South Cook News

At the Dec. 21 meeting of the Riverside Public Schools District 96 Board of Education, third-graders from Ames Elementary School told the board about how they adopted a cow.

The principal of Ames Elementary schools, Todd Gierman, first took to the podium to discuss the importance of supporting his teachers, even when they make unique requests, like adopting a cow. Gierman then introduced the students who presented a slide show on what they learned from their project.

The students told the board It's a girl cow and her name is Ada. They learned she was born on Sept. 5. Her mom’s name is Adeline and her dad’s name is Proud. She was 87 pounds and 30.5 inches when she was born.

They also get updates on her growth and fun pictures of her from the farmers.

Teacher Alexa Redeker explained to the board the origins of the project. “It's a program that's used all across America and it's completely free," Redeker said. "It was the money that (Todd) Gierman talked about was for donations, like the program can keep going. And then we got our stuffed cow, we got the binded journal and that kind of stuff. And then I found out about it online somehow. And now I've done it every year since I've been a teacher and the kids love it and they like getting the little updates. And then actually in April-May we do a live like Zoom with the farm, and the farmers take us through the farm and we get to see a live video of our calf, which is really cool.”

In other business, the board discussed the district’s food services as Judy Steinke, cafeteria manager, is retiring. The board noted it’ll cost approximately $26,000 to feed students for the remaining of the school year, it also wants to increase revenue from the National School Lunch Program.

The board will meet again at 7 p.m. on Jan. 18 at AF Ames Elementary School on 86 Southcote Road.