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| News October 2003, Volume 7, No. 2 |
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By Jessica L. Op-Ed Editor
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| Lindsey M., eighth grade, was the first place winner during the Invention Convention with her Hands on Steering Device. | |
Each eighth grader made an invention that he felt would impact society.
They presented their inventions to their teachers, classmates, parents and two patent lawyers.
After viewing the inventions, the eighth grade students and teachers and the patent lawyers voted on the top three inventions.
The winners were named at the end of the day during the announcements.
The first place winner was Lindsey M. with her Hands on Steering Device.
Second place was won by Courtney O. with her Fireplace Log Loader, and Colin T. won third place with his heated snow shovel.
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| Colin T., eighth grade, won third place with his “Salt-N-Melt Snow Shovel.” | |
"My invention is called the Hands On Steering Device. It measures a person's blood alcohol level and if it's over .90, the steering wheel will lock until your blood alcohol level is back to normal," said Lindsey
Her invention could be compared to the Breathalyzer, which you blow into to check your blood alcohol level.
One of the patent lawyers who attended the invention convention, Mr. Mike Mazza, was amazed by how creative and unique the inventions were.
"Some of the best inventions that I saw," he mentioned, "were the extended rain shield on an umbrella, heated snow shovel and colored salt. They were all great ideas. I could go on and on."
Some other great inventions presented at the convention were a showerhead with a built in bottle of shampoo and a motorized mousetrap.
While looking around, Mr. Mazza found about ten inventions that he thought were good enough to be patented.
He will be checking to see if any of them have already been patented and sending a list back to the school.
The Invention Convention was organized by eighth grade teachers, Ms. Heppler and Mrs. Krefetz, as part of their joined social studies and science unit.
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Octoberfest luncheon is a hit
More than 120 students and 80 seniors participate
By Amy E. News editor
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| Eighth graders, Samantha M. and Julia N. serve German food to Itasca seniors during the annual luncheon on October 17, 2003. | |
Mrs. Mann the FACS teacher and her eighth grade class, Mr. Travis and the choir, and all of the encore classes prepared for many weeks.
Mrs. Mann and her class first learned about German cuisine and how to prepare the dishes they selected.
About a week before the luncheon, a group of students went shopping for the items needed.
Finally, the big day arrived.
The FACS students were downstairs preparing for the meal. The servers helped decorate and the cooks cooked. There was excitement in the air. But things were getting stressful in the kitchen.
"People were complaining that the soup was too cold, but we worked it out," said Jackie O., one of the managers.
There were many different kinds of German food.
Kevin H. helped make the baked apples. "I hope everyone liked them and my favorite part was eating them," said Kevin.
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“I come from German decent, so of course I enjoyed the food,” stated Dr. Nickisch, “I can remember my mother making some of these foods.” |
Some of the servers were Laura D., Mary A., and Nicole M. "The decorations took a while to put up, but they look great," said Laura.
Mary stated, "Some of the seniors where too picky, but we worked it out."
"I didn't like having to wear the outfits because the girdle thing was too tight. But I did enjoy eating the cupcakes," said Nicole.
"I enjoyed working with all the seniors, but some of them were picky and crabby," added Laura.
There where also those who served drinks.
Frank C. commented, "The hot drinks were hard to carry and I almost dropped a pitcher. The root beer was easier to serve because it was cold."
There was a German dance presentation and a chorus performance.
"I enjoyed the dancing very much," stated senior citizen Mrs. Fridlund, "It was very coordinated."
Many other people enjoyed the food.
"I come from German decent, so of course I enjoyed the food," stated Dr. Nickisch. "I can remember my mother making some of these foods."
Dr. Cull, District 10 Superintendent, said "I don't normally enjoy German foods, but the bratwursts were very good."
There were many seniors at the luncheon. Mrs. Fridlund, with her husband, liked the food very much.
"I loved the apples, they were very sweet," said Mrs. Fridlund.
Many of the seniors thought Mr. Anderson did a wonderful job on announcing.
