Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202

Plainfield North High School teacher wins national speech coaching award

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:00:00 MDT

Plainfield North High School history teacher and speech coach Justin Ashton has earned a "first diamond degree" membership in the National Forensic League for his coaching success over several years.

The award is based on a point system that recognizes Ashton's years of service and achievement as forensics coach.

Several of Ashton's students have competed and earned high finishes at state. As well, two PNHS speech team members recently became the first in District 202 history to qualify for national speech competition.

Ashton, who is in his third year of coaching speech team at PNHS, was himself a state finalist and national quarter finalist in Extemporaneous Speaking in college. He coached the speech team at Downers Grove South High school for six years before coming to District 202 in 2007.

"It is an honor to receive the Diamond Award, but it is really about the kids," Ashton said. "I feel like I did not win anything, but rather, together my students have learned so much from their experiences," he said.

"I appreciate that (PNHS Principal) Raymond Epperson, (Assistant Principal) Stan Bertoni and (Assistant Athletic Director) Ron Lear have done everything possible to get our kids out to competitions and ensure they have the resources to be successful," Ashton said.

The National Forensic League (NFL) is a non-partisan, non-profit educational honor society established to encourage and motivate high school students to participate and become proficient in the forensic arts, debate, public speaking, and interpretation.

Ashton will be recognized for his achievement in June 2010 at the Lincoln Financial Group/NFL National Speech and Debate Tournament in Kansas City, Missouri. The tournament draws over 3,000 students as well as 1,500 coaches, school administrators and parents.

Meadow View celebrates Youth Art Month with tile mosaic

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:00:00 MDT

Seventy Meadow View Elementary School students are creating self portraits that will ultimately become part of a giant mosaic displayed in the school, in celebration of Youth Art Month.

Meadow View Art teacher Sheila Schau selected the first through fifth grade students for the project because they have shown a high interest and talent for art.

Over two weeks in March, the students will take turns meeting for an hour after school by grade level. Each group will draw and color self portraits and then transfer them onto a five inch square tile which they will paint and glaze.

The finished tiles will then be grouted and hung on a wall in the school to create a three foot by five foot mural. Schau expects the mosaic will be completed and hung by the end of the school year.

This is the first time Meadow View students have celebrated Youth Art Month with an afterschool art workshop.

"I was trying to think of a project that the students would enjoy and would also beautify our school," Schau said.

Schau is working with Joliet artist Juanda Sims to design the project and fire the tiles. Sims has a pottery studio in Joliet called, "The Talent Zone."

She collaborated with Schau and her students several years ago by teaching an enrichment pottery class at Meadow View. The student artwork from that collaboration is still hung at the entrance of the school.

Aux Sable MS art teacher wins Visual Arts Educator award

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:00:00 MDT

Aux Sable Middle School art teacher Daniel Niwa has been named one of the winners of the Illinois Association of Arts Educators Visual Arts Educator Award.

The IAAE annually honors individuals and organizations statewide for their dedicated service and/or promotion of arts in Illinois schools. Niwa was recognized at a ceremony March 18, 2010 in Springfield, Illinois.

Honorees include arts educators, those in public and community service, artists, industry, school administrators and members of the IAAE organization.

"The IAAE officers and members are extremely proud of your outstanding commitment to the arts," wrote IAAE President Becky Blaine.

Niwa, who came to District 202 in 2007, was nominated by his principal, Sharon Alexander.

"Daniel has brought art to life for our school and students, and made art education a priority for all learners in the school," Alexander said.

"His own work is outstanding, cultivating creativity and individual strengths in the classroom," she said.

"Dan Niwa is a passionate teacher and educator who throughout his career will continue to motivate his school, and community in appreciation and love of art," Alexander said.

District 202 middle school students battle for district title

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:00:00 MDT

Students at all seven District 202 middle schools are battling for the district title of "Battle of the Books Champion."

The sixth, seventh and eighth grade students voluntarily read up to 10 books, selected by District 202 media specialists, then face off to test their knowledge of the chosen books.

The media specialists selected the following Rebecca Caudill nominated books for this year's competition: "All the Lovely Bad Ones," by Mary Downing Hahn; "Crossing the Wire," by Will Hobbs; "Elephant Run," by Roland Smith; "First Light," by Rebecca Stead;

Also chosen were: "Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life," by Wendy Mass; "Naked Mole-Rat Letters," by Mary Amato; "Small White Scar," by K. A. A Nuzum; "Someone Named Eva," by Joan M. Wolf, "The Wednesday Wars," by Gary D. Schmidt; and "The White Giraffe," by Lauren St. John.

