April 2010.indd - Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School

Get yourSportsPhysicalat OAK for2010-2011Athletic physical exams, forthe 2010-11 school year, willbe administered at O.A.K. Orthopedics’main office at 400 SKennedy Drive in Bradley on:Saturday, June 5thB.B.C.H.S. athletes are toreport at 8:30 a.m. Cost is$20.00; checks should be madepayable to O.A.K. Orthopedics.Athletes must arrive with aparent/guardian signed copyof the I.H.S.A. physical form;without a parent signature onthe form, athletes will not beassessed by the physicians.Forms are available in theAthletic Office at B.B.C.H.S.Physicals are for ALL sophomore,junior, and senior athletes;incoming freshman areNOT eligible for this exam.Athletic permission cards(yellow) for the 2010-2011school year are available in theAthletic Office, as are summercamp applications; stopin and see Mrs. Meredith tobe ready for our 2010 summercamps and the 2010-2011B.B.C.H.S. athletic seasons!Scholastic Bowl goes to State!For the third time in the past six years, the varsity Scholastic Bowl team qualifiedfor the IHSA State Competition in Peoria on Friday, March 19. The Boilersworked hard all year to make it to the Elite 8, taking first place at both IHSA Regionaland Sectional competitions. Further, three players were named to the all-Sectional Team. Although many people think of Scobowl as a “club” at BBCHS,it is actually an IHSA sponsored activity which competes every year in the stateseries directly or indirectly against all other AA high schools in Illinois. In IHSAcompetition, Scholastic Bowl is one of the most successful teams at BBCHS.The season begins in late August with practices twice a week for both varsity andfrosh/soph teams, as students work to build knowledge and technique. Similar toJeopardy (in that questions are asked and players buzz in to answer, locking outcompetitors), Scholastic Bowl requires vast academic knowledge and true speed.Winners learn to answer before the question has even left the judge’s mouth. Forexample, if a question begins, “The Italian astronomer…” a good player will havebuzzed in and answered, “Galileo” before the second syllable of “astronomer”.In Illinois, teams of five compete in rounds consisting of 20-30 toss-up questionswith bonus questions for those who answer correctly. On bonuses, team memberscooperate to find answers to 4-5 part questions. Typically, questions are not the“pop culture” of Jeopardy, but reflect a true high school curriculum: literature,grammar, history, biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, geography, psychology,economics, languages, art, music, etc. During a typical match, they balancechemical reactions, solve quadratic equations, recognize famous works of art, andquote Shakespearean plays. Participating in Scholastic Bowl helps to reinforce theknowledge students acquire from their classes and provides an enriched afterschooleducation as well.During its August-March season, the team plays both an invitational series (whichtakes them all over the northern part of the state) and in the regular SWSC Conference,often amounting to 14-16 events. This year, they won second in SWSCand first in the Red Division, and placed in the top 4 at several major tournaments,including the Illinois Masonic Tournament and one sponsored by the RotaryClub. It’s been another terrific year for scobowl here at BBCHS!Front Row: Molly Minas, David Doyle, Robin Higgins, Jocelyn WilcoxBack Row: Brian Ginn (capt), Suraj Batish, Erik Lubben, Tom Francoeur, Jacob BarkerNot shown: Michael Paarlberg2

Counseling UpdateREGISTRATION UNDERWAYStudents have completed course selections for the 2010-2011school year. Students are meeting with counselors and willreceive a copy of the proposed course requests to discusswith parents in late April or early May. Students who wish tomake further changes should contact the Counseling Officeafter July 15. Student requests will be evaluated on a spaceavailable basis. There is a fee assessed for schedule changesat this point.SUMMER PROGRAMOPPORTUNITIESBBCHS students interested in accelerating graduation ormaking up credits have a number of options available thissummer. A Step Ahead will offer two 3-week sessions forcredit recovery and advancement. Classes are open to 9th–12th grade students. Students unable to attend those classesdue to scheduling conflicts may take classes through the IllinoisVirtual High School (www.ivs.org) or at Kankakee HighSchool. Students may also take courses at Kankakee CommunityCollege for dual credit. Prior approval by the schoolcounselor is required for all summer courses and programs.DUAL CREDIT UPDATEWe are very proud that over 350 college credit hours will beissued to over 75 juniors and seniors enrolled in dual creditcourses this year at BBCHS at no cost to the students or theirparents. With credit hour costs ranging from $75-$200+ perhour this represents a tremendous savings to BBCHS families.Plan ahead: A number of dual credit classes