a message from the principal olchs celebrates 50 years of student

Oak Lawn Community High School
Office of Public Relations
Volume 32, Issue 1
January-February, 2002
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Pllpil PersOl/I/ei Sen's
2
Alu1lJlli Hall qjPal7le
2
OLCT [J Neil'StaJ!
2
Jail-Feb Calendar
3
A rtimlation Program
3
iVell's and j\.Totes
4
A IIllil'ersal]' A II-StalT
4
Good Nelvs
5
Re~p'istr(Jtioll
Nen's
Oak Lawn Community
High School
District 229
Board of Education
6
Oak Lawn Community High School highlights the accomplishments of alumni along with
the achievements of our current students. Homecoming 2001 was the first event of
several to honor the past. Recipients of the prestigious Academic Letter Award who
maintained a 3.75 GPA in both semesters last year were treated to a reminiscence of
OLCHS in the sixties by our Alumni Hall of Fame inductee, Mary Margaret McHugh.
While we focus on current and past student successes, our concern also turns to underclassmen that experience difficulty. Last year we devoted many hours to discussions with students, teachers, and parents in an effort to identify causes of academic
difficulty. This year we added a staff member to tutor students during study hall who
have failed multiple subjects. Our academic departments continue to look at curriculum
revisions, student/staff relations, placement policies, and articulation with feeder
schools. Parents, students, and teachers supported the use of student planners to develop organizational skills for greater achievement. Close connections with parents are
essential to our continued success. The staff is grateful for the significant responses to
parent/teacher conferences and similar opportunities for parent participation. In January and February, we feature Curriculum Nights for parents and students. On January
22, all current students and their parents are encouraged to participate in Curriculum
Night prior to pre-registration. Division Chairs and building administrators will meet with
you to discuss curriculum choices that align with your student's goals and achievements. The incoming freshman class and their parents will meet on February 7 to discuss the freshman curriculum and placement criteria. We hope parents will take an
active role in the placement process to ensure the success of their students.
Catherine Fronczak, Ed.D.
Principal
J\Iar) Cerceo, Presiden t
OLCHS CELEBRATES
Robert foster, Vice President
50 YEARS OF STUDENT SUCCESS!
Michelle Moses, Secretary
This school year marks Oak
Lawn
Community High
School's 50 th year of educating the youth of our community. Our yearlong anniversary
celebration kicked off during
Homecoming weekend, when
we honored our 50th Anniversary All-Star Football Team.
The theme for our annual parade
and
dance was
"Spartans: Then and Now."
Joseph Amado, Member
Linda Flanagan, Member
John Hickel', Member
Jerr~
VahJ,
~Iember
Our next celebration event
took place on January 4, 2002
during the Girls and Boys Basketball double-header. All-Star
Teams from Basketball, Swimming and Wrestling were recognized at that time.
Our culminating celebration
events are scheduled for the
first weekend in March. An allalumni reunion is scheduled
for March 2nd at the Oak Lawn
Hilton, and an Open House will
be held at the high school on
March 3rd.
Additional information can be
obtained via our anniversary
web site, www.olchs50.org, or
our anniversary hotline, (708)424-5200 x5050.
Tickets for the reunion are
limited, and can be purchased
at the school or by sending
payment to OLCHS 50th Anniversary at the school address.
Page 2
Volume 32, Issue 1
PUPIL PERSON
Step Teen Classes
STEP Teen will be offered on Thursday evenings beginning February 7,
2002 at PRIDE SCHOOL at 81st
and Mansfield in Burbank.
Ms. Carol McCarthy, School Social
Worker at OLCHS, teaches this
session. Learn to build positive
parent/teen relationships in eight
(8) evening sessions. Call Cathy
Curran at AERO (708) 496-3330
ext. 122 to Register. There is also
a class on Tuesday evenings for
parents of younger children.
OLCHS
For Seniors Only!
Be sure to check the PPS Office
and daily announcements for
scholarship information on a regular basis. This is updated as new
opportunities arrive in the PPS
Office. There are web sites that
are helpful for career, college and
scholarship searches that have
been shared with all students in
the seminar programs at the high
school. A list is available in the
PPS Office. Students are encour-
EL NEWS
aged to use the BRIDGES and
eChoices programs available to
OLCHS students at home and at
school.
Web site for filing the
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal
Student Aid):
www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Filing may be completed online- be
sure to keep a copy. Forms are
available in the PPS Office.
Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) also has
a useful web site for families for
financial aid and scholarship assistance: www.isacl.org.
Special Education/Section 504
Eligibility
Oak Lawn Community High School
provides special education instructional programs and supportive
services to meet the needs of eligible students as defined by the
Individuals with Disabilities Act
(IDEA) and the Illinois 23 Administrative Code. Parents may request
a copy of the EXPLANATION OF
PROCEDURAL SAFEGUARDS, avail-
able to Parents/Guardians of Students with Disabilities
Parents may also request a screening or an evaluation to determine
eligibility for special education
services or Section 504 of the
rehabilitation Act of 1973 through
the student's counselor. Parents
of high school students residing
within OLCHS District 229 attending a private/parochial school may
also request a screening and/or
case study evaluation to determine
educational needs.
Oak Lawn
Community High School is part of
AERO Special Education Cooperative. Any questions regarding special education services or Section
504 Accommodation Plans should
be directed to Ms. Mary Lee Lockwood, Division Chairperson for
PPS/Special Education Services
(708) 424-5200 ext. 7262 or Ms.
Suzanne Baldwin, Special Education Coordinator (708) 424-5200
ext. 7264.
Mission Statement
'To prot'ide each
8TH ALUMNI HALL OF FAME MEMBER I
DUCTED
student lIlith challenging
opportunities to be a
responsible member if
our rapidly chonging
Jl'orld through excellence
in education JJ
Oak Lawn Community High
School's eighth member of
the Alumni Hall of Fame
was inducted during the
Academic Letter Award
Ceremony in September.
Mary-Margaret
McHugh,
PhD., a graduate of the
Class of 1960, was honored
at that time. Dr. McHugh
currently serves as the Director of the Physical Education Activity Program at IlIi-
nois State University. In the
past, she has served as an
administrator, teacher, advisor and mentor to many
schoolchildren and prospective teachers throughout the
state of Illinois.
Jeanette Meier ('65), and
Thomas Sullivan ('73).
Congratulations to
MARY MARGARET
McHUGH
Dr. McHugh joins current
Hall of Fame members Lou
Canellis
('82),
Clifford
Dykstra ('69), Karen Gallagher ('76), Steven Hirsen
('67), C.J. Kupek ('71),
OLCHS Class of 1960
2001 Alumni Hall of
Fame
OAI"':' LAWN COM~IUN ITY HI G H SCHOOL
WE LeO M E S
N E \,(1 S T A F F
Eleven individuals joined the
teaching staff of Oak Lawn
Community High School for
the 2001-02 school year.
•
Beata Blaho, Math and
Science
•
Sean Coughlin, English
•
Teresa King, English
•
Christopher Kuchyt, Social Studies
•
Joseph McCurdy, Career
and Technology Division
Chair
•
Shelby Lalich, English
•
Jonathan Lawrence, Industrial Education
•
Kathleen Murphy,
ness Education
•
Renee Lundy, Math and
Science Division Chair
•
Arthur Panka, PEjHealth
•
Timothy Sidlow, English
Busi-
The Oak Leaflet
Page 3
IMPORTANT DATES
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2002
13
14
15
16
BOE
20
27
~ltg-7:00
Exams
24
22
23
M.L.King Da)
No School
Curriculum
BOE Mtg.7:00
28
II: 55 Dismissal
Semester
21
18
17
19
\\'intcrfcst
29
30
31
Sophomore
Frcshm.m
Prc- registration
Pre-registration
Pn:-rcgistration
1/16/02: Board of Education Meet·
ing in the Media Center, 7:00 p.m.
•
1/16-17/02: Semester One Exams
Administered
•
1/18/02: Half-Day Teacher Institute
•
1/21/02: M.L.King Holiday-No
School
•
1/22/02: Current Student Curriculum Night, 7:00
•
1/23/02: Board of Education Meeting in the Media Center, 7:00 p.m.
•
1/29-31/02: Current Student Preregistration dUring seminar
Dance- 7·30
25
26
Night 7:00
Junior
•
2
• 2/6/02: Booster Club Meeting. 7:30
3
10
4
11
5
12
6
7
Booster Cluh
Mtg-7:10
Innlming "\tucknl
8
• 2/7/02: Incoming Student Curriculum Night, 7:00
-;\\C'l"lhl"art l>al'\(.~-
Currkulum. :\ighl
13
9
\lTl;xam
H10
• 2/9/02: ACT Exam
14
15
16
Family Night6:30
2/9/02: Sweetheart Dance, 7:3010:30
• 2/15/02: Family Night, 6:30
HIGH SCHOOL-ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL ARTICULATION PROGRAM
Oak Lawn Community High
School has initiated an
articulation program with
our feeder public and private elementary schools.
