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Dr. Brian Harris to retire in June 2021? Don’t count it.

June 3, 2020 by Barrington Hills Observer

Dr. Brian Harris

District 220 issued the following release this morning:

At its June 2 meeting, the Board of Education shared that after more than 30 years in public education, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian Harris will retire at the end of his contract on June 30, 2021. Dr. Harris has served as the Barrington 220 Superintendent of Schools for the past six years. “Barrington 220 is an exemplary, student-focused district that ‘inspires all learners to achieve excellence’. It has been exciting to lead and live that vision every day,” Dr. Harris said.

The Board plans to discuss the search process for Barrington 220’s new superintendent at its next regularly scheduled meeting on June 16. Dr. Harris said he looks forward to working with the Board during the 2020-21 school year to incorporate a smooth transition. “Dr. Harris will leave big shoes to fill,” said Board President Penny Kazmier. “His leadership and contributions to Barrington 220 are too many to count.”

We’ll have much more on this oh so predictable move when time allows.

Posted in 220, Board of Education, District 220 referendum, Property Taxes, School Districts | 1 Comment »

Signal Hill, NSDAR Chapter Members ‘Soldier On’

June 3, 2020 by Barrington Hills Observer

Project Patriot Troop Care Package prepared by Signal Hill, NSDAR Chapter for active- duty deployed military.

In a time of pandemic and shelter-in-place orders, members of the Barrington-area Signal Hill, NSDAR Chapter continue to “soldier on” in their mission (via Zoom to social distance) while serving others.

The chapter is currently focusing on the DAR “Patriot Project” sending care packages to active-duty deployed military both here and abroad. Some of the care packages will be sent to a military working dog section deployed overseas, while other care packages will be sent to active-duty military service men and women who are helping communities deal with the pandemic. DAR members are collecting candy, snacks of all kinds, coffee, tea and creamers, and a wide variety of personal hygiene products for the care packages. Each package will also include a hand-written note of appreciation to thank each one for their service.

The Signal Hill, NSDAR Chapter is continuing its work under the officers for 2020-2021: Joyce Wright, Regent; Kathy Boyle, 1st Vice Regent; Jenny Fisher, Registrar; Donna Cardwell, Treasurer; Lynne Backer, Librarian; Lynn Watters, Chaplain; Diane Scholten, Recording Secretary; and Lisa Davis, Historian.

The Signal Hill Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) was founded in Barrington, IL in 1972. NSDAR is a volunteer women’s service organization headquartered in Washington, DC. Since its founding in 1890, more than one million women have joined both nationally and around the world. The local Barrington Chapter raises funds throughout the year and distributes them to 501 (c) (3) organizations whose missions support that of NSDAR: historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Membership in NSDAR is open to any woman age 18 and over who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution. For more information: signalhilldar.com.

Posted in Organizations, Topics Of Interest | Leave a Comment »

District 220 unsure of plan for start of 2020-2021 school year

June 2, 2020 by Barrington Hills Observer

“Due to the uncertainty of the pandemic, the district is currently preparing three plans for the start of the 2020-21 school year in the fall:

  • Plan A: re-open school in the fall as normal with new public health guidelines and protocols
  • Plan B: develop a hybrid which would combine Distance Learning instruction with in person instruction, while following strict guidelines as outlined by the CDC (Center for Disease Control), IDPH (Illinois Department of Public Health), and ISBE (Illinois State Board of Education)
  • Plan C: start the year with all Distance Learning instruction

The district expects the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the Illinois Department of Health (IDPH) to release guidelines over the next couple of weeks for the reopening of schools in the fall. Barrington 220 will continue to keep our community updated. In the meantime, we hope everyone stays safe and healthy this summer.”

