Classroom
submitted photo
submitted photo
Designed as a learning environment for students to study and explore, the center incorporates areas for activities linked to the curriculum in reading, math, science, social studies and the arts. Pre-kindergarten through second-grade students regularly spend time in the courtyard with their teachers and classmates.
This year a family of ducks adopted the courtyard as its home, adding to the enjoyment of students and staff who have been watching eight ducklings grow and thrive in their new environment.
The center has evolved and expanded in stages over the past few years through generous donations from the district Education Foundation, the Courtyard Committee, school organizations and the community. The center has especially thrived through the volunteer efforts of Kay MacNeil , grandmother to a district student and board member for the state of Illinois Garden Clubs.
Along with organizing the group of expert gardeners to regularly help at the school, MacNeil has also made detailed booklets about the various plants in the Outdoor Education Center for staff members to use as teaching tools. Her knowledge about plants and gardens is outlined in the booklets, which are geared to assisting staff when they teach the students. Each time MacNeil and her team of expert gardeners come to help at the school, students, staff and parent volunteers learn valuable tips about gardening, plants and wild life.
The competition attracted nearly 300 seventh- and eighth-graders and their families. Students competed in several subject areas that included language arts, social science, science, mathematics and geography. Students earned scores in each subject area, which were tabulated and compared to students from other elementary schools at their same grade level, both as teams and individuals.
Trophies were awarded to the top four teams at both grade levels, as well as to the top five individuals in each subject area. All participants received an Academic Bowl certificate recognizing them for being named to their school's team. All awards were presented at a ceremony after the competition.
This year's top awards are as follows:
7th Grade 1st Place Individual Competition Social Science - Jack Pell from St. Mary (Mokena)
Math - Mike McGugan from Noonan Academy (Mokena)
Geography - Nick Santangelo from St. Joseph (Manhattan)
The Marching Celtics performed "America the Beautiful" for the large crowd that lined the parade route.
"We were honored to represent our school and our band to the city of Chicago," said Rocco Carioto , PCHS band director. "I am very proud of these students and their hard work that they put forth."
The parade took place on Columbus Drive on the Chicago lakefront and stretched from Balboa to Monroe streets. Thousands of spectators observed the more than 100 units that came from Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.
The Celtic Band also recently participated in a marching competition at Stagg High School, where they performed their "Pirates of the Caribbean" show. The band placed in a number of individual categories, including 4th place for music ensemble, 3rd place for drum line and second place for color guard.
These individuals are among 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation and placed in the top 5 percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered this competition by taking the 2008 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).
"Without your support, none of this would be possible," Principal Michael Gardner told parents as they gathered at the school to honor the school's Top 10 students from each class and to learn a little more about the school and district.
"Part of the district's initiative is to communicate with our public by bringing parents and the community in to the schools to learn more about Lincoln-Way High School," said Superintendent Lawrence A. Wyllie .
Every year, Lincoln-Way Community High School District's building principals invite parents to the schools to meet the staff, hear a little bit about the district and school programs and have their questions answered.
At North, parents were treated to breakfast and a few musical selections by the Lincoln-Way North Madrigals before Gardner introduced the school's Top 10 students and answered questions about the school.
He also gave parents a brochure on parenting strategies for Lincoln-Way North Phoenix, while Tim Reilly , director of instruction and staff development, offered parents some information about the district's reading program.
The highlight of the morning was the introduction of the school's Top 10 students.
The Top 10 students for the Class of 2012 are: Raymond Michuda, Nileema Patel, Taylor Driscoll, Nathan Kemp, Gregory Ruzich, Joshua Kemp, Colleen Laughlin, Dena Waldier, Drake Sands and Michelle Balcerzak .
The Top 10 students for the Class of 2011 are: Emily Seyforth, Mitchell Knapp, Carolyn Duong, Jason Kircher, Joseph Romero, Orlando Castaneda, Courtney Gerk, Jessica Beringer, Victoria Zaplatosch and Cody Van Etten .
