Student Council officers attempt to follow through
By Lora C. and Sarah Z.

Brianna C., president and Vanessa A., vice president of the student council for Peacock Jr. High have a few changes in mind for this year. They plan to have many visits to the Arbor of Itasca. They would like to go to the Arbor on all if not some of the holidays.

As for pep rallies, Brianna and Vanessa thought that there should be better alternative music and more challenging games that the audience can participate in. They want to get the crowed more involved and get them peppier. Vanessa and Brianna have also been trying to get more spirit weeks named, perhaps as often as one a month.

The girls hope to achieve the lunchroom wishes of their classmates. They will try to get a new microwave and they will be getting new vending machines. They also thought that we should have straws (for milk or pop) and forks.

The officers also wanted to get more passing time in the halls, and see if we could leave are books in the classroom instead of lugging around in our backpacks. Most students' backpacks weigh from 23-30 pounds.

Brianna and Vanessa said that they were most interested in accomplishing things that will make the student body happier. According to the officers, Mr. Peel and Dr. Nickisch are usually receptive to their ideas. Vanessa wanted to thank everyone who had voted for them. "I'd like to tell you," she added, "that we are doing everything in our power to help the student body."

Brianna wanted to explain something to her classmates. "Last year," she said, "when Vanessa and I wrote our speech, we mentioned that we would like to either make the dances cheaper or longer." "Well, before we wrote this speech, no one informed us on what we have control over. Unfortunately, the student council only runs one dance this year. Either Music Boosters or the P.T.O. runs all of the other dances. I hope all of my peers understand why we will not be making any changes to the dances."

Email The Charger about this story.
Translate this story.

Prospects for biannual D.C. trip looking up
By Elizabeth F.,
News Editor

At the September Board of Education meeting, there was a debate about the Springfield, IL and Washington DC trips. The debate concerned whether or not to continue those field trips. The Springfield trip is offered to only the eight graders while the Washington trip is available to the sixth and seventh graders every two years. The Board thought that the Springfield trip should be continued. The Superintendent, Dr. Acksel, said that the Washington DC trip should perhaps be discontinued. As written in the September Board of Education meeting minutes, his rationale was that typically, only twenty to thirty percent of the students attended, so it was difficult to incorporate the trip into the curriculum. Also, there was a risk of discipline problems and the district liability was greater since the trip is out-of-state. Dr. Acksel felt that the administration would be remiss in their responsibility if they didn't advise the board of the problems that could occur during the trip.

Some audience members at the meeting expressed their concern at canceling the trip. Mrs. Vicky Surges, for example, said that she wanted the situation resolved quickly since she was planning on attending the trip with her child and that a lot of money was going to be spent for the trip. Dr. Nickisch suggested that a survey should be conducted to see how many people would be attending or willing to attend as chaperones.

Mr. James McCann, a Board member, spoke out against the elimination of this trip. He explained, "I was in my late twenties before I had the opportunity to go to Washington. I spent an entire summer there and found it to be one of the most memorable times of my life. I wished I had been able to visit sooner." Mr. McCann thought the trip offered so much to the students. He understood that there were many reasons why some students couldn't take advantage of this opportunity, but feels those who were able to should have the opportunity.

By the time the Board met for its monthly meeting in October, over fifty students had indicated in a survey they would participate, and nineteen parents agreed to attend as chaperones. In the October Board meeting minutes, Dr. Acksel stated that supervision didn’t seem to be a great risk, as nineteen parents were willing to attend as chaperones. If this availability of chaperons continued, he explained that he would not need to bring the trip to the Board for a vote. If, however, the number of chaperones changed, then it would be necessary to come before the board for a vote.

In a recent interview, Dr. Nickisch stated that the administration was not going to cancel the Washington, DC trip because of the number of students planning to travel and the parents who said they were willing to act as chaperones. There have been several minor problems, but nothing to stop the trip.

Although fifty of two hundred students was a small percentage of the total student body, the number of chaperones who offered to go was very reassuring to Dr. Nickisch. He also said that the teachers did not select the places visited on the trip. A company called Educational Tours handled everything, including the collection of money and hotel arrangements.

