(The Beacon editor chose not to publish this as it doesn't fit new guidelines for Valley Voices columns)
Ten days after her due date Katherine Anne was suddenly in a big hurry to greet the world. It was one of the scariest times of my life when she was born before the doctor arrived, with her cord wrapped around her neck, and she did not breathe or cry right away. The nurses did everything right and soon enough all was well. From birth this child was a shy one and didn’t want to be held by anyone other than her mom, dad, or grandma. She did not want to sleep at all unless we were holding her, and there was no tricking her with moving her to the crib after she fell asleep. Her favorite time to cry was during hours most people like to sleep.
She has grown into a beautiful, talented, and bright young woman who turns eighteen today and graduates from Waubonsie Valley High School tomorrow. Her dad and I are so proud of her.
She grew from the days of Girl Scouts, cheerleading, ballet, gymnastics, and piano to become a violinist, a stellar student, a dedicated worker and a cherished friend. She started out wanting to be a doctor, a best-selling author, a teacher, then a professional violinist and finally deciding to become a math major (like her mom!).
When she was little she was so shy that for years our extended family didn’t even know she could talk. At first, she really didn’t talk because she’d had months of ear infections. After she got ear tubes she began talking in paragraphs and she had plenty to say. She became the card shark of the family at a young age and that competitiveness stuck with her through the years. When first learning to write, she chose to write each letter dozens of times, filling notebook pages with one letter per page to perfect her writing skills. She loved writing stories and when she was in fifth grade her “pencil story” was acted out at Brooks by students from Waubonsie Valley HS.
When it came to money, she was always a saver rather than a spender. When we explained that we could not afford a certain vacation one year, she proclaimed “Well, if you saved your money like I do, we could go to Disney World every year!”
Moving from Cowlishaw where she had been the Queen of the Playground in 2nd grade, to Brooks, where she knew almost no one, was a hard time for her. Yet that first year when she was in third grade she read more books for W.E.B. reading than the next two or three kids combined. Even though she remained quiet in school, she apparently made an impression because when the fifth graders had to vote for one boy and one girl to represent their school at an awards breakfast, they chose Kathy.
Since the age of 1 we have known Kathy as “The World’s Pickiest Eater.” The list of foods she likes usually hovers around 10 different items. She will usually choose to stop eating a particular food once I have a couple months’ worth of it stocked up, and she moves on to something else. School lunches have always been hard for a kid who doesn’t eat fruits, vegetables, or sandwiches. She did fine eating a Kid Pack Yogurt for every school day of elementary school, until the company stopped making it, and more than 7 years later we still haven’t found a substitute. We figure when she leaves for college her eating habits can’t possibly get any worse than they already are.
At her 6th grade spring orchestra concert we found out that there are year-end awards given out to the most outstanding orchestra student in each grade. Kathy then did every orchestra-related activity she could in 7th and 8th grade and managed to earn that most outstanding award both years. She played in both Fiddlers and Select Strings (extra-curricular groups that each met two mornings a week before school) and performed in several solo and ensemble events each year plus IMEA and Full Orchestra. During high school she played in Warrior Strings, the Europe trip orchestra, and the New York trip orchestra, was also a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society for two years, and played in the top level Chamber Strings Orchestra for three years.
She consistently worked hard on academics and took very challenging courses while earning a spot on the high honor roll for every single term of middle school and high school. She has been named an Illinois State Scholar, Indian Prairie Scholar and an AP Scholar with Honor. This despite missing several days of school many years due to illnesses and minor surgeries. She has always been very determined and persistent at working toward her goals. These skills will serve her well as she goes off to Illinois Wesleyan University in just 87 days.
I know she will miss her private music students, the children she watches in the nursery at church, her friends, and her family as she embarks on this exciting new chapter of life. We will certainly miss her. Happy birthday, Kathy, and congratulations on graduation!
Monday, May 24, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
2010-05-14 My day of jury duty (not published)
(The Beacon editor chose not to publish this as it doesn't fit new guidelines for Valley Voices columns)
Some grumble at the inconvenience when they are called for jury duty, but not me. I was amazed that when DuPage County finally requested my presence, it was for a day I could attend without any conflicts other than work.
As instructed, I called the evening before, and the recording informed me that I was indeed expected to show up. I arrived at 9:30 the next morning with books and without my cell phone, because anything that can take photos is not allowed in the building.
The jury room was a pleasant surprise. It is a large, wide lounge with a curving wall of windows overlooking water, with couches, tables, and chairs throughout, lockers and restrooms, coffee and tea. I checked in and got comfortable. Shortly after 10 we were told what we could expect for the day as well as about the one day/one trial system of the 18th Judicial Circuit Court, in which any jurors not seated for a trial today would be discharged and not summoned again for at least one year. We were told that a number of courtrooms had trials going on today, but that only two might require a jury. We watched a brief video about being a juror.
It was fairly quiet being in a room sprinkled with people who were strangers to one another and who, for the most part, didn’t have cell phones with them. Returning jurors from a trial-in-progress from the previous day were called to report to the courtroom. Shortly after 11am twenty-four juror numbers were called, including mine. The 24 of us were lead up three flights to a courtroom. There we were seated and sworn in. The judge introduced us to himself, the court reporter, the court clerk, the defendant and her attorney, the two States Attorneys, and two security officers. He described to us the roles of the people in the room, the nature of the charges (drunk driving), the names of the witnesses expected to be called, the expected length of the trial (that afternoon and the next day, possibly going one additional day), and the expectations for jurors.
Six jurors and one alternate needed to be selected. Six juror numbers were called and those people were then questioned by the judge, sometimes as a group and sometimes as individuals. One of the prosecutors then asked questions of the jurors.
The jurors were asked several questions including whether they have ever had a drink and then driven a vehicle (with mention that it is legal in Illinois to drink some alcohol and then drive a vehicle), whether they are seen by others as a leader or a follower, whether they belong to Mothers Against Drunk Driving or similar organizations, what prior involvement they and close family members have had with the law, whether they have any objection to passing judgment on another person, whether they have ever been wrongfully accused of something based on apparent facts, whether they have ever wrongfully accused someone of something, whether they would be able to find the person guilty or not guilty on the basis of law as provided by the judge and not their own opinion, and whether they can work with a group of strangers to reach a verdict.
The judge referred to the jurors by number, but the attorneys made a point to refer to each separately by name. One of the potential jurors, who had previously been arrested for drunk driving herself, was excused and replaced. The new person then had to answer the same set of questions and once the prosecution was happy with these six, the defense attorney began his questioning. The questions from both sides appeared to be asked with expectations of certain answers. The prosecution objected to some of the leading questions asked of the jury pool. Eventually the six were agreed upon by both sides and dismissed for lunch. A similar but shorter set of questioning then went on for the alternate juror.
The rest of us were dismissed from the courtroom, and after lunch I read until we were told that the other court case had been resolved without the need for a jury and we were dismissed.
It was an interesting day even though I didn't wind up seated on a jury.
Some grumble at the inconvenience when they are called for jury duty, but not me. I was amazed that when DuPage County finally requested my presence, it was for a day I could attend without any conflicts other than work.
As instructed, I called the evening before, and the recording informed me that I was indeed expected to show up. I arrived at 9:30 the next morning with books and without my cell phone, because anything that can take photos is not allowed in the building.
The jury room was a pleasant surprise. It is a large, wide lounge with a curving wall of windows overlooking water, with couches, tables, and chairs throughout, lockers and restrooms, coffee and tea. I checked in and got comfortable. Shortly after 10 we were told what we could expect for the day as well as about the one day/one trial system of the 18th Judicial Circuit Court, in which any jurors not seated for a trial today would be discharged and not summoned again for at least one year. We were told that a number of courtrooms had trials going on today, but that only two might require a jury. We watched a brief video about being a juror.
It was fairly quiet being in a room sprinkled with people who were strangers to one another and who, for the most part, didn’t have cell phones with them. Returning jurors from a trial-in-progress from the previous day were called to report to the courtroom. Shortly after 11am twenty-four juror numbers were called, including mine. The 24 of us were lead up three flights to a courtroom. There we were seated and sworn in. The judge introduced us to himself, the court reporter, the court clerk, the defendant and her attorney, the two States Attorneys, and two security officers. He described to us the roles of the people in the room, the nature of the charges (drunk driving), the names of the witnesses expected to be called, the expected length of the trial (that afternoon and the next day, possibly going one additional day), and the expectations for jurors.
Six jurors and one alternate needed to be selected. Six juror numbers were called and those people were then questioned by the judge, sometimes as a group and sometimes as individuals. One of the prosecutors then asked questions of the jurors.
The jurors were asked several questions including whether they have ever had a drink and then driven a vehicle (with mention that it is legal in Illinois to drink some alcohol and then drive a vehicle), whether they are seen by others as a leader or a follower, whether they belong to Mothers Against Drunk Driving or similar organizations, what prior involvement they and close family members have had with the law, whether they have any objection to passing judgment on another person, whether they have ever been wrongfully accused of something based on apparent facts, whether they have ever wrongfully accused someone of something, whether they would be able to find the person guilty or not guilty on the basis of law as provided by the judge and not their own opinion, and whether they can work with a group of strangers to reach a verdict.
The judge referred to the jurors by number, but the attorneys made a point to refer to each separately by name. One of the potential jurors, who had previously been arrested for drunk driving herself, was excused and replaced. The new person then had to answer the same set of questions and once the prosecution was happy with these six, the defense attorney began his questioning. The questions from both sides appeared to be asked with expectations of certain answers. The prosecution objected to some of the leading questions asked of the jury pool. Eventually the six were agreed upon by both sides and dismissed for lunch. A similar but shorter set of questioning then went on for the alternate juror.
The rest of us were dismissed from the courtroom, and after lunch I read until we were told that the other court case had been resolved without the need for a jury and we were dismissed.
It was an interesting day even though I didn't wind up seated on a jury.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
2010-05-07 Mother's Day
Mother’s Day 2010
I'm very lucky because my mom really is the best. She is the kindest, most generous person I know.
She was a big help in her own family growing up as the oldest daughter and has always set an excellent example as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, neighbor, and friend to those in her life. She is always willing to give her time and energy to help out others - whether they are family members, friends, or even strangers. She and my dad have done so much to help those who are elderly, ill, or otherwise in need.
My mom chose to quit her job when I was a baby and she was and still is always there for me and my brother, and now our families, too. While growing up I can remember my mom being busy with room parties, leading scout troops, helping out at church, organizing her East High class reunions, being PTA president at Bardwell, and taking care of several family pets. I thank my parents for years full of wonderful childhood memories.
When my own children were born my mom arranged her work schedule so she could frequently spend the day with them while my husband and I were at work. Now the grandkids are older and needs have changed, but Grandma and Grandpa are always happy to help out as needed. They attend all of the kids’ concerts, plays, school open houses, and other events. They take the grandkids on fun outings and have them overnight. They have rearranged their lives to be in charge of our crazy busy household when my husband and I were out of town.
We have always lived within a short distance of my parents. They and my children have spent a lot of time together and I'm glad that they have such a great relationship. This August I will have been married twenty-five years and many of those years my husband and I (and children) enjoyed going on a vacation with my parents and my brother's family.
My mom retired from her job at Dreyer Medical Clinic but likes to still go back each fall to help out during the flu shot clinic. She also ushers at The Paramount, works as an election judge, and volunteers with the VNA, including spending time with hospice patients. Along with my dad she delivers Meals on Wheels and helps in a variety of ways at Fourth Street United Methodist Church.
Our family celebrates many events together all year long and my mom always makes sure that none of us go hungry, pushing seconds, thirds and desserts, and making different food for the picky eaters. This weekend we will again share Mother’s Day and my birthday as we’ve done all my life.
I wish everyone could have a mom like mine.
Happy Mother's Day, Mom,
I'm very lucky because my mom really is the best. She is the kindest, most generous person I know.
She was a big help in her own family growing up as the oldest daughter and has always set an excellent example as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, neighbor, and friend to those in her life. She is always willing to give her time and energy to help out others - whether they are family members, friends, or even strangers. She and my dad have done so much to help those who are elderly, ill, or otherwise in need.
My mom chose to quit her job when I was a baby and she was and still is always there for me and my brother, and now our families, too. While growing up I can remember my mom being busy with room parties, leading scout troops, helping out at church, organizing her East High class reunions, being PTA president at Bardwell, and taking care of several family pets. I thank my parents for years full of wonderful childhood memories.
When my own children were born my mom arranged her work schedule so she could frequently spend the day with them while my husband and I were at work. Now the grandkids are older and needs have changed, but Grandma and Grandpa are always happy to help out as needed. They attend all of the kids’ concerts, plays, school open houses, and other events. They take the grandkids on fun outings and have them overnight. They have rearranged their lives to be in charge of our crazy busy household when my husband and I were out of town.
We have always lived within a short distance of my parents. They and my children have spent a lot of time together and I'm glad that they have such a great relationship. This August I will have been married twenty-five years and many of those years my husband and I (and children) enjoyed going on a vacation with my parents and my brother's family.
My mom retired from her job at Dreyer Medical Clinic but likes to still go back each fall to help out during the flu shot clinic. She also ushers at The Paramount, works as an election judge, and volunteers with the VNA, including spending time with hospice patients. Along with my dad she delivers Meals on Wheels and helps in a variety of ways at Fourth Street United Methodist Church.
Our family celebrates many events together all year long and my mom always makes sure that none of us go hungry, pushing seconds, thirds and desserts, and making different food for the picky eaters. This weekend we will again share Mother’s Day and my birthday as we’ve done all my life.
I wish everyone could have a mom like mine.
Happy Mother's Day, Mom,
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
2010-04-30 The Crazy Month of May
The beautiful springtime month of May brings a really busy time for the Tatars. Again. In case I wind up taking a week or two off from writing, this serves as your heads-up as to why.
Here’s what May looks like. My son Jonathan performing in Metea Valley’s first ever musical “The Pajama Game”, Waubonsie Valley’s “Les Miserables”, Girl Scout meetings, Driver’s Ed for Jonathan, jury duty for me, Granger’s “Grease”, yardwork for my husband. My daughter Kathy playing violin in three performances at our family’s last Waubonsie Valley Fine Arts Festival while I spend the morning at the orchestra apparel table, a Taylor Swift concert for Kathy and a New York voices concert for my Jonathan that evening, then my birthday and Mother’s Day, Fourth Grade State Board Game Night at Brooks for my youngest daughter Allie, a few AP exams for Kathy, and several Irish Dance rehearsals for Allie.
But wait, that’s not all. Next we have the Waubonsie Valley Green and Gold Awards Ceremony with Kathy at the same time Jonathan has dress rehearsal for the Spring Choir Concert, which the following night overlaps with the annual Brooks Family Picnic. May 14 brings prom for Kathy, including lots of pampering for her thanks to our “win” at the inaugural Metea Valley PTSA auction, and a bunch of her friends coming over before and after the dance. The next day brings Metea Valley’s first ever Fine Arts Festival including two concerts for Jonathan and my second time working at a choir event in just three days. Sunday brings us our Kathy’s last Waubonsie Orchestra Awards Banquet.
Then things really pick up. Monday the 17th brings finals for Kathy and a concert rehearsal, the 18th brings more finals and her last day of high school, followed by the Orchestra Pops Concert that evening, which I don’t think I’ll get through without a few tears. Next comes senior brunch, Baccalaureate, and graduation practice. This weekend is a busy one. Friday evening includes the first Metea Valley Music Department Awards Ceremony for Jonathan and a going away party at our house for my oldest daughter Jessica’s boyfriend who is leaving the following week for the Air Force. Saturday is Kathy’s 18th birthday and her celebration with friends, and Allie’s annual Irish Dance concert. Sunday is graduation day. Sometime during this weekend we’ll find time for Kathy’s family birthday dinner.
At this point, the new grad can relax and get back to her preferred schedule of staying up half the night and sleeping half the day while she gets ready for her big party the following weekend, and her three siblings are all still in school. Allie will have Field Day at school and will be looking forward to going to White Pines with her Girl Scout troop in June. The end of the year in fourth grade is more fun than high school, where Jonathan will be taking finals at Metea, or college, where Jessica won’t have her finals until June.
Memorial Day weekend brings the last day of school for my two youngest, auditions for Fox Valley Park District’s “Alice in Wonderland” and the big graduation party.
In the midst of it all I’ll also have some PTA and IPPC meetings and attempt to keep up with work and all the usual things that need to happen. I just realized there will be five parties at our house in just four weekends. We are fortunate to have so much to celebrate, but why does it all have to happen at once?
Whew.
Here’s what May looks like. My son Jonathan performing in Metea Valley’s first ever musical “The Pajama Game”, Waubonsie Valley’s “Les Miserables”, Girl Scout meetings, Driver’s Ed for Jonathan, jury duty for me, Granger’s “Grease”, yardwork for my husband. My daughter Kathy playing violin in three performances at our family’s last Waubonsie Valley Fine Arts Festival while I spend the morning at the orchestra apparel table, a Taylor Swift concert for Kathy and a New York voices concert for my Jonathan that evening, then my birthday and Mother’s Day, Fourth Grade State Board Game Night at Brooks for my youngest daughter Allie, a few AP exams for Kathy, and several Irish Dance rehearsals for Allie.