The Top 10 students for the Class of 2010 are: Natawut Monaikul, Michael Harvey, Patrick Creedon, Cassandra Pedersen, Deanna Esposito, Urvi Shah, Zachary Knolmayer, Phoumany Phouybanhdyt, William Thauer and Lauren Blouin .
"Your children are here today because of you," Lincoln-Way East Principal Brenda Jensen told parents as they gathered for an informational program in the Griffins' Lair. "Thank you for your support and getting them to where they need to be."
Thirty students, including 10 seniors, 10 juniors and 10 sophomores, were recognized at the Oct. 7 program. They represented the Top 10 academic students for the classes of 2012, 2011 and 2010.
The Top 10 students for the Class of 2012 are: Joey Allegretti, Chad Elliott, Kayla Faurie, Katherine Garbaciak, Jessica Kraut, Jessica Meaux, Sarah Price, Dana Rohaly, Mallory Webber and Xue (Shirley) Zhan .
The Top 10 students for the Class of 2011 are: Jeremy Dancu, Justin Dancu, Joshua Emge, Nicole Ernat, Molly Imgruet, William Johnson, Cody Justus, David Knourek, Angela Ray and Monica Tanouye .
The Top 10 students for the Class of 2010 are: Jill Antonini, Lauren Casey, Jason Casler, Richard Deering, Molly Gallagher, Erin Lezon, Shannon Maloney, Mary Spalla, Kelsey VanderGenugten and Elizabeth Wall .
Parents were treated to breakfast and a few musical selections by the Lincoln-Way East Chorale before Jensen introduced the students and answered questions about the school.
Superintendent Lawrence A. Wyllie spoke a little about the district, and Tim Reilly , director of instruction and staff development, offered parents some information about the district's reading program.
George Czart , who began building the school's football program shortly before the school opened in 2008, has taken the team from an 0-9 record its first year to a state playoff its second year.
"I am extremely proud of coach Czart, the entire coaching staff and our student athletes," said Matthew Lyke , the athletic director at Lincoln-Way North. "The commitment to build a rich tradition is recognized by this award."
Coaches are nominated for coach of the week by a panel of local prep authorities who look at how coaches develop players' football skills and knowledge, character, leadership, discipline and teamwork abilities.
They also consider coaching methodology, community or off-field components, school and community support, volunteerism and contributions to players' long-term success on and off the field.
A total of nine coaches will be honored by the end of the nine-week program.
Czart was picked for Week 8 of the program, earning Lincoln-Way North's football program a $1,500 donation.
"I am honored to be the recipient of this award and I am aware that it's because of the combined efforts of our staff, community and kids that this transpired," said Czart.
The high school football coach and math teacher will be honored at the Bears-Rams game on Dec. 6. He also will receive a framed certificate and have an opportunity to attend a Bears practice and "chalk-talk" with Bears coach Lovie Smith and the other 2009 Coach of the Week honorees.
This is the 14th season of the Chicago Bears Coach of the Week program. Since the program's inception, the Bears have donated more than $175,000 to Illinois high schools in support of their football programs.
The students were nominated by their social science teachers based on their grades and enthusiasm for history.
"It takes an exceptional student to be nominated for this honor," said Sara Pavlik , the faculty sponsor of Pi Sigma Pi at Lincoln-Way East High School.
Pi Sigma Pi is one of only three honor societies at Lincoln-Way and, therefore, one of the only extra-curricular activities in which students have to earn their membership.
After students are nominated for the honor by their teachers, they must complete a membership application and demonstrate they are enthusiastic about the study of history.
"History is not just about memorizing dates or learning about famous people," said Mattie Korneta , a Lincoln-Way East senior and president of the school's Pi Sigma Pi honor society. "It is a subject that rings true in every person's life because it poses questions. For example, if we did not win World War II, would we still be speaking English today?"
