District
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REWIRED: Navigating AI in Education
RREWIRED: Navigating AI in Education Artificial intelligence tools are evolving rapidly and are becoming increasingly visible in everyday life — including education. From writing and research assistance to image generation and data analysis, AI is changing how information is created, accessed, and interpreted. Educators, researchers, and policymakers across the country are actively discussing what this
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Friday Focus – February 20, 2026
FRIDAY FOCUSHere’s a look at the happenings across Central 301 this week: Meet the New BossThe Board of Education has approved Dr. Amy MacCrindle as Central 301’s next Superintendent of Schools, marking an important leadership transition for the district. She officially takes the reins on July 1, 2026. Celebrating Growth Through ACCESS TestingMore than 100
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New Leadership for Central 301
Central 301 Names Dr. Amy MacCrindle as Next Superintendent The Central Community Unit School District 301 Board of Education has approved Dr. Amy MacCrindle as the district’s next Superintendent of Schools, marking an important leadership transition for Central 301. “I am honored and thrilled to join the Central 301 community,” Dr. MacCrindle said. “This is
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REWIRED: The Value of Independence
REWIRED: Why Independence Still Matters For generations, childhood development has been shaped by opportunities for independence — unstructured play, problem-solving, responsibility, and learning through trial and error. Developmental researchers consistently note that these experiences help children build confidence, adaptability, and resilience over time. Studies in child psychology and education suggest that independent experiences allow children
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Friday Focus – February 13, 2026
FRIDAY FOCUSHere’s a look at the happenings across Central 301 this week: CHS Earns AP School Honor Roll RecognitionCentral High School was named to the AP School Honor Roll for expanding access to Advanced Placement courses and supporting students on the path to college success. This national recognition highlights a strong commitment to opportunity, readiness,
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Central 301 FFA Students Earn Top Honors at State Competitions
Central High School’s FFA students delivered an outstanding performance at last Friday’s Illinois FFA state contests, earning top finishes and individual recognition across multiple Career Development Events (CDEs). In the Veterinary Science CDE, the Central team captured 1st place in the state out of 46 teams. The competition challenges students through breed, parasite, and equipment
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100 Days at Lily Lake!
Lily Lake First Graders Celebrate the 100th Day of School The 100th day of school brought plenty of smiles and hands-on learning to Lily Lake Grade School, as first graders celebrated the milestone with a day full of creativity, curiosity, and fun. Mrs. Jennifer Weibler’s class marked the occasion with a series of interactive activities
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REWIRED: Mental Health Research
REWIRED: What the Research Says About Mental Health Over the past decade, researchers across the United States and other developed countries have documented significant shifts in adolescent mental health. Large-scale studies show notable increases in reported anxiety, depression, loneliness, and emotional distress among children and teens — particularly beginning around 2010–2012, the same period smartphones
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Friday Focus – February 6, 2026
FRIDAY FOCUSHere’s a look at the happenings across Central 301 this week: Outside Recess Is Back!Big news! Recess was outside this week! With more tolerable temperatures, students enjoyed fresh air and playtime — and yes, teachers may have been cheering all the way from HBT to Elgin. Dance Makes History, Cheer Up NextAfter a 2nd
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CHS Earns AP School Honor Roll Recognition
Central High School has been named to the AP® School Honor Roll for the 2024–25 school year, a national recognition from the College Board honoring schools that expand access to Advanced Placement coursework while supporting students on the path to college success. The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools that are committed to welcoming more
