Senior Citizens’ Luncheon was a great success

By Liz F.

This year’s Senior Citizens’ Luncheon went very well. The theme was Russian Culture and Cuisine. The luncheon was held on Friday, October 16th. One hundred and two Senior Citizens attended the luncheon along with ten administrators and school board members. The menu was made up of cream of chicken-vegetable soup, beef stroganoff, cauliflower with bread crumbs, dilled cucumbers in sour cream, sweet and sour beets, rye bread and butter, and rice pudding with spice-raisin cake. The servers wore dresses that had red aprons with painted flower prints by the neck. The girls wore wreaths in their hair.

The students in Mrs. Knudsen’s cooking class were divided into two groups. Half of the students were cooks. They took care of the last minute items including how much food to put on each plate. The group were the servers. All the students helped with the cooking the week before the play. The Encore team decided on the theme around last winter. Mrs. Knudsen’s preparation started around July and the students’ preparation started at the being of the quarter. Mrs. Knudsen is very pleased with the results of this year’s luncheon. She commented that "the students did an excellent job and worked hard, and it was a good theme. I’m sad to see them leave."

Mrs. Dengler’s sixth and seventh grade classes created the artwork for the luncheon. The seventh graders studied the Russian artist Marc Chagall. They made paintings in his unique style. Chagall, who was Jewish, was born around the turn of the century, at the time when Fiddler on the Roof was set. The sixth graders made "pysanky," a Russian Easter egg using the traditional Russian design motifs. The crafts will be on display for about one more month.

Mr. Cousineau’s two seventh grade classes made all of the sets for the play and painted the background scenes. The sets were completely made of cardboard, duct tape, and hot glue. His students helped cut, tape, and glue the sets together. Mr. Cousineau hopes to use some of the sets in future years. The sets were well received by the Senior Citizens.

Mr. Travis complimented his students' hard work, which he said paid off in the Fiddler on the Roof performances. The audience enjoyed the play. They applauded and laughed. The characters in the play were Jewish people living in Russia around the turn of the century. The students really enjoyed the play and some were even crying after it was all over. Mr. Travis said, "This year’s group was one of the most talented I have worked with."

Dr. Nickisch commented that the luncheon was outstanding this year, and always has been. He thought the food was great and that we could "charge money." Dr. Nickisch liked the artwork and the circus performance, his favorite was the bear. Fiddler on the Roof was the best play he has seen here at Peacock yet, with such a talented group of students. Dr. Nickisch explained that we have the play and luncheon every year so we can give the Senior Citizens a chance to visit Peacock and to interact with the students.

"The food was pretty good," said Fiddler cast member, Jeff R., "and the artwork was nice and it also fit in with the theme." Jeff really liked the play and thought they did a good job, and that there were not many mistakes. Fellow cast member, Mike M. commented, "it was the best performance Mr. Travis directed and he did a good job picking the play to match the theme." Amanda H. said that this year’s luncheon was very "traditional." She added, the artwork was neat. The food was O.K., and Fiddler on the Roof went very well." Navi S. and Lindsay L. both agreed.

Media Center provides students with high tech tools

By Danny S.

Mrs. Bernahl recently discussed the new computer system in the media center. Among the new things in the media center, she noted that there were new books, a new computer and new software. Mrs. Bernahl also explained why all the library books were now catalogued (listed) on computer - because it made it easier for students' to find the books they want when they are working.

When asked if students can access the Internet, Mrs. Bernahl said that there was only one computer available for Internet searching, and that students can only use it with permission. There is also a large cart for the special software and multimedia. With permission, students can use not only the scanner to scan pictures, but also the color printers. Mrs. Bernahl said that the color printers will help students with class projects because they can print out color maps and do presentations.

According to Mrs. Bernahl, the most frustrating thing about the new technology is the times when it doesn’t work correctly. In the future, Mrs. Bernahl commented that she planned on adding a digital movie camera, big screen TV, video editing, and special audio editing.

Student council officers work for change

By Krissy M. and Sarah Z.

The new Student Council President, Janelle B. and Vice President, Christina S. are helping the school and community of Itasca in many ways. They intend to make many great changes at Peacock Middle this year. During a recent interview, Janelle and Christina discussed the changes for the dances, pep rallies, cafeteria, and student council. They plan on raising money for strobe lights and other decorations for the dances.

