Cougar Campus News

Important Dates:

 

 

From the Desk of Dan Goggins:

What a fall we have had.  Homecoming week was a huge success.  A big thank you goes out to the Cougar Boosters for supporting the many activities for our students.

 

And hey, how about the football team?  They and all of our fall sports had successful seasons.  School spirit and Cougar pride is running rampant.  Also this fall, students were administered midterm assessments for the first time on October 25th and 26th.  Teachers are in the process of analyzing those results and correcting common misunderstandings before finals.  In the near future, we will be participating in some proactive safety measures including a lockdown and an evacuation drill.  In addition, we want to thank you for making connections with us through parent conferences and phone conversations.  Together we are making a difference.  It is always good to be a cougar and have a great holiday season!

 

 

FAML Department:

v      Plainfield South High School's French Club sponsored activities in recognition of la Semaine du Français (National French Week) November 2-8, 2006. The theme for this year's national celebration was "La musique francophone: tout un monde à découvrir" ("Francophone Music: A Whole World to Discover").

 

The festivities began on Thursday, November 2nd, when all students enrolled in French were exposed to French music and art during their French classes. Students even created their own artwork based on the styles of famous French artists!

 

On Friday, November 3rd, the French Club hosted a petit-déjeuner français (French breakfast) for PSHS administrators, support staff, and Modern Language teachers. This breakfast consisted of traditional French breakfast items, such as coffee, tea, hot chocolate, croissants, and baguettes with butter and jam.

 

On Tuesday, November 7th, all students enrolled in French classes had the opportunity to stay after school for a French cheese tasting. Students were able to taste French cheeses, including Brie, Boursin, Port Salut, and fromage de chèvre, to name a few.

 

The last activity for the week long celebration was after school on Wednesday, November 8th, 3:30-5:00 p.m., when students enrolled in French classes were treated to a showing of «La Belle et la Bête» (Disney's "Beauty and the Beast") in French.

 

The French Club enjoyed an exciting week of activities!



 

 

v      Preparations are under way for the sixth annual PSHS Madrigal Dinner.  The dinner will take place Saturday and Sunday, December 9th and 10th starting at 6:00pm. Tickets are $18.00 per person for a full evening of entertainment, including Her Majesties Half-Act Players, a raucous jester, the serving wenches, and of course the Madrigal Singers. Tickets may be purchased in room 182, by calling 577-5655, or by emailing Chris Rugecruge@learningcommunity202.org. If you have never been to a Madrigal Dinner before, don’t miss out on this chance!!  You WILL have a great time!!  Come and celebrate the merriment of this festive season with an evening of food, fun, and frivolity!

 

v      Each year the PSHS Art department participates in the Joliet Junior College juried art show.  The following students were chosen to represent PSHS for their fine work this year:

 

Leah Guadagnoli for her Mixed-Media

Zager Wordlaw for his Digital image

Kira Walker for her Digital Image

Lauren Bonano for her drawing

 

We are proud to announce that both Lauren and Kira won an Award of Excellence in the show.  Congratulations Lauren and Kira!

 

v      Plainfield South High School senior Ileana Nava has been accepted into the American Choral Directors Association National Multicultural Honor Choir.  Ileana was selected based on a recording she submitted for the nation-wide audition, which was open to high school singers in grades eleven and twelve as well as those enrolled in two-year colleges.  Over 1400 students representing 44 states auditioned for this ensemble.  Ileana is the first student musician from Plainfield South HS invited to perform at the national level.  She will spend 5 days in Miami in early March rehearsing and performing with the ensemble.  This is a huge honor, both for Ileana and for PSHS!  Way to go Ileana!

 

v      The Plainfield South German Club and Honor Society will take its 6th Annual trip to the German Christmas Market in Daley Plaza in Chicago on Saturday December 9th.  The students will get to visit an authentic German market and experience German food, music, gifts, chocolates and more.  The German Christmas Market invites vendors from Germany to share their wares with the citizens of the Chicago-land area.  Thus, the students will have a wonderful opportunity to use their language skills to speak not only with the vendors, but also the large number of Chicago residents of German heritage who visit this beautiful market every year.

 

Fall Play:

Fall Play 2006 was a huge success! On November 3-5, PSHS presented, “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940.”  The play was a comic “who done it.”  It took place in a mansion where the creative team, responsible for a recent Broadway “flop” (in which three chorus girls were murdered by the mysterious “Stage Door “Slasher”), assembled for a backer’s audition of their new show at the Westchester estate of a wealthy “angel.”  The house was replete with sliding panels, and secret passageways.  All of these figure into diabolic comic mayhem that followed when the infamous “Slasher” made his appearance and struck again - and again.  The students performed exceptionally!

 

 

Junior Class:

The Junior Class sold lollipops during homecoming, completing its first fundraiser of the year.  We will be selling holiday grams during the 2nd week of December.  In the meantime we are diligently forming committees for decorations, coronation, picture backdrop design, publicity, etc to work on Prom 2007.  The theme (still a secret) has been chosen.  The students involved are great workers who will continue the tradition of super PSHS proms!

