OPRF ranked 379th on Newsweek's 2008 "Top American high schools" list
Oak Park and River Forest High School was ranked 379th in the nation on Newsweek’s 2008 list of“America’s top 1,300 high schools,” a significant increase over the school’s 703rd place last year. This annual ranking rates high schools based on a single metric, the proportion of students taking college-level exams, such as the Cambridge, International Baccalaureate or Advanced Placement.
OPRF offers 21 Advanced Placement courses, with 747 students taking 1,647 exams in May 2007. The numbers of students taking AP exams has increased in the last two years since the English Division added an AP preparation component/designation to all its honors level American Literature courses. May 2008 figures will be available soon.
Of the 38 Illinois high schools on Newsweek’s list, OPRF ranked higher than all others but Chicago’s Northside College Prep, Lincoln Park High School, and Walter Payton College Prep and suburban Riverside-Brookfield, Stevenson, and Hinsdale Central.
The rankings, devised and prepared by education reporter and analyst Jay Mathews, are determined by counting the total number of these tests taken at a school by all students each May, and divided by the number of graduating seniors.
More information about these Newsweek rankings and the methodology used is available at http://www.newsweek.com/id/39380/?q=2008/rank/101/.
U.S. News & World Report ranks OPRFHS in top 3% of nation's public high schools
Oak Park and River Forest High School has been ranked in the top 3 percent of the nation’s public high schools, according to an analysis released by U.S. News & World Report. This “Best High Schools” methodology and national ranking places OPRFHS among the nation’s top 505 public high schools receiving gold or silver “college readiness” rankings and among only 30 Illinois high schools to receive this distinction.
“Acknowledgements such as this confirm that our school and community have much to be proud of and that we have a great foundation on which to build further excellence,” said OPRFHS/District 200 Superintendent Dr. Attila J. Weninger.
OPRFHS is one of 24 Illinois high schools receiving silver rankings, including suburban Auburn in Rockford; Brooks College Prep, Lane Tech, and Von Steuben Metro Science in Chicago; and suburban high schools - Buffalo Grove, Deerfield, Glenbrook North, Glenbrook South, Hinsdale, Conant, Hersey, Lake Forest, Libertyville, Lyons Township, Maine South, Naperville Central, Naperville North, New Trier, Niles North, Prospect, Vernon Hills, Wheaton North, and Fremd.
With the exception of Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois gold medalists were all Chicago charter or magnet schools with selective admissions: Jones College Prep, Lincoln Park High School, Northside College Prep, Payton College Prep, and Whitney Young Magnet. (Please click here to see a comparative chart of Illinois gold and silver medal schools.)
Developed by School Evaluation Services, a K-12 education data research business run by Standard & Poor's, the U.S. News & World Report rankings are "based on the key principles that a great high school must serve all its students well, not just those who are bound for college, and that it must be able to produce measurable academic outcomes that show the school is successfully educating its student body across a range of performance indicators.”
The analysis examined data from the 2005-06 school year for 18,790 public high schools in 40 states – subjecting each to a three-step comparative analysis. The first step determined whether each school's students were performing better than statistically expected for the average student in their state. The second step determined whether the school's least-advantaged students were performing better than average for similar students in the state. The third step assessed college-readiness performance, using Advanced Placement data as the benchmark for success.
The top 100 high schools nationwide with the highest college readiness index scores were ranked numerically and awarded gold medals. The next 405 top-performing high schools nationwide based on their college readiness index earned silver medals. An additional 1,086 high schools in 40 states that passed the first two steps were awarded bronze medals.
More information about the methodology, rankings, and their implications is available at the following link: http://www.usnews.com/sections/education/high-schools.
District 200 Board adopts 2008-09 goals; continues work sessions on race and achievement
Aug. 28, 2008 - The Board of Education adopted 2008-09 District and Superintendent goals, with primary focus continuing on student achievement with a new emphasis on defining the objectives and the measures used to determine success in reaching objectives. In addition, 2008-09 goals highlight the importance of recruitment and retention of miniority administrative and certified (teaching) staff - increasing last year's successfully met goal of hiring 20% minority candidates to 35% in the 2008-09 hiring process. Finally, the Board highlighted the importance of developing a comprehensive "green school" initiative to ensure campus wide attention to best environmental practices. Click here for a PDF version of the 2008-09 Board and Superintendent goals.
The Board's continuing focus on student achievement builds upon two resolutions approved during the 2007-08 school year, affirming its long-term consideration of achievement proposals:
Resolution 1: Be it resolved, that this Board of Education considers the continuous narrowing of the academic achievement gap between minority and non-minority students in this District to be its top priority.
Resolution 2: Be it resolved, that this Board of Education considers the improvement of the reading skills of those students whose levels of academic achievement are lowest, to be a primary and one of the more intense focuses of those appoaches to be considered in raising student achievement.
Dr. Weninger and the Board of Education continue to seek feedback from all constituents impacted by and contributing to student achievement, including high school staff and faculty, parents/guardians, students and the community at large. Feedback from and discussion by these groups will help the Board and OPRFHS administration as they refine direction, priorities and the budget for programs and initiatives. In addition, the discussion will help inform progress and adherence to District and Superintendent goals.
To that end, community members and parents are invited to these future meetings when achievement proposals and District efforts on race and achievement will be discussed:
Board Work Session on Race and Achievement - None currently scheduled
The public is encouraged to attend these Board work sessions; however, Board members respectfully ask that the public refrain from comment during the meeting until invited by Board members and/or school staff to comment, contribute or participate.
Additionally, during the 2008-09 school year, a portion of the faculty professional development meetings on Monday mornings will focus on race and achievement issues.
Further comments or questions may be directed to Dr. Weninger at aweninger@oprfhs.org or 708-434-3211 or to Board members collectively via BoE@oprfhs.org or individually by first initial, last name@oprfhs.org.
OPRFHS senior named 2009 Golden Apple Scholar
March 24, 2009 - Oak Park and River Forest High School is proud to announce that senior Megan White has been selected for the Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois Class of 2009. She is among only 100 students selected out of 1,851 nominations made statewide. She credits her physics teacher, Aaron Podolner, with encouraging her initial interest in applying and her work with Mary Young in the Special Education Division with confirming her aspirations to become a teacher. Mr. Podolner was named one of the state’s top 10 Golden Apple Award winning teachers in 2004.
Created in 1988 by the award-winning teachers of the Golden Apple Foundation, the Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois program recruits and prepares bright and talented high school graduates who represent a rich ethnic diversity for successful teaching careers in high need schools throughout Illinois.
Ms. White plans to study Special Education at Eastern Illinois University. This year, she has served as Senior Instructional Leadership Corps intern, working with Ms. Young in the TEAM classroom. She has been inspired to pursue teaching by her own brother, Michael, who currently attends the off-campus transitional CITE program, providing independent living preparation for students with special needs. Ms. White has been a three-sport athlete playing field hockey, basketball and softball her first three years until this year when she has focused on softball.
No more than 100 high school and college students are selected each year from public and nonpublic schools and universities throughout Illinois for this coveted honor. All Golden Apple Scholars receive a $2,500 scholarship each of their first two years of college, and $5,000 or $10,000 their junior and senior years depending upon their majors, payable to the Scholar's undergraduate institution. Summer stipends and training are provided, too. Golden Apple Scholars also receive individualized and formal program mentoring support from award-winning teachers who are part of the Golden Apple Scholar network.
This highly selective award is based on students’ written applications, ACT scores and transcripts, and interviews. Golden Apple Scholars must earn a bachelor's degree at one of 48 Illinois universities that participate in the program, obtain Illinois teacher certification and teach for five years in an Illinois school of need.
Board resolution affirms District commitment to holding line on spending
Concerned about the economy and its long-term impact on Oak Park and River Forest property owners, the OPRFHS Board of Education on Jan. 22 adopted a “Resolution Concerning OPRFHS Financial Planning,” affirming its commitment to holding the line on rising costs. This step was taken with the purpose of lessening the long-term tax burden on community residents by avoiding a future referendum to raise the tax rate for the high school. The resolution states:
WHEREAS, the current Illinois school funding structure, including the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL), along with significant unfunded federal and state mandates, place an undue burden on the residential property taxpayers of Oak Park and River Forest, and
WHEREAS, it is the primary duty of the Board of Education of Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 (the “District”) to sustain, protect, and improve the quality of public secondary education in this district, and
WHEREAS, the current long-range financial plan of this district, through the year 2018, involves taxing at the current rate (plus increments not to exceed the lesser of the Urban Consumer Price Index or 5%), and spending at a rate that is likely to exhaust general fund balances and cash reserves, and if so, would require the Board to request another tax increase in order to continue that established rate of spending, and
WHEREAS, we believe that a future referendum for a higher taxing level would not be supported by our taxpayers,
BE IT RESOLVED that the Oak Park and River Forest District 200 Board of Education will embark of a course of action which will result in
1. the development of a long range financial model which is based on the premise that, for the foreseeable future, this district will manage its income and its expenditures such that there will be no need to ask for further tax rate increases that extend beyond the limits of the Urban Consumer Price Index;
2. a method for setting educational priorities in such a way that necessary changes in educational strategies can be managed by changing spending priorities, rather than by seeking higher tax revenues;
3. the District taking an active role in seeking to change the public school funding mechanism in the State of Illinois, along with forming the ability to adapt quickly to any such changes, and
4. a practical showing of its determination to take every available opportunity over the next ten years to contain costs in ways that balance both the District’s ability to sustain its financial health and deliver the highest quality of educational services.