Many commented on how beautiful the art was.
"The photographs were very nice and so were the paintings," said Mrs. Harriet Bochenko, the president of the Itasca Senior Club who has been coming to the luncheon for ten years.
All in all, the luncheon was a hit.
"I think that the theme should be Germany each year, but just a different part of the country," Dr. Nickisch stated.
"I can't wait to see what next year will be like!"
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Leo Club helps develop leadership skills
By Julia P.
The Leo Club is an organized club that enables young people to work on teams and develop good leadership skills while getting community services hours. The purpose of the Leo Club is to help people who are less fortunate than we are.
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The purpose of the Leo Club is to help people who are less fortunate than we are. |
So far, the sixth graders have collected the most money and the eighth graders have collected the least.
At the Monday afterschool meetings of the Leo Club, members discuss what activities they are going to do and how to complete them successfully.
Sometimes members make posters and flyers to publicize their activities.
Besides the candy sale, the Leo Club will visit the people at the Arbor Nursing Home twice.
They are collecting warm clothes for people who are in need of coats, hats, gloves mittens etc.
The Leo Club also plans to celebrate March for the Parks Day (Earth Day).
The Leo Club always welcomes new members.
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Students train to help others
By Jessica L.
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| Nicole M, eighth grade, attended the Character in Action field trip and will be visiting all of the sixth grade advisories to teach the sixth graders about conflict resolution. | |
That is why on Tuesday, October 7, 2003, eight eighth grade students, along with Miss Heppeler, attended the Character in Action field trip sponsored by the Healthy DuPage County Character Coalition.
The students who attended this trip were Kevin H., Evin S., Alex D., Logan M., Jessica L., Julia N., Liz H. and Nicole M.
The field trip took place at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois. The students were provided a lunch and also received a bag of goodies to take home.
This field trip was to teach kids how to become better people and make their school a better place.
Each student attended two classes. One of the classes was taught by a group of students from Glenbard East High School. Another class was taught by students from Hinsdale Central High School.
"I think that it was cool that the high school students were there," said Nicole. "They really got us to understand things and it was cool hearing what they had to say."
Another class was taught by some people from the Chicago Comedy Company.
At the end of the trip, the students were entertained by a group of kids called "The Happiness Club." "I liked that part," commented Alex D., "because they rapped in different languages."
The students who attended this field trip will be visiting all of the sixth grade advisories to teach the sixth graders about conflict resolution. They will work with the advisories for five advisory periods each.
They have already visited the following classes: Miss Heppeler's, Mrs. Leikin's, Mrs. Krefetz's, Mr. Scaletta's and Mrs. Gimbel's. They will visit Ms. Betlej's and Mr. Anderson's advisory classes after Christmas.
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Washington DC
Trip to Arlington Cemetery will be special this year
By Amy E.
That time of year is coming again. The trip to Washington D.C. is coming quickly, with much to look forward to. Mrs. Kabat, the sixth grade Social Studies teacher says that out of her ten years of going on the trip, this year will be the most exciting.
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It is an honor to be chosen to do this. Only a few schools in the whole country are selected. |
"I have been going on this trip for ten years, and every year I have signed up to do this, and this is the first time we have been chosen," said Mrs. Kabat, who's in charge of the whole trip.
There will be a few students who will be chosen to place a wreath at the tomb. It is an honor to be chosen to do this. Only a few schools in the whole country are selected.
Mrs. Kabat recently received a letter from the Department of the Army including the tight schedule for the ceremony and information of the dress code that all students must follow to enter the cemetery.
"This year, we have a large group. There are 70 students and 15 adult chaperones attending the trip.
"There is much to look forward to this year," Mrs. Kabat stated.
The trip is scheduled May 19 to May 22, 2004.
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Beloved Benson custodian passes away
By Emily W.
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| Mr. Raschk, Mr. Rob, Mr. Frank, and Mr. Keith pictured in February 1999 Charger as one of District 10’s hardworking custodians. | |
Mr. Keith, as he was known by the students, worked at Benson for four years.