Throughout the week of March 15, 2010, students at Aux Sable, Drauden Point, Heritage Grove, Indian Trail, Ira Jones, John F. Kennedy and Timber Ridge middle schools will compete in battle of the books competitions in their school's media center.

These battles are multi-round, single elimination competitions using a bracket system like that used for the NCAA basketball tournament.

Then on Thursday, April 8, 2010, the winning teams from each middle school will go head-to-head in the second annual district wide battle at Timber Ridge Middle School. The first round of competition will begin at 8:30 a.m. Timber Ridge is located at 2101 Bronk Road, Plainfield.

The winner of the final battle will receive the District 202 Battle of the Books traveling trophy, which is currently on display at Drauden Point Middle School.

Plainfield East students vie to display art at U.S. Capitol

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:00:00 MDT

Ten Plainfield East High School students are competing to have their artwork on display at the U.S. Capitol as part of the 29th Annual Congressional Art Competition.

This year's competition is called, "An Artistic Discovery." It was initiated by members of the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982 as a nationwide art competition that allows high school students from the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories to showcase their artistic abilities.

Plainfield East students are participating as part of the 13th Congressional District, represented by Congresswoman Judy Biggert. Each high school in the 13th district was invited to submit up to 10 pieces of art for the competition.

The artwork will be on display from Monday, March 22, 2010, through Saturday, March 27, 2010, at the Aurora Public Library, 555 South Eola Road, Aurora.

These students will represent PEHS: juniors Nick Martinez, Justin Brendel, Kevin Adraneda, Connor Marchetti, Ursula Marsalik and Monica Marsalik, sophomores Olivia Dole, Jeannail Carter and Pishoi Boctor and freshman Kathy Kowal.

Local judges will then select the grand prize winner, whose art will be on display at the U.S. Capitol for one year. Students from Plainfield High School-Central-Campus, Plainfield South and Plainfield North high schools did not participate in this year's competition.

Timber Ridge students fight childhood cancer through math

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:00:00 MDT

Timber Ridge Middle School students raised $10,518.30 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital by voluntarily completing a series of math problems.

The students participated in a month long math-a-thon that ended February 18, 2010. They completed a series of math problems in a math workbook in exchange for pledges from family members and friends.

The students could arrange to earn money for each problem they complete correctly, for completing the entire workbook, or for completing sections of problems.

The students also donated money to St. Jude's to wear their pajamas and slippers to school, and the Student Council donated all of its candy sales over two weeks as well.

"The best reward for Timber Ridge Middle School students participating in this is knowing that they truly made a difference to children fighting cancer and other deadly diseases at St. Jude's," Timber Ridge Math Teacher Heather French said.

"As I say to all the students, every little bit helps, whether it is $5 or $500 because you are helping a child in need."

All of the money raised will go directly to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Eighty-five percent of the money funds research and treatment for the kids.

This is Timber Ridge's second year participating in the math-a-thon. Last year the students and staff raised $9,270. In just two years, Timber Ridge students and staff have raised nearly $20,000 to help St. Jude's in its ongoing fight against childhood catastrophic diseases.

District 202 administrators win regional IPA professional awards

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:00:00 MDT

Two District 202 administrators won regional awards naming them the best in their fields by the Illinois Principals Association (IPA).

Meadow View Elementary School Principal Dr. Don McKinney was named Principal of the Year, and Drauden Point Middle School Assistant Principal Dean Kariotakis was named Assistant Principal of the Year. They were both nominated by their peers in November.

Both educators learned in January that they had won the award for the Three Rivers Region, comprising Grundy, Kankakee, Kendall and Will counties.

"When I found out I was selected as the Three Rivers Region's nominee, I was thrilled," McKinney said. "There are a ton of great principals in our region, and to be considered a stand-out is truly and honor."

"I was shocked because I did not expect the regional nomination," Kariotakis said. "The IPA is a big organization and I didn't expect to receive an award of this degree."

