News from Fieldcrest East
Article submitted by: Jen Halko, science teacher, Fieldcrest East
Mission
Update! Fieldcrest East sixth graders landed safely back on Earth and
are happy to report that both sixth grade missions were successful. Our
original mission was to Rendezvous with comet Encke, but halfway
through the mission we encountered an unknown object. Our crews of
astronauts had to make a decision: would we head on to meet up with
comet Encke with the chance of running into this unknown object and
putting our astronauts in danger OR would we divert our mission to now
study and find out more about this unknown object. Both crews decided
to divert their missions and explore this unknown object.
Once we were back on track, we discovered that this unknown object was
indeed, an undiscovered comet! We know that comets are named by their
founders, so our next task was to name our comets. The 6B group named
their comet Fighting Knight 22 and the 6A group named their comet 6A06.
Once we named the comet, our probe teams were able to continue building
their probes and launch them to our newly found comets.
We
did encounter some emergencies. The life support team had to save the
crew from an oxygen shortage and also from a low humidity scare. The
life support teams came through for their crews and were successful in
saving the mission.
All in all, both crews were able to
communicate, work together as a team, learn and last but not least have
fun! The mission was followed up by a trip to the Illinois State
University Planetarium show and a tour of the Prairie Aviation Museum.
News from Fieldcrest West
Scholastic Bowl Tri-County Champs
On Saturday, March 18th, the Middle School Scholastic Bowl Team from
Fieldcrest West brought home the first place trophy after competing in
the Tri-County tournament. Marc Reiter correctly answered 11 toss-up
questions, Clayton Guengerich, Captain of the Team, answered 7
toss-ups, and Heather Olson scored with 4 toss-ups. Other team members
contributing with 2 toss-ups each were: Ryleigh Livingston, Allsion
Nenne, and Dylan Geringer.
The record for the Fieldcrest West team was 4-0 after they won all matches played against Oglesby Washington, Midland, Henry Senachwine, and Putnam County. Other team members include Kristine Tarmann, Jesenia Reynoso, and Stephanie Farling.
The coach for the team is Denise Duffy. Nancy Reiter and Bill Reiter were the sponsors at this tournament.
Fieldcrest West Middle School to Host Eighth Year of Bitty Basketball
Chuck Rolinski Gymnasium at Fieldcrest West Middle School will be the site of the Eighth Annual Bitty Basketball games on Friday, April 7, 2006. Students
from the elementary grades will take the court for the eighth
consecutive year. Games featuring the boys and girls in grades 1-4 and
the 5th grade girls will start at 6:00 pm.
There will be an admission charge with proceeds from the evening going
toward a special project. Money raised during this event will be used
to purchase equipment for Fieldcrest West elementary P.E. classes.
Games will begin with the 1st and 2nd grade girls in game one. The 1st and 2nd grade boys will follow in game two. Our third contest will feature the 3rd and 4th grade girls. Game four will spotlight the 3rd and 4th grade boys. The evening will conclude with the 5th grade girls facing off in the finale.
This event is in cooperation with the evening instructional leagues
being held 2-3 nights a week. It is always a fun and entertaining
evening for the entire family! Tickets for this year's event are $2 for adults, $1 for students K-12, and preschool age children are free. Absolutely no passes will be accepted that night. If
you are unable to attend the games but would still like to contribute
to this cause, donations can be sent to the middle school office in
care of Greg Peterson.
Come out and support our future stars of Fieldcrest Knight Basketball
while supporting an effort that will benefit the children of Fieldcrest
West. If you have any questions concerning this fun and exciting event,
call Greg Peterson at school, 452-2318, or at home, 452-2673. Fieldcrest West Music Students Compete in Solo & Ensemble Contest
The Fieldcrest West music students performed well at the Regional Solo
& Ensemble Music Contest this year. The contest was held on St.
Patrick's Day, March 17, 2006. Henry Grade School hosted contest again
this year. Out of 24 entries, the students returned with 17 first
place, or Superior ratings, 7 second place, or Excellent ratings, and
no third place, or Good ratings. Total awards included 30 medals for
firsts, and 17 red ribbons, for seconds.
Those students
with first place medals for solos were: Jennifer Peterson (Piano and
Vocal), Bri Sanders (Piano and Vocal). Kristine Tarmann (Violin), Grace
Sunken (Violin), Katie Fecht (Piano and Vocal), Marc Reiter (Piano),
Ashley Fewell (Vocal), and Heather Olson (Vocal).
The
following students also received first place medals for ensembles:
Kaitlyn DeMay and Candis Fyke (Vocal Duet), Heather Olson and Krista
Walker (Vocal Duet), Allison Nenne, Kristen Stromberg, Kendyll Durst,
Krista Walker, Merceades Fandel, and Katie Fecht (Double Trio), Allison
Nenne, Kristen Stromberg, and Kendyll Durst ( Vocal Trio), Jaclyn Park,
Taylor Beck, Bri Sanders, and Heather Olson (Vocal Double Duet), and
Bri Sanders and Marli Boedigheimer (Vocal Duet).
Students
who received a ribbon for second place solos were: Jennifer Peterson
(Clarinet), Marc Reiter (Snare Drum), Kristin von Nordheim (Vocal),
Marli Boedigheimer (Vocal), and Candis Fyke (Vocal).
Also
receiving ribbons for second place ensembles were: Hannah Lefler,
Jennifer Peterson, Kaitlyn DeMay, Candis Fyke, and Kariann Richard
(Vocal Double Duet), and Ashley Fewell, Amber Hayes, Stephanie Spencer,
Julie Rowe, Jessenia Reynoso, Katie Fecht, and Kristin von Nordheim
(Vocal Octet).
Mrs. Cynthia Arndt, of Toluca, served as
accompanist. Mrs. Patti Peterson is the music director at West.
