By Beth Bear (Guest Column)
Left to right: New Teacher Jo Ellen Hutchens and JCBA Director Beth Bear. (Photo Submitted)
Our teachers and school employees change the lives of children every day. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, our local school staff works hard to provide our kids and our community with a much-needed sense of connection.
For the new 2021-2022 school year, Jersey District 100 has hired over 40 new teachers, paraprofessionals and other school staff. This fall, the Jersey County Business Association is once again excited to provide each new district employee with a “welcome bag” filled with school supplies, gift certificates, coupons and more to help support them during their first days on the job.
Our welcome bag program is very near and dear to my heart. I have several family members in the teaching profession and anyone working in this field deserves our utmost appreciation, especially now more than ever. Every year when I put out the call to JCBA members to help fill these bags I am never disappointed.
This year we received some incredibly generous donations from the following businesses and individuals – 1st MidAmerica Credit Union, Carol Yocum, CNB Bank & Trust, Dennis Ford – State Farm, Jerseyville Banking Center, Jerseyville Rotary Club, Tonsor Custom Awards & Decals, Updike’s Heating Cooling & Plumbing and the Whitworth-Horn-Goetten Insurance Agency.
The welcome bags are currently being distributed to new District 100 hires throughout Jersey County, and the JCBA is happy to show them our community’s appreciation for all their hard work this upcoming school year.