Through careful, zero-based budgeting and continuing cost containment measures, the District already has projected that it can meet its expenses without requiring a tax rate increase through at least the year 2018. Those projections, however, currently project the need for a referendum tax hike about a decade from now if spending continues as currently projected. The volatility of the economy and its potential impact on the revenue side of projections concerns the current Board. For instance, the Urban Consumer Price Index just announced for 2008 was 0.1%, the lowest in well over 15 years, and represents about a $1.5 million annual shortfall in projected revenues from the year 2010-11 on.
Board members said the resolutions, initially proposed by Ralph Lee and approved unanimously, will motivate the Board to methodically assess the costs and efficacy of every program and expenditure going forward to determine what can be cut or revised without harming the quality of the high school's programs and opportunities for students. Before adopting the resolutions, Board members said they had great concerns about and sympathy for the impact of mounting taxes on lower and middle income residents. The resolutions will ensure that both the Board and Administration keep responsible cost containment a way of doing business.
Auditors give District 200 positive report on financial controls and financial stability
Auditors Virchow Krause gave positive reports about District 200’s financial management and stability in its presentation to the Board of Education’s Jan. 13 Finance Committee meeting. The auditors had completed the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and the 2008 Audit Report.
“You have done a great job of managing your expenditures and controlling your operations,” said Timothy Cole of Virchow Krause, outlining how expenditures have remained virtually flat from $59,126,487 in 2007 to $59,566,849 in 2008. This conservative spending approach allows the District to build back its fund balances to ensure operating costs through the future. While the auditors suggested improvements in some technology and internal controls, it noted that District 200 had the fewest comments on internal controls than any of the firm’s other school district clients, even during this first year of the state requiring signficantly greater testing, documentation and mandatory reporting.
On both the cost containment and internal controls fronts, District 200 “has done a very, very good job. You should be very proud of the District. Keep up the good work,” Mr. Cole said.
[The 2008 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and Audit reports are available online by clicking on the titles. Both documents also are available from the OPRF Business Office by calling 708-434-3278.]
Update on status of Buildings and Grounds contract negotiations
April 23, 2009 - The Board of Education approved a 2008-2012 collective bargaining agreement with the Building and Grounds SEIU Local 73 staff, which had approved the tentative agreement by a 31-4 vote Wednesday, April 22.
On April 8, the OPRF Buildings and Grounds staff voted against ratifying the initial tentative agreement reached by the Union and District bargaining teams on March 25. At that time, the Board directed Administration to continue negotiations, while tabling consideration of selection of 3rd party vendor to provide custorial services; direction to staff to negotiate an agreement with selected vendor and resolution of reduction in force of custodial employees.
The contract that was finally approved April 23 included almost all of the provisions in the initial agreement, including:
• four-year contract – 2008-2009 (current year) to 2011-2012
• the contract would cover all 40.7 employees in the bargaining unit, including 28 custodians;
• there would be a one-time bridge payment -- equivalent to two-week’s pay calculated on current 2008-09 base salary -- to transition from current pay system to Kronos timekeeping system. It’s the equivalent of 3.85%, but would not become a part of base salary.
• there would be 1.5 % annual increases in years two, three and four of the contract;
• over-time would be counted at time and a half only after 40 hours a week have been worked, and sick leave would no longer be counted toward that 40 hours;
• all new employees as of March 26, 2009, would be hired on a 2nd tier salary schedule that would be 77.5 % of the current starting hourly wages for each B & G classification – e.g., the current hourly starting wage is $23.24, and under the new tier for new employees, it would be $18/hour;
• the 2nd tier package also provides for fewer sick and vacation days for new employees;
• Health benefits would remain the same and reflect significant changes put in place over the past several years as reflected in the faculty contracts negotiated over the past 5 years;
• the working day would increase by 15 minutes from 7.45 hours to 8 hours for 24 custodians who currently work that shorter schedule;
• a new performance evaluation and compensation system would be put in place; and
• there would be a jointly developed professional development program, including training in such areas as dealing with blood- and air-borne pathogens, as well as job skills, etc.
Two significant changes between the versions dealt with performance evaluations and vacation days. The approved agreement provides for a more positive incentive program for high performing employees rather than a more punitive approach for employees receiving poor evaluations. The approved contract did not implement proposed changes in vacation benefits for existing employees.
The contract represents an average increase of $270,000 per year over the 4 year term of the contract and is within the District’s 5-year plan.
OPRF explores outsourcing custodial services
Jan. 26, 2009 - The Board of Education has directed the administration to pursue two parallel tracks concerning Building and Grounds services.
Track 1
The District continues to engage the Buildings and Grounds employee group (SEIU) in negotiations as the contract between the parties expired on June 30, 2008, and the District will work in good faith with B & G to negotiate a new contract.
Track 2
On Jan. 26, the District solicited proposals for outsourcing custodial services to a third party vendor.
The Board has only authorized the District to seek RFPs (Requests for Proposals) at this time. The RFPs are only for the outsourcing of custodial services to a third party vendor. There are 28 custodians who currently work for the District full-time in this capacity. In accordance with the law, the District on Nov. 26, issued the 60-day notice to local Buildings and Grounds/SEIU Local 73 stewards/representatives of its intent to solicit RFPs for outsourcing custodial services. In addition, the District had a public hearing at 7:30 p.m. Thurs. Jan. 22 for public comment on the decision to solicit 3rd party vendor proposals.
This step is NOT a decision to actually outsource these services. The Board intends to review the potential benefits to the District in relation to services provided before making a decision about outsourcing. It cannot make that review or that determination until and unless proposals are sought, received and compared.
The decision to seek RFPs for outsourcing custodial services to a third party vendor is being made so that the Board can determine how much, if any, financial savings might be realized from outsourcing. The national, regional, state, and local economic situation and conditions for the foreseeable future require that the District consider every available means to find cost savings.
A complete timeline regarding steps towards outsourcing and third party vendors is available by clicking here.
World Languages Societies honors students recognized
The World Languages Division has inducted new members into its honors societies this year, based on the academic criteria listed below. Congratulations!
Societé Honoraire de Français (French): Claire Austin-Kulat, Sophianna Banholzer, Kirsten Carey, Caitlin Fallahay, Sarah Green, Emma Heidorn, Marnie Kinnaird, Lucy McNichols, Isabelle Neylan, Margaret O’Brien, Iszak Sheft, Kelsey Shinners, Jacqueline Soro, Alison Stefanik, Kimberly Stefanik, Anne Tan, John Verticchio, David Walder, Winona Weindling.
Deutsche Ehrenverbingdung: Helen Beilinson, Elizabeth Donahue, Peter Hanneman, Natalie House, David Hullinger, Joshua Novatsky, Linnea Peterson-Bunker, Christine Slowiak.
Società Onoraria Italica: Ted Barrows, Kathleen Black, Sam Blobaum, Hannah Bloyd-Peshkin, Alexandra Brozek, Vincent Chapa, Margaret Cox, Jordan Gamble, Cailun Gangi, James Hanley, Samuel Hines, Rachel Huck, Lily Jordahl, Alysa Levi-D’Ancona, Marina Lo Casto, David Meyerson, Chelsea Moore, Madeline Pesavento, Max Settle-Winick, Calvin Streit.
Nihongo Yūtōseikai: Carl Bernardo, Elizabeth Crowell, Harry Huggins, Saskia Kiell, Taylor Kirk, Grace Kraft, Jack O’Brien, Kristen Shelstad, Sarah Streit, Kristen Warren.
Societas Honoris Classica: Emily Biester, Christopher Bunkers, Rebecca Bunschoten, John Hazinski, Alix Johnson, Grace Jolicoeur, Ariel Levin, Alizarin Menninga, Grace Mizen, Alana Murphy, Stephen Rees, Jessie Schwartz, Theodore Thompson, Thomas Vogel, James Yu.
Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica: Dana Alexander, Kioto Aoki, Rachel Avcioglu, John Azuma, Dylan Baig, Rebecca Baiman, Rebecca Barron, Mariah Bender, Holly Bezinovich, Rachel Brade, Daniel Brennan, Eric Bruynseels, Paul Bry, Samiera Caldwell, Benjamin Carbery, John Casey, Mary Kate Cassidy, Alexandra Chapman, James Cofsky, Christian Conway, Alison Coogan, Connor Cornelius-Burke, Carson Dahl, Emily Damian, Sarina Donahue, Brendan Donley, Erik Duwe, Mary Kathryn English, Michael Fahling, Michael Fernadopulle, Isabel Firpo, Michael Frank, Emily Freedman, Elise Gadaud, Maximiliano Garcia, Sarah Garvey, Noah Gilmore, Matthew Goodsmith, Rebecca Gordon, Haley Hammond, Darcy Hargadon, Audrey Hefferman, Caitlin Hodes, Jasmine Hosley, Christopher Huettel, Tess Johnson, Nicolette Johnson, Lindsey Jones, David Kangmeng, William Kemper, Suzanne Kirk, Gabrielle Klugman, Daniel Knickelbein, Molly Kovats, Elyse Kowalczuk, Christopher Kurtz, Zoe Kusinitz, Thomas Lamm, Addison Lauerman, Pauline Lazzeretti, Jingyi Liu, Jessica Luttrell, Sarah Macey, Maximillian Mahalek, Hannah Martin, Jasmine McBroom, Kate McCole, Christian Mgbonyebi, Elena Michaels, Rebecca Mitrovich, Cullen Mooney, Patrick Naureckas, Grace Nieslawski, Caleb Nordgren, Luke O’Connell, Maeve O’Connor, Gift Onyenso, Carmen Perez, McLean Peterson, Anthony Phelps, Thomas Poulos, Maggie Quinn, Margaret Ramette, Zoe Rand, Nicole Renfroe, William Reynolds-Ejzak, Madeline Rippin, Aaron Robertson, Christian Robinson, Olivia Romano, Lauren Russ, Grace Ryan, Chiara Santiago, Gaia Santiago, Camille Scott, Rachel Shannon, Ashley Shikiya, Logan Silber, Rachel Silverman, Rachel Smylie, Georgina Sorrentino, Audrey Springer, Stephanie Strahler, Sarah Stumbras, Timothy Sutton, Tristan Swanson, Ellen Tharp, Sarah Uchison, Ariel Vincent, Patricia Vogel, Katrina Vogel, Adam Wallace, Emma Waterman, Benjamin Wilks, Morgan Williams, Babatunde Williams, Kellie Winans, Joelle Wolfe, Nadia Yala, Natalia Zaldivar, Ethan Zimmerman.
World Languages Honor Societies Criteria:
French. The Antoine de St. Exupéry Chapter of the Société Honoraire de Français, which is sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of French, was established in 1981. To qualify for membership, a student must be in his/her third, fourth, or fifth year of high school honors level French, have maintained semester grades of A in the three preceding semesters of high school honors French, and have a minimum 3.2 weighted GPA.
German. The Alpha Chi Chapter of the Deutsche Ehrenverbindung, which is sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of German, was established in 1985. To qualify for membership, a student must be in his/her third or fourth year of high school honors level German, have maintained semester grades of A in the three preceding semesters of high school German, and have a minimum 3.2 weighted GPA.
Italian. The Dante Alighieri Chapter of the Società Onoraria Italica, which is sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of Italian, was established in 1991. To qualify for membership, a student must be in his/her third, fourth, or fifth year of high school honors level Italian, have maintained semester grades of A in the three preceding semesters of high school honors Italian, and have a minimum 3.2 weighted GPA.
Japanese. The Seiken Chapter of the Nihongo Yūtōseikai, which is sponsored by the National Council of Japanese Language Teachers, was established in 1991. To qualify for membership, a student must be in his/her third or fourth year of high school honors level Japanese, have maintained semester grades of A in the three preceding semesters of high school Japanese, have a minimum 3.2 weighted GPA, and have demonstrated interest in language and culture activities.
Latin. The Sigma Lambda Chapter of the Societas Honoris Classica, which is sponsored by the National Junior Classical League, was established in 1985. To qualify for membership, a student must be in his/her third or fourth year of high school honors level Latin, have maintained semester grades of A in the three preceding semesters of high school Latin, have a minimum 3.2 weighted GPA, and have exemplified good citizenship.
Spanish. The Doña Perfecta Chapter of the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica, which is sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese, was established in 1979. To qualify for membership, a student must be in his/her third, fourth, or fifth year of high school honors level Spanish, have maintained semester grades of A in the three preceding semesters of high school honors Spanish, and have a minimum 3.2 weighted GPA.
Congratulations to our students on their varied and continuing accomplishments!
Individual Wrestling State Finals - Seven Huskie wrestlers qualified this past weekend for Individual State Finals competition Feb. 20-21 at Champaign: Nick Dardanes-130 lbs.; Chris Dardanes-125 lbs.; Ellis Coleman-135 lbs.; Dan Martin-145 lbs.; Sammy Brooks-152 lbs.; Ben Brooks-189 lbs., and LaQuan Hightower-215 lbs. Go, Huskies!
Our wrestler featured in both Chicago papers today: http://yourseason.suntimes.com/playeroftheweek/1440773,021908-wrestling-coleman.article
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-20-prep-zone-westfeb20,0,2697446.story
Also, our own Niall Collins will be one of the four grand marshals, honored for their combined contributions of more than 120 years to the sport of wrestling, by leading the annual Grand March of Finalists Sat. Feb. 21 before the championship bouts of the 72nd IHSA Individual Wrestling State Final Tournament.
First held in 1975, the annual March of Finalists is conducted at the State Tournament by the IHSA in conjunction with the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association (IWCOA) and the Assembly Hall. Each year the grand marshals are honored for their contributions to the sport and to the young men and women who participate in it. They lead the 56 individual finalists and their coaches in a foot-stomping, strobe-flash-popping, breathtaking Grand March around the Assembly Hall arena floor just prior to the championship bouts. The annual crowd in excess of 10,000 is witness to a spectacle of high school athletics seen nowhere else in America.
Here is a closer look at our own Huskie Grand Marshal: Niall Collins coached high school wrestling in Illinois for 30 years, compiling 286 career dual meet victories during his 23 seasons as the head coach at Chicago (St. Patrick) and Oak Park (O.P.-River Forest). Collins’ coaching career included one individual state champion, five state place-winners, 25 state final qualifiers and an Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association (IWCOA) Scholastic Wrestler of the Year.
Collins involvement with the Illinois Wrestling Federation and IWCOA throughout his career would lead to his school’s hosting a combined 15 Illinois Wrestling Federation Greco State Championships and two Illinois Wrestling Federation State Freestyle Championships. The IWCOA and St. Patrick’s High School Hall of Fame member has refereed Illinois Wrestling Federation Championships for 25 years and been named an IWCOA Friend of Wrestling. He has also spent time as a wrestling coach for the Illinois Wrestling Federation Cadets and served on the National Team staff. Each winter, Oak Park-River Forest hosts a tournament named in the memory of his late wife, Susan Collins.
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Girls’ Basketball - After a win versus Queen of Peace Tuesday night the Huskies faced off with Fenwick Thursday night for the Regional Championship. After a hard fought game the Huskies lost 54-45. Jennifer McAdam advanced in the three point showdown.
Boys' Swimming – 1 p.m. Sat. Feb. 21 - The Huskies will swim at Sectionals this Saturday. The competition begins at 1 p.m. at Fenwick High School.
Cheer - After state competition last weekend, Huskie cheerleaders finished 19th out of the 42 Illinois Cheerleading Coaches Association’s "large varsity" teams in the state for the season, showing significant growth from last year for our young team!
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The Huskies TEAM basketball team pullout one of the greatest comebacks in basketball history today, Fri. Feb. 20, with a win against West Leyden in double overtime. The Huskies won 69 to 65 five in one of the best games ever played in the Field House. Congrats to high scorers Terrance Plaxico, Andrew Bacala, and Garrison Lyons. All the TEAM huskies played their hearts out. Special thanks to Mary Young, Ted Domanchuk, Jon Adelman, Joe Ordman, Mike Carmody, and all TEAM, PE and B & G staff, Anthony Svejda and the pep band, Elaine Hlavach and her Choral group, our Cheerleaders and the Drill team and the Athletic Department. The game will featured on the Oak Leaves website sometime this coming week!
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Speech Team advances to IHSA State Finals at Belleville West High School Feb. 20-21, with special kudos to freshman Danielle Zarbin, who was Sectional Champion, taking 1st in Radio Speaking advancing to State! Only the top three in each event advance to State Competition.
Congratulations to Sam Blobaum (Jr) 5th place in Impromptu Speaking and Steve Selwa (Sr) 7th place in Humorous Interpretation.
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Scholastic Bowl - Congrats go out to Senior Charlie Carbery, who has been nominated for the second year to the All Sectional team and West Suburban All Conference team. A new honor for Charlie is that he is a finalist for the all-state team. Way to go! Good luck to our team at March 10 Regionals, March 14 Sectionals, and March 20 State Finals.
