NEWS FROM THE HORNET’S NESTALWAYS FREE ISSUE NO . 7 HIGHLANDS MIDDLE SCHOOL - APRIL 2013

Principal’s Point of ViewThe fourth quarter is here! Where is spring? I hope you enjoyed the spring break and had the opportunity to spend lots of time with the family. As the weather warms up so do the activities in the middle school. The fourth quarter is always filled with many activities, juggling of schedules, and the spring musical. Our seventh and eighth grade students are preparing for the performance of Oklahoma! Final performances are April 25th and 26th.

2013-2014 REGISTRATION PROCESS! Registration for next year will all be done online and our goal is to complete the process before June. Please take the time to register your child during this time frame. Fees may be spread out over three months, and the final payment is due August 1st. Go to www.district106.net and click on the link for registration to complete the process. - What: Registration for next year - Window to register: April 19 - May 20 - Technical assistance: 708-246-3085

Spring and SafetySpring is a time when more students ride their bicycles and walk to school. So please slow down in the parking lot, put your cell phone down, and focus on your driving. Please remember dogs are not allowed on school property - safety first.

Electronic PortfoliosTake the time this week to review your child’s portfolio. They have worked hard during the third quarter and would like to show you what they have learned. Plan on sitting down for 45 minutes to make it a meaningful experience. It is important that your child presents to you, it gives him/her a sense of accomplishment.

Many of you may ask: “What’s with the portfolio?” I will do my best to answer that question in a concise manner. Portfolios provide a toll to document student skills, growth, and learning over an extended period of time. They are great tools for analyzing, reflecting, taking ownership, and promoting the importance of both academic and personal growth. The student, parent, and teacher is able to clearly identify personal strengths, develop strategies in areas that require growth, and create a plan for a successful future. It is important to remember that the process is just as important as the product. Students are reflecting, practicing short and long term planning, learning about independence and responsibility, and in the end learning the value of creating and presenting an authentic portfolio, which most employers require during the interview process. Many universities also require some type of portfolio to be included in the registration process.

Remember to be kind and gentle to everyone, Mr. Papierski

Congratulations to 61 High Honor Roll and 37 Honor Roll students for achieving status for the second quarter of the 2012-2013 school year. On a 4-point scale, a grade point average of 3.5 to 4.0 earns high honor roll status and 3.0 to 3.49 qualifies for honor roll status.

6th GradeHigh Honor RollXander Allison, Taylor Anderson (4.0), Dominika Bachleda-Zawacki, Raymond Berg, Campbell Callam (4.0), Amy Carnevale, Caitlyn Cherney, Wilson Ciecko (4.0), Erin Corcoran (4.0), Grace Credit, Ravyn Davis, Sara Dellibovi, Jacob DelPiero, Sarma Ejups, Dana Elqaq (4.0), Haley Etheridge, Kristen Flaws, Alyssa Frey (4.0), Emily Henkel (4.0), Samuel Hojnar (4.0), Anja Holzhueter, Mitchell Johnson (4.0), Olivia Kalata, Antonio Klaczynski, Marta Kogucki (4.0), Milan Korsos, Annalise Kostecki, Adam Koszut, Brendan Lawry, Alec Leinhauser, Jason Lichtenauer, Veronica Lubera (4.0), Mariclaire Lynch, Joseph Maino, Kathryn Materick (4.0), Ana Nix, Max O’Malley, Cara Perez, Amanda Phillips, Lauren Pyne, Sklyar Regan (4.0), Michael Rozner, Alison Sisk, Isabella Smillie (4.0), Gregory Smith, Dakota Spacek, Jane Stockbridge, Giovanna Tellez, Maren Torri, Isabella Triantafel, Isabel Tuisl (4.0), Olivia Tuisl, Riley Uremovic (4.0), Thomas Visgintas, Madison Waliewski, Caitlyn Whelan (4.0), Maren Williams (4.0), Caroline Wing, Renata Wingert, Samuel Wojcik, and August Woywood.

Honor RollClare Amonson, Lindsey Beitz, Mark Brom, Jacob Bucio, Lucia Caruso, Savannah Cowan, Dennis Didenko, Micaleigh Dowling, Katherine Evans, Thomas Fritz, Michaela Giovannelli, Alyssa Grundke, Nicholas Herweck, Andrew Hirstein, Mishelina Iracheta, Neely Kajmowicz, Mitchell Lopez, Camryn MacLean, Sophia Metz, Nicole Murino, Colin Novinger, Miranda Olsen, Sofia Orbegozo, Emily Pall, Hannah Pavlecic, Alana Prinz, Josephine Prost, Jack Rhiner, Adam Rohrscheib, Rianna Scheer, Justin Smith, Noah Szyszka, Andrew Valentino, Ashlee Wagner, Petra Wingert, Cala Wolf, and Abby Wolosewicz.