But wait, that’s not all. Next we have the Waubonsie Valley Green and Gold Awards Ceremony with Kathy at the same time Jonathan has dress rehearsal for the Spring Choir Concert, which the following night overlaps with the annual Brooks Family Picnic. May 14 brings prom for Kathy, including lots of pampering for her thanks to our “win” at the inaugural Metea Valley PTSA auction, and a bunch of her friends coming over before and after the dance. The next day brings Metea Valley’s first ever Fine Arts Festival including two concerts for Jonathan and my second time working at a choir event in just three days. Sunday brings us our Kathy’s last Waubonsie Orchestra Awards Banquet.
Then things really pick up. Monday the 17th brings finals for Kathy and a concert rehearsal, the 18th brings more finals and her last day of high school, followed by the Orchestra Pops Concert that evening, which I don’t think I’ll get through without a few tears. Next comes senior brunch, Baccalaureate, and graduation practice. This weekend is a busy one. Friday evening includes the first Metea Valley Music Department Awards Ceremony for Jonathan and a going away party at our house for my oldest daughter Jessica’s boyfriend who is leaving the following week for the Air Force. Saturday is Kathy’s 18th birthday and her celebration with friends, and Allie’s annual Irish Dance concert. Sunday is graduation day. Sometime during this weekend we’ll find time for Kathy’s family birthday dinner.
At this point, the new grad can relax and get back to her preferred schedule of staying up half the night and sleeping half the day while she gets ready for her big party the following weekend, and her three siblings are all still in school. Allie will have Field Day at school and will be looking forward to going to White Pines with her Girl Scout troop in June. The end of the year in fourth grade is more fun than high school, where Jonathan will be taking finals at Metea, or college, where Jessica won’t have her finals until June.
Memorial Day weekend brings the last day of school for my two youngest, auditions for Fox Valley Park District’s “Alice in Wonderland” and the big graduation party.
In the midst of it all I’ll also have some PTA and IPPC meetings and attempt to keep up with work and all the usual things that need to happen. I just realized there will be five parties at our house in just four weekends. We are fortunate to have so much to celebrate, but why does it all have to happen at once?
Whew.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
2010-04-24 MVHS Theatre's first year & upcoming musical
Metea Valley Theatre has had a fantastic first year so far and its biggest performance is coming up next week.
Since the auditorium was not available until recently, space within the school was used creatively for the first three shows. October’s “I’m Getting Murdered in the Morning” was a dinner theater murder mystery in The Commons that presented the difficulty of performing with most of the actors on set for whole time, with audience members on three sides and some cast members interacting with the audience. The winter show “Twelve Angry Jurors” was performed three January evenings in the LMC. This show had a much larger audience turnout than anticipated and chairs were being quickly added up until show time.
Last month thirteen students presented “Holes” for Group Interpretation. They performed six times during the school day on March 18 for student audiences and once that evening for family and friends in the school’s Black Box Theater. The team took 6th place in sectionals that weekend. I’d never seen a GI performance and it was really impressive. In GI all actors are on stage all the time and there are no props, scenery, or costumes. The students each play several parts including props! One student narrates and the dialog and action moves along at a quick pace so they get through the entire story in just 30 minutes.
The first theatrical production in the school’s auditorium will be “The Pajama Game.” This musical comedy has been performed on Broadway many times and the 1957 film version starring Doris day is well-known. The story takes place in a pajama factory where workers are demanding a seven-and-a-half cent raise. Some songs that may be familiar from this show are “Steam Heat,” “Once a Year Day,” and “Hernando’s Hideaway.”
The cast, pit, and crew of over 100 students have spent many hours over the last couple of months preparing to put on this show. The show’s set was designed by director Jay Fontanetta and put together by technical director Jeff Schmela. Choreography is by Ryan Doherty with assistance from Waubonsie Valley grad Annie Stephens. Nathan Bramstedt is the music director, Don Devany pit, and Bunny Stanley costumes.
At the start of the year it was challenging to choose which musical would be performed since the talents of the students were unknown to the directors. Even though the school has only freshmen and sophomores, the directors told me the students have been hard-working, dedicated, energetic, and enthusiastic and have really risen to the occasion.
Other challenges have been learning how to work the new light and sound board. Even people with years of experience had much to learn with this new state-of-the-art equipment. Time management was another big issue. The auditorium became available late in the school year and even then had other events being held in that space such as Orchesis and the grand opening music concert. Student availability presented other conflicts including GI, which overlapped musical rehearsal for weeks, and the band trip to Disney World.
When I spoke earlier this week with Jay Fontanetta and Ryan Doherty, both mentioned to me the terrific support they’ve had from the administration as they have gone above and beyond with helping out. They also both said that the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation is providing a grant for a lighting system in the Black Box Theatre, which is an alternate performance space.
My son is fortunate to have been involved in these outstanding opportunities as a freshman and has enjoyed being a part of all of the shows this year. From what I’ve seen, the students and staff have done a phenomenal job and I look forward to seeing Metea’s first musical.
“The Pajama Game” will be performed on April 29, April 30, and May 1 at 7pm. Call 630-375-5900 ext. 8220 to reserve tickets. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens.
Since the auditorium was not available until recently, space within the school was used creatively for the first three shows. October’s “I’m Getting Murdered in the Morning” was a dinner theater murder mystery in The Commons that presented the difficulty of performing with most of the actors on set for whole time, with audience members on three sides and some cast members interacting with the audience. The winter show “Twelve Angry Jurors” was performed three January evenings in the LMC. This show had a much larger audience turnout than anticipated and chairs were being quickly added up until show time.
Last month thirteen students presented “Holes” for Group Interpretation. They performed six times during the school day on March 18 for student audiences and once that evening for family and friends in the school’s Black Box Theater. The team took 6th place in sectionals that weekend. I’d never seen a GI performance and it was really impressive. In GI all actors are on stage all the time and there are no props, scenery, or costumes. The students each play several parts including props! One student narrates and the dialog and action moves along at a quick pace so they get through the entire story in just 30 minutes.
The first theatrical production in the school’s auditorium will be “The Pajama Game.” This musical comedy has been performed on Broadway many times and the 1957 film version starring Doris day is well-known. The story takes place in a pajama factory where workers are demanding a seven-and-a-half cent raise. Some songs that may be familiar from this show are “Steam Heat,” “Once a Year Day,” and “Hernando’s Hideaway.”
The cast, pit, and crew of over 100 students have spent many hours over the last couple of months preparing to put on this show. The show’s set was designed by director Jay Fontanetta and put together by technical director Jeff Schmela. Choreography is by Ryan Doherty with assistance from Waubonsie Valley grad Annie Stephens. Nathan Bramstedt is the music director, Don Devany pit, and Bunny Stanley costumes.
At the start of the year it was challenging to choose which musical would be performed since the talents of the students were unknown to the directors. Even though the school has only freshmen and sophomores, the directors told me the students have been hard-working, dedicated, energetic, and enthusiastic and have really risen to the occasion.
Other challenges have been learning how to work the new light and sound board. Even people with years of experience had much to learn with this new state-of-the-art equipment. Time management was another big issue. The auditorium became available late in the school year and even then had other events being held in that space such as Orchesis and the grand opening music concert. Student availability presented other conflicts including GI, which overlapped musical rehearsal for weeks, and the band trip to Disney World.
When I spoke earlier this week with Jay Fontanetta and Ryan Doherty, both mentioned to me the terrific support they’ve had from the administration as they have gone above and beyond with helping out. They also both said that the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation is providing a grant for a lighting system in the Black Box Theatre, which is an alternate performance space.
My son is fortunate to have been involved in these outstanding opportunities as a freshman and has enjoyed being a part of all of the shows this year. From what I’ve seen, the students and staff have done a phenomenal job and I look forward to seeing Metea’s first musical.
“The Pajama Game” will be performed on April 29, April 30, and May 1 at 7pm. Call 630-375-5900 ext. 8220 to reserve tickets. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens.
Friday, April 16, 2010
2010-04-16 Caravan to the Capitol Springfield Trip
We really didn’t know what to expect when we decided to make the trek to Springfield. Planning was hindered by spring break and the fact that legislature was not in session the past couple of weeks.
The reporter who accompanied us on the trip spoke with me on Tuesday afternoon for a story to be published Wednesday morning. I told her what I knew of how the day would go but that there were many unknowns. She said that no matter what it would be an adventure.
She was right about that. Hundreds of parents around the state and locally have let us know that they are supportive of our efforts. People have been thanking us in person and online. Most interested people were unable to arrange a day off work, or had things going on with kids that prevented them from traveling with us. Even of those who made plans to come on the trip, many canceled in the two days leading up to the trip, some at the very last minute.
Though that was disappointing, our group was large enough and included parents from three school districts, a grandfather, students from elementary, middle, and high school, a reporter and photographer. Some rode our two buses from the mall, others from Springfield, 204, and West Aurora met us in Springfield in the cafeteria of the Stratton Building. On the way down we had heard from Alderman Rick Mervine that he, Mayor Weisner, and a delegation from the City of Aurora were in town also meeting with legislators for similar reasons and would like to meet up with us at some point if it worked out.
None in our group had ever planned or participated in such a trip before. Some were wearing “Restore Education Funding” t-shirts. We all had buttons that said the same. We had signs saying “Restore Education Funding,” “Re-prioritize Spending,” “No Tax Increase,” “Stop playing your games with my future,” and others plus two banners. We saw several other groups there standing up for their causes as well.
After lunch we had a tentative meeting scheduled with Tom Cross. We knew the room would not hold all of our group so we sent several people to hold up signs in the first floor of the Capitol building and out front. It was a beautiful day so no one minded standing outside.
The meeting went well. In addition to Tom Cross and his Chief of Staff Matt O’Shea, we were joined by state representatives Darlene Senger, Mike Fortner, Kay Hatcher, Mike Connelly, and Raymond Poe.
We had about a half hour in which we found out more about what is and is not going on in Springfield and what concerned taxpayers can do about it. We found out there is talk of a six month budget, which would not help school districts at all since they need to budget for the whole school year. It is very discouraging to hear how things work in our state government.
The best things we can do are to write to Governor Pat Quinn, Speaker Mike Madigan, and Senate President John Cullerton and to share the video we made. Rep. Hatcher said that the core of a healthy community is a healthy education system. Rep. Connelly and Rep. Fortner said that state law requires budgets of counties, cities, and school boards to be available for public viewing for some time before a vote, yet the state is not held to this standard and those voting on the appropriations may see the bill only minutes before the vote. A proposed bill would change this process.
We were off to a good start. Some from our group went to a meeting with Senator Linda Holmes.
When it was time for us to return home, it still seemed possible we might be able to meet with a few other legislators we had contacted ahead of time but hadn’t yet connected with. We had also run into the Aurora delegation and there were still tentative plans to join them later.
Most of us wound up going home on one of the buses, while some chose to stay later and wound up meeting with Sen. Chris Lauzen. I was torn about whether to stay but wanted to ride home with the kids I’d brought with me and to get home to my kids who had been unable to miss important things at home to make the trip with us. As it was, we were gone from home over twelve hours.
Despite writing for this paper for three years, I’m not used to speaking with reporters. We’ve had a lot of interest in the trip and Lori Price and I have fielded phone, e-mail, and on camera questions. We’ve had coverage several places including the Beacon, Naperville Sun, Sun-Times, Daily Herald, NCTV, Positively Naperville, and Medill News Service.
Overall it was a good trip and an interesting experience. We felt we needed to do something more than writing letters and making phone calls. This trip combined with our Facebook page “Caravan to the Capitol – Restore Illinois Education Funding” with almost 500 fans and our video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpGA9bEwLqs are part of our attempts to make sure that Illinois education does not lose $1.3B in funding for next year and that Illinois students will not see changes to the quality of their education.
The reporter who accompanied us on the trip spoke with me on Tuesday afternoon for a story to be published Wednesday morning. I told her what I knew of how the day would go but that there were many unknowns. She said that no matter what it would be an adventure.
She was right about that. Hundreds of parents around the state and locally have let us know that they are supportive of our efforts. People have been thanking us in person and online. Most interested people were unable to arrange a day off work, or had things going on with kids that prevented them from traveling with us. Even of those who made plans to come on the trip, many canceled in the two days leading up to the trip, some at the very last minute.
Though that was disappointing, our group was large enough and included parents from three school districts, a grandfather, students from elementary, middle, and high school, a reporter and photographer. Some rode our two buses from the mall, others from Springfield, 204, and West Aurora met us in Springfield in the cafeteria of the Stratton Building. On the way down we had heard from Alderman Rick Mervine that he, Mayor Weisner, and a delegation from the City of Aurora were in town also meeting with legislators for similar reasons and would like to meet up with us at some point if it worked out.
None in our group had ever planned or participated in such a trip before. Some were wearing “Restore Education Funding” t-shirts. We all had buttons that said the same. We had signs saying “Restore Education Funding,” “Re-prioritize Spending,” “No Tax Increase,” “Stop playing your games with my future,” and others plus two banners. We saw several other groups there standing up for their causes as well.
After lunch we had a tentative meeting scheduled with Tom Cross. We knew the room would not hold all of our group so we sent several people to hold up signs in the first floor of the Capitol building and out front. It was a beautiful day so no one minded standing outside.
The meeting went well. In addition to Tom Cross and his Chief of Staff Matt O’Shea, we were joined by state representatives Darlene Senger, Mike Fortner, Kay Hatcher, Mike Connelly, and Raymond Poe.
We had about a half hour in which we found out more about what is and is not going on in Springfield and what concerned taxpayers can do about it. We found out there is talk of a six month budget, which would not help school districts at all since they need to budget for the whole school year. It is very discouraging to hear how things work in our state government.
The best things we can do are to write to Governor Pat Quinn, Speaker Mike Madigan, and Senate President John Cullerton and to share the video we made. Rep. Hatcher said that the core of a healthy community is a healthy education system. Rep. Connelly and Rep. Fortner said that state law requires budgets of counties, cities, and school boards to be available for public viewing for some time before a vote, yet the state is not held to this standard and those voting on the appropriations may see the bill only minutes before the vote. A proposed bill would change this process.
We were off to a good start. Some from our group went to a meeting with Senator Linda Holmes.
When it was time for us to return home, it still seemed possible we might be able to meet with a few other legislators we had contacted ahead of time but hadn’t yet connected with. We had also run into the Aurora delegation and there were still tentative plans to join them later.
Most of us wound up going home on one of the buses, while some chose to stay later and wound up meeting with Sen. Chris Lauzen. I was torn about whether to stay but wanted to ride home with the kids I’d brought with me and to get home to my kids who had been unable to miss important things at home to make the trip with us. As it was, we were gone from home over twelve hours.
Despite writing for this paper for three years, I’m not used to speaking with reporters. We’ve had a lot of interest in the trip and Lori Price and I have fielded phone, e-mail, and on camera questions. We’ve had coverage several places including the Beacon, Naperville Sun, Sun-Times, Daily Herald, NCTV, Positively Naperville, and Medill News Service.
Overall it was a good trip and an interesting experience. We felt we needed to do something more than writing letters and making phone calls. This trip combined with our Facebook page “Caravan to the Capitol – Restore Illinois Education Funding” with almost 500 fans and our video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpGA9bEwLqs are part of our attempts to make sure that Illinois education does not lose $1.3B in funding for next year and that Illinois students will not see changes to the quality of their education.
Friday, April 9, 2010
2010-04-09 Summer Activities
Summer is never long enough to fit it all in. As always, my family has a lot of plans and we’re hoping for better weather this year.
There are many ways to find out about summer activities for children and youth.
The Indian Prairie Parents’ Council (IPPC), Indian Prairie School District 204, and State Representative Darlene Senger (R-Naperville) invite the public to the second annual Student Summer Activities Fair on Thursday, April 29, 2010 from 6:00pm to 8:30pm. Admission is free and the event will be held at Crone Middle School, 4020 W. 111th Street, Naperville. There are a limited number of vendor spots still available and those interested should contact Laura McDonnell at ippcpta@gmail.com.
The Student Summer Activities Fair will display summer programs and services available to children and youth. The purpose of this event is to highlight great programs throughout our local communities that offer area children and teenagers with enriching summer activities.
According to Laura McDonnell, IPPC First Vice President and Student Activities Fair Coordinator “Our goal is to have 25-30 vendors who will provide summer programs that range from Academic Enrichment, Tutoring Options, Summer Sports Programs, & Overnight Summer Camps. We hope to have a wide variety of organizations that can offer something for everyone. In addition to reaching out to organizations who could provide something for every student, we have reached out to both gifted enrichment organizations and special needs. New this year, we have also contacted over 30 service organizations to give high schoolers info on how they can volunteer for community service hours.”
The Fox Valley and Naperville Park Districts offer a wide variety of options for all ages. My son has enjoyed participating in three FVPD theater productions and will audition for this summer’s “Alice in Wonderland,” while my youngest daughter will continue dancing with Weber Irish Dance through the park district.
The Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana has day and overnight camps available at local and further away sites. My daughters have had great experiences at day camp at Von Oven in Naperville, Camp Greene Wood in Woodridge and at overnight camps. This year one daughter plans to go to day camp while another hopes to work at the same camp.
My ten-year-old had a lot of fun at Camp Invention a few years ago and will be attending at McCarty School this June. This is a weeklong day camp that is held at schools around the country where kids use their imaginations and get plenty of hands-on learning through fun.
Many churches offer Bible School and other summer activities. My kids have been involved for several years with summer programs at Wheatland Salem Church in Naperville. The younger kids attend Kids’ Club in June while the older ones volunteer there. In July my daughter will again attend Wheatland Salem’s annual Sports Camp. This week-long camp offers basketball, volleyball, soccer and cheerleading.
