ISAT Reading results show that D62 fifth and eighth grade student performance mirrored State results. Learn more...
VIDEO CLIP
On Tuesday, March 2nd, our first grade class, led by their teachers Ms. Hockensmith and Mrs. Zahorak, marched through the entire school presenting the Olympic torch and banners. The also sang a song as they marched. This march was the culminating activity of a unit on the Olympics.
Way to go First Grade, you all win GOLD!
DOWNLAOD QUICKTIME
Student Spotlight, by Mr. Amadei
Today I had the pleasure of having several 2/3 students come in and share some of the Book review projects with me. Although I would like to share more, these five are featured here today. -- Enjoy
Sierra’s book project was based on the Title, Zorro and Quwi, written by Rebecca Hickox, and illustrated by Kim Howard. Sierra built a story tower, which sequenced the story from beginning to end, building from the bottom to the top. Sierra really enjoyed the fable and her favorite part of the story was the moral, which she described as, “Treat your friends how you want to be treated.” Nice work Sierra!
Trollerella, by Karen M. Stegman. Her story was a version of the Cinderella fairy tale. Except in this version Cinderella was a Troll. Jessica’s illustrations are outstanding and her favorite part of the book was at the end where the Prince decided that he wanted Trollerella to be his Princess! Great job Jessica!
Nickolas read the book, Possum’s Bare Tail, written by Jiang Qingling. Nicholas shared his story and said his favorite was when the Possum, who bragged about his awesome tail too much, got shampoo on his tail. That made his tail his tail look ugly. He decided not to be a braggart any more. In fact he pretended to be dead, which may be the story of how one plays possum. Thanks Nicholas!
Zain read The Three Little Pigs, written by James Marshall. Zain also built a Story Tower. He really liked that the third little pig got to keep his and did not die at the hands of the wolf.
Leo’s Story Tower was based off of the story, The Really Ugly Duckling, written by Jon Scieszka. The Duckling was born uglier than all his brothers and then grew up to be even uglier than ever. Leo thought the story was funny and had a twist on the original. Thanks Leo!
Tryouts for the Spring Intersession Musical Disney's Cinderella will be during lunch and recess next Wednesday February 17, Thursday February 18, and Friday February 19. Students need to eat their lunch first, then come to the music room ready to try out. Students trying out will need to read their lines and sing the song that goes with the part they chose. Lunch is from 10:45-12:15, so if there are Kindergarten students trying out, they can come to the music room at any time in this window.
Also tryouts for the Talent show will be happening at the same time. Please make sure to bring your permission slip with you. Also if your child would like to participate and does not have an act please let them know we can help them get in a group with other kids.
Don't forget to hand in your sheet for the Wolves game!
Urban Planners Dwell at ICS
ICS teachers, Jodi Hockensmith and Lynn Zahorak, knew their students would love "The Gingerbread Village", a social studies-related unit. What they didn’t realize, until the project began, was the amount of enthusiasm and learning that was generated by a unit involving juice and milk cartons.
Students planned and built a community out of brightly painted beverage cartons purchased from the grocery store, which they carefully set on plats of construction and butcher paper. Mathematically, the unit featured geometry, measuring, estimation, and spacial problem solving, as well as sorting, story problems, money, and computation. It also offered children experiences in community planning, mapping, decision making, and working together.
Iroquois Community School Starts
DES PLAINES, IL (July 14, 2009) - More than 450 Iroquois Community School students began the 2009-2010 school year today, as many of their friends continue to enjoy their summer break. From the eager tone of student arrivals and the Kick-off Celebration, ICS students were ready for school to start.
Monday evening, a Community Fair and Ice Cream Social gave students a chance to meet their teachers, find their rooms, and test out their lockers. Parents attended a Family Resource Fair, where they could register their children for after-school activities and organizations. Parents also registered to volunteer with the Parent Teacher Council and for various volunteer opportunities at ICS.
