Congratulations to the Class of 2008 for their four years of excellence. This class has been an integral part of many of the wonderful things that have occurred at ACHS for the past year. Academically, athletically, and socially this class has done us proud. Good luck to all of them as they leave ACHS to conquer the world.
We have a lot to celebrate at Antioch as we examine the 2007-08 school year. The State of the Sequoits June 2008 attempts to capture the essence of many of these success stories. Please enjoy these highlights.
All of the following accomplishments and information revolve around student achievement and our role in creating an outstanding learning community. While we are committed to District #117 and its mission, this document seeks to expand on these beliefs by examining specific values emphasized Antioch High School in more detail.
ACHS Value Statements
We value commitment to creating a positive/safe school environment for students & faculty that is inviting, promotes creativity, and acknowledges success. We believe that the leadership at ACHS must ensure that the district’s guaranteed and viable curriculum is effectively taught by the faculty and learned by the students as measured by academic growth. We value the ability to realize our School Improvement Plan We value the willingness to seek assistance as we try to improve. We value accountability and ownership throughout the school. We value the efficient use of resources.
STATE OF THE SEQUOITS June 2007-2008
This year has witnessed record setting ACT scores, special recognition from the State Board of Education for our improvement over the past two years, fifty percent reduction in unexcused absences over the past two years, a 39% increase in AP enrollment, a 5% increase in participation in athletics, and much more. Please enjoy these highlights.
We value commitment to creating a positive/safe school environment for students and faculty that is inviting, promotes creativity, and acknowledges success.
The English Department celebrated National Poetry Month in April. Teachers and students brought “pocket” poems to class and shared them. On April 19 was Pocket Poem Day highlighted with three hour Poetry Slam organized by Sarah Ogborn’s Literary Magazine Production Class. The library was transformed into a coffee house where students read poems and played music.
Students in Business Management and Marketing were actively involved in marketing the ACHS grand opening of McMillen Field event, ‘Sequoit Summer’, to the students and community. Students created posters and fliers, contacted sponsors, and designed the t-shirt.
The following winter/spring teams qualified for the IHSA Team Academic Achievement Award: Girls Bowling, Girls Basketball, Boys Tennis, Softball, Girls Soccer, and Girls Track and Field
The Dance Team captured SECOND PLACE in the kick competition at the State Tournament. They also won the AA Division in the kick competition at the Lake Zurich and Stevenson Invitational.
The Cheerleading team captured FOURTH PLACE at the State Tournament. They also took second place in the division and third place over-all at the NSC Conference Meet.
Girls Soccer won the Prairie Division championship. Four of the five division sports too second place in the conference including girls track, boys track, baseball, and softball.
Four girls’ track and field athletes qualified for the IHSA State Track and Field Meet. These athletes included Erin Schoenfelder, who finished in 14th place in the 300m hurdles, Brittany Deem in the discus, Erin Poss in the 3200m run, and Jessica Long in the pole vault.
Two boys’ track and field athletes qualified for the IHSA State Track and Field Meet. Both athletes qualified by exceeding the state qualifying standards. These included Lamarr Pottinger in the 110m high hurdles and Tyler Woolard in the discus. Lamarr Pottinger also ran a time in the 55m hurdles that qualified him for the Prep Indoor Track and Field State Meet.
The girls’ track and field team won the 10 team District #117 invitational, took second at the Grant and Crystal Lake Central Invitationals and finished fourth out of twenty-one teams at the Tri-State Invitational Indoor meet held at the University of Wisconsin at Platteville.
The bowling team finished in second place in the division. They have had many competitive finishes in some of the stronger tournaments in the state, highlighted by a championship in the “C” Division at the Prospect Invitational. 3
Kris Cope was named the “Outstanding Senior” by the Special Education Department. Kris and Kyle Elrod received the Vos Scholarship. Rasaki Vandrush received the “Ryan Swanson Assistive Technology” Scholarship. Kyle Elrod received a “School to Work” Scholarship from the Council of Exceptional Children. Katie Albright was nominated for the Technology Education National Honor Society through LCTC.
