Nature Center is an outdoor extension of Peacock’s classroom

By Elizabeth F.

That is what sixth grade teachers Mrs. Six and Mr. Tison said when they were interviewed recently about class trips to the Nature Center in Itasca. According to Mrs. Six and Mr. Tison, this year students learned about food chains and webs, seeds, garbage, owl pellets and trapping. They also learned to identify herbivores, carnivores and omnivores by examining their teeth. They observed the stream and pond at the Nature Center and did Symbiotic Relationships studies, known as "Mutcompar" (from the words mutualism and comparison).

What did the students learn from these activities? Mrs. Six explained that environmental programs were directly related to the classroom science curriculum: "All concepts learned in class can be tested in the field. Hands on experiments cement students’ understanding." Mrs. Six and Mr. Tison did comment that they thought Peacock students needed more time for visits and their own bus for rides to and from the Nature Center.

Mrs. Six and Mr. Tison recalled several funny things they had seen at the Nature Center over the years. One year, all of the boys ran away from a snake and one girl came and picked up the snake. Another time, a boy thought "sailing for fish" meant they were going fishing, so he brought a fishing pole and tackle box. Last but not least, one boy got stuck in the silt and began to sink to the bottom. He raised his hand politely and said "help," even though Mrs. Six had said she was not going to answer any questions.

An informal poll of sixth graders indicated that they thought that observing the stream and the pond was the most enjoyable activity they did at the Nature Center. The students said they would prefer less talking by Mr. Meier, the Center director, more games and less writing. On the whole, however, they definitely enjoyed their visits to the Nature Center.

Mr. Loest is inspired to create music

By Andrew S.

Peacock band director, Mr. Loest started composing in 1989. He taught himself to compose by studying the music of other composers. "As I have been created," he explained, "I too must create. I'm also inspired to create for purposes of self-expression; and finally I like to dedicate my works to people whom I appreciate."

Mr. Loest's newest piece of music for band is called "Antique Car Parade," which took three months to write and will be released this July. He descibed it as "a novelty piece that reflects the sounds of the cars of yesteryear." He wrote "Antique Car" for the Itasca Cadet Band and dedicated it to them. His other published pieces include "Spirit of Excellence" "Calypso Bay," and "Frontier Valley." According to Mr. Loest, "Antique Car" is a simpler, lighter and more humorous number. Mr. Loest's pieces are played in the United States, Canada, Japan, Germany, Jamaica, and Scandinavia.

To compose his pieces, Mr. Loest uses a piano, computer, sound module and a band. He commented that he enjoyed composing because "most people spend their lives solving problems created by others. Composers are problem creators rather than problem solvers. It's a very personal process." The most difficult part of composing is the great patience it requires. When asked if he made any money composing, Mr. Loest replied, "no, I am a slow writer but very thorough."

Currently, Mr. Loest is working on another piece, "Good Old Guys," about Old Joe Clark, Jolly Old Saint Nicholas, Old MacDonald and This Old Man.

According to Mr. Loest, his favorite style of music changes, sometimes it is jazz, sometimes rock, sometimes church music and sometimes classical. His favorite composer is probably Igor Stravinsky. Mr. Loest was asked if he has always liked music and he replied "yes, not always practicing, but always music."

Students tie for the Golden Text Tube

By Scott P.

"All you have to do is follow the directions and try your hardest and you will do well." According to Golden Test Tube winner, seventh grader Jeff R., that is the key to success at the annual District 10 Science Fair, held this year at Peacock on February 14. Jeff and his partner, Joe K., earned 98 of 100 points for their experiment,"Does Listening to Different Types of Music affect Short Term Memory?" They shared the award with eighth graders Amanda S. and Kristen K., who studied the .

Jeff commented on the tough competition and the nice variety of experiments this year. He also said that he thought the judges judged fairly. Jeff enjoys participating in the Science Fair, and he likes it when teachers give extra credit for participation. Another veteran Science Fair contributor commented that he thought it was a fun and worthwhile activity, particularly because it gave students the opportunity to show off their scientific knowledge to the visiting adults and other students.

READ, READ, READ! Reading frenzy sweeps Peacock

By Aleksia I. and Christa M.

"Don’t forget to read," said Peacock’s librarian, Mrs. Bernahl, when she was asked about Peacock’s Reading Contest--that is, after all, the goal of the contest. Mrs. Bernahl explained that all the students who read a book are given a book lottery ticket by their Reading teacher. The lottery ticket is then deposited in a bin for the appropriate grade level in the library. If your ticket is drawn, you receive a prize.

Students may choose from a wide selection of prizes. These include a vast array of key chains, including those with adorable stuffed animals, playing cards, card games, pocket games and McDonalds' gift certificates. Students may also suggest prizes for next year’s contest.

To many people, however, the best prize will be watching Dr. Nickish get his hair cut in a style yet to be determined. The staff and Dr. Nickish will decide which lucky individuals will witness this event. Some students' suggestions for hairstyles include the trendy buzz cut, or that perhaps Dr. Nickish should have his head shaved and waxed. The sixth graders currently lead the Reading Contest, but the eighth graders (in last place) have the potential for a surprise win.

Mrs. Bernahl also mentioned that the Peacock Library held a "Book Contest." In this contest, if a student read a book from the Rebecca Caudil shelf, she would receive a lottery ticket for the Reading Contest plus five points. When she earned fifteen points by reading the selected material, she was allowed to vote for a book that she thought was the best written. This year’s winner at was The Fear Place by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. Some previous years' winners included Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli in 1993, Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor in 1994, Flight # 116 is Down by Dawn Caroline Cooney in 1995, The Giver by Lois Lowry in 1996 and The Best School Year Ever by Barbara Robinson in 1997 .

Finally, Mrs. Bernahl put a stop to all rumors regarding a spring book fair when she announced that there will not be one this year.

By the way...

Although the Itasca Bank & Trust has not had any robberies, it has had its share of accidents. At the old building (Northeast corner of Walnut and Orchard Streets), a security guard was at his post. Well, things got slow and he decided to polish his gun--he accidentally shot himself in the foot. Then, at the building on Irving Park Road, a man and his wife pulled into the parking lot and went inside the bank. Bored, the wife started looking through his glove compartment. She found a picture of another woman and stabbed her husband when he came back!

-Scott Presslak