The Kick-off Celebration had everyone seeing green, with every staff member wearing ICS t-shirts featuring the school mascot and three Positive Behavior Intervention Systems (PBIS) behavior expectations: “Be Ready; Be Respectable; Be Responsible.” These expectations are also known as The Warrior Way. Principal Michael Amadei encouraged students to follow these tenants. He assured students that their year would be great if they did. He also reminded the seventh and eighth grade students that they model what acceptable behaviors are for the younger population.
The school, which opened in 1997 as a year-round choice school, features a kindergarten through eighth grade learning community involving students, staff, and parents.
Valerie Murdy's Life Celebrated
A mother's ability to find something special in each person she met, a friend's zest for life and celebration, and life lessons learned by young adults were some of the anecdotes shared by the students, colleagues, friends, and family of Valerie Murdy on the anniversary of her death during a Memorial Celebration at Iroquois Community School. A poem written by Bill Buczinsky about Mrs. Murdy was read by Judy Kenning and the First Congregational Church Choir sang her favorite hymn. Debbie Shawver presented a memory book to her children, Krista DePasquale and Brian Murdy. On behalf of the family, Krista thanked everyone for their thoughts and prayers and expressed how her mother's separate interests were now collected together in one loving book. The event ended in the dedication of a memory bench and tree on the west side of the school.
Student Spotlight, by Mr. Amadei
Iroquois 3rd grader won 2nd place in the 5-10 year old division of the Six Flags Girls Scout Essay Contest! She won 4 tickets and a parking pass to Six Flags. Her essay was about Girl Scouts and how it changed her life. There was a specific focus on her troops leader. Way to go Jacquelyn!!
Student Spotlight, by Mr. Amadei
Iroquois students presented Dr. Ray with a check for the Val Murdy Memorial Fund. The students, along with their Rainbow Group friends, drove funds for this important upcoming memorial. Ms. Murdy will be remember on June 2nd at 3:00pm at Iroquois School. Thanks for being such great kids!
Honoring Ms. Valerie Murdy
Last year Iroquois Community School lost one of its beloved teachers and friends, Val Murdy. A memorial service for Ms. Murdy will take place on Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009, at 3:00pm. The program will be held in the gym at Iroquois Community School, 1836 E. Touhy Avenue in Des Plaines. All are invited to join in remembering the life of a dedicated teacher.
During her District 62 teaching career, Ms. Murdy took on many roles. She worked at Forest, Cumberland, and Iroquois Community School. She was a classroom teacher, a special education teacher and a mentor. Although in recent years Ms. Murdy primarily worked with 4th and 5th grade students, she touched children at all grade levels.
A tree will be planted in her honor through the Des Plaines Park District Tree of Life Program and a reading bench will also be installed. Both dedications will take place on the school's grounds. In addition, ICS will collect new and used books to donate to Ms. Murdy’s favorite Jamaican schools in her honor. Donations are being accepted to help pay for the memorials and the cost of shipping books. Checks can be made out to Iroquois Community School, but please indicate that the money should be earmarked for the Ms. Murdy memorial fund. Books can be dropped off as part of the memorial ceremony or brought to the school office during the week of June 1. Questions may be directed to Dr. Thomas Ray, Iroquois Community School, (847) 824-1308
Iroquois Community School will hold its annual Paul W. Yung Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society Induction ceremony on Thursday, May 14, at 7:30 p.m. Sixth and seventh grade nominees will be honored and the following eighth grade students will be inducted to the National Junior Honor Society.
Iroquois Community School will hold its 12th Annual Cystic Fibrosis walk. The Iroquois Student Government established this event to support an ICS student who is afflicted with this disease. This year we are teaming up with the Maine West National Honor Society to help the Greater Chicago Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation raise funds for research, medical treatment, and education.
Today I had the pleasure of having first grader Ava, a student in Mrs. Iberl’s class, come read her most recent publication to me. Ava wrote and illustrated the book, The Legend of the Princess, because she “likes making books.”
Ava’s book was about a princess whose house gets taken over by giants, ogres, and other bad guys. Initially she hides from the bad guys and girls until they catch her. The princess escapes and finds a new life in the forest.