Posted in 220, Board of Education, District 220 referendum, New Normal?, Pritzker’s Rules of Order, Property Taxes, School Districts | Leave a Comment »

Downtown Barrington businesses welcome workers and customers back as stay-at-home order lifts, using social distancing and sanitary efforts

June 1, 2020 by Barrington Hills Observer

Restaurants, which previously were only able to do pick-up and delivery orders, as of Friday are able to have outdoor seating. Egg Harbor in downtown Barrington already had an outdoor patio and is continuing to use that but had to take out a few tables to make sure there is an adequate amount of social distance, said restaurant manager Timothy Best.

Best said the restaurant implemented having an alarm go off every 15 minutes to signal all employees to stop what they’re doing and wipe down every hard surface. They also have to regularly check that tables are maintaining 6 feet of distance, he said.

Only employees are required to masks, he added, unless a customer goes inside to pick up an order.

“We want the guests to feel comfortable outside. Most guests that are coming outside to dine in are looking for a normal experience … and we’re trying to supply that to the best of our ability right now,” Best said.

Read more here.

Posted in New Normal?, Pritzker’s Rules of Order | Leave a Comment »

Barrington High School salutes class of 2020 grads: ‘We look to your future with hope and admiration’

June 1, 2020 by Barrington Hills Observer

Carolina Aleida Valdes is one of the 773 Barrington High School class of 2020 graduates. The virtual graduation ceremony was broadcast online May 29, 2020 (Elizabeth Owens-Schiele / Pioneer Press)

During a virtual graduation ceremony Friday, Barrington High School Principal Steve McWilliams transported viewers back to a time before COVID-19 disease, remote learning and social distancing, and highlighted the many achievements, accomplishments and awards of the graduating class of 2020.

“Early in the fall, 48 members of the class of 2020 were recognized by the National Merit Scholarship program,” McWilliams said during the pre-recorded ceremony that was broadcast on the Vimeo video social media app.

He also recognized the many successes of students who participated in the school’s dance, music, theater, broadcast and sports programs.

The top college destinations of the 773 graduates, he said, include Indiana University, Loyola University, Purdue University, University of Illinois and Harper College.

Additionally, some students will attend such highly selective schools as Brown University, Carnegie Mellon University, Cornell University, Northwestern University, the University of Chicago and Yale University. McWilliams said 216 members of the graduating class are Illinois State Scholars and six got a 36 on the ACT, the highest score possible.

Read more here. To watch the 2020 BHS graduation ceremony, click here.

Posted in Barrington High School, Pritzker’s Rules of Order | Leave a Comment »

Equestrian Commission meets tonight

June 1, 2020 by Barrington Hills Observer

The Village Equestrian Commission will meet for the first time this year at 6:30 PM at Village Hall. A copy of their agenda and minutes from their last meeting on August 13, 2019 can be viewed and downloaded here.

Posted in Agendas, Animal Welfare, BH Polo Club, Equestrian Commission, Fox River Valley Hunt, FPDCC, Friends of Forest Preserves, FRVPC, Horizon Farms, Horse Boarding, Land Use, Riding Club of BH | Leave a Comment »

Wildlife has returned to the empty Chicago lakefront. It’s a bit like an Eden.

May 31, 2020 by Barrington Hills Observer

Raccoons frolic at Jarvis Bird Sanctuary. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

Say you were to visit the lakefront.

You can’t, of course; the mayor closed the Chicago lakefront on March 26 to recreation, to promote social distancing and slow the spread of coronavirus. But say you could go, right now. What would you see there? What are you missing? Well, I can tell you, and Tribune photographer Jason Wambsgans, he can show you. He got an OK from the city to shoot our beloved stretch of recently-abandoned Chicago. And here’s what’s there:

Nothing. No one.

Just animals, a lot of birds, flora in bloom. Just nature, unimpeded. A steady stillness, a compelling absence of pace. Robins are not playing cards, coyotes have not formed book clubs. Yet raccoons, some waddle up to you in the afternoon. I watched a fish leap high out of a canal, twice, as if delirious with freedom, then splash back, hard and loud.

Read reporter Christopher Borrelli’s accounts of what some of us take for granted here.

Posted in FPDCC, Topics Of Interest | Leave a Comment »

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