According to Janelle, student government had accomplished everything they had hoped for during pep rallies, except they would still like to get the crowd more involved. The officers admitted that it was hard organizing pep rallies during cross-country, but they insisted that will keep trying during basketball season.

On the continuing complaints about the quality of the vending machines, the officers explained that Peacock has a contract on them until next year. Therefore, Janelle and Christina said that they have no control over the vending machines, but they can change the food in them. So if you want new food, please give them a suggestion on what you might like.

Janelle and Christina would also like to make every Thursday a spirit day. They are still looking for ideas for these days, so once again, if you have a suggestion please tell them or a member of student council.

According to the officers, Mr. Peel and Dr. Nickisch are very helpful. Mr. Peel helps them get things done, and Dr. Nickisch thinks of new things to do and reminds them of their duties for this school year. Janelle said that she and Christina attend the leadership council meetings and bring up changes for our school. Janelle, did comment, however, that that she did not really feel as though she has much influence at the leadership council meetings.

Computer club

By Izabela B.

When asked why she conducts the computer club, Peacock Media Director, Mrs. Bernahl said, "I love kids and I love seeing the look on their face when they get to do something new and neat." Any student can join. Mrs. Bernahl has also had parents come in to learn about computers. She has been doing this for two years. Some of the club's activities include creating banners that can be posted around the school.

An upcoming event is the Student Technology Conference in March 1999, which is sponsored by the State Superintendent, Dr. Spagnolo. During the conference, students will try new software and get to go to workshops and see different ways in which they can work with computers. The computer club will also show some work at this spring's Fine and Applied Art Show.

The club can not yet "surf" the Internet, however, because they still need an A.U.P. (Acceptable Use Policy) from the school board. It's not to late to join the computer club. Come to the media center or computer lab on Mondays after school.

New Spanish teacher loves her job

By Tina D.

Mrs. Crown, Peacock's new Spanish teacher, said that she absolutely loves teaching here, and that is very impressed with her students. Mrs. Crown didn’t even take Spanish in middle school. She started studying Spanish when she was a junior in high school. Mrs. Crown graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a double major in English and Spanish. Before coming to Peacock, she taught in Minnesota for three years.

On the personal side, Mrs. Crown was just married this past July. She is into all different types of music and she most recently read Riding the Rap by Elmore Leonard. She enjoys exercise, reading spending time with her family, and her new husband.

Springfield was a learning experience

By Katie M.

On October 2, the eighth graders took their annual trip to Springfield. They visited many interesting sites, including the new capitol building, Abraham Lincoln's tomb, the old capitol building, New Salem Village, and Abraham Lincoln's home. When asked which landmark was her favorite, Tania B.said that she enjoyed Lincoln's home. Mike M. said that his favorite site was Lincoln's tomb. Michelle B., on the other hand, said that she most enjoyed the bus ride. Mike M. disagreed with that. He said that the bus ride was long, tiring, and "really, really hot."

When asked if they learned anything, the students had a variety of replies. Patrick McDonald said, "Yes, that Lincoln's house was fake." Tania B. said she learned about Lincoln and the new and old capitol buildings. Mike M. said that he learned that Old Country Buffet is gross, "but they do have good crackers." According to Michelle B., "we really didn't learn anything, but it's good for us to see our capitol."

Most of the students agreed that the food at the dinner stop, Old Country Buffet, was disgusting. Michelle B. said that she disliked the tour of the new capitol building. She said that the tour guide was "very annoying." Overall, most people enjoyed the trip to Springfield. Mike M. said that the trip was a great experience. Tania B. said that the trip was somewhat interesting and that she learned a lot. The eighth graders had a lot of fun, and hope that it will be just as much fun for next year's eighth graders.

Dr. West talks about Red Ribbon Week

By Nicole S.

This year Red Ribbon Week ran from Sunday, October 25, to Sunday, November 1. Red ribbon week is a national program recognizing a drug-free lifestyle. Peacock showed its participation in Red Ribbon Week by handing out ribbons at the beginning of the week to both students and teachers. Dr. West, school counselor, commented that she hoped that the Peacock community would wear their ribbons all week, and many of them did. There were also red ribbons outside of the school to remind others outside of Peacock to live a drug free life.

Dr. West said that she hoped that students would learn by participating in activities such as poster, art, and essay contests. Students will get a prize for winning these contests, then will be able to participate in the state contest. Students also took a test in advisor/advisee about drug awareness, and advisor teachers talked to students about the consequences of drug and alcohol use.