IPSD News
Around The District: March
Reported by webmaster@ipsd.org on 3/25/09
March, 2009 Edition
Snakes and Iguanas and a Tortoise, Oh My!
When Dave DiNaso brought his Traveling World of Reptiles to Brooks Elementary School, more than 200 children and parents attended the free family fun night, sponsored by the Brooks PTA. Several enthusiastic student volunteers from the audience helped DiNaso with the reptiles that included a 13 ½-foot-long albino Burmese python named Chiquita, an iguana whose name was Dino, and a tortoise known as Boulder. In his presentation, DiNaso stressed responsible pet care, cleared up misconceptions about reptiles, and explained why reptiles are important to the environment. Brooks PTA President Lisa Churchill said she would like to schedule more family fun nights. "We provide this to the families at no cost," she said. "In this economy, it's so important that we are able to do this for our families."
| One lucky student volunteer had an opportunity to hold Dino the iguana, part of the Traveling World of Reptiles, sponsored by the Brooks PTA. |  |
History Comes to Life at Georgetown
Jackie Robinson talked about baseball to Harriet Tubman and Oprah Winfrey when fifth-graders at Georgetown Elementary School created a Living History Wax Museum. Students researched a famous person with the focus question being, "How did this person contribute to the human race?" The cross-curricular activity combined social studies, research, writing, art, speaking and listening. Students brought their characters to life for parents and students through their costumes and the speeches they had prepared and memorized. Students visiting the museum participated by completing the sentence, "I learned about a person who showed humanity by….," which were displayed on a "Sea of Humanity" wall. Fifth-grader Joel who portrayed Jackie Robinson said, "I always wanted to be a baseball player. I admired Jackie Robinson. It was amazing that he was the first African American in the major leagues." Fifth-grade teacher Ronnie Stewart said that all of the fifth-graders were proud of their work. "The students enjoyed teaching the younger children something about humanity."
| Students brought historic characters to life during the Living History Wax Museum held at Georgetown Elementary School. |  |
Musician Brings World of Music to Waubonsie
Sowah Mensah, ethnomusicologist, composer and master drummer, worked with 300 freshman music students during Meet the Artist week at the Waubonsie Valley Gold Campus, sponsored by the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation. Students worked with the artist throughout the week, then performed a concert featuring many of his compositions and arrangements. Music instructor Mark Myers said the students enjoyed learning the West African songs. "Music is an important tool in developing students' sense of cultural awareness and appreciation," he said. "It helps students connect with diverse cultures in a meaningful and authentic way." Originally from Ghana, West Africa, Mensah is a music professor at both Macalester College and the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn., where he also directs each school's African Music Ensemble. Mensah said he enjoyed his time at Waubonsie and commented on the enthusiasm and discipline of the students. He said he has been to over 2,000 schools in his career and no music program can compare to that of Indian Prairie.
| Visiting artist Sowah Mensah accompanies choir students on a traditional Ghanaian xylophone. |  |
Fitness is at the Forefront for Scullen Students
Scullen Middle School eighth-graders had an opportunity to try out their fitness plans in a real world setting when they worked out at business partner XSport Fitness Center in Naperville. Physical Education teacher Tarryn Snyder said that writing a fitness plan is curricular related, in addition to preparing students for high school and fostering lifelong fitness skills. "Adding the fitness center field trip to the curricular activity has allowed the students to gain knowledge they would not gain otherwise," she said. "They are able to learn about various cardio machines, strength training machines as well as proper technique and safety while using the equipment." For Sean, a three-sport athlete, who participates in hockey, wrestling and football, following a fitness plan helps him prepare for the upcoming sports season. "It's important to stay fit, so you can get around," he said. Snyder said that XSport partnered with Scullen three years ago and the field trip has proven to be a huge success each year among the staff at XSport and Scullen, the parent chaperones and the students.
| Scullen Middle School eighth-graders took part in a five-station rotation at XSport Fitness Center in Naperville while trying out their fitness plans. |  |
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