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The Huskie Chess Team placed 29th seed in State Finals competition in Peoria last weekend, winning matches against 13th seed Lane Tech and led by outstanding players Clare Mauney, Jonah Freed, Adam Hart, David Woulfe, Jon Cox, and Nick Thompson (Captain). The team – including Robert Downey, Connor Stratton, and Jack Rossiter-Munley -- also won against 17th seed Highland Park, 20th seed Riverside Brookfield, and 16th seed St. Ignatius College Prep during the two-day tournament, moving up from 46th to 29th out of 122 schools in the state.
A special kudos also goes to Robert Downey on winning Most Improved Player of the Year for OPRFHS at the West Suburban Conference Tournament.Congratulations also to Coaches Kyle Farley, John Bokum and Assistant Coach Alegra Quane.
Any students interested in playing chess this spring or next fall, please contact Mr. Farley (kfarley@oprfhs.org) or Mr. Bokum (jbokum@oprfhs.org).
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Winter sports and activities - BOYS' WRESTLING WINS STATE TITLE!
Congratulations to our Boys' Wrestling Team and Head Coach Mike Powell - CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONS!
Their state victory was celebrated and recognized Friday, March 6 at an assembly in the Field House, attended by Oak Park Village Board President David Pope, District 200 Board President Jacques Conway, and Board member Sharon Patchak-Layman.
Additionally, a story will run featuring wrestler Nick Dardanes on WGN-TV Channel 9 this Sunday, March 8, between 9:40 and 10 p.m. Also, the Chicago Tribune has named Nick the Athlete of the Month. The article is expected to run in this Sunday’s Sports section or the following week, depending upon breaking news space needs.
Box Score
189—Ben Brook (OPRF) TF 4:17 22-7 Tim Meyer (Minoo); OPRF leads 5-0
215—Matt Monson (OPRF) D 11-5 Brandon Haase (Minoo); OPRF leads 8-0
285—Cody Jones (Minoo) D 3-0 Laquan Hightower (OPRF); OPRF leads 8-3
103—Leo Ruettiger (Minoo) D 4-2 Joey Brown (OPRF); OPRF leads 8-6
112—Bobby Zabel (Minoo) F 1:20 Kendall Hutchinsa (OPRF); Minoo leads 12-8
119—Joeie Ruettiger (Minoo) MD 19-7 Frank Picchiotti (OPRF); Minoo leads 16-8
125—Criss Dardanes (OPRF) F 5:41 Brian Bakoski (Minoo); Minoo leads 16-14
130—Nick Dardanes (OPRF) MD 19-8 Blake Montella (Minoo); OPRF leads 18-16
135—Ellis Coleman (OPRF) F 3:51 Sean Kenny (Minoo); OPRF leads 24-16
140—Marcus Rangel (Minoo) MD 10-1 Aaron Minnis (OPRF); OPRF leads 24-20
145—Dan Martin (OPRF) D 12-5 Kalvin Hill (Minoo); OPRF leads 27-20
152—Ryan Warczynski (Minoo) MD 11-0 Brock Freisen (OPRF); OPRF leads 27-24
160—Sam Brooks (OPRF) F 1:05 Mitch Brozovich (Minoo); OPRF leads 33-24
171—Brandon Collofello (Minoo) Forfeit; OPRF 33-30 FinalBoys Swimming/Diving at New Trier H.S.
Friday, Feb. 27
* Diving Preliminaries – 9 a.m.
* Swimming Preliminaries - 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 28
* Swim/Diving Finals – 1 p.m.
Special Olympics Basketball teams bring home silver medals
March 16, 2009 - OPRF HS sent two teams downstate to the Special Olympics State basketball games this past weekend, March 13-14, in Normal, IL. The OPRF Junior Varsity team came home with silver medals finishing second in Division 1. The OPRF Varsity team finished second in Division 4 winning silver medals.
Also, four OPRF players were awarded Spirit Of The Games awards for their performances: Bradford Stewart and Jackie Finn on the JV team, and Garrison Lyons and Charlie O’Connor on the Varsity.
Please congratulate our students and coaches:
Varsity Team:
Varsity Team:
Andrew Bacalao
Kyle Hedlund
Georgia Hunter
Garrison Lyons
Patrick Milburn
Charlie O’Connor
Clinton Plaxico
Terrance Plaxico
Junior Varsity Team:
Scott Birkentall
Nicky Bishop
Billy Canavan
Sara Christensen
Ian Elsen
Jackie Finn
Eliza Grahnke
Karina Leonard
Patrick McCarthy
Claire Puiszis
Rachael Rice
Richard Rogers
Alex Stevic
Bradford Stewart
Dana Wax
Coaches:
John Gann, head coach
Jon Adelman
Joe Ordman
Jake Kyrias-Gann
Mike Carmody
For extra fun, Special Olympics this year for the first time conducted three NBA-style skills competitions on Friday eveningin which several Huskies also participated:
- 3 Point Shootout: Patrick Milburn, Charlie O’Connor, Garrison Lyons
- Slam Dunk Contest: Patrick McCarthy
- Free-Throw Contest: Jackie Finn, Rachael Rice, Patrick McCarthy, Billy Canavan, Clinton Plaxico, Terrance Plaxico
This was the fourth season for the OPRF Special Olympics basketball program and the first season that both teams qualified for the state tournament. The teams were supported by over fifty people consisting of family, friends and teachers who made the trip down to Normal. We were especially glad to have Ms Mary Young (OPRF Special Ed teacher) in the crowd cheering us on, and we appreciate the support of all of the teachers, administrators, and staff in the Special Education and Athletic departments.
Mon. Feb. 23, 2009 - Math Team - OPRF Math Team won the ICTM Regional Competition the weekend of Feb. 20-21 "The students worked hard, with several team members missing, to emerge victorious over our opponents including long-time rival Lyons Township," said Math Team Coach Sheila Hardin. "we had many notable contributions and many first and second place individual and team winners. The students are excited to begin preparing for the State Competition.
Individual Wrestling – State Final results
Congratulations to our wrestlers at the individual state finals competition this weekend:
Nick Dardanes-Class 3A State Champion 130lbs.
Danny Martin 2nd place 145
Ellis Coleman 3rd place 135
Chris Dardanes 4th place 145
Also competing at the State Finals were: Sam Brooks at 152; Ben Brooks at 189; Laquan Hightower at 285.
The Wrestling Team will compete Tues. Feb. 24 in the Team Dual Sectionals vs. Sandburg at Marist H.S. at 6 p.m. The Dual Team State Championship is this Sat. Feb. 28 in Bloomington, IL.
Speech Team – Danielle Zarbin, the only freshman to qualify for state finals, placed 19th in the state in radio speaking at the 69th Annual IHSA State Speech Competition Feb. 20-21 at Belleville West High School. “We are extremely proud of Danielle and look forward to the next three years of competition,” said Head Coach Patt Cheney. Danielle has also qualified for the Illinois Speech and Theatre Association S.C.O.T.I.E. Tournament of Champions at Illinois State University on February 27-28 in Radio Speaking and Prose Reading. She is one of 10 OPRFHS students who has qualified for this tournament of 1st place champions.
Boys’ Swimming – qualified at sectionals for State Finals Competition at New Trier H.S. Fri. Feb. 27 and Sat. Feb. 28. Head Coach Peter Quinn said, “Be proud and give a shout out to the following swimmers and divers who represented OPRF with speed, dignity, and fashionable body suits at Saturday's sectional meet. Out of the 19 swims, all were lifetime best times, and both divers scored seasonal bests. We qualified 3 relays and 2 individuals that will proudly represent the school at the state meet.” Qualifiers and team members are:
David Hullinger, Tom Vogel
Nathaniel Williams
Charlie Thompson
Baron Selkregg
:
200 Medley Relay--STATE QUALIFIERS
Colin Krueger
Armando Lee
Eric Hallman
Tommy Poulos
200 Free Relay--STATE QUALIFIERS
Eric Hallman
Tommy Poulos
Armando Lee
David Anderson
400 Free Relay--STATE QUALIFIERS
Eric Hallman
Dylan O'Connell
Luke O'Connell
Tommy Poulos
200 Individual Medley--STATE QUALIFIER
Eric Hallman--NEW TEAM RECORD
Diving--STATE QUALIFIER
Zach Duey
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MATH: Congratulations to sophomore Ben Mildenhall and junior Evangalie Zachos who were selected for to compete on the 15-member Area Regional Math League team. Top math students from the Chicagoland area gathered at Evanston High School to compete for one of these spots last weekend. This “all star” math team will compete at a nationwide contest taking place at three sites -- Penn State, University of Iowa, and San Jose State – the weekend after Memorial Day.
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GIRLS' HOCKEY (non school-sponsored) Congratulations to the OPRF Girls’ Hockey Team on its victory in Sunday’s Founders Cup Championship game. This non-school affiliated team made up of students from Oak Park and River Forest High School defeated the Andrews Rattlers 2-1 to bring home the Founders Cup for the SECOND year in a row! Please congratulate team members Samantha Azuma, Grace Brofman, Caitlin Flynn, Bianca Bonfim, Laura Brennan, Alyssia Evans, Emily Hendrix, Morgan McCall and Samantha Zitzer.