I’m hoping my son will learn to drive at Metea Valley, which is offering three sessions of Driver’s Education this summer. Most high schools offer a summer session which can be helpful for some students who can’t fit the class in during the school year. One daughter went to Green Light Driving School in Batavia and one went to then newly-opened Drive Academy in Aurora. Both had good experiences and there was simply no reasonable way for either to take the class through Waubonsie Valley.
Our family has twice sent students to Blue Lake Fine Arts camp. Both Blue Lake and Interlochen in Michigan have excellent reputations and serve many students from around the world.
Even with planned activities, summer homework and everything else going on, I can be sure that most kids will manage to find times they are bored, yet they still won’t be taking suggestions on what useful jobs around the house could fill their time.
Summer activities fair - http://ipsdweb.ipsd.org/Calendar.aspx?id=28825
Fox Valley Park District - www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org
Naperville Park District - www.napervilleparks.org
Girl Scout camps - http://www.girlscoutsgcnwi.org/go-camping/
Camp Invention – www.invent.org
Wheatland Salem - http://www.wheatlandsalem.org/connect--grow/children/
Greenlight - www.greenlightdriving.com
Drive Academy - www.mydriveacademy.com
Blue Lake - www.bluelake.org
Interlochen - www.interlochen.org
There are many ways to find out about summer activities for children and youth.
The Indian Prairie Parents’ Council (IPPC), Indian Prairie School District 204, and State Representative Darlene Senger (R-Naperville) invite the public to the second annual Student Summer Activities Fair on Thursday, April 29, 2010 from 6:00pm to 8:30pm. Admission is free and the event will be held at Crone Middle School, 4020 W. 111th Street, Naperville. There are a limited number of vendor spots still available and those interested should contact Laura McDonnell at ippcpta@gmail.com.
The Student Summer Activities Fair will display summer programs and services available to children and youth. The purpose of this event is to highlight great programs throughout our local communities that offer area children and teenagers with enriching summer activities.
According to Laura McDonnell, IPPC First Vice President and Student Activities Fair Coordinator “Our goal is to have 25-30 vendors who will provide summer programs that range from Academic Enrichment, Tutoring Options, Summer Sports Programs, & Overnight Summer Camps. We hope to have a wide variety of organizations that can offer something for everyone. In addition to reaching out to organizations who could provide something for every student, we have reached out to both gifted enrichment organizations and special needs. New this year, we have also contacted over 30 service organizations to give high schoolers info on how they can volunteer for community service hours.”
The Fox Valley and Naperville Park Districts offer a wide variety of options for all ages. My son has enjoyed participating in three FVPD theater productions and will audition for this summer’s “Alice in Wonderland,” while my youngest daughter will continue dancing with Weber Irish Dance through the park district.
The Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana has day and overnight camps available at local and further away sites. My daughters have had great experiences at day camp at Von Oven in Naperville, Camp Greene Wood in Woodridge and at overnight camps. This year one daughter plans to go to day camp while another hopes to work at the same camp.
My ten-year-old had a lot of fun at Camp Invention a few years ago and will be attending at McCarty School this June. This is a weeklong day camp that is held at schools around the country where kids use their imaginations and get plenty of hands-on learning through fun.
Many churches offer Bible School and other summer activities. My kids have been involved for several years with summer programs at Wheatland Salem Church in Naperville. The younger kids attend Kids’ Club in June while the older ones volunteer there. In July my daughter will again attend Wheatland Salem’s annual Sports Camp. This week-long camp offers basketball, volleyball, soccer and cheerleading.
I’m hoping my son will learn to drive at Metea Valley, which is offering three sessions of Driver’s Education this summer. Most high schools offer a summer session which can be helpful for some students who can’t fit the class in during the school year. One daughter went to Green Light Driving School in Batavia and one went to then newly-opened Drive Academy in Aurora. Both had good experiences and there was simply no reasonable way for either to take the class through Waubonsie Valley.
Our family has twice sent students to Blue Lake Fine Arts camp. Both Blue Lake and Interlochen in Michigan have excellent reputations and serve many students from around the world.
Even with planned activities, summer homework and everything else going on, I can be sure that most kids will manage to find times they are bored, yet they still won’t be taking suggestions on what useful jobs around the house could fill their time.
Summer activities fair - http://ipsdweb.ipsd.org/Calendar.aspx?id=28825
Fox Valley Park District - www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org
Naperville Park District - www.napervilleparks.org
Girl Scout camps - http://www.girlscoutsgcnwi.org/go-camping/
Camp Invention – www.invent.org
Wheatland Salem - http://www.wheatlandsalem.org/connect--grow/children/
Greenlight - www.greenlightdriving.com
Drive Academy - www.mydriveacademy.com
Blue Lake - www.bluelake.org
Interlochen - www.interlochen.org
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
2010-04-02 Let your voices be heard in Springfield
Unless you’ve have your head buried in the sand, you know that education funding cuts in Illinois are causing tremendous problems for many school districts in the state including local districts. What can we do about this?
A group of parents in District 204 is setting up a rally in Springfield on Wednesday, April 14 and all concerned people in Illinois are welcome to join us. The legislature is in session that day and we plan to meet with some legislators while there.
We are working toward reprioritization of spending in the state budget to restore funding to public education. Funding education should be a state priority. This rally is not in support of HB 174 which would increase income and business taxes.
If you would like to help these efforts in some way, here are some opportunities.
Contact your state representative and senator, Governor Pat Quinn, and Speaker of the House Mike Madigan to let them know your opinion about these cuts and how much and why you value public education. You can find contact information for the people who represent you at this website: http://www.elections.state.il.us/districtlocator/selectsearchtype.aspx
Add your name to the “Stop Education Budget Cuts in Illinois - Save our teachers” petition at http://www.gopetition.us/petitions/stop-education-budget-cuts-in-illinois.html
Join the Facebook fan page “Caravan to the Capitol - Restore Illinois Education Funding.”
Pass this information on to others anywhere in Illinois who may be interested.
If you’d like to join us on our Springfield trip, please make sure to join the Facebook page or e-mail me so you can be updated as we finalize the plans for the day, including transportation arrangements. You could also choose to visit Springfield another day on your own or with a group.
We are working on putting together a video made up of photos of children, parents, and teachers with signs. If you have photos/signs you’d like included in our video, please send them!
E-mail me or caravan2thecapitol@yahoo.com for more information and to be included on future e-mails.
This is our opportunity to have our voices heard, to say that we value the education our children are getting and don't want funding to be cut.
A group of parents in District 204 is setting up a rally in Springfield on Wednesday, April 14 and all concerned people in Illinois are welcome to join us. The legislature is in session that day and we plan to meet with some legislators while there.
We are working toward reprioritization of spending in the state budget to restore funding to public education. Funding education should be a state priority. This rally is not in support of HB 174 which would increase income and business taxes.
If you would like to help these efforts in some way, here are some opportunities.
Contact your state representative and senator, Governor Pat Quinn, and Speaker of the House Mike Madigan to let them know your opinion about these cuts and how much and why you value public education. You can find contact information for the people who represent you at this website: http://www.elections.state.il.us/districtlocator/selectsearchtype.aspx
Add your name to the “Stop Education Budget Cuts in Illinois - Save our teachers” petition at http://www.gopetition.us/petitions/stop-education-budget-cuts-in-illinois.html
Join the Facebook fan page “Caravan to the Capitol - Restore Illinois Education Funding.”
Pass this information on to others anywhere in Illinois who may be interested.
If you’d like to join us on our Springfield trip, please make sure to join the Facebook page or e-mail me so you can be updated as we finalize the plans for the day, including transportation arrangements. You could also choose to visit Springfield another day on your own or with a group.
We are working on putting together a video made up of photos of children, parents, and teachers with signs. If you have photos/signs you’d like included in our video, please send them!
E-mail me or caravan2thecapitol@yahoo.com for more information and to be included on future e-mails.
This is our opportunity to have our voices heard, to say that we value the education our children are getting and don't want funding to be cut.
Friday, March 26, 2010
2010-03-26 - District 204 cuts & Springfield rally
Governor Quinn’s planned cuts to school funding have been big news lately. Though the final budget may not be available for several months, school districts must make decisions at this time of year about next school year based on this incomplete budget information. This has put many Illinois districts in the undesirable position of making massive cuts.
It is the hope of parents, educators, and administrators throughout Illinois that state legislators will meet this funding obligation. According to Article 10 of the Illinois Constitution “The State has the primary responsibility for financing the system of public education.” Education funding should remain intact while funding decreases come from other areas. This would be a terrible time to increase the tax burden on businesses and people working in Illinois. Creating and restoring jobs instead would cut down on the loss of income tax dollars to the state and decrease the burden of unemployment.
In District 204 the administration and school board have utilized community input and spent countless hours looking at a multitude of ways to cut millions of dollars from next year’s budget. The proposal presented at the March 22 board meeting included long-term savings such as a million dollar savings on changing bus routes, a million dollar savings on the new bus contract, and a new health care contract. Other proposals include putting off expenses such as building maintenance and technology, renegotiating software licenses, and increases of fees and class sizes.
The community has the opportunity to comment on the various proposals both online and at the upcoming budget meeting on April 5. Many ideas have been thoroughly discussed but there can still be new ideas which could make a difference.
After the potential loss of dozens of teachers, the biggest concern for some are the proposed music cuts. It is important to note that alternatives within the new budget constraints are being actively working on. Please see www.ipsd.org for budget updates and to give online feedback. The district has chosen to leave the 5th grade and high school band and orchestra programs intact.
Hundreds of district students participating in curricular band and orchestra meet in large classes where they work as a group. Each student also meets weekly in a small group with an instructor for technique class where they work on learning how to play their specific instrument and get crucial individualized instruction. The proposed changes eliminate technique class - there is a chance technique will be available outside of school hours for a fee - putting the majority of students who don’t take private lessons at a severe disadvantage.
If this occurs, our middle school program could gradually shrink and feed less well-prepared students to our high school music programs. In addition, many valued staff members who make the music program what it is today have been notified of their release or are being reassigned. Our Grammy Award winning high school music programs are well known throughout the country. This may not continue if the program cuts occur.
I commend the administration and school board for their efforts on a financial plan meant to have minimal impact on our students, but this particular proposal has a large and not easily regained effect on one of the very things that makes our district as great as it is today.
It is incredibly ironic that President Obama and Education Secretary Duncan have proposals to improve education in this country while education is headed rapidly downhill in their home state, where residents would be grateful to simply maintain the levels of education and programs we have now.
Without the state funding cuts, our district would not be in this position. A group of parents is planning to visit legislators in Springfield soon to voice opposition to the cuts and rally for restoration of education funding. Please contact me for more information.
It is the hope of parents, educators, and administrators throughout Illinois that state legislators will meet this funding obligation. According to Article 10 of the Illinois Constitution “The State has the primary responsibility for financing the system of public education.” Education funding should remain intact while funding decreases come from other areas. This would be a terrible time to increase the tax burden on businesses and people working in Illinois. Creating and restoring jobs instead would cut down on the loss of income tax dollars to the state and decrease the burden of unemployment.
In District 204 the administration and school board have utilized community input and spent countless hours looking at a multitude of ways to cut millions of dollars from next year’s budget. The proposal presented at the March 22 board meeting included long-term savings such as a million dollar savings on changing bus routes, a million dollar savings on the new bus contract, and a new health care contract. Other proposals include putting off expenses such as building maintenance and technology, renegotiating software licenses, and increases of fees and class sizes.
The community has the opportunity to comment on the various proposals both online and at the upcoming budget meeting on April 5. Many ideas have been thoroughly discussed but there can still be new ideas which could make a difference.
After the potential loss of dozens of teachers, the biggest concern for some are the proposed music cuts. It is important to note that alternatives within the new budget constraints are being actively working on. Please see www.ipsd.org for budget updates and to give online feedback. The district has chosen to leave the 5th grade and high school band and orchestra programs intact.
Hundreds of district students participating in curricular band and orchestra meet in large classes where they work as a group. Each student also meets weekly in a small group with an instructor for technique class where they work on learning how to play their specific instrument and get crucial individualized instruction. The proposed changes eliminate technique class - there is a chance technique will be available outside of school hours for a fee - putting the majority of students who don’t take private lessons at a severe disadvantage.
If this occurs, our middle school program could gradually shrink and feed less well-prepared students to our high school music programs. In addition, many valued staff members who make the music program what it is today have been notified of their release or are being reassigned. Our Grammy Award winning high school music programs are well known throughout the country. This may not continue if the program cuts occur.
I commend the administration and school board for their efforts on a financial plan meant to have minimal impact on our students, but this particular proposal has a large and not easily regained effect on one of the very things that makes our district as great as it is today.
It is incredibly ironic that President Obama and Education Secretary Duncan have proposals to improve education in this country while education is headed rapidly downhill in their home state, where residents would be grateful to simply maintain the levels of education and programs we have now.
Without the state funding cuts, our district would not be in this position. A group of parents is planning to visit legislators in Springfield soon to voice opposition to the cuts and rally for restoration of education funding. Please contact me for more information.
Friday, March 19, 2010
2010-03-19 Metea musicians shine on big night
There was a high level of excitement among high school students and faculty this week as they prepared for and performed for the first time in their new auditorium.
On Wednesday the Metea Valley High School Music Department presented the Grand Opening Auditorium Concert at 6 and 8pm. Approximately 320 ninth and tenth grade musicians were featured in a seamless performance of musical ensembles. The concert included all Metea Valley curricular and co-curricular ensembles including Symphonic Orchestra, Symphonic Strings, Metea Valley Symphony Orchestra (MVSO), String Quartet, Cecillian Singers, Bass Chorus, Concert Choir, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, United Voices, Symphonic Bands, Symphonic Winds, Jazz Ensemble, Steel Bands, and Percussion Ensembles.
The auditorium was completed recently and features the latest in digital audio and lighting technology, which presented a challenge for those who needed to learn how to use all the new equipment in time for the performance. There is a fully enclosed concert shell on stage and an orchestra pit. There are two alcoves above and to the sides of the stage for additional performance areas, and these were used during this concert. The auditorium area includes a scene shop, a black box theater, dressing rooms, storage rooms, and piano storage. The 880 seats are divided into three sections in both the front and rear and handicapped seating is available. 1100-1200 people attended the concerts Wednesday, including our superintendent and some members of the school board.
Earlier this week Don Devany, Fine Arts Department Chair, told me “the students and faculty are very excited about the opportunity to perform in this beautiful auditorium. This has been a truly collaborative effort between the students, 204 music faculty, Light and Sound Technician (Jay Fontenetta), Auditorium Manager (Georgia Salerno), MV Music Parents, Maintenance Staff, Administration, IPSD 204 Project Manager (Todd DePaul), and the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation.”
This was a big change in venue for the students, whose concerts this school year have been performed in the gym, in the school’s commons and at North Central College’s Wentz Hall.
It was a big undertaking for all to set up the very first music performance in the auditorium as well as make it a seamless concert experience. This required precision on sound, lighting, the curtain, and the quiet arrival and departure of many students, some with instruments, to various locations around the auditorium without disrupting the music currently being performed. The finale “America, the Beautiful” was presented by all of the music students – with band and orchestra students on the stage and chorus students throughout the auditorium.
Parent volunteers put in many hours of preparation related to ticket reservation and organizing the logistics of rehearsal and concert night. Dozens of parents spent hours Tuesday evening working at the dress rehearsal and then on Wednesday attended one concert and worked at the other. Volunteers worked at the ticket distribution counter, at the CD sales counter, worked as ushers before and during the concerts, supervised rooms of students, and kept the student rooms notified of the concert’s progress so they would know when their turn was coming up.
After watching the rehearsal it seemed impossible that it could all flow smoothly on concert night, but it pulled together beautifully on concert night with only a few minor glitches. These students and directors have years of experience in doing just that and the directors did a terrific job in preparing the students for this impressive performance. The students looked and sounded very professional and played with the same amazing, excellent quality we have come to expect in 204. It was hard to believe that this was only 9th and 10th graders.
I heard extremely positive comments from everyone I spoke with and would say the night was an overwhelming success.
On Wednesday the Metea Valley High School Music Department presented the Grand Opening Auditorium Concert at 6 and 8pm. Approximately 320 ninth and tenth grade musicians were featured in a seamless performance of musical ensembles. The concert included all Metea Valley curricular and co-curricular ensembles including Symphonic Orchestra, Symphonic Strings, Metea Valley Symphony Orchestra (MVSO), String Quartet, Cecillian Singers, Bass Chorus, Concert Choir, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, United Voices, Symphonic Bands, Symphonic Winds, Jazz Ensemble, Steel Bands, and Percussion Ensembles.
The auditorium was completed recently and features the latest in digital audio and lighting technology, which presented a challenge for those who needed to learn how to use all the new equipment in time for the performance. There is a fully enclosed concert shell on stage and an orchestra pit. There are two alcoves above and to the sides of the stage for additional performance areas, and these were used during this concert. The auditorium area includes a scene shop, a black box theater, dressing rooms, storage rooms, and piano storage. The 880 seats are divided into three sections in both the front and rear and handicapped seating is available. 1100-1200 people attended the concerts Wednesday, including our superintendent and some members of the school board.
