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 From the Desk of Dr. Dubec
I would like to congratulate our students, parents and staff for their efforts in obtaining excellent ISAT results again this year. I am pleased to report that the total percent of students meeting and exceeding state standards on all subjects at all grades tested is 95.2% according to the 2011 ISAT results. ISAT measures individual student achievement relative to the Illinois Learning Standards. We are very proud of our students' success, and thank the parents and teachers for their support and dedication. School report cards will be available on the district website beginning October 31, 2011.
There are many fun upcoming festivities in our district to look forward to this fall. First is the Music Program's Harvest Fest this Friday, October 21, where everyone will be treated to great food and entertainment from our choirs and bands at South. The Educational Foundation will be holding its annual Vendor Fair, Friday, November 4 at Gaelic Park, where patrons can get a head start on their holiday shopping and enter to win exciting raffles. More information is available on the Vendor Fair flier in the latest ecourier. Our PFA is busy coordinating classroom Halloween parties for East and West, and the popular Halloween Theme Lunch on Friday, October 21 at South. We know the PFA volunteers will make the days memorable for all of the students.
For many people, autumn events like Halloween are fun times to dress up in costume, go trick-or-treating, and attend parties. These events are also opportunities to provide nutritious snacks, get physical activity, and focus on safety. Please see the tips in the story below from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help make the festivities fun and safe for trick-or-treaters and party guests.
As a reminder, the first quarter ends October 28, and Parent/Teacher conferences will be held November 8-10. Please don't miss this opportunity to discuss your child's progress with their teacher. Consult your child's school for specific conference dates and times.
I look forward to seeing you at one of the many upcoming events our support organizations have planned.
Sincerely,
Joseph M. Dubec, Ed.D., J.D.
Superintendent of Schools | |
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Halloween Safety Tips
Planning on trick-or-treating? Here are some simple guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Safety to make your Halloween a safe one.
Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible.
Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.
Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.
Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat.
Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you.
Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent skin and eye irritation.
Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible.
Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.
Only walk on sidewalks or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.
Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.
Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats unless you know the cook well.
Enter homes only if you're with a trusted adult. Otherwise, stay outside.
Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes. |
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Teacher from Japan Shares Tsunami Stories with Palos East Fifth Graders
 | | Patty Bruen shared stories about the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. |
Palos East fifth graders were excited to learn about the students in Japan they had helped this past spring. In the aftermath of Japan's devastating earthquake and tsunami last March, Palos East Art Teacher, Linda Frigo, contacted the Japan Fulbright Association to inquire how Palos East could help.
The foundation connected her with Patty Bruen, a teacher from the United States who had been living in Japan for two years with her family and teaching at a local school during the disasters. Palos East's Art Club raised $1800 through their Peace Crane pin sale in May, and Bruen facilitated the donation to Oya Elementary School, whose community was affected by the natural disasters.
Bruen, who now resides in Glen Ellyn, IL, came to speak to Palos East fifth graders last week about her experience with the earthquake, tsunami, and life in Japan. Her powerpoint presentation included pictures of the school, students, and the village after the disaster, as well as the Palos East pictures drawn by our students on display.
While Oya School took on water but was not severely damaged, about 70 percent of the students' families lost their homes. She explained that trailer homes now reside on the school property to house those families. Bruen also delivered drawings and paintings made by the Japanese students at Oya, thanking the students at Palos East. "They loved that someone was thinking of them way far away in the United States," said Bruen.
The Japanese students' pictures will be displayed at the November School Board meeting. Palos East plans to continue their cultural picture exchange with Oya School. |
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ALPS Students Get Tips from Local Winning Inventor
Fourth and fifth grade ALPS students at Palos East (top) and Palos West (bottom) have been working on an inventions unit. Students have been creating original toys or games with the option of registering for Chicago's Fifth Annual Young Inventor's Challenge for the November 19 competition at Navy Pier. Nick Metzler (back row center,) a senior at Brother Rice, met wtih students on Monday to give them tips about getting their inventions noticed in the competition.
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People You Should Know... | |
Palos South's Student Council is busy preparing for the November 10 Veterans Day Ceremony, and has many other events to look forward to as well. They will be attending the Illinois Association of Junior High Student Council (IAJHSC)Convention in 2012 and will be contributing to IAJHSC's charity, Autism Society of Illinois. From left to right are Jenny Stamos, historian; Rachel Ulaszek, recording secretary; Lizzie Nolan, treasurer; Kelli Thielmann, vice president; Lauren DeAngelis, president; Jessi Glow, corresponding secretary; and Julia Brodecki, parliamentarian. Not pictured are student council sponsors, Lori Swan and Gina Shem. |
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First Quarter Ends:
Friday, October 28
Report Cards:
Friday, November 4 | |
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