal education recovery funds were being divided between cities and towns for school districts for fiscal year 2010.
In addition, Jefferson told the committee he expects a second round of education spending for FY2010, and that preliminary estimates he's heard could bring the town an additional $170,000 in funding over two years via the Individuals with Disabilities Educational Act. Jefferson said Harvard was eligible for the money because its Chapter 70 reimbursement remained below the 17.5 percent target established in the state's revised formula.
Because it's a windfall and not a steady revenue stream, Jefferson warned that the money should not be used for funding personnel for fear of having to cut back again later. Rather, Jefferson suggested spending for intervention programs, professional development, and upgrading technology, which "are all key goal areas aligned with our strategic plan."
When the committee considered pulling back on a town meeting request for funding for additional Smart Board units for the classroom, Jefferson advised that the warrant article be left in place until all the conditions for the stimulus money are more clearly understood over the next couple of weeks.
School choice advertising
The Harvard schools are projected to receive some $408,000 this year thanks to school choice enrollment. However, seven students are due to graduate.
Jefferson announced he'll start advertising to fill potential openings in grades K (half-day slot only), three, six, 10 and 11. The addition of 10 more school choice students into the system would help keep the town "on target" to meet the $425,000 school choice funding stream built into the School Department's proposed FY2010 budget.
Makeup of boards to change
Of the several area surrounding school districts, only three will be holding school board elections on Tuesday.
At Tri-County R-7 in Jamesport, there are four candidates vying for two open seats. Among them are Stephanie Eckert, incumbent, who is finishing up her second term on the board. Others seeking a seat on the R-7 panel are Heath Cook, David Bequette and Luke Skinner. District officials say Ron Ledesma, who is finishing up his first term on the board, has not refiled because he is leaving the area.
Five people are seeking four seats on the Dwight Grade School District 232 Board of Education. The candidates are incumbents Ron Colebank, Stacey Connolly, Tim Harris and Steve Tock. The fifth candidate is challenger Marc Ellis.
Five persons are also seeking four seats on the Dwight Township High School Board. The incumbent candidates are Amy Hansen, Paul Ferrari, Kathy Perry and Gerald Earing. The challenger seeking a seat is Brian Perschnick.
Voters in the Odell Community Consolidated School District will be choosing four board members from a field of six candidates.
Seeking the posts are Jeff LaBorence, Mary A. Hilleary, Mark K. Johnson, Shari Hoegger, Lana Hoegger and Kevin Olson.
In the Tri-Point School District voters will be asked to choose four persons out of a field of six candidates.
The candidates are Lloyd Vaughn, Carl Smicker, Amy Fecht, Jeff Roach, Dewaine Haag and Cherie Smolkovich.
Pontiac school board members in Districts 90 and in 429 will have some new and old candidates vying for four-year terms on their respective boards.
District 429 board has only has one board member — Dale Larkin — seeking re-election this year. Board members Josh Thompson and Allen Finkenbinder are not seeking re-election.
Two candidates who are seeking their first term on the board are Adeana Fox and Dan Krueger.
In District 90, board president Scott Bauknecht and Dale Hoke are not seeking re-election. However, board members Robby Rich and Ron Schultz are vying for another term.
Carla Chandler and Roger Corrigan are challenging for seats.
Five candidates will be looking to fill three seats on the Prairie Central Community Unit School District 8 board.
The incumbents are Patricia Haberkorn and Brett Johnson. The other three vying for a seat are Mark Slagel, Jason Dotterer and Jeff Austman. Retiring from the board are board president Roger Brown and board secretary Dan Froelich.
Austman is a native of Forrest. His wife is Kate and they have three children. He has a bachelor’s degree in agriculture.
Dotterer moved from Ohio to the area when he was 7 years old and was a Prairie Central graduate in 1996. He married the former Lynn Steidinger and they have four children.
Slagel is from Strawn and has been married to wife Suzanne for 17 years. They have four children. Slagel is a Fairbury native and farmed in the area for about 10 years. He worked for Bachtold Brothers for 10 years and, in 1988, moved to Strawn. He owns and operates Slagel Manufacturing Inc.; is the chief of the Strawn Fire Department and was vice president of the Livingston County Mutual Aid Association.
