HURRAH
(Happy Upbeat Recycled Retirees Actively Helping)

The HURRAH program was developed to help provide volunteers
to serve as tutors, mentors, readers, and partners
in our education process.

About Us

The acronym used for the District 203 program in which retirees serve as tutors, mentors, readers, and partners in our education process is known as HURRAH (Happy, Upbeat Recycled Retirees Actively Helping).

Happy and Upbeat because these words describe the types of people who are volunteering.

Recycled because the previously acquired skills and experiences of our retirees can be put to a new use, thus adding an important dimension to our education process.

Retirees because people who no longer are confined by work day schedules still have the energy and expertise to help our younger generation.  Retirees live longer than in previous generations and are a large, skilled, and available resource.

Actively Helping because this generation of retirees views retirement as a time of involvement, learning, and usefulness as well as a time for leisure.

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History

During the fall of l989, Janet Case and Ida Moon, retired teachers of Naperville Community Unit School District 203, suggested organizing interested, retired teachers into a unit that could provide qualified, experienced, and effective teacher assistance in the classroom on a volunteer basis.

Concurrently, the Pupil Personnel Services Team at Ranch View Elementary School proposed that retired teacher volunteers could provide support services for students.  They could provide organizational and study skills training, one-on-one reading assistance, tutorial help, etc.  Retired teachers already were helping out at Beebe, Ellsworth, Naper, and Scott Elementary Schools.

The plan to develop an organization for senior adult volunteers was discussed with all District 203 principals.  With their approval, it then was presented to the Board of Education as a way to:

  1. increase human resources available to assist students in various content areas;
  2. provide fully qualified, experienced, and effective teacher/consultant services to enhance instruction;
  3. motivate and challenge students through association with community resources; and
  4. promote high levels of student achievement as measured by content mastery of coursework.
As the program evolved it became apparent that seniors inspired and energized the students they worked with because they cared and provided the individual attention needed by many students.  The District 203 staff decided to actively recruit retirees from the private sector, as well as from the ranks of retired educators.  HURRAH membership now includes hundreds of retirees�their numbers evenly split between the education and business sectors.

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Executive Committee Members

Russ Marineau, Chairman
Dr. Mary Ann Bobosky, District 203 Liason

Evelyn Bernd
Frank Bernd
Gordon Friday
Joyce Hayward
Wally Loague
Carol McGuff
Jane Moon
Margie Nickels
Judy Rubenstein
Russ Sault
Janet Sommerville
Dorothy Smith
Susan Stuckey

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How to Volunteer

If you are interested in volunteering, you may contact the office of Dr. Mary Ann Bobosky, Director of Planning and Community Relations and Liason to HURRAH.

Dr. Mary Ann Bobosky, Director of Planning and Community Relations
Naperville Community Unit School District 203 Administrative Center
203 Hillside Road
Naperville, IL 60540

The phone number is 630-420-6815.

OR

Contact the office at any of the District 203 schools to offer your assistance.

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HURRAH Appreciation Luncheon
May 17, 2000

Volunteers were treated to lunch and outstanding student music at the annual HURRAH Appreciation Luncheon on May 17 at Naperville North High School.  Naperville North students �tipped their hats� to senior volunteers for their contributions to students throughout District 203 by escorting guests to the school�s learning center and serving lunch. 
Volunteers were welcomed by NNHS String Ensemble. The nationally recognized NNHS Jazz Ensemble provided upbeat music to set the mood. 
Russ Marineau, Chairman of the HURRAH Executive Committee, welcomed remarks from Dr. Donald Weber, Superintendent; Naperville Mayor George Pradel; Board of Education President Osie Davenport; and Senator Chris Lauzen.
Each year, several HURRAH volunteers are recognized for their special contributions to students in District 203 schools.  This year, Tom Bursh, Chuck Price, David Shaftman, Nancy Hanson, Chet Rybicki, and Glen and Marilyn Volkmann were honored.  A memorial recognition was made in honor of Arlo Schilling, a long time supporter of District 203 and a HURRAH volunteer.
Pat Larson, President of Naperville Home and School Association, thanked all attendees and presented them with an appreciation gift from the Naperville Home and School Association.

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