Among those inducted into Pi Sigma Pi on Monday night were: Joey Allegretti, Blake Anders, Sarah Anderson, Brittany Bardach, Lauren Behrens, John Bird, Nick Blake, Cody Bonoma, Josh Bottoms, Connie Brauer, Brian Bullington, Andrew Bumba, Haley Carroll, Rachel Casey, Mitch Clayton, Caitlin Colgan, Sonnet Corkery, Mike Cuthbert, Kristina Depre, Vincent Dinolfo, Chad Elliott, Jeremy Falbo, Zac Felice, Corey Fisher, Tatiana Ford, Kate Garbaciak, William Gardner, Ian Gardner, Allison Geary, Theresa Green, Eric Haaksma, Andrew Hanks, Kacyee Hart, Jake Hickey, Mac Innis, Amy Jacobsen, Justyna Jozwik, Nadine Kahl, Alex Kirchhoff, Joshua Korneta, Matthew Koschnitzki, Joe Kowalkowski, Taylor Kraft, Jessica Kraut, Eric Lederer, Sara March, Emily Martin, Britta McArthur, Meghan McCarthy, Kevin McClafferty, Callan McDermott, Thomas McKay, Michael McMahon, Katie McNitt, Liz Miernicki, Ryan Miller, Eric Millington, John Mizwicki, Calvin Muenchow, Matthew Murphy, Patrick Murphy, Mike Murphy, Alex Murphy, Thomas Nolan, Nisha Patel, Nicki Perry, Morgan Pigusch, Alyssa Platipodis, Richard Posey, Emily Power, Sarah Price, Brandon Redweik, Mary Reilly, Ashley Revord, Nathan Royer, Danny Sapato, Connor Sheen, Kevin Slawkowski, Mike Spizzirri, Erik Stanek, Aaron Strupeck, Matthew Talent, Natalie Templin, Joshua Vaslie, Jaclyn Villasenor, Matthew VonAlbade, Jessica Vorderer, Madeline Voss, Steve Walczak, Lauren Walker, Danna Webber, Mallory Webber, Maria Welser, Matthew Wereldsma, Bridgette Wilhelmi, Becca Wilson, Blake Winkler, Casey Zaremba, Xue Zhan and Tim Zoellick .
As members of Pi Sigma Pi, students have an opportunity to meet after school once a month to discuss current events, participate in discussions led by guest speakers and debate ideas with their teachers at roundtable discussions.
They also will have an opportunity to take a field trip to a historic site in the spring.
Past excursions have included a trip down historic Route 66, a visit to the historic gravesites of Graceland Cemetery on the North Side and a walking tour of the historic Pullman District on the South Side.
This time, students are talking about visiting Starved Rock State Park in Ottawa to learn about the historical events in the Illinois Valley.
"I am very excited about the fun, interesting and educational activities we will participate in this year," said Pavlik.
The students, who had to either audition for the honor or submit a four-page essay to the music department, were selected based on their musicianship, academics, leadership, character and service.
They pledged to foster a greater continue interest and a desire for excellence in music performance; to encourage appreciation and awareness in listening to music; to promote wider opportunities for sharing joy through music, both at Lincoln-Way East and in the community; to advance the spirit of good music and musical knowledge; and to enhance the reputation of their school as a center for musical enrichment.
"May you remember this occasion and strive to live up to the aims and ideals of this organization," Tri-M Chapter President Alex Corrao told the group of inductees after having them recite the pledge.
Tri-M, which stands for Modern Music Masters, is an international honor society that recognizes music students for their musical abilities, academic excellence, school involvement, and community service.
Students meet on a regular basis and strive to demonstrate the value of music in their lives. They also perform community service work and encourage assistance to others.
Joining Tri-M on Oct. 27 were: John Bird, Jillian Bulthuis, Andrew Bumba, Elizabeth Burke, Elizabeth Calombaris, Jordan Donnellan, Ashley Fister, Alexa Goldsmith, Linsey Hardwick, Rebecca Harlow, Tim Hosty, Christopher Johnson, William Johnson, Megan Leo, Michael Mackiney, Stephen Murphy, Margaret Palermini, Taylor Recker, Claire Scully, Katherine Stanker, Claire Swale and Monica Tanouye .
"I am so proud of all the students here," Lincoln-Way East music instructor and Tri-M sponsor Cary Ruklic told the group.