Congratulations to 58 High Honor Roll and 31 Honor Roll students for achieving status for the second quarter of the 2012-2013 school year. On a 4-point scale, a grade point average of 3.5 to 4.0 earns high honor roll status and 3.0 to 3.49 qualifies for honor roll status.

7th GradeHigh Honor RollLilly Alicea (4.0), Andrew Barnicle (4.0), Natalie Bednarz, Jack Boo, Nicole Borchardt, Will Brodlo (4.0), Max Campbell (4.0), Frank Colonna, Riley Dominiak, Aidan Doyle (4.0), Allison Fischer (4.0), Kayla Frederick, Tyler Fronk, Jimmy Gazis, Samantha Gleason (4.0), Ryan Hiatt (4.0), Holly Hinton (4.0), Nina Hoffman, Nick Jacobs (4.0), Emily Janis, Catherine Johnson (4.0), Will Jonen (4.0), Elizabeth Juracic, Emma Jurusik (4.0), Zayn Kayali, Raymond Keenan, Kaley Kessler (4.0), Aaron Lack, Zachary Laipple, Erin McGarry, Michael Mitchell, Meaghan O’Neill, SuSu Osman, Philip Panopoulos (4.0), Steven Pav, Salvatore Penachio, Bradley Pond, Kaitlyn Quagliano, Melissa Rodriguez, Francesca Rogozinski (4.0), Roland Rondez, Hailey Rosicky, Nathan Rusk (4.0), Maria Serembytska, Kyle Sexton, Ethan Shockley, Michael Swinehart (4.0), Jack Tabachka (4.0), Ricky Torres, Demetrios Triantafel (4.0), Casey VanSpankeren (4.0), Taylor Wagner, Emma Watkins (4.0), Owen Waunn, Lily Wojcik (4.0), Alex Wolosewicz (4.0), Joshua Woolfington, and Julia Yelnick.

Honor RollMegan Bonneville, Alex Cefali, Elizabeth Conboy, Alex Dolgner, Finnegan Dowling, Mackenzie Drummond, Hannah Fezekas, Nicholas Garbe, Jeffrey Gianone, Austin Glazier, Jack Grant, Marguerite Gronke, Madilyn Guzlas, Garrett Hinshaw, Anna Hohman, Kathleen Holt, Dominic Janusek, Maggie Justus, Bella Lestina, Brandon Mahoney, McKayla Marlowe, Nicholas Perez, Bradley Phillip, Aliya Rangel, Abigail Sorensen, Jade Soriano, Anthony Staiano, Adler Strauss, Sebastian Tramontana, Aaron Valentino, and Anna Westegaard.

Congratulations to 57 High Honor Roll and 29 Honor Roll students for achieving status for the second quarter of the 2012-2013 school year. On a 4-point scale, a grade point average of 3.5 to 4.0 earns high honor roll status and 3.0 to 3.49 qualifies for honor roll status.

8th GradeHigh Honor RollLacey Allen, Jillian Almase, Emma Bastyr (4.0), Matthew Beck, Erich Brandt (4.0), Matthew Brandt (4.0), Grace Brannen (4.0), Bridget Brodlo (4.0), Patrick Caruso (4.0), Jennifer Carver (4.0), Connor Ciecko, Christopher Condon, Haylee Donovan, Benjamin Ezsias, Jacob Gleason, Nicholas Grossi, Juliana Halpin, Marc Johnson (4.0), Jianna Keska (4.0), Armin Korsos, Arden Kurhayez (4.0), Courtney Kurhayez (4.0), Zak Lavaty, Courtney Lewis, Zuri Lima, Kayle Lindberg, Meghan McGarry, Meagan Mitchell (4.0), Caleb Moskowitz, Ali Nix, Timothy O’Malley (4.0), Mariana Orbegozo, Jacqueline Osborn (4.0), Alex Pall, Caroline Pavlecic, Sophia Pethokoukis, Anna Podkowski (4.0), Shayna Prinz, Jessica Prost, Olivia Raphael, Lauren Reynolds (4.0), Mary Rokicki (4.0), Paul Skolba (4.0), Leah Slivovsky, Philip Smith, Marianne Soriano, Arlis Strauss, Joanna Szpytma, Emily Titzer, Cole Tuisl, Paul Velliotis, Dillon Wagner, Hope Walsh, Max Williams, Myranda Williams (4.0), Kamil Zeglen, and Adam Zimmerman.