Seminars for Scholars concluded another great year with a philanthropic trip to New Orleans to help the struggling schools. The trip was subsidized by business leaders impressed with the talents of these students. ACHS volunteers painted a school and visited with NO students.
Attendance
* 72 students had “Perfect Attendance” for 2nd semester.
* 33 students had “Perfect Attendance” for the entire year.
* Males decrease their unexcused absences by 69% from last year
Congratulations to Zack Simonini and Blyth Roberson for being runner-ups in this year’s Voice of Democracy essays and speech contest. Special recognition goes to Mignon Rademan who received the first-place award. ACHS contributed over 30 contestants.
Five students attended FCCLA state conference and all earned gold medals. Mrs. Carl included a visit to the Lincoln Museum so they could better understand what they were studying in their social studies, history classes and hearing in the current election battle. FCCLA ran the Prom Fashion Show. Students designed and constructed props and painted set for the show. They also worked as crew for this successful event.
The Social Studies teachers have made a commitment to promoting student work. Students have had the opportunity to engage the content through a variety of ways that include:
Presentation of Schindler’s List in Global Studies
Mock United Nations in Global Studies
Guest Speakers in Psychology and Social Problems
Orienteering in Geography
Simulation of diplomacy in International Relations
Senior Heidi Schoepp, editor of Finesse, the literary magazine, will have her third poem published in the Creative Communication’s Poetic Power contest.
Jazz Band Traveled to Hackney’s Restaurant to open for the Brass Tracks Jazz Orchestra.
Our bands and choirs evening of musical delights, ‘Our Kind of Town’, showcased the talents of our students while invigorating all who attended. 4
The Fine Arts held an eighth grade night workshop with perspective students to give them a taste of what a Fine Art Class looks like.
ACHS competed in the IHSA Solo and Ensemble Contest with some great results. In choir, over 40 students participated in the contest. Perfect scores were earned by Madrigals, and individuals Bonnie Bekersky, Anna Farrell, and Stephanie Basford. We captured 17 Firsts, 8 Seconds, and 2 Thirds. In band over 40 students participated in contests with impressive wins in Jazz Band (Division I).
Shane Zobel had the winning design for the Battle of the Bands t-shirt, while Alex Tanner won the design contest for the McMillen Field sign.
Ceramics I and Adv. Spring ’08- Students again did several Raku firings and also a horsehair applied finish outside the ceramics room. Students are designing a tile mural for the ceramics display case and doorway areas.
At the North Suburban Conference Juried Art Show the following received first place. Name Medium Title
Danielle Becker Acrylic Flowers Set to Flame
Shane Zobel Pastel Footprints
Tiffany Mallery Tempra Persian Lady
Gordon Coopman Watercolor Ares
Ellen Eames Pencil Self-portrait
Kate Dornbusch Ceramics Obsession
Kaley Lindstrom Porcelain Horsehair Raku Pot
Heather Gilbert Porcelain Teapot
Derek Dschida Porcelain Carved Bowl
Kayla Freund Ceramics Rabbit Sculpture
ACHS Student’s Choice Winners 1st place winners included: Robbie Lindstrom, A.J. Horner, Tiffany Mallery, and Emma Scheidt. ACHS Student’s Choice Winners 2nd places were: Arielle Wolf, Cassandra Wolf, Danielle Becker, and Shane Zobel. ACHS Student’s Choice Winners 3rd places were: Heather Gilbert, Kate Dornbusch, Elijah Fitzgerald, Megan Macek, and Ellen Eames.
At the District Art Show/ Woman’s Art Show winners included: 1st place- Ellen Eames, Kaitlyn Trusky, Mikal Kowalczyk, Danielle Becker, and Kate Dornbusch 2nd place- Nickolelyn Lange, Colin Campbell, Trisha Cross, Casandra Wolf, and Heather Gilbert 3rd place - Martin Bridges, Kris Siepl, Megan Macek, Tom Olsen, Colin Campbell, Marina Small, Shane Zobel, Gordon Coopman, Kevin Futterer, Ellen Eames, Eli Pompilus, Kris Siepl, Mikal Kowalczyk, and Tiffany Mallery 5
Over 440 students from D#117 and sender schools combined for the District Band Festival hosted at ACHS, while hundreds also participated in the District Choir Festival. Both May events thrilled the crowds with their talents
The Sound of Music received tremendous reviews and performed to ‘sold out’ shows. Eighty students were involved with the production cast who also read/discussed a novel about the real Van Trapp family. Musical talent and brains- a great combination.