have a prerequisiteACT or COMPASS scores. Information on requirementsis available through the BBCHS course guideavailable on the school website or through the KCC catalogavailable through www.kcc.eduJUNIORS:JUNE ACT TEST DATEAVAILABLEThe ACT will be offered at KCC on June 12.Registration packets are available in the CounselingOffice or over the Internet. Deadline forregular registration is May 7. Late registrationends May 21. The ACT must be taken during thejunior year if a student wishes to be consideredfor Illinois State Scholar and Merit RecognitionScholar. ACT scores and class rank are used bythe state in the selection process. Both PSAE/ACT and national test data scores are consideredfor the recognition process. These scores can alsobe used for registration of athletes in the NCAAClearinghouse.PSAE/ACT NOTESAs the national ACT scores are voluntarily submittedto BBCHS, scores are automatically posted onthe transcript unless a parent informs the CounselingOffice that a score is to be excluded. Becausethe PSAE is required of all juniors the ACT portionof the test can only be posted on the transcriptwith written permission from the parent if thestudent is under 18 years of age. This summerwhen fee sheets are mailed, a signature card willbe included regarding ACT/PSAE scores. The cardcan be returned during registration. Most collegesneed an official score sent to them directly fromACT. Also, the highest scores are used in admissiondecisions NOT averages.4

Counseling Update...continuedSCHOLARSHIP SEARCHESBe wary of fee-based scholarship search offers. Each yearmany students receive direct mailings for such services.Scholarship searches can be done FREE over the Internet.Check the Counseling Office link at www.bbchs.org for financialaid information.COLLEGE APPLICATIONS/SUMMER DECISIONSSummer presents an opportunity to begin narrowing collegechoices. Universities welcome summer visits by interestedstudents. Call the admissions office of schools and scheduleappointments.Things to do on campus:1. Visit the career center2. Be prepared with specific questions3. Plan at least a half-day visit, stay overnight if possible4. Visit when school is in session5. Bring a journal and jot down your impressions6. Arrange an interview with an admissions officer7. Take a campus tour8. Talk with students and faculty9. Attend an extra-curricular activity10. Check out the residence halls, library and student union11. Have a meal on campus12. Go to a class or two13. Find out about campus organizations“Boiling Point” Goes DigitalIt is safe to say that there is no moss growing under the staffof The Boiling Point’s toes. This year, The Boiling Point,BBCHS’s student newspaper, is following the trend that manynewspapers across the nation are: they are going digital. “Aspeaker at a recent SWSC Journalism conference noted that theprimary change in journalism these days is merely the deliverysystem,” Mr. Benoit, BBCHS Journalism Adviser said. “Mostpeople are turning more and more to the internet for their5source of information. We’d like BBCHS journalismstudents to understand and recognize this trend byfollowing suit.”Benoit went on to note that the benefits to The BoilingPoint going digital are threefold: First, publishingonline saves a great deal of money; publishinghard copies of the school newspaper for each studentat BBCHS can get rather pricey; going digital costsvirtually nothing. Next, going digital allows eachpage of The Boiling Point to be in full color, whichcreates reader interest as well as an added dimensionof challenge for the layout process. Finally, havingThe Boiling Point online allows for a greaterreadership. Not only do students have access now,but anyone who has ever attended BBCHS can nowcatch up on the latest news from their alma mater.In addition to having current copies of The BoilingPoint online, the class has undertaken a very largetwo-year project that will allow both current and formerstudents to read old copies of the BBCHS newspaperonline as well. “We’ve been scanning andarchiving issues of the BBCHS newspaper for ourrecords. Many of the papers are falling apart, andthe best way to preserve the rich history containedwithin those pages is to use the available technologywe have in that preservation process,” Benoit said.“When the project is complete, we’ll have literallyhundreds of issues of the BBCHS paper available forpeople to view. It’s an exciting project, and I hope itwill be a lasting tribute to our school as well as ourcommunity.”Benoit did note that there are some vast holes in theirpresent archives, and the call will be going out soonfor BBCHS alum to see if they might have old issuesof the school newspaper to scan for the project.Benoit notes that the issues will be scanned andreturned to their original owners; it would be nice tohave as complete a set as possible before making theproject available to the public.You can read current issues of The Boiling Pointonline at the BBCHS school website.

