Five Things to Know Today: Sept. 28

1. VVSD Early Childhood Program to be Featured in Video

Early Childhood Center will be the focal point of a video that will be used nationally to help other early childhood centers and programs  better understand the "best practices" of educating pre-school age children.

A representative of the Center for Social Emotional Foundations for Early Learning, a federally funded project through the Office of Head Start and Early childhood, visited VVSD's Early Childhood Center earlier this month to capture Early Childhood Center teachers in action and to interview parents about the Center's best practices and how it has made a difference in the lives of their child. 

"They chose us because they know what great work we do," said ECC Principal Donna Nylander, adding that VVECC will be the only facility in the country featured on the video. "When you walk into this building, you feel the positive, successful relationship between staff, students and parents, and that's one of the things they want to capture."

Nylander credits VVECC's success to the "positive approach" working with students that has been in place since the staff was trained in this positive philosophy in 2006 at its current site behind VVSD's Administration Center.

"We take children at the age of 3 or 4 and we teach them skills and strategies to be successful in life regarding their social development and it change their lives," she said. "Everyone talks about early intervention. I like to think the sooner we start the farther they go. We're giving them skills for life."

Every faculty and staff member, as well as every VVECC family, will receive a free copy of the video.

2. BHS Girls Volleyball Team Headed to Tournament in Moline

The girls volleyball team will be traveling to Moline for the United Township Volleyball Tournament, which runs Oct. 7 through Oct. 8.

The Valley View school board approved the trip last night at its regularly scheduled board meeting.

The board also approved a trip for the BHS ROTC program, which will take approximately 100 cadets to Marseilles Army National Guard Training Center in Marseilles for its annual Encampment.

3. 

Senior citizens are invited to become acquainted with more than four dozen agencies during a morning designed to make their lives easier.

Will County Executive Larry Walsh will host a free Senior Fair from 9 a.m. to noon on Oct. 5 at the IBEW 176 Hall, 1100 NW Frontage Road.

Agencies ranging from the Alzheimer’s Association and Senior Services Center to the Illinois Attorney General and Secretary of State offices will be on hand, as well agencies dealing with healthcare, transportation and senior living.

Will County offices and departments scheduled to participate are the Auditor, Circuit Clerk, Community Health Center, County Clerk, Forest Preserve District, Health Departments, Recorder, Sheriff, State’s Attorney, Supervisor of Assessments, Sunny Hill Nursing Home and Veterans Assistance Commission.

For more on this event, click .

4. Fountaindale to Hold  Program

Have a family member or friend that is suffering from stress? Or maybe you think you're too stressed because of kids, work, etc.?

Head over to the for a new free program called Recognizing and Treating Stress, which will be held at 7 p.m. tonight. 

At the event, Dr. Sheila Rao and therapist Cheryl Frost will discuss the symptoms of stress and how to treat it.

5. Quantum Foods Announces 2011 Bleka Award Winner

Quantum Foods LLC, one of the world’s largest and most technologically advanced food processors, announced today that Izabela Jachymiak was selected as recipient of the company’s 2011 “Bleka Award.”  The annual award is the highest recognition bestowed upon a Quantum Foods employee.

The “Bleka Award” was presented to Izabela Jachymiak at a recognition dinner held on Saturday, September 24, at The Signature Room at the 95th located atop the John Hancock Center.  She was selected from a group of 23 nominees.  All the nominees, their guests and Quantum Foods senior management participated in the award event.

The “Bleka Award” recognizes a Quantum Foods employee who consistently demonstrates the attributes that are most valued by Edward Bleka, Quantum Foods President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and its founder.  The attributes that Bleka utilized in building the company are namely, hard work, pride in the quality of work, customer service, honesty, integrity, loyalty and commitment.

Quantam Foods LLC is based in Bolingbrook.