Earlier this week Don Devany, Fine Arts Department Chair, told me “the students and faculty are very excited about the opportunity to perform in this beautiful auditorium. This has been a truly collaborative effort between the students, 204 music faculty, Light and Sound Technician (Jay Fontenetta), Auditorium Manager (Georgia Salerno), MV Music Parents, Maintenance Staff, Administration, IPSD 204 Project Manager (Todd DePaul), and the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation.”
This was a big change in venue for the students, whose concerts this school year have been performed in the gym, in the school’s commons and at North Central College’s Wentz Hall.
It was a big undertaking for all to set up the very first music performance in the auditorium as well as make it a seamless concert experience. This required precision on sound, lighting, the curtain, and the quiet arrival and departure of many students, some with instruments, to various locations around the auditorium without disrupting the music currently being performed. The finale “America, the Beautiful” was presented by all of the music students – with band and orchestra students on the stage and chorus students throughout the auditorium.
Parent volunteers put in many hours of preparation related to ticket reservation and organizing the logistics of rehearsal and concert night. Dozens of parents spent hours Tuesday evening working at the dress rehearsal and then on Wednesday attended one concert and worked at the other. Volunteers worked at the ticket distribution counter, at the CD sales counter, worked as ushers before and during the concerts, supervised rooms of students, and kept the student rooms notified of the concert’s progress so they would know when their turn was coming up.
After watching the rehearsal it seemed impossible that it could all flow smoothly on concert night, but it pulled together beautifully on concert night with only a few minor glitches. These students and directors have years of experience in doing just that and the directors did a terrific job in preparing the students for this impressive performance. The students looked and sounded very professional and played with the same amazing, excellent quality we have come to expect in 204. It was hard to believe that this was only 9th and 10th graders.
I heard extremely positive comments from everyone I spoke with and would say the night was an overwhelming success.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
2010-03-12 Keeping our children safe from predators
I was in the midst of reading "Bringing Elizabeth Home: A Journey of Faith and Hope," written by Elizabeth Smart's parents about their experience, the miracle of their daughter's return home, and their advocacy of the Amber Alert, Child Protection Act, and the crime victims' rights amendment to the constitution, when I was invited to join a Facebook group called "Help Find Chelsea King." I read with horror about the disappearance of this high school senior who had lived in our school district for ten years and had attended school with my daughter in ninth grade before the family moved to California.
Chelsea went missing Feb. 25 when she had gone for a run in a park north of San Diego. Within a day or two, her story made local and national headlines. On March 2 my daughter and many other Waubonsie students were on break from their varsity music concert rehearsal when they got the news that their former classmate’s body had been found in a shallow grave at the park.
There are so many thoughts and feelings that occur in relation to what happened. Chelsea’s death is absolutely heartbreaking and was so unnecessary.
Focus has now turned to the man charged with Chelsea’s murder. Following this man’s guilty plea of sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl in 2000, a psychiatrist said he had “significant predatory traits” toward underage girls and should be kept in prison for as long as possible, according to a probation report released by the San Diego County Superior Court on Tuesday. He had served five of a six-year sentence for that crime before he was paroled.
This same man is now also charged with assaulting a woman in December with intent to rape in the same park where Chelsea was found, and he is the focus of an investigation into the death of 14-year-old Amber DuBois in early 2009, whose skeletal remains were found Saturday near an Indian reservation.
Questions remain about why this convicted criminal had been set free to ruin even more lives. While it is known that many sex offenders cannot be rehabilitated, these predators are still routinely allowed to roam free and re-offend.
There is a lot of discussion on the King family’s “Chelsea’s Light” Facebook group regarding actions being taken in Chelsea’s honor. California Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher has already begun working on “Chelsea’s Law” to bring relevant changes to the state’s sex offender laws. Federally, the Dubois-King Bill demands greater protections against sex offenders as well. These are great ideas, but women and children also need to be know how to protect themselves from first-time offenders or those who have not yet been caught.
As I gave my children extra hugs this past week, I pondered what I could do to help keep them from getting into situations in which they cannot protect themselves. This past week we’ve spoken more than usual about how to keep ourselves safe.
Here are some basic tips from a police officer friend: Don’t go out alone after dark. Avoid alleyways and other concealed places if possible. Carry a cell phone, but don’t use it when walking alone because that distraction can make you an easy target. Park your vehicle in well-lit areas and walk with a purpose. If you see or hear something unusual, go somewhere safe and evaluate the situation. Call the police if needed. Call the police if you are afraid to walk to your car and want an escort. If you’re ever in a situation where your life is in danger, scream as loud as you can and fight back as hard as you can.
I also looked for local opportunities to learn basic personal safety and self defense outside of long-term martial arts courses. I realized, though, that these learning opportunities are so important for children to have that they should be part of the curriculum in our schools.
My fourth-grader recently went through the “Be Smart, Be Safe” program at Brooks Elementary School. The District 204 high schools have each hosted guest speaker presentations on the topic of dating violence prevention, and the district’s middle school health courses have a unit on conflict resolution and appropriate responses to bullying.
Neuqua Valley, Metea Valley and the Frontier Campus have had a physical education unit on basic self defense available this year taught with the assistance of Mary Treacy Jansa from Eagle Academy of Martial Arts. Jansa tells me that she can tailor programs for all ages as well as specifically for Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, PTAs, or P.E. programs and can be contacted at eagleacademy@sbcglobal.net.
The local police departments and the schools do quite a lot already to address a variety of safety topics with students, but I found that District 204 does not have personal safety and self-defense as a formal part of its curriculum at any level — it really needs to be, districtwide.
I’ve read that women can be easy targets for random acts of violence due to lack of awareness of surroundings, body language, and just being in the wrong place. Though there are many common sense actions one can take to avoid danger, people need to be taught to recognize these situations and how to react quickly without having to think it through.
It is heartbreaking that anyone should ever have to face the horror of a missing or murdered child, and even more sickening when the accused has been previously convicted. I hope that some future crimes against women and children can be prevented due to actions taken politically and in the classroom as a result of the King family’s loss.
========================
For the sidebar:
http://www.naperville.il.us/dynamic_content.aspx?id=327
Be Smart, Be Safe
Fourth Grade
The “Be Smart, Be Safe” program is offered in School Districts 203, 204 and in the private schools in Naperville. This is a personal safety program presented in three school days and is instructed by a Community Education Specialist (CES) and a School Resource Officer (SRO).
The curriculum consists of the five basic safety rules, the definition of a stranger and role-playing with the students. During the course of the discussion, a stranger (who is actually one of the student’s parents dressed in disguise) “steals” the officer’s bag. The students then go on to describe the “stranger” so he can be apprehended. This activity teaches the students how to be good witnesses. The program also includes an Internet Safety component. Through the use of a Power Point program developed by Microsoft and the NPD, the students are provided safety rules regarding Internet usage, visiting chat rooms and the dangers of talking to “strangers” in the chat room. Approximately 4,000 students are served at 40 schools each year.
Chelsea went missing Feb. 25 when she had gone for a run in a park north of San Diego. Within a day or two, her story made local and national headlines. On March 2 my daughter and many other Waubonsie students were on break from their varsity music concert rehearsal when they got the news that their former classmate’s body had been found in a shallow grave at the park.
There are so many thoughts and feelings that occur in relation to what happened. Chelsea’s death is absolutely heartbreaking and was so unnecessary.
Focus has now turned to the man charged with Chelsea’s murder. Following this man’s guilty plea of sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl in 2000, a psychiatrist said he had “significant predatory traits” toward underage girls and should be kept in prison for as long as possible, according to a probation report released by the San Diego County Superior Court on Tuesday. He had served five of a six-year sentence for that crime before he was paroled.
This same man is now also charged with assaulting a woman in December with intent to rape in the same park where Chelsea was found, and he is the focus of an investigation into the death of 14-year-old Amber DuBois in early 2009, whose skeletal remains were found Saturday near an Indian reservation.
Questions remain about why this convicted criminal had been set free to ruin even more lives. While it is known that many sex offenders cannot be rehabilitated, these predators are still routinely allowed to roam free and re-offend.
There is a lot of discussion on the King family’s “Chelsea’s Light” Facebook group regarding actions being taken in Chelsea’s honor. California Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher has already begun working on “Chelsea’s Law” to bring relevant changes to the state’s sex offender laws. Federally, the Dubois-King Bill demands greater protections against sex offenders as well. These are great ideas, but women and children also need to be know how to protect themselves from first-time offenders or those who have not yet been caught.
As I gave my children extra hugs this past week, I pondered what I could do to help keep them from getting into situations in which they cannot protect themselves. This past week we’ve spoken more than usual about how to keep ourselves safe.
Here are some basic tips from a police officer friend: Don’t go out alone after dark. Avoid alleyways and other concealed places if possible. Carry a cell phone, but don’t use it when walking alone because that distraction can make you an easy target. Park your vehicle in well-lit areas and walk with a purpose. If you see or hear something unusual, go somewhere safe and evaluate the situation. Call the police if needed. Call the police if you are afraid to walk to your car and want an escort. If you’re ever in a situation where your life is in danger, scream as loud as you can and fight back as hard as you can.
I also looked for local opportunities to learn basic personal safety and self defense outside of long-term martial arts courses. I realized, though, that these learning opportunities are so important for children to have that they should be part of the curriculum in our schools.
My fourth-grader recently went through the “Be Smart, Be Safe” program at Brooks Elementary School. The District 204 high schools have each hosted guest speaker presentations on the topic of dating violence prevention, and the district’s middle school health courses have a unit on conflict resolution and appropriate responses to bullying.
Neuqua Valley, Metea Valley and the Frontier Campus have had a physical education unit on basic self defense available this year taught with the assistance of Mary Treacy Jansa from Eagle Academy of Martial Arts. Jansa tells me that she can tailor programs for all ages as well as specifically for Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, PTAs, or P.E. programs and can be contacted at eagleacademy@sbcglobal.net.
The local police departments and the schools do quite a lot already to address a variety of safety topics with students, but I found that District 204 does not have personal safety and self-defense as a formal part of its curriculum at any level — it really needs to be, districtwide.
I’ve read that women can be easy targets for random acts of violence due to lack of awareness of surroundings, body language, and just being in the wrong place. Though there are many common sense actions one can take to avoid danger, people need to be taught to recognize these situations and how to react quickly without having to think it through.
It is heartbreaking that anyone should ever have to face the horror of a missing or murdered child, and even more sickening when the accused has been previously convicted. I hope that some future crimes against women and children can be prevented due to actions taken politically and in the classroom as a result of the King family’s loss.
========================
For the sidebar:
http://www.naperville.il.us/dynamic_content.aspx?id=327
Be Smart, Be Safe
Fourth Grade
The “Be Smart, Be Safe” program is offered in School Districts 203, 204 and in the private schools in Naperville. This is a personal safety program presented in three school days and is instructed by a Community Education Specialist (CES) and a School Resource Officer (SRO).
The curriculum consists of the five basic safety rules, the definition of a stranger and role-playing with the students. During the course of the discussion, a stranger (who is actually one of the student’s parents dressed in disguise) “steals” the officer’s bag. The students then go on to describe the “stranger” so he can be apprehended. This activity teaches the students how to be good witnesses. The program also includes an Internet Safety component. Through the use of a Power Point program developed by Microsoft and the NPD, the students are provided safety rules regarding Internet usage, visiting chat rooms and the dangers of talking to “strangers” in the chat room. Approximately 4,000 students are served at 40 schools each year.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
2010-03-05 Indian Plains students visit county crime lab
Most of us have seen crime shows on TV that portray a group of investigators gathering evidence at the scene, analyzing that evidence in a lab with amazingly quick and accurate results, and then solving the crime, all in a day or two!
My family got a glimpse of how it’s really done, and how long it takes, when we went on the tour at the new Aurora Police Department last year. Students at Indian Plains High School had an even more in-depth look at real-life crime investigation when they visited the DuPage County crime lab at the county complex last month.
Suzie Hansen, a teacher at the Graduation Academy at Indian Plains, said the students found the trip to be beneficial as it dispelled many myths perpetuated on TV. These students have been studying the criminal justice system in Street Law this year. In this class the students gain a practical understanding of the roles that law, lawyers, law enforcement officers, and the legal system play in our society. They begin with an introduction of criminal and civil law, focusing on the differences between the two, and then move on to learning about trial and appeals court and the American jury system.
Hansen explains that their focus this semester has been “on the criminal justice system, and the causes and nature of crimes against the person and against property. Prior to the field trip the students studied their 4th Amendment rights to gain a better understanding of what constitutes an unreasonable search. They learned what was necessary for an arrest to take place, including the difference between reasonable suspicion and probable cause, Terry Stops, and searching with and without a warrant. An Aurora police officer spoke to the students to clarify any questions and misunderstanding they may have of the procedures used by officers in an arrest.”
A forensic scientist at the DuPage County Sheriff’s Crime Laboratory told me that the crime lab moved into their current facility in 2004 after almost five years of planning. One of the things planned for was hosting a large number of tours. Tour groups view a short video outside each of four laboratory sections and then observe the actual workings of the lab through viewing windows. Visitors can’t actually go into the individual sections due to security of the evidence and the need to prevent contamination of the evidence.
The students had an opportunity to see where firearm and tool marks are examined and to see the lab’s reference collection of guns and where the test firing of firearms is done. They got to watch a drug chemist working, as the lab receives and analyzes many different types of drug cases daily. The lab has a full service Biology/DNA section where the students saw how biological samples are collected and how DNA samples are extracted. In the Latent Print Section they watched a scientist process evidence for latent fingerprints and conduct comparisons to victims and suspects. The students learned how the laboratory’s Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) is used to identify suspects. In this same section they learned about the use of footwear and tire track impressions.
The tour was both fascinating and educational and the students saw first-hand how science and technology solve real crimes.
My family got a glimpse of how it’s really done, and how long it takes, when we went on the tour at the new Aurora Police Department last year. Students at Indian Plains High School had an even more in-depth look at real-life crime investigation when they visited the DuPage County crime lab at the county complex last month.
Suzie Hansen, a teacher at the Graduation Academy at Indian Plains, said the students found the trip to be beneficial as it dispelled many myths perpetuated on TV. These students have been studying the criminal justice system in Street Law this year. In this class the students gain a practical understanding of the roles that law, lawyers, law enforcement officers, and the legal system play in our society. They begin with an introduction of criminal and civil law, focusing on the differences between the two, and then move on to learning about trial and appeals court and the American jury system.
Hansen explains that their focus this semester has been “on the criminal justice system, and the causes and nature of crimes against the person and against property. Prior to the field trip the students studied their 4th Amendment rights to gain a better understanding of what constitutes an unreasonable search. They learned what was necessary for an arrest to take place, including the difference between reasonable suspicion and probable cause, Terry Stops, and searching with and without a warrant. An Aurora police officer spoke to the students to clarify any questions and misunderstanding they may have of the procedures used by officers in an arrest.”
A forensic scientist at the DuPage County Sheriff’s Crime Laboratory told me that the crime lab moved into their current facility in 2004 after almost five years of planning. One of the things planned for was hosting a large number of tours. Tour groups view a short video outside each of four laboratory sections and then observe the actual workings of the lab through viewing windows. Visitors can’t actually go into the individual sections due to security of the evidence and the need to prevent contamination of the evidence.
The students had an opportunity to see where firearm and tool marks are examined and to see the lab’s reference collection of guns and where the test firing of firearms is done. They got to watch a drug chemist working, as the lab receives and analyzes many different types of drug cases daily. The lab has a full service Biology/DNA section where the students saw how biological samples are collected and how DNA samples are extracted. In the Latent Print Section they watched a scientist process evidence for latent fingerprints and conduct comparisons to victims and suspects. The students learned how the laboratory’s Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) is used to identify suspects. In this same section they learned about the use of footwear and tire track impressions.
The tour was both fascinating and educational and the students saw first-hand how science and technology solve real crimes.
Friday, February 26, 2010
2010-02-26 Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kids' Sake
Big Brothers Big Sisters is about Little Moments, Big Magic.
My husband and I had a chance to be part of the magic of smiles, laughter, long talks and shared memories. Years ago we were a Big Couple through Big Brothers Big Sisters and were matched with a local nine-year-old boy whose father was not part of his life. The emphasis was on spending time together, not money. We saw each other weekly the first year and then less time as we got more acquainted and comfortable in our relationship. We had a lot of fun times together over the years. We played board games, went swimming, took him along on our errands, went to his soccer games, brought him to my husband’s softball games, went to fireworks, a spook walk, and all sorts of other things.
The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters is “to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships.” Research indicates that children matched with a Big Brother or Sister are significantly less likely to skip school or use illegal drugs, and have better relationships with their families and peers than children who do not have a Big Brother or Sister.
“The number of new matches has doubled when comparing the last two years,” according to Clyde Shields, Program Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters. “BBBS’ successful school-based program is credited for the program growth. We have 9 school partners that offer one-to-one mentoring in an after-school group setting.”
There are currently 297 children served this year with an additional 51 children ready to be matched with a community-based volunteer. More volunteers are always needed.
In this time of economic crisis, this program continues to grow and to experience greater need for funds in order to match children with adult volunteers and support those relationships. The cost to match a child and supervise the relationship for one year is approximately $1000 and last year 67% of this budget came from special events.
Bowl For Kids’ Sake is the organization’s annual fundraiser and is going on now. Five member teams are asked to raise a minimum of $100 per bowler.