English Department Embraces the “MOODLE”At the March 1st Technology Institute Day, anumber of English teachers were able to seethe capabilities of a web-based classroomprogram called MOODLE. Although a fewBBCHS teachers have already made it aregular part of their classrooms, the Englishdepartment is quickly recognizing this program’sability to become an invaluable toolfor both students and teachers alike.MOODLE stands for Modular Object-OrientedDynamic Learning Environment. Adescription of each portion of the acronym isdescribed below.M(odular) – This is a web based program which allows the students to be mobile while retaining access to all classmaterials. If you have an internet connection, you can access this website and any of the contents provided by theteacher.O(bject)-O(riented) – Teachers have the ability to input a variety of “objects” for the purpose of sharing resourceswith other teachers and/or students. These objects can be handouts, worksheets, videos, and supplemental websitelinks, among other things.D(ynamic) – This program allows for students to work in an entirely electronic environment. The teachers havethe ability to open up student blogs, web post forums, and discussion groups. They can also create homework assignments,quizzes, and tests that are instantly graded based on a number of guidelines that the teachers can choose.This allows students to have instant feedback, something that is a growing part of their world. It gives them constantaccess to supplemental materials outside of the classroom so students can become more individually responsiblefor their learning. Additionally, in the event of an absence, students will have the ability to access missedcoursework and remain up-to-date with the rest of the class.L(earning) E(nvironment) – All of the features of the MOODLE work together to allow students the ability toengage with their teacher and classmates from home while retaining the academic environment of the classroom.BBCHS subscribed to the MOODLE about two years ago, and over the past year, it has grown increasingly morepopular among the faculty. Currently, three English teachers have set up a MOODLE to use within their classrooms.Additionally, the junior English teachers have been working together to create a department MOODLE thatwill allow teachers to swap and share academic materials. While this is still a new project, the ultimate goal is tocreate a space for resources from a variety of areas, from handouts and tests to videos and websites. Each teacherwill then have a list of quality materials to include on his or her own classroom MOODLE, thereby providing allstudents with the best educational opportunity possible.6

Community Based Classes at SpecialGamesSpecial Games was a BIG HIT! 84 Best Buddies and students fromMrs. Heddins’ and Miss Dietrich’s classes attended the annual competitionat Lincoln Way Central High School. Teams from the 4 LincolnWay High Schools, Stagg, Bolingbrook, Sandburg, Joliet, Andrew, andLockport also fielded teams. Our students medaled in basketball shootingand dribbling, sprints, football throw, target throw, horseshoes, andring toss.Teams were introduced and paraded into the fieldhouse carrying their banner. The banner reflected theBBCHS theme of the day- “I Gotta Feeling”. Fivemembers of the BBCHS group accompanied theteam. Staley, the Chicago Bears’ mascot, and RonaldMcDonald joined the athletes for opening ceremonies.After competition, all participants were treatedto a lunch and enjoyed a social time with athletesfrom other schools. The day ended with closingceremonies where students were awarded individualmedals. Special Games was a great day and everyoneis looking forward to next year!American Idol comes to BBCHS Auditorium!On February 25th, 28 students in Mrs. Heddin’s and Miss Dietrich’s classes participated in their 6th Annual TalentShow. The event was hosted by Best Buddies Shari Domont, Tyler Pittman, and Gio McEastland along with senior studentsChad Domont, Keenan Bryant, and David Zarate. An audience of approximately 200 Best Buddies and familieslistened as students sang and danced. Keenan demonstrated his cooking skills by preparing apple crisp, Sean Rooneyread an excerpt from his newly published book, and Andrew Kaplar exhibited his dribbling skills. Courtney Ruch toldjokes and Tony Beatty displayed his artwork. Three students from Miss Martin’s class at Manteno High School joinedthe fun to sing a Miley Cyrus song.All participants and their Best Buddies joined in singing the Black-Eyed Pea’s song “I Gotta Feeling” to wrap up theprogram.7

