Chairperson Cindy DeLuca called the meeting to order at 5:25 p.m. with the following people in attendance:  Cindy DeLuca (St. Peter the Apostle School) Ken Cull (Itasca School District #10) Pat Butler (Peacock Middle School) Brian Meyer (Itasca Park District) Chris Carling (Spring Brook Nature Center) Kara Fleming (IEPTO), Betsy Adamowki (Itasca Library), Ellen Leahy (Village of Itasca).  Introductions were made around the table.

Cindy apologized for the delay of the meeting, but there were technical difficulties in setting up the laptop computer.

Approval of the February 8, 2006 minutes.  A motion was made by Betsy and seconded by Chris that the minutes be approved.  The motion was carried on a VOICE VOTE:  All AYES.  NAYS none.

Chairperson’s Report – Chairperson Cindy Deluca delivered the report. The first item was to look at requesting a grant from the DuPage Community Foundation.  The Coalition agreed to have Cindy look into this.  The request isn’t due until August.  Betsy said it is intensive, but worth it.

The second item is that our web site is up and running thanks to the hard work of Chris Carling and Mark H. from Spring Brook Nature Center.  Cindy explained that Chris and Mark came to use Cindy’s computer to begin the task.  They felt too much time would be needed to spend at St. Peter’s, so they asked if the Coalition could purchase Front Page.  We did, and it took only a week and a half to complete the task.  Cindy visited Chris several times while she was working and understands how much work has gone into this project.  She extended her thanks to Chris and to Mark.

Following that, Ken Cull opened his lap top and the Coalition was able to view the web site.  There were many positive comments.  Chris and Cindy asked the Coalition members to go through the site with a fine tooth comb and let us know if any corrections are to be made.  Chris is also asked for pictures to be sent to her so she can put them on the web site.

All permissions for pictures and logos were requested.

Reports from Organizations –

Village of Itasca – Ellen Leahy had no report.

Itasca School District #10 Schools -   Benson and Franzen schools collected $2500.00 for the “Pennies for Patients” project.  The money went to leukemia and lymphoma patients in need.  Pam Mitchell held a Citizenship assembly and explained the next project.  They are going to help financially a pre-school in Kenya that is collapsing.

The Community Leaders Event is coming up in the near future.  Community leaders have been invited to attend this function which ties in with the primary grade Career unit.

Pat Butler, from Peacock, shared pictures of students and staff that have shown an example of one of the six pillars of good character.  These pictures are on display as you enter Peacock school. Pat said this display shows that Peacock cares about kids and when kids are good, it does matter to the Peacock staff.  Some examples were students who collected eyeglasses for the Lion’s Club.  Another student volunteered to deliver ornaments to the Arbor Nursing Home.  A student stood up to a bully.  A student was undercharged for hot lunch and told the person in charge.  A faculty member found a truck driver leave a large piece of equipment behind and contacted him.

Spring Brook Nature Center – Chris Carling wrote an article about three of the Raptor Volunteers that took turned to care for a rapture on their own time.

IEPTO – no report

St. Peter’s – no report

Park District – no report

The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 10, 2006, 5:15 PM in the Administrative Center.  The meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m.