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SCOTIE SPEECH - OPRFHS Huskies soared at S.C.O.T.I.E. Tournament of Champions at Illinois State University: Freshman Danielle Zarbin - 1st place, Prose; 4th place - Radio Speaking; TOURNAMENT SPECIAL 4th Place AWARD -- and one of eight students in the state to receive a SCOTIE COMMISSION SCHOLARSHIP Award (towards Summer Speech Camp); junior Sam Blobaum - 2nd place, Impromptu Speaking; freshman Andrew Borg and Sam Blobaum, 3rd place, Improvisational Duet Acting; Andrew Borg, 9th place - Original Comedy; seniors Megan Cheney and Elayna Citko - 2nd place, Student Judges- Superior ranking.
Congratulations also to these OPRFHS students who qualified for S.C.O.T.I.E. Tournament of Champions but were not able to attend because they were in the “Beauty and the Beast” production: Steve Selwa in Humorous Interp and Improv Duet Acting, Corey McCarey in Improv Duet Acting, Audrey Roen in Dramatic Interpretation, and Alexandria Frisch in Oratorical Declamation and Poetry, and to speech coaches Patt Cheney, Matt Johnston, Sharon Johnston, and Michael Ashford
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SPECIAL OLYMPICS - OPRF sent two teams downstate to the Special Olympics State basketball games this past weekend, March 13-14, in Normal, IL. The OPRF Junior Varsity team came home with silver medals finishing second in Division 1. The OPRF Varsity team finished second in Division 4 winning silver medals. Also, four OPRF players were awarded Spirit Of The Games awards for their performances:
• Bradford Stewart and Jackie Finn - JV team
• Garrison Lyons and Charlie O’Connor - Varsity.
Please congratulate all of our students and coaches:
• Varsity Team: Andrew Bacalao, Kyle Hedlund, Georgia Hunter, Garrison Lyons, Patrick Milburn, Charlie O’Connor, Clinton Plaxico, and Terrance Plaxico.
• Junior Varsity Team: Scott Birkentall, Nicky Bishop, Billy Canavan, Sara Christensen, Ian Elsen, Jackie Finn, Eliza Grahnke, Karina Leonard, Patrick McCarthy, Claire Puiszis, Rachael Rice, Richard Rogers, Alex Stevic, Bradford Stewart, and Dana Wax.
• Coaches: Head Coach John Gann, Jon Adelman, Joe Ordman, Jake Kyrias-Gann, and Mike Carmody.
For extra fun, Special Olympics this year for the first time conducted three NBA-style skills competitions on Friday eveningin which several Huskies also participated:
• 3 Point Shootout: Patrick Milburn, Charlie O’Connor, Garrison Lyons
• Slam Dunk Contest: Patrick McCarthy
• Free-Throw Contest: Jackie Finn, Rachael Rice, Patrick McCarthy, Billy Canavan, Clinton Plaxico, Terrance Plaxico
This was the fourth season for the OPRF Special Olympics basketball program and the first season that both teams qualified for the state tournament! The teams were supported by more than 50 family, friends and teachers who made the trip down to Normal. We were especially glad to have Ms Mary Young (OPRF Special Ed teacher) in the crowd cheering us on, and we appreciate the support of all of the teachers, administrators, and staff in the Special Education and Athletic departments.
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DEBATE: Debate Society students finish 2nd in state JV competition: At the Illinois Speech and Theater Association JV State Championships in Northbrook this weekend, sophomores James Hanley and Will Hardwicke continued their outstanding year by finishing in second place in the JV division. They were undefeated with a perfect 5-0 record in their preliminary debates and qualified for championship rounds as the 2nd overall seed, making it all the way to finals where they lost to New Trier on a very close, split 2-1 decision. This continues an outstanding year for James and Will, including winning the tournament championships in JV at Glenbrooks (the largest debate tournament in the country and the second year in a row Hanley/Hardwicke have won that tournament) and at Marquette University High School, as well as excellent performances in the Varsity division at various tournaments. James Hanley was also named the third-highest individual speaker in the JV division in the state of Illinois.
OPRF's Varsity Team and coaches David Song and Ashley Amaya are preparing for this weekend's IHSA Varsity State Championships at Illinois Wesleyan and will be represented by seniors Brendan Burke, Elliot Stoller, Vincent Bauer, Peter Sadowski, junior John Hazinski, and sophomore James Hanley. The Varsity debaters have built on the successes of the last two seasons and have won the Evanston Township tournament, recently placed among the top 20 teams at the prestigious Harvard University National Debate Tournament and placed two teams in the top 6 at the Maine East Varsity tournament. Over the course of the year, they've also racked up head-to-head wins against the top students from in-state rivals Glenbrook North and defending state champs Glenbrook South.
OPRF has placed in the Top 5 at IHSA the last two years and had IHSA All-State Debaters the last two years, so we're hoping to build on or even surpass that success this weekend. We wish the coaches and students luck in their effort to bring home a State Championship!
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JAZZ - Jazz program finishes 1st out of 14 in area jazz fest - The OPRF Jazz program has just finished their competition season with an outstanding showing at the Mundelein Jazz Festival Saturday.The Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo took 1st place out of 14 schools in the Chicago-land area. The Jazz Ensemble also was recognized for Best Rhythm and Trumpet section of the day! And if that was not enough, Ben Hemenway (sophomore guitar) was the outstanding soloist of the day. This was OPRF's second time in three years receiving this honor. Please congratulate all of these talented students. Great Kids, Great Band, Great School! GO HUSKIES!
Saxes - Nick Ellman, Emma Silverman, Connor Stratton, Steve Rees, Pat Naureckas; Trumpets - John Hazinski, Matt Goodsmith, Kyle Harris, Chris Farruggia, Evan Twitchell; Trombones - Luke Kahn, Dan Coffman, Jon Cox, Alex Stocker; Rhythm Section - Piano - Paul Whalen, Max Stolarski; Bass - Ethan Philion; Set - Danny Milojevic, Chris Bunkers, Zach Batteigir and Guitar - Ben Hemenway.
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ALL STATE THEATRE: Speech Team sponsor Patt Cheney was the 2009 Executive Director of the 34th Illinois High School Theatre Festival and 2009 All-State Production of Hair Spray. So it was with particular pride, that 24 OPRFHS students joined by faculty members Joe Hallissey and Tracy Strimple participated in this year’s festival and production.
Three students had featured roles in the All-State Production: Jazmine Reynolds - Little Inez; Asa Cain - Thad, and Megan Cheney -- Wigs/Costumes/Make Up.
Three students also participated in College and University Auditions (Jonathan Rouse, Alex Kent, and Steve Selwa). They auditioned for 35-40 schools, and each received 20-30 call backs for program admission and possible scholarships.
The Illinois Theatre Association awarded Ms. Cheney and OPRFHS the Special Award Plaque for outstanding contributions in making 2009 a success.
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SPOKEN WORD FINALS: OPRF’s Spoken Word Club won 2nd place – out of 56 teams! – at the Louder than a Bomb Chicago Teen Poetry Slam. Grace Fondow, Keenan Smith, Asia Calcagno, Rebecca Johnson, Kelly Reuter and Brandon Daniels represented OPRFHS so well on so many levels in front of a sold out crowd of 1,200 people Sunday, March 8, at Chicago’s Vic Theatre!
In addition, Spoken Word Coach Peter Kahn received a special trophy for best teacher/coach, and Ms. Calcagno earned a slot on the six-person Chicago "all-star" team that will compete in nationals this July.
Congratulations to the students and coaches Peter Kahn and Christina Santana.
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GERMAN DAY AWARDS: OPRF and its German program under the tutelage of Frau Carol Ewald continued its streak of excellence at the annual Chicagoland competition for German students. OPRFHS once again won more of the trophies than any other school at the annual German Day Competition at UIC. Among 17 participating schools, OPRF was awarded seven of the 21 trophies in seven categories – a full third of all of the trophies awarded. Go Huskies!
• Paul Deziel 1st Place Poetry
• Katie Wilkes 2nd Place Poetry
• Evangelie Zachos 2 Place Culture Essay
• Joshua Novatsky 3rd Place Spelling
• Abigail Lyons 2nd Place Spelling
• Moritz Ullmann 1st Place Impressions of America Essay
• Tom Kasang, Linnea Peterson-Bunker, Evangelie Zachos, Peter Hanneman, Dan Scherer-Emunds 2nd place Skit
Congratulations also to Emma Binns and Helen VanderGriend for City Guide presentation, Jamie Guerrara, Natalie House, Abilgail Lyons, and Will Bouman for a German Advertising Video and to the rest of the 3rd-4th year German class for help with props and scenery--a real team effort.
