Hi-tech hits Home Economics

By Krissy M. and Sarah Z.

Itasca School District has purchased new equipment for Peacock Home Economics students this year, including five "Think It Over" computerized dolls. Sixth grade students will care for these dolls for either an evening or a weekend. But these are no ordinary dolls! They need to be cared for as though they were real infants. If their needs are not met, the "babies" will cry for anywhere from 10 to 35 minutes. When a doll begins to cry, his caregiver needs to insert a "care key" and hold it there until the baby begins to coo. When the baby starts to coo, her minder can remove the care key and set the baby back down.
The care key is attached to a wristband that Mrs. Knudsen, the Home Economics teacher, puts on the student the night he or she take the baby home. The student is not allowed to remove the band until the baby is returned to school. This is to make sure that the students' don't shirk their responsibility for the babies. The way the dolls work is that they have a computer bank in their backs, so that Mrs. Knudsen can determine the grades of the students who care for them. The computer bank tells the teacher if the baby has been neglected and for how long. The computers also tell Mrs. Knudsen how well the babies are being cared for.
The dolls will replace the "egg babies" that sixth graders use to learn about the responsibility involved in caring for babies. The dolls will replace the egg babies because Mrs. Knudsen wanted to go a step higher in technology. Students will not use the dolls until January. This means that the sixth graders this quarter will not get a chance to use them. Also, students will need their parents permission before they bring the babies home!
The names for the dolls will be determined through the Name The Peacock Quintuplet Babies Contest. Mrs. Knudsen has set up a contest to your advantage. All you have to do is think of three girl names and two boy names. Then jot them down on a piece of paper and slip it into the Baby Box on your way to lunch. It is located right outside Mrs. Knudsen's doorway. Then Mrs. Knudsen will narrow the list down to fifteen favorite girl and boy names. Later, the newspaper will print out the list of names. The students will then vote on three girl names and two boy names.

New counselor enjoys working with children

By Christine H.

Dr. West, Peacock's new student counselor, said that she became a counselor because she enjoys working with children. In fact, she said that she liked school counseling best. Dr. West attended Drury College in Missouri for her undergraduate training. She received her Masters from Maryland University, and her Ph.D. from Drake University in Iowa.
According to Dr. West, she has found the students at Peacock really nice and very friendly. She previously worked for sixteen years as a school counselor in Kansas City, Kansas. At her old school, there were many gang problems, unlike here. When asked, Dr. West said that the most serious problems she has ever had to deal with were suicide attempts. She does not really have any advice for the students at Peacock yet, but maybe we will ask her later.
Dr. West is married, and her husband works for a Federal Reserve Bank. She has three children, one son who is 24 and married with a child of his own, and.twins, who are 20. Dr. West is very proud of her new grandchild. She enjoys listening to the Oldies, Classical music and Jazz . For fun, Dr. West enjoys reading, playing tennis and walking.

Peacock students eager to explore the internet

By Danny S.

Over the summer, Peacock got new computers to replace the old Apples. Students are now trying to get used to them. Sixth grader, Tommy F. commented that he thought the new computers were good, but that they needed more games and classmate Jamie O. said the same thing. Eighth grader, Ed T. felt the same way.
Sixth grader, Izabela B. thought the new computers were "awesome," but she did say that they needed to be hooked up to the Internet, because of all the information available there. Izabela's classmate, Jason Y. agreed with her, and said that the Internet and World Wide Web allowed students to explore and learn more. Seventh graders Gino P., Art W. and Mike E. all agreed.
Tony B., also in seventh grade, said that the new computers were good, but that they crashed a lot. His classmate Mike M. commented that they were a lot better than last year's computers, but that they needed the Internet and games. Eighth grader, Eryk B. suggested that the new computers needed games like Flight Simulator for Mr. Cousineau's class, where they study aerodynamics. Most students said they would use the new computers for reports and homework.

New gym equipment makes fitness training more interesting

By Katie M.

Like any other new school year, there are many changes at Peacock. New things are introduced and many new ideas are put into play. The new physical education equipment falls into both these categories. Gym teachers Mr. Anderson and Mrs. Krisik recently discussed some of the new equipment their department received and explained its purpose.
There are now four new Schwinn 900 stationary bikes, four slide trainers, new speed jump ropes, and twenty-four new scooters. Every grade will use this equipment. The new equipment is very mobile, so Mr. Anderson and Mrs. Krisik can move it wherever they feel is best. According to Mrs. Krisik and Mr. Anderson, this new equipment will make fitness training more interesting, and will give students different ways to work out. The benefits of this equipment to students is that they will get a broader range of exercise and more variety in gym activities. In the short term, the teachers hope that their students will get more out of their current fitness training, and in the long term, they hope that if students enjoy gym now that they will develop a life-long commitment to exercise for their own good health.
In the future Mrs. Krisik and Mr. Anderson hope to purchase more stationary bikes. They also hope to invest in more innovative ways to enable students to exercise.