Haberkorn is from Chatsworth and has been married to her husband, Lenny, for 23 years. They have four children. She is a registered nurse and is the Health Services director at Futures, Inc. in Pontiac.
Johnson is of Chenoa who served on the Chenoa School Board for about four years. He has been married to his wife, Sara, for 22 years and they have four children. Johnson is a native of Princeton and joined the Marines Corp after graduating. He attended Illinois Valley Community College and is a 1988 graduate of Illinois State University. He has worked at State Farm since 1989.
(Doris L. White contributed to this story)
At Tri-County R-7 in Jamesport, there are four candidates vying for two open seats. Among them are Stephanie Eckert, incumbent, who is finishing up her second term on the board. Others seeking a seat on the R-7 panel are Heath Cook, David Bequette and Luke Skinner. District officials say Ron Ledesma, who is finishing up his first term on the board, has not refiled because he is leaving the area.
Five people are seeking four seats on the Dwight Grade School District 232 Board of Education. The candidates are incumbents Ron Colebank, Stacey Connolly, Tim Harris and Steve Tock. The fifth candidate is challenger Marc Ellis.
Five persons are also seeking four seats on the Dwight Township High School Board. The incumbent candidates are Amy Hansen, Paul Ferrari, Kathy Perry and Gerald Earing. The challenger seeking a seat is Brian Perschnick.
Voters in the Odell Community Consolidated School District will be choosing four board members from a field of six candidates.
Seeking the posts are Jeff LaBorence, Mary A. Hilleary, Mark K. Johnson, Shari Hoegger, Lana Hoegger and Kevin Olson.
In the Tri-Point School District voters will be asked to choose four persons out of a field of six candidates.
The candidates are Lloyd Vaughn, Carl Smicker, Amy Fecht, Jeff Roach, Dewaine Haag and Cherie Smolkovich.
Pontiac school board members in Districts 90 and in 429 will have some new and old candidates vying for four-year terms on their respective boards.
District 429 board has only has one board member — Dale Larkin — seeking re-election this year. Board members Josh Thompson and Allen Finkenbinder are not seeking re-election.
Two candidates who are seeking their first term on the board are Adeana Fox and Dan Krueger.
In District 90, board president Scott Bauknecht and Dale Hoke are not seeking re-election. However, board members Robby Rich and Ron Schultz are vying for another term.
Carla Chandler and Roger Corrigan are challenging for seats.
Five candidates will be looking to fill three seats on the Prairie Central Community Unit School District 8 board.
The incumbents are Patricia Haberkorn and Brett Johnson. The other three vying for a seat are Mark Slagel, Jason Dotterer and Jeff Austman. Retiring from the board are board president Roger Brown and board secretary Dan Froelich.
Austman is a native of Forrest. His wife is Kate and they have three children. He has a bachelor’s degree in agriculture.
Dotterer moved from Ohio to the area when he was 7 years old and was a Prairie Central graduate in 1996. He married the former Lynn Steidinger and they have four children.
Slagel is from Strawn and has been married to wife Suzanne for 17 years. They have four children. Slagel is a Fairbury native and farmed in the area for about 10 years. He worked for Bachtold Brothers for 10 years and, in 1988, moved to Strawn. He owns and operates Slagel Manufacturing Inc.; is the chief of the Strawn Fire Department and was vice president of the Livingston County Mutual Aid Association.
Haberkorn is from Chatsworth and has been married to her husband, Lenny, for 23 years. They have four children. She is a registered nurse and is the Health Services director at Futures, Inc. in Pontiac.
Johnson is of Chenoa who served on the Chenoa School Board for about four years. He has been married to his wife, Sara, for 22 years and they have four children. Johnson is a native of Princeton and joined the Marines Corp after graduating. He attended Illinois Valley Community College and is a 1988 graduate of Illinois State University. He has worked at State Farm since 1989.
(Doris L. White contributed to this story)
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