Students in Advisory spent several weeks discussing complex issues of MySpace. Senior Advisors led the class in a discussion of what were appropriate pictures and topics to place on the website. One senior came in to speak with the class regarding her “stalking” experience from MySpace. A change to safer practices was noted on many student pages.
Kerri Elliott’s Social Studies Instructional class did research on the cocoa trade and child slavery. They created a display and had students sign petitions for local merchants to sell free trade chocolate in their stores.
Fifty-three ACHS students took the National German exam with four students scoring in the 99 percentile. 26,000 students took the exam nationwide.
Based on his exam and subsequent interviews, Ross Houslander was awarded a 3 week trip to Germany.
The National Honor Society inducted thirty-eight new members on April 13 with guest speaker Representative Joann Osmond.
The Spanish and German clubs had their annual soccer game with the trophy going to the German club this year.
Twenty-five students participated with Math Team highlighted by their success at the American Mathematics Competition. Miles Kovach, Theresa Phan, and Teodora Diaconescu qualified for the state tournament; Miles took 10th in the state (Geometry). The Math Team helped NIU after the tragedy by hosting the sectional math tournament.
Approximately 250 fourth-sixth grade students and families from our sender districts attended the November 12th Math Fair. Nearly eighty games were created and run by all levels of honors ACHS students. This ‘summed up’ to be a great evening.
All ACHS math classes participated in celebrating Pi Day; students decorated the hall, made t-shirts and posters and, of course, ate pie.
Flex scheduling was implemented in math to allow seniors to take their semester exams in an appropriate setting without interrupting the flow of other classroom activities.
Seminar for Scholars provided tremendous opportunities for some juniors and seniors to engage in ‘values in conflict’ discussions with prominent professionals. The groups highlight included traveling to New Orleans to help rebuild schools after Katrina and engage in conversation with students from this struggling community.
We are pleased with Nancy Fenton’s efforts in creating Psychology Club. Approximately 70 students were involved in this new club. Highlights for 2007-2008 included: Psychology Club Film Festival and Psychology Club Guest Speakers included:
Professor Grela- spoke on ‘attraction’ from the evolutionary perspective
Dr. Timothy Koeltzow spoke about the neurological associations with addiction.
Dr. Koeltzow provided an actual human brain for students to examine.
National Alliance on Mental Illness sponsored speaker addressed the difficulties/stigmas of living with mental illness, and the course of their therapy.
Paul Night, hypnotist, explained the uses of hypnosis and conducted demos.
DECA, our business club, ran a ‘Toys for Tots’ collection, and collected over 250 toys for children in Lake County. DECA students also competed at the State Career Development Conference in March. All members achieved competency certificates. Trevor Kreutzer captured sixth of thirty-five competitors in the Entrepreneurship completion. Cody England took third place in Economics and sixth overall in Automotive Marketing.
Congratulations to the students in the Jobs for Illinois Graduates program. They had a strong showing at the annual JILG Career Development Conference. ACHS took home three of the ten awards, more than any other school at the conference. Individual winners included Sammy Mohr, Robby Lindstrom and Amber Knutson.
The February Black History Month celebration exposed our students to some of the wonderful impact on culture and history from this minority group. The ‘blues’ assembly performed by blues legend John Primer rocked the house. The event included reading and writing passages about black culture.
We believe that the leadership at ACHS must ensure that the district’s guaranteed and viable curriculum is effectively taught by the faculty and learned by the students as measured by academic growth.
We have collectively written/updated curriculum maps for virtually all subjects. We have also developed thirty-seven distinct common assessments to help analyze our curriculum, students’ strengths/weaknesses, and best practices.
Our late-ins this semester have focused on refining common assessments in English I, II, and III. The teachers have included reading passages and questions on the core literature and revised questions that, based on the results from earlier tests, seemed confusing.