Honor RollMarissa Anderson, Daniel Beck, Ericka Bruce, Will Burton, Emily Callam, Marisa Capizzano, Imants Cers, Lois Combs, Alicia DeGeatano, Peter Eggerding, Ryan Giacomelli, Jacob Halon, Gabriela Hardman, Emma Harrigan, John Hirstein, Maranda Jackson, Julia Karpinski, Luke Kehle, Joe Koszut, Jakub Kundzicz, Quinn Madarang, Rory McDermott, Jarod Montgomery, Kevin Moran, Britany Rojas, Richard Scheer, Joshua Szyska, Eli Westin and Glenn Wilson.

6th Grade Math - Mrs. Novotny

Students will be finishing their measurement unit with a measurement assessment. The students will be expected to measure rectangular prisms in both customary and metric units. They will then use their “precise” measurements to calculate volume and surface area. Students should be able to explain the differences between length, capacity, and volume on their final assessment.! We will also be working on ratios, rates, and proportions in the month of April. Students should be making connections between their previous knowledge of fractions and decimals to write ratios and unit rates, solve proportions, and find values in similar figures, maps, and scale models. This unit can be found in Chapter 5 of the Course 2 math book.

with Ms. O’Brien

and

Mrs. Scheiwe

6th Grade Art

6th Grade MusicHighlands 6th graders are finishing up their Music Theory in a minute workbooks which has reinforced the basic elements of playing and writing music. We are also working on our guitar unit learning the parts of the guitar, the names of the strings, names of notes as you ascend up the neck and finally some simple chords and songs.

We are looking forward to the annual haiku throwdown on Friday, April 5th. Following the haiku throwdown, the sixth graders will begin a novel study of the Newbery Honor book Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff. It is the moving story of a foster child and her deepest desire: to have a home and a family of her own. The story is told through a series of related episodes, her "pictures", rather than in ordinary chronological order. Related activities, including a special guest speaker, will explore the myths and facts about the foster care system. We will also continue with the self-paced grammar unit of study, moving through our first unit on the sentence and its parts to a unit on fixing sentence problems and improving sentence style.

The Advanced Language Arts class will also participate in the annual 6th grade haiku throwdown and will continue working on their self-paced grammar units following spring break. At the same time, we will begin our third companion novel to the William and Mary Persuasion unit, Esperanza Rising. We will compare and contrast the Hispanic-American experience and perspective of the novel’s main character to those of characters in our first two novels, Dragonwings and Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry.

We are ending block 4 with our ceramic pinch pot animal project. Student learn the basics of working with clay, and create some really neat looking animals! Block 5 starts the second week of April, and students will be introduced to all of the projects. They will be working on glass mosaics, ceramics, a drawing unit, metal embossing and a gold scratchboard project.

Social Studies with Mrs. Phillip

A

6th grade Spanish - Señora Murphy 

fter wrapping up our study of the Middle Ages with a Black Plague simulation and a crossbow competition, the 6th graders will be moving on to the exciting period known as the Renaissance. Renaissance means “re-birth”, and it was a time of reborn interest in learning. We will be studying many famous people from the time

– Michelangelo, Shakespeare, Sir Isaac Newton and Leonardo da Vinci to name a few! These people had a major impact on our world as the “rebirth” of learning in Europe inspired them to create, explore and innovate!

We also have been practicing our image analysis skills. We are learning about changes in society as reflected in artwork from three time periods: Classical (Greece and Rome), Medieval and

Renaissance. Ask you child which time period each of these pieces of art relates to:

The 6th grade students completed their animal/color/adjective unit by creating “Mi Animal Favorito” posters. The students utilized the vocabulary from this unit to create their posters. We are currently working on Unit 2 which includes vocabulary for the days of the week, months, seasons and weather. Our culminating activity is for students in groups of 2 or 3, to create a weather forecast applying the new vocabulary terms they learned in this unit. In our next unit we will be learning the vocabulary for body parts.

