Villivalam measure to provide schools with cultural and religious calendar dates
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SPRINGFIELD — To assist schools in scheduling major school or athletic events, State Senator Ram Villivalam is sponsoring a measure that would require the Illinois State Board of Education to provide calendar dates indicating when a portion of students may be absent due to cultural or religious reasons.
“Our communities are diverse, which means there are numerous days throughout the academic year where different students may be absent for cultural or religious reasons,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “Yet students are having to make challenging decisions such as having to miss a sporting event because it was scheduled on a religious or cultural holiday.”
Currently, the Illinois State Board of Education provides a guide for school districts regarding attendance days, holidays, special circumstances and frequently asked questions about school calendars.
Read more: Villivalam measure to provide schools with cultural and religious calendar dates
Murphy’s measure aims to increase safety in school zones
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SPRINGFIELD – Children who walk to and from school would be safer under a new proposal from State Senator Laura Murphy.
“School zones should be the safest places for children, but distracted drivers and speeders pose a hazard that needs to be addressed,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “Installing flashing beacons at crosswalks is a simple, effective way to prevent accidents and protect students and their parents on their daily commutes.”
Senate Bill 1941 allows local governments to install rapidly flashing beacons at pedestrian crosswalks near elementary and secondary schools. These beacons activate when pedestrians use the crosswalk, alerting drivers to their presence.
Read more: Murphy’s measure aims to increase safety in school zones
Feigenholtz advances measure to expand leave for short-term teachers
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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Sara Feigenholtz is leading a measure that would allow short-term teachers to take family and medical leave.
“Illinois has been tackling the ongoing teacher shortage for years – and this is another step in the right direction,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “We should be encouraging people to become educators, not holding them back.”
Senate Bill 1584 would permit the Illinois State Board of Education to make rules allowing for extensions to short-term approval licenses if the licensee has taken leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act during the time they were licensed under short-term approval.
Read more: Feigenholtz advances measure to expand leave for short-term teachers
Hastings advances measure to make schools safer
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SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings is sponsoring a measure that would ensure schools have standardized plans and procedures in the event of a safety threat.
“Across the country we are seeing a rise in emergency events at schools,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “It is concerning to see that there is no standardized procedure for schools to follow if an emergency occurs.”
Senate Bill 2057 would require the State Board of Education to provide school districts with standards for a school district's threat assessment procedures. The bill would allow ISBE and the Office of the State Fire Marshall to create new rules that guide school districts, private schools, and first responders on how to develop threat assessment procedures, rapid entry response plans, and cardiac emergency response plans.
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