The teachers have also used the time to examine the curriculum and make some revisions; for example, the English III team reworked the independent novel project to focus more on research skills.
In the Fine Arts, we have developed our curriculum:
Common assessments were written and administered in Music Theory Level one, Music Theory Level II, 2D Art and 3D Art.
Music Theory Level 1 and 2 curriculums are finished. Music theory Level III has been started.
2D art and 3D art curriculum as been aligned.
Beginning Drama Curriculum has been aligned.
The math department gave ten common assessments during the second semester. Eight common assessments were written and given as first semester final exams.
A summer class is being offered to bridge the curriculum between Pre-Calculus and AP Calculus BC; Hannah Drye will teach the course. Summer work will include AP Vertical Teaming as we continue to streamline our curriculum.
The Math Department began their investigation of best practices in teaching geometry by examining the Van Heile school of thought regarding geometric proof. Chris Roberts and Jori Bowen created PowerPoints to allow easy integration of WorkKeys practice into the daily mathematics curricula.
Summer curriculum work is being planned between the math the science departments to further the development of the Physics First program.
Students are able to participate in co-taught sections in all core academic subjects. There were thirty-four sections of co-taught classes offered in core curricular classes taught by thirteen special education teachers with fifteen general education teachers.
Physical science, CPP, environmental science, and biology have common chapter assessments made by efforts of building curriculum teams. Physical science, CPP, biology, honors biology, chemistry, honors chemistry, environmental science, and earth science have common final assessments and/or midterms for both semesters.
Common assessments results in 2008 demonstrated an increase in mastery for Biology, Chemistry and CPP. One department goal was to increase student mastery by 10% in Biology, Chemistry and CPP. In Biology mastery went up by over 26% while Chemistry and CPP saw increases of 9%.
The Science Department continues to meet as building teams to plan our units:
Biology (weekly), Chemistry (weekly), Honors Chemistry (weekly), Environmental Science (weekly), Physical Science (weekly), CPP physical science (weekly) Physics (district meetings with colleague from Lakes when possible)
District #117 held a week-long training in-service in June with experts in Physics First to ensure that all staff members have mastered the Physics First curriculum. 8
Work continued on the development of the new freshmen course – Global Studies. The work now focuses on the development of the second semester units – Change, Diversity, and Current History. It was decided at the last District meeting to change the common case study for the unit on Change. A common assessment was completed for second semester.
Spanish and German common assessments saw substantial growth over last year with the vast majority of students scoring above 80% on the tests. PE and Applied Technology implemented common assessments for the first time in several of their classes.
Curriculum maps and common assessments were finished in Preschool Child, Woods I, Business Concepts, Computer Applications I. Mapping is almost complete in Parenting and Adult Living.
We value the ability to realize our School Improvement Plan.
Average Daily Attendance for the 2007-08 school year was a high 93.23% despite having a very difficult winter and flu season.
There was a 35% reduction in the number of classes dropped/transfers from class from 2006-07 to 2007-08.
Walkthrough data continues to demonstrate a great variety of instruction is occurring in all of our classrooms. Departments continuously examine this data and discuss best practice for their courses, content areas, and student experiences. Three full weeks of walkthroughs were performed during the school year. Every series of walkthroughs provided opportunities for Student Achievement Committee and departments to examine our teaching practices and students’ experiences.
Virtually all teachers at ACHS have completed CRISS training. This in-service stresses the importance of creating students-centered learning opportunities for all levels of students across all content areas.
Reading goals were met with increased opportunities to engage in reading, including our ‘Relax and Read’ program. We continue to grow the One Book- One Team program.
U.S. History teachers focused on the inclusion of meaningful writing activities to reinforce the curriculum. We also incorporated activities to assist in preparing students for the ACT test. The common assessment was completed and all students will receive a common writing essay. The common writing prompts are included on the following pages.
All Applied Tech classes have implemented the Work Keys program. Students had the opportunity to prepare for testing by using this program at least once a month in each class. 9
Students in all Applied Tech classes have been assigned current event articles to read and analyze in relation to their units of study. Some were teacher provided; other times, the students needed to find them and analyze.