Fiddler on the Roof

By Tina D.

This years theme for the upcoming Senior Citizen Luncheon is Russian. "Fiddler on the Roof" will be performed by Mr. Travis and the twenty-eight music students in his class, on October 16. "It's a Dinner Theater" he explains. It takes about eight weeks in preparation. Yet, the play lasts for one and a half hours. He says that the best part of the play is at the time of the performance, that is if it goes right. "I think this is the best and biggest group I have had, and it also has a lot of talent," compliments Mr. Travis. When asked how he prepares for this sort of a luncheon he replies, "Actually I let the students do most of the singing, acting and design how each seen will look. We go look at some books and that helps a lot." He says that the students complain the most about rehearsing a part over and over again to make sure it is perfect. Yet he also said "The best part of the musical for the students, I think, is the choreography and dancing. The most difficult part of the whole luncheon is the costuming. Mr. Travis and his eighth grade music classes are working hard on this and keeping there fingers crossed that it works out just great!
Tevye, will be played by Tristan B., he says that he likes his part in the musical, and why wouldn't he, he has the main part. His wife, Golde is going to be played by Katie M., she also likes her part. Tzeitel, will be played by Rosa S., and will marry Motel who is played by Matt M.. Chava will be played by Kelly D., and will marry Syedka who will be played by George Z.. Hodel will be played by Amanda H., and will marry Perchik, and be played by Mike M.. All of these characters have main parts in the play, as Golde and Tevye's daughters or son-in-laws. Tzeitel will marry Motel, who will be played by Matt M.. When asked, if Rosa S. likes her part she replies "Oh Yeah!" Kelly when asked if she likes her part said yes, while Amanda agreed with her and added; of course I have a lot of singing parts and I have a lot of lines. Janelle Bezdijeck, who will play Yente, the "Matchmaker" in the small town of Annatevka. She says "I like my part a lot because it's very comical."
When the students were asked what they thought of this years theme they all had something different to say. Tristan B. said, "Good, best musical, besides the "Rocky Horror Picture Show." While Katie M. said I think it is different, but it's fun, too. "I think it has an intellectually, stimulating theme that touches the heart with happiness and sadness," comments Rosa S., with an enthusiastic reply. "I think it is interesting and the over-all show will be swell, but Tristan gets too intimate with the kissing scenes," says Janelle. Kelly D. said, that she thinks it is going to be fun and go very well. While Amanda H.just simply said, "I think its good."
When asked if they looked forward to performing, all of them said, yes. Tristan said that he was not nervous about performing in front of any of the groups. While Katie said, " probably the students, because you see them everyday, and they could criticize you the most. " Rosa also agreed with her and said, "Students because they might make unfavorable comments about you, and since you see them everyday if you goof-up it is worse." Janelle said, "the students because they are our peers and friends and it will be harder to act in front of them." Amanda agreed and said, "the students because they will be able to pressure me the most. Kelly had a different perspective and said, "I'm not really nervous about performing in front of any of them. I'm just going to go out there and have fun."

New nurse ready to face challenges at Peacock

By Kelly D.

Peacock's new nurse, Mrs. Maney, offered this timely advice to students: "Wash your hands to stay healthy!" Mrs. Maney is also willing to give other helpful advice and to answer students' questions. Along with caring for all the students' jammed fingers, bumps and bruises, Mrs. Maney also takes special care of the students in the multi-needs room. When interviewed recently, Mrs. Maney said that she liked it here at Peacock and she commented that the students here were "a great group, full of energy, and very cool." Mrs. Maney has also worked as a school nurse at Downers Grove High School and at an elementary school in Clarendon Hills, both in Illinois. She graduated from Northern Illinois University with a masters degree in nursing. She became a nurse because she wanted to learn how the body works. Also, she wanted to help people learn how to stay healthy and to care for them when they needed it.
Mrs. Maney most enjoys pediatric nursing. Her least favorite task as nurse is giving shots. She said, "I don't like to give shots, just like kids don't like to get shots." The most serious problem Mrs. Maney had to handle occurred while she was working as a visiting nurse. A woman called and said she was not sure if her baby was on the way. When Mrs. Maney arrived, the baby had already been born, and both he and his mother were sick. Mrs. Maney called the paramedics, and mother and baby were rushed to the hospital. Both were fine in the end though. According to Mrs. Maney, that was one of here scariest moments as a nurse.
On a more personal note, Mrs. Maney is married and has two sons, aged seventeen and eighteen. Her favorite types of music are Christian and classical. She also enjoys quilting and seeing movies with one of her friends. Her favorite place in the world is Portland, Oregon. She likes it there because her sister and two year old niece live there, and you can go to the ocean and the mountains.

