Oswego-based School District 308 is inviting the community to take part in town hall sessions being offered next weekend.
The sessions will be offered at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 11, in the auditorium at Oswego East High School in Oswego according to a District 308 press release.
The sessions will be an opportunity to learn about the district’s Strategic Plan and to provide input on it, officials said.
The Strategic Plan will be presented to the District 308 Board of Education in March, and once approved, will officially take effect in July. There will be annual, measurable objectives set forth to help attain the goals spelled out in the plan, district officials said.
To register to attend one of the sessions and to learn more about the Strategic Plan, go to the district’s website at https://www.sd308.org/ and click on the “Our Story” section.
Batavia library offers Winter Challenge
Batavia Public Library is offering the Winter Challenge, a reading and activity club that qualifies participants to win prizes, through Jan. 31.
The program for teens and adults is strictly a reading club, according to a press release from the library. Participants read or listen to books, then log them to earn prizes. For infants and children through 14 years old, Winter Challenge combines reading and completing activities to earn points, officials said. Those points add up and qualify children to earn prizes too, officials said.
For every three books read by adults and teens, participants will earn one free book as a prize. Adult and teen Batavia Public Library cardholders who participate also will earn raffle tickets for grand prize drawings each time they submit a completed reading log, according to the release. Patrons may turn in a maximum of 10 logs.
Along with books of all genres, prizes include a $50 Kane County Cougars gift certificate, $75 gift certificate to The Comedy Vault and a prize basket from local businesses for adults and teens. Prize baskets for children include the “Let it Snow,” “Get in the Game” and “I Scream for Ice Cream” baskets, the release stated.
Through Jan. 31, participants will record their reading and activity accomplishments on the Beanstack app. Participants may fill out paper logs, instead, and return those to one of the library’s service desks.
Reading logs and activity sheets are available at the library, 10 S. Batavia Ave., and on the library’s website, bataviapubliclibrary.org/winter-challenge-2025.
All Winter Challenge points must be earned and entered on Beanstack, or turned in to the Youth Services or Reference desks at the library, by 5 p.m. Jan. 31, according to the release.
Library exhibits work by local artist
During January and February, the St. Charles Public Library is hosting an art exhibit by Caitlin Palagi, a local artist who specializes in oil paintings.
A special artist’s reception with Palagi will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 12, in the Bisbee Conference Room at the library, 1 S. Sixth Ave. in St. Charles.
Palagi is an active member of her local arts community from planning to painting, library officials said in a press release. Her artwork has been shown at local libraries and galleries in the Chicago area, and can also be found in her customers’ homes as well as local business establishments spanning from Long Boat Key, Florida, to St. Charles, library officials said.
She is a resident artist and instructor at Water Street Studios in Batavia, and a visiting artist for CAPE, Chicago Arts Partnership in Education, according to the release.
The exhibit of Palagi’s artwork can be seen anytime the library is open. For more information, go to scpld.org or call 630-584-0076, Ext. 240.
Bands sought to play Last Fling
Naperville Jaycees Last Fling organizers are seeking bands to play during its annual Labor Day weekend festival.
Musical artist submissions will be accepted online through Friday, Jan. 31, at LastFling.org/JacksonStage, a news release said. No other form of application will be accepted.
Applicants are required to provide the name of the act, contact name and phone number, performance price, music sample (including a video or YouTube link) and confirmation of availability between Aug. 29 and Sept. 1. Bands must have 90 to 120 minutes of material to be considered, the release said.