Students at all levels, from freshmen through seniors, will read a summer book. Freshmen will read either Downriver or Claws; sophomores, the Book of Fred; juniors, either It’s Not Just About the Bike or Nickel and Dimes; and seniors, Kite Runner or The Awakening.
Nicole Sutherland and Kelly Taylor attended the state reading conference, and shared what they learned with the department. One strategy they emphasized was called Expressive Vocabulary.
All winter sports participated in the One Book-One Team Program including Bowling, Wrestling, Girls Basketball, Cheerleading, and Dance.
After reading Coach K’s book Beyond Basketball, the head coaches discussed 6 themes that we could focus on as a department to help our department work with our student athletes. The 6 themes were furthered discussed in February and narrowed down to three.
We will have some of our athletes involved in the NSC Leadership Conference, and Leadership Council read Ultimate Punishment by Scott Turow. Students will attend the One Book One Community discussion on August 28th. Some AP students will lead group discussions during this event.
Students enrolled in study skills classes participated in weekly instruction for a full period in Work Keys Training with a focus on Reading and Mathematics. Reading Instruction has also been incorporated into Study Skills classes. Ms. Krass and Mr. McKeigue utilized Jamestown series to complete reading lessons. A focus has been in having students read passages that are of interest to them. Ms. Atkinson has been developing a classroom library for the self contained room. Ms. Dewing had the students in her study skills class read a book and complete a project.
Students in study skills were assessed three times using Performance Series testing in reading and mathematics, and data will be utilized for the development of IEP goals and to assist in placement decisions. Weekly reading instruction has been incorporated into Study Skills classes. Teachers introduce a weekly “reading strategy” as part of the curriculum (.g. reading drills, vocabulary, etc.).
At the beginning of the first semester, students in English I Seminar were tested in reading using the Performance Assessment component of Achievement Series. Near the end of the semester they will be retested, providing an indication of how they have improved in reading.
AP enrollment for the 2008-09 school year is up 65% from two years ago. 10
Fine Arts is developing a core vocabulary list for each discipline that will assist students when learning key concepts. The department has also implemented a variety of PSAE activities (writing, reading etc.) into its curriculum.
Spanish II classes finished reading the novel ¿Dónde está Eduardo?, and wrote a counterargument paper about a topic related to the reading. Shari Demeritt’s Spanish III classes read a book titled, “Querido Pedrín” and wrote a book with illustrations that included letters to and from characters in children’s stories. Spanish IV students are reading excerpts from “Don Quijote de la Mancha”. Spanish 1 students are reading a novel titled “Pobre Ana”.
We promoted love of poetry and the spoken word by hosting a Poetry Coffee House in April during National Library Month and National Poetry Month. Mrs. Ogborn’s Literary Magazine class helped with the setup, serving of food and beverages, and assisted with take down to put things back in place afterwards. They also provided an emcee for the Poetry Slam. Students and staff read favorite poems and/or poems that they had written themselves. Mr. Hellen played his guitar and there were several other student musicians that participated. This was a very successful event and approximately 300 students were in attendance.
The PE staff helped with PSAE test preparation by offering five writing prompts. Each of the prompts addressed a wellness related topic. Students were asked to take a stance on the issue, but also address counter arguments. This summer, the PE department staff will be reading the book, SPARKS by John Ratey. The book talks about the mind/body connection to improve learning.
We value the willingness to seek assistance as we try to improve.
All of our Advanced Placement teachers attended AP conferences in the fall to ensure we had all the information necessary to provide successful instruction to our AP courses.
Faculty meetings revolved around the teaching of reading. We had breakout sessions on summarizing, teaching vocabulary, annotation, and paraphrasing. Colleagues shared their best practices at these meetings.
All returned fall parent satisfaction surveys stated that the athletes enjoyed playing for their coach. All of the parent surveys turned in for the spring marked that the athlete enjoyed playing for their coach.
The Math Department will benefit from the work of Dr. Wholeben as he analyzes data from our semester exams. This expertise will help us critically exam our common assessments and provide more internal capacity for this work as we move forward developing our curriculum.