 

 

School Newspaper:

For the first time in recent history, a September issue of the newspaper, The Paw Print, was distributed.  The October issue is also out and the next issue is expected to be distributed on November 30.  This will be the last issue before the holiday break.  Along with the usual holiday stories, the November issue will include stories from selected J1 students.

 

Social Studies Department:

The Social Studies Department is getting involved in creating Soldier Boxes for this Christmas season, a project brought about by Mrs. Boe several years ago.  These boxes will include anything from granola bars to playing cards to toothpaste.  The purpose of this activity is to show support for our soldiers overseas.  We have done this project for the past couple of semesters and the outpouring of support from the students and their parents has been overwhelming.  Last year we were very successful and hope to be again this year.  Also many students have received letters back from soldiers showing their gratitude for the notes and treats that we sent out! 

 

 

Student Services Department:

v      “Grab it and Growl” cookbooks available from Plainfield South

                       

The Cougar Needy Family Committee at Plainfield South High School is selling “Grab it and Growl” cookbooks, which feature 200 of the best recipes from the school’s faculty and friends.

 

Proceeds from the sale of the cookbook go to the Cougar Needy Family Committee, which provides support for Plainfield South students and families in need. Books are $5 each, and are expected to be delivered on or about Monday, December 11.

 

Cookbooks may be pre-ordered by contacting Paulette Aldis (paulettealdis@hotmail.com) via e-mail or phone at              (815) 439-6901. Books will also be available for purchase after their delivery at Plainfield South.

 

Plainfield South is one of three high schools in Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202, and is located at 7800 W. Caton Farm Road in Plainfield.

 

As soon as we return from Thanksgiving break, the Cougar faculty and staff will be sharing in an annual event at South where we are given the opportunity to help those less fortunate than we.  It's the Cougar Needy Family Giving Tree project.  Six families have been identified this year as recipients of the generosity and kindness of the Cougar school community.  In addition to granting holiday gift wishes, we will also be providing each of the families with a $50 food gift card and a $50 gas gift card.  As a special treat this year, we are fortunate to be able to give each family a surprise $50 gift food card for their Thanksgiving meal, due to the success of the expected sales of the Cougar Grab It and Growl Cookbook.

 

 

Applied Arts Department:

v      Mr. Clark's Business Law class will soon begin their mock trials.  This is a 3-4 week long project that culminates with every student getting the chance to argue a case related to contracts in front of a jury of their peers.  Win or lose this is a great experience for the students and gives them a realistic look at civil litigation. 

 

v      The Foods 1, Foods 2, and Culinary Arts classes are participating in cooking a Thanksgiving Dinner.  Each kitchen is preparing different side dishes to share with the class.  After the food has all been prepared, the class will share their food and eat together.  They are learning numerous skills by participating in this lab.  They are learning time management, cooking skills, and are able to try different foods.  This is a great experience for the students and gets everyone involved.

 

 

The Cougar Needy Family Giving Tree

HOW it WORKS

 

1.       Choose one or as many ornaments as you like from the tree that is set up in the Teacher’s Lunchroom.

2.       Each ornament has a number on the front and the gift wish on the back.  After you pick the ornament(s) we need you to PRINT YOUR NAME next to the corresponding number on the sheet posted near the tree.  We need to know who is responsible for each ornament/gift so that all wishes are fulfilled.

3.       Bring your gift(s) WITH THE ORNAMENT INCLUDED in a gift bag with tissue to Student Services by Friday, Dec. 16th.  (The ornament serves as the gift tag.)

4.         By participating in this annual gift giving event, you make a difference in the life of someone less fortunate.  Thank you.

Any questions call Mary at 5527 or Paulette at 5512.

 

 

Cougar Boosters:

Homecoming 2006 was a tremendous success!  The Cougar Boosters would like to thank the following businesses, clubs and individuals for their outstanding support.  The donations and support they provided allowed our Homecoming events to be a fantastic experience for everyone.  Thanks to Kris Short for the flowers, Buikema’s Ace Hardware in Plainfield, Grand Rental Station in Shorewood, Turk Furniture, D’Arcy Motors, Meijer, Panera Bread, Honey Baked Ham, Subway in Plainfield, Dominick’s in Shorewood, Jewel in Shorewood, Pantry Lane in Plainfield, Foods I 4th and 5th period classes, Foods II 6th period class and the Culinary Arts 7th period class.  We especially appreciate the efforts of our awesome principal, Dan Goggins.  His never-ending support and encouragement of our students is amazing.  Also thanks to the rest of our administrators, teachers, custodians and staff who helped ensure Homecoming was fun for all.  Thank you to all the parents and volunteers—your help was awesome!  In addition, the PSHS students and alumni deserve a huge thanks for their participation in the many events and activities that took place during Homecoming week—the school spirit and pride you displayed was outstanding and a pleasure to be a part of.

