Whittier wraps up nutrition unit with healthy breakfast at school
They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so what better way for students in Deb Krygeris’ sixth-grade class at Whittier School to wrap up their nutrition unit than with a hearty breakfast at school?
“Our healthy breakfast celebrates the end of our nutrition unit and our new knowledge of nutrition, especially the importance of eating a healthy breakfast,” said Krygeris, who also happens to be a registered dietician.
Teddy bear night is a hit at Belle Aire
On February 7, Belle Aire kindergarten and first graders were invited to bring their teddy bears (or another favorite stuffed animal) back to school for an evening of stories, crafts, and fun. The special guest star was Corduroy, from the beloved picture books by Don Freeman. “The kids had a great time,” said LRC Director Joan Mommsen. Teddy Bear Night is part of an ongoing series of LRC Family Nights sponsored by the Belle Aire PTA.
Authors inspire students at annual District 58 Author Fest
District 58 students got the chance to hear about the art of storytelling from some of the best in their field during the 2012 Author Fest Feb. 15-17.
Valentine’s Day a time of friendship and sharing in District 58
Classes throughout District 58 celebrated Valentines Day in a variety of ways, including sharing cards and treats with their classmates, completing special craft projects, performing concerts for their families, and playing fun games.
At Herrick Middle School, students created and delivered special three-dimensional cards to the participants in the Southeast Association for Special Education in DuPage program, which is housed at Herrick.
Highland marks 60th anniversary
Highland School turned 60 years old Feb. 4, and the whole school got a chance to celebrate on Feb. 6.
Five Highland retirees were the guests of honor at the birthday party that afternoon, which kicked off with an iMovie packed with photos and news clips commemorating the history of Highland.
Music takes center stage on Friday afternoons in Fairmount fifth-grade class
Students in Kaye Hutchison’s fifth-grade class at Fairmount School attend a concert every week without ever leaving their classroom—and they are very familiar with the performers.
Each Friday afternoon, the students participating in the district’s band and orchestra programs—as well as students who are taking lessons at home—have the opportunity to perform in front of their peers.
Fun and learning multiply during Math Night at Whittier
Whittier School’s recent Math Night added up to a fun, educational evening for participants. The Whittier PTA’s Math and Science Committee hosted the school’s first-ever Math Night Jan. 30. Students in fourth through sixth grade teamed up with their parents to learn and play fun games of deduction, computation and strategy. Families rotated in groups to play each of the seven games, and received a take-home packet to continue playing games at home and with friends.
Herrick students enjoy Super Bowl sundaes
Herrick Middle School students enjoyed a long-standing Super Bowl tradition on Feb. 3--Super Bowl sundaes, which were available for purchase during all lunch hours that Friday. Principal Jason Lynde, Assistant Principal Matt Neustadt, and various teachers and volunteers scooped the ice cream and added chocolate or strawberry syrup, whipped cream and sprinkles to complete the celebratory concoctions.
District 58 celebrates 100th day of school with variety of activities
Feb. 6 was the 100th day of school in District 58, an event which is celebrated annually throughout the district with celebrations, parades, visits from Zero the Hero, and special activities and projects, all involving the number 100.
A sampling of some of the many fun activities students enjoyed that day:
Hillcrest students work together to create art for Game Night auction
With help from parent volunteers, Hillcrest School students were hard at work on art projects last month for a very good cause.
Each class worked together to complete an artistic creation, and the finished works represented a variety of styles and media.
Fairmount fourth-graders get hair-raising science experience
The Fairmount fourth-grade class had an electrifying experience when parent John Sumida, a high school science teacher, came to school to demonstrate some of the key concepts about electricity and magnetism that the students had been learning in science class. Through a variety of demonstrations, Sumida illustrated how electricity travels and how positive and negatively charged molecules react with one another.
Belle Aire fourth-graders bring history to life
Historical characters recently came to life—literally—in Bradley Linko’s fourth-grade class at Belle Aire School. For the class’s Living History Museum, each student portrayed a famous person from a different time period. They worked extremely hard to research their “character” and dressed up in period garb to portray him or her. Each student was a “wax statue” until being brought to life with a gentle touch on the shoulder from an attentive listener. “The students did an amazing job. I am so very proud of them,” Linko said.
STARR Club building relationships at O’Neill
The lanes at the Tivoli Bowl the afternoon of Jan. 19 were filled with the sounds of students and teachers laughing, giving each other high-fives, and just enjoying each other’s company.
