Service makes a difference

The year is coming to an end! All students' last day of service is this Friday. Students shared memories and things they've learned at their service sites during team this morning.

"Service may be over on June 3, but that does not mean girls can wear short-shorts! Please keep those short shorts for the weekend," said Ms. O'Neill.

"The best memory at Miner was the first day because I was nervous and everyone there helped me get past it." -Amanda Pazdzioch. Service site: Miner Elementary

"One thing I learned is that kids look up to teenagers a lot, so we need to be role models." -Enrique Loaiza. Service site: Forestview Elementary

"Being at Ridge has taught me so many things about myself. It has taught me to have so much patience and that I love working with kids on the Autism spectrum." -Val Carley. Service site: Ridge Elementary

"The best part of my service site was meeting new people and going to Pennsylvania." -Matt Beutel. Service Site: Empire Beauty School

"I learned how to put tires on rims and how to do tire rotations." -Jorge Orellana. Service Site: Formula Marathon Station

"I learned that teaching kids isn't as easy at it looks." -Christy Ochoa. Service site: Ridge Elementary

"They gave me a book filled with letters on my last day and they were sad to see me leave." Matt Glatczak. Service Site: Devonshire

"My best memory was when I saw a smile on the kids' faces when I bought them snacks." Gio Rodriguez. Service site: Forestview Elementary

"I learned that to work with kids, you need a lot of patience...and I don't want kids until I'm 30!" Jenny Rodriguez. Service site: Ridge Elementary

Annemarie Schaefer

Yes, bike. No, canoe.

The group of students and teachers that were supposed to go on a camping trip to Indiana went on a bike riding trip to Chicago today. They wheeled around Lake Michigan. We can't wait to hear all about it when they get back!

"It was so refreshing. I got to feel the wind blow in my hair all day instead of sitting in Room 4," says Ms. DeMeo.

Bike the Drive is this weekend downtown if anyone is interested. Service and PE points will be awarded. Go to bikethedrive.org.

Times they are a-changin'

A new director, a new group of students, and increased skills-based ACT/test prep. Vanguard's 2011-2012 school year is filled with new opportunities and experiences that will get kids better prepared for the future.

Students are reacting in all sorts of ways about the longer school day. “It’s not a big deal. It’s just an hour!” says Alex Kresen.

Next year, the school day will end at 3:00 instead of 2:05 to "increase academic time for students," according to Mr. Kosirog. Staff are holding meetings after school to work out the schedule. Fear not, Harper, cosmetology school, nail school, PAC, and all service sites will not be affected by the new agenda.

The change from 2:00 to 2:05 earlier in the year was already a hard adaptation for Vanguard students. "I think it's going to be hard on the students, not teachers. Our school day ends at 3:30 regardless. We'll adjust. It'll be okay," said Ms. DeMeo.

Students aren’t taking the news as lightly. Almir Dekanovic says, “It’s going to be very depressing because this school always ended at 2:00. This is a drag.”

Wheeling and Buffalo Grove kids take longer to get home than others. Kayla Woodward sits on the bus for a total of almost an hour and a half some days. She fears with the later days she will get home very late. “Buses will be added to the routes so kids won’t get home as late,” according to O’Brien.

This news is starting up conflict for many working students. “It’s going to be a problem for some kids. Some have to get to work right after 2:00,” stated Dr. Koralik.

“I don’t think it’s fair. That’s the point of Vanguard, we’re supposed to be different than other schools. Now we’re going to be in school almost the same amount of time and we travel further,” said Danielle Pettibone.

One proposed schedule sets aside time a couple times a week to do extra PE and clubs for students who are on track, according to Ms. O’Neill.

“It’ll be interesting to see how Vanguard maintains its culture in terms of its after school activities and clubs which have always been done after school,” says Ms. Felfle.

Story by Annemarie Schaefer

Vanguard gives a helping hand

Vanguard students are stepping up after over 67 tornadoes struck in just this past week. The worst tornado of them all hit Sunday night at 6 PM; it destroyed over half of Joplin, Missouri. 132 people are dead, and 156 are still missing.

This heartbreaking news hit home to many Vanguard students. Four students in particular wanted to step up and do something about it. What started out as a health class project quickly turned into a school fundraiser.

Angie Mazanova, Eli Martinez, AJ Bays, and Kayla Woodward put together a project in hopes to raise money and supplies for the victims of the tornado. Eli and AJ stood in front of the school at big team this morning and presented a devastating Power Point. It consisted of an aerial view of the tornados path, a video of the actual tornado, and pictures of the destroyed community. Minutes after the presentation, Vanessa Cardona jumped in to help the cause. “I’m going to make an add about the Joplin tornado so we can get Forestview to help us with our donations,” said Vanessa.