6th Grade Science6th Grade Science6th Grade ScienceDunk

Tank LbOur students had the opportunity to measure the density of an average 6th grader. Thanks to the twelve valiant volunteers who suited up to go

under water in our dunk tank! Students were able to measure the mass and volume of each student to mathematically determine a person’s density. The data, shown below, proved that a human’s density is slightly above one gram per milliliter, or the density of water. Doing internet research, 6th graders discovered are results were scientifically accurate.

6th Grade Science

Never-

Ending Star

Project!

Dear Parents,

Thank you for your patience in the never-ending star project!

Mother Nature certainly was not our ally with so few

opportunities to measure the stars! Even so, I hope you and

your child were able to get some enjoyment out of the

experience! I was heartened to see so many at our

first star party, which shows the dedication that

you have instilled in your young

scientists! Thank you!

Student DensityRianna

Dennis

Alana

Mitch

Jo Jo

Jason

Sam

Madison

Justin

Alyssa

Colin

Amy

1.120 kg/l

1.018 kg/l

1.038 kg/l

1.058 kg/l

1.059 kg/l

1.074 kg/l

1.050 kg/l

1.054 kg/l

1.024 kg/l

1.030 kg/l

1.071 kg/l

1.026 kg/l

Star Party Night

The final stretch of the seventh grade is here!  We

are excited to continue the fourth quarter studying a

variety of topics.  This month, LA classes will begin

reading a self-selected biography to connect with our 4th quarter theme of “Individuality.” As the quarter progresses, we will continue to explore the theme with an expository research writing piece, as well as a student-produced documentary. These two projects will revolve

around our cross-curricular connection to social studies with the students researching a famous Civil War individual. Word work will continue with our vocabulary word parts study, as well as a new grammar independent study.

In advanced language arts, students are finishing their study of Nancy

Farmer’s The House of the Scorpion.  Our culminating activity for this unit will be a mock courtroom trial of one of the main characters. Ask your student which role they are tackling for this unique project! Coming soon -

exploring the idea of ‘Individuality Lost’ in Lois Lowry’s The Giver.

7th Grade Math with Mrs. Curran

Students in Pre-Algebra are finishing their third unit in Geometry. For the past few weeks, your child has been learning about the three different types of transformations: translations, rotations, and reflections. They learned how to describe translations using arrow notation, and how to graph a reflection over a specific line, rather than just the x-axis or y-axis. In the next unit your child will gain more experience with the Formula Unit. Your child will use the different formulas for area, surface area and volume of 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional shapes.

Students in Algebra are about to complete their study on Unit 5. This unit expanded their knowledge of input/output charts to the concept of determining functions and graphing functions. They were introduced to the difference between continuous data and discrete data. The next unit of study will move to Unit 6 which will include an in depth look at slope and slope-intercept form. This is one of my favorite units!

Extra Credit for all 7th Grade Math classes: Can you figure this out? Turn this extra credit into me by May 13th.

Last month in Social Studies we spent most of our time looking at the concept of Slavery. We researched what slavery looked like in ancient civilizations like Egypt and Rome and discussed how it differed from slavery in the 18th and 19th century. We also spent some time discussing what slavery looks like in the world today, from child labor to human trafficking, and what we can do to change it.

This month we begin our study of our country’s Civil War. We will start out by looking at how the different sections of the country developed in the 1800’s which led to Civil War. Then we will be discussing the experiences of different people during the war years from Union and Confederate soldiers to African Americans to women and children. Students will also develop an independent study topic that relates to the Civil War as a culminating project.

7th Grade Social Studies with Mr. Colley

7th Grade Science with Mr. Anagnostopoulos

Our young scientists are ending the quarter with our final examination in the area of cells and genetics. After taking the ISAT tests and returning from Spring Break, they will participate in an interesting independent project that will allow the students to explore an area of cells and genetics of their choice. Students may chose topics such as evolution, genetic disorders, and medical treatments for those who are born with a hereditary trait that may alter their or a family member’s lifestyle. The 7th graders went to the Museum of Science and Industry to partake in a “scavenger learning hunt”. This activity incorporated lessons from Math, LA, Science, and Social Studies to help the students research and explore various topics within the museum. This great interdisciplinary unit helped the students make connections of various areas of science across many of their classes. Overall this led to a fun filled and educational experience!

Stay tuned for quarter 4 when we start our biology unit, which will include the study of the muscular system, nervous system, skeletal system, medical/health career exploration, and the ever popular DISSECTION UNITS!

