As incoming freshmen entered the halls of East Peoria Community High School last week, they were welcomed by a new program aimed at easing the transition into high school, and a mural to represent it all.

“I think it brightens up the hallway and makes it kind of unique for them,” said EPCHS art teacher Kristen Berry of the mural that she said is about 200 feet long.

As Alex Roberts begins her senior year at East Peoria Community High School, she is already looking forward to Christmas break.

Above, students at East Peoria Community High School walk down the hallway last week in the new addition at the school.

“It’s going great,” said principal Paul Whittington of the students’ transition to the renovated area.

District 309 school board members passed a tentative budget of nearly $16.7 million for the 2010-11 school year at its meeting Monday night and learned the most pressing issue regarding the budget is timely state funding.

Currently, the state owes the district about $800,000, which will go toward the general fund account. 

East Peoria Community High School Fee Pay days are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 10 and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 11 in the new cafeteria.

 

With summer more than halfway over, it’s not too soon to start thinking about back to school preparations.

For East Peoria School District 86, students need the following exams: all kindergartners need a physical, dental and eye exam, all second graders need a dental exam, all sixth graders need a physical exam and all children grades seventh through 12th participating in sports need an annual sports physical.
 

Zachary Peterson, who will be a junior at East Peoria Community High School, is spending his summer vacation abroad — but he is leaving mom and dad at home.

Peterson is one of a group of 22 area teenagers participating in Friends of Friedrichshafen, a Peoria-based youth exchange program.

Allison Eckberg, 7, of East Peoria, reads to Sara, a Border Collie Mix, and Kim Lister, a volunteer with the Peoria Humane Society, Monday afternoon at Fondulac District Library.

Students at Illinois Central College have a new career option beginning this fall.

ICC is partnering with Lincoln Christian University to offer a “two plus two” program for students to obtain a degree in ministry. Students begin the program by completing two years of pre-ministry at ICC and transferring to LCU to complete a bachelor’s degree in Community Transformation Ministry.

Cliff Cobert attended his last school board meeting as superintendent of East Peoria District 309 Monday.

Cobert, who has been with the district for nine years, said he plans on traveling and spending more time with his grandchildren.

Even as a young child, East Peoria native Jonathan Friday had an interest in everything Walt Disney.

The cartoons, theme parks and most of all, the creativity, which embodies Disney, quickly became a passion of his.  

“I remember picking up a coffee table book when I was little and was just fascinated by the art and how engineers came up with everything that is in the park,” 22-year-old Friday said.

While many members of East Peoria Community High School’s Class of 2010 were busy preparing for graduation Saturday, their valedictorian was competing at the Class 2A girl’s track and field sectional in Rock Island.

At the top of her class, Cassie Lohmeier said she has always felt a connection between her athletic and academic careers at EPCHS.

1. Class Gift: Presented by Cassie Boehm, class president, the class donated $800 for a new mural to be placed in the new building.  “It’s a unique gift, given by a  unique class,” she said.

2. Class Motto: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it.”
— Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

Although in its 23rd year, East Peoria Community High School’s Project Graduation has not lost its momentum.

The all-night event May 15, which caters to graduating seniors, has raised nearly $8,000 this year, according to event leader and teacher Zach Fleming. Last year, $7,000 was raised. 

A group of third graders at Bolin School recently gave up their student status to try their hands as businessmen and businesswomen.

Kelli Higgins’ class received a $200 mini-grant from the East Peoria District 86 Foundation to help fund an economics unit. Higgins used the funds to take a hands-on approach in teaching her students the basics of starting and running a business.

After creating a bird out of recyclable materials, 9-year-old Brett Lambrich, of East Peoria, said he learned a valuable lesson.

“Don’t pollute,” he said, holding his bird made out of a soda bottle, plastic forks and bottle caps. “My favorite part was putting the bottle caps inside.”

East Peoria Community High School will host the third annual “Green” carnival from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the new high school cafeteria.

The event will be focused on environmentalism and is specifically geared toward families of children in grades K-8.

One prom ticket — $35, a dress or tux — $200, beauty and accessories — $50. 
A night full of memories?

Not exactly priceless, but for most area students, the cost is worth it in the end.
Recently, prom committees from four area schools — East Peoria, Morton, Washington and Illinois Valley Central — answered questions about the cost of prom. 

East Peoria Community High School students danced the night away Saturday at this year’s prom at Embassy Suites. This year's theme was "Once Upon A Dream."

What to share your prom pictures? E-mail them to eptc@timestoday.com

About 200 students took part in the International Edible Book Festival last week at East Peoria Community High School.