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News Archive

2007-08 School Year

Alexis Porreca

Dear District 62 Family,

I have some very sad news to share.

On the afternoon of Tuesday, July 8, 2008, a Central School student, Alexis Porreca, was hit by a car and killed. This accident happened on River Road near Oakwood Avenue. Lexi was with her father and twin 3-year old siblings when the accident occurred. She was given CPR at the scene and the fire department, police department and staff at Lutheran General Hospital worked hard; however, her injuries were too severe and she could not be saved.

Lexi was an amazing young lady. She had just finished 5th grade and was bright and curious about the world around her. She had a beautiful singing voice. Our 4th and 5th grade students went to see Lexi perform in the musical Aladdin at the Prairie Lakes Community Center last fall, and she performed at Central School’s Talent Show in May. She was also a patrol officer at Central. Lexi was a true role model for all students and she will be greatly missed.

The arrangements for Lexi Porreca are as follows:

Visitation: Monday, July 14, 3-9 pm
GL Hills Funeral Home, 745 Graceland Avenue

Funeral Mass: Tuesday, July 15, 11 am
St. Zachary Church, 567 W. Algonquin Road
There will be no burial

There will be a drop-in center at Central School on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm. Social workers and psychologists will be present to talk with children and provide information to parents on how to help their child through this difficult time. All families are welcome.

Please keep the Porreca family in your thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely,
Jan Rashid
Principal, Central Elementary School

Central Celebrates Achievements

Central Elementary School’s end of year assembly and awards ceremony, "Celebrate Central," took place Wednesday, June 3. The all-school assembly highlighted students' and teachers' accomplishments. Recipients of the Presidential Achievement and Presidential Citizenship Awards were recognized.

Additionally, Ann Limjoco, Suburban Director for Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. was presented thank you notes from Central students. Representative Schakowsky voted to support Reading is Fundamental (RIF) through federal funding. RIF is a federal grant that Dr. Rashid submits on behalf of Central, North and Orchard Place Schools. It provides new books, 3 times each year, for students to select and take home. A signed book entitled "House Mouse, Senate Mouse" by Peter W. Barnes and Cheryl Shaw Barnes, was donated to Central School in Representative Schakowsky's name.

Talent Show 2008

Earth Week

Central kicked off Earth Week with a performance by Ricky Recycle sponsored by our PTO. This event focused on the conservation of our resources, the importance of caring for the Earth, and how children can help by recycling.

On Tuesday, Earth Day, students took part in a "Take Care of Central School". Classrooms went outdoors. cleaning up the Central School area.

Finally, at the Friday morning Flag Raising, first grade students shared iMovies regarding the process a seed goes through to become a plant. To Complement this activity, the Earth Club purchased 300 evergreen tree seedlings to be distributed to the students and staff on Friday for the end of Earth Week, which also happened to be Arbor Day. The seedlings were individually bagged and labeled regarding the planting instructions. So, all Central School family members got to take home a tree!

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Students at Central and Forest Elementary Schools joined millions of their peers across the country to celebrate the annual National Education Association's (NEA) Read Across America Day on February 29.

To honor the good doctor and celebrate the fun and value of reading, the following school board members, administrators, teachers, and local celebrities shared their favorite books with the students.

• Donna Catlett, Mayor of Des Plaines’ Administrative Assistant
• Dr. Jane L. Westerhold, Superintendent of Schools
• Brad Voehringer, Special Services Director
• Brenda Murphy, Board of Education President,
• Ray Imig, Board of Education member
• Jamie Sloan, Forest Physical Education Teacher
• Peggy Klein, Forest Speech Pathologist
• Marty Moylan, City of Des Plaines Alderman
• Sandra Norlin, Des Plaines Public Library Executive Director
• Sara McLaughlin, Des Plaines Public Library School Liaison
• Barbara Ryan, Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce Director
• Aaron Studebaker, Schaumburg Flyers Assistant General Manager
• Sara Eichenberger, Director of Community Relations for the Flyers
• Colin Johnson, Des Plaines Police Department
• Ron Eilken, Des Plaines Fire Department Deputy Chief

The nationwide reading celebration takes place each year on or near March 2, the birthday of beloved children's author Dr. Seuss, who epitomizes a love of learning. Dr. Seuss's use of rhyme makes his books an effective tool for teaching young children the basic skills they need to be successful.

Birthplace of Rhythm

On Wednesday, January 23, the students of Central School were treated to the cultural arts presentation of "Birthplace of Rhythm." Drummers John Knecht, Michael Tooles and Ashley Muenstermann took the students of Central on a musical trip around the world to study the history, language, anthropology and geography of rhythm. The trio performed rhythms from the Middle East, Africa, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia and other regions of the world. Both performers are accomplished musicians from Chicago who traveled overseas to study a wide variety of music and cultures.

Happy New Year!!!

The students and staff at Central School wish our families and friends a Happy Holiday and a Safe and Peaceful New Year!

Turkey Trot at Central

Central School students, teachers, staff, and Des Plaines Police Bike Patrol Officer, Colin Johnson participated in a school-wide Turkey Trot. The participants completed laps around the track, added miles to their Mileage Club and received "turkey charms" to hang on their backpacks. This activity supports Central School's commitment to health and fitness and was partnered with the school's second, walk to school day. Pictured left to right in the back row: Ryan, Jesus, Kacper, Vincent, Anthony, Joseph, Officer Colin Johnson, Christopher, Katerina, Samuel, Ramon, and Hanna.

Central School Will Honor Veterans in November

Central School is pleased to announce that the Silver Tones, a choir comprised of residents from the Heritage of Des Plaines, will perform patriotic songs at the Friday Morning Flag Raising at 9:00 am on Friday, November 9th, 2007, in honor of Veteran’s Day. The Central School students will sing as well. Everyone is welcome to visit and honor our veterans!

Central School Celebrates International Walk to School Day

On Wednesday, October 3rd, 2007, Central School students, teachers, parents, and community leaders will celebrate International Walk to School Day.  As part of Central School’s commitment to health and fitness, traffic reduction, and better air quality, students are encouraged to walk to school, if at all possible.  Promotional events will lead up to October 3rd, as students will be talking in their classrooms about the benefits of walking to school, writing narrative, expository or persuasive essays addressing the benefits of walking to school and living a healthy life, and starting a Mileage Club in physical education.  On October 3rd the PTO will provide each student with a water bottle and a Mileage Club charm to attach to his or her gym shoe.  Please join us at 8:40 am at Central School to support our children in both walking to school and remaining healthy and physically fit. 

Central Flag Raising on Fridays

Central Elementary School will continue its Flag Raisings on Friday at 9:00 am. The entire school gathers in the multi-purpose room to kick-off the day and celebrate student and staff achievements. The gathering starts with the singing of the Star Spangled Banner followed by Principal Janice Rashid delivering announcements for the day. Next, students and classrooms are recognized for their positive accomplishments for the week. Parents/guardians and family members are invited to attend.

All Families Invited to Curriculum Night

Central School students are off to a great start! The Welcome to School Assembly on the first day of school was exciting and attended by many families. We will be taking district testing to determine students' instructional levels in early September.

All families are invited to Central School's Curriculum Night at 6:30 pm on Thursday, September 6th. Parents will be able to spend time in their child's classroom learning about their daily activities. We hope to see you on September 6th for an informative evening!