Teachers and administrators are meeting regularly
to discuss the academic
transitions that occur as
students move from eighth
grade to high school. Our
initial focus is in mathematics. Other subject areas will be discussed in
the future.
The elementary and high
school staffs are working
to modify their curriculum
to provide an orderly and
appropriate connection
from what is learned in
elementary school to the
content that is covered in
high school.
Participants in the program
have included staff from
Oak Lawn Community High
School, Ridgeland School
District 122, Oak LawnHometown School District
123, St. Gerald, St. Louis
de Montfort, Our Lady of
Loretto, and St. Linus.
OLCHS
NURSERY SCHOOL
Our objective in this endeavor is to create the
best situation for success
for all students as they
enter Oak Lawn Community High School.
We are looking for a
few more preschoolers, ages 3 to
5, to participate Tuesday, Wednesday and
Thursday mornings.
Contact Ms. Holak if
interested (424-5200,
ext. 7271)
Page 4
Volume 32, Issue 1
NEWS AND NOTES
OLCHS
1952-2002
Celebratingfifty
)'ears of student
success through a
commitment to
Emergency School Closing
In case of an emergency
closing, tune in to the following
stations:
A.M. Radio- WGN 720,
WBBM 780, and WLS
890
TV- CBS 2, NBC 5, ABC
7,WGN 9, FOX 32,
and CLTV
For
24-hour
closing
information about our school,
call 1-900-407-7669 from a
touch-tone phone. There is a
$.95 charge per minute. The
OLCHS Attendance number is
424-5255.
Emergency
information may also be
obtained by calling the school
phone number, 424-5200.
Tobacco Law
P.A. 89-0181
Illinois State Law prohibits the
use of tobacco (in any/all
forms) on school property at QJl
activities (during school hours,
at sports and other events, and
at events run by other
organizations using school
facilities). All students, staff,
parents and visitors will be
unable to smoke ANYWHERE
ON SCHOOL PROPERTY. We
ask your cooperation in regard
to the enforcement of this law.
Directory Information
A parent or eligible student has
the right to refuse to permit the
disclosure of any or all of the
categories of directory
information. Such refusal of
permission must be in writing
and must be filed with the
school, but in no case later
than forty-five (45) calendar
days after this public notice has
been given.
Senior Citizen Activity Pass
As a special recognition, Oak
Lawn Community High School's
Board of Education cordially
invite all District 229 senior
citizens (at least 55 years old)
to apply for a "Golden Pass".
The pass will entitle seniors to
attend all HOME REGULAR
SEASON ATHLETIC EVENTS,
CONCERTS, AND PLAYS as a
guest of the
school.
Applications can be obtained by
visiting the school, or calling
Mr. Michael Riordan, Assistant
Principal, at 424-5200 ext.
7254.
Contacting OLCHS Staff
All Oak Lawn Community High
School staff members can be
reached via voice mail.
The
school phone number is 708424-5200. Each staff member
possesses a personal voice mail
number. The Voice Mail List for
2001-02 was sent home in
August with the registration
packet.
Additional Voice Mail
Lists can be obtained by
contacting Mary Santangelo at
424-5200, ext. 7203.
www.olchs50.org
As part of the school's 50th
Anniversary,
OLCHS
is
attempting to update our Alumni
Database. All Oak Lawn Alumni
are requested to submit their
current contact information via
the Anniversary website
(www.olchs50.org) or the
Anniversary Hotline (708) 4245200 ext. 5050. Help get the
word out and let us know where
you are!
qualitJl education
50TH ANNIVERSARY ALL-STAR
ATHLETIC AND ACTIVITY TEAMS RECOGNIZED
As part of Oak Lawn Community
High School's 50th Anniversary,
those individuals that demonstrated excellence on the athletic field and/or stage throughout the school's history are being recognized for their efforts as
OLCHS students. At the Homecoming game, the school's top
50 football players were honored.
soccer, baseball, softball and
gymnastics. We will also be
honoring our former students
who excelled in the fields of
band, chorus, drama and forensics.
support of our fine arts programs,
and to welcome back our distingUished alumni who serve as models of excellence for our students.