 

The Cougar Boosters next upcoming event is our Bowling Fundraiser, which is one of our two major fundraising opportunities each year.  The Bowling Event is sure to be a hit with many prizes and lots of fun for everyone!  Mark your calendar now for February 24th, 8:30pm at Town & Country Lanes.  The cost is $30 per individual or $50 per couple.  Donations of gift items or gift certificates that could be used as prizes during the festivities are really needed.  Tickets will be sold at home basketball games and if you would like to make a donation or help in any way, please contact Chris Voda at 436-5736.

 

You may not yet have had time to get involved.  Take some time after the holidays and check out of some of the clubs, sports or activities at PSHS.  We have many to offer and volunteering is not only rewarding, but fun as well!  Everyone is also invited to attend the Cougar Booster meetings the first Wednesday of each month in Room 198.  Share your ideas and help the Cougar Boosters make a difference at PSHS!

 

Math Department:

Mr. Rayola’s Algebra 1 classes will be using the CBR's (Calculator Based Rangers) and the graphing calculators.  Students will be walking in front of the CBR, which sends out sound waves that bounce off the students and back to the CBR.  The CBR measures distance over time.  As the student is walking in front the CBR, the graphing calculator plots the points and then it will connect the dots to form a line.  The students then will find the equation of the line by finding the slope and y-intercept of the line. 

 

Mr. Rayola and other math teachers have created review games using Jeopardy, Hollywood Squares, and baseball for chapter tests.  Mr. Rayola’s website has all reviews, homework calendars, and note sheets so parents and students can have instant access to math help.  There is also a webpage of just games for students to play to sharpen their skills.

 

Students in Calculus Honors are combining Music and Math.  They are using songs to help remember important methods and procedures.

 

The Math Team is preparing for their first competition, the SPC Math Contest on November 29.  They hope to have 25 students compete.

 

Students in Mrs. Vladika’s Geometry classes participated in an activity where groups of students prepared to be prosecution attorneys and they “Proved” their cases.

 

 

Science Department:

Science classes are busy at work.  Chemistry classes have been in laboratory investigating the color of light emitted when various chemicals are placed in a Bunsen Burner flame as a result of electrons gaining and losing energy.  They also recently completed an inquiry laboratory practical on the density objects during which students had to create effective methods of measuring mass and volume of various substances.  Honors Chemistry has spent the past month walking through the history of the Atomic Theory as students have searched to understand the basic building blocks of all the matter that surrounds us.  In the physics' rooms, students have been performing labs and activities to gain a better understanding of basic Newtonian Laws so that they might gain a deeper knowledge of why matter behaves the way it does.  Anatomy and Physiology are preparing to begin dissections of various animal body parts before concluding with a cat dissection.  Our newest class, Forensics, seems to have become student favorite thanks in part to the work of Mr. Phil Pakowski and the ever-popular CSI series on TV.  Students in Forensics will soon be solving a "theft" that occurred in room 316 (fictitious, of course) by applying forensics techniques learned previously.  This semester course is open to any junior or senior who has completed biology and chemistry.  It is really an integrated study where biology, chemistry, physics, algebra, and geometry all play an important part.  Lastly, we recently spent a morning with the science departments of PHSCC and PNHS during which we analyzed questions from each semester's final exams as a first step towards aligning our District curriculum. It was a great day of work filled with many good discussions and questions.  All who attended each course meeting noted the high level of concern for student performance.  We are looking forward to more work towards this common goal.

 

Students of the Month: (September)

Applied Arts: Jennifer Whitfield, Mackenzie Schaefer, Carlos Castaneda, Zoraida Garcia;  English: Jocelyn Alvarez, Andrew Foskaris;  FAML: Ann Chezem, Luke Gundersen, Jayme Figueroa;  Math: Ashley Nuding, Jeff Becker, Jessica Howe, Stephanie Schultz;  PE/Health/Dr. ED.: Calvin Hendrickson, Derek Wolff, Lauren Walker, Sabrina Esparza;  Science: Ezequiel Torres, Brittney Forsgren, Alyssa Schrader, Zach Jakubiak;  Social Studies: Kelly Inda, Jamie Tracey, Jenny Morales, Eddie Escobar.

 

Students of the Month: (October)

Applied Arts: Alejandra Ibarra, Jami Fowler, Jena Tomasek, Christine Bednarek;  English: Taylor Jones;  FAML: Jameelah Thomas, Jordan Jeske, David Garon, Andrea Smith;  Math: Sarah Mazzone, Kel Markert, Jimmy Anderson, Grisselda Nava;  PE/Health/Dr. Ed.: Melanie Pfister, Ariel Wroblewski, Colton Kosicek, Kevin Voda;  Science: Louie Smith, Kelly Cox, Carissa Jenkins, Joe Robinson;  Social Studies: Chris Eurich, Kendall Weber, Kurt Bendoraitis, Victoria Calderon;  Special Ed: Andy Becker