Elmhurst Awash in Blue Ribbons

Lincoln and Bryan schools, recognized nationally for high achievement, prepare for pep rallies this week.

Elmhurst residents driving around town may have wondered why blue ribbons were tied around parkway trees near Lincoln Elementary School and Bryan Middle School recently. It's all in preparation for a big celebration this week. School officials learned back in September that Lincoln and Bryan were named National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education. The schools were honored in the "Exemplary High Performing" category. The program recognizes both public and private schools at all levels, from elementary to high school. Only 21 schools in Illinois and 269 schools nationwide earned Blue Ribbon Awards. Earlier this month, Lincoln Principal Kathleen Tomei, Lincoln third-grade teacher Barb Clancy, Bryan Principal John Glimco …

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Letter to the Editor

Letter: Ella's Dad Offers His Heartfelt Thanks to the Community

Lincoln Elementary School teacher Michael Casten and his family meet the day-to-day challenges of caring for his sick little girl with the help of so many.

Dear Elmhurst community, residents and businesses, My name is Michael Casten. I am a father of three beautiful children, one of them being Ella Casten. I work for Elmhurst District 205 as an elementary school teacher. Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 has employed me since 2001. Ella was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 2 in early August of 2011. Up until that point my wife and I had never heard of the disease.  We had no idea what we were up against.  SMA is a progressive, degenerative, terminal, neuromuscular disease that affects one in 6,000 live births. One in 40 people are carriers of the recessive gene responsible for this devastating disease. It has been named the No. 1 genetic killer of children (under …

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Michael Casten

7:22 am on Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Thank you Renee...   more ›