Principal discusses changes and expectations
By Maggie F.

Does a camera make you nervous? Did you ever want to be on T.V.? Well, did you know that Peacock has a new video and sound broadcast studio in our school? Dr. Nickisch stated that, "This is a change that everyone will be able to look forward to this year."
The sign in front of the school has had a few additions. "It is now encased in brick, has the schools colors and the blue ribbon school emblem," commented Dr. Nickisch, "but the original sign is the same."
This year, students will have their ID's on the first day of school. Our basketball backboards have also been updated. "They are now fiberglass," added Dr. Nickisch.
There will be one new teacher this year. Mr. Coate, the eighth grade social studies teacher left on August 21. A substitute will fill-in until a new teacher can be hired.
Dr. Nickisch advised sixth graders to "only believe half the bad things you have heard about middle school." "Middle school is a lot more fun than you realize," he said.
Dr. Nickisch also commented that he expected the eighth graders to show more leadership. He felt, however, that this should not be difficult if they got off to a good start. This year's eighth graders are outstanding students. "I have great expectations for the student council this year. I would like to see them get the staff and students more involved in the neighborhood," he added.
"The leadership is also from the teachers," said Dr. Nickisch, "they helped the school to win the blue ribbon and they are outstanding leaders."

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Peacock goes Hollywood
Media Center Renovation 2000 includes T.V. studio
By Michele B.

The Media Center has undergone several changes for the 2000/2001 school year. Most exciting, later this year for the first time, Peacock will have a video broadcast studio.
According to Mrs. Bernahl, the media center director, Peacock's studio will be student run and teacher guided. It will have many uses. First of all, for example, the reading of the morning Pledge of Allegiance will be televised by students into classrooms.
Students will also see the afternoon announcements. There will be other clips displayed along with the announcements such as the weather, sports, and notices from student council and other clubs.
A variety of student projects can also be televised for all to see. Students will also be able to produce and present skits and other sorts of performances. These are just a few of the possibilities for the video studio.
The studio will have two rooms, a studio room and a computer room. While students are performing in the studio room, another team of students will edit their performance in the computer room.
Students will learn to edit videos and to add sound clips and other various affects. Any class can use this new studio.
Mrs. Bernahl commented that she was very excited about the new equipment. She mentioned future plans such as video conferencing, better software and distance learning.
Distance learning, Mrs. Bernahl explained, is like having a pen pal over the Internet. Students will talk to kids from other schools and other countries.
The new studio equipment will give students the freedom to make a variety of video products.

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Peacock community dedicates Wall of Fame
By Ashley S., Editor

Peacock Middle School has so much history in its walls, yet, not much is visible. Since the school's renovation in 1993, much of its history has been visibly lost.
The Wall of Fame is intended to show current students that if they try and work hard enough, they can be successful.
It will also recognize Peacock students who have become successful in their chosen fields. Hopefully these people will become inspirational role models for students.
One person who will be honored is Mr. Jack Mensching, the president of the Itasca Bank. He commented that he was honored to be included on the Wall of Fame.
Mr. Mensching explained that he agreed to have his name on the Wall of Fame because he felt that he was a part of Peacock. He said that he believed that he will become a part of Peacock's history forever.
Mr. Mensching went to Peacock, then named North School, for much of his education, including kindergarten through fourth grade and then sixth through eighth grades.
"If you try and work hard you can reach your goals and dreams," Mr. Mensching advised students.
The following graduates will be recognized: The Honorable Gigi Gruber, Mayor of Itasca, Dr. Roy Scheck, Family Practitioner, Mr. Jack Mensching, President, Itasca Bank &Trust, Mr. Fred Maier, Director Spring Brook Nature Center, Mrs. Susan Lynch, President Itasca School District 10 Board of Education, Mr. Jeff Aiani, Village of Itasca Trustee, and Mr. Jeff Pruyn, Village of Itasca Trustee.
There will be a ceremony held Wednesday, September 27, 2000 to honor the seven honorees and also to present Peacock's Blue Ribbon. All of the Peacock staff and students, the seven honorees, members of the community, news reporters, and a representative from the U.S. Department of Education will attend the ceremony.
The Blue Ribbon flag and plaque will be displayed and the honorees will be introduced.
The Wall of Fame is located in the hallway where the honorees' pictures will be displayed for a few months. They will then be placed around the school.

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Internet access from the classroom
An interview with Mr. Kapachinski
By Matt C.

With the school year beginning and technology around the world being updated, it is only natural that Peacock Middle School updates its technology to fit the age we are living in.
Mr. Kapachinski, Director of Technology for District 10, has been busy rebuilding Peacock's current computer server and adding another one. We now have two servers and also a mini computer lab to each classroom.
Approximately seventy-five new computers were added over the summer. Students will have access to these new computers in the classrooms.
"Students will be able to access the Internet from the classroom and the teacher will be able to use an LCD projector to make slide presentations. This will make class time much more interactive," explained Mr. Kapachinski.
The classroom computers will have basic computer programs like Microsoft Office and Word, as well as Internet Explorer will also be on the computers.
When asked, Mr. Kapachinski said that "my favorite thing about the new technology is seeing it being used and making an interactive environment."
But he also added that, "Seeing a student indirectly or purposely causing problems on the computers can be frustrating. It is very tough trying to get them up and running again."

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