PLAINFIELD
SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL
COUGAR
NEWSLETTER
Volume 3,
Edition III
Important
Dates:
From
the Desk of Tom Hensel:
v The semester marks the
halfway point of the school year. I
challenge our staff and students to renew their enthusiasm and dedication to a
positive second semester and look forward to working to provide an enjoyable,
sharing and learning environment
v I encourage all students and
their families to ask for assistance in any academic area that they may find
challenging. We offer a variety of
programs to help any student in any academic area that needs assistance. Remember that attendance is a necessity to
succeed in the classroom. We are aware
that emergencies and illnesses prevent a student from being in school at
times. The support from the family
emphasizing the value of being in school is important to a student’s success.
Student Services:
v The Explore test was administered to 729 students from both campuses in December. The makeup test will be given to 154 students from both campuses on March 13th at Plainfield High School Central Campus from 8:00-11:30 a.m. If you have any questions regarding this test, you may call Ken Decker at Plainfield South at 439-5540 or George Schlott and Central Campus at 439-3262.
v College and Financial Aide Night will be held at Plainfield South on February 5th from 7:00-9:00 p.m. This evening is especially geared to those students and parents of the class of 2005, but all students and parents seeking information on college and financial aide are invited to attend. On hand will be representatives from the military, a private university, public university, vocational school and junior college. A financial aide representative from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission also will be available to answer questions.
Scholarship Information:
v Plainfield South High School
PTSO is awarding a $500 scholarship to a graduating senior. Seniors may pick up an application from the
Student Services office. Applications
will be available for pickup on Tuesday, January 20th and must be
completed and returned to Student Services by April 15th, 2004.
Spanish Club:
v The Spanish Club enjoyed a
potluck of foods from various Spanish-speaking countries at the January
meeting. The club is now preparing to
perform at the Foreign Language Week assembly on March 5th, where
they will be acting in Spanish and demonstrating Latin Dance.
ESL Happenings:
v ESL students have been using
technology to practice their English skills and to interact with other students. A teacher-monitored email account (using www.epals.com) was created for each ESL
student at PSHS and PHSCC. Then
students from both schools were paired up.
The Epals emailed each other weekly.
In November the Epals met
each other in person when the ESL students from PHSCC visited PSHS for an
International Thanksgiving Buffet! Each
student brought a dish from their native country to share with the group. We had about 45 students at the party. Students danced to music from Latin America
and Poland. Ken Decker, Eve Panice and
Christine Robertson joined in the festivities, as well. This was a fun way to practice using English
skills in a social setting. After the
party students asked when they would be able to get together again!
Social Studies Department:
v The government classes in
the social studies department ran their first ever “Election Project”. The project’s objectives were to provide
students with an understanding of the campaign process and the importance of
participatory government. During this
project, each government class was responsible for nominating a presidential
candidate, developing a party platform, and soliciting funds from special
interest groups. Each special interest
group was represented by a staff member and could disburse funds to each party
as they saw fit. Political parties
received “Mattix” Cash based on the stance that they took on each issue. Funds were an essential part of the project,
because each political party was required to produce specific items for the
campaign. These items included campaign
posters, TV commercials and campaign buttons.
The project concluded with a general election in which the voters
(juniors, seniors and staff members) elected a new president. The social studies department is planning on
conducting a similar project for the second semester government classes and is
attempting to get Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn to come to our school to talk
to our students.
v
On
Wednesday, January 14th, 2004, the Société Honoraire de Français
(French Honor Society) held its first induction of the newly established
Plainfield South High School chapter.
Inductees Alisse Goldsmith, Perry Krumpolz, Shannon Lausch, Brittni
Meduga, Steven Pearce, and Caitlyn Smith participated in the ceremony which
concluded with la course du flambeau, or candle-lighting, as they
recited the SHF motto: L'homme qui sait deux langues en vaut deux! After the induction ceremony, inductees and
their family members enjoyed refreshments provided by Mrs. Ann Smith and
Mademoiselle Emily Todd, French Teacher and SHF sponsor. Félicitations to the new inductees!
Children of Eden Brings Ancient Stories Back
to Life:
v
Journey
back in time to some of the most ancient legends with the cast and crew of this
year’s musical. This year our large and
talented cast is putting on three performances of the musical Children of
Eden by Stephen Schwartz, best known for his work on Godspell and
for the music in such Disney movies as The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The
Prince of Egypt and Pocahontas.
The stories revisited in this contemporary musical are those of Adam & Eve, and Noah & The Ark, complete with “animals” and diverse musical selections. As the characters work through the major dilemmas that still face humanity today, they realize that what matters most in life is family.
The cast and crew have been working very hard and having a great time, so come out and see the show! The performances will be in the auditorium at Plainfield South High School, March 26th-28th. Beginning in March tickets can be purchased through the main office at PSHS by calling 815/439-5555.