“This year’s remaining bowling events will take place at Brunswick Zone in Naperville on Wednesday, March 3, and at Parkside Lanes in Aurora on Sunday afternoon on March 7 and later that evening at Funway Bowl in Batavia,” according to Kelly Clason, Assistant Executive Director at Family Counseling Service. “Visit www.aurorabfks.kintera.org to make a donation or sign up to raise donations and come to Bowl For Kids’ Sake.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Kane and Kendall Counties has been a program of Family Counseling Service, a United Way agency, since 1980. Since then, over 2000 children have been paired with a Big Brother, Big Sister, Big Couple, or High School Big. Visit www.aurorabbbs.org to volunteer or get more information or call 630-844-9090.
Volunteer. Be a donor. Your help can make a big difference in the lives of local children.
My husband and I had a chance to be part of the magic of smiles, laughter, long talks and shared memories. Years ago we were a Big Couple through Big Brothers Big Sisters and were matched with a local nine-year-old boy whose father was not part of his life. The emphasis was on spending time together, not money. We saw each other weekly the first year and then less time as we got more acquainted and comfortable in our relationship. We had a lot of fun times together over the years. We played board games, went swimming, took him along on our errands, went to his soccer games, brought him to my husband’s softball games, went to fireworks, a spook walk, and all sorts of other things.
The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters is “to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships.” Research indicates that children matched with a Big Brother or Sister are significantly less likely to skip school or use illegal drugs, and have better relationships with their families and peers than children who do not have a Big Brother or Sister.
“The number of new matches has doubled when comparing the last two years,” according to Clyde Shields, Program Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters. “BBBS’ successful school-based program is credited for the program growth. We have 9 school partners that offer one-to-one mentoring in an after-school group setting.”
There are currently 297 children served this year with an additional 51 children ready to be matched with a community-based volunteer. More volunteers are always needed.
In this time of economic crisis, this program continues to grow and to experience greater need for funds in order to match children with adult volunteers and support those relationships. The cost to match a child and supervise the relationship for one year is approximately $1000 and last year 67% of this budget came from special events.
Bowl For Kids’ Sake is the organization’s annual fundraiser and is going on now. Five member teams are asked to raise a minimum of $100 per bowler.
“This year’s remaining bowling events will take place at Brunswick Zone in Naperville on Wednesday, March 3, and at Parkside Lanes in Aurora on Sunday afternoon on March 7 and later that evening at Funway Bowl in Batavia,” according to Kelly Clason, Assistant Executive Director at Family Counseling Service. “Visit www.aurorabfks.kintera.org to make a donation or sign up to raise donations and come to Bowl For Kids’ Sake.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Kane and Kendall Counties has been a program of Family Counseling Service, a United Way agency, since 1980. Since then, over 2000 children have been paired with a Big Brother, Big Sister, Big Couple, or High School Big. Visit www.aurorabbbs.org to volunteer or get more information or call 630-844-9090.
Volunteer. Be a donor. Your help can make a big difference in the lives of local children.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
2010-02-19 Eola Rd. & Molitor Traffic Signal
I can’t tell you how much time I’ve spent waiting at Eola Road at Molitor these past several months, but it’s a lot. This traffic light was added last summer and is necessary for the newly opened Metea Valley High School.
I use this intersection several times a day and the two things that annoy me the most are the long red on Molitor, and the short green left turn arrow on northbound Eola Road followed by more than two minutes of a red turn arrow. For almost ten years I’d been turning at this intersection to get home with no traffic light, not even a stop sign, and now I just wait and wait, frequently with little or no traffic coming from the other direction. It’s also been frustrating for my family and my neighbors.
This intersection is under the control of DuPage County. Last week I found myself being educated on traffic signal systems by Dave Ziesemer, DuPage County Division of Transportation Traffic Engineer. What I learned from Dave helps me tolerate the wait a bit more now that I understand it, and I’m glad to hear that he may be making some adjustments to this signal.
This particular signal is on a closed loop system with other nearby traffic signals, and they are all set up to move traffic through multiple intersections as efficiently as possible. Traffic counts are taken for both weekdays and weekend days in all lanes of an intersection and then progressive capacity analysis is used to determine the best settings to be used for various times of day. For example, in the mornings the traffic flow is heavier northbound, so the lights are in sync to move more traffic going north, while still allowing southbound traffic to get through, and reversed for the evenings. The signals in front of MVHS were put in too late in the year to allow traffic counts to be done.
Currently this signal timing is set up similarly to those in nearby signal systems, but later will have custom settings for current traffic flow that will need to be analyzed and potentially updated each of the next two years as the high school adds juniors and seniors. The county will also work with the school to deal with moving traffic for large functions.
Dave told me that this intersection currently has a 150 second cycle length, and he explained how the cycle works including the video cameras used to detect vehicles and how the length of green is determined for through traffic and left turns. The cycle differs for peak and off-peak hours and it’s possible that these hours need refining and that the cycle time could possibly be shortened for off-peak times, relieving some of the wait for those of us using Molitor while not causing backups on Eola.
It was interesting to find out how the signals work as a system, the impact to the cycles of pedestrian crossings and emergency vehicles, and the precision that goes into optimizing it all.
I’d been curious about why this intersection has a red left turn arrow while many busier intersections do not. It’s good to know the reason even though I don’t believe I’ve ever encountered a situation where there are vehicles in both left turn lanes going from Eola into MVHS. According to Dave, “newly constructed intersections are routinely designed to provide a sufficient number of lanes in order to allow motorists to pass through on no more than one green cycle of the signals during heaviest travel times. Roadways having double left turn lane approaches to a traffic signal automatically require ‘Left Turn on Arrow Only’ operation for both approaches as required by the Illinois Department of Transportation Traffic (IDOT) Signal Design Requirements. Motorist sight to oncoming vehicles during the double left turn movement has proven to be easily restricted causing significant safety concerns if permitted in combination with the opposing thru vehicle green movement.”
DuPage County controls about 330 signals within the county and I appreciate that people there have been willing to take the time to explain the system and take my concerns seriously.
I use this intersection several times a day and the two things that annoy me the most are the long red on Molitor, and the short green left turn arrow on northbound Eola Road followed by more than two minutes of a red turn arrow. For almost ten years I’d been turning at this intersection to get home with no traffic light, not even a stop sign, and now I just wait and wait, frequently with little or no traffic coming from the other direction. It’s also been frustrating for my family and my neighbors.
This intersection is under the control of DuPage County. Last week I found myself being educated on traffic signal systems by Dave Ziesemer, DuPage County Division of Transportation Traffic Engineer. What I learned from Dave helps me tolerate the wait a bit more now that I understand it, and I’m glad to hear that he may be making some adjustments to this signal.
This particular signal is on a closed loop system with other nearby traffic signals, and they are all set up to move traffic through multiple intersections as efficiently as possible. Traffic counts are taken for both weekdays and weekend days in all lanes of an intersection and then progressive capacity analysis is used to determine the best settings to be used for various times of day. For example, in the mornings the traffic flow is heavier northbound, so the lights are in sync to move more traffic going north, while still allowing southbound traffic to get through, and reversed for the evenings. The signals in front of MVHS were put in too late in the year to allow traffic counts to be done.
Currently this signal timing is set up similarly to those in nearby signal systems, but later will have custom settings for current traffic flow that will need to be analyzed and potentially updated each of the next two years as the high school adds juniors and seniors. The county will also work with the school to deal with moving traffic for large functions.
Dave told me that this intersection currently has a 150 second cycle length, and he explained how the cycle works including the video cameras used to detect vehicles and how the length of green is determined for through traffic and left turns. The cycle differs for peak and off-peak hours and it’s possible that these hours need refining and that the cycle time could possibly be shortened for off-peak times, relieving some of the wait for those of us using Molitor while not causing backups on Eola.
It was interesting to find out how the signals work as a system, the impact to the cycles of pedestrian crossings and emergency vehicles, and the precision that goes into optimizing it all.
I’d been curious about why this intersection has a red left turn arrow while many busier intersections do not. It’s good to know the reason even though I don’t believe I’ve ever encountered a situation where there are vehicles in both left turn lanes going from Eola into MVHS. According to Dave, “newly constructed intersections are routinely designed to provide a sufficient number of lanes in order to allow motorists to pass through on no more than one green cycle of the signals during heaviest travel times. Roadways having double left turn lane approaches to a traffic signal automatically require ‘Left Turn on Arrow Only’ operation for both approaches as required by the Illinois Department of Transportation Traffic (IDOT) Signal Design Requirements. Motorist sight to oncoming vehicles during the double left turn movement has proven to be easily restricted causing significant safety concerns if permitted in combination with the opposing thru vehicle green movement.”
DuPage County controls about 330 signals within the county and I appreciate that people there have been willing to take the time to explain the system and take my concerns seriously.
Friday, February 5, 2010
2010-02-05 Tomcats getting reconnected
East Aurora Tomcats are getting reconnected with former classmates more easily than ever thanks to newer online resources.
Back in 2005 the Class of 1985 20 year reunion turned into a fairly small gathering when the organizers had a hard time locating everyone. Internet resources have changed vastly since then and now there are several easy ways to find others who attended East High. These will be a big help in planning this year's 25 year reunion. So far the organizers have had contact with about 120 of 380 on the class list. The email address for the Class of 1985 reunion is eastaurora.class85@att.net.
The web page www.easthighconnect.com has over 1200 members so far. The page offers many features such as an event calendar, groups, photos, and discussion boards. There are 30 groups, including groups for some class years as well as special interests such as Thespians. It is free and easy to join this web page and once there one can join a group for a class year or create a new one.
The District 131 homepage hosts the East Aurora Alumni Association page at http://www.d131.org/alumni.asp. This page offers a lot of information and provides the opportunity to buy EAHS alumni apparel.
Plus, "a large committee has contacts with many classmates and helps to get recent addresses. The EA Alumni Association has a 10,000-person database, but we have to rely on reunion groups to give us their reunion booklets. It is the only way we can keep our database in good shape. The alumni group has a guide for reunions available," according to John M. Roesch, vice president of the association.
Classmates.com has thousands of EAHS people listed and is in the process of changing policies to make it easier to connect there without paying the previously required annual fee
Facebook is considered by many to be the very best resource for finding old friends. On Facebook I'm friends with dozens of people that I met at Bardwell, Waldo, or East. I’ve recently enjoyed reminiscing with people who were good friends I’d lost touch with as well as with others whom I barely knew in school but have now found we have a lot in common due to sharing memories of some of the same people, places, and events.
Carol BulasCrowell Honkanen has found Facebook to be very useful, but somewhat limited as many of her classmates have not joined yet. She "had gathered e-mail addresses along the years, as I had coordinated our Class of 80's Silver 25th Reunion. It took lots of time and effort and networking with other classes, to find people. But, initially it was the website I had put out there http://65.108.233.221/EAHS that helped me to get in touch with people. Alumni still come in from that site and I lead them to Facebook. Of over thousands of e-mail addresses that I have, only a handful have connected on Facebook. So, we all still need to get our friends on-board."
One of my classmates, Esmeralda Zepeda Tellner, says that Facebook has helped her find many friends from East High, including me! She says "I think I can honestly say and I'm sure many people will agree that 20-25 years ago we had an awesome group of people we went to school with! I believe starting those friendships in grade school, junior high (whether you went to Waldo or Simmons), then EAHS, kind of gave us all that Red/Black Tomcat bond that we will always carry with us throughout our lives. I'm sure if you ask anyone about their high school relationships they will tell you the same. I know the friendships, memories, good times and yes some bad times we had will always be memorable. I honestly believe we had a special group of classmates in the 80's because EAHS was a mixture of races, cultures, color, and personalities and we all got along!"
I agree with Esmo and I look forward to getting together with even more Tomcats this year.
Back in 2005 the Class of 1985 20 year reunion turned into a fairly small gathering when the organizers had a hard time locating everyone. Internet resources have changed vastly since then and now there are several easy ways to find others who attended East High. These will be a big help in planning this year's 25 year reunion. So far the organizers have had contact with about 120 of 380 on the class list. The email address for the Class of 1985 reunion is eastaurora.class85@att.net.
The web page www.easthighconnect.com has over 1200 members so far. The page offers many features such as an event calendar, groups, photos, and discussion boards. There are 30 groups, including groups for some class years as well as special interests such as Thespians. It is free and easy to join this web page and once there one can join a group for a class year or create a new one.
The District 131 homepage hosts the East Aurora Alumni Association page at http://www.d131.org/alumni.asp. This page offers a lot of information and provides the opportunity to buy EAHS alumni apparel.
Plus, "a large committee has contacts with many classmates and helps to get recent addresses. The EA Alumni Association has a 10,000-person database, but we have to rely on reunion groups to give us their reunion booklets. It is the only way we can keep our database in good shape. The alumni group has a guide for reunions available," according to John M. Roesch, vice president of the association.
Classmates.com has thousands of EAHS people listed and is in the process of changing policies to make it easier to connect there without paying the previously required annual fee
Facebook is considered by many to be the very best resource for finding old friends. On Facebook I'm friends with dozens of people that I met at Bardwell, Waldo, or East. I’ve recently enjoyed reminiscing with people who were good friends I’d lost touch with as well as with others whom I barely knew in school but have now found we have a lot in common due to sharing memories of some of the same people, places, and events.
Carol BulasCrowell Honkanen has found Facebook to be very useful, but somewhat limited as many of her classmates have not joined yet. She "had gathered e-mail addresses along the years, as I had coordinated our Class of 80's Silver 25th Reunion. It took lots of time and effort and networking with other classes, to find people. But, initially it was the website I had put out there http://65.108.233.221/EAHS that helped me to get in touch with people. Alumni still come in from that site and I lead them to Facebook. Of over thousands of e-mail addresses that I have, only a handful have connected on Facebook. So, we all still need to get our friends on-board."
One of my classmates, Esmeralda Zepeda Tellner, says that Facebook has helped her find many friends from East High, including me! She says "I think I can honestly say and I'm sure many people will agree that 20-25 years ago we had an awesome group of people we went to school with! I believe starting those friendships in grade school, junior high (whether you went to Waldo or Simmons), then EAHS, kind of gave us all that Red/Black Tomcat bond that we will always carry with us throughout our lives. I'm sure if you ask anyone about their high school relationships they will tell you the same. I know the friendships, memories, good times and yes some bad times we had will always be memorable. I honestly believe we had a special group of classmates in the 80's because EAHS was a mixture of races, cultures, color, and personalities and we all got along!"
I agree with Esmo and I look forward to getting together with even more Tomcats this year.
Friday, January 29, 2010
2010-01-29 Quotes from NCC students and published version of Study Abroad column
I had the greatest learning experience of my life by studying abroad in Costa Rica . There is so much to learn not just from a language aspect but from a cultural aspect. Being immersed in a foreign culture is life changing. I learned so much from the obvious like cooking different foods to being as open minded as one can be.
Megan King, St. Louis , MO
The trip really opened my eyes about the rest of the world. I saw so many things and did so many things that I would have never done; I do not regret a thing. I made so many friends and regularly keep in touch with them. My Spanish has improved dramatically and I plan on improving it even more. Costa Rica has changed my entire life and will keep doing so solely because of its impact on my life.
Tanvi Potdukhe, Woodridge
Costa Rica was incredible! I did a lot of things that I never thought I would or could. I went on many memorable and crazy adventures, made many new and cherished friends from all over the world, and, of course, learned a lot of Spanish which will help me with my career goals. Most importantly, however,being completely out of my cultural context gave me the opportunity to step outside of myself and look at who I really am. The greatest lessons I learned while abroad were about myself. I came back with much more confidence in my personal identity, and that is something I will forever be grateful for.
Jenna Slack, Carol Stream
It is an incredible feeling now to look at a map, see Costa Rica located so far away from the U.S. , and know that I have family and friends there with whom I will keep in touch for years to come. Though my home is in Naperville , because of the people I grew so close to I now feel as though I have a home in Costa Rica as well.
Also, the trip was invaluable in terms of improving my ability to speak Spanish. There is such a difference between taking Spanish classes here in the U.S. , where we study grammar, vocabulary, and literature, and actually getting out into the Spanish-speaking world and learning to speak more like a native. I feel far more confident now in my ability to communicate in Spanish in any situation and know that this skill will serve me well both personally as I keep up my relationships with my Costa Rican friends and also career-wise as I look for a job.
Katie Braun, Naperville
Looking back at the first few weeks of our study abroad experience in Costa Rica , I can recall the feelings of excitement, astonishment, independence, but also of fear, loneliness, and adjustment. We had just arrived in a beautiful and exotic country and were about to experience a new culture, perfect our knowledge of the Spanish language, and visit breathless beaches, jungles, and volcanoes, but were intensely missing our families and loved ones, living with people we did not know, and adjusting to the fact that we would be there for 15 weeks. As I look back at that wonderful point in time, I can see how much each one of us grew as individuals and how much more we valued our families, friends, and home. It was such a blessing that we were studying abroad as a group, not only because there were 17 other people who were experiencing the same things, but also because we often leaned on eachother for support and advice.
I can speak for myself and for the whole group when I say that the level of our Spanish language skills reached enormous heights. Not only did we learn the language in our classes taught by professionals, but we also learned as we spoke with our homestay families, our newly made friends, and our co-workers in our internships. It was an experience that will truly be treasured in my life and that has helped me become more of the individual I am today.