This was an outing of O’Neill Middle School’s brand-new STARR Club, which stands for Students Together Achieving Rewarding Relationships. The brand-new club already has about 45 members, 30 of whom participate every week.
Hillcrest food drive benefits FISH
The Hillcrest student council organized a food drive in late November, resulting in approximately 1,500 food items being donated to the FISH food pantry. Brittany Cerny’s class was the intermediate winner and brought in 136 food items. Leslie Walker’s class was the primary winner with 183 food items. Congratulations to these great classes! The workers at the FISH pantry were so thankful for all the efforts from Hillcrest students.
Fairmount student council spearheads collection for soldiers
The Fairmount student council recently sponsored an effort to collect games, sports equipment, snacks, toiletries, books, magazines, phone cards,and homemade letters and cards for soldiers who have been deployed overseas. Fairmount families and staff members generously answered the children’s call to support our troops, and the student council collected eight boxes of “goodies” to send off to the courageous men and women serving in the armed forces. Sen.
El Sierra first-graders get visit from ‘adopted’ firefighter
First-graders at El Sierra School recently got a visit from their adopted firefighter, Mike Cipra. First-grade classes in Downers Grove can adopt a firefighter from the Downers Grove Fire Department. The firefighter comes with an adoption certificate, and pays five visits to “his/her” classroom throughout the school year to cover topics such as Stop Drop and Roll, Crawl Low Under Smoke, Placing 9-1-1- Emergency Calls, Match and Lighter Safety, Cool a Burn, and Get Out and Stay Out in Case of Fire.
Young scientists show their chops at 31st annual D58 science fair
Nearly 600 budding young scientists participated in the 31st annual District 58 Science Fair at O’Neill Middle School Jan. 21.
The hallways and gymnasiums were packed with students eagerly answering questions and discussing their experiments with the judges, which included high school students, parents, staff members, professional scientists and representatives from Downers Grove Friends of the Gifted (FRoG), which co-sponsors the fair. More than 200 volunteer judges assisted with this year’s science fair.
Project puts new spin on book report at O’Neill
Think about writing a book report, and what comes to mind? Paper and pencil, perhaps, or a series of typed sheets. Not in Kate Nickell and Addie Nussbaum’s Language Arts classes at O’Neill Middle School, where each student recently created a “trailer” for a book of their choice read over winter break.
‘Tale Dark and Grimm’ author enchants Puffer students
Henry Puffer had a fantastic author visit November 17 from Adam Gidwitz. Adam is the author of the brand-new novel “A Tale Dark and Grimm,” a blend of traditional Grimm fairy tales meshed with a Hansel and Gretal storyline. The kids love it, says Puffer LRC Director Gwen Box. Gidwitz came and spoke to the fourth, fifth and sixth graders about his book and the writing process and told some fun tales as well.
Pierce Downer students conduct food drive for FISH pantry
Submitted by Pierce Downer PTA
The Pierce Downer Student Council helps to lead the school in a number of service projects throughout the year. During the month of December, the student council organized a school-wide food drive. Students in all classes were encouraged to donate nonperishable food items. Donated food was given to the Downers Grove Area FISH Food Pantry, which provides free food and a variety of emergency social services to those in need.
Pierce Downer students conduct food drive for FISH pantry
Submitted by the Pierce Downer PTA
The Pierce Downer student council helps to lead the school in a number of service projects throughout the year. During the month of December, the student council organized a school-wide food drive. Students in all classes were encouraged to donate nonperishable food items. Donated food was given to the Downers Grove Area FISH Food Pantry, which provides free food and a variety of emergency social services to those in need.
Belle Aire students have a blast at roller skating party
The Belle Aire Student Council sponsored a roller skating party at Lombard Roller Rink on December 6, 2011. It was open to the whole school, and a wonderful time was had by all.
--Photos by Joan Mommsen
Grove Foundation announces Kingsley recipients of Helping Children Grow award
Kingsley fifth-grade students Julia Kunsman, Justin Gadomsky and Patrick Brooks were selected as their school’s recipients of this year’s Helping Children Grow award from the Grove Foundation. The Foundation presents the annual award to one student from every fifth-grade class in Downers Grove. The presentations take place throughout the school year; Kingsley’s was in mid-December.
Indian Trail staff takes on fun assignment during McTeacher's Night
On December 13, the McDonald’s restaurant at 2401 63rd St. in Downers Grove hosted a Family FUNdraising Night Out to benefit the Indian Trail School PTA.
