Township High School District 211
News Tip Sheet – Week of January 30, 2012
Next District 211 Media Lunch is scheduled for
Friday, February 24, 2012, from noon until 1:00 p.m. at
Palatine High School (1111 N. Rohlwing Road in Palatine).
Please RSVP to Tom Petersen if you wish to attend.
Tom Petersen
Director of Community Relations
847-755-6631 (office)
[email protected]
District 211 teachers earn National Board Certification
Nineteen District 211 teachers have earned national certification through the National Board for
Professional Teaching Standards. This is the highest professional credential in the field of teaching.
With the addition of these 19 teachers, High School District 211 now has had 121 teachers earn
national certification, fourth most among school districts in Illinois. This year’s recipients are (listed
alphabetically): Dana Batterton, Palatine High School; Marilyn Berdick, William Fremd High School;
Christopher Bruce, James B. Conant High School; Robert Coakley, Hoffman Estates High School;
Anna Dau, Palatine High School; Gina Enk, William Fremd High School; Angenette Fudala, William
Fremd High School; Pamela Fullerton, Palatine High School; Tyrone Jones, Hoffman Estates
High School; Stephen Kurfess, James B. Conant High School; Kerri Largo, Hoffman Estates High
School; Kristy Loughin-Vance, William Fremd High School; Casey Nesva, Schaumburg High
School; Megan Panico, Palatine High School; Brad Stevens, Schaumburg High School; Brigid
Tileston, William Fremd High School; Erika Varela, Palatine High School; Kimberleigh Wiley,
James B. Conant High School; and Luke Yanule, Hoffman Estates High School
Media Contact: Tom Petersen, High School District 211, 847-755-6631, [email protected]
High School District 211 National Board Certified Teachers for 2011-2012 were recognized by the
Board of Education at its January 19 meeting: (front row, left to right) Stephen Kurfess (CHS), Kerri
Largo (HEHS), Erika Varela (PHS), Brad Stevens (SHS), and Robert Coakley (HEHS); (2nd row)
Casey Nesva (SHS), Pamela Fullerton (PHS), Megan Panico (PHS), and Christopher Bruce (CHS);
(3rd row) Dana Batterton (PHS), Kimberleigh Wiley (CHS), Tyrone Jones (HEHS), and Anna Dau
(PHS); (back row) Angenette Fudala (FHS), Kristy Loughin-Vance (FHS), Brigid Tileston (FHS),
Marilyn Berdick (FHS), and Gina Enk (FHS). Not pictured: Luke Yanule (HEHS).
A high-resolution copy of this photo (D211 NBCT 2011-2012.jpg) is available for your use. Please
contact Tom Petersen.
Fremd HS students recognized at state theatre festival
Fremd High School theatre students recently attended the Illinois High School Theatre Festival
(IHSTF) held at Illinois State University. The IHSTF is the largest non-competitive theatre festival in
the United States, with over 4,400 attendees, and featured hundreds of workshops for students and
teachers to attend, as well as many showcase performances by high schools from around the state.
Some students participated in the “Tech Olympics” a series of events sponsored by the United States
Institute for Theatre Technology, that showcased their talents in the area of theatre technical support.
College and university representatives attending the festival provided opportunities for students to
audition and/or interview. The IHSTF also sponsored an all-State production, whose cast and crew
are selected from a statewide pool of high school students.
Along with the general opportunities at this year’s festival, Fremd High School students also were
recognized. Valerie Pizzato was cast in the all-state production, “Almost, Maine.” Seven FHS
students competed in Tech Olympics (Karlee Burns, Sara Chamberlin, Maggie Dunn, Patrick
Fiedler, Diane Kohlin, Michael McWilliams, and Samantha White), placing third in the team
competition. Three students took part in college auditions, including Jonathan Stoller-Shoff,
Samantha Noga, and Hannah Krull, each received over 20 callbacks from colleges at the festival.
Fremd High School student attendees were accompanied by teachers Josh Cattero, Betsy
Dusenske, Mike Karasch, and Judy Klingner, who serve as sponsors of school drama productions.
“This is the 37th annual Theatre Fest, but only in recent years have we had the chance to bring
students,” commented Mr. Karasch. “It has been amazing the amount of opportunities students have
been afforded.” State Superintendent Chris Koch had a chance to attend the festival this year, and
wrote in his weekly newsletter: “We put so much focus on Math, Science and English Language Arts
and unfortunately, sometimes, neglect areas that are not tested. I believe the arts are every bit as
important to a student’s education as algebra, biology or composition.”
Media Contact: Judy Klingner, Fremd High School, 847-755-2600, [email protected]
(Back row, left to right):
Jonathan Stoller-Schoff,
Michael McWilliams, Grant
Daigle, Patrick Fiedler, Taylor
Hernet, Valerie Pizzato,
Danny Leahy, Maggie
Dunn, and Samantha White.
(Middle row): John McHugh,
Sara Chamberlin, Diane
Kohlin, Karlee Burns, Hannah
Krull, Caroline Prescott,
Samantha Noga, and Emily
Prescott. (Front row): Kelsey
Kobler and Gracie Meier
A high-resolution copy of this
photo (FHS Theatre Festival.
jpg) is available for your
use. Please contact Tom
Petersen.
