ISAT Reading results show that D62 fifth and eighth grade student performance mirrored State results. Learn more...
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."