Every pair of eyes in the room was glued to the screen as they watched what it was like for these people to loose everything in the snap of a finger. A choked up Ms. O’Neill shared that a few of her friends’ homes were destroyed in this natural disaster. “Vanguard students and their compassion has really brought my friend and his family hope during an extremely rough time.”

“We’re trying to make students aware. A lot of kids didn’t know about the tornado until Wednesday. We’re trying to tell them how much Joplin needs help and how much the donations we can give mean to people down there,” stated Kayla Woodward.

Any one and every one can do a little something to help raise money for Joplin citizens. A list was passed out during big team that consists of supplies that can be donated. There is also a can next to the coffee cart for money donations. If a student needs to borrow a writing utensil, they will face a fee. The money will be given to Joplin.

Every penny counts. As of this afternoon, Vanguard raised over 40 dollars. Students hope to make this an all-building fundraiser.

“Seeing the images of devastation reinforces how grateful I am for all of the things that I do have and it makes all the little things in life that I stress about seem insignificant,” stated Ms. Felfe.

Story by Annemarie Schaefer

Who's the boss?

We know for sure Mr. O'Brien's picture will be hanging with the other former directors next year. But who will sit in his chair?

Rumors have been flooding around Vanguard for months that our director Michael O'Brien will not be returning next year. These rumors were confirmed last Monday at Big Team when O'Brien announced his July 1st resignation to the students.

According to the District 214 homepage, Dr. Charles Johns, principal of Rolling Meadows High School, is supposed to fill O'Brien's position for the 2011-2012 school year. I met with Dr. Johns in late January and we discussed his goals and objectives for next school year. He expressed much excitement in joining the Vanguard family. I am waiting to hear back from him.

"Dr. Johns took a new position as Assistant Superintendent in Elmhurst," said Mr. O'Brien. Students and staff are now again wondering, who will be director next year? The district will be holding interviews for the new Director of Alternative Schools. Rumor has it that interviews are being held this week. Some sources say we should have a new director by mid-June.

This back and fourth is taking a toll on staff and students. "As a staff, we were informed in January that Dr. Johns was coming here. We did preparations with him, and now it's lost time. It's sort of frustrating," stated Mr. Heldmann. Also, Ms. O'Neill aired concern Vanguard summer school will be difficult to run without an administrator. Mr. O'Brien will run summer school completion for Vanguard until July 1.

Randy Hawley, Associate Superintendent of Human Resources, was not available for questions. He is currently on vacation.

Even though next year's director is nonexistent at the moment, students and staff are holding their heads high. "I believe this isn't what O'Brien wanted right now, but something good will come of it. He'll be better off in the long run," shared Dr. Koralik.

"Dr. Johns must have taken one look inside, seen the students and bolted," joked student Thad Struggles. In all seriousness, Thad believes everything will work out for the best but he mentioned that he and his family will miss Mr. O'Brien.

Story by Annemarie Schaefer

Canoe or not canoe, that is the question.

10:30 am

Vanguard's camping trip to Marshall, Indiana was canceled last month due to bad weather. Campers were let down, but Mr. Markos planned the same trip to leave tomorrow morning.

But because of a tornado warning in Indiana, a possible earthquake in Iowa, and more, the trip may not go on.

"As of right now, the trip is still on," says Mr. Markos. He is currently looking for a safe place to camp in any neighboring state. He will keep us updated throughout the day.

9:40 am 5/25

The camping trip was ultimately canceled because of bad weather. No word yet on when or if it will be rescheduled.

1:45 pm 5/25

Instead of going to Indiana, students will attend an all-day local trip during school on Friday. Mr. Markos doesn't know where they will be going yet.

Meet the Staff! 13

Marilyn Medina-Perez is Vanguard’s new social worker. This is her first year and she’s a huge hit with all the students. Ms. Medina-Perez was named Illinois’ 2010 School Social Worker of the Year. Besides her love for chocolate, helping adolescents is her passion.

AMS: What’s your most embarrassing moment?
MMP: I have so many embarrassing moments. I can’t name just one.

AMS: If you could time travel, what year would you go to?
MMP: I would probably go to Europe during the jazz era.

AMS: If you were stranded on a tropical island, what are three things you would bring with you?
MMP: I’d bring my husband, a lighter and chocolate.

AMS: What’s your best high school memory?

MMP: All my friends and I went to Michigan Avenue in our dresses after prom. It was great.

AMS: Where do you see yourself in fifteen years?

MMP: I hope I’ll be considering retirement and focusing on opening my own therapy practice.

AMS: What’s your dugout song?
MMP: “We will rock you” by Queen.

AMS: Who would play you in a movie of your life?
MMP: Penelope Cruz would play me.

AMS: What dance describes you?
MMP: The Salsa and The Tango. They have so much history.