The Driver Ed staff received a $2000 grant from the state of Illinois called Operation Teen Safe Driving. The culmination activity of the grant was a Safety Awareness Day 11
held May 13. Norm Johnson worked with Debbie Rummel to plan the very successful event. Students were taken through six different stations to experience the consequences of not wearing seatbelts and driving and driving. Other community and state partners included the Antioch Police and Fire departments, the Illinois State Police, and Allstate Insurance.
The PE Department was fortunate to have guest speakers in the classrooms:
“Food and Fitness” had a food scientist from Kraft Foods talk about careers in the food industry. They also had two representatives from the Lindenhurst Health and Fitness club speak about what to look for in a health club facility.
Driver Education classes learned about the driver’s license organ donation program from a representative of the Kidney Foundation. She brought an organ donor recipient along to lead the discussion.
The Lake County health department talked with Fit for Life classes about the HPV shot and other related adolescent gynecology issues.
Mary Ipsen from American Family Insurance and Dave Rutkowski from Horace Mann Insurance talked to the Driver Ed. students about insurance for young drivers.
Tim Hildner is leading a group that is reaching out to area businesses to partner in our quest to provide graphing calculators to all of our students. This project began at Sequoit Summer where $2,000 was raised!
DECA advisors from across the state have shared ideas. Many of these have been or will be added to the activities in marketing classes. Students came in for help with their taxes.
Wanda Teddy, Kelly Taylor, and Sarah Ogborn will make a presentation on Lord of the Flies at next year’s Illinois Association of Teachers of English yearly conference.
Many staff members from almost every department have been attending RTI/PBIS training. These conferences will be helpful as we develop our district and building plans to continually improve.
Kelly Sulkin, Tina Bairstow, Dave Judson and Chris Roberts attended workshops/training sessions second semester and then shared findings with the Math Department.
There were 160 IEP staffing during the second semester. Meetings included Annual Reviews, Eligibility Determination, and IEP Revision Meetings.
Special Education staff attended conferences on Reading, Curriculum Mapping, Assistive Technology, and RTI during the 2nd semester. We also attended a presentation to district staff on PBIS by Dr. Howard Atlas. We have worked with the Dean’s Office to develop alternatives to suspension for students in self-contained room. Interventions have included lunch detentions, individualized ILE, loss of pass privilege, and escort in the hallways. Students have also earned tokens for positive response in the class and in the hallways, which can be used to earn food items.
Mrs. Johnson brought in many community members to participate in the Earth Day fair.
We value accountability and ownership throughout the school.
239 students attended after school PE makeup sessions second semester. Last semester was 149.
182 students attended Driver Ed. makeup this semester. Last semester was 176.
For the spring drug testing period, 176 athletes were hair tested with no positive results. 70 athletes were urine tested with two positive results. There were 115 hair tests in November and December with no positive drug tests. There were 9 urine tests in November with one positive test. There were 10 urine tests in December with two positive tests.
After the discovery of three parties that were attended by spring athletes over spring break, all spring athletes were required to attend a meeting after school on a Wednesday to discuss various topics related to the expectations of student/athletes at ACHS. This was followed by discussions with their coaches.
Special education teacher Sara Jowers has been working with about 20 students who are failing in English. These students have spent half their lunch periods completing English assignments.
All students in English I, II, and III have kept their writing assignments in portfolios this year. The culminating assignment for the portfolio will be a letter to the reader, asking students to reflect on what they have learned about writing during the year.
All English I, II, and III students did PSAE preparation work during the semester. The primary focus was to integrate PSAE reading and writing strategies into the curriculum; the department also sought to address the unique features of the ACT and Work Keys with “bell ringer” activities and sample passages and questions.
We are promoting a community-wide One Book One Community project. Students, staff, and community members have the opportunity to read Ultimate Punishment: a Lawyer’s Reflections on Dealing with the Death Penalty by Scott Turow. We are collaborating with Antioch Public Library to encourage involvement of the community at large. Mr. Turow will visit our school on August 28th. Fliers will be included in a mailing to ACHS families encouraging them to participate.
Students recognize the importance of presenting their ID so that attendance may be taken each period. The library attendance procedure adopted this year helps to verify that students are reporting to their assigned classes. The library staff made displays featuring books that student and staff book groups have read and have them attractively displayed outside of the library demonstrating the value of reading.