McKinney and Kariotakis will now each face 21 other principals and assistant principals from across the state in contention for the overall 2010 IPA Principal and Assistant Principal of the year awards. The overall winners for each award will be announced at the IPA annual convention in October.

"The award is extremely flattering because it is recognition by my peers," Kariotakis said. "All of my efforts are to help others, so I was not looking for an award, but it is gratifying to be recognized."

"To me the award validates what I do and why I do what I do," McKinney said. "All I have ever wanted to do is make a difference for kids, and this nomination helps support my belief that I am doing just that."

Walker's Grove E.S. students balance exercise with education

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:00:00 MDT

Students in Dawn Bullock's class at Walker's Grove Elementary school sat looking at the board as Bullock went over fractions. Most students sat in their chairs, but several perched on exercise balls.

Bullock introduced the exercise balls into her classroom in November. Each day, the seven balls rotate amongst the students. The students can then decide if they'd like to use the ball for the day or stay in their traditional desk chair.

"For some students the balls really make a difference because they help them to move around without causing a distraction, helping them to stay focused," Bullock said. "But I do have some students who still prefer the feel of a traditional desk chair with a back."

Bullock read an article that advocated using the exercise balls in the classroom. The article mentioned the benefits of an exercise ball for students who have a hard time sitting still.

When Bullock suggested the device to one of her student's parents as a possible way to help the child focus, the parent bought an exercise ball for home and saw great results. That parent purchased the exercise balls for Bullock's classroom.

"The balls are better for the core and posture and are also supposed to stimulate a portion of the brain that otherwise wouldn't be stimulated because of the attention on how you have to sit," Bullock said.

And she should know. When Bullock's desk chair broke earlier this year, she bought her own exercise ball desk chair. Bullock's chair stays positioned on a traditional desk chair frame and has a back to make it more user friendly.

She says she has noticed a difference in her own core and posture.

"I enjoy it, it is a really nice seat," Bullock said.

Plainfield Central H.S. Concert Choir sings at Carnegie Hall

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:00:00 MDT

Twenty-six Plainfield High School-Central Campus students recently had the experience of a lifetime, singing at Carnegie Hall in New York City with the New York Chamber Orchestra.

The invitation came due to the concert choir's successes in previous choral competitions.

The students rehearsed for most of their trip, which was from February 19-23, 2010. They worked with collegiate choral directors Dr. Gregory Fuller and John Flanery and with the New York Chamber Orchestra.

During their Carnegie Hall performance, the students sang the Mozart Coronation Mass and a new piece by Edward Penhorwood called, "An American Requiem."

Penhorwood attended several of the rehearsals and spoke to the students about the inspiration for his writing and the compositional elements of his piece.

"The music really came to life for the students once they fully understood the message behind his music," Brenneis said.

When they weren't in rehearsals, the students toured the city, taking in sites like Ground Zero, Rockefeller Center, Central Park and Times Square.

They also attended several professional music events such as jazz concerts, Broadway musicals and plays. After the concert at Carnegie Hall, the students took a special cruise around the Statue of Liberty.

"The educational opportunities that exist beyond the classroom when you take a trip like this are incredible," Brenneis said.

"The exposure to new culture, new experiences, seeing musicals, and viewing historical sites all contributed to an unforgettable experience that I hope expands the students' horizons," she said.

Heritage Grove M.S. team places first in MathCounts contest

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:00:00 MDT

A team of Heritage Grove Middle school students qualified for the state MathCounts competition after correctly answering the most critical thinking math questions.

The Heritage Grove team placed first locally competing against six other area schools on Saturday, February 27, 2010. The win qualified them for the state competition on Saturday, March 6, 2010, in Matteson.

The state-qualifying team includes Heritage Grove eighth graders Jenson Phung and Sneha Bolisetty and seventh graders Max Helfers and Greeshma Chilukuri.

MathCounts is a national enrichment club and competition program that promotes middle school mathematics achievement. Each competition consists of four parts and the first two parts are administered to each team member.

First there is a sprint round of 40 questions in 30 minutes. Then there is a target round of six questions, given two at a time. Then there is the team round of eight questions given to four students and finally, the countdown round where the top students face off head-to-head in an oral competition.

"The problems are all critical thinking and challenging questions that are not the type seen in a math class," Heritage Grove teacher Tom De Geus said.

The Heritage Grove team did well at state, but their score at state was not high enough to qualify them for the national competition.