Las clases de español - sra. Rus 7th grade

7th Grade Graphic Arts with Mrs. Cavello

The students are in chapter 4, "La vida escolar", which means school life. They have been reviewing classroom objects and the names of classes. They will write a paragraph about their "materia preferida/clase favorita". Ask your son/daughter what their favorite class is and why. We have also started writing emails to students in Argentina.

We have just finished our calendars.... and have begun our Acorn blended images project. Acorn allow students to manipulate and be creative with various images. These always turn out great! Down the road we will work with I Stop Motion in our claymation unit, and work with Flash to create our own animations!

7th and 8th grade MusicalHighlands 7th and 8th graders have begun preparations for this year’s production of OKLAHOMA! This show is filled with colorful characters: Curly, Laurey, Aunt Eller, Will Parker, Ado Annie & Jud - just to name a few. I’m sure you’ll recall the wonderful classic melodies of the fun and familiar music. I look forward to directing, teaching the songs and choreographing the production numbers.

Mark your calendars early for Thursday, April 25 at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

and Friday, April 26 at 7:00 p.m.

in the Highlands Middle School gym.

It should prove to be a blast from the past!

WITH MRS. FUNK

April will be a very busy month for all 8th graders in math. It will be very important that students stay current with the homework assignments and study homework and notes for quizzes and tests. Please check the homework website frequently as it will be updated each Monday with the assignments and important dates for that week and the future.

8th grade algebra classes will be completing their study of interpreting graphs, determining if a relation is a function and creating tables to plot graphs. We will also be starting a study of slope and slope-intercept equations of a line.

8th grade advanced algebra class will be completing a project and taking the chapter test on quadratic equations. We will complete certain sections of chapter 10 which focus on radical expressions, equations and graphs. Students will have one large quiz at the end of this chapter since it will be completed quickly. Chapter 11 which will focus on rations expressions, equations and graphs will also be started this month. By May there will only be one more partial chapter to complete before the second semester exam that will be taken on May 23rd.

All students will be completing a project based on their research paper in language arts. Students will create a “By the Numbers” article similar to those seen in the Chicago Tribune. Details about the project will be presented in class and emailed home during the first week of April.

8th Set Design with Mrs. Cavello:We will be busy preparing for Oklahoma! We will be busy painting, building, and creating whatever we need to make this production a spectacular show! The wall is on its way to being completed, and the hammers and drills are busy building! See the results during the show!

WITH MR. STEELE

In SOCIAL STUDIES, the 8th graders will spend the first part of April finishing their study of the United States Constitution. Their final test will be on Tuesday, April 17. There will be several review sessions leading up to the final test to help them finish preparing for this major exam. Please e-mail me if you have any questions regarding the final test.

During the second half of April, we will begin discussing World War I by looking at the “spark” that started the entire war – the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo. We will discuss how this led to a series of events that pulled all of Europe into the war. We will then look into how the Americans got involved in this war. We will continue by discussing trench warfare and the use of new technology in this war, including the use of gas and gas masks for the first time in warfare. We will end our study of World War I by analyzing the Treaty of Versailles to see what this treaty did to Germany as a country, and how it helped lay the foundation for Adolf Hitler to come to power.

Finally, a major part of our study will include discussing the use of “gas warfare” for the first time in a world conflict. We will discuss how the use of gas in war changed the face of war forever. One item we will use for discussions purposes is a painting entitled “Gassed”, painted by American John Singer Sargent in 1918. The painting is seen below. Study it with your son and/or daughter and discuss with them whether or not this painting was pro- or anti-war, and whether or not it is an accurate portrayal of what happened to soldiers fighting in World War I.

with Mr. Zeman

Las clases de español - sra. Rus - 8th grade

This month in 8th grade science begins as we finish looking at careers in science. The students have had the opportunity to clear up the misconception that a person who uses chemistry or science in their job must look like Einstein! We even had a former Highlands student and engineering major at the University of Iowa, Connor Kriz, talk to the students about science at the high school and college level. His presentation opened the students’s eyes to the wide range of careers related to engineering and other science related fields and also had them problem solving to create paper tower. Before spring break and when they return, the 8th grades will continue with chemistry by studying the importance of a beautifully balanced equation and the conservation of mass.