Student Council Wraps upthe YearWith Winter Ball, Challenge Leadership, and Reach Week all in the past,BBCHS Student Council’s year is beginning to slow down.This year’s Winter Ball, “Better Together,” was held February 13th from 7:00 to10:00 at the Quality Inn in Bradley. This year’s court included Seniors DannyDavis, John Fightmaster, Luke Boudreau, Luke Imbery, Krishna Patel, and BillMcClure. Students attending the dance voted senior John Fightmaster the 2010Winter Ball king.Art Club SPRINGSInto Action!Vice-president and president ofthe Art Club, Shannon Klevinskasand Ashley Tetter, helpedorganized the March Art Clubworkshop. The Art Club membersmade and decorated Easterbaskets for abused children. Thebaskets will be donated to theMcDermott Center which aidschildren who have fled domesticabuse, gang violence, humantrafficking or poverty. EachArt Club member was asked todonate a small item to add to thebasket. The Art Club membersenjoyed making the baskets andfelt good about helping others.Following Winter Ball came Challenge Leadership, which has become a stapleat BBCHS. Ted Wiese lead a full day seminar for students who exhibit leadershipqualities. Students were nominated by teachers or coaches. The day wasfull of games and activities that were based on strengthening the characteristicsof a leader.Student Council sponsored R.E.A.C.H. Week March 8-12. R.E.A.C.H. standsfor Respect Ethnical and Cultural Heritage. Every year, a theme and speciallunch menu are created. This year’s theme was “Erase Hate.” A special ethniclunch menu was offered in the cafeteria which included Greek, Asian, and Italianfood. 2010 was also a speaker year, and this year’s speaker came from theMatthew Shepard Foundation in Colorado. Matthew Shepard was a collegestudent murdered in 1998, the victim of a vicious hate crime. Thomas Howard,director of community outreach for the foundation, came to speak to studentsabout how hate language is evident in their lives, as well as how it can be combated.Other activities this week included motivational music in the hallways,positive labels for peers, and a signed pledge with a word of positive languagethat students could post in the main lobby of the school.While these activities signal the closing of Student Council’s 2009-2010 schoolyear, it will not be long before Student Council officers and representativeswill be elected for the 2010-2011 school year. We will also be brainstormingand voting on the 2010Homecoming themesoon as well.Winter Ball court: Bill McClure, Danny Davis, King -John Fightmaster, Luke Imberry, Luke Boudreau, andKrishna Patel8

ATHLETICSSpring Athletics teams are in place at BBCHS and certainly excited about theupcoming season.Softball has a new Head Coach George Limperis. Returning starters from lastyear as well as some very talented juniors are looking forward to taking the fieldand improving on last year’s finish.Baseball under the guidance of Coach Kevin Arthur have all the pieces in placeto make quite a showing this year. With a strong pitching staff and proven fielders,the Boilers have their sights set high this spring.Boys & Girls Track return some excellent individuals in numerous areas. Theirindoor season will conclude soon, then move outdoors. Keep your eye on juniorAmy Harvoth who has one the nation’s best jump in the high jump. State placerjunior Burnell Gordon returns in the triple jump and has already gone over 41feet indoors. Bradley University signee Sarah Higgins, will once again lead thedistance events. Phillip Caddell looks to become one of the dominant hurdlers inthe area with his eye on the conference and state meet.Badminton has become an extremely strong program with numerous athletescompeting for those prized match slots. They are always prepared and competewell in this extremely fast paced and reactionary sport.Tennis has become an extremely talented group and this year is no different.With strong numbers and highly valued match slots, the Boilers has set theirgoals high as they enter the competitive season. The tough SWSC schedule willprepare this team for tournament play.Boys & Girls Water Polo have excellent numbers and just began competitiveplay. Both squads look to improve their stamina and strength in the pool. Thecoaching staff and players are focused on some positive results.Art StudentsExhibitionsFifty-seven students’ artwork wasselected by the Art Departmentfor the KCC High School JuriedArt Exhibition. Several BBCHSstudents were awarded with Meritand