AMS: If you were on death row, what would be your last supper?

MMP: I’d have steak with sweet potato casserole with a double fudge chocolate cake from Portillo’s.

AMS: Do you have Beiber Fever?

MMP: No. He doesn’t draw me.

Interview by Annemarie Schaefer

Reach Out A Hand To Save Lives-By Angie Mazanova

On Sunday, May 2nd, 2011, a horrible tragedy occurred. One of the deadliest tornado's took lives of 90 people. The damage is heartbreaking. Almost everything is lost. And now, these people have nothing. We as a community can give them hope. American Red Cross Association has established many ways of help. The choices stand between donation of money, donation of blood or volunteer work. If we as a family give at least an hour of our time, we can bring life and hope to so many people. The biggest concern isn't even about their houses or their cars. It's about food, water, shelter, love and care. This is our wake up call. Imagine what it would be like to be in those people's shoes. What would it be like to look at life in a different way? What would it feel like to breathe in your first breath of air after going through such a horrifying experience. We can do this together. We can reach out one hand to save the lives of thousands.

Where's Bono? by Eli Martinez

Recently, there was a massive tornado that hit the town of Joplin, Missouri killing 89 people. It was a tragedy that spoke volumes. Houses were reduced to rubble and the whole town was just torn to shreds. It is not only sad to witness the aftermath, but it makes your heart sink. No one deserves to go through any of that. The human race as a species is quite complicated, but there comes a time in life where you have to completely set everything aside and unite for a greater good. I, for one, have values, I stand for something and that is to be the person you possibly can be. It's hard to have hope when everything and everyone around you seems so negative, but there is no reason to ever do so.
While Joplin was being completely destroyed, I had a life-changing experience while working in the rain with a friend. A car stopped, a lady named Susan and her son offered us a ride home. I felt a huge amount of gratitude, I felt like I almost wanted to hug her and cry. I just had to walk in the rain, but could you imagine how those people in Joplin might feel if we could help, even in the slightest way?
I propose we hold a concert. We have so many talented musicians. All the proceeds should benefit the victims of this devastating tornado. I stand for all that is good in the universe. There has to be a difference. Vanguard can make a difference. Something must be done. What do you stand for?

Our hearts are with Joplin by Cris Richardson

The tornado that demolished Joplin and left the majority of its population both grief and poverty stricken was the worst natural disaster the U.S had experienced since the tragedy of hurricane Katrina. Even a hardened reporter was brought to tears by the heart wrenching event. In times like this when a community is stripped of almost everything they held dear what's needed most is kindness and humanity. The storm was reviewed and broadcasted across the nation and as such there shouldn't be anyone not informed. The people may know but most won't go out of their way to help unless it was made convenient enough. I propose a paypal account be made to help fund Joplin reconstruction and aid the survivors. Perhaps we can donate to United Way or the Red Cross. Maybe we could even adopt a family.

Spring Field Trips

Integrated took a trip to "Area 51" in Busse Woods to clean up.

A group of students took a field trip to the Shedd Aquarium to draw, photograph, and create art of the jellyfish in the new exhibit "Jellies."

Sabrina Cuevas, AJ Bays, Lisa Loeffler, and Ms. DeMeo are amazed by the exhibit.

The whole school will be taking a trip to the Brookfield Zoo for the Integrated's endangered species and environment unit on June 7th.

Goodbye, Mr. Stern!

It’s rare when student teachers choose to do their assignment at Vanguard School. Mr. Stern is one of only six in Vanguard’s 15 years, according to Ms. O’Neill. “He’s pretty hardcore,” says Eli Martinez.

New student Paige Fuentes said, “Oh my gosh, I didn’t even realize he was a student teacher. I thought he was always here.” The truth is he’s only been here since January, but it feels like he’s always been a permanent part of the Vanguard family. Stern’s done more than taught classes. He’s organized trips, gone to Treehaven, and even dominated our 3-on-3 basketball tournament in February.

Andy Stern is an English and Education major at U of I at Urbana-Champaign. During his time here, he has taught many English classes either by himself or integrating courses with Ms. O’Neill, Mr. Markos, Ms. DeMeo and Dr. Koralik. He designed an English class about mythology and famous court cases during his time here as well. “I’m really going to miss him. He’s a great teacher,” stated Diana Gonzalez.

Since today is Mr. Stern’s final day here at Vanguard, staff and students gathered in the tech center during team this morning to have cake and say our goodbyes. Student Rachel Reza says, “He was very involved with every student. He interacted with us very well.”

We say goodbye to Mr. Stern with high hopes of seeing him again. “Why is he leaving?” asks Kayla Woodward. “He should come teach here at Vanguard next year.”

Good luck, Mr. Stern!

Story by Annemarie Schaefer