New sixth graders take Peacock by storm

By Izabela B.

Jamie O.used to go to Holy Ghost elementary school in Wood Dale. When asked, she said that she misses a couple of people, including her friend Jennifer. Jamie, however, said that she did not miss Holy Ghost very much, and that she liked Peacock better. According to Jamie, she was pleased with Itasca because it was safe. She said that she thought Peacock teachers were cool, but she did admit that she liked the teachers at Holy Ghost better because she knew them better.
Jamie's favorite subject is math because Mr. Behrendt makes learning more fun. Jamie did not think Peacock students receive too much homework because she has found the workload pretty easy so far. She has not joined any activities yet, but she is planning to join the Earth Club, and to try out for basketball & volleyball. Jamie listens to Rap and Alternative. She also listens to the following artists: Brandy, Monica, Metallica, Backstreet Boys, Areosmith, No Doubt, and Aaliyah. Jamie last read Whispers from the Dead by Joan Nixon. Jamie's hobbies include dancing, gymnastics, basketball, volleyball, and talking.
Laura G. came to Peacock from Waterbarry School in Roselle. The only thing about her old school that Laura said she missed was her friends, particularly Alyssa. She commented that she thought the students at Peacock were nice, though she had only had time to get to know five or ten people. Laura said that the town of Itasca was nice, and that she liked all her new teachers. Her favorite subject is science because it is fun. Laura does not think we receive too much homework because it is easy.
Outside of class, Laura has joined the Earth Club, and she plays intramural sports. She listens to rap and heavy metal, and likes the bands Puff Daddy & Backstreet Boy. Laura last read Where the Red Fern Grows. She enjoys singing and collecting bugs.
Maggie F. came to Peacock from St. Peter's elementary school, which is just down the road in Itasca. Maggie said that she knew a lot of people here because she was at Franzen intermediate for fourth grade. She has lived in Itasca all her life and she loves it. Maggie said that she thought all the teachers were nice at Peacock, and that we did not receive too much homework. Her favorite subject is math because it is very easy and she is good at it.
Maggie has joined cross-country, band, and chorus. She listens to Matchbox 20, Savage Garden, and Backstreet Boys, to name just a few. Maggie last read Here's to you Rachel Robinson by Judy Blume. She commented that it was a very good book. Maggie likes collecting and playing sports.

New seventh grader discusses Itasca and Peacock

By Elizabeth F.

Patrycja M. is a new student in seventh grade. Before she came to Peacock, Patrycja went to Holmes Middle in Mt. Prospect. Illinois. Patrycja still gets together with her old friends a lot so she really does not miss them that much. She said, "Itasca is O.K., but I wish they had an inside pool."
According to Patrycja, Peacock teachers are much different than her teachers in Mt. Prospect. Her favorite subject is math. When asked, Patrycja said that she thought she received less homework here than at Mt. Prospect, but sometimes, she still thought it was a lot.
Patrycja's hobbies include riding horses, playing the piano, biking, roller blading, and doing different things on her computer. She listens to N'Sync, Backstreet Boys, and Celine Dion. The last book Patrycja read was Mother Help Me Live by Laurene McDaniel. Patrycja hopes to have a great time at Peacock.

By the way...

Scott P.

One of the first commuter lines on the Milwaukee Railroad was the Itasca Accommodator. It ran on weekdays and Saturdays, as well as Sundays. It sat on a siding (a short section of tract connected by switches to the main track) near the station. The conductor of the Itasca Accommodator was disappointed at the lack of a Sunday School in Itasca. So, in 1884, he helped found Itasca's first Sunday School. Classes were held in the Itasca Accommodator! A year later, the First Presbyterian Church of Itasca was formed.