Honorable Mention awards fortheir pieces at the awards ceremonyat KCC on March 18:Andrew Johnson - PaintingRyan Green - SculptureAdam Lagesse - Digital PhotographyLiz Langyher - Black and WhiteDrawing & DesignAmy Linman - Color Drawing &DesignMegan O’Neill - PhotographyMadeline Vaccaro - Color Drawing& DesignTen BBCHS art students participatedin the SWSC Visual Art Exhibitionand Festival Day at RobertMorris College on February 14.Senior Luke Hoffman was awardedthe “Best in School” award. Theparticipants included Hoffman,Megan Graveline, Ellie Stone,Kirstin Hoyt, Maha Mohammed,Luke Imbery, Madeline Vaccaro,Hope Grutzius, Alissa Baker, andDanielle Glenzinski.Soccer is under the direction of new Head Coach Mark Howard. The Lady Boilerslook to be competitive in the extremely strong SWSC. This young team hasnot backed away from the intensified workouts and skill training during the preseasonand look to take the field in late March.Adam LaGesse, Pressure on theWall, Digital Photograph, 20099

BBCHS Retirees RLife is a great big canvas;throw all the paint on it youcan.Danny KayeEntertainerOne looks back with appreciationto the brilliant teachers,but with gratitude to those whotouched our human feelings.Carl JungSwiss PsychiatristBBCHS has 3 teachers and an administrator retiring this year. Their cumulout of these doors. We would like to wish all the retirees “congratulationsMr. Steve Adrian was born and raised in New Buffalo, Michiganand came to Illinois in 1979 after graduating from WesternMichigan University with a B.S. degreee in Industrial Education.He earned his Masters Degree in 1986 from GSU in EducationalAdministration. While working in the Momence school systemfor 13 years Steve was Assistant Principal, Athletic Director,Assistant Football Coach, and Head Baseball Coach. Steve went12 yearson to Reed-Custer as the Director of Fieldhouse operations for 6years. He came to BBCHS in 1998 as the Dean of Students. In 1999, he becamethe Assistant Principal of Student Affairs for 3 years. In 2002, he started teachingthe new Career Lab and has been in that position for the last eight years. Steve hasbeen married to his wife Linda for 31 years. He has one brother and two sisterswho all live in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area. Steve’s mother resides in NewBuffalo, Michigan. He looks forward to enjoying his hobbies which include yardwork, handyman work and watching anything sports related. Steve commented,“ I feel very fortunate to have finished my teaching career here at BBCHS. Thisschool is very special to me and I hope that it remains that way for many generationsto come.”It’s never too late to be who youmight have been.George EliotWriterMrs. Joann Gricius was raised on a farm in the small ruralcommunity of Round Grove, near Lafayette, Indiana. Sheearned her B.A. in History & Political Science from Purdueand her Masters in Geography from the University of Illinois.Joann’s first teaching job was at McNamara in 1975. She wassoon replaced by a nun and was fortunate enough to start hernext year in 1976, at BBCHS teaching part-time and was the inhousesub and cheerleading sponsor. During her career at BBCHS34 yearsshe has been a Social Science teacher, Department Chair, Sophomore and VarsityFootball and Basketball cheerleading coach, track coach and a 3 time BBEAcontract negotiator. Joann resides with her husband John and together they managetheir farm. She also is the secretary/computer assistant for her husband’s accountingfirm. She has also been a volleyball referee, a salad girl at an Elk’s CountryClub and worked at McDonald’s. Joann’s parents live in Grant Park, and she has 2sisters with families that live in West Brookfield, MA and Villa Grove, IL. She has6 nieces and nephews. Her hobbies are flower gardening, reading, traveling, andgolf. However, her retirement plans are to learn to play the piano, volunteer in thecommunity, travel, and play lots of golf. Joann is leaving us after 34 years withthese parting words, “It seems in education that ideas come full circle. Most “newideas” are just renamed and repackaged old ideas. Keep the faith and work oneday at a time, then one year at a time. Good friends are like diamonds, rare andvaluable. Cherish them every day.”10

