Education Matters: Governor French makes change to not-for-profit

Governor French Academy’s operations are under a new system in which it will be run by its faculty. The transition has been years in the making, said Headmaster Philip E. Paeltz in a news release.

The Academy has moved from being a closely held, subchapter-S corporation to a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, The College of Governor French. The 2015 graduation was the Academy’s first as a not-for-profit.

Members of the faculty and administration who have been with the school for at least three years are part of the cooperative that runs the operations. Paeltz continues as headmaster; Jeff Redman is the president of the board.

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Kids may still be celebrating the start of summer, but the Illinois PTA - Southern Region is already gearing up for school. Register now for the Back-to-School Backpack and Supplies Handout from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 1 at Christ Church, 339 Frank Scott Parkway. They’ll have entertainment, dental exams and more at the free event. Go to http://www.illinoispta.org/ or call 618-792-4570 for more information.

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Lydia Taylor, of Belleville West High School, won an award at the Illinois History Expo on May 7 in Springfield. She was among 1,200 who attended the annual event; students qualified in regional history fairs.

Taylor won the Elijah Lovejoy Award, a special award from the Illinois Press Association, for her research paper “The Influence of Muckrakers in Illinois.”

The state began the history expo about 60 years go with research papers.

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Join the Astronomy Club of SWIC this summer to find out more about space. The club welcomes the public for a free session from 4 to 5 p.m. June 16 at the SWIC Belleville Campus, 2500 Carlyle Ave., in Main Complex Room 1040. A viewing session will be held after the event, weather permitting.

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Jakob Bolton, son of Philip and Denese Bolton in O’Fallon, has earned the Eagle Scout award, and was to be honored at a ceremony on May 31. Jake’s Eagle Scout project was demolishing and rebuilding a camp kiosk sign and refurbishing the horse shoe pits at Scott Air Force Base campgrounds. Jake graduated from O’Fallon Township High School with honors and plans to attend Illinos State University and study marketing and communications.

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The Rotary Club of Swansea chose Ryan Riggs of High Mount and John Dori of Wolf Branch as students of the month. Ryan, son of Peg and Robert Riggs, and John, son of Candace and Michael Dori, each received a $50 gift card to Outback Steakhouse. The boys were recognized for their excellence in academics, and extra curricular and civic activities.

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World Heritage International, formerly known as Spanish Heritage, is looking for host families for exchange students coming this fall. Students are screened and receive scholarships throught the U.S. State Department’s Future Leaders Excahnge Program, according to a news release.

Students are from Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and more. Call 800-888-9040 or go online to www.whhots.com for more information.

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Illinois State Police troopers are registering teens age 13 to 16 now for a youth camp. The 10th annual camp has military-style discipline and features para-military drills and physical fitness as well as classroom instruction. The weeklong resident camp begins July 12 at Principia College in Elsah.

The state police say the most important part of the camp is to establish a better relationship between the youth and law enforcement, to allow officers from around the area to mentor the teens and encourage better behavior. Last year’s camp had instruction in CPR, as well as an inmate from the St. Clair County Jail discussing the bad choices that had led to his incarceration.

Registration for the camp is due by June 22, but space is limited and it’s first-come, first-served, says Trooper Calvin Dye Jr. of the Illinois State Police. For a registration packet, email Dye at calvin_dye@isp.state.il.us. The camp costs $20, and is sponsored by area businesses and agencies.

This story was originally published June 2, 2015 at 3:50 PM with the headline "Education Matters: Governor French makes change to not-for-profit."