With financial support from the Chillicothe Foundation, Chillicothe Circle of Service was able to purchase a playground flower drum for each of the five grade schools (Calvary Baptist, CEC, Mossville, South and St. Ed’s) in District 321’s area. The idea was born when a special needs child attended a September, 2022, meeting, and the club realized there was a need for playground equipment which could be used by all students, including those physically handicapped. Manufactured in England, the steel drums have an attached mallet and six tones, so students could compose their own song or just enjoy its musical features. The drum has been set up at Mossville, where students wait in line to take turns to play it. We’re told it’s a big hit! Installation of the drum at the other grade schools will happen soon. 

In September, Chillicothe Circle of Service welcomed Pat Auge, Director of the IVC Learning Center, as their guest speaker. Pat thanked the organization for inviting him to share the background and purpose of the Learning Center. Briefly stated, IVC had been bussing and paying tuition for a number of at-risk students to attend the Peoria County Alternative School at Wildlife Prairie Park. This changed when a state grant allowed District 321 to bring these students back into the district in the 2017–2018 school year and provide them with the support needed to finish their high school education at IVC. 

The IVC Learning Center is a place for students who have fallen behind in their regular studies, who face truancy or severe anxiety issues, or who have dropped out of school. It is not a hiding place for “bad kids” with behavioral issues. The school offers regular high school classes (English, science, math, computer science, art, history, etc.), sometimes transporting students back to IVC High School for courses not offered at the Learning Center. Classes are blended—some online, some with a traditional teacher in the classroom—and usually limited to six to eight students per class. This is an optional program currently attended by 27 students, and they will graduate with the rest of the IVC seniors once they have successfully completed their studies. 

Although it’s not perfect because a few students still don’t succeed, this is a wonderful success story in our own backyard! For more information on the Learning Center, visit their website https://lc.ivcschools.com. Congratulations District 321, IVC High School, and the Learning Center for working diligently to support all students.