Arzo Alimohd

Univ. of Minnesota

Rebecca Andersen

Augustana College

Jennifer Bartlett

Marquette University

Isabell Brodzinski Loyola University 

For the past 14 years, eighth graders in the language arts classes of District 200's middle schools have been expected to complete a culminating project that others may not experience until high school or even college. Known as the '8th Grade Projects', the students begin in mid-March by choosing a topic they would like to know more about. They then embark on an indepth research and information-gathering process which culminates in mid-May with a 10-15 minute speech about the topic in front of a panel of adults who evaluate their presentation skills.

While the main components of the project are the same at both schools, the types of topics sometimes differ. This year Creekside students explored a variety of subjects including future careers, hobbies, special interests, and social issues. Northwood followed a theme, "Volunteering: How Can You Do Your Part", and asked students to pick an organization where they would like to volunteer. 

Once a topic is chosen, the students use the Internet and other tools to learn everything they can about it. This research also includes a personal interview. The students learn how to make a phone call and set up an appointment and how to ask good interview questions. One of the requirements of the Northwood project was for each student to also volunteer at the organization they chose. Parents assist by getting their students to and from the site.

Northwood students delivered a public service announcement about their organization to their classmates, and all wrote a lengthy reflection paper sharing their reactions to their experience. Each also created a three-fold poster depicting key aspects of their subject. All of these activities helped the students prepare for the final step of the project - a presentation before a panel of 3-4 adults who evaluated them on 12 different criteria. The students learned how to do note cards and practiced the basic elements of public speaking such as eye contact, volume, rate, length, appearance and the use of visual aides.

Not surprisingly, most students think the public speaking component is the most challenging aspect of the project. At the same time, most also report it is their greatest source of pride and personal accomplishment. Many Northwood students also intend to continue volunteering at the organization they studied. 

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With the nation's childhood obesity rate at an all time high, District 200 educators are continually looking for ways to stress the importance of regular exercise and healthy eating to students and their families. One innovative approach used at Olson Elementary School this year is the Buddy Hooping Program. First grade teacher Kelly Steele and fifth grade teacher Kim McLaughlin, both avid hula hoopers themselves, were awarded a grant from the District 200 Education Foundation to make exercise hula hoops with their students and to use the hoops in a workout program with their two classes. The teachers ran a weekly Buddy Program for their 47 first and fifth grade students.

While not all students are athletes or enjoy traditional exercise activities, children of any age are generally eager to try to swing a hula hoop. Besides being fun, research shows hooping also tones the core muscles, arms, glutes, thighs, increases flexibility, and provides an excellent cardiovascular workout. 

Because the weight and circumference of traditional store-bought hula hoops prohibits children from achieving the maximum benefits, the teachers helped each student build and decorate their own hula hoop customized to the student's size and weight.

The first and fifth graders enjoyed working together to make their hoops and finished taping and exercising with them during the last week of school. Many were able to do tricks with their hoops by the end of the year.

 Olson 1st and 5th grade buddies demonstrate their hooping skills.

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Congratulations to our retirees

For their efforts in recycling over 750 pounds of aluminum cans during the month of April, Westwood Elementary School students, staff and families have won $1,000 for their school. The amount was higher than any other school that entered the "Erase the Waste" Earth Day competition sponsored by Behr Iron and Metal, a recycling facility in Woodstock. Representatives from Behr presented a check to the school on May 4 at an all school assembly during their annual Wide World of Wonder day. The money will be used to improve technology for students.

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Since 2004, the staff of the Woodstock Fire Rescue District (WFRD) has provided CPR, AED and first aid training for District 200 staff members at no cost to the district. This year, Chief Webster and his staff provided the district with 17 CPR/AED classes from December through April. A total of 117 staff members completed the training including all of the district's school nurses as well as members of each building's emergency response team and the District Office. Upon successful completion of the course, each participant is certified to perform CPR and to use the automated external defibrillator (AED) in their building if needed. In addition to the CPR classes, the WFRD also provided four first aid training classes for selected staff members. In keeping with American Heart Association guidelines, District 200 staff members are re-certified every two years. A very special thank you to Chief Ralph Webster for his ongoing commitment and support of this partnership, to Firefighter/Paramedic Jeff Randecker who worked with D-200 Health Services Coordinator Lisa Tate to coordinate this year's training program, and to all the WFRD employees who have provided this valuable training experience. 

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When members of the Class of 2012 began their school careers in 1999-2000, Woodstock High School was entering its final year of a major 4-year renovation and remodeling project, Northwood Middle School just launched a new Tech Lab, and Mary Endres Elementary School had been open for one year. Nine schools housed a total enrollment of 5,334 students including 230 students in the morning kindergarten program and 165 in the afternoon program. Data from the State School Report Card showed that 15.8% of D-200 students were from an ethnic minority and 15% were from families who met low income guidelines. The graduation rate was 80.1%, and 45.5% of District 200 teachers had master's degrees and above.

Today District 200 has over 6,600 students, 37.3% of whom come from ethnic minorities and 40.5% whose families meet low income guidelines. The kindergarten program alone has grown to almost 500 students who will all attend for a full day next year. Twelve schools now house students ranging in age from 3 to 22. The number of teachers with master's degrees and above has risen to 69.5%, and the graduation rate has increased to 85.7%.

While their school district has grown in the amount and diversity of students as well as the number of schools, the members of the Class of 2012 have had the opportunity to grow and develop in many other ways. They have had the chance to choose from 23 Advanced Placement and 24 honors course offerings. They could learn one or more of four different world languages, as well as skills for occupations in 16 different career clusters. If they took courses in Basic Nurse Assistant, Criminal Justice, Culinary Skills, Fire Science or Strength and Conditioning Principles, this year's grads could get high school credit and credit from McHenry County College. They could also expand their creative talents through a wide of variety music, art and fine arts performances and gain valuable life experiences through athletics and extracurricular experiences. Throughout their school careers, each student has been continually challenged to make the most of their school experience. District 200 now wishes every graduate a very successful future.

Class of 2012 Future Plans 

 
A recent survey conducted among 424 WHS and WNHS seniors shows that most of this year's graduates intend to continue their education beyond high school.