Du Quoin briefs

<b>Class of 2021 will graduate on May 21</b>

The Du Quoin Unit District 300 school board has set May 21, 2021 as the date for the Class of 2021 high school commencement - whether the COVID-19 crisis is still in effect or not. Superintendent Matt Hickam recommended that the date be made firm, and the board agreed.

<b>District 300 personnel</b>

Debbie Piercehas submitted a letter of intent to retire as an elementary school teacher at the end of the 2022-2023 year.

Deana Kellyhas submitted a letter of intent to retire as an elementary school teacher at the end of the 2022-2023 .

Laura Krone has submitted a letter of intent to retire as a middle school teacher at the end of the 2021-2022 year.

Suzan Dayhas submitted a letter of intent to retire as an elementary school teacher at the end of the 2022-2023 year.

Melissa Russell has submitted a letter of intent to retire as middle school speech-language pathologist at the end of the 2022-2023 year.

Aletha Jackson has submitted a letter of intent to retire as an elementary school music teacher at the end of the 2021-2022 year.

Linda Duncan has submitted a letter of retirement to be effective immediately

<b>Centerstone expands suicide intervention</b>

Centerstone, the nonprofit mental health and substance use disorder service provider, has been awarded a Zero Suicide grant award from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Centerstone will get $400,000 each year for the next five years, to be used to further develop the Zero Suicide prevention initiative in southern Illinois and elsewhere. Suicide rates have been on the rise nationally among all age groups, especially adults between 25 and 44. September is Suicide Prevention Month.