December, 2011 Edition
Gingerbread Junction a treasured tradition
More than 800 people recently attended Gingerbread Junction, the popular annual craft show that was celebrating its 30th anniversary at Hill Middle School. The show has grown along with the school, which is also celebrating its 30th anniversary. Organizers Rose Baranyk, Lisa Gierczak and Laura Duguid are part of a volunteer committee, which begins planning the event over the summer. “It’s our biggest fundraiser for the Hill PTSA,” Baranyk said. Exhibitors Marge and Megan Daniele of Whimsical Designs, who design and create original and custom-made jewelry, have a personal connection to the show -- Marge is a retired Hill teacher. “This is the best show of the year,” Marge said. “It’s like coming home.” Longtime exhibitors Doug Zahery of All American D.Zigns and Jean Casano, who creates hand-painted Santas, said they enjoy seeing their loyal customers every year. “We just love it here,” Zahery said. Casano, who has been exhibiting for 17 years, is a former Hill parent, who lives in the neighborhood. In addition to the 70 exhibitors, there was a raffle and bake sale. “It’s more than a fundraiser, it’s a treasured tradition,” Baranyk said.
| Marge and Megan Daniele were exhibitors at Gingerbread Junction. Marge is a retired Hill Middle School teacher. |  |
Club Owen makes fitness fun
For some, winter means a decrease in physical activity because of cold and inclement weather, but not for students, staff members and parents at Owen Elementary School. Physical Education teacher Jared Folley started Club Owen in 2007 as a way to keep kids active throughout the year. “To see the students coming in and being active is great. To see an entire school community being involved in being active is awesome,” Folley said. Between 75 and 150 students attend each week before school from December through February to participate in a variety of exercises. The equipment is a varied as the exercises and can include exercise balls, steppers, jump ropes, agility ladders and more. During trainer days, parent volunteers, including Karen Kieronomos and Sue O’Neill, help students move through stations that each focus on a specific area of fitness, such as muscular strength, cardio, agility or flexibility. Fifth-grader Lily, who is one of the student leaders, said, “It’s fun to exercise. You can make friends when you’re doing it. There are a lot of different things to do so you don’t get bored.” Club Owen has received a grant from the Illinois Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance.
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| Sue O’Neill leads a group in sit-ups during Club Owen at Owen Elementary School. |
District 204 educators highlight STEM education
District 204 educators, Mike Kennedy and Matt Kirkpatrick, were the featured presenters during “The State of STEM Education,” held at Neuqua Valley High School. Speaking to an audience of about 150 parents, students, and District 204 staff members, they touched on issues affecting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education globally, nationally and locally. Kennedy, assistant science department chair at Neuqua Valley, spent 2010-2011 in Washington, D.C. as an Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow, advising the Department of Energy's Office of Science, on programs for students and teachers. During his yearlong experience, he offered a teacher’s perspective to policymakers. Kirkpatrick, science department chair at Metea Valley High School, said he was in college before he discovered that he loved science and found his future career as a teacher. As founder of the Inspire-STEM Clubs, he said that students should have authentic learning opportunities to investigate real world problems in a collaborative atmosphere working with STEM mentors. Two iSTEM students also presented their work during the meeting. One student is working with Stanford University to collect data on solar flares using an antenna she built and another team is working on a diesel hybrid engine regenerator.
| Matt Kirkpatrick and Mike Kennedy were the featured speakers during a presentation on STEM education. |  |