District 211 to host 2nd-annual GEMS Conference for girls
High School District 211 will host its second-annual GEMS (Girls in Engineering, Math, and Science)
Conference for 5th and 6th grade girls in School Districts 15 and 54, and private schools with the
District 211 attendance area, along with their parents. The conference will be held on Saturday,
February 11, 2012, at James B. Conant High School (700 E. Cougar Trail in Hoffman Estates) from
8:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. The goal is to educate girls about careers in these fields, and introduce
girls to female role models from the industry as well as working in District 211’s five high schools.
Girls will learn about careers in engineering, math, and science by actively participating in handson sessions. These activities will be taught by women in fields such as structural design, polymers,
technology, geology, and mathematics. Some of the presenters include women from the American
Chemical Society, Stepan Chemistry, and Northwestern University. Participating girls also will receive
a goody bag full of STEM information.
Parents also are invited to attend the conference, as there will be a separate parent program. The
purpose of the parent program is to discuss how to prepare girls for these courses in high school,
college, and GEMS-related careers. Parents will attend sessions that help them understand the
necessary skills girls need to be successful at the high school and college level. Parents also will
have an opportunity to participate in a question and answer session with a discussion panel.
Raffle prizes will be given away during the conference’s closing remarks. These prizes, along with
goody bags for girls attending, were generously donated by organizations that include Sargent-Welch,
Steven Spangler Science, and Holt McDougal.
Please note: Registration for the GEMS Conference closed January 17. Currently there are more
than 140 girls registered to attend.
Media Contact: Terri Busch, High School District 211, 847-755-6616, [email protected]
Photos from last year’s first GEMS
Conference (not possible to ID girls in
photos)
High-resolution copies of these photos
(GEMS.jpg) are available for your
use. Please contact Tom Petersen.
Spotlight on Schaumburg HS teacher and author
Schaumburg High School English and English as a Second Language Teacher Nancy
Sack has published her second book, a children’s book entitle Puppies and Poems.
The book, illustrated by Schaumburg High School graduate Katie Fuchs, is a collection
of children’s story poems about family, friendship, and festivities, featuring her two
dogs in a series of adventures. Puppies and Poems was released January 14, and is
published by Outskirts Press. This is Ms. Sack’s second book; her first, “Musing Along
the Ike,” is a collection of adult poems and was published in 2010. Puppies and Poems is available
for purchase online at http://www.outskirtspress.com, or at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.
Media Contact: Nancy Sack, Schaumburg High School, 847-755-4600, [email protected]
Fremd HS scores with “Read & Connect” program
The Fremd High School Marching Band, mascot, cheerleaders, and other students tipped-off its
annual “Read & Connect” program at Marion Jordan Elementary School on January 20, with a parade
through the school’s hallways. The program, now in its 11th year, is a joint-venture between FHS
and area elementary schools within the Fremd High School attendance boundaries, including Marion
Jordan and Hunting Ridge Elementary Schools. Elementary school children set personal reading
goals, and then high school students visit the school several times throughout the four-week program
to read with the children and make sure they are meeting their goals. The program culminates with
each child who achieves their goal receiving a pass for their family to attend the Vikings varsity boys
basketball game against Barrington High School on Friday, February 17, 2012, where all students will
be honored during a special halftime recognition.
Media Contact: Eric Dolen, Fremd High School, 847-755-2612, [email protected]
Victor E. Viking poses with MJ students (left
to right) Christina Annerino, Grace Reaney,
Anthony Hannon, Alyssa Eckels, Cara Chang,
Sharon Wu, Divya Murali, Matthew Kim, and
Collin Ariagno.
(above) FHS Mascot Victor E. Viking high-fives
students at Marion Jordan Elementary School
to tip-off the annual “Read & Connect” program.
High-resolution copies of these photos (FHS
Read-Connect.jpg) are available for your use.
Please contact Tom Petersen.
“Hoops for Hope” -- Fremd vs. Palatine
Fremd High School junior Brian Larsen passed away on November 21, 2011, after a long battle
with Cystic Fibrosis. Brian’s younger sister, Kristen, died from the same disease at the age of 14 in
2007. Growing up in Palatine, Brian had numerous friends at both Palatine and Fremd High Schools.
“Hoops for Hope” is a joint fundraising effort sponsored by both the Fremd and Palatine High School
Student Councils. In Brian’s memory, orange T-shirts were sold at both schools because of his
fondness for the University of Texas, and will be worn by fans at the January 27, 2012 Palatine vs.
