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2008 Illinois School Report Card

Read District 62 Summary
Download 2008 Illinois School Report Card
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2008 State Assessments Results

ISAT Reading results show that D62 fifth and eighth grade student performance mirrored State results.
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Chippewa Middle School's 7th Grade Medieval Feast

Chippewa Shines at Solo and Ensemble Contest
The Chippewa Music Department is proud to announce the results of this year’s Solo and Ensemble Contest held Saturday, February 14 at River Trails Middle School. The annual event is sponsored by Illinois Grade School Music Association (IGSMA) District 8.

After four months of intense preparation, over 150 sixth, seventh, and eighth grade Chippewa Chiefs vocal and instrumental music student participated in 200 individual and ensemble performances!

The students as well as Teaches Scott Duff, Amy Keipert and James Hajost worked many hours (averaging 10-15) per week outside the regular school day in preparing for this event. You may have noticed the music rooms and even hallways filled with students practicing their instruments many evenings and on Saturdays during this time.

Chippewa Solo and Ensemble Awards:
• 14 Perfect Score I+ Rating (exceptional)
• 136 Division I Rating (excellent)
• 63 Division II Rating (good-very good)
• 0 Division III Rating

A complete list of students involved and their awards can be found in the hallways outside the music rooms. A special thanks is in order for Chippewa teachers Jen Mandl, Stacey Magnusson (Cumberland School), Cindy Hajost, and and COPE Co-President Char Jackson for their piano skills and assistance with the final rehearsals and student performances. Also, thanks to Jon Kamen and Kathy McCarthy for letting us use their rooms as an additional rehearsal space. And finally, a very special thanks to all the teachers and administrators for their support and understanding throughout the year.

Instruments and Voices Combine for MW Music Festival
On Saturday, January 24, District 62 band, orchestra and chorus students participated in the 10th Annual District 62 Music Festival at Maine West High School. Student musicians practiced and performed with other students from School Districts 62 and 211. The morning began with rehearsals designed to prepare students their 3 p.m. concert. Algonquin, Chippewa and Iroquois students combined to create district band, orchestra and choral ensembles. Each ensemble performed three selections. Maine West’s Chamber Choir, Symphonic Orchestra and Wind Ensemble also performed. Not only was the festival a way to encourage D62 students to continue participating in band, orchestra and chorus at Maine West, but the event also encouraged collaboration in the areas of curriculum and instruction between District 62 and 207 staff.

Jennifer Richardson, D62 Fine Arts Coordinator, expressed her gratitude to the District 62 and 211 staff that coordinated the festival.

Chippewa Educator Named Teacher of the Year
A Chippewa Middle School language arts educator was supposed to be surprised when the announcement was made that she was named 2008 Sam’s Club Teacher of the Year. But, as Sam’s Club officials were making “top secret” arrangements with Interim Principal Benjamin Brand, the honoree, Catherine Sears, walked into the school office and the surprise was off.
An assembly was held this week to honor and celebrate Sears’ achievement. The gymnasium was packed with Chippewa eighth graders, their teachers, district administrators, and Sears’ family. Sears received $100 and Chippewa is the beneficiary of a $1,000 grant provided by the Wal-Mart Foundation.
Brenda Murphy, Board of Education President, presented flowers to Catherine Sears, and thanked Sears for her commitment to the students of Chippewa from the School Board. Superintendent Jane Westerhold told of Sears’ work on several district committees. Jamie Bentley, Sam’s Club Membership Assistant Manager, presented Sears with a Certificate of Recognition, a cake, a bouquet of roses, and her cash awards.
Catherine Sears was cited for servings as an influence for excellence at Chippewa Middle School and the community of Des Plaines. She has taught in the district for more than 15 years and is well respected. After progressing to high school and college, students return to share stories with Sears about how useful her teachings have been to them and how she influenced their lives. Sears makes and continues to make a difference in the lives of children by helping them realize their current potential and future potential.
As a teacher, she builds their self-esteem giving them the ability to identify the talents and strengths that they may use in positive ways. She encourages them to grow socially, academically and cognitively, thus becoming better citizens. Sears relishes witnessing a student learn something new and apply it in varying ways.
Catherine Sears works diligently to assure that each student leaves her classroom feeling good about themselves and knowing that they possess positive attributes that they can share with others. She wants her students to believe that learning is fun and is a life long trait.
As Sears emotionally accepted her honors and accolades, she paid tribute to her mother, Charlene Skelly, her sons Tim and Jim, and her students. In true “mom” fashion, Mrs. Skelly pulled a tissue out of her purse and handed it to her daughter to wipe away the tears.
"The moment I found out, I knew I wanted to buy books for my students. I love my job,” Sears said as she pointed at her students. “I teach because of you.”

Welcome to the CMS 2008-2009 School Year!

We are looking forward to the upcoming school year, with many new and exciting things happening at Chippewa. First, in our office we have three new administrators: Benjamin Brand, Lillian Mosier and Denise Fernandez.

Mr. Brand and Mrs. Mosier are your new interim principals for this school year. Both of us are retired school principals from Schaumburg School District 54. Both of us have many years of experience teaching at the Junior High level. Mrs. Mosier was a J.H. Spanish teacher before becoming an administrator and Mr. Brand was a J.H. Math and Science teacher before becoming an administrator.

Mrs. Fernandez is our new assistant principal, also coming from teaching at a Junior High for many years in Hoffman Estates. All three of us are very happy to be at Chippewa and we are looking forward to working with the fine CMS students and parents.

Whenever you are in the building be sure to stop in the office and say hi to our new administrative team.

Sincerely,

Mr. Ben Brand
Mrs. Lillian Mosier
Mrs. Denise Fernandez