Winners, Dinners, Readers and Leaders

District 58

Team of District 58 Students Wins State, Heads to Nationals

After taking first place in Illinois, a group of talented District 58 students is headed to Tennessee at the end of the month to compete in the Destination ImagiNation Global Finals.

The team, called DI Dynamite, is comprised of Herrick Middle School seventh-graders Beth Jensen and Annie DeCero, and Whittier sixth-graders Abby Murphy, Hannah Krusenoski, Natalie Raden, Erin DeCero, and team manager Julie DeCero. They have been working together and competing as a team for more than six years. 

Each team chooses a central challenge to solve during the competition. This year, DI Dynamite chose to solve The Triple Take Road Show, a fine arts challenge. The components of this challenges are to use three different storytelling methods to tell the same story to three team-chosen pretend audiences; portray the travel methods used to move your traveling road show between different pretend audiences; and integrate a team-created technical spectacle into one presentation to a pretend audience.  

Pierce Downer Students Demonstrate Technology to State Legislators

Pierce Downer School was among approximately 80 schools statewide to travel to Springfield May 5 to show Illinois state senators and representatives how classrooms use technology to boost achievements.

During the annual TECH 2011: Students for the Information Age event, computer workstations were set up in the Illinois State Capitol Building rotunda so students could show how technology has helped them with their schoolwork.

Taking part in the demonstrations were Pierce Downer students Samantha Neveril, Mason Ringbloom and Lauren Schenk, and their teacher Karyn Vanko. These third-grade-students-turned-marketing-executives transformed their Beverly Cleary novels into hypothetical movies. They created movie posters using a web-based application and podcasted commercials to advertise their movies.  

“These activities were an engaging way for students to focus on standards-based language arts skills, as well as an outstanding way to let their creativity—and future marketing potential—shine!” Vanko said.

Herrick Intergenerational Read Brings Seniors, Students Together

More than 45 grandparents and community seniors arrived at Herrick Middle School to meet with more than 170 students on April 12 for the fifth annual Intergenerational Read Book Club.  

Both students and adults had previously selected and read a book from a bibliography prepared by Herrick LRC teacher Sue Robinson, all of which featured both a grandparent and a middle school-aged student or young adult. Points of view and the positive influence that played in the story were explored. Some adults graciously brought in props such as World War 2 ration books or fortune cookies to match the theme of the book discussed.

Eighth-grader Tori Barrett and her grandmother, Stephanie Barrett, were part of this year’s Book Club. “I did it last year because it’s so fun...it gives you a chance to relax and meet new people,” Tori said.

Her grandmother agreed. “I really enjoyed it.  Each student had a different opinion. Tori and I had talked about the book at home,” she said.

St. Joseph School

Lucky 13 Students Head to State Science Competition

St. Joseph School in Downers Grove is sending 13 eighth-grade students who participated in the Illinois Junior Academy of Science (IJAS) Region 11 Science Fair  to the IJAS State Science Fair today and tomorrow.

The students presented a total of eight science projects in various categories. All projects received Gold Medals and qualified to move on to the state competition. “We are so very proud of the achievements of these bright students and look forward to their further achievements at the state level,” said science teacher Erin VanIderstine.

VanIderstine, along with St. Joseph middle school teachers Michelle DeBruler, Gene Murphy, Kathy Standish and Sharon Phelan, worked closely with all the students to complete their projects. “We have an outstanding team of middle school teachers who work closely together to further the achievements of our students,” said principal Rita Stasi.

“All of our students achieved gold for their projects, but several also took home separate regional awards,” added DeBruler.

In addition to qualifying for state, student Evan Culligan received Best Project in the chemistry category as well as Best Project Overall at the Regional Fair for his presentation of “Materials to Heat Energy.”

Ryan Donofrio additionally received Second Best in the physics category for his project, “How Low Does the Dough Go?”

In addition to his gold medal, Sean Harnik received Second Best in the engineering category for his project, “London Bridge is Falling Down.”

