Selected as a 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 NASET (National Association of Special Education Teachers)
School of Excellence
Maryville Jen School
Fall Issue
Principal’s Address:
October 2015
Special Thanks…
Welcome Back!
Jammin’ with Jen
By: Anne M. Craig – Jen School Principal
By: Hannah Lederman
The Jen School is off to another successful start for the 2015-2016 school
year. The students have settled into their classrooms and teachers are
providing engaging and meaningful lessons on a daily basis.
Thank you to all that attended Jammin’ with Jen and
for all the generous donations. The event was a huge
success and raised over $11,000! All proceeds will
benefit the Maryville Jen School and its students.
Students’ academic growth and success is important to all of us at Jen
School. One measure that indicates that success is the MAP test (Measures
of Academic Progress) which is taken by all Jen School students in the areas
of Reading, Language, Science and Math. These tests are given in the fall
and spring. The results of these tests are used by the classroom faculty to
enhance and individualize instruction for each student.
The Jen School has recently received two grants: 1 from the Altria
Foundation to purchase Chrome Books for our students to use in school and
1 from the Rivers Foundation to develop an onsite 3D printing instructional
lab. We are very appreciative to both the Atria and Rivers Foundations for
their ongoing support of The Jen School.
Please remember to join us at our annual Jen School Open House on
October 15th between 4:30 – 7:00 pm. We hope that you are able to stop
by and see what is new and share in our students accomplishments thus far
this year.
Ann M. Craig
It was spectacular to see over 100 people come
together to support and celebrate the Maryville Jen
School. Guests jammed out to the sounds of local
musicians, The Poker Night Band, and enjoyed a
scrumptious farm to table themed dinner by Jen
School Chef Toni Tomasello, which used produce
from the Jen School garden. Additionally, attendees
were able to view the new greenhouse, the garden,
and get a tour of the school. Also, a special thanks to
those who participated in the silent auction, which
was comprised of artwork completed by Jen School
students, wines, and other prizes. Lastly, much
thanks to Maryville Development for helping pull the
event all together and to the sponsors, donors, and
volunteers who were all essential to the event’s
success. Please see complete list of sponsors, donors,
and volunteers on page 5.
Health Beat
INVEST Program
By: Tracy Mullen – School Nurse
By: Heather Lischett – Jen Assistant Principal
for Vocational Educational Services
What is the difference between a cold and the flu?
The cold and the flu are both a viral respiratory infection. The
cold is a milder infection than the flu.
A cold usually comes on gradually over a day or two. Common
symptoms for the cold are a sore throat that usually lasts for a day or two,
runny nose, and congestion. Cough may be present after the fourth or fifth
day. Fever is uncommon in adults but children can have a mild fever. Cold
symptoms usually last for a week.
The flu usually comes on suddenly. It is more severe than a cold.
Symptoms include sore throat, fever, headache, muscle ache and soreness,
congestion, and a cough. Flu symptoms usually last for two to five days, but
it is common to feel run down for a week or more.
When are you contagious with the cold or flu?
With a cold and the flu, you start being contagious about one day
before you start experience symptoms.
With the flu, you are contagious for about 5 to 7 days into the
illness. Children can pass the virus for up to two weeks after they first
experience flu symptoms.
With a cold you are most contagious for the first 2 to 3 days. You
are usually not contagious after the first week.
How are the cold and flu transmitted?
The flu and cold virus can pass through the air when a person
coughs or sneezes, and can enter your body through your nose and mouth.
You can also get the cold or flu by touching a surface (doorknob, computer
mouse, etc.) that has the virus on it. Then when you touch your nose,
mouth, or eyes the virus gets absorbed into your body.
INVEST stands for Integrated Vocational
and Educational Skills Training. It is a
program for students who are 15 and
older that are looking to develop their
vocational skills, and it meets district
requirements for career exploration and
vocational studies. It is a credit bearing
course and the students are paid a
stipend for their labors. Students in this
program participate in a wide variety of
jobs from janitorial duties in the school,
to furniture and bike repair, vending
machine maintenance, dish washing and
kitchen prep, and electronic recycling.
We also focus on communicating on the
job, resume building, interview skills,
professional attire and grooming, and
ethics in the work place.
How do I protect myself from the cold or flu?
-Get the flu vaccine (for the flu)
-Eat healthy; limit sugary foods
-Get enough sleep every night
-Avoid touching your mouth, nose, and eyes
-Exercise daily
-Wash your hands often
**The best way to stop the spreading of the flu and
cold is HANDWASHING!**
Classroom Corner
Photo: Inside one of
the computers that
students are
dismantling to be
recycled. Students
learn to utilize hand
tools such as screw
drivers and pliers,
and apply problem
solving skills to
accomplish their task
in this community
based jobsite.
By: Natalie Prosser - Teacher
Welcome back to another wonderful school year! We usually take this time in Ms. Khan’s
class to discuss the meaning of Jen and how it applies to our classroom and school at
large. Since we’re enrolled in World Literature this quarter, we have the opportunity to
explore the meaning of Jen and the Golden Rule across various cultures and eras. We
have been learning how the idea of the Golden Rule has appeared in literature since the
dawn of civilized culture. While we read about cultures, we are practicing writing with
style in our English Composition class. In math, we are focusing on the logic of algebra
(not merely applying formulas) and as a result, there have been light bulbs shining over
the students’ heads all quarter! We have had some students trickle in as they transition
from their home schools this school year, so we’ve gotten to know some new students
since mid-August. While transitions are often difficult, our Jen School veterans have been
showing our newcomers the ropes as we look forward to a successful school year!
