Elé Corporation Bolsters Anti-Bullying Efforts, Annual Reading Challenge For Lyons Elementary School District 103

Donation Enables District-Wide Expansion Of Anti-Bullying Program

McCook, IL – April 30, 2014 – Elé Corporation, a McCook-based manufacturer, announced today that a significant donation to the Lyons Elementary School District 103 helped expand the District’s Anti-bullying program, as well as the annual “Battle of the Books” competition that benefited all six district schools.

According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, nearly half of all children will experience bullying at some point during their primary or secondary education, and at least 10 percent of all children are bullied regularly.  To help students learn about anti-bullying in a fun and interactive way, the district implemented a “Second Step Week” into its curriculum in 2011.  Each school allocates one week per year to focus on activities that teach pro-social behaviors, such as showing empathy for others, properly handling anger, problem solving and anti-bullying.

“As a district, we are very focused on teaching pro-social behaviors, including anti-bullying. I’m very happy to report that we don’t have significant bullying or teasing issues in any of our schools.  We feel it’s important to proactively teach anti-bullying lessons year-round,” said Dr. Mary Jo Vladika, Superintendent of Lyons Elementary School District 103.  “In years past, each school set up its own separate programs.  With Elé Corporation’s generous support, we were able develop the first district-wide Second Step Week Anti-bullying assemblies for all of the children.”

The funds allowed the district to invite Chicago-based Imagination Theater, a participatory theatrical performance company, to perform two original anti-bullying skits, “Take a Stand” and “Ease the Tease.”  These 30-minute interactive skits taught students how to appropriately respond to teasing and bullying.  They were performed at all six district schools in February.

In addition, the district held a “Take the Stand and Ease the Tease Family Night” in March at George Washington Middle School in Lyons. The assembly gathered students and family members from the entire district to view the Imagination Theater skits together.  More than 250 students and family members attended, and parents were also invited to attend a presentation

from Developmental Psychologist Dr. Mimi Black, who shared a variety of strategies to help children handle teasing and bullying. Cathy Eichhammer, Assistant Principal at George Washington School, organized the parent night and Second Step Week district-wide. 

“We are proud to partner with Lyons Elementary School District 103 and contribute to its anti-bullying curriculum,” said Michele Eubank, Vice President of Elé Corporation.  “Children of all ages are bullied and teased every single day, so we are happy to support our community in proactively addressing this issue.”

Elé Corporation’s support also allowed the district to add 24 sets of new books for its annual Battle of the Books competition. This program encourages fourth, fifth and sixth graders to read independently outside of the classroom and participate in a competition that quizzes students about the books they’ve read.  After competing in a series of qualifying rounds, each district school sends one team per grade to the district’s Battle of the Books competition.  Eubank was invited to serve as a quizzer for the fifth grade battle held in April at Home Elementary School in Stickney. All teams were awarded a plaque indicating their place, and the first-place team will be recognized, along with the fourth and sixth grade winning teams during an upcoming district Board of Education meeting.

“You could feel the level of excitement and competitive tension at the Battle of the Books, and I was thrilled to be part of such a fun and educational competition,” added Eubank.  “We look forward to continuing our work with Lyons Elementary School District 103.  Investing in our community’s future leaders is a top priority for our company.”

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About Elé Corporation 

Elé Corporation is a leading ISO 9001:2008-certified global manufacturer of specialty and intermediate chemicals used in consumer products and industrial applications. The company supplies a diverse range of industries, including polyurethane, metal working, personal care, pulp and paper, agriculture, household, industrial & institutional (HI&I), coatings, inks, food processing, oil fields and deicing.  Elé’s central U.S. location near Chicago, along with its own railroad access, heightens the company’s ability to ship products promptly both nationally and internationally. All Elé products are manufactured in the United States.  For more information, visit http://www.elecorporation.com/.