Services for Mr. Keith were held on Wednesday, December 10 at Salerno's Rosedale Chapel in Roselle.
"The first thing that comes to my mind as I think about Keith was his contagious laugh. It was big, loud, and real," said Benson principal, Mrs. Turner.
"Keith had a fun loving nature and a strong work ethic," she added.
"He treated Benson as you would your own home."
Everyday at lunch, Mr. Keith could be seen juggling milk cartons to entertain the kids. He even gave some students nicknames, which they still remembered long after they left Benson.
All of the staff and students loved Mr. Keith, and he will be greatly missed.
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Red Ribbon Week raises drug abuse awareness
By Alyssa L.
During the third week in October, Peacock celebrated "Red Ribbon Week." Red Ribbon Week is a nationally recognized anti-drug and alcohol program for young people.
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Why do we celebrate Red Ribbon Week? We celebrate it in honor of a man named Enrique Camerean. |
Dr. West thinks that Red Ribbon Week teaches the students at Peacock to become more aware of the dangers that follow drugs and alcohol. Dr. West said that to become more involved with Red Ribbon Week, students can do certain things in their community, or church, to let people know about the recognition of this week.
The students at Franzen Elementary School are not currently celebrating Red Ribbon Week, and they probably won't until they come to middle school. Dr. West stated that this will not make a difference in their knowledge, because they are involved in the D.A.R.E program, with Officer Eagan.
Why do we celebrate Red Ribbon Week? We celebrate it in honor of a man named Enrique Camerean. He was a DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) officer murdered in the line of duty in 1985.
Dr. West thought that Red Ribbon Week was important, but she noted that it was just one part of the ongoing effort to get students to stay drug free.
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Checkmate
Chess club will host tournaments
By Emily B.
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| Sixth graders Kevin H. and Anoop T. play chess during chess club after school in Mr. Behrendt’s room. | |
Mr. Berendt is the teacher in charge. He doesn't just play chess at school. He plays at home on his free time. He plays against his family and even the computer.
This year, students will hopefully learn how to play chess better and maybe meet new people. Every week there is a chess puzzle and a brain teaser to complete.
Mr. Berendt also said that he will hold tournaments and championships this year.
About 35 people can attend the chess club.
Mr. Berendt wanted to add that anyone can go to the chess club and play a game of chess. You don't have to go to the chess club every time. Just go when you want.
Alyssa L., sixth grade, went to the first chess club meeting. Alyssa attends the chess club because she really enjoys playing chess even though she said she needed a little work.
At the chess club she likes to play chess and chat with her partner a little. Alyssa hopes to become a better chess player.
She would recommend this to a friend because you can just come and play whenever you want.
If you enjoy chess come to the chess club in Mr. Berendt's room, Room 104, every Tuesday from 3:00 to 4:00 PM. If there are any changes in the time, it will be on the announcements.
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An interview with Ms. Betlej
The new resource teacher
By Crystal K.
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| Ms. Betlej, the new resource teacher for Peacock, wants to get students excited about learning. | |
Ms. Betlej said "I think Itasca is a cute little town with very friendly students, teachers, and parents."
Ms. Betlej graduated from Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She majored in psychology for special education and minored in elementary education.
Ms. Betlej explained, "I decided to become a teacher because I want to get students excited about learning."
She added, "I was also impressed with what Dr. Nickisch told me about Peacock; with the high academics and teachers that are helpful and caring."
Ms. Betlej previously taught preschool at Orchard Hill Christian Learning Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she was also a swim coach for four years.
Discussing this year, Ms. Betlej explained "I'm teaching a sixth grade Common Time class. We're working with reading and writing. An activity we're doing is writing to sixth graders in Michigan as penpals."
As for outside of school, Ms. Betlej enjoys listening to Dave Matthews and Counting Crows."
"I've recently read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," she also recalled.
According to Ms. Betlej, her hobbies include reading, swimming, running, and being outdoors.
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