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SPORTS PAGE:
CAAEL Football Season
By: Donna Hoffman – School Psychologist
The Jen School finally played its first flag football game
of the fall against Forest View on a beautiful Friday
morning in late September. After more than a month
of preparation in gym class, the students were ready
and excited to display their well-honed skills and
compete against another school in league play.
Twelve students were eligible; for seven of those
students, it was their very first football game! The Jen
students were victorious in a close game and most of
the students enjoyed trying out new positions and
playing with their Jen peers from other classrooms.
This past Friday, the Jen students were looking
forward to playing Aspira, but a scheduling conflict
caused the schools to postpone and reschedule the
game. Mr. Marty reported that, “the kids took their
disappointment in not being able to play a league
game well and put all their energy into having a
positive inter-squad game.” Five sportsmanship
ribbons were awarded to well-deserving student
athletes.
The team will play 5 league games- all on our campus, so feel free to come out and cheer them on every Friday
morning until the end of October! Also, the Jen School will be hosting a 6 team tournament on October 8th. Every
team gets to play three games that morning followed by a BBQ lunch in the North Gym for all teams and coaches.
Mr. Marty hopes to see more students participating in the tournament next week. “They are all well prepared and
it would be great for all to be able to contribute.”
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Getting to Know YOU
By: Liz Villalobos – Job Coach
STAFF
Q: What is your favorite color?
Natalie: Red
Q: Have you ever had a nickname? What is it?
Natalie: Talula
Q: If you were a super-hero, what powers would you
have?
Natalie: Read minds, so I can know what everyone is
thinking.
Q: What is your favorite subject in school? Why?
Natalie: Science, I love doing experiments.
Q: What is your favorite holiday? Why?
Natalie: Definitely Christmas, because I like giving gifts.
STUDENT
Q: What is your favorite color?
Student A: Purple
Q: What’s your favorite movie?
Natalie: I don’t have one because I don’t watch movies or
TV.
Q: Have you ever had a nickname? What is it?
Student A: Butterfingers
Q: What motivates you to work hard?
Natalie: My children
Q: If you were a super-hero, what powers would you
have?
Student A: Super sneaky, so I can sneak all around and no
one would see me.
Q: You find a magical genie lamp, what are your 3
wishes?
Natalie: Unlimited wishes, financial freedom, and a life
free from sickness.
Q: What is your favorite subject in school? Why?
Student A: PE, because it is fun.
Q: What is something you’ve done that you are proud of?
Natalie: Competing in a Tough Mudder Race.
Q: What is your favorite holiday?
Student A: Christmas, because I like getting gifts.
Q: If you could eat one thing for the rest of your life, what
would it be?
Natalie: Easy one, pizza! Definitely pizza!
Q: What is your favorite movie?
Student A: Green Lantern
Q: What motivates you to work hard?
Student A: Getting computer time.
Q. You find a magical genie lamp, what are your 3
wishes?
Student A: I’d ask for hot dogs, my own Ferrari, and to be
a bird.
Q: What is something you’ve done that you are proud of?
Student A: Going to CAAEL and receiving the
sportsmanship award.
Q: If you could eat one meal for the rest of your life, what
would it be?
Student A: The McRib from McDonald’s.
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Special Thanks continued…
Seed Sponsors:
Andrew Lotts with CJBS
Robert Bruce
Whole Foods
In-Kind Donors:
Argus Brewery
Arlette Quinn
Arlington Park
Barbara Schaefer
Blackfinn
Cabernet & Company
Café Lucci
Double Tree
e+o Restaurant
Eggsperience
Innate Concepts Chiropractic
Kathleen Petersen
Little Villa
Mark Trerotola
Melissa Mele
Nothing bundt Cakes
Pesche’s
Sharon Minarik
Smokey Bones
Tap House Grill
Tina Hock
Truco Taqueria
Whole Foods
Garden Box Sponsors:
Alyson Beucler
Argo Translation
B&B Consultants
Brenner Johnson Creative Info. Systems
Christian and Sammy Hock
Ed Strabel
John Freyer
Presence Health
Financial Donors:
Gerald Babicz
Hollis Gemkow
Larry and Theresa Quinn
Mick Rickert
Volunteer Gardeners:
Alyson Beucler
Andy DeLorenzo
Dwayne Anderson
Sharon Minarik
Cathy Boll
Jen Chefs:
Toni Tomasello
Jeannine Dutkanych
Tracy Mullen
Volunteer Chefs:
Alyson Beucler
Arlette Quinn
Ruth Jensen
Maryville Development
Team:
Arlette Quinn
Daniella Krivak
Julie Blandford
Julie Fischer
Tina Hock
Elgin Community College
Culinary Student Volunteers:
Alex Baumgartner
Charles Chandler
Donald Heyden
Eric Cervantes
Krisin Ward
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