Students also recently welcomed Klaus Rosenberger, the Assistant Director of the Youth Hostel in Mittenwald, Bavaria, Germany, who spoke about Germany’s environmental efforts. He also took photos of our school for a brochure advertising the international nature of the programs that the Mittenwald hostel offers its guests. Our students – who will be traveling to Germany this summer – stay at the hostel after a two-week stay in Hamburg. The hostel is located on a pre-historic meadow (Buckelwiese) surrounded by the Karwendel and Wetterstein Mountains. The 380 degree view surrounding the hostel is spectacular without adulterating development because the Buckelwiesen is a protected nature area.
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IMEA state awards: The OPRF Music Program congratulates the following students on their participation and outstanding performances at the Jan. 30 Illinois Music Educators All-State Conference in Peoria:
Lukas Meyer - All-State Choir - Tenor I; Larry Blake - All-State Choir - Bass I; Mac Harris - All-State Choir - Bass II; Carla Fager - All-State Honors Band - Clarinet - 9th in state Nick Ellman - All-State Jazz Band - Lead Alto - 3rd in state Paul Whalen - All-State Honors Jazz Band - Piano - 3rd in state Rebecca Malina - All-State Orchestra - Violin I - 30th in state Ben Mildenhall - All-State Honors Orchestra - Violin I - 10th in state Will Reynolds - All-State Honors Orchestra - Violin I - 17th in state Ethan Philion - All-State Honors Orchestra - Bass - 6th in state Sarah Stumbras - All-State Orchestra - Bass - 10th in state Adele-Marie Buis - All-State Honors Orchestra - Oboe - 3rd in state Spencer Brown - All-State Honors Orchestra - Tuba - 2nd in state.
These students competed for a top spot at the state level. OPRF continues to be one of the most represented programs in the state of Illinois. Congratulations also to faculty members Anthony Svejda, Patrick Pearson and Elaine Hlavach.
The OPRF Jazz program also finished its competition season with an outstanding showing at the Mundelein Jazz Festival Saturday.The Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo took 1st place out of 14 schools in the Chicago-land area. The Jazz Ensemble also was recognized for Best Rhythm and Trumpet section of the day, and Ben Hemenway (sophomore guitar) was the outstanding soloist of the day. This was OPRF's second time in three years receiving this honor. Please congratulate all of these talented students. Great Kids, Great Band, Great School! GO HUSKIES!
Saxes - Nick Ellman, Emma Silverman, Connor Stratton, Steve Rees, Pat Naureckas; Trumpets - John Hazinski, Matt Goodsmith, Kyle Harris, Chris Farruggia, Evan Twitchell; Trombones - Luke Kahn, Dan Coffman, Jon Cox, Alex Stocker; Rhythm Section - Piano - Paul Whalen, Max Stolarski; Bass - Ethan Philion; Set - Danny Milojevic, Chris Bunkers, Zach Batteigir and Guitar - Ben Hemenway.
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MOCK TRIAL: On March 20-21, OPRF’s Mock Trial team competed in the state tournament in Springfield. Drew Angle and Peter Hanneman received Outstanding Witness awards. Other Mock Trial Team members were Margaret Cox, Meghan Desai, Elliott Kunkel, Billy Michaels and Maria Murray.
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ENVIRONMENTAL: Michael Frank received an Award of Environmental Stewardship from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago for his work promoting the use of rain barrels for water conservation. Michael developed a brochure about the construction nad use of rain barrels as part of his Eagle Scout project.
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SHAKESPEARE: On February 4th and 5th, OPRFHS sponsored its inaugural Shakespeare Monologue Competition in which students read monologues of their choice before three judges. The competition was organized by senior Lizzie Lehman and sponsored by teacher James Bell of the English department. With a monologue from Midsummer Night’s Dream, Junior Lilly McGee won the contest and the right to advance to the regional competition on February 23rd at Roosevelt University. The successful event promises to be an exciting yearly fixture for the school.
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FOOTBALL: On Feb. 4, National Signing Day for Football, senior Mark Willis, an OPRF student athlete, signed a letter of intent to play football at the University of Wyoming – an NCAA Division 1 school -- next fall. “We are very proud of his accomplishments and excited for his bright future,” said Assistant Athletic Director Courtney Sakalleris. Mark is the first student this year to declare his intent to play college sports with a particular college. Last year, OPRF was proud to announce that 51 of its student-athletes went on to participate in collegiate athletics, 12 at NCAA Division I colleges. More students are expected to announce their choices later this spring.
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KAYAK/CANOE: Congratulations to junior Hannah Bloyd-Peshkin, recently featured in the premier national circulation kayaking and canoeing magazine and honored by the Superintendent and Board of Education for her accomplishments in kayaking. The article noted that at 17, “she’s already earned her three-start British Canoe Unior credntials and is a sought-after instructor at the Great Lakes Sea Akayak Symposium.” This summer, she will earn her Instructor’s Certification credictnial from the Amreican Canoe Association, and plans to take a gap year after her 2010 graduation to travel and paddle around the country and world.
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Faculty and Staff awards/honors and recognitions
SPECIAL EDUCATION: Four OPRFHS faculty members have been recipients of 2009 Mini-Grants, awarded by the Illinois Council for Exceptional Children.
• Jeanne McCoy - $200 to support the program, “Enhancing Exercise, Therapeutic and Recreational-Leisure Options for Students with Special Needs, using the Nintendo Wii;”
• Michael Byars - $200, in support of his “SAT & ACT Preparation-Handheld Device” program;
• Meghan Kennedy - $200 in support of “Wii at CITE are Ready for Fitness and Fun!”
• Lisa Vincent - $200 for “Wii at CITE Need Tools to Make Wii/Mii the Best I Can Bii!” $200
The winners will present information about their innovative programs and receive their awards at a ceremony Sun. Feb. 22 from 1-3 p.m. at the OPRFHS Staff Café.
The Illinois Council for Exceptional Children is a National Special Needs Organization that provides information/grants to educators in various disciplines (ED, LD, TEAM) and provides cutting edge literature/papers/dissertations from educational colleges with studies on such current topics as Response to Intervention and NCLB ramifications for students with special needs. The mission is to meet the needs of special edcators in their work with children with exceptionalities and their families. OPRFHS faculty member Mary Young is current president of the Local Chapter 557 which serves the western suburbs ranging from Oak Park all the way out to St. Charles.
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ITALIAN: Italian teacher Raffaella Spilotro-Guida was one of two teachers chosen by the Italian Consulate to represent the Chicago area at a groundbreaking youth conference in Rome. Ms. Spilotro spent a week last December at the UN World Food Program Headquarters discussing concerns, challenges facing Italians and ways to encourage the sharing of Italian language and culture abroad.
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ENGLISH:
• Paul Noble - was the lead actor last summer in Steppenwolf's First Look 101 production of Pursued by Happiness by Keith Huff;
• Kristen Holtschlag-- completed a Fulbright-Hays Fellowship to study for a month in Bulgaria last summer;
• Brendan Lee -- English Drama Media, a journal connected to the British NCTE, will publish Brendan's essay about Pete Kahn and our Spoken Word program in the February edition, which will feature ideas for teaching poetry to high school students;
• Avi Lessing – will have a chapter, "A Soft Approach to Hard Teaching," published in a soon-to-be-published book;
• Peter Kahn and Peter Quinn - will make a presentation on teaching the novel Upstate to at-risk students at the November NCTE Annual Convention in San Antonio;
• Brendan Lee - will make a presentation at the same convention on teaching grammar (specifically, how high school English teachers can teach sentence and paragraph diagramming using the Christensen method of diagramming for levels of generality);
• At the same convention, Division Head Steve Gevinson will join three other Chicago area English department heads on a panel on bringing about change in an English department.
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SPOKEN WORD: Spoken Word Coach Peter Kahn received a special trophy at this year’s Chicagoland Louder than a Bomb poetry contest for best teacher/coach. Mr. Kahn also has been named one of only 40 finalists in the first ever Aesthetica Creative Works Competition, a UK-based arts competition that received thousands of submissions.
Aesthetica Magazine is a British-based arts publication with bi-monthly issues covering art, literature, film, music and theatre. Competition entries were submitted from an array of countries as eclectic as South Africa and Japan, Brazil and Bulgaria, providing the opportunity for artists to have international exposure. His poem, “Dreams,” will appear in the annual publication. More details are available on the magazine’s website at www.aestheticamagazine.com.
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HISTORY: History of Chicago teacher, Anita North Hamill, presented a session entitled Chicago In Your Classroom: Hands-On History at the Illinois Council for the Social Studies Annual Conference on Oct. 3.
Ms. North Hamill was also recently elected to serve on the Board of Directors for the newly chartered Chicago Chapter of the Theodore Roosevelt Association. Her early interest as an American History teacher in TR’s childhood, career, presidency, family, and overall impact on the preservation of the environment and the creation of the National Park System has led to her affiliation with Chicago’s chapter.
U.S. History teacher Eleanor (Katie) O’Keefe is participating in the National Endowment for the Humanities sponsored study group on Black Chicago from 1934-1954. This work took place over the summer and will continue during several weekend sessions this school year. “I do a unit on Chicago History and find that learning about the local context of national issues and trends is a way of connecting students to the material and all of the amazing history that occurred within Chicago,” Ms. O’Keefe wrote.