Evita Predki, Lemont
===========================================================
Study abroad programs can change lives
January 29, 2010 Beacon News
Pura Vida! My daughter had an amazing fall term. Jessica was one of 17 North Central College students and a teacher who went on a study trip to Costa Rica from late August through mid-December. "Pura Vida" is a phrase commonly used by Costa Ricans that is both a greeting and a way of life.
As a parent, it is a bit of a leap of faith, combined with a lot of preparation, to send your student off to another country for several weeks or months. Study abroad can be part of a student's major or just a valuable part of his or her college experience.
NCC offers group programs to China, Japan, and Costa Rica and also has 12 exchange programs and nine direct enrollment programs available, in addition to December term options for two to three weeks. NCC professor Jeff Anstine of Aurora, who accompanied my daughter's group, says this type of trip is a wonderful opportunity for students to experience another culture and language, gain a more global view of the world and open their thinking.
On my daughter's Costa Rica trip, students lived with host families in Quepos and attended COSI, a learning center on a mountain with stunning views of the ocean and jungle below. There they had Spanish classes and Ecotourism classes, the latter taught by Anstine. They also had cooking and dancing classes.
While in Quepos the students had plenty of free time and enjoyed visiting the beach and local hangouts, and many weekends they took trips to other parts of the country.
They also had the experience of moving to the capital city of San Jose in November. There they participated in internships or more schooling for the final six weeks. How scary it must be to be so far from home and move in with a family you have never met before, and to do so twice in a matter of weeks.
Things in San Jose are very different than in Quepos. The weather is cooler and the city surroundings offer restaurants, movie theaters and shopping malls like any large city anywhere.
While in Costa Rica, the students experienced an earthquake, visiting volcanoes and national parks, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, snorkeling, boat rides, whale and dolphin watching, nature exploration, riding on a moped, playing in a waterfall, living near a beach, living in a big city, and all kinds of things that are very different from being at home. Most of them also learned to survive without cell phones and Internet access.
They found that they actually enjoyed the more relaxed lifestyle.
Visit my blog at statar.blogspot.com for comments from several NCC students who went on the trip. For more information about NCC's program, visit northcentralcollege.edu/x2920.xml.
Aurora University has also offered May term study abroad programs since 2005.
The programs designed by AU faculty go to the following countries: Mexico, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, England and Ireland, France, Greece, Luxembourg and Belgium, Spain, Turkey, China, Hungary, Italy, South Africa and Italy. More than 200 students have participated since the program began, and the average is about 40 students per year.
For more information about AU's program, visit:
• www.aurora.edu/doc uments/academics/may- term-course-bulletin.pdf
• www.aurora.edu/documents/parents/08-fall.pdf.
Contact Sherry Tatar at SherryTatar@ameritech.net.
Megan King, St. Louis , MO
The trip really opened my eyes about the rest of the world. I saw so many things and did so many things that I would have never done; I do not regret a thing. I made so many friends and regularly keep in touch with them. My Spanish has improved dramatically and I plan on improving it even more. Costa Rica has changed my entire life and will keep doing so solely because of its impact on my life.
Tanvi Potdukhe, Woodridge
Costa Rica was incredible! I did a lot of things that I never thought I would or could. I went on many memorable and crazy adventures, made many new and cherished friends from all over the world, and, of course, learned a lot of Spanish which will help me with my career goals. Most importantly, however,being completely out of my cultural context gave me the opportunity to step outside of myself and look at who I really am. The greatest lessons I learned while abroad were about myself. I came back with much more confidence in my personal identity, and that is something I will forever be grateful for.
Jenna Slack, Carol Stream
It is an incredible feeling now to look at a map, see Costa Rica located so far away from the U.S. , and know that I have family and friends there with whom I will keep in touch for years to come. Though my home is in Naperville , because of the people I grew so close to I now feel as though I have a home in Costa Rica as well.
Also, the trip was invaluable in terms of improving my ability to speak Spanish. There is such a difference between taking Spanish classes here in the U.S. , where we study grammar, vocabulary, and literature, and actually getting out into the Spanish-speaking world and learning to speak more like a native. I feel far more confident now in my ability to communicate in Spanish in any situation and know that this skill will serve me well both personally as I keep up my relationships with my Costa Rican friends and also career-wise as I look for a job.
Katie Braun, Naperville
Looking back at the first few weeks of our study abroad experience in Costa Rica , I can recall the feelings of excitement, astonishment, independence, but also of fear, loneliness, and adjustment. We had just arrived in a beautiful and exotic country and were about to experience a new culture, perfect our knowledge of the Spanish language, and visit breathless beaches, jungles, and volcanoes, but were intensely missing our families and loved ones, living with people we did not know, and adjusting to the fact that we would be there for 15 weeks. As I look back at that wonderful point in time, I can see how much each one of us grew as individuals and how much more we valued our families, friends, and home. It was such a blessing that we were studying abroad as a group, not only because there were 17 other people who were experiencing the same things, but also because we often leaned on eachother for support and advice.
I can speak for myself and for the whole group when I say that the level of our Spanish language skills reached enormous heights. Not only did we learn the language in our classes taught by professionals, but we also learned as we spoke with our homestay families, our newly made friends, and our co-workers in our internships. It was an experience that will truly be treasured in my life and that has helped me become more of the individual I am today.
Evita Predki, Lemont
===========================================================
Study abroad programs can change lives
January 29, 2010 Beacon News
Pura Vida! My daughter had an amazing fall term. Jessica was one of 17 North Central College students and a teacher who went on a study trip to Costa Rica from late August through mid-December. "Pura Vida" is a phrase commonly used by Costa Ricans that is both a greeting and a way of life.
As a parent, it is a bit of a leap of faith, combined with a lot of preparation, to send your student off to another country for several weeks or months. Study abroad can be part of a student's major or just a valuable part of his or her college experience.
NCC offers group programs to China, Japan, and Costa Rica and also has 12 exchange programs and nine direct enrollment programs available, in addition to December term options for two to three weeks. NCC professor Jeff Anstine of Aurora, who accompanied my daughter's group, says this type of trip is a wonderful opportunity for students to experience another culture and language, gain a more global view of the world and open their thinking.
On my daughter's Costa Rica trip, students lived with host families in Quepos and attended COSI, a learning center on a mountain with stunning views of the ocean and jungle below. There they had Spanish classes and Ecotourism classes, the latter taught by Anstine. They also had cooking and dancing classes.
While in Quepos the students had plenty of free time and enjoyed visiting the beach and local hangouts, and many weekends they took trips to other parts of the country.
They also had the experience of moving to the capital city of San Jose in November. There they participated in internships or more schooling for the final six weeks. How scary it must be to be so far from home and move in with a family you have never met before, and to do so twice in a matter of weeks.
Things in San Jose are very different than in Quepos. The weather is cooler and the city surroundings offer restaurants, movie theaters and shopping malls like any large city anywhere.
While in Costa Rica, the students experienced an earthquake, visiting volcanoes and national parks, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, snorkeling, boat rides, whale and dolphin watching, nature exploration, riding on a moped, playing in a waterfall, living near a beach, living in a big city, and all kinds of things that are very different from being at home. Most of them also learned to survive without cell phones and Internet access.
They found that they actually enjoyed the more relaxed lifestyle.
Visit my blog at statar.blogspot.com for comments from several NCC students who went on the trip. For more information about NCC's program, visit northcentralcollege.edu/x2920.xml.
Aurora University has also offered May term study abroad programs since 2005.
The programs designed by AU faculty go to the following countries: Mexico, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, England and Ireland, France, Greece, Luxembourg and Belgium, Spain, Turkey, China, Hungary, Italy, South Africa and Italy. More than 200 students have participated since the program began, and the average is about 40 students per year.
For more information about AU's program, visit:
• www.aurora.edu/doc uments/academics/may- term-course-bulletin.pdf
• www.aurora.edu/documents/parents/08-fall.pdf.
Contact Sherry Tatar at SherryTatar@ameritech.net.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
2010-01-25 Parent input used for 2010-2011 school calendar
In October District 204 PTAs requested parent input on next year’s calendar. This was something new, as far as I can recall parents have never before been formally asked for their opinions on school calendar decisions.
Kathy Birkett became Superintendent on July 1 and communication is and has been one of three main issues/goals for her and the current school board (the other two are financial/fiscal responsibility and student achievement). Gathering community input for the calendar is just one example of this new focus. Kathy believes that ”giving all our stakeholders a voice assists us in making better decisions. District 204’s strengths lie in our ability to pull together as a community.”
The IPPC sent three parent representatives to work on the calendar committee with Linda Rakestraw, Assistant Superintendent, Secondary Leadership Services. They read numerous comments from parents, many of which were overlapping and some conflicting. For example, some would like the district’s calendar to align with another district – but there were several different districts requested!
The committee met and discussed many constraints and considerations including the number of days the students need to be in school, mandatory testing dates, holidays, election days, parent-teacher conferences, the lack of air conditioning in most elementary school buildings, sports and other high school activities that take place beginning in early August, high school final exam schedules, long weekends, winter break including two weekends or three, and family vacations.
Doug McIlvane, a committee member whose children attend Gombert and Still, thought the whole process went well. He says that “input from the community is important" and he is "pleased to see the school district making it a priority.”
Linda Rakestraw told me that the most leeway is to be had with deciding the start and end dates and the winter break and long weekends. Spring break is always held the week that begins with the last Monday in March. Many parents were unhappy with the early start date for the current school year of Thursday, August 20.
Next school year will begin on Tuesday, August 24. Our current school year will end the Friday before Memorial Day as long as we have no snow days, whereas next year school is scheduled to end on June 3. Next year's calendar retains high school finals prior to winter break.
In order to incorporate as many as possible of the parent comments, the committee came up with three calendar options for next year rather than the usual two. These three models were voted on by District 204 employees earlier this month. The winning option was then presented to the School Board on the following Monday, was approved, and was e-mailed to the district listserv and posted at www.ipsd.org immediately.
I, for one, appreciate that the district actively solicited and used parent input for a decision that directly affects tens of thousands of people, and I know some young people who will appreciate having a longer summer this year.
Kathy Birkett became Superintendent on July 1 and communication is and has been one of three main issues/goals for her and the current school board (the other two are financial/fiscal responsibility and student achievement). Gathering community input for the calendar is just one example of this new focus. Kathy believes that ”giving all our stakeholders a voice assists us in making better decisions. District 204’s strengths lie in our ability to pull together as a community.”
The IPPC sent three parent representatives to work on the calendar committee with Linda Rakestraw, Assistant Superintendent, Secondary Leadership Services. They read numerous comments from parents, many of which were overlapping and some conflicting. For example, some would like the district’s calendar to align with another district – but there were several different districts requested!
The committee met and discussed many constraints and considerations including the number of days the students need to be in school, mandatory testing dates, holidays, election days, parent-teacher conferences, the lack of air conditioning in most elementary school buildings, sports and other high school activities that take place beginning in early August, high school final exam schedules, long weekends, winter break including two weekends or three, and family vacations.
Doug McIlvane, a committee member whose children attend Gombert and Still, thought the whole process went well. He says that “input from the community is important" and he is "pleased to see the school district making it a priority.”
Linda Rakestraw told me that the most leeway is to be had with deciding the start and end dates and the winter break and long weekends. Spring break is always held the week that begins with the last Monday in March. Many parents were unhappy with the early start date for the current school year of Thursday, August 20.
Next school year will begin on Tuesday, August 24. Our current school year will end the Friday before Memorial Day as long as we have no snow days, whereas next year school is scheduled to end on June 3. Next year's calendar retains high school finals prior to winter break.
In order to incorporate as many as possible of the parent comments, the committee came up with three calendar options for next year rather than the usual two. These three models were voted on by District 204 employees earlier this month. The winning option was then presented to the School Board on the following Monday, was approved, and was e-mailed to the district listserv and posted at www.ipsd.org immediately.
I, for one, appreciate that the district actively solicited and used parent input for a decision that directly affects tens of thousands of people, and I know some young people who will appreciate having a longer summer this year.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
2010-01-15 Parent University
We parents like our kids to think that we have all the answers, but in reality sometimes we can use a little help or some new ideas. Parents in Districts 203 and 204 are fortunate to have a one day annual Parent University available to us in addition to a variety of other helpful events sponsored by our school districts. These two school districts have been running Parent University for over fifteen years.
Jean Donovan, Illinois PTA District 36 Director and Neuqua Valley PTSA president, says that "The value of interaction and opportunity to talk face to face with other parents who may have the same experiences or concerns can never be replaced by any book or online site."
Cathy Piehl, who has a degree in Psychology and a Masters in social work, had not attended before last year because she thought the event was for younger or more inexperienced parents. She attended a workshop about helping students transition to college, one about special ed and how to be a partner in the development of your child's IEP (Individual Education Program), and one on bullying in Elementary at last year's Parent University and found that "You learn so much from other parents and their experiences, it can be very powerful. "
This year’s Parent University will be held at Neuqua Valley High School on Saturday, February 6 from 8am-2:15pm. The cost is $20 for half the day or $30 for the full day. Registration is first come first serve and due by January 29. The registration form is available online linked from District 204’s homepage www.ipsd.org.
The day begins with breakfast, followed by Keynote Speaker Gloria DeGaetano addressing the topic “Parenting Well in a Media Age.” This seems like a useful topic for parents of any ages of children given the proliferation of social media these days. This is followed by a workshop session, and then for those who are staying the full day – lunch and another workshop session.
Most of the workshops are available both morning and afternoon. There are three workshops each available for early childhood, elementary, and all ages, plus there are five for middle/high school. Each of these topics should provide parents with some useful information from experts.
Here is a sampling of what’s available. Help Your Teen Survive and Thrive in High School and Beyond, presented by Dr. Amy Avery, North Central College. Raising Self-Sufficient and Responsible Kids, presented by Claudia Evenson, CSADC Director of Outreach Services, Rosecranse. Taming the TV: Developing Healthy Media Habits, presented by Beth Miller, M. Ed. PCI Certified Parent Coach. Helping the Underachieving Kid Succeed in School and Life! Presented by Dr. Michael Litow, The Education Center.
"Too often, in today's high tech, mobile society, parents feel isolated and alone in their parenting efforts and while a lot of parenting advice can be accessed by sitting at home reading a book or on-line article, Parent University offers Moms and Dads and caregivers a chance to come together, network and share the joys and challenges of this all-important job in a fun, interactive environment where they have the opportunity to ask follow-up questions directly of the experts," says Jane Wernette, co-chair of Parent University.
It can be difficult for busy parents to find time to attend something like this, but if it can be worked into your schedule, take a look at the brochure online. You may see one or more workshops that could be useful for your family. If so, now is the time to register!
Jean Donovan, Illinois PTA District 36 Director and Neuqua Valley PTSA president, says that "The value of interaction and opportunity to talk face to face with other parents who may have the same experiences or concerns can never be replaced by any book or online site."
Cathy Piehl, who has a degree in Psychology and a Masters in social work, had not attended before last year because she thought the event was for younger or more inexperienced parents. She attended a workshop about helping students transition to college, one about special ed and how to be a partner in the development of your child's IEP (Individual Education Program), and one on bullying in Elementary at last year's Parent University and found that "You learn so much from other parents and their experiences, it can be very powerful. "
This year’s Parent University will be held at Neuqua Valley High School on Saturday, February 6 from 8am-2:15pm. The cost is $20 for half the day or $30 for the full day. Registration is first come first serve and due by January 29. The registration form is available online linked from District 204’s homepage www.ipsd.org.
The day begins with breakfast, followed by Keynote Speaker Gloria DeGaetano addressing the topic “Parenting Well in a Media Age.” This seems like a useful topic for parents of any ages of children given the proliferation of social media these days. This is followed by a workshop session, and then for those who are staying the full day – lunch and another workshop session.
Most of the workshops are available both morning and afternoon. There are three workshops each available for early childhood, elementary, and all ages, plus there are five for middle/high school. Each of these topics should provide parents with some useful information from experts.
Here is a sampling of what’s available. Help Your Teen Survive and Thrive in High School and Beyond, presented by Dr. Amy Avery, North Central College. Raising Self-Sufficient and Responsible Kids, presented by Claudia Evenson, CSADC Director of Outreach Services, Rosecranse. Taming the TV: Developing Healthy Media Habits, presented by Beth Miller, M. Ed. PCI Certified Parent Coach. Helping the Underachieving Kid Succeed in School and Life! Presented by Dr. Michael Litow, The Education Center.
"Too often, in today's high tech, mobile society, parents feel isolated and alone in their parenting efforts and while a lot of parenting advice can be accessed by sitting at home reading a book or on-line article, Parent University offers Moms and Dads and caregivers a chance to come together, network and share the joys and challenges of this all-important job in a fun, interactive environment where they have the opportunity to ask follow-up questions directly of the experts," says Jane Wernette, co-chair of Parent University.
It can be difficult for busy parents to find time to attend something like this, but if it can be worked into your schedule, take a look at the brochure online. You may see one or more workshops that could be useful for your family. If so, now is the time to register!
2010-01-08 NCC Study Abroad in Costa Rica
(Not published in the Beacon since it doesn't fit "local content" guidelines)
Pura Vida! My oldest daughter had an amazing fall term. Jessica was one of seventeen students and a teacher who went on a North Central College study abroad trip to Costa Rica from late August through mid-December. "Pura Vida" is a phrase commonly used by ticos (Costa Ricans) that is hard to describe but is both a greeting a way of life.
The students lived with host families while experiencing a foreign culture and language. The first eight weeks they attended COSI in Quepos. There they had Spanish class four hours each weekday and Ecotourism class two afternoons each week. They also had a cooking class and a dancing class. COSI is located on a mountain with stunning views of the ocean and jungle below.