Please join us on March 3rd in
Please join us on March 2, 2002
At the Oak Lawn Hilton
for our
50th Anniversary All-Alumni/Staff Reunion
On January 4,2002, the
school's best players in the areas of girls and boys basketball,
wrestling, and girls and boys
swimming were honored. In the
spring we will recognize our outstanding athletes in volleyball,
tennis, cross-country, track, golf,
Tickets Available in Office 126, or by sending payment to:
OLCHS 50th Anniversary
9400 Southwest Highway
Oak Lawn, IL 60453
Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance.
Cost is $50.00 per person.
The Oak Leaflet
Page 5
GOOD NEWS FROM OLCHS
STUDENTS, STAFF, AND ALUMNI
Senior Meena Babu was recognized as a National Merit
Scholar semifinalist for her outstanding academic achievement. Meena is now eligible for a Merit Scholarship Award,
which will be awarded next spring.
Fall Athletes Honored
All Conference Honorees:
Cross-Country (B)- Jeremy Prendergast, Dave Sexton
Cross-Country (G)- Stephanie Achter, Becky Annen,
Kelly Cunneen, Cassie Gonzalez, Laura Mottl,
Melissa Storm
Football- Rob Petersen
Golf- Kevin Dertz, Don Hackstock
Soccer- Jeff Andersen, Jim Borskie, Mark DiGrazia,
Charlie Duer, Scott Kreydich
SWimming- Amanda Duer
Tennis- Meena Babu, Sandra Montoya, Debbie
Zwirkoski
Volleyball- Susie Cusick, Sarah McKinney, Karissa
Murray, Sam Synowiecki
Most Valuable Players Selected:
Cross-Country (B)- Jeremy Prendergast
Cross-Country (G)- Cassie Gonzalez and Laura
Mottl
Football- Fred Gillett
Golf- Don Hackstock
Soccer- Mark DiGrazia and Charlie Duer
Swimming- Amanda Duer
Tennis- Meena Babu and Sandra Montoya
Volleyball- Karissa Murray and Sam Synowiecki
Class of 1983 graduate Tammy (Spirakes) Poma, daughter of
OLCHS staff member Judy Spirakes, was selected to carry the
Olympic Torch as it passed through Chicago in January, 2002.
Student Assistance Coordinator Mary Egan was recently honored with the Award for Community Excellence by the Oak
Lawn Community Partnership. Mayor Ernie Kolb presented
the award for Mary's contributions in improving the quality of
life for the Oak Lawn community.
Music instructor Barbara Mateer has been selected as the
Chair of the Illinois Music Educators Association, District I
Choral Division.
Members of the Pep Club, sponsored by Ms. Gerry Zemla and
Ms. Janet Haubenreiser, worked at the Park Lawn School's
annual phone-a-thon fundraiser. Student participants included: Adam Buckels, Bernie Fasiczka, Julie Flores, Nicole
Frazier, Hananne Hanafi, Angie Kara, Sarah Naber, Amanda
Walsh, Lennie Weidner and Russell Weidner. Over $38,000
was raised for the school.
Two OLCHS students are responsible for the development of
our anniversary web page, www.olchs50.org. John Ciciora and
Jeff Fitzgibbons are thanked for their time and effort in constructing the web site.
Eagle Scouts Honored
Two current, and one former OLCHS students were recently recognized as Eagle Scouts. Juniors Eric Raschke and Sean Heilig,
and graduate Josh O'Keefe were awarded this prestigious honor,
which is achieved by less than four percent of all scouts.
