New Lace School Principal Hired

Erin Dwyer was officially hired by the District 61 school board Tuesday night.

The Darien Public School District #61 school board Tuesday night hired Erin Dwyer to be Lace Elementary School's principal beginning on July 1, according to a release from the district's administration. Dwyer, who is currently serving her first year as the principal at Westchester Intermediate School in Westchester, has worked in education for 10 years, beginning as a second-grade teacher at Fairview School in Darien.  She also taught at Forest Park School District 91, where she eventually became an assistant principal at Field Stevenson School. She served as an acting principal at Field Stevenson, as well. "Ms. Dwyer has been described as the type of person who 'exercises great judgment in any context and situation,'" the District 61 …

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Lace Principal To Shave Head if Students Reach Reading Goal

The Lace Elementary School Bulldog Reading Challenge will pit Darien parents and teachers against students to see which group can reach the goal of reading 8,000 accelerated reading books.

On Tuesday, Lace Elementary School Principal Marty Casey announced that he would shave his head wearing a White Sox T-shirt if students met the goals of an all-school reading incentive program this year. "Shaving my head is a small price to pay for increasing the time our students spend reading," said Casey. In an assembly Tuesday morning, Casey announced the "Lace School Bulldog Reading Challenge." During the 2012-2013 school year, students will work to reach the goal of reading 8,000 Accelerated Reading (A.R.) books. Students will need to pass the A.R. assessments connected with each book. Students who read 3 A.R. books in one month will be entered into a raffle for prizes. Ten prizes will be rewarded to raffle winners each month. The …

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Names in the News: Joey Bonanotte Named New Assistant Principal of Lace Elementary

The Lace Elementary band teacher assumed his new role last Wednesday.

New Assistant Principal Named at Lace Elementary

Students will find out today that Joey Bonanotte will be their new assistant principal

Joey Bonanotte, who has taught band at Lace Elementary School in Darien for the past seven years, has been named the school's new assistant principal. Although the decision was made final on Tuesday, Bonanotte has been learning the ropes of the position for the past three years, having been a part of District 61's administrative internship program. "Joey’s going to be a great asset here. He’s very involved in the school, has a great connection with parents, staff and students. His high energy style and work ethic is beyond reproach," said Lace Elementary School Principal Marty Casey. "It was a kind of a logical choice for him to be selected." Bonanotte, a Homewood resident, moves into the position vacated by Amy Brundage after she moved to…

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Names in the News: Lace Elementary School Receives $1,000

The school received the award for having the most participants in the race.

Lace School Awarded $1,000 for Darien Dash Participation

The school received the award for having the most participants in the race.

Marty Casey, the principal for Lace Elementary School in Darien, was presented a check for $1,000 from the Darien Chamber of Commerce Monday night. The school received the award at Monday night's City Council meeting for having the most participants in the Darien Dash this year. The Darien Dash is held every year on the third Sunday in May. The race is organized by the Darien Chamber of Commerce and raises funds for the community of Darien and it surrounding communities. "[The race] brings the whole Lace school together—the staff, students and parents all have a common goal to work for ... We set a goal each year of having the most participation of each school in the community," said Casey. Casey estimated that 120 students in grades three…

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Lace Elementary School Supply Lists for Grades 3-5

Avoid the last-minute rush by finding out what supplies your child needs on the first day of school, which is Thursday, Aug. 23 for students in Darien Public School District 61.

Following are lists of school supplies needed by students in grades 3-5 at Lace Elementary School this year, according to the district website.  Third Grade Fourth Grade Fifth Grade

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Yo Yo Masters, Cup Stackers and Flamenco Dancers at Lace Talent Show

Watch the Patch video of all the kid stars showcased Tuesday at Lace School.

You gotta be brave to get up on stage in front of a roomful of kids, but 22 students had the guts to do it Tuesday at Lace School's Talent Show. We captured video clips of each of the performers to give you a sampling of the great talent on display. Also, check out the extended version of Agne G.'s stirring rendition of "Memory" from the musical Cats.

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Amazing Fourth-Grader Sings Perfect Rendition of "Memory"

Agne G. shared her spectacular gift Tuesday at Lace Elementary School's talent show.

When you see a fourth-grader take the stage, you don't expect to hear a voice like this. But Agne G. mesmerized the audience of classmates and teachers Tuesday at the Lace School talent show. She sang a stunning, pitch-perfect version of "Memory" from the musical Cats. We'll have more video tomorrow of the rest of the talented kids who performed Tuesday, but for now enjoy this preview of a truly gifted young girl. Get Darien Patch delivered to your inbox with our daily newsletter. Follow Darien Patch on Facebook for updates throughout the day.

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District 61 Adds Four Positions for 2012-13 School Year

The board's vote means Lace School could rehire two teachers whose jobs were eliminated for the upcoming school year.

After cutting six positions in March, the District 61 School Board voted unanimously Tuesday to add four staff members. Lace School will get one third- and one fourth-grade teacher, while Eisenhower Junior High will hire a PE teacher and a guidance counselor  The PE teacher and guidance counselor roles are new positions. The move means, however, the district may rehire some Lace employees whose positions were eliminated for the 2012-13 school year. The latest enrollment reports show the schools will have more students next year than previously expected.  Adding third- and fourth-grade teachers would enable Lace to have seven sections at each of those grade levels. It would reduce the third-grade class size to 23 from 27 and lower the …

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