Dr. Nickisch said that he thought it was a tremendous opportunity for anyone to attend trips like these and see symbols of America. One concern he always has about the trip is student behavior. Another major concern is safety and the way people represent the school and its reputation, as well as the negative impact of bad behavior on the other students on the trip. On the whole, Dr. Nickisch believed that the Peacock faculty appreciated the value of the Washington trip, and that the parents whom he had heard from had said that they wanted the trip to continue. In a recent survey, however, about thirty adults did state that it was too expensive and were not going to send their child.

Dr. Nickisch added that he hoped all the who planned to go do would do so and make the most of this experience. Board member Chuck Hervas plans to be a part of the trip along with his daughter. An attorney, Mr. Hervas is good friends with Senator Peter Fitzgerald and if possible the students will be able to visit the Senator's office and receive a guided tour.

Eighth grader, Kristin W., who attended the trip two years ago, said, "the trip was fun and the classes that you had to take at lunch were very educational." Another popular opinion was that the length of the trip is just right, any longer it would be too long and you would get tried of seeing the same people. Mike M., like others, thought the trip was fun because you're able to be with your friends and receive an education at the same time.

Email The Charger about this story.
Translate this story.

El club de español es muy divertido
By Angela G.

The Spanish club, hosted by Señoria Crown, is for all grades who are taking or who will soon be taking Spanish class. Señoria Crown got the idea last year when students asked her if she was going to have a club. She went to Dr. Nickisch and he was very supportive of the idea. Some activities that the students do are make and sell crafts, cook, eat, and have guest speakers.

Spanish club meets on Mondays. The first Monday of the month is for all grades; the second Monday is for eighth graders. Fifteen to twenty students usually attend. The third Monday is reserved for seventh graders, though very few come. The last Monday of the month is for sixth graders and at least twenty-five attend. "I am really impressed with the turnout and positive reaction, but I would like to see more seventh graders," said Señoria Crown. Some of the seventh graders in Spanish club commented that they really liked it and that they would recommend it to friends.

Email The Charger about this story.
Translate this story.

Are backpacks a problem?
By Savanna S.

Whether students' backpacks are too heavy has recently been a topic of some discussion at Peacock Middle. Two seventh graders, Jamie O. and Hilary S. were asked what they thought about the weight of their backpacks and what they thought students could do about it. They responded "They're outrageous I think we should have the teachers hold our books." Hilary said, "They're way too heavy for us to handle and we need more time in between class but not a longer school day!"

Mrs. Manley, Peacock's nurse explained the medical problem with students carrying heavy backpacks that are too heavy. She said that teenagers have growing bodies and spinal columns. Therefore, you can’t put too much weight on their spinal columns. If you do, it will cause deformation in the muscles and spinal columns.

When asked how much weight students should safely carry, Mrs. Manley explained that students shouldn't carry more than 15 or 20% of their body weight. For example, an 80-pound child should carry about a 12-pound backpack (80 x .15 = 12).

Mrs. Manley also had an answer to the question of a lot of students--what can they do about carrying so many books if their books don't fit in their lockers, or if they don't stop at their lockers? She advised students to check if they have extra things in their lockers, and to remove them to make more space for books. She also said that students would have to figure out a way to stop at their lockers and still get to class on time. Finally, Mrs. Manley said that if a student has a problem with her locker that she can't fix through these steps, she should talk to Dr. Nickisch.

Email The Charger about this story.
Translate this story.

Students discuss new DJ and success of dance
By Brittney L., Krissy M. and Hilary S.

Peacock's first dance has come and gone, and the reaction among students was generally positive. The main disagreement was over the new DJ. Eighth grader Gino P. commented that he though new DJ was good, "because he didn't play any stupid kiddie games, he played more music."

Seventh grader Savanna S. disagreed with Gino. She said "I think our previous DJ, Justin, got the kids going more, but I still had some fun." The DJ did play a lot more music, but some students said that it wasn't really the music that they wanted to hear. Classmate Rachel A. said, "he wasn't good because he was older and he didn't really know what we wanted to hear, but Justin was a lot younger, and he was better looking."

Sixth graders at their first Peacock dance generally agreed with the seventh and eighth graders. Daniela F., for example, thought the dance was good, but that it could have been better. She also said that she thought most of the people enjoyed themselves, but that the DJ was really bad. Allie G. said that she thought the DJ wasn't hip enough.

Daniela commented that she thought most people danced at the dance, though some of the people had weird dances. Another sixth grader [Brittney] also thought that most people enjoyed themselves because some people had fun dancing, and some people kept either walking around or running in the bathroom crying. When asked why she thought some people didn't dance, Allie said she thought it was probably because they were nervous.