Fiddler on the Roof Performed
A cast of 37 performed the well-known musical in early November under the direction of Mr. Tom Dzurison and production of
Mrs. Barbara Mateer. Our performing students included:
Jason Casio as Tevye
Deanne Drechsler as Golde
Sarah Goldrick and Amy Zero as Tzeitel
Candie Zichmiller and Debbie Zwirkoski as Hodel
Celine Metzger and Jaqui Pugh as Chava
Megan Hincks as Shprintze
Jenica Steppie as Bielke
Justin Lopez and Marc Palluck as Motel
Caleb Kosek and Eric Queen as Perchik
John Ciciora and Phil Toscano as Fyedka
Bryan Grant and Ryan O'Connor as Lazar Wolf
Tina Derencius and Val Olson as Vente
Steve Peters as Constable
Ed Suda as Mendel
Jeff Selmeister as Rabbi
Adrienne Thurzo as Granma Tzeitel
Guinevere Grana as Fruma-Sarah
Tom Rusher as Sasha
Wayne Miller as Avrahm
Michael Norris as Nachum
Katie Modrick as Shaindel
Matt Pender as Mordcha
Bridgid Lajeunesse as Fiddler/Dancer
Josh Lopez as Son/Russian
Caitlin Goldrick and Jennifer Rolniak as Momma
Brandie Engel and Katie Vogel as Daughter
Caleb Kosek and Eric Queen as Russian Soloist
NHS Members Inducted
The OLCHS National Honor Society welcomed 52 new members
at the 2001 Induction Ceremony in November. Inductees were
selected by a faculty panel which reviewed candidates accomplishments in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service and
character. The 2001 Inductees included seniors Tara Alexander,
Michael Martinez, Carolyn Siwa, and Jennifer Wiederhold, and
juniors Sarah Altenburg, Andrea Anton, Matthew Arthur, Colette
Baird, Sean Banasiak, Bridget Carlson, Krista Cheek, John
Ciciora, Susan Czemske, Mitchell Daley, Karen Dee, Mitchell
Downey, Sherri Elworthy, Jeffery Fitzgibbons, Don Hackstock,
Sarah Hasan, Elizabeth Kapustka, Kelly Keating, Brittany Kopf,
Jennifer Larson, David Lindelof, Adam Lorenz, Jessica Madrigal,
Sophia Matariyeh, Jamie Matusiak, Colleen McCalip, Sarah
McKinney, Christine McNeela, Dorothea Moeller, Autumn Osmanski, Megan Powell, Erica Purdy, Becky Raschke, Melissa
Riner, Colleen Ryan, Dennis Sepessy, Sahar Shehaiber, Jessica
Shelpman, Bradley Skendzel, Nicholas Spatafore, Lisa Stuchly,
Dana Sullivan, Jamie Tillman, Lauren Wallace, Adam Winchell,
Monica Zavala, Christine Zizumbo, and Debbie Zwirkoski. The
NHS is sponsored by Mrs. Carla Ripley.
Oak Lawn Community High School
Office of Public Relations
THE OAK_ LEAFLET
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
9400 Southwest Highway
Oak Lawn, Illinois 60453
Pennit No. 75
Oak Lawn, IL
Phone: 708-424-5200 x7254
Fax: 708-424-5263
Email: mriordan@olchs_org
Celebrating 50 Years
ofStudent Success
REGISTRATION 2002-2003 NEWS
MARK YOUR
CALENDARS!
CURRICULUM
NIGHT
2002
January 22, 2002
@ 7:00 p.m.
For Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors
February 7,2002
@7:00 p.m.
For Incoming
Freshmen
Current OLCHS Freshmen,
Sophomore and Junior
Students
Registration for Freshman,
Sophomore, and Junior
students will be starting in
late January. Curriculum
Night for current Juniors
(2003),
Sophomores
(2004), and Freshmen
(2005) will be Tuesday,
January 22, 2002 at 7:00
pm.
Pre-registration seminars
will take place on January
29, 30, and 31, 2002 with
registration materials distributed during lunch study
halls to students. Registration Dates are listed in
the
school
calendar
(Monday, 2/5/02 for Juniors (2003);
Monday,
2/11/02 for Sophomores
(2004); and Tuesday,
2/19/02 for Freshmen
(2005).
BE SURE TO CONTACT
YOUR STUDENT'S COUNSELOR WITH ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY
HAVE ABOUT REGISTRATION FOR NEXT YEAR.
A Registration Confirmation is mailed home for the
family to verify. The family
keeps a copy and sends
the second copy back to
school.
Incoming Freshmen
Students
We welcome you to
OLCHS! Mark your calendars for Curriculum Night
scheduled for Thursday,
February 7, 2002 at 7:00
pm. Registration Conferences will take place by
appointment on the evenings of February 21, 25
and 27, 2002. Appointments will be included in
the packet to be picked up
at Curriculum Night on
February 7, 2002. Please
contact Ms. Mary Lee
Lockwood at (708) 4245200 ext. 7262 if you
have any questions about
registration for an incoming freshman.