Page 21 - 5890 PEOMG Issue 4 Flipbook

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thePeorian.com
Commentary that is
sometimes funny, sometimes
edgy and always timely.
Read Paul Gordon’s blog:
Rated PG
ThePeorian.com
When Carl Cannon took his
ELITE Youth Program to Trewyn
School, the first non-high school
to have the program, he knew
he was going into District 150’s
worst performing school.
It was also the school in the
city’s lowest income district and
he found the needs there went be-
yond teaching children to respect
others as well as themselves. For
instance, to help the students at
Trewyn adapt to being in a K-8
environment — including older
children mingling with young
children — the district estab-
lished a system whereby each
grade is color coded and will
wear a certain uniform so as to
better distinguish one from the
other.
The problem is, not many of
the students or their families can
afford the uniforms, Cannon said.
That’s why he chose the Peoria
Public Schools Foundation to re-
ceive the $10,000 award from The
Peorian if he is selected as winner
of the inaugural The Peorian of
the Year Award.
He would specify the money
be used to buy uniforms for the
students of Trewyn School.
“We had to scrimp and beg this
year to get enough uniforms for
these kids and I’m still not sure
we got enough. At that school,
uniforms are critical,” he said.
For more information about the
Peoria Public Schools Foundation go
to its website at www.ppsfoundation.
org, email Foundation@psd150.org or
call (309) 672-6738.
ELITE Youth Program
Local Not-For-Profit chosen by Carl Cannon
During the month of April,
trees on Pioneer Parkway will blooming
with bright blue ribbons. April is Child Abuse Awareness Month
and to raise awareness on this problem businesses up and down
Pioneer Parkway will be decorating trees with bright blue ribbons.
Along with raising awareness, the trees will also bring a sense of
community to those who travel through or work in the area.