We are finishing the second part of "Cuerpo sano, mente sana" which is healthy body, healthy mind. The students are working on the many ways to say how they are feeling. (estar/sentirse/tener) They will also give their opinions using the subjunctive. To do this they will learn some impersonal phrases like it's important that and it's necesary that which also tie into discussing a healthy lifestyle.

with Mrs. Florek and Mrs. SchweizerAll Eighth Graders have picked their topics and the effects that their topic have on the United States or the World. We have encouraged the students to choose something they are passionate about. Over the next few weeks we will begin working on your 8th Grade Research Project. We will conference with each student to discuss their research several times during class. The students are responsible for participating in mini-lessons and completing any activities or handouts. Mini-lessons for non-fiction reading will include paraphrasing, skimming/scanning, summarizing, text structure.Assignments Note check #1 --_____/10 points - due April 4~Your notes will be checked for correct paraphrasing and progress. At least one resource is expected.Vocabulary List--_____/10 points - due April 11 ~Make a list of at least 10 words that are important to your topic. Type orwrite the list with the definitions for each word.Note check #2--_____/10 points - due April 11 ~Your notes will be checked again for paraphrasing and progress. At leasttwo sources are expected for your notes. You should also begin to identify major categories in your notes.Personal Response-- _____/20 points - due April 18 ~Type a 1-2 page response about your research so far. Include why youchose the topic, and your opinions about what you’ve learned about your topic and the research process.Note check #3--_____/10 points - due April 18 ~Your note taking should be complete at this time. You should have at least 4sources cited, and major categories identified in your notes.Outline --______/25 points – due April 25 ~Make an outline of key points and details that will be covered in your paper.Rough Draft--_______/10 points-due May 2 ~The rough draft should be typed, double-spaced in size 12 font Times New Roman. Please include the proper heading and set-up guidelines (set-up guidelines to follow).Rough Draft #2--_______/5 points-due May 7 ~Make any corrections and have copy reviewed by a parent. A parent signature must be on draft #2 to receive points.Final Copy due May 11*Research Project Prep=100 points Each grade will be entered separately.

with Mrs. Florek and Mrs. Schweizer

Advanced

The Advanced class has been very busy preparing for a mock trial. Upon completion of the novel Billy Budd, Sailor we discussed the guilt or innocence of Billy Budd. We had a panel discussion with Ms. Badrov and Mr. Rhiner discussing the law related to this case. As a class we decide to change an oral presentation to a mock trial. We have prepared opening statements, prepared witnesses statements, closing statements, and have questioned the jury. We also spent a day working with our legal consultants Ms. Badrov, Mr. Rhiner and Mr. Brom. On behalf of all the students and myself, I would like to thank our judge, Dr. Dyer and the legal consultants for all their help and enthusiasm. We look forward to an exciting trial.

Attention 8th grade parents: A reminder to submit a COLOR 5x7 or 8x10 BABY picture of your 8th grader by MONDAY, APRIL 8. They will be used for the baby wall/activity at the 8th grade party. Please remember to put the child's name on the back so they can be identified! Mail or drop off photo (they will not be returned) to Highlands Middle School, C/O Joy Petrusha, 1850 W. Plainfield Road, LaGrange, IL 60525? Questions? Email Blair Ciecko : blair.ciecko@gmail.com

Physical EducationMrs. Eskra, Mr. Kolar

In the French Classes….

April brings thoughts of Paris - and although we will not be there this month, we will try and keep the flavor of the country going in our French classes as we begin our study of French artists in the seventh grade class, and start our

food sampling days in the eighth grade class. Sixth graders will continue working on classroom vocabulary, colors, how

to identify parts of the body and animals. They will prepare their own parts of the body poster, using their favorite personality or cartoon character.

Seventh graders are continuing to learn how to describe their interests, how to extend, accept and refuse invitations, how to express things that will be happening in the near future and how to ask questions. They

will also start working on their French painters project. Each student will research a famous French painter and present a “work of art” that summarizes

the painters life and work. These will be presented at a Gallery Walk on May 1.

All parents of 7th grade French students are invited during their child’s class that day

to participate in the walk.Eighth graders will be learning the names of different stores and

buildings and how to ask and give directions and other travel related vocabulary. We will also begin researching recipes based in French culture

and we will sample the French recipes the students researched, as well as compile our own French cookbook.

Miam, miam!

