News Briefs: A gift card for Wilmette; A new principal for Crow Island; Vaccine walk-ins for local Walgreens

The Wilmette/Kenilworth Chamber of Commerce and the Village of Wilmette united to release the Shop Wilmette gift card, “a community-based digital gift card that makes it fun and easy to keep local spending local,” according to a release from the organizations. 

With the card, shoppers can shop at a number of participating businesses in the community or send a card as a gift along with a personal message. 

The gift cards can be purchased online. (https://app.yiftee.com/gift-card/wilmette-kenilworth)

“All-digital and always available on your phone, the Shop Wilmette gift card is great for birthdays, holidays, teacher appreciation, coach gifts, or just to show your appreciation to a friend” the release says. “Now you can give back to the community while you celebrate Father’s Day and graduations coming up soon.”

The gift card keeps money circulating through the community, the release says. It goes on to back the claim with statistics, saying that “independent retailers recirculate 47% of their revenue back into the community, while only 14% of national chains’ revenue stays in the community. More dramatically, restaurants recirculate 73% of their revenue back into the community, versus only 30% for national chains.”

For more information or to participate as a merchant in the program, visit the chamber’s website. www.wilmettekenilworth.com

Lake Forest principal heading to Winnetka D36

The Winnetka Public Schools named Lucas Livingston as the new principal of Crow Island School effective July 1, according to a release from the school district. 

“We were fortunate to have a highly qualified slate of candidates for this position, and Mr. Livingston rose to the top due to his strong focus on child development, history of collaborative leadership, instructional knowledge and passion for child-centered education,” D36 Superintendent Trish Kocanda said in the release. “I am confident that his exemplary communication skills and understanding of developmental practices will be an asset to the District.” 

Livingston is currently the principal at Cherokee Elementary School in Lake Forest District 67. Before then, Livingston was an associate principal at Indian Trail Elementary School in Highland Park. 

The release says Livingston has also taught second and third grade and as a diverse learner and support leader with Chicago Public School. 

“I am honored to join the Crow Island School community and eager to begin partnering with our staff and families,” Livingston said in a statement. ”I look forward to the many ways we will continue Crow Island’s rich legacy of progressive education together.”

Livingston takes over for Julie Pfeffer, who had been Crow Island’s principal since 2011. The D36 School Board approved Livingston’s employment with a base annual salary of $134,500 on Tuesday, May 25. Pfeffer made more than $185,000 per year as of 2018.

Walgreens in Wilmette accepting walk-ins for COVID-19 vaccinations

According to a release from Walgreens, walk-ins are now available in stores in more than 178 cities and towns in Illinois, including Wilmette (811 Green Bay Road), to get a free COVID-19 vaccination without a scheduled appointment. 

“This is another important step to remove barriers to the COVID-19 vaccine for people in the communities we operate in to accelerate the administration of the vaccine,” the release says.

Walk-ins should ask the pharmacist if there are vaccines currently available or may be later that day, the release says.

Walgreens, however, recommends those age 12-15 years old call ahead to confirm availability.

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