Vipers Hit the Slopes

Friday morning to Saturday afternoon, Vanguard held its first snowboarding trip open to Vipers who are proud to be Drug and Alcohol Free.

The students and staff departed around 8:30 on Friday morning on their way to Portage, Wisconsin's Cascade Resort. Later, the gang headed to their cabin in Warrens, Wisconsin for a night of swimming, watching movies, and relaxing.

Mr. Kain explained the day's schedule to every one.

Instructors split every one up into 3 groups: Beginners, intermediate, and snowboarders.

The snowboarders prepare to go up the slopes for the first time!

Ski instructor, Bruce, taught the intermediates how to walk up the hill.

Grettel poses while learning how to ski for the first time.
Brayan mastered the bunny hill.

And they're off to the lifts!

Maria, Meister, and Felfle were having a great time.

Juan got a little tired.

Jus' chillin'.

Bruce teaches the art of tipping your skis.

Kain, Chris, and Thad are on their way up to the top.

Thad and Chris are off!

Molly's coming down the hill.

The next Shaun White.

P. Kain!!!!

Brayan and his team leader bond.

The gang.

Next, the group headed to the indoor water park near our cabins.

Do I have to explain?

Dinner time!

A few kids hang out in the outdoor hot-tub.

Meister kindly made pancakes for every one the next morning.

Mr. Kain was so excited he was almost home!

The roads were covered in snow.

Mr. Kain started yet another snowball fight.

Maria was so wiped out from skiing, she napped on the bus.

Meet the Staff! 7

Mark Kosirog is our business teacher, math teacher, and technology supervisor. He is also Vanguard’s union representative, and Upward Bound Coordinator. The Spongebob and Simpsons fanatic always has the students best interest in mind, and enjoys challenging the way people think.


AMS: What is your most embarrassing moment?
MCK: During my first real teaching job, I thought I was all organized for my first period class. Turns out, I forgot to Xerox something. So, I ran to the copy room at the side of the school. By the time I got back, I was sweating perfusely. I started to take attendance, and the paper stuck to my arm because I was sweating so much.

AMS: If you could time travel, what year would you go to?
MCK: I would travel back in time so I could be rich. I would bet on things I knew I would win. Also, I would check out famous mysteries, like who shot Kennedy.

AMS: If you were stranded on a tropical island what are 3 things you would bring with you?
MCK: I’d bring my wife, a knife, and bug netting because I hate bugs.

AMS: What is your best high school memory?
MCK: This group came to my school and did “The Curly Shuffle” in our gym. It was really cool.

AMS: Where do you see yourself in fifteen years?
MCK: I see myself having 2 more master degrees, and playing with and spoiling my grandchildren.

AMS: What’s your dream job?
MCK: This is my dream job, I love what I do!

AMS: What’s your dug out song?
MCK: The Rocky Song because it just seems like a song that describes a little guy triumphing over a Jo Shmo.

AMS: Who would play you in a movie of your life?
MCK: Yul Brenner. He’s bald, and has a cool accent.

AMS: What dance describes you?
MCK: The Hokie Pokie because you put your right foot in, you put your right foot out, you put your right foot in, and shake it all about. It’s the only dance I can confidently do.

AMS: What would be your last supper if you were on death row?
MCK: I’d have Rosebud’s eggplant salad, Texas De Brazil, and an Oberweis banana split with extra pecans.

AMS: Do you have Beiber Fever?
MCK: No, I can’t get into him for some reason.

Interview by Annemarie Schaefer

Mouses....Mice...?

On Friday, November 12, Pasta was informing Kos about all the computer MOUSES that do not work. Then began the great debate: Mice or Mouses? Through out the day, Pasta would ask every person he encountered what the plural of computer mouse would be.

Here are the results!

Mouses - 25

Mice - 21

And the Winner Is...

At 6 o’clock on Thursday morning, Superintendent Dr. Schuler notified staff via email that District 214 won the Lincoln Foundation’s 2010 Bronze Award for “Commitment to Excellence.”

According to Lincolnaward.org, “The Lincoln Foundation for Performance Excellence is a not-for-profit organization backed by both private and public funding. The Foundation seeks to help Illinois organizations continuously improve their performance by encouraging, developing and highlighting excellence among five sectors: industrial enterprises, service providers, health care organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies.”

Multiple students and teachers within the district were interviewed by the foundation. Lincoln focused on topics such as leadership, communication, finances, goals, and the ultimate results of how the district is run when they are judging for the award.

The Lincoln Foundation’s evaluation team interviewed Mr. O’Brien. He says, “Having a school such as Vanguard in the District shows how invested the district is in the students.”

To even be a contender for an award, you have to apply or be nominated. For this reward, the district applied. The form had to have a five-page maximum profile, a fifty-page maximum application page, and much more.