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TRACK: A current and former OPRF track coach were inducted into the Illinois Track and Cross Country Coaches Association’s (ITCCCA) Coaches Hall-of-Fame on Jan. 10:
Josa Sosa - has coached at OPRF since 1980, serving as head Boys’ Cross Country and head and assistant Track coach. Jose has coached more than 20 All-State runners, including Larry Head, Jim Westphal, and Sam Watson. “Jose has been a workhorse for the ITCCCA. He does a lot of work for the annual ITCCCA clinic and without him the clinic would not exist,” the ITCCCA wrote in its announcement..
Glenn Cothern - coached OPRF to the state title in boys track & field in 1987. He was remained very active in ITCCCA and has helped develop the annual coaches clinic into one of the biggest and best in the nation. He has served as an official at the State Meet for 40 consecutive years and receievd the IHSA “official of the year” award for both Boys’ and Girls’ competitions.
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BASEBALL: OPRFHS Baseball Coach Chris Ledbetter has been named a Class 4A Area Coach of the Year by the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association. Chris was honored at the 2009 Coaches Clinic at the Bulls/Sox Academy the weekend of January 30 & 31. Other 4A Area Coaches to receive this honor were Charles Gandolfi -- Carmel Catholic High School; Dan Schoessling -- Wheaton North High School, and Robin Renner -- Neuqua Valley High School.
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WRESTLING: Long time OPRFHS faculty member and wrestling coach Niall Collins has been named one of the four Grand Marshals for the IHSA Individual State Wrestling Tournament Feb. 20-21 at the University of Illinois-Champaign.
This honor is bestowed on coaches who are recognized for their significant contributions to the sport and to development of high school athletes. Grand Marshals are recognized prior to the introduction of the wrestlers who will compete in individual events for state titles. Former Huskie wrestling coach Norm Parker also received this Grand Marshal honor in the past.
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ICE SCULPTING: Peter Hermann, a Buildings and Grounds staff member and school carpenter, won First Place and People’s Choice awards at the State of Illinois’ Snow Sculpting Competition. You can see his winning sculpture at http://snowsculpting.org/pages/2009Progression-State.html . He will represent Illinois next February at the National Snow Sculpting competition at Lake Geneva.
Meanwhile, you can also see his work up close in Grant Park at “Snow Days Chicago” from Feb. 12-14 (www.snowvisions.com). He will be joining Fred Gardner of Caledonia -- the only Illinois snowcarver to ever win the national title -- and Mark Hargarten of Milwaukee, to carve “Mrs. O’Leary’s Cow” out of Snowblock #14.
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IN THE MOVIES: OPRFHS custodian Kevin Sorensen was a media “fixture” in March – appearing on WBBM-TV’s “Someone You Should Know” and on WGN-TV’s “Chicago’s Very Own” segments and in a Chicago Tribune article – all highlighting his “double life” as a Hollywood stunts man. Kevin, an OPRF graduate who also has worked at the high school fulltime in the Buildings and Grounds Department since 1993 has performed movie stunts since his 1992 debut in Groundhog Day through Batman Begins, Dark Night and his latest movie, Public Enemies, schedule for a July 1 release.
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OPRFHS celebrates 25th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. oration contest
Oak Park and River Forest High School marked the 30th anniversary of the school’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Assembly – and the 25th anniversary of the student oratorical contest -- with original Spoken Word tributes by OPRFHS students and presentations by the combined Gospel and A Cappella choirs. The assembly this year coincided with the actual date – Jan. 15 – of what would have been Dr. King’s 80th birthday.
The highlight of the annual assembly, which asks students and staff to reflect on Dr. King’s life, teachings and legacy, is the presentation of the oration selected as the first place winner of the Martin Luther King Oratorical Contest held in December. Students are judged not only for the quality of their writing and ideas, but also for the power and skill of their presentation.
Junior Jingyi Liu’s winning essay, “A Treatise Against Apathy,” noted that real change is not brought about by a single person – such as our newly elected president – but rather requires our continuing individual and collective commitment.
“Fifty years ago, the world was a completely different place.
It evolved into the world which we know today not because of one man, but because of millions standing together to bring change even amidst police brutality, hate crimes and assassinations,” she noted.
The second-place oration winner was sophomore Elisa Epstein, and junior Tequilla Thomas received 3rd place for her essay, “I Have a Dream.”
Christian Harris, Bria Graham, Darrin Harris, Janee’ Timms, Kelly Reuter, and Kofi Ohemeng also participated in this year’s oration contest.
Spoken Word artists Sherry Reuter and Jamael Clark performed a tribute to Dr. King’s legacy and aspirations. Dance Club members Marcus Coleman, Teylur Day, Valerie Henry, Symone Jackson, Jasmine Moore, Andranay Redditt, Antoine Rufus, Janee Simmons, Annalise Walksler, Marcellis Watkins, Brian Williams, and Kenny Williams.
Additionally, the OPRFHS A Cappella and Gospel Choirs, under the direction of Latonia Brown and Elaine Hlavach, performed a selection of songs. The assembly was emceed by Principal Nathaniel Rouse and Spoken Word Club, Gospel Choir member and MAC Scholar Keenan Smith.
The convocation committee, led by Special Education teacher Michael Byars, included English teacher Lauren Lee, Math teacher Sheila Hardin, Assistant Principal for Student Activities Cindy Milojevic, Physical Education teacher Lucy Riner, Spanish teacher Christine Daggett, Special Education teacher J.P. Coughlin, History/Psychology teacher Yeni Hart and Science teacher Aviva Theen. Peter Kahn and Paul Noble assisted Ms. Liu with preparation for the public oration.
26th Annual Tradition of Excellence honors celebrated alumni
Nov. 6. 2008 - Oak Park and River Forest High School celebrates its 26th annual Tradition of Excellence Awards by welcoming back two almuni -- Paul Broucek '70 and Joe Cantafio '73 - who have made their marks on the national and international music and film scenes. They are honored at a celebration dinner on Thursday, Nov. 6, and at student assemblies Friday morning, Nov. 7. Established by the Class of 1982, the award is presented annually to alumni or former students who have distinguished themselves professionally and who, through these accomplishments, have brought great credit to their alma mater by exemplifying "those things that are best." We welcome our 2008 award nominees back to the Home of the Huskies, OPRFHS! Tag' arista!
PAUL BROUCEK - OPRFHS CLASS of 1970
Film Music Producer/Consultant
Paul Broucek launched his career on the landmark film Apocalypse Now as an assistant engineer to Academy Award winning Sound Designer, Walter Murch. Broucek went on to join the recording staff at the Record Plant in Los Angeles and the start-up of the scoring division at Paramount Studios’s famed Stage M.
In 1986, Broucek was asked to lead the U.S. operations for Fairlight Instruments of Australia, working with the crème de la crème of the music community, including Peter Gabriel, Steve Winwood, and Herbie Hancock. In 1988, Broucek moved full-time into music supervision and a long-term creative partnership with Evyen Klean, doing a mix of television and feature films.
Today, Paul Broucek remains active in the evolving technologies available to the music production community. For the past 12 years, Broucek headed the creative music team at New Line Cinema, overseeing the music on numerous films including: Austin Powers, American History X, the Rush Hour film series, Wag The Dog, Blow, I Am Sam, Wedding Crashers, Hairspray, The Golden Compass, and Sex and the City. He was also the Executive Music Producer for the Academy Award winning trilogy, The Lord of the Rings, which won 3 out of 4 Oscar nominations for music. From 2004-2008, Broucek served as President of Music at New Line.
Broucek is currently setting up his new company in Los Angeles to produce and consult on music productions for film, television, records, online, commercials, games and new media. He has just announced a creative alliance with famed record producer Salaam Remi (i.e. Amy Winehouse, Jennifer Hudson, Fergie) for a lineup of future film projects and has just completed Executive Producing the score for the martial arts western, Laundry Warrior, set for release in 2009.
JOE CANTAFIO - OPRFHS CLASS of 1973
Music
Joe Cantafio was the leader and lead singer of JADE 50’s, the band that debuted at OPRF’s “ Fifty’s Day” on May 11, 1973, and began touring America the following year. At the age of 22, Joe became the youngest Music Director of Dick Clark’s live Good Ol’ Rock & Roll Show, performing with the likes of Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bo Diddley, Rick Springfield, Three Dog Night, The Beach Boys and Wolfman Jack. Since Joe began working in the “voice over” business in 1980, his voice has been a staple on American TV and radio commercials singing the praises of Shasta, McDonalds, Betty Crocker, Huffy Bikes, Chilli's and New Balance Shoes, to name a few.
Music has always been his way of helping others. The original JADE 50’s members perform at an annual benefit concert for the Gary Olson Scholarship awarded an OPRF graduating senior that Joe co-founded in honor of his friend, teacher and coach, the late Gary Olson. After the September 11th attacks, Joe wrote and performed a one man show titled “Let Freedom Sing” and adopted a New York Firehouse, bringing members on a one-year U.S. fundraising tour for 9-11 victims that stopped at OPRF in April 2002.
