Lakeview Staff Book Club

One of my professional goals this year is to start a book club for the staff at Lakeview. The goal is to read books that are related to education, meet to discuss the books and hopefully make a change in your life and /or classrooms. Each trimester I will select a different book and solicit interested Lakeview teachers to join. This trimester the group (composed of 16 Lakeview Teachers and Support Staff) read the book, Pretending to be Normal by Liane Holliday Willey. Liane’s book is about living with Asperger’s Syndrome. Not only does Liane have Asperger’s Syndrome, but she has a daughter with the same diagnosis. This is an excellent book which allows the reader to “get inside the head” of someone with Asperger’s Syndrome. The Book Club participants overwhelmingly enjoyed this book and easily made connection from the book to education and life in general. Now, I must find a book to top this one for our next selection!

School Board Recognition Day

Saturday, November 15, 2008 has been designated as School Board Recognition Day. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize our School Board Members for their hard work and dedication. Thanks for all you do to make District 66 a great place to work and learn!

Jeanne Grimmer, President
Ron Eberhart, Vice-President
Cathie Killian, Treasurer
Susan James, Secretary
Robert Koch, Member
Suzanne Armato, Member
Dan Slayden, Member

District Parent Link Meeting

On Monday, November 10th there will be a District-Wide Parent Link Meeting. All District 66 Parents are invited to attend this meeting. The focus of this meeting will be the diagnosis and treatment of head lice. Our guest speaker for the evening will be Kara Green, RNBC, BSN, Manager of the School Health Program of the Dupage County Health Department. The meeting will take place at Prairieview School in the Multipurpose Room from 7- 9 p.m. This meeting is for parents only and all parents are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Eighth Grade End of the Year Activities

In years past, Lakeview faculty and staff have always tried to provide the graduates with a unique and special celebration marking the end of elementary school and the beginning of high school. This celebration has included a variety of different activities including trips out of town, Great America etc. For several years now, students have spent the day at Great America and then had a nighttime dance at local restaurant. As most of you know this is not a unique opportunity for our students as they frequently visit this amusement park on their own time.

Last year, under the direction of the Board of Education, we surveyed surrounding area schools to see how they celebrate this exciting time of the year. The results were vast! (Some districts have no celebration at all and that is not the direction we would like to go.)

On Tuesday, students were asked to give their input into the selection of a unique and special celebration. They were give three options: Odyssey Boat Trip and Dance, North Beach Club and Dance or Great America and a Dance. Each option was explained and questions answered prior to giving input.

Overwhelmingly, the eighth grade class was in favor of the Odyssey Boat Trip and Dance! The details have not been finalized yet, but we foresee this as a great day spent on the Odyssey with friends cruising Lake Michigan. While on board, students will have a dance with a DJ, unlimited food and a great “adult” opportunity.

The results of the survey will be shared with the Board of Education later next month as we move along with our planning for the May / June events.

Bus Driver Recognition Day

Did you know that Wednesday, October 22nd is Bus Driver Recognition Day? This day has been designated to honor the thousands of men and women that work tirelessly though hot and cold, rain and snow and light and dark to transport children safely to and from school. In District 66 we are fortunate enough to have a great group of drivers. Please take the opportunity to thank your child’s bus driver for all they do!

John Cesal (2004) Jim Mathiasch (2004)
Toni DePisa (2001) Art Mueller (2004)
Noreen Dvorak (2002) Zach Munoz (2003)
Paul Jonauskas (2006) Kate Nikiel (1997)
Jim Gismondi (2001) Pat Romaniszak (1991)
Jim Hagan (2005) Walt Sangaila (1996)
Manny Staiger (2008) Tom Tiede (2001)

Congratulations IMEA Students

On Saturday, October 11th several Lakeview Band students auditioned for the Illinois Music Educators Association All District Band. Several Lakeview students were selected to participate following their auditions. Congratulations to all the students who auditioned!

Performing with the All District Concert Band:
Marissa Jama – Clarinet
Danny Tedeschi – Trombone
Julia Wood – Trombone
Zak Paskvan – Tuba

Performing with the All District Jazz Ensemble:
Julia Wood – Electric Bass
Danny Tedeschi – Trombone
Morgan Baade – Baritone Sax

Extra Curricular Opportunities

Now that we have been back in school for several weeks our Extra Curricular Activities are in full swing! If we have you email address, you should be receiving a weekly email, on Friday, for the next week listing the various activities for the upcoming week. I encourage you to encourage your child to participate in extra curricular activities. Next week for example there are the following activities:

Wednesday – Newspaper Club / Math Club
Thursday – Jazz Band / Yearbook
Friday – Fall Dance

Yes, Friday is the Fall Dance. The Fall Dance is open to any student in seventh or eighth grade. Tickets will be sold next week before school and during lunch for $2 each. Students must have a signed permission slip to attend the dance. The dance is over at 5:00 pm and prompt pick-up is appreciated.

Enjoy your long three day weekend!!!