Eighth Grade Ballroom Dance

The Eighth Grade Students have been working hard in PE class on their Ballroom Dance Unit. Four days a week they receive instruction, from a professional dancer from Celebrity Dance Studio, on various ballroom dances. The culmination of this unit of study is next Friday, December 19, 2008. On Friday (12/19) from 1:15- 2:50 p.m. students will be demonstrating their newly acquired dance skills and enjoying snacks / treats from the PTO. Parents are encouraged to come (and bring cameras) to see the students dance. (Your students will tell you that you are not invited, but I am telling you otherwise.) In PE class the "dress code" will be discussed with students. Students are encouraged to dress up for this event (girls typically wear a skirt or dress and boys wear nice slacks and a shirt with a collar).

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me. I hope to see many of you next Friday!

Winter Wear Drive

The Indian Prairie Public Library’s Second Annual “Giving Tree” is under way. The Teen Advisory Board members are sharing the magic of the holiday season and encouraging the spirit of giving by collecting donations of NEW winter wear to be distributed through the Community House. Lakeview is helping this cause by providing a drop-off box in our building. Students are encouraged to bring donations and drop them in the box in the lobby. Winter wear includes: mittens, gloves, scarves and hats. This collection will take place from Monday, December 8th – Friday, December 19th.

District 66 Winter Invitational

On December 6, 2008 we will be hosting our 9th Annual Winter Invitational. The event will take place at Lakeview. There will be twelve bands performing throughout the day including the Prairieview Cadet Band, Lakeview Concert Band and the Lakeview Symphonic Band. Good Luck to all of the bands performing! I hope to see many of you on Saturday. Try and stay warm!

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.