Fremd basketball games. The girls’ game features Palatine at Fremd, and the boys’ game is Fremd
at Palatine, both beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the school gymnasiums (FHS 1000 S. Quentin Road in
Palatine; PHS 1111 N. Rohlwing Road in Palatine). All proceeds from T-shirt sales will go to the
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Media Contacts: Eric Dolen, Fremd High School, 847-755-2612, [email protected];
and Mike Alther, Palatine High School, 847-755-1612, [email protected]
Conant HS student takes first in VFW contest
Conant High School senior student Athena Saldanha won first place in
the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) District Voice of Democracy Speech
Contest. With her first-place title, also came a check for $500, as well as an
upcoming expense-paid trip to Springfield in February for the State Voice of
Democracy Dinner, as well as a chance to win a $1000 scholarship and a trip
to Washington, D.C., in March for the national contest. Athena is a member of
the Conant High School Speech Team, sponsored by Social Studies Teacher
Frank Kernats. Mr. Kernats’ students have been participating in the VFW
contest since 1987, and each year about 40 CHS students submit a recorded
speech for a chance to win a portion of the nearly $150,000 in scholarships
awarded by the VFW.
Media Contact: Frank Kernats, Conant High School, 847-755-3600, [email protected]
Schaumburg HS teachers named named Ag Teachers of the Month
Schaumburg High School Life and Family Studies Teacher Kerry Frost and Science Teacher Ken
Turner were named January “Ag Teachers of the Month” by the Cook County Farm Bureau. The two
were recognized for their commitment to making agricultural education a priority in their classroom.
They team-teach “Chemistry of Foods,” a combination chemistry course and advanced culinary arts
course at the school. The course allows students to participate in food preparation, while learning the
scientific basis of the chemical and biological processes involved in the culinary arts, with a vocational
focus. Students completing the course attain Food Safety Certification.
Media Contacts: Ken Turner, Schaumburg High School, 847-755-4600, [email protected];
and Kerry Frost, Schaumburg High School, 847-755-4600, [email protected]
33rd-Annual FHS Music Association Floral Design Showcase – “A Prelude to Spring”
Fremd High School’s Music Association will host the 33rd-Annual Floral Design Showcase, “A Prelude
to Spring,” on Wednesday, February 1, 2012. The event, which begins at 7:00 p.m. in the school’s
Kolze Auditorium (1000 S. Quentin Road in Palatine), serves as a fundraiser and all proceeds benefit
the FHS music program, including summer music camp scholarships for choir, orchestra, and band
students. The best and most creative local floral designers will be featured on stage, with fabulous
floral arrangements given away to lucky seat holders. The evening also features entertainment and
special performances by talented Fremd High School music students. Tickets are $20, and include
complimentary refreshments during intermission, and are available at the high school.
Media Contact: David Lang, Fremd High School, 847-755-2801, [email protected]
“You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” on stage at Palatine HS
Happiness is two kinds of ice cream, sharing a secret, or reliving the sweet innocence of youth with
Charlie Brown and the whole Peanuts gang. Palatine High School will step off its 2012 fine arts
season with the celbrated characters of Charles Schultz’s comic strip as they present the calssic
musical “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” in four performances, February 1-4, 2012. Shows will
be presented in the school’s Altergott Auditorium (1111 N. Rohlwing Road in Palatine), and begin at
7:00 p.m. each evening. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students with ID, and can be purchased
at the door. A benefit bake sale will be held at each show, benefitting Palatine’s The Bridge Youth
and Family Services. The Bridge provides help to young people and families to achieve social and
emotional well-being.
Media Contact: Ken Stromberg, Palatine High School, 847-755-1850, [email protected]
Hoffman Estates HS to host District 211/54 Band Festival
Hoffman Estates High School will host the District 211/54 Band Festival on Thursday, February 2,
2012, beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the school’s gymnasium (1100 W. Higgins Road in Hoffman Estates).
The annual Band Festival is an opportunity for parents and community members to hear the musical
progression of students from fifth grade through high school. Performing at the event are bands from
Hoffman Estates High School, Eisenhower Junior High School, Lincoln Prairie, Armstrong, Churchill,
MacArthur, and Muir Elementary Schools. There is no charge for admission.
Media Contact: Bob Erickson, Hoffman Estates High School, 847-755-5802, [email protected]
Band solos and ensemble festival at Conant HS
Local professional musicians and music teachers will serve as adjudicators for over 200 band
students from Conant High School and Mead Junior High School who will perform solos and small
chamber ensembles. The event takes place on Saturday, February 4, from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
in the music department at Conant High School (700 E. Cougar Trail in Hoffman Estates). Percussion
ensembles, and brass and woodwind quintets are just a sample of the intimate musical experiences
that will be presented throughout the day. For additional information, please contact Conant High
School Music Teacher Kreg Moorhouse at 847-755-3802.
Media Contact: Kreg Moorhouse, Conant High School, 847-755-3802, [email protected]
Schaumburg HS Student Congress gets top honors
Schaumburg High School hosted the Illinois Congressional Debate Association (ICDA) Tournament of
Champions Qualifying Tourney, with over 20 schools and 400 competitors, on Saturday, January 21.
The Saxons took home top honors from the tourney for the second straight year, with Highland Park
High School finishing second, and Deerfield High School third. Seniors Palak Patel, Rishi Arora,
Aru Singh, Kali Froh, Cathy Suresh, Parth Shah, and Jay Mehta helped lead SHS to victory.
Media Contact: Darrell Robin, Schaumburg High School, 847-755-4600, [email protected]