The students had lots of free time and enjoyed visiting the beach and other local hang-outs, and many weekends they took trips to other parts of the country. While there they were treated as locals and got the local discounts that tourists would not. The students had a lot of independence. They took buses or taxis or walked to their destinations.
Quepos is a small town located on the Pacific Coast. It is a gorgeous area of mountainous jungle, home to abundant wildlife and located adjacent to Manuel Antonio National Park, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. The park has two beautiful beaches and visitors can see sloths, caimans, monkeys, lizards, and many other creatures in their natural habitats. It is usually very hot and humid there and rains a lot, and most places are open air and do not have air conditioning. Geckos are abundant inside and out and are good to have around because they eat lots of bugs.
At the ninth week the students traveled to Nicaragua for a couple of days and that was quite an interesting and different experience as well, including some difficult border crossings. Back in Quepos they had a few days of vacation before moving to the capital city of San Jose November 1. Everyone met their new host families and got settled in and then began either internships or more schooling for the final six weeks.
I imagine it would be scary to be so far from home and move in with a family you have never met before, and then to do it twice in such a short time!
Things in San Jose were very different than in Quepos. The weather was cooler and the city surroundings offered restaurants, movie theaters, and shopping malls like any large city anywhere. The students saw many new movies that came out in the U.S. during that time, but in Spanish. Since they were no longer in school together every day they didn’t see as much of each other.
While there Jessica experienced an earthquake, visiting volcanoes and national parks, horseback riding, white water rafting, snorkeling, boat rides, whale and dolphin watching, nature exploration, riding on a moped, playing in a waterfall, living near a beach, living in a big city, and all kinds of things that are very different from being at home. It was also different not having cell phones nor having internet access at home.
Here are some quotes from students who went on the trip.
I had the greatest learning experience of my life by studying abroad in Costa Rica . There is so much to learn not just from a language aspect but from a cultural aspect. Being immersed in a foreign culture is life changing. I learned so much from the obvious like cooking different foods to being as open minded as one can be.
Megan King, St. Louis , MO
The trip really opened my eyes about the rest of the world. I saw so many things and did so many things that I would have never done; I do not regret a thing. I made so many friends and regularly keep in touch with them. My Spanish has improved dramatically and I plan on improving it even more. Costa Rica has changed my entire life and will keep doing so solely because of its impact on my life.
Tanvi Potdukhe, Woodridge
Costa Rica was incredible! I did a lot of things that I never thought I would or could. I went on many memorable and crazy adventures, made many new and cherished friends from all over the world, and, of course, learned a lot of Spanish which will help me with my career goals. Most importantly, however,being completely out of my cultural context gave me the opportunity to step outside of myself and look at who I really am. The greatest lessons I learned while abroad were about myself. I came back with much more confidence in my personal identity, and that is something I will forever be grateful for.
Jenna Slack, Carol Stream
It is an incredible feeling now to look at a map, see Costa Rica located so far away from the U.S. , and know that I have family and friends there with whom I will keep in touch for years to come. Though my home is in Naperville , because of the people I grew so close to I now feel as though I have a home in Costa Rica as well.
Also, the trip was invaluable in terms of improving my ability to speak Spanish. There is such a difference between taking Spanish classes here in the U.S. , where we study grammar, vocabulary, and literature, and actually getting out into the Spanish-speaking world and learning to speak more like a native. I feel far more confident now in my ability to communicate in Spanish in any situation and know that this skill will serve me well both personally as I keep up my relationships with my Costa Rican friends and also career-wise as I look for a job.
Katie Braun, Naperville
Looking back at the first few weeks of our study abroad experience in Costa Rica , I can recall the feelings of excitement, astonishment, independence, but also of fear, loneliness, and adjustment. We had just arrived in a beautiful and exotic country and were about to experience a new culture, perfect our knowledge of the Spanish language, and visit breathless beaches, jungles, and volcanoes, but were intensely missing our families and loved ones, living with people we did not know, and adjusting to the fact that we would be there for 15 weeks. As I look back at that wonderful point in time, I can see how much each one of us grew as individuals and how much more we valued our families, friends, and home. It was such a blessing that we were studying abroad as a group, not only because there were 17 other people who were experiencing the same things, but also because we often leaned on eachother for support and advice.
I can speak for myself and for the whole group when I say that the level of our Spanish language skills reached enormous heights. Not only did we learn the language in our classes taught by professionals, but we also learned as we spoke with our homestay families, our newly made friends, and our co-workers in our internships. It was an experience that will truly be treasured in my life and that has helped me become more of the individual I am today.
Evita Predki, Lemont
Pura Vida! My oldest daughter had an amazing fall term. Jessica was one of seventeen students and a teacher who went on a North Central College study abroad trip to Costa Rica from late August through mid-December. "Pura Vida" is a phrase commonly used by ticos (Costa Ricans) that is hard to describe but is both a greeting a way of life.
The students lived with host families while experiencing a foreign culture and language. The first eight weeks they attended COSI in Quepos. There they had Spanish class four hours each weekday and Ecotourism class two afternoons each week. They also had a cooking class and a dancing class. COSI is located on a mountain with stunning views of the ocean and jungle below.
The students had lots of free time and enjoyed visiting the beach and other local hang-outs, and many weekends they took trips to other parts of the country. While there they were treated as locals and got the local discounts that tourists would not. The students had a lot of independence. They took buses or taxis or walked to their destinations.
Quepos is a small town located on the Pacific Coast. It is a gorgeous area of mountainous jungle, home to abundant wildlife and located adjacent to Manuel Antonio National Park, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. The park has two beautiful beaches and visitors can see sloths, caimans, monkeys, lizards, and many other creatures in their natural habitats. It is usually very hot and humid there and rains a lot, and most places are open air and do not have air conditioning. Geckos are abundant inside and out and are good to have around because they eat lots of bugs.
At the ninth week the students traveled to Nicaragua for a couple of days and that was quite an interesting and different experience as well, including some difficult border crossings. Back in Quepos they had a few days of vacation before moving to the capital city of San Jose November 1. Everyone met their new host families and got settled in and then began either internships or more schooling for the final six weeks.
I imagine it would be scary to be so far from home and move in with a family you have never met before, and then to do it twice in such a short time!
Things in San Jose were very different than in Quepos. The weather was cooler and the city surroundings offered restaurants, movie theaters, and shopping malls like any large city anywhere. The students saw many new movies that came out in the U.S. during that time, but in Spanish. Since they were no longer in school together every day they didn’t see as much of each other.
While there Jessica experienced an earthquake, visiting volcanoes and national parks, horseback riding, white water rafting, snorkeling, boat rides, whale and dolphin watching, nature exploration, riding on a moped, playing in a waterfall, living near a beach, living in a big city, and all kinds of things that are very different from being at home. It was also different not having cell phones nor having internet access at home.
Here are some quotes from students who went on the trip.
I had the greatest learning experience of my life by studying abroad in Costa Rica . There is so much to learn not just from a language aspect but from a cultural aspect. Being immersed in a foreign culture is life changing. I learned so much from the obvious like cooking different foods to being as open minded as one can be.
Megan King, St. Louis , MO
The trip really opened my eyes about the rest of the world. I saw so many things and did so many things that I would have never done; I do not regret a thing. I made so many friends and regularly keep in touch with them. My Spanish has improved dramatically and I plan on improving it even more. Costa Rica has changed my entire life and will keep doing so solely because of its impact on my life.
Tanvi Potdukhe, Woodridge
Costa Rica was incredible! I did a lot of things that I never thought I would or could. I went on many memorable and crazy adventures, made many new and cherished friends from all over the world, and, of course, learned a lot of Spanish which will help me with my career goals. Most importantly, however,being completely out of my cultural context gave me the opportunity to step outside of myself and look at who I really am. The greatest lessons I learned while abroad were about myself. I came back with much more confidence in my personal identity, and that is something I will forever be grateful for.
Jenna Slack, Carol Stream
It is an incredible feeling now to look at a map, see Costa Rica located so far away from the U.S. , and know that I have family and friends there with whom I will keep in touch for years to come. Though my home is in Naperville , because of the people I grew so close to I now feel as though I have a home in Costa Rica as well.
Also, the trip was invaluable in terms of improving my ability to speak Spanish. There is such a difference between taking Spanish classes here in the U.S. , where we study grammar, vocabulary, and literature, and actually getting out into the Spanish-speaking world and learning to speak more like a native. I feel far more confident now in my ability to communicate in Spanish in any situation and know that this skill will serve me well both personally as I keep up my relationships with my Costa Rican friends and also career-wise as I look for a job.
Katie Braun, Naperville
Looking back at the first few weeks of our study abroad experience in Costa Rica , I can recall the feelings of excitement, astonishment, independence, but also of fear, loneliness, and adjustment. We had just arrived in a beautiful and exotic country and were about to experience a new culture, perfect our knowledge of the Spanish language, and visit breathless beaches, jungles, and volcanoes, but were intensely missing our families and loved ones, living with people we did not know, and adjusting to the fact that we would be there for 15 weeks. As I look back at that wonderful point in time, I can see how much each one of us grew as individuals and how much more we valued our families, friends, and home. It was such a blessing that we were studying abroad as a group, not only because there were 17 other people who were experiencing the same things, but also because we often leaned on eachother for support and advice.
I can speak for myself and for the whole group when I say that the level of our Spanish language skills reached enormous heights. Not only did we learn the language in our classes taught by professionals, but we also learned as we spoke with our homestay families, our newly made friends, and our co-workers in our internships. It was an experience that will truly be treasured in my life and that has helped me become more of the individual I am today.
Evita Predki, Lemont
Friday, January 1, 2010
2010-01-01 Happy New Year
New Year’s Day is traditionally a time to look back at the past year and forward to the coming year and all that it might bring.
This past September brought about the sudden death of Buddy the fearless, adventurous, and ever-loving cat. I appreciate that after my column about Buddy several people wrote or called to offer us a new cat. I couldn’t take any of them because I had promised my oldest that we would wait until after she was home from study abroad, and I had promised my youngest we would get a little kitten, because she’s been asking for ages and my kids have never had that experience. Now we finally begin our search for a sweet and outgoing kitten, an orange female if Allie gets her way.
In November I told you about Jenna’s “Pay it Forward” blood and bone marrow registry drive. Jenna is a high school senior who had been very recently diagnosed with leukemia. She is doing well and a potential bone marrow donor has been located. The drive far exceeded expectations. 268 units of blood were donated that day, with several appointments scheduled for later donations, and 220 bone marrow donors were registered with dozens more planning to register online. This is just one example of the tremendous outpouring of support Jenna’s family has experienced.
Last spring I wrote about my anticipation of great things for the new Metea Valley music department and so far the three concerts I’ve attended - one in the gym, one in the atrium, and one at North Central’s Wentz Hall - have all been outstanding. Next week the students will begin practicing in the newly available music rooms and soon we will have our first events in the school’s auditorium.
A July column covered the topic of having two of my children attending different high schools this school year, and as expected, all has gone well and the new high school has provided exceptional opportunities for its students.
I have written about many things going on in the school district, including volunteering opportunities. More help is always needed and welcomed, and I hope that more people will step up and get involved in some way this year.
I recently wrote about college preparation during the senior year of high school. At our house the coming months will bring the FAFSA, scholarship and loan applications, decisions, high school graduation, and our daughter moving into a dorm somewhere – a new experience for us as she will be the first in our family to do so.
My family was blessed with a good year and a wonderful Christmas. My heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones, those who have lost their jobs, those who have lost their homes to fire, and those struggling with serious health issues.
I wish for a prosperous and very happy new year for everyone.
This past September brought about the sudden death of Buddy the fearless, adventurous, and ever-loving cat. I appreciate that after my column about Buddy several people wrote or called to offer us a new cat. I couldn’t take any of them because I had promised my oldest that we would wait until after she was home from study abroad, and I had promised my youngest we would get a little kitten, because she’s been asking for ages and my kids have never had that experience. Now we finally begin our search for a sweet and outgoing kitten, an orange female if Allie gets her way.
In November I told you about Jenna’s “Pay it Forward” blood and bone marrow registry drive. Jenna is a high school senior who had been very recently diagnosed with leukemia. She is doing well and a potential bone marrow donor has been located. The drive far exceeded expectations. 268 units of blood were donated that day, with several appointments scheduled for later donations, and 220 bone marrow donors were registered with dozens more planning to register online. This is just one example of the tremendous outpouring of support Jenna’s family has experienced.
Last spring I wrote about my anticipation of great things for the new Metea Valley music department and so far the three concerts I’ve attended - one in the gym, one in the atrium, and one at North Central’s Wentz Hall - have all been outstanding. Next week the students will begin practicing in the newly available music rooms and soon we will have our first events in the school’s auditorium.
A July column covered the topic of having two of my children attending different high schools this school year, and as expected, all has gone well and the new high school has provided exceptional opportunities for its students.
I have written about many things going on in the school district, including volunteering opportunities. More help is always needed and welcomed, and I hope that more people will step up and get involved in some way this year.
I recently wrote about college preparation during the senior year of high school. At our house the coming months will bring the FAFSA, scholarship and loan applications, decisions, high school graduation, and our daughter moving into a dorm somewhere – a new experience for us as she will be the first in our family to do so.
My family was blessed with a good year and a wonderful Christmas. My heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones, those who have lost their jobs, those who have lost their homes to fire, and those struggling with serious health issues.
I wish for a prosperous and very happy new year for everyone.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
2009-12-25 December 2009
This December has brought my family so much joy and I hope it has for you, too.
What a month it’s been! My son sang in the Metea Valley High School Collage Concert held at beautiful Wentz Hall at North Central College and my daughter played violin in the Waubonsie Valley Prism Concert for the last time. Both were amazing concerts, but I was sad during Prism when looking at all those seniors in Santa hats who will not be performing at WV next year.
My son had daily practice after school for Metea Valley’s “12 Angry Jurors” that will be performed at the end of January. He also rehearsed with his music groups at school and an a cappella group he and his friends have started. My youngest worked on her Irish Dancing and attended rehearsals for the children’s Christmas musical at Wheatland Salem Church where she has a speaking part.
Fun events included a surprise gathering for my sister-in-law’s birthday, the annual IPPC School Board Reception, a neighborhood progressive cocktail party, and a Christmas party at a friend’s house. The kids baked cookies with their aunt and later with their grandparents where they also decorated gingerbread houses.
Late on December 12 my family was at O’Hare to pick up our daughter who had been out of the country since August. We were so happy to see her and are so glad to have her back! We had a welcome home gathering for her the next day.
The parties continued with a backwards party for the 4th graders at Brooks on the last day before winter break and Christmas parties at home held by my high school senior, my college sophomore, and my fourth grader for their friends.
It’s been nice to have the house full of young people so many times lately.
We’ve also been blessed this month both with a new baby in the family and news of another on the way.
I’ve enjoyed receiving many cards, photos, and letters from friends and family. It’s astounding how the kids I haven’t seen recently have grown and changed.
As of this writing I’m still looking forward to seeing the musical at church, Christmas Eve church service, and our Christmas gatherings with the Tatars, Haytons, and Hards, followed by a much more relaxing week coming up and my son’s solos at Fourth Street United Methodist on January 3rd.
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
What a month it’s been! My son sang in the Metea Valley High School Collage Concert held at beautiful Wentz Hall at North Central College and my daughter played violin in the Waubonsie Valley Prism Concert for the last time. Both were amazing concerts, but I was sad during Prism when looking at all those seniors in Santa hats who will not be performing at WV next year.
My son had daily practice after school for Metea Valley’s “12 Angry Jurors” that will be performed at the end of January. He also rehearsed with his music groups at school and an a cappella group he and his friends have started. My youngest worked on her Irish Dancing and attended rehearsals for the children’s Christmas musical at Wheatland Salem Church where she has a speaking part.
Fun events included a surprise gathering for my sister-in-law’s birthday, the annual IPPC School Board Reception, a neighborhood progressive cocktail party, and a Christmas party at a friend’s house. The kids baked cookies with their aunt and later with their grandparents where they also decorated gingerbread houses.
Late on December 12 my family was at O’Hare to pick up our daughter who had been out of the country since August. We were so happy to see her and are so glad to have her back! We had a welcome home gathering for her the next day.
The parties continued with a backwards party for the 4th graders at Brooks on the last day before winter break and Christmas parties at home held by my high school senior, my college sophomore, and my fourth grader for their friends.
It’s been nice to have the house full of young people so many times lately.
We’ve also been blessed this month both with a new baby in the family and news of another on the way.
I’ve enjoyed receiving many cards, photos, and letters from friends and family. It’s astounding how the kids I haven’t seen recently have grown and changed.
As of this writing I’m still looking forward to seeing the musical at church, Christmas Eve church service, and our Christmas gatherings with the Tatars, Haytons, and Hards, followed by a much more relaxing week coming up and my son’s solos at Fourth Street United Methodist on January 3rd.
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Friday, December 18, 2009
2009-12-18 New baby announcements
The birth of a baby is one of the most exciting and happy times in life and the new parents are usually in a big hurry to get the news out to everyone who's been waiting.
Almost twenty years ago when my first daughter was born, technology was nowhere near what we have today. The hospital phones required us to call collect or use a calling card so even making phone calls was incredibly difficult and we made very few. We took pictures and my husband brought the film for one hour processing so he’d have pictures to show at work. I hand-wrote and mailed birth announcements.