We are working on a display that will showcase former ACHS students who have graduated and gone on to join the Armed Forces. Students will become aware of the sacrifices and opportunities that our graduates are pursuing.
As a district, mathematics teachers piloted a final exam incentive, the results of which will be analyzed to determine whether or not the incentive will be adopted. All teachers took part in editing our 10 common assessments as we continue the transition to Achievement Series. Six math teachers taught ACT prep classes for juniors, while all math teachers incorporated WorkKeys and ACT practice items into their daily work to include the use of KeyTrain.
Mrs. Paul’s Advisory recycled various teacher and staff bins as a community service and "Go Green" activity. Others picked up trash around the football field fence, in the halls, and around the school area. Ms. Elver’s Advisory cleaned up the courtyard.
Painting students are undertaking mural painting in the visual arts and drama hallways to add to the beautification of the building.
We value the efficient use of resources.
The 2007-08 budgets brought stability to our programs. We were fiscally responsible as well within our building budget for the year.
Students in Computer Applications 4 created computer learning games for the Little Sequoit Preschool. Preschoolers worked with
Computer Apps 4 students in the computer lab “playing” the games the students had created. Games ranged from opposites, counting, identifying shapes, animal identification, etc. At the end of the project the high school students created individual CD covers and burned the 18 games to a CD for each preschooler to play at home. Computer Applications students also created DVD’s of each Little Sequoit Preschooler to be presented to the preschoolers and their families at the Preschool Graduation, May 21st. After interviewing each preschooler, Computer Apps 4 students utilized Adobe Photoshop CS3 and Sony Vegas Video to create the DVD projects. Both of these programs are considered high-end graphics editing programs. Photoshop edits static (still) photos and Sony Vegas edits raw video footage.
Business Law students went to the Lake County Courthouse, Jail, and Coroner’s office. Students observed courtroom procedures, learned about various careers, and gained an understanding of agency operations. Phil Zinkowich, from the Lake County Police Department, spoke to the Business Law classes regarding careers in law enforcement. Pat Herman visited the Business Management class to speak about her experiences as an entrepreneur. She shared the struggles and rewards in running Wildwood Towing and 14
Merci Beaucoup Boutique, two very different ventures. Fashion/Interior had guest speaker from Robert Powers talk about the fashion industry.
Spanish and German clubs worked together to paint ceiling tiles (flags from different countries) that are now displayed throughout the Foreign Language hallways.
We have decided to drop three of our library databases as we find that students are not using them enough to justify the price. We ask teachers to recommend books and movies that will be of benefit to students and staff.
Several parents volunteered a day to work on the new softball infields to make them better ready for use in the spring. After this occurred, the softball team did not have one softball game cancelled that was scheduled to be played at McMillen Field.
The 2007-2008 athletic budget was balanced, and the 2008-09 budget was created saving the district a few dollars along the way.
With the new concession stand at McMillen Field, six of the seven spring teams were able to run concession stands this spring at various athletic events, raising additional money for the benefit of our spring athletes.
SEQUOIT SUMMER celebration provided a great unveiling of our new facilities. The community enjoyed many activities/sports, free music, and participated in softball, basketball tournaments, and a 5k run.
Our students received over $73,000 at our Honors Night in May. Twenty-seven students were recognized with multiple scholarships from various universities and colleges.
We use the on-line text books for Life Science, Biology, Earth Science, Chemistry, and Honors Biology, and email to save paper.
In April, ACHS celebrated Earth Day, by bringing in many volunteers within our community to demonstrate the importance of “Living Green” along with many other environmental messages. The school was presented with the Earth flag due to the efforts of the Environmental Club.
The Cooperative Work Training Program participated in the Lake County’s Reach Out and Read Program. Students collected 1,351 books for children ages 6 months to 5 years, and read to children at a Waukegan Health Clinic. ACHS also collected/sent books to African schools in need. Many other philanthropic endeavors were undertaken by the faculty and staff.
Thank you to everyone who directly and indirectly helped us achieve such tremendous success throughout the 2007-2008 school year. Well done!