Indian Trail teachers and staff volunteered to work 45-minute shifts -- greeting customers, taking meal orders, pouring soft drinks and serving up fries. In exchange, McDonald’s donated 20 percent of food purchases made in the restaurant or through the drive-through when the event flyer was presented.
Herrick Chamber Choir spreads cheer through music
The Herrick Chamber Choir brought beautiful music and holiday joy to a variety of locations in and around Downers Grove on December 14.
The ensemble performed a variety of holiday tunes at two retirement communities – The Birches in Clarendon Hills and Peace Memorial Manor in Downers Grove – and at Lester and Pierce Downer schools before ending their day with a concert back at Herrick. Audience members were encouraged to sing along with several of the numbers.
El Sierra’s letters to Santa campaign to benefit Make a Wish Foundation
The Make a Wish Foundation will be getting a donation of more than $300, thanks to the letter-writing efforts of students at El Sierra School.
For every letter written to Santa and delivered to Macy’s, the department store chain is donating $1 to the Make a Wish Foundation. An El Sierra parent whose son was granted a wish by the organization brought the fundraiser to the attention of fifth-grade teachers Maura Prekwas and Meg Adams and asked if they could help. The duo decided to organize a school-wide letter-writing campaign.
District 58 students ride to school in style after winning Fire Department contest
Third graders Lucas Marra of Pierce Downer School and Cameron Van Hoegarden of Fairmount School were recently driven to school on a Downers Grove Fire Department fire truck as classmates awaited their arrival outside.
Kingsley students discover Christmas Around the World
How is Christmas celebrated in Portugal? What about Ireland, or Brazil?
First- and second-grade students in the Leading to Reading enrichment/extension program at Kingsley School recently spent about five weeks researching and creating Christmas Around the World brochures.
“Students worked in pairs to research a specific country’s Christmas customs and traditions,” said Kingsley LRC Director Jamie McPherrin.
Highland celebrates Blue Ribbon honor in style
Highland School was a sea of blue on Dec. 8, as the school hosted a high-energy celebration of its designation as a 2011 National Blue Ribbon School.
A group of parents were out bright and early that morning, tying blue ribbons around the throughway trees on the portion of Highland Avenue leading up to the school. Blue ribbons also decorated the front of the school, and signs lined the driveway proudly proclaiming students’ thoughts as to why Highland is a Blue Ribbon School.
Offensive tackle ‘bears down’ on Puffer to award grant, lead ultimate gym class
If you were in Henry Puffer School’s gymnasium on Dec. 6, you could be forgiven for doing a double-take. Was that Bears offensive tackle Gabe Carimi leading a group of students in twirling hula hoops around their arms...and jumping rope...and weight training?
Indeed it was, as the school was chosen as one of 34 grand prize winners in the nationwide NFL PLAY 60’s Back to Football Friday contest, netting the school a $10,000 grant for health and fitness efforts and an ultimate gym class with a Bears player.
Chemistry assembly wows El Sierra students
Experiments with color changes and Superballs and demonstrations with fire and liquid nitrogen wowed students at El Sierra School. During a PTA-funded Science Alliance assembly called “Close Encounters of the Chemistry Kind,” they learned about liquids, solids, chemical reactions, and safety.
Lester hosts school-full of special guests for Breakfast with Books
On November 15-17, in honor of American Education Week, Lester School hosted its annual Breakfast with Books celebration. Special guests from in and around Downers Grove – including Mayor Martin Tully, representatives from the Downers Grove police and fire departments, even a recent Lester retiree – stopped by to read stories to the students as they enjoyed the most important meal of the day.
Belle Aire students have out-of-this-world experience
Belle Aire students had an opportunity to visit Starlab, a portable "planetarium," during the week of October 24. On the evening of October 25, some Belle Aire families returned to school and listened to amateur astronomer and Belle Aire dad, Bill Pardue, share his knowledge of the constellations while gazing at the artificial night sky in Starlab. The activity was sponsored by the Belle Aire PTA.
--Submitted by Joan Mommsen, LRC Director, Belle Aire School
National service initiative comes to Fairmount School
During lunchtime recess at Fairmount School on November 21, students were trying new activities with hula-hoops, jumping rope, skipping backwards, and playing a variety of new games, all as part of a national initiative called Get in the Action.
District 58 students and staff mark Thanksgiving with variety of projects, activities
Students and staff throughout District 58 participated in a variety of special activities in honor of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Hillcrest shows gratitude to police and fire departments for service
Earlier this year, all 386 students at Hillcrest School went onto the playground and formed the words “we love you,” in honor of the services provided by the Downers Grove police and fire departments each and every day.