Though I had e-mail and internet access at work, very few of my friends and family had e-mail or internet. I was able to announce Jessica’s birth to my internet friends when I returned to work three months later. The internet was text only and my friends and I shared photos by putting together an annual photo album, which required mailing pages, getting color copies made, and having the books assembled and mailed out.
Nearly a decade later when my youngest daughter was born we had a cell phone (one for our whole family) and could easily call anyone from the hospital. It was not a camera phone and we did not yet have texting capability nor did we know why we would even want it.
Though the internet had come a long ways in those ten years, we didn’t yet have a digital camera or even a scanner to get printed photos to the computer. We did have a desktop home computer with dial-up access and knew a lot of people who had e-mail by then, though still not many in our family. I was able to announce Alicia’s birth online from home as soon as I was home from the hospital. We ordered printed birth announcements from an online source.
Now, almost another ten years later, this past Monday night my cousin Sam Hard and his wife Alice gave birth to beautiful baby girl Kimberly Jade Hard. How do I know she’s beautiful? Sam e-mailed a birth announcement with a photo from the hospital just over an hour after she was born.
"I created the template for the announcement days in advance," Sam told me. "On the day of the birth, we brought our digital camera and netbook, so we were able to send the announcement right from the delivery room ..."
Now that almost everyone has e-mail, the good news reached friends and family in nearby and far-flung locations nearly instantaneously. I love that technology makes this possible and can't wait to meet the new baby in the family!
Almost twenty years ago when my first daughter was born, technology was nowhere near what we have today. The hospital phones required us to call collect or use a calling card so even making phone calls was incredibly difficult and we made very few. We took pictures and my husband brought the film for one hour processing so he’d have pictures to show at work. I hand-wrote and mailed birth announcements.
Though I had e-mail and internet access at work, very few of my friends and family had e-mail or internet. I was able to announce Jessica’s birth to my internet friends when I returned to work three months later. The internet was text only and my friends and I shared photos by putting together an annual photo album, which required mailing pages, getting color copies made, and having the books assembled and mailed out.
Nearly a decade later when my youngest daughter was born we had a cell phone (one for our whole family) and could easily call anyone from the hospital. It was not a camera phone and we did not yet have texting capability nor did we know why we would even want it.
Though the internet had come a long ways in those ten years, we didn’t yet have a digital camera or even a scanner to get printed photos to the computer. We did have a desktop home computer with dial-up access and knew a lot of people who had e-mail by then, though still not many in our family. I was able to announce Alicia’s birth online from home as soon as I was home from the hospital. We ordered printed birth announcements from an online source.
Now, almost another ten years later, this past Monday night my cousin Sam Hard and his wife Alice gave birth to beautiful baby girl Kimberly Jade Hard. How do I know she’s beautiful? Sam e-mailed a birth announcement with a photo from the hospital just over an hour after she was born.
"I created the template for the announcement days in advance," Sam told me. "On the day of the birth, we brought our digital camera and netbook, so we were able to send the announcement right from the delivery room ..."
Now that almost everyone has e-mail, the good news reached friends and family in nearby and far-flung locations nearly instantaneously. I love that technology makes this possible and can't wait to meet the new baby in the family!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
2009-12-11 College Prep
Any parent of a college-bound high school senior knows what a busy time this school year is. Most parents are probably wondering what happened to that little baby they brought home not so long ago, and what the next year will bring.
Many seniors are busy with yet another year of difficult college prep classes, all of the usual high school events, and possibly a part-time job or two and volunteer work while keeping up with their friends, extra-curricular activities, and applying to colleges and for scholarships for next year.
Thankfully there are a lot of resources available to help guide parents and students through college preparation. There are many things that need to happen and some of them started years ago. The student needs to decide what college or type of college they want to attend, they need to be well-prepared to get into the school of their choice, and they need a way to pay for it.
My oldest daughter knew that she wanted a school near home, smaller than the high school she attended, with a nice downtown area and a good program for her choice of major. She fell in love with North Central College right away and didn’t even apply anywhere else. She even knew what she wanted to major in. That was easy.
My current senior has a different wish list. She wants to go to school far enough from home to live at school, but close enough to come home for some weekends. She wants a small to medium-sized school in which she can play in their orchestra while not majoring in music. We visited six colleges and she has narrowed her choices to one of those plus one we haven’t yet visited. Her choice of major is still up in the air.
Andrea Purcell, College and Career Center Counselor at Waubonsie Valley High School, says that “choosing the right college is so important because it is really a stepping stone to the rest of your life. The right college might not be what the student initially thought he or she wanted - so it is integral to visit colleges, talk to current students as well as staff, and make sure that the student feels at home so that they can thrive during their time at the school. College is such an important time in the life of a student - they grow academically AND socially AND emotionally - this is the time that we see our kids grow the most outside their infancy. The right school will shape the student into a productive adult and citizen so that they can be successful in their chosen career path.”
There are many ways to find out about colleges. There are college searches available on the ACT and SAT websites that can help narrow down the choices. College representatives visit local high schools on a regular basis. There are also college fairs, usually held at local community colleges, where students can get information about many different schools all at once. Erin Hoover, Assistant Director of Admission at North Central College, adds that "National and state organizations such as the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and the Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling (IACAC) can also provide students with adequate resources to find direction in their college search."
As for the ability to get admitted to the school of choice, this depends heavily on what coursework the student has taken during their four years of high school, and how well they have done in school and on standardized tests, as well as their extra-curricular involvement.
There are numerous ways to prepare for the ACT and SAT including practice tests, courses designed for test prep, and simply taking rigorous coursework in school.
Talking to high school counselors and college admissions counselors can help a student make the right choices during high school that will help them prepare for their future.
Though next school year is many months away, early decision and early action deadlines have already passed or are quickly approaching for most schools. Students who have not yet begun applying should do so in the next few months.
College costs have gone up faster than most other expenses and it is much harder for students to pay the sticker price for college these days than it was back when I was in college. North Central's tuition has more than quadrupled in the past 25 years, while minimum wage has only doubled, and jobs for teens are harder than ever to come by. The good news is that most students do not pay full price to attend college.
A couple of obvious ways to keep total costs down are to join the military (active duty, reserve, or National Guard) or to attend community college for the first two years.
Illinois state schools are significantly less expensive than private schools, but it’s worth looking at both because when you take into account scholarships and financial aid there may not be much difference.
Almost every school offers some sort of merit scholarship program, even state schools and community colleges. Students should check the websites of the schools they are interested in for scholarship opportunities there, and contact their high school guidance counselor for local scholarship opportunities.
All families that may qualify for any financial aid, or are required to by their student’s school, should fill out the FAFSA each year the student will attend college, as early as possible that year. In most cases a student won’t get any sort of financial aid in the form of grants, subsidized loans, or work study unless the FAFSA has been submitted and shows need.
Local high schools and colleges offer presentations on financing college and other relevant topics to help families as well.
Becky Tatar, Periodicals/Audiovisuals Specialist at the Aurora Public Library, reports that the library “has materials on colleges and financial aid, including the FAFSA forms. There are also SAT, ACT and CLEP test preparation books, which are also available online through the Learning Express Library database. This database can be accessed from home with an Aurora Public Library card. The library also provides programs on financial aid options and mock ACT/SAT test preparation. All the websites listed can be accessed at the library.”
Our local students are fortunate to have such a wealth of valuable resources available to them. Here are some links.
http://www.ed.gov/fund/grants-college.html?src=rt - U.S. Department of Education college aid info
http://www.finaid.org/ - guide to scholarships, loans, and other aid
http://www.fastweb.com - scholarship search site
http://wvhs.ipsd.org/Subpage.aspx?id=89 - WVHS Guidance site, including college and career center and scholarship listings
http://nvhs.ipsd.org/Subpage.aspx?id=349 – NVHS Guidance site, including information about college applications and scholarships
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ - Free Application for Federal Student Aid
http://www.youseemore.com/aurorapl/about.asp?loc=25 – Aurora Public Library “beyond high school” links and information
http://www.naperville-lib.info/LibServices/teen/collegeServ.htm - Naperville Public Library “road to college & beyond…” links and information
Many seniors are busy with yet another year of difficult college prep classes, all of the usual high school events, and possibly a part-time job or two and volunteer work while keeping up with their friends, extra-curricular activities, and applying to colleges and for scholarships for next year.
Thankfully there are a lot of resources available to help guide parents and students through college preparation. There are many things that need to happen and some of them started years ago. The student needs to decide what college or type of college they want to attend, they need to be well-prepared to get into the school of their choice, and they need a way to pay for it.
My oldest daughter knew that she wanted a school near home, smaller than the high school she attended, with a nice downtown area and a good program for her choice of major. She fell in love with North Central College right away and didn’t even apply anywhere else. She even knew what she wanted to major in. That was easy.
My current senior has a different wish list. She wants to go to school far enough from home to live at school, but close enough to come home for some weekends. She wants a small to medium-sized school in which she can play in their orchestra while not majoring in music. We visited six colleges and she has narrowed her choices to one of those plus one we haven’t yet visited. Her choice of major is still up in the air.
Andrea Purcell, College and Career Center Counselor at Waubonsie Valley High School, says that “choosing the right college is so important because it is really a stepping stone to the rest of your life. The right college might not be what the student initially thought he or she wanted - so it is integral to visit colleges, talk to current students as well as staff, and make sure that the student feels at home so that they can thrive during their time at the school. College is such an important time in the life of a student - they grow academically AND socially AND emotionally - this is the time that we see our kids grow the most outside their infancy. The right school will shape the student into a productive adult and citizen so that they can be successful in their chosen career path.”
There are many ways to find out about colleges. There are college searches available on the ACT and SAT websites that can help narrow down the choices. College representatives visit local high schools on a regular basis. There are also college fairs, usually held at local community colleges, where students can get information about many different schools all at once. Erin Hoover, Assistant Director of Admission at North Central College, adds that "National and state organizations such as the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and the Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling (IACAC) can also provide students with adequate resources to find direction in their college search."
As for the ability to get admitted to the school of choice, this depends heavily on what coursework the student has taken during their four years of high school, and how well they have done in school and on standardized tests, as well as their extra-curricular involvement.
There are numerous ways to prepare for the ACT and SAT including practice tests, courses designed for test prep, and simply taking rigorous coursework in school.
Talking to high school counselors and college admissions counselors can help a student make the right choices during high school that will help them prepare for their future.
Though next school year is many months away, early decision and early action deadlines have already passed or are quickly approaching for most schools. Students who have not yet begun applying should do so in the next few months.
College costs have gone up faster than most other expenses and it is much harder for students to pay the sticker price for college these days than it was back when I was in college. North Central's tuition has more than quadrupled in the past 25 years, while minimum wage has only doubled, and jobs for teens are harder than ever to come by. The good news is that most students do not pay full price to attend college.
A couple of obvious ways to keep total costs down are to join the military (active duty, reserve, or National Guard) or to attend community college for the first two years.
Illinois state schools are significantly less expensive than private schools, but it’s worth looking at both because when you take into account scholarships and financial aid there may not be much difference.
Almost every school offers some sort of merit scholarship program, even state schools and community colleges. Students should check the websites of the schools they are interested in for scholarship opportunities there, and contact their high school guidance counselor for local scholarship opportunities.
All families that may qualify for any financial aid, or are required to by their student’s school, should fill out the FAFSA each year the student will attend college, as early as possible that year. In most cases a student won’t get any sort of financial aid in the form of grants, subsidized loans, or work study unless the FAFSA has been submitted and shows need.
Local high schools and colleges offer presentations on financing college and other relevant topics to help families as well.
Becky Tatar, Periodicals/Audiovisuals Specialist at the Aurora Public Library, reports that the library “has materials on colleges and financial aid, including the FAFSA forms. There are also SAT, ACT and CLEP test preparation books, which are also available online through the Learning Express Library database. This database can be accessed from home with an Aurora Public Library card. The library also provides programs on financial aid options and mock ACT/SAT test preparation. All the websites listed can be accessed at the library.”
Our local students are fortunate to have such a wealth of valuable resources available to them. Here are some links.
http://www.ed.gov/fund/grants-college.html?src=rt - U.S. Department of Education college aid info
http://www.finaid.org/ - guide to scholarships, loans, and other aid
http://www.fastweb.com - scholarship search site
http://wvhs.ipsd.org/Subpage.aspx?id=89 - WVHS Guidance site, including college and career center and scholarship listings
http://nvhs.ipsd.org/Subpage.aspx?id=349 – NVHS Guidance site, including information about college applications and scholarships
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ - Free Application for Federal Student Aid
http://www.youseemore.com/aurorapl/about.asp?loc=25 – Aurora Public Library “beyond high school” links and information
http://www.naperville-lib.info/LibServices/teen/collegeServ.htm - Naperville Public Library “road to college & beyond…” links and information
Sunday, November 29, 2009
2009-11-27 Thanking the Military
I am thankful for our military, the dedicated men and women who have served in the past and those who are currently putting this nation ahead of themselves.
I have many friends and family I could name here if given the space, but will honor here the two veterans closest to me, whom I miss dearly, my grandfather and my father-in-law; and my niece and nephew who both enlisted in February 2008.
My Nonno, Lloyd Henry Hayton, proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1938 until 1945 and in the Army National Guard through 1952. He spent a couple of years in Saipan and had many stories to tell about that, and he also spent time stationed in Hawaii and several U.S. locations. He was most proud of having achieved the rank of Chief Warrant Officer.
Gabe Tatar, my father-in-law, enlisted in the Army Air Force in August of 1942. He trained in Blytheville, Arkansas and spent almost two years in England before his discharge in early 1946. Though he was fortunate not to have been involved in any battles, his older brother Louis was killed in France in August of 1944. My son now has his Grandpa’s medal case hanging in our house.
My niece Alyssa Tatar, a 2008 West High graduate, enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps as soon as she turned 18. She joined because she wanted to keep from going down the wrong path and she liked the discipline offered by the military. She is a Lance Corporal in Camp Pendleton, California and works as an administrative clerk. She is undecided about whether she will make a career of the military but knows that she is learning good skills that will help her have a better future.
Alyssa and the other Marines she resides with have very positive things to say about how being in the Marines helps young adults financially and gives them the experience and discipline to better themselves. Semper Fidelis!
My nephew Devin Hard, a 2009 West High graduate, enlisted in the Army National Guard when he turned 17. He joined for many reasons including love of country, giving back to the country, and being a part of something greater than himself. While growing up he admired other veterans in his family who had served in WWII and Vietnam and enjoyed hearing their stories. He wanted to follow in Nonno’s footsteps.
Devin is a Private First Class in the Infantry with Bravo Company 1st Battalion of the 178th Infantry Regiment, 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team. He completed his basic training and Advanced Infantry Training in Fort Benning, Georgia, in the summers before and after his senior year.
When Devin joined the Army he wasn’t sure whether he wanted to go to college after high school or become active duty, so the National Guard was a good place to start. He now plans to switch to active duty to pursue some of his many goals including attending Airborne School, Air Assault School, Army Mountaineering, Army Ranger School, and earning the Expert Infantryman Badge.
On this Thanksgiving weekend, please take a moment to remember those in the military and their families.
I have many friends and family I could name here if given the space, but will honor here the two veterans closest to me, whom I miss dearly, my grandfather and my father-in-law; and my niece and nephew who both enlisted in February 2008.
My Nonno, Lloyd Henry Hayton, proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1938 until 1945 and in the Army National Guard through 1952. He spent a couple of years in Saipan and had many stories to tell about that, and he also spent time stationed in Hawaii and several U.S. locations. He was most proud of having achieved the rank of Chief Warrant Officer.
Gabe Tatar, my father-in-law, enlisted in the Army Air Force in August of 1942. He trained in Blytheville, Arkansas and spent almost two years in England before his discharge in early 1946. Though he was fortunate not to have been involved in any battles, his older brother Louis was killed in France in August of 1944. My son now has his Grandpa’s medal case hanging in our house.
My niece Alyssa Tatar, a 2008 West High graduate, enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps as soon as she turned 18. She joined because she wanted to keep from going down the wrong path and she liked the discipline offered by the military. She is a Lance Corporal in Camp Pendleton, California and works as an administrative clerk. She is undecided about whether she will make a career of the military but knows that she is learning good skills that will help her have a better future.
Alyssa and the other Marines she resides with have very positive things to say about how being in the Marines helps young adults financially and gives them the experience and discipline to better themselves. Semper Fidelis!
My nephew Devin Hard, a 2009 West High graduate, enlisted in the Army National Guard when he turned 17. He joined for many reasons including love of country, giving back to the country, and being a part of something greater than himself. While growing up he admired other veterans in his family who had served in WWII and Vietnam and enjoyed hearing their stories. He wanted to follow in Nonno’s footsteps.
Devin is a Private First Class in the Infantry with Bravo Company 1st Battalion of the 178th Infantry Regiment, 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team. He completed his basic training and Advanced Infantry Training in Fort Benning, Georgia, in the summers before and after his senior year.
When Devin joined the Army he wasn’t sure whether he wanted to go to college after high school or become active duty, so the National Guard was a good place to start. He now plans to switch to active duty to pursue some of his many goals including attending Airborne School, Air Assault School, Army Mountaineering, Army Ranger School, and earning the Expert Infantryman Badge.
On this Thanksgiving weekend, please take a moment to remember those in the military and their families.
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