Welcome!

About Us
Contact
Calendars
Activities
Parents & Community
District 62 Home

Congratulations to the 2008 NJHS Inductees!

Twenty-one eighth grade students from Chippewa Middle School were inducted into membership of the National Junior Honor Society on May 6, 2008.

Members are selected based on meeting the high standards of scholarship, service, leadership, character and citizenship. Membership is more than an honor. It carries with it a responsibility and an obligation to demonstrate those outstanding qualities that result in their selection.

Chippewa Band Performs at State Band Contest

On Satruday, April 19, 2008 the 50 musicians of the Chippewa Middle School Symphonic Band traveled to Normal, IL to perform in the State of Illinois Jr. High Band Contest. Top middle school bands from across Illinois competed in this event which was hosted by the Illinois State University Music Department. The Chippewa Band, which is directed by Scott Duff, performed an exciting program of American music including: John Philip Sousa’s march The Belle Of Chicago, James Barnes’ Yorkshire Ballad, and John Zdechlik’s powerful Chorale And Shaker Dance II.

The Chippewa Band rose to the challenge of the college stage and performed their program with the polish and excitement of a well seasoned musical ensemble. Although musical growth, not competition, was the goal of this trip, the band did very well indeed. Placing 5th overall in their first ever contest, the Chippewa Band held its own among groups acknowledged as some of the top middle school bands in the State of Illinois. In fact, just a few points separated the top groups in the final rankings.

The competing bands were also treated to a perfomance by ISU’s Symphonic Winds prior to the awards ceremony. In the evening, the Chippewa 6th, 7th, and 8th graders had a chance to relax and attend an evening performance by the famous Gamma Phi Circus at Redbird Arena. Founded in 1929, this wonderful family entertainment is the oldest collegiate circus in the United States and the show was thoroughly enjoyed by young and old alike.

On Monday, April 21, the band took their show on the road again and performed for the students and staff at Central and North Schools here in District 62. The band also gave a special concert at Golf Mill Shopping Center in center court.

Congratulations to the students of the Chippewa Symphonic Band for their fine efforts and for serving as musical ambassadors of Des Plaines and School District 62!

Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week

Sunday, May 4-Saturday, May 10, is dedicated to the teachers, teaching assistants, principals, educational support staff, district employees, health professionals, and student support staff, who give so much to the welfare and educational development of our students. Each of them, through their instruction and their sense of innovation and community, nurtures the curiosity and desire to learn what inspires the children in our schools. We encourage our District 62 family to continue to achieve this goal, which is also our focus, Working Together For Our Children.

Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week encourages parents and the wider community to recognize the important contributions, both personal and professional, of teachers and school staff to the lives of children and their education.

On behalf of the parents who place their confidence in our staff every morning at the entrance to the school, the Board of Education would like to sincerely thank our staff for their efforts to make our education system the best.

Each April, District 62 staff honor their colleagues by nominating them for Lighthouse Awards. Honorees are recognized for serving as the beacons of light, rays of inspiration, and encouragement to the District 62 community. Each Lighthouse Award nomination must include the following:

1. how the nominee has been an influence for excellence
2. how the nominee has beneficially affect curriculum, student learning or interest, learning environments, staff morale, and/or community
3. the creative leadership that inspires others
4. a special service or gone above and beyond what is expected of the nominee
5. how have others honored the work of our honorees

Our honorees are a very important part of the District 62 family. Monday, May 5, we highlight our Administrator Category Honoree, Asia Gurney, Assistant Principal of Chippewa Middle School.

While preparing to nominate Asia Gurney for the Lighthouse Award, the following quote served as an inspiration:

“There is no teaching to compare with example.” -Sir Robert Baden-Powell

Asia influences the teachers, students, parents, and other school leaders by setting an example of hard work, an understanding attitude, and attention to detail. She comes early and stays late. She rarely says “no” to any request-big or small-from anyone. She keeps track of her promises (on a sheet of paper with her daily “to do” list written in tiny print so she can fit everything on it.) She does not leave until it is all done! Her efforts have made Chippewa a warmer, friendlier place and a safe haven where we can go for help of any kind. Both veteran teachers and new teachers feel Asia Gurney's influence.

Mrs. Gurney has benefited student learning by offering a variety of programs. She spearheaded the Reading Incentive Programs this year, along with faculty members. Under her guidance, Chippewa offered a “Reading for Amanda” program, which was associated with a charity for a student with cancer. Chippewa provided another reading incentive program where students competed by literacy class and by grade level. Both programs were very successful. They garnered alot of student support, even from reluctant readers. Asia Gurney supports and motivates students with the Saturday School program as well as a summer reading and math incentive program.

If that was not enough, she supports students through a “Stop the Bullying” program. This weeklong program was offered with the financial assistance from a mini-grant that she obtained from the District 62 Foundation. Mrs. Gurney also provided articles and suggestions to the faculty that focused on helping the troubled middle school child. Students see her before and after school, welcoming students from the bus. Her presence stops problems before they begin. In fact, many believe that her visibility is one major factor in Chippewa's reduced detention numbers this year.

Parents see Asia Gurney at the many middle school events such as cross country, volleyball, and basketball, music and other evening programs. This support is particularly amazing because she lives more than 45 minutes away and has a family of small children at home.

This dedication is noticed and appreciated in Chippewa community! Mrs. Gurney's commitment to the students and staff of Chippewa has also earned her an Award of Excellence in the 2008 Distinguished Service Awards sponsored by the Illinois Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association (INSPRA).

Professor Harold Hill Came to Town

Chippewa Middle School in Des Plaines will performed "The Music Man" on April 24 and 25.

Contact persons : Stacey Magnusson and Angela Monroe at Chippewa, 847-824-1503.

Chippewa at the Science Olympiad

Ten students from Chippewa Middle School competed in the Science Olympiad Regional Meet at the College of DuPage on March 8, 2008. Science Olympaid is an organization that holds science competitions in different fields of science. The students competed in events including Meteorology, Amphibians and Reptiles, Tower Building, Balloon Launch Glider, Oceanography, Science Word, Ecology, Crave the Wave, Write It/Do It, Mystery Architexture, and Metric Mastery. The team members were: Rachel Andersen, Bridget Burger, Joe Duszynski, Natalie Henrikson, Miguel Hernandez, Nick Jew, Alexis Racine, Linsia Sedeta, Sara Wolk, and Rebecca Yang. Nick Jew and Alexis Racine received the third place medal in Meteorology. Nick Jew and Natalie Henrikson’s tower earned them the fourth place medal. Sara Wolk and Alexis Racine were award the fifth place medal for Myserty Architecture.

D62 Alumnus Showcases Chippewa Talent

Sunday, February 24, Kyle Amati, former District 62 student and Maine West junior, organized and offered a recital of Chippewa Middle School students to the Oakton Arms Retirement Community as part of his Eagle Scout project. The recital lasted 35 minutes and featured the vocal, strings, and wood wind talents of twelve Chippewa students. Kyle, who was one of Scott Duff's students, also played a trombone solo at the end of the recital. Stacey Magnusson, General Music teacher, and Charlotte Jackson, Chippewa PTC President, accompanied the group.

This was Kyle's third concert in a series of four. Previously, he entertained residents of the Summitt of Park Ridge and The Heritage of Des Plaines. His last concert will feature Maine West students and will take place at Oakton Arms.

Parents' Newsletter

February/March 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007