The Physical Education classes are at the beginning of the track and field unit. During this unit, students are split into teams and compete in a variety of running and field events to try to earn points for their team. The top three boys and top three girls for the class earn points to go towards their team totals. The track unit will continue throughout April, ending with a written assessment. Also during this unit, the students will be participating in a variety of fitness activities and games. At the end of April, ten 8th grade boys and ten 8th grade girls will be chosen to represent Highlands at LT Fitness Day in May. Participants will be chosen based upon their overall performance in the 50 yard dash, the mile run, and the push-up test.

Highlands Show Choir performed at the competition at the Chicagoland Show Case at John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, IL.

We took the stage with 10 other middle school show choirs from around the area on March 1st. Show Choir did a terrific job, and we were able to watch and learn from many other great choirs from around the area. We received an outstanding participation award. In addition, Show Choir member, Anthony Staiano received the Outstanding Male Vocalist award out of all 11 choirs!!! We were so happy for him!

Special thanks goes out to Mrs. Slivovsky and Mrs. Reynolds for help chaperoning and to our drummer, Mr. O’Reilly!

Congratulations and thanks to everyone.

Congratulations to the following Highlands students that participated in the 2013 LT Solo and Ensemble Festival.  You made us proud with your wonderful preparation and performances. All students received either a superior or excellent rating.  These solos and ensembles take hours of practice and rehearsal time outside of school to prepare. Thank you for your dedication to excellence and congrats on this wonderful musical achievement!

Parker Anderson Stephanie Breakey Taylor Anderson Emily HenkelAlyssa FreySophie Metz Justin SmithJason LichtenauerAnna WestegaardDaniel Breakey Aidan DoyleBradley PondMadilyn GuzlasKayle LindbergJennifer CarverLauren Reynolds Dillon WagnerJoe Koszut Jacob GleasonJacob HalonChandler WeyerMarissa Anderson

The Vandercook Band Festival is coming up next week on Tuesday, April 9th. We will be performing for a panel of judges and having a clinic afterwards. I am very excited that they will have this performance opportunity in the community. Permission slips and schedules have gone home with the students. Wish the band students good luck before this exciting field trip and performance opportunity!

2013 Blue Soccer TeamAndrew Barnicle

Jack CareyFrank Colonna

Lois CombsJacob Gross

Dominic Janusek Joe Kalata

Bella LestinaZuri Lima

Susu OsmanAlex Pall

Michael PettroneAliya Rangel

Anthony StaianoArlis Strauss

Aaron Valentino

Coach Kolar

2013 White Soccer TeamMitch Blackburn

Dan BreakeyAllison FischerRaif GallowayJacob Gleason

Samantha GleasonJacob HalonZayn KayaliAaron Lack

Courtney LewisAidan Metz

Yessi NavarroMichael Swinehart

Hailee SvrlingaSebastian Tramontana

Coach Bray

7th Grade TeamJack Boo

Will BrodloAlex CefaliRyan Hiatt

Garrett HinshawNicholas Jacobs

Raymond KeenanSteven Pav

Bradley PhilipRoland Rondez

Nathan RuskJack Tabachka

Casey VanSpankerenOwen Waunn

8th Grade TeamDan BeckMatt Beck

Erich BrandtMatthew Brandt

Luke KehleKevin Moran

Caleb MoskowitzTim O’Malley

Richard ScheerPaul Velliotis

Dillon WagnerChandler Weyer

Max WilliamsAdam Zimmerman

8th GradeJillian AlmaseMarissa AndersonEmma BastyrGrace BrannenBridget BrodloEmily Callam Jianna KeskaAli NixOlivia RaphaelBritany RojasMary RokickiTitzer, Emily

7th GradeMelissa CondonMarguerite GronkeNina HoffmanKathleen HoltElizabeth JuracicMaggie JustusKaley KesslerErin McGarryFrancesca RogozinskiTaylor WagnerLily WojcikJulia Yelnick

2nd - Classes resume - PTC Hot Lunch Pizza Day 3rd - Math Team Celebration

4th - 6th Grade Haiku’s 5th - Butterbraid Orders due

9th - Band Field trip to VanderCook College12th - 7th & 8th Grade Fortnightly

Market Day Orders Due Spring Sports Picture Day

Pre-ordered school supplies deadline16th - Map Testing

PTC Fun Lunch Pizza Day19th - Early Dismissal Day - Noon

25th - 7th & 8th Grade Musical - Oklahoma26th - 7th & 8th Grade Musical - Oklahoma

30th - 6th Grade Filed Trip to Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Students have some time to enjoy and have some independent art time! We can work with the pottery wheel, and use various materials to get creative and have some free art time!