Though it is not known how the Lincoln Award will impact Vanguard, or any of the schools in particular, the foundation will give the district handy tips of improvement. Associate Superintendent for Educational Services Rosemary Gonzalez-Pinnick says, “This should impact everyone in the district. In January, we will receive a written report judging how we function as a company. We want to be as high functioning as possible.”

According to Director of Staff Support Judith Minor, “This award is notable, and has a high external validation.” Ms. Minor went on to explain how the award is held high in regard, and how momentous this award actually is.

In the past, two service sites received the award, John Jay Elementary School and Forest View Elementary School.

Keep up the good work, students and staff!

Story by Annemarie Schaefer

A New Tradition is Born

Vipers successfully completed the Turkey Trot on Wednesday. The busses departed for Busse Woods around noon on Wednesday.

Students Emily Casey, Maria Garcia, David Cordes, and Olivia Gabcova wore their Native American hats while walking.

Mr. Marcos layed out the course to students.

Ms. Meister, Brayan Gallardo, and Nick Bowden ran! Enrique Loaiza (not pictured) "won" the race.

Early finishers formed a bridge and cheered as their fellow students crossed the finish line.

Special thanks to Mr. Heldmann for marking the track for us!

Photos by Elizabeth Meister
Story by Annemarie Schaefer

High ropes 2010

Students reach for the sky in high ropes.

Last Wednesday, Team O'Neill and Team Cortes participated in an all day high ropes course in the field house. Mr. Kain, Mr. Marcos, and Mr. Gustafson guided, taught, and helped students complete the course. "High Ropes is a highlight of the year for Team One-ill. Every students from both teams attempted the course!" said Ms. O'Neill.

Before starting, teams did a few team building activities.

The first activity was a name game. Every one would say their name, and a fruit that started with the same letter that their first name did. For example, Alex was "Alex Avacado." The person next to him would have to repeat "Alex Avacado" and make up his own and so on and so on.

Next was a jump rope activity. One after the other, a person would jump through the rope to the other side. If some one messed up or missed their turn, every one had to start over. At first, we couldn't get more than 10 people through. After a few tries, we got over 40 people through in 1 try. It was a great feeling!

Next was another jump rope activity. Now, every one stood in front of the rope and had to jump at the same time. This is more difficult than it looks. The teams brain stormed and tried many different ways of completing the activity.

Not long after we got over 5 jumps!

Finally, it was time to start high ropes! Mr. Marcos went over safety rules with us.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kain went over how to rope yourself into the course so you are always safe.

There was a ground course to get the feel of what you would be doing in the air.

"I thought the high ropes course was really cool. We all had our fears, and conquered them. That happened because we all helped each other." -Chris Kopec

Here, Nick Bowden climbs a loose ladder to the ceiling.

Diana was fearful, but attempted to climb the rock wall!

Julia encouraged Essence to overcome her fear of heights and climb one more step up the ladder than she did last year. She did it!

Photos by Kayla Woodward
Story by Annemarie Schaefer

Meet the Staff! 6

Mr. Patrick Kain has a long history here at Vanguard. He has worked here ever since the school opened in 1997. He has not always been our guidance counselor, camper extrodinairre, and intake director. Back in the day, Mr. Kain filled the position of Vanguard’s P.E. and health teacher. This hard-working, caring man has an essential role at Vanguard everyday.


AMS: What is your most embarrassing moment?
PDK: On my wedding night, I ran to the bathroom. When I got there, I noticed there were all women inside. I stood there for at least 10 seconds, I was so confused! They all laughed, and 2 minutes later, every one was talking about it.

AMS: If you could time travel, what year would you go to?
PDK: I would go back to when I was 3 or 4 to see how my parents raised me. I want to see what we did and where we went. I think it’s because I have small children of my own.

AMS: If you were stranded on a tropical island what are 3 things you would bring with you?
PDK: I’d bring a surf board, my family, and a fishing pole.

AMS: What is your best high school memory?
PDK: I went to state with my soccer team sophomore year. It was exciting, we played in front of over 5,000 people and got 3rd place.

AMS: What’s your dream job?
PDK: Working at Vanguard. And, I love having 3 months off every year. This is the perfect job for me.

AMS: What’s your dug out song?
PDK: Thunderstruck - ACDC. The intro is so cool.

AMS: Who would play you in a movie of your life?
PDK: Lee Dewyze.

AMS: What dance describes you?
PDK: The running man (A Vanilla Ice dance) because I’m a child of the ‘80’s.

AMS: What would be your last supper if you were on death row?
PDK: I’d have a burrito from Labamba Burrito.

AMS: Do you have Beiber Fever?
PDK: Totally not. His lyrics are so 50 years ago.

Interview by Annemarie Schaefer