As a result of this morning’s fire, portions of Scott School have smoke and water damage. Consequently, Scott School students will not be allowed to return to the building today to retrieve coats and backpacks. The building and its contents will be professionally cleaned over the weekend, including the children’s belongings.

Any families who have students involved in the YMCA Naperville Family Resource Center and Safe ‘N Sound after-school program should plan to pick up their children at Madison Junior High today.

There is every indication that school will resume normally on Monday. We will keep families updated via Talk203. Updated information will also be posted on the Scott School and District 203 websites.

On Monday, November 16, the Board of Education discussed and decided the name of District 203’s new Early Childhood Center (ECC), which will open in August of 2010. The 22nd school will be the first to bear the name of a woman, Early Childhood educator Ann Reid. Following the collection of suggestions from parents, staff and community members – 69 in all – a focus group was held to bring three recommendations to the Board. The finalists included Veterans ECC, Naperville ECC and the Ann Reid Early Childhood Center.

Ann Reid began her career with District 203 in 1979, serving as a speech-language pathologist and administrator; a coordinator for Project Choice and Project Springboard; coordinator for Elementary Special Education; coordinator for Junior High Special Education; Assistant Principal at Steeple Run Elementary and Madison Junior High; and Assistant Director of Special Education.

Ann retired in 1994, after almost three decades in education, but was still advocating for a consolidated Early Childhood Center in 2007, the year she was diagnosed with cancer. In 2008, at the age of 72, Ann lost her battle. In discussing naming the $11 million center, Board member Jim Dennison noted “I like that Mrs. Reid gave so much to this District and there is a certain personalization to that I think is admirable, and I think that is part of our District's brand."