DuPage Children’s Museum pilots new play exhibit in East Asia; the park district’s weekly children’s lunchtime entertainment returns; Senior Task Force accepts nominations for senior year – Chicago Tribune
DuPage Children’s Museum pilots new play exhibit in East Asia
Children and their families can celebrate East Asian culture through a new play exhibit at the DuPage Children’s Museum in Naperville.
“A Taste of East Asia” will be open Saturday, June 15, through Friday, July 26, at the museum, 301 N. Washington St.
As part of the exhibit, kids can prepare, cook and serve pretend food to their families. All items are representations of East Asian ingredients and designed to celebrate East Asian culture, museum officials said. The exhibit also features aroma jars that contain real spices that are the basis of East Asian cuisine.
People connect with other cultures through food, so by incorporating activities around food and the regions of origin of dishes, children can expand their views of the world, officials said.
The new exhibit also incorporates a combination of fine motor activities and increased gross motor exploration, a press release said.
Mark Kodiak Ukena/Pioneer Press
Jeanie B. will perform at a free lunchtime children’s entertainment program held Tuesday at the 95th Street Community Plaza, 3109 Cedar Glade Drive. (Mark Kodiak Ukena)
Park District’s weekly children’s lunchtime entertainment returns
The Naperville Park District’s weekly lunchtime children’s entertainment series will run at 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays through mid-July.
Every week, a new artist provides free family entertainment for about 45 minutes.
On June 18, the featured presenter is children’s musician Jeanie B., who will be at the 95th Street Community Plaza, 3109 Cedar Glade Drive.
The following week, the duo Wendy and DB will perform on June 25th at the Riverwalk Grand Pavilion, 912 Honorary Sindt Memorial Court, behind Centennial Beach.
Musician Ben Tatar performs on July 2 at the 95th Street Community Plaza and the musical group Scribble Monster takes the stage on July 9 at the Riverwalk. The series ends on July 16th with the Leonardo family musician at the 95th Street Community Plaza.
For more information, visit www.napervilleparks.org.
Senior Task Force Accepts Final Year Nominations
The Senior Task Force is seeking nominations for the Naperville Senior Citizen of the Year award through Aug. 31.
Nominees must be 65 or older and Naperville residents with a history of community service, a news release said.
Nominations may include supporting documents such as newspaper articles or letters of support along with the nomination form. Information about the senior’s volunteer or community service, leadership roles in civic or charitable organizations, professional career, and family should be included in the description.
The winner will be announced at 7pm on Tuesday, October 15th at the Naperville City Council meeting.
For a nomination form or more information, visit naperville.il.us/government/taskforces/senior-task-force or call Gallagher at 630-362-5105.
Email the nomination form and any supporting documentation to John Gallagher, Senior Task Force Member, at jjmg4423@comcast.net or mail to John Gallagher, 23W271 Creek Court, Naperville, IL 60540-9430.
Naperville District 203 welcomes several new administrators
Naperville School District 203 hired several new district administrators starting July 1.
Mark Cohen will be the new deputy superintendent of secondary schools.
He began his 25-year educational career as a physics teacher in Lincoln-Way High School District 210. In 18 years at Lincoln-Way, he worked as a teacher, department head, dean, assistant principal and principal. His other leadership roles have included assistant superintendent at Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 and superintendent at Mokena School District 159.
Katie M. Matthews has been hired as assistant superintendent of elementary education.
Matthews has 21 years of experience in elementary education, beginning her career as a fifth-grade teacher in St. Charles School District 303. Her previous leadership roles included principal of Grove Avenue in Barrington School District 220 and principal of Willow Creek Elementary School in Woodridge School District 68. She also served as assistant principal at several schools in Arlington Heights School District 25.
Melissa McHenry is the new assistant superintendent of student services.
McHenry’s entire career has been with District 203, starting as a learning behavior specialist, a position he held for 10 years. She was later named head of the special education department at Naperville North High School and then assistant principal at Meadow Glens Elementary School. Since 2021, she has been director of student services.
Meredith Haugens has been named assistant superintendent of human resources.
She was a 4th and 5th grade teacher, as well as an elementary and middle school assistant principal, high school principal, and assistant superintendent of human resources in Marquardt District 15.
Maribel Guerrero, the district’s dual language coordinator, has been promoted to director of language acquisition. Guerrero also previously served as a learning support coach and dual language teacher at Mill Street Elementary School.
Kristen Caprarola will be the new principal of Lincoln Junior High School. She is currently its assistant director.