When interviewed after the dance, the DJ [name?] said that he used to DJ. at a bowling alley, and he didn't really know what to play. He said that he thought the dance went very well. He also said that he would like to come back. The question is, do the students at Peacock want him back?

Email The Charger about this story.
Translate this story.

Village and District 10 change traffic patterns
By Brittany B.,
Entertainment Editor and
Christa M.,
Features Editor

Starting November 8, at 6:30 a.m., parents were no longer allowed to drop off their children behind school. The new traffic pattern at Peacock Middle and all public schools in District 10 restricts the flow of traffic from traveling both ways during certain school hours. North Street becomes a one-way westbound street between 6:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The change is a result of a decision made by the District 10 School Board and the Village of Itasca.
This change has generated different opinions in the Peacock community. Many consider the change to be a positive one, acknowledging that it is safer for the students. A parent, Penny Auxier commented that "children's safety was at risk, and change was necessary." Eighth grader Juribel C. pointed out, however, that "bus drivers would have to learn a new bus route to drop off students, and it must be inconvenient for teachers and parents." Juribel's classmate, Susan C. said that she thought the old pattern was fine. "Kids will have farther to walk, and if they are already running late for chorus, band, or intramurals, it will be harder for them to make it on time."
Chris Smith, also in eighth grade, disagreed. "Kids would be running around in chaos through parked and stopped cars," he said, "something was bound to happen." Several parents who were interviewed agreed with parent, Donna Aevermann, who said, "the previous traffic pattern was an accident waiting to happen. I feel this is a safer alternative and a good idea."
There was a general agreement among students, faculty and parents that if the changed traffic pattern increased the safety of children, that was more important than any inconvenience that might result.

Email The Charger about this story.
Translate this story.

Luncheon brings young and old together
By Patrycja M.

There is a senior citizen luncheon at Peacock every year. Seniors of Itasca come for a day of good food and entertainment. The luncheon is held to encourage senior citizen and student interaction. This year’s luncheon was held on Friday, October 22. It was a great success, about 100 seniors attended.

As the seniors citizens entered Peacock, they were greeted by the Mexican hat dancers, and once they were seated the waiters and waitresses, eighth grade family and consumer science elective students served beverages. While the seniors ate their Mexican dish, they watched Spanish students sing, witnessed the play "Westside Story," performed by the eighth grade music elective class, and enjoyed other forms of entertainment.

At the end of the luncheon, a nice touch was added in the form of the red carnations that were handed out to two guests per table. Guests with a red heart sticker under their tables were the lucky winners that received the carnations. Also, Señiora Crown gave out piñatas made by last year’s Spanish students.

One of the many people who thought this year’s luncheon was a great success was Mrs. Corinne Vaagen, the secretary of senior citizens organization. She especially loved the piñatas and the "Macarena". Even though she thought the play was performed and organized beautifully, Mrs. Vaagen did comment that she thought it was "too brutal" because there were gangs, fighting, and weapons. She added that students should learn about ant-violence.

On the other hand, Dr. Nickisch said that "Westside Story" was a good play that "depicted gang life in the late 50’s." He explained that Mr. Travis, the music teacher, took a small part of the play and left out the worse parts. Dr. Nickish also commented that Mrs. Knudsen and her classes "cooked up a great job". He did add that he thought the luncheon time should be shortened from three hours to two. He says, "You have to understand," he explained, "that it is difficult to sit for three hours straight."

One thing that Dr. Nickisch and Mrs. Vaagen did agree on was that the interaction of the seniors and students during the luncheon was both great and important. Mrs. Vaagen also said that she was very happy to see students taking some seniors down on the elevator. She was surprised and amazed that this is the only school district that has a senior citizen luncheon in this area. Because of this, Mrs. Knudsen won the family and consumer science teacher of the year award.

The Senior Citizen Luncheon was, by all accounts, great. It was fun for the guests and the people who made it special. Vanessa Anderson and Addison Smith, both in Mrs. Knudsen’s elective, said they loved working with the seniors and would definitely do it again. For next year’s luncheon, Mrs. Knudsen is thinking about a Hawaiian theme. Nothing is for sure of course. But Mrs. Vaagen said a Hawaiian theme would be a great idea, she suggested the play "South Pacific" to go along with the theme.

Email The Charger about this story.
Translate this story.