When asked about her inspiration, Ava shared that she gets lots of ideas and thinks fast. Furthermore, she said that she spends a lot of time thinking about details for her stories. When asked about her illustrations, Ava shared, “I think about things that will make the picture look good. I get a lot of ideas from my dad. He is an artist and he draws a lot at home. He is a really good drawer!” Ava also said, “My mom helps me a lot with my homework, and she makes the best dinners, they taste good!”
Ava is featured in Student Spotlight because she serves as an inspiration to all of us. She writes and illustrates simply for the pleasure of it. Thank you, Ava!
Young Chemist Places Third
Last week, Haripriya Mehta, Iroquis Community School fifth grader, placed third in the State Competition of the “You Be The Chemist Challenge.” sponsored by UOP. Having won the regional competition, Mehta, and fellow ICS student Akash Mehta, who served as an alternate, competed against 20 students. Each competitor received a $25 gift card from Best Buy. Mehta received a $500 EE Savings Bond for her third place finish.
School District 62 has participated in the national chemistry bee program, “You be the Chemist Challenge,” since it was launched by UOP, LLC in 2005. This is the first time that a fifth grade student won the Regional and advanced to state.
The “You be the Chemist” challenge is a cross between a spelling/geography bee and a scholastic bowl, in which several contestants will compete for prizes by answering chemistry-related questions during several elimination rounds.
Watch ICS Spring Into Learning
Iroquois Community School celebrated Spring Intersession with the theme "Watch ICS Grow." Students and their teachers worked on beautifying the school as well as improving their bodies by exercising and eating healthy food. They painted murals, painted terra cotta pots and planted seeds in the painted pots. Academic classes and community service were the highlight of their second week's theme: "ICS Out and About."
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.
Our American Voice is a new program at ICS sponsored by the Barat Education Foundation. It connects middle school students to the democratic process through active community problem-solving in an after-school program that is engaging, interactive, and technology rich. The emphasis is on group activities, discussions, research, videos, hand-on-learning, and connections to community partners and issues.
The ICS Chapter is advised by Mr. Manuel Bustos. The founding members are Jill Murray, DJ O’Neill, Rachel Lunkes, Mac Moore, Hanna Udischas, Zenna Daker, Bridget Hilliard, Holly Wengerski, Raaji Khan, Brandon Young, Rachel Estrada, Lubna Mirza, Tom Didier, Michele Agudelo, Jenny Jacob, Elise Adams, and Harsh Patel.
They've Got the Beat
Students participating in Iroquois Community School's bucket band learned the 'art of noise' during Michael Malek's Intersession class.
Iroquois Fifth Grader Wins D62 Design Contest
School District 62 recently announced the winners of the 2008 Winter Card Design Contest. Board of Education President Brenda Murphy presented each with a ribbon and a plaque. The first place winner is featured in cards sent by the District during the holiday season.
Stephanie Delles, Iroquois Community School fifth grader, captured first place with her drawing of a child who finds a snowman warming his ‘hands’ in front of the fireplace.
Namitha Abraham, Algonquin Middle School, and Bailey Radnitzer, Forest Elementary School, placed second and third, respectively.
More than 60 students entered the contest, which was judged by members of the Des Plaines Arts Council. All entries will be on display from Wednesday, December 3 through Monday, January 5 at the Des Plaines Public Library.
During Iroquois Community School's Second Annual Ornament Decorating and Movie Night, students, parents, and teachers created ornaments for the City of Des Plaines Holiday Tree Decorating Event, which is scheduled from 3:30-7 p.m., Wednesday, December 3 at Metropolitan Square.
This year's theme was Green and White (the school colors). Maureen Orrico (parent coordinator) offered three ornament stations, where participants selected foam trees and decorated them with puffy paint, made a chain of green and white pipe cleaners and/or decorated pine cones with green and white glitter. After the ornaments were finished everyone settled in to enjoy "Santa Claus 3."
Iroquois Community School
Make Up Day
Friday, April 30, 2010 is scheduled as a student attendance day to replace the snow day that was called on Wednesday, February 10. At this time, the last day of school is Thursday, June 3. Please note this change in your calendar.
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