ack up the Yearsative years total a whopping 117 years! A lot of experience is rolling” and “good luck” on their retirement. We will miss you all!Mrs. Linda Linn was born and raised in Tinley Park. Sheearned her B.S. from Eastern Illinois University in PhysicalEducation/Health/Driver Education and her Masters fromONU in education. While at EIU Linda competed on thegymnastics team. She was hired at BBCHS in 1976 immediatelyout of college. That year she was head badminton coach,head tennis coach , and assistant volleyball coach. In 1980,33 years she took a year off to go to California where she was a gradassistant at Cal-state Fullerton by Anaheim. She loved it there but came back to becloser to family. She resumed her career at BBCHS and coached gymnastics for 20years. Linda has also coached track, and coached the cheerleaders at the wrestlingmeets. She has been the vice-president for BBEA and also served as the socialchairman. She lives in Bourbonnais with her huband Bill. Her daughter Jessica isa PE teacher in Beecher, and son Brett is a financial analyst at LaBrea in Chicago.Her hobbies include reading, golf, jigsaw puzzles, and walks with her dog, Molly.She looks forward to traveling (preferably somewhere with a beach), reading, golfing,and RELAXING. She is going to run a marathon relay this May and hopesto coach badminton next year. Linda is retiring from BBCHS after 33 years andleaves us with the following comment, “ Enjoy your time here, it is a great place towork! The time goes so fast...it’s hard to believe it’s here already. Thanks to everyonefor making the journey a memorable one!”Boiler VisionGoing Green!Next year the Boiler Visionwill only be available on theBBCHS school’s website.We’re saving money and savingtrees at the same time! Wewelcome your input. Pleasecall the school for any comments/concerns.Look for the Boiler Vision atwww.bbchs.org.Mr. Keith Schweitzer grew up on a farm in Monmouth, IL.He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1971, with a B.S.in Mathematics Education. He received his Masters degree fromIndiana State University in Mathematics in 1976. In 1988, hecompleted his coursework in Administration with a Chief SchoolBusiness Officials endorsement from Illinois State University.Keith’s first teaching job was in Leland, Illinois, where he taught38 years High School Math and Chemistry . That spring he was called toactive duty with the Army reserves. Keith’s 38-year career at BBCHS began in1972 as a Math teacher and football coach. He coached football for nine years.He also coached girl’s track and assisted in the wrestling program. While teachingat Bradley he also taught mathematics at Kankakee Community College. Hetaught mathematics and computer science at BBCHS until he became Managerof Information Systems and later Director of Technology. From 2002 until thepresent Keith has held the position of Business Manager for the school district.Keith and his wife, Valerie, will be married 40 years this coming August. Theyhave two daughters. Jennifer and her husband, Jesse, live in Bradley. Alison andher husband, Brant, also live in Bradley. After retirement Keith plans on spendingmore time traveling, woodworking, and relaxing. He feels very fortunate to haveworked in a job he enjoys and with such wonderful people for his entire career ineducation.11

BBCHS Wins One-to-One LaptopInitiative GrantBOILER VISIONA Community BasedNewsletter for District #307Board of EducationRichard Mann-PresidentHollice Clark-Vice-PresidentMichael Downey-SecretaryTom CookeJeff HackleyPhillip KambicKerry O’ConnellLater this spring, many students at BBCHS will havenetbooks to use in their classrooms. BBCHS was oneof fifteen districts across the state awarded the ARRAEnhancing Education through Technology - IllinoisSchool Reform through Technology Initiative Program.This competitive grant will provide BBCHSwith an additional $850,000 to fully implement the 1:1 laptop initiativefor freshmen and sophomores. The initial 1:1 laptop initiative was fundedthrough the Enhancing Education through Technology ARRA grant for$300,000. This school year, BBCHS has received $1.15 million in competitiveARRA technology grants to advance our technology initiatives.This grant will provide:• 900 netbooks• Sets of iPod touches• Wireless projectors• Interactive white boards• Interactive student response systems (iClickers)• Interactive video conferencing• Part-time technology support position for grant implementation• Professional development and technology integration support throughThe Math, Science and Technology Education Office and The Centerfor Education in Small Urban Communities at the University of Illinoisat Urbana-ChampaignBradley-Bourbonnais Community High School700 W. North StreetBradley, Il 60915Non-Profit Org.U.S. PostagePAIDPermit No. 10Bradley, IL3212