Students Shannon Kennedy and Daina Polikaitis also took an Artistic Award for the backboard presentation for their project, “The Water Absorbency of Fabric.”

Other students who received gold medals and qualified for the state level include Clare Morrison and Rachel Watson for their project, “Can You Hear Me Now?”; Megan Kitz and Angelica Naber for their project, “The Effect of Radiation on Radish Seed Germination”; and Maggie Johnson and Monica Lim for their project “Got Pain?” 

Patron Honored, Students Recognized for Following His Example

Named for St. Joseph, the school honors its namesake every year with an annual prayer service led by third-graders on May 1, the Feast Day of St. Joseph the Worker.

Joseph the Worker was a carpenter who, according to tradition, trained Jesus in his profession, connecting him to working people everywhere throughout history. St. Joseph School uses this occasion to honor those students who have dedicated their time and talents to working at their school.  

During the service, students were honored for their volunteer efforts, including altar serving, handbells, choir, bell-ringing, ushering or lectoring. Students are also honored for volunteering in school activities, such as Student Council.

St. Mary of Gostyn School

Shakespeare Comes to St. Mary's

Capping a Shakespeare unit that included analyzing vocabulary, quotations, characters and word combinations, as well as studying the poet’s references to life and plot, a performance by the theatrical troupe Storefront Shakespeare brought the bard’s work to life for St. Mary’s middle school students.  

“By studying Shakespeare in junior high, we are preparing students for high school literature,” English teacher Jean Zanotti said. “Students learn to read and analyze classical literature while appreciating Shakespeare’s enduring commentary on life and relationships.”

Romeo and Juliet declaring their love for one another and a fatal sword battle from Macbeth were the highlights of the plays. Storefront Shakespeare brings these plays to life by performing them at area schools free of charge.

“I believe one’s introduction to Shakespeare’s plays should be through seeing them performed with all of the drama and excitement that actors can provide,” said Nora Manca, president of Storefront Shakespeare. “Shakespeare’s plays were intended to be performed, not simply read.”

Seventh-grader Keara C. echoed that sentiment, saying, “The performance demonstrated what Shakespeare really meant to show us in his writings.”

“We reviewed Shakespeare’s writings in class, but the actors really brought the stories to life,” said Robert G., seventh-grade student.

District 99

South Jazz Ensemble's NYC Performance to be Webcast

The DGS Jazz Ensemble, directed by Craig Roselieb, was selected in February as one of only 15 jazz bands nationwide to perform and compete in the Essentially Ellington Competition and Festival in New York City. The ensemble will perform on Saturday, May 14, from 12:10 to 12:30 p.m. CDT, with a webcast of the ensemble performing live at  www.jalc.org/essentiallyellington.

The Jazz Ensemble also has been selected to perform at the 65th annual Midwest Clinic in Chicago in December and the Illinois Music Education Conference in Peoria on January 27, 2012. 

 “The talent and dedication of the students in our Jazz Ensemble is incredibly remarkable; the ‘perfect game’ of jazz occurs when they assemble to perform," said Roselieb. "To be able to experience the thrill of acceptance in New York for the Essentially Ellington festival is just the first stop on this journey for these students. With a performance at the Midwest clinic next December, and an additional performance at the IMEA Conference next January, this kind of state, national and international recognition is a once in a lifetime opportunity and a true blessing to all.” 

For more information about the Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Essentially Ellington Festival and to see the webcast on May 14, go to www.jalc.org/essentiallyellington.

Bilingual Family Dinner Dance Set for May 13 

The sixth annual Bilingual Family Dinner Dance will take place at South High School from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday, May 13. Guest speaker Jimmy Cabrera, a national speaker and author of "What's in Your Backpack?", will share his tips for success.

To RSVP, or to learn more about Jimmy Cabrera, see the District 99 website.

In case you missed it...

Both and named the top 2 percent of this year's graduating class. Congratulations!