When will the Lombard taxpayers and District 44 parents be told about the plans to have Madison School kindergarten be taught in 90 percent Spanish and 10 percent English with diminishing Spanish/English ratios in the subsequent grades? I heard it was to begin in 2018. When will the details such as who, what, where, when, why, how, cost, benefits and other specifics be made public, before they are finalized and implemented? When will there be taxpayer and parent input? Thank you.

According to Aldo Calderin, assistant superintendent for Human Resources and Public Relations, “There are plans to gradually implement two strands of a dual language enrichment program at Madison Elementary School beginning in the 2018-19 school year. This is a part of the long-range plan that was approved by the [Lombard] Board of Education early this summer. Dual language programs provide mandated bilingual education and a language enrichment option for native English-speaking students. There is no additional cost to the district or taxpayers as the program will replace the current bilingual education program at Madison by 2024. For more information, please refer to the presentations on the district Web site and episodes by Dr. Robey, Annetta Spychalski, and Maria Martin on ‘SchoolScape.’ If you prefer, you may contact Annetta Spychalski or Maria Martin in the District [44] Office.”—JAC

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If you are a frequent reader of obituaries in this or any other area paper, you have no doubt read numerous references to a departed soul’s devotion to the Chicago Cubs. If an obituary mentions that a person was a lifelong Cubs fan, or notes that he or she cherished their trips to Wrigley Field, we can assume the team was a very important part of his or her life. I think that’s one reason why the Cubs’ World Series win means so much to so many people. They can’t follow the Cubs without thinking of a deceased loved one who suffered through a lifetime of disappointment and never lived to see the Cubs win a World Series. This might sound silly to some people, but I’m guessing there are quite a few Cubs fans who will be visiting cemeteries in the coming days to share their joy with someone who is no longer with us.

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Hello, can someone inform me about what is happening at Route 53 just south of St. Charles? Kind of curious as to what’s going on there. Thank you.

Your inquiry was forwarded to officials from the Village of Lombard, who responded: “The Village of Lombard provides residents with an interactive construction map that contains a map of all construction projects currently taking place in Lombard. To find out more about any of these projects, please visit the map at www.villageoflombard.org/constructionmap. The village currently has two projects under construction along Route 53. The village is constructing a new stormwater pumping station at Route 53 and Phillips Court. The pump station will replace the existing pump station on Crescent Boulevard, which was constructed in 1976. This project will assist in managing stormwater for approximately 750 acres of property in the northern section of Lombard. The second project along Route 53, south of St. Charles Road, is the Madison Street and Route 53 Intersection Improvement Project. For information pertaining to this specific project, please visit www.villageoflombard.org/53madison. To view all construction project web pages, please visit www.villageoflombard.org/construction. Please also see the most recent issue of the Pride newsletter for additional information on this, and additional village construction projects. Please feel free to call Lombard Public Works at 630-620-5740.”—JAC

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Editor’s note: For anyone inquiring further about roadwork around Madison Street, Avis Meade, communications coordinator for the Village of Lombard, provided the following information: “Per the village Web site Construction News, the Madison and Route 53 Intersection Improvement includes: widening with hot-mix asphalt pavement, pavement resurfacing, storm sewer, curb and gutter, reconstruction of pavement with full-depth hot-mix asphalt (includes 400 feet of pavement on new profile), sidewalk, intersection signalization, pavement markings, landscaping and all incidental and collateral work necessary to complete the improvement. The roadway surface is being widened at Madison to accommodate the dedicated turn lane at Madison. Outside of the approach to the Madison Street intersection, the pavement will remain a two-lane cross section as it exists today. For information pertaining to this project, please visit www.villageoflombard.org/53madison.”—JAC

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In regard to the person who called in about everything in the newspapers and everywhere in Hispanic being in two languages, you know, our forefathers came here from Italy, Germany, Sweden, and the reason they all congregated in one spot is because they couldn’t go to the stores and they couldn't buy newspapers and they couldn't read anything because nothing was put out in their language. Isn’t it wonderful now that people can go to the store or buy a product that the directions are in English, Spanish, French, German, so that everyone can buy something in this great land of the United States of America and actually read and understand what it’s for? It's so sad that you think it’s bad because the Hispanic language is printed on our ballots and everything. It’s just pitiful. Maybe your ancestors came over and they couldn’t read English either. My husband’s family is from Italy and they spoke Italian until the day they died. So, get over it.

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Hi, I'm calling from Lombard. To the little girls this Halloween who decided it would be fun to destroy my lawn decorations, you know, it's not too smart to hang around and watch as I drive home from work with your Halloween candy. So, I know who you are. Real nice. Great parents, great kids here in Lombard.

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As a longtime resident of Lombard I've read a lot of SPEAK OUT columns. Many are intelligent, some are unintentionally funny and some are just stupid. I'd like to make some suggestions to future callers to SPEAK OUT. Folks, write out and edit your comments before you call. Check them for proper English. Speak intelligently. Speak logically. Speak honestly. Speak factually and above all, try to make sense. Thank you, bye bye.

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I'd like to know whose idea it was to put the gazebo behind the Lombard Historical Society where nobody can see it, very few people use it, instead of in one of our beautiful parks. Thank you.

Your comment was forwarded to the Lombard Historical Society. Executive Sarah Richardt responded as follows: “In the fall of 2012, following the passing of former Village President William ‘Bill’ Mueller, an initiative to honor Bill’s years of public service was undertaken by several of Bill’s friends and family members. The effort to memorialize President Mueller’s legacy was led by Lombard resident Marymae Meyer and the Mueller family. The group determined that the memorial project would be funded by contributions from private donations. Lombard staff worked with the Mueller family to identify several possible locations for the memorial. After several meetings and discussions, it was determined that a fitting tribute to Bill’s legacy of leadership and community spirit was in the form of a permanently established garden-like gathering place for residents and visitors. The Lombard Historical Society, a longtime passion of Bill’s, was also seeking a way to honor Bill and his commitment to preserving the rich history of Lombard. Representatives from the Mueller family, Lombard Historical Society and village met to discuss the installation of the memorial at the newly-created courtyard between the Victorian Cottage and the Carriage House, which is owned by the Village of Lombard. The gazebo serves as a reminder of Bill’s desire to embrace the rich culture and history of Lombard. Currently, it is used for events, a quiet gathering place and a beautiful spot to take wedding photos.”—JAC