Congratulations to all participants!
New from Fieldcrest South
Second Graders Salute Soldiers The
students in second grade read a book titled "The Wall" by Eve Bunting.
This story is about a man who takes his son to visit the Vietnam
Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. to find the grandfather's name. The
man uses a pencil to rub his father's name onto a piece of paper in
order to remember him. After studying the vocabulary and reading the
story, the students were asked to interview a veteran of their choice
and create an essay with an illustration of their veteran. The stories
the student read were amazing and brought tears to the teachers' eyes.
The
second grade was honored to have Mr. Howard Harms and Mrs. Stephany
Roth come and visit with them. We were honored that they shared a part
of their history with us. We were able to see pictures from Vietnam,
Saudi Arabia, and Iraq. We were taught about the different purposes of
soldier's uniforms, the "dog tags", foreign money, purple hearts, and
the price of freedom. After the student's experienced the two veterans,
they conducted texture rubbings from items in our classrooms. It was
exciting to see the wide variety of rubbings each student found
throughout the classroom.
Second Grade Toothless Wonders…thoughts on the Tooth fairy What does the tooth fairy do with all of the teeth she collects?
*She puts them in jars, bags, and stacks. Then she makes false teeth, gold teeth, and silver teeth with them.
*She sells them and makes a lot of money. I think she works with Santa Claus.
*I think she gives them to my mom.
*I think she makes jewelry with them. Then she puts the bad ones in a separate pile.
*I think she puts them in her mouth because she doesn't have any teeth.
*Maybe she gives them to your little brother or sister when they are starting to grow teeth as babies.
*She makes bracelets, necklaces, and ankle bracelets with the shiny ones.
*She puts them in garbage bags and puts them out for garbage day.
*Maybe she just collects them. She probably has 80,000 teeth or more. That's why there are three tooth fairies.
High School Physic's Class Teaming with Fourth Graders
Submitted by Barb Seifert and Barb Baumann
This week Mrs. Wells' physics class and Fieldcrest South fourth graders
are learning how to plan, design, and build a car strictly out of food.
On Monday afternoon, students were arranged into small groups with a
high school student acting as the supervisor. Both rooms were a buzz as
students spent the afternoon together planning what foods they would
put together so that their car would be the fastest down a ramp.
After
lists and drawings were completed, the supervisors left to get ready
for Friday. Groups will put their food cars together and race them. The
winning cars selected will be the fastest, more creative, and all
around model. We can't wait to see what foods will be selected!!!!!
News from Fieldcrest High School
Honors Night – May 22 The
faculty and staff at Fieldcrest High School are please to announce that
honors night for this year will be on May 22, 2006 at 7PM in the High
School Gymnasium. Students, Parents and Community members are invited
to attend. Students will receive recognition in many areas including
attendance, scholarship and achievement, citizenship and scholastic
honors. We are proud of the students at Fieldcrest. Come and show your
support by attending Honors Night 2006.
Students of the Month
Sara Schmillen was chosen as February Senior of the Month in the area
of Mathematics. Sara is pictured below top with Mary Ryan, Alpha Bank
representative. Sara received a $50 savings bond for being chosen.
Christina Bennett was chosen as Guidance Senior of the Month for
January. She is pictured here below bottom with Ben Behrens, Fieldcrest
Student and Alpha Bank representative. Christina received a $50 savings
bond for her efforts. 
SADD UPDATE
Submitted by Linda Howley-Skuby SADD sponsor
Twenty-Eight students attended the annual leadership program at
Illinois Valley Community College on March 9, 2006. Nearly 400 students
from surrounding schools were also in attendance. The theme for this
year's conference was "Open Your Eyes". The students listened to
presentations on Leadership, including making healthy choices and
remaining strong in the face of obstacles. Also in the month of
February,SADD students participated in the fundraiser for the Leukemia
and Lymphoma Society raising about $ 746.00. Money was raised through
Valentine sales and class competitions. Also the community businesses
contributed by collecting money in their stores with "Pennies for
Patients" boxes. Participating businesses were Casey’s General Store,
Motel Six, Visions, and Pop's. We thank everyone for helping in this
fundraiser for blood cancers that mainly affect young people. The sale
of the red bracelets, which have the "relentless" motto on, it
continues to be on sale for purchase. They bracelets are $2 and can be
purchased at the school or from a SADD member. All contributions are
sent to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The SADD group will host the
presentation of "Pressure Points", a three screened, multi media
presentation, which addresses current issues facing teens. An addition
to this year’s presentation is a second one for the middle school 7th
and 8th graders. This presentation is brought to us through
Motivational Productions. We want to thank Mr. Vincent and Mr. Lapp for
supporting this presentation. Looking ahead the SADD student group is
planning the 2nd annual Community Spirit Week. During the week students
will "get involved" with the community and support the local Relay for
Life through different activities. In addition a recycling program will
be added to donate the aluminum tabs and cans. Click here for a picture of SADD members.
News from Fieldcrest Unit Office
Welcome Doug Roberts
Fieldcrest C.U.S.D. No. 6 is happy to welcome Doug Roberts as the new
principal for Fieldcrest Middle School and Fieldcrest East Elementary
beginning the 2006-07 school year. He is replacing John DiMascio who is
retiring at the end of the school year. Mr. Roberts received is
bachelor's degree in mathematics from the University of Illinois and
his master's degree in administration from Eastern Illinois University.
Mr. Roberts most recently has served as the athletic director of
Richmond-Burton High School and prior to that was a math teacher and
coach in the Prairie Central school district. The board, superintendent
and staff selection committee are excited about the confidence,
leadership and intergrity Mr. Roberts will bring to Fieldcrest Middle
School and Fieldcrest East Elementary.