Joe’s band, The 101st Rock Division, has entertained American and Coalition troops serving throughout the Mideast. His Forgotten Heroes Foundation produces entertainment for U.S. veterans in VA Hospitals and on U.S. military bases on the frontline, around the world, and across America. And most recently, he has been named Director of the National American Veterans Museum, expected to open in San Marcos, Texas, in 2010. Whereever he has gone, Joe has never forgotten and remains very proud of his Oak Park roots.
OPRF tennis player selected as one of Illinois' 20 "high school Heisman" finalists!
Nov. 7, 2008 - The OPRFHS Athletic Department is proud to announce that senior Mike Jacobs, an outstanding boys' tennis player and student, has been selected as one of the 20 Wendy's High School Heisman State Finalists!
The awards ceremony will be Wed. Nov. 12 at 7:15 a.m. in the Little Theatre.
The Wendy's High School Heisman is the high school awards program that recognizes student scholar athletes and their accomplishments. In its 14th year, the program continues to touch the lives of high school seniors. Created to showcase high school students who excel in academics, athletics, and community/school leadership, the Wendy's Heisman program celebrates the well-rounded student in a way that other student academic awards and athletic awards do not.
OPRFHS honors National Merit program 2008-09 qualifiers
Oak Park and River Forest High School is proud to announce that 22 of its students have placed as National Merit Scholarship semifinalists in the 2008-09 program. In addition, six students have earned the distinction of being named National Achievement Scholarship semifinalists, and two students have earned National Hispanic Recognition Program scholar status. Please note: the National Merit Scholarhip Corporation embargoes from publication the names of National Achievement semifinalists until Wed. Sept. 24.
The National Merit semifinalists are among 16,000 academically talented students named nationally who represent less than 1 percent of the nation’s high school seniors. The Oak Park and River Forest High School students named this year are:
Jonathan M. Barber, Vincent B. Bauer, Kevin J. Binder, Kathleen J. Black, Brendan M. Burke, Gabrielle L. Cole, Hannah C. Decker, Ellen E. Drews, Martin M. Finnegan, Harry P. Huggins, Michael S. Jacobs, Joshua E. Kaplan, Conor D. Kovats, Elizabeth J. Lehman, Emma Lewis, Martin M. McGuire (moved out of state this year), Matthew D. Monson, Mariam Shahsavarani, Crescentia Stegner-Freitag, Elliot Il Stoller, Kristen N. Warren, and Paul G. Whalen.
National Hispanic Recognition Program scholars from OPRFHS are Alix Johnson and Jessica Rauschenberg.
The school's six National Achievement Scholarship Program semifinalists are among the 1,600 seniors named nationally in the 2009 National Merit Scholarship-sponsored program. More than 140,000 high school juniors nationally competed for recognition in the 2008-09 National Achievement Program when they took the fall 2007 qualifying exam.
The OPRFHS students named are: Jeremy E. Aregood, Gabrielle L. Cole, Kaci D. Cunningham, Miles Gillenwater, Hannah J. King, and Philip E. Sparks.
Of 175 Illinois schools with students participating in the 2008-09 National Merit Scholarship program, OPRFHS tied with Hinsdale Central High School for fifth in the state this year in the number of semifinalists. Schools with more semifinalists this year are the Illinois Math and Science Academy, New Trier, Stevenson and Naperville Central.
Of 56 Illinois schools with students participating in the 2008-09 National Achievement Scholarship program, OPRFHS tied with Whitney Young Magnet High School in Chicago in having the second highest number of semifinalists in the state. Only Walter Payton College Preparatory High School had more students place as semifinalists.
Congratulations to these students on their fine academic accomplishment!
Trapeze wins prestigious journalism award
Columbia University Scholastic Press Association has awarded the 2007-2008 Trapeze staff gold medalists. A thorough critique of the newspaper by judges from around the country, spanning such elements as editing and writing, coverage, advertising and graphic presentation resulted in the students earning 924 out of a possible 1,000 points.
"CSPA is a venerable institution that has been honoring student journalists since 1925, and the students are understandably very excited about their award," Trapeze faculty sponsor/teacher Elizabeth Kaufman Fox wrote in announcing the honor.
Late arrival Mondays allow for weekly professional development
8:50 a.m. arrival ~ 9 a.m. 1st period starts
Most Mondays will be late arrival for students this year to provide faculty with weekly professional development opportunities. Students should arrive by 8:50 a.m. to be on time for their 1st period classes. 1st Period will start at 9 a.m.
Click on this link to see the Monday Late Arrival Schedule -- 2008-09 dates are below.
• Sept. 8, 15, 22, 29
• Oct. 6, 20, 26
• Nov. 3, 9, 17, 24
• Dec. 1, 8, 15
• Jan. 5, 12
• Feb. 2, 9, 23
• March 9, 16, 223
• April 6, 13, 20, 27
• May 4, 11, 18
• June 1
NOTE: From 7:30 – 8:50 a.m., “Making the Most of Monday Mornings” will be offered for students who need and/or want to arrive early.
• The 2nd and 3rd Library will be open, with access to print and computer resources and group study areas;
• The Tutoring Center (Room 393) will be staffed and open for homework help;
• The Testing Center (Room 294) will be open for students who have made prior arrangements with their teachers to retake missed tests/quizzes;
• Breakfast will be available in the North Cafeteria.
Students will not be allowed open access to the hallways until 8:45 a.m.
2008 Illinois Youth Survey results
Dec. 15, 2008 - Students think their parents are less aware of their use of and access to alcohol than they were two years ago, according to statistics from the 2008 Illinois Youth Survey. The biannual Illinois Department of Human Services survey on teen alcohol and drug use and student and family attitudes was given to OPRFHS sophomores and seniors this past April 2008. Findings reported this fall were shared with OPRHFS faculty at a staff development session Mon. Dec. 8. The session, presented by OPRFHS substance abuse counselor Margo Bristow, also addressed concerns about the impact of alcohol and drug use impact on student health and safety, particularly the effect on adolescent brain development; resources and referral services within the school, and attitudes about prevention and intervention. (The 2008 Illinois Youth Survey Individual School Report for Oak Park and River Forest High School is available by clicking here.)
The good news is that compared with the 2006 survey results, fewer sophomores and seniors last year reported using marijuana; getting drunk or high at school; riding with adults or fellow students under the influence, or continuing to alcohol and drugs after they knew it got them in fights or other legal trouble. Although more sophomores reported using alcohol within the 30 days prior to the survey than in 2006, fewer seniors than in 2006 reported such use.
Students who were sophomore respondents in 2006 were the same cohort as the 2008 seniors: 34% of this group reported using marijuana as sophomores compared to 33% as seniors. However, this cohort’s alcohol use increased from 41% who reported using alcohol in the last 30 days as sophomores to 57% as seniors.
When it comes to family relationship questions, both sophomores and seniors reported their parents knowing less about what they may be up to than students two years ago did.
- When asked, “If you drank alcohol without your parents’ permission, would you be caught by them?” 79% of sophomores and 88% of seniors said their parents would only sometimes or never know compared to 67% and 80% in 2006. (contrasted with the response of knowing “most of the time or always”).
- When asked whether their parents would know if they had been to a party where alcohol is served, 82% of the sophomores and 89% of seniors said their parents would only sometimes or never find out, compared to 68% and 85% in 2006.
- While most students said their parents would know whether they came home on time, more students in 2008 than in 2006 said their parents would only sometimes or never know: 22% of sophomores in 2006 compared to 31% in 2008; 39 % of seniors versus 45% in 2008.
The answers suggest the need for families to continue to address an apparent disconnect between what teens are doing and what their parents know they’re up to.
Other highlights from the 2008 report involve levels of reported use:
Not used alcohol within the past year; within the past month:
10th – 36%; 54%
12th – 31%; 43%
Not used marijuana in last year; last month –
10th – 74%; 67%
12th – 65%; 52%
Responses that the following substances were “sort of or very easy” to get:
10th : alcohol – 69%; marijuana – 72%; cigarettes – 69%
12th : alcohol – 84%; marijuana – 84%; cigarettes – 87%
A copy of the 2008 survey will be posted online at www.oprfhs.org and help inform continuing parent, community and school efforts to reduce teen alcohol and drug use and the health and safety risks correlated with that use.
Results of a 2006 state survey on teen alcohol and drug use show that parental/adult and community attitudes are key in teens’ decisions to drink and use drugs. Tolerating underage drinking and student drug use as an acceptable “rite of passage” puts our children and their friends at risk.
Last April, Oak Park and River Forest High School, in collaboration with the Oak Park Department of Public Health, hosted a special presentation for all community parents/guardians about teen alcohol and drug use, featuring the founder of Illinois MADD and experts on new penalties pertaining to parent accountability/responsibility for teen alcohol use and the health impact of teen alcohol and drug use.
