Ellis Elementary School teacher Cindy Hettenhausen was named a Peabody Leaders in Education Award winner for the month of October.

"This is a competitive process that recognizes only a few educators throughout the entire St. Louis metro area," Ellis Principal Dave Deets said. "We are so proud of Mrs. Hettenhausen and all that she does for our children at Ellis."

Hettenhausen was presented her award during an assembly Tuesday at the school. She also received a $1,000 check as part of the prize.

Volunteers are sought to read the names of 1,750 fallen veterans from all military conflicts, Revolutionary War to the present, Nov. 9, at McKendree University.

A local Marine helped found an organization called The Fight Continues which has gathered more than a million names of deceased servicemen and servicewomen which will be recited at 600 locations from coast to coast in honor of Veterans Day in an event called "The Reading of the Fallen."

Reading of Illinois veterans' names will begin immediately after a service starting at 11:30 a.m. at the flagpole on the campus quad. Each volunteer will be asked to read about 50 names, which should take about 10 minutes. A bell will be rung after each veteran's name is spoken.

Organizers estimate that the reading of 1,750 names at McKendree will last from noon until about 4 p.m. Anyone interested in participating should email Ruth Rieger at rarieger@mckendree.edu.

The Fight Continues was cofounded by Lance Cpl. James Sperry, a Lebanon resident who was injured in the Battle of Fallujah in the Iraq War and earned two Purple Hearts.

More information about the organization is available at the-fight-continues.com.

East St. Louis School District 189 would like to invite individuals to become members of the Key Communicator Network. Key Communicators are individuals who are interested in District 189 schools, highly visible in the community and/or are willing to effectively communicate their views. Through the Key Communicator Network, the district will share information, gain and collect feedback on program needs, counter misinformation and learn of community concerns.

There will be four meetings during the 2012-13 school year. If you are interested or would like to nominate a community member, contact Kimberly Roberson, director of public information at 618-646-3092 or kimberly.roberson@estl189.com

Illinois State Sen. James Clayborne Jr. and retired District 19 Superintendent Sam McGowen were recognized for their efforts on behalf of schools during the October meeting of the Mascoutah School Board.

Board President Greg Guenther presented a plaque of appreciation to Clayborne in recognition of his efforts in getting Senate Bill 2761 passed in the legislature. The legislation -- dealing with privatized housing and taxation at Scott -- was championed and steered through an arduous legislative process by Clayborne.

"Senator Clayborne's sponsorship and tireless support of Senate Bill 2761 was instrumental in ensuring the bill's passage into law," Guenther said. "As a result, we are assured of adequate funding for quality education programs for our students. He is a champion for all schools. We appreciate his work and value his presence in the Legislature as our senator."

Guenther also recognized McGowen with the presentation of two plaques from the National Association of Federally Impacted Schools and the Military Impacted Schools Association which recognized his 18 years of work to secure federal impact aid. Guenther received the awards on McGowen's behalf during a recent impact aid conference in Washington, D.C.

"One of the things I have tried to do my entire career is thanking those who helped me get awards," McGowen said. "If not for the Board of Education and the community who supported me all these years, I would not have been nearly as successful. I hope school administrators and the Board of Education continue to follow the impact aid program closely. It is a good program for our district."

Do you have an item for Education Matters or a school-related story tip? We want to know about it. Send your ideas to Scott Wuerz at swuerz@bnd.com or call 618-239-2626.