On Nov. 22, the school’s student council co-presidents, Taylor Horowitz and Owen Wahlgren, accompanied by Assistant Principal Brent Borchelt, visited the Downers Grove police and fire station to present a framed copy of the photo and thank the men and women for all that they do.
Lester kindergartners laugh and learn at DuPage Children's Museum
The Lester School kindergartners recently took a field trip to the DuPage Children's Museum, where they got to participate in a variety of hands-on activities, including speed-stacking, puzzles and blowing bubbles in different shapes.
--Photos by Ann Cummins
Whittier fifth-graders float, fly and fling on Catapult Day
November 16 was fifth-grade Catapult Day at Whittier School! Students had the choice of making a catapult, plane or boat, and on Nov. 16, they took to the blacktop behind the school to demonstrate their devices for their parents and classmates by floating, flying or flinging objects.
Indian Trail reading buddies partner up for weekly storytime
Each week, the Grove Children’s Preschool students at Indian Trail School head to the LRC, where the fifth-graders wait eagerly to meet up with their “reading buddies.”
The preschoolers make beelines for their buddies, and the LRC is abuzz with voices as they choose their books and settle in to read together. As the fifth-graders share the stories, the preschoolers listen intently, help turn pages, point to pictures, and ask questions.
Whittier students learn about the Power of One
The “Power of One” took center stage at Whittier School Oct. 27.
During a PTA-sponsored assembly, Whittier students learned about the different roles in a bullying scenario – bully, target and bystander. They saw how each and every student can help stop bullying by telling a trusted adult when they see it happening.
The assembly, presented by Soren Bennick Productions, supported District 58’s goal of teaching social and emotional learning skills to students.
Fairmount School’s new Gamestar Club hosts Gamer Fair
The new Gamestar Club at Fairmount School, based on Scholastic’s Gamestar Mechanic curriculum, hosted its first-ever Gamer Fair after school on November 14 and 15.
Nearly two dozen fourth- through sixth-grade students participated in the Gamestar Club, during which they used the Gamestar curriculum to learn about video game design, create their own video games, playtest other game makers’ games, rate them, and provide feedback. The club used the Gamestar Mechanic curriculum designed by Scholastic.
Veterans visit with students at Whittier
In honor of Veterans Day, retired Whittier custodian John Vath and Whittier parent and District 58 School Board member John Miller visited the school Nov. 10 to read to classes and talk with students about their time in the service. Miller served in the U.S. Navy for 21 years, and Vath served with the Army in Vietnam.
Belle Aire honors veterans with wall of heroes
Veterans were front and center at Belle Aire the week of November 7, when the students created a Wall of Heroes inside the school's entryway.
“Our students posted photos of their family members, along with information regarding their time in the service,” said sixth-grade teacher Patricia Miller.
Kingsley reading buddies create cards for soldiers
In honor of Veterans Day, Kingsley School fifth-graders paired up with their kindergarten reading buddies Nov. 4 to create thank-you cards for soldiers serving overseas.
Pierce Downer sixth-graders host ‘wax museum’
Every year on Halloween, the sixth grade classes at Pierce Downer serve their school in a "spooky" way. Instead of celebrating their own classroom party, they provide a human wax museum in the gymnasium for the entire school to enjoy. Each student wears his costume and strikes a creative pose, so that all grade levels passing through receive their traditional scare. Enter at your own risk!
Photos by Christine Balagtas
Tech workshop focused on transformative learning experiences
Forty-three presenters – including three Apple Distinguished Educators, the Illinois art teacher of the year and the director of Illinois Computing Educators (ICE) – shared their expertise with District 58 faculty and administration on November 3 during an all-day professional development workshop, “Transformative Learning Experiences,” at Herrick Middle School.
Students dig into pumpkin math at Kingsley
Pumpkins were the center of attention at Kingsley School on October 28—and it was all in the name of math.
Students worked in groups with parent volunteers to complete worksheets about their gourd. They were asked questions such as how many lines their pumpkin had, how long their stem was, how tall their pumpkin was, the circumference of their pumpkin, and the weight of their pumpkin.
O’Neill cuts the ribbon on its new Courtyard Classroom
Years of planning and hard work came to fruition last month when staff, students and community members gathered on October 5 to dedicate the new Courtyard Classroom at O’Neill Middle School.
Puffer scores $10,000 grand prize in NFL PLAY 60 contest
Henry Puffer was recently chosen as one of 34 grand prize winners in the nationwide NFL PLAY 60’s Back to Football Friday contest, netting the school a $10,000 grant for health and fitness efforts.
