Arcada Helps Parents, Students With Thompson Graduation in St. Charles

Middle school “graduation” ceremonies in St. Charles were conducted for the last time a year ago, but there are some residents who would like to change that, and they are pressing local school officials to bring back the milestone celebration, the Kane County Chronicle reports.

St. Charles Community Unit School District 303 held its last graduation ceremonies for eighth-graders in 2012, a decision that had been made two years earlier, although each middle school is allowed to plan its own eighth-grade celebration.

The Chronicle citeds the school district as noting there is a yearbook signing and luncheon for eighth-graders Monday at Thompson Middle School, and Haines Middle School is having a breakfast and honors assembly for eighth-graders Tuesday.

But Lisa Breen, a parent of a Thompson student, told the Chronicle that parents have planned a celebration Monday night with the help of the community — and Ron Onesti at the Arcada Theatre.

“Our celebration all started with the generosity of Mr. Ron Onesti from the Arcada Theatre,” Breen told the Chronicle. “I inquired about cost and availability, and Mr. Onesti graciously offered his time and use of the Arcada Theatre.”

See the full Kane County Chronicle story at http://www.kcchronicle.com/2013/05/29/parents-community-rally-to-give-eighth-graders-ceremony/afmtla2/.