Herrick Lunch Bunch gets students talking about books
Herrick’s Lunch Bunch is back in session, and about 85 students – split evenly between seventh and eighth grade – are participating in the popular lunchtime book club, now in its sixth year.
Lunch Bunch members have the opportunity to read from 25 new book releases that have been selected by Anderson's Bookshops as possibilities for the 2012 Newbery Book Award, which will be announced Jan. 24. These new releases are available only to the Lunch Bunch until January 3, when the club will hold its own mock Newbery election.
Scouts build paver patio for Indian Trail retirement garden
The Teachers’ Retirement Garden at Indian Trail School now features a beautiful new paver patio, thanks to the hard work of 17-year-old Downers Grove South High School senior Keith Kastenholz and his Boy Scout Troop 57.
Over a two-day event the weekend of September 30, Keith obtained the assistance of Troop 57, along with family and high school friends, to install a 12x16 foot paver patio at Indian Trail, where his family’s neighbor is a teacher.
Fairmount, Henry Puffer welcome Caldecott-winning author
Fairmount School welcomed two-time Caldecott winner Eric Rohmann for a visit recently—and the gymnasium looked very familiar, given that Rohmann himself attended Fairmount more than three decades earlier.
“These ropes are the exact same ropes,” he exclaimed, pointing up at the ceiling.
Hillcrest kindergartners help plant a tree
It’s tree planting time in Rachel Sickler’s kindergarten classes at Hillcrest School! The students learned all about the parts of trees and what they need to grow and be healthy. Then they all helped plant a new coral bark maple tree behind the Hillcrest playground. Imagine how big it will be when the kindergarten classes reach sixth grade!
New El Sierra Run/Walk Club draws a crowd
El Sierra students are strapping on their sneakers for a popular new after-school activity.
A total of 65 fourth- through sixth-grade students signed to participate in the school’s Run/Walk Club, which meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school.
The club, which is co-sponsored by fifth-grade teachers Maura Prekwas and Meg Adams, offers an opportunity for students to exercise while developing socially and emotionally.
Fairmount celebrates International Walk and Bike to School Day
Nearly 250 students from Fairmount School walked, roller-bladed and rode their bikes to school Oct. 5 in observance of International Walk and Bike to School Day.
This marked the second year in a row that the school has participated in International Walk and Bike to School Day. Representatives from the Fairmount PTA, which organized the event, were on the playground to hand out stickers to all students who walked or biked to school. It was a true community event, with parents, teachers, siblings, neighbors, and even family pets also participating.
Indian Trail fifth-graders share stories at Family Tea
Fifth-grade students at Indian Trail School had some very special guests of honor join them in class Sept. 28.
As part of their study of the story “The Memory Box,” each student was asked to interview a family member and write an essay based on the person’s answers. Many students interviewed grandparents, and one boy even had the opportunity to interview his 88-year-old great-grandmother.
O’Neill pinwheels spin for peace
On September 21, the front lawn at O’Neill Middle School was filled with colorful pinwheels spinning in the brisk wind.
Every seventh-grader, as well as eighth-graders currently participating in the school’s new Social Networking and Communications course, designed pinwheels and planted them outside that day as part of a celebration of the International Day of Peace. As an added touch, staff and students arranged the pinwheels in the shape of a large peace sign.
NBA player pays visit to Belle Aire
Students in Jill Oakley’s third-grade class at Belle Aire School had the chance to meet someone recently that they look up to—literally and figuratively. After all, NBA basketball player Evan Turner measures in at 6’7”.
Lester first-graders nurture seedlings in plant unit
First-graders at Lester School will be learning all about plants by growing and caring for their own.
As part of the class's plant unit, students spent the morning of Sept. 16 planting a variety of seedlings, including fast-growing brasica, alfalfa, rye, radishes and sweet potatoes, with the help of parent volunteers.
‘Pete and the Cat’ author and illustrator visit Puffer
Kindergarten through third grade students at Henry Puffer School got a visit Sept. 12 from author Eric Litwin and illustrator James Dean. In addition to talking about their craft and reading from their newest book, “Pete the Cat: Rockin’ in My School Shoes,” the duo also taught the students the character’s signature song.
Students return for first day in District 58
From the brand-new preschoolers and kindergartners with their fresh new crayons, erasers and other supplies all the way up to the eighth-graders with their years of wonderful school memories, students returned to District 58’s 13 school buildings Aug. 24 to begin the 2011-12 year.
