Host Families Needed for Students from Denmark
The school is looking for families to host exchange students from Denmark for several days next month. SHS will be welcoming 14 high school students from Sept. 8-13. The students will arrive on the evening of Friday, Sept. 8 at Stevenson, where host families will pick them up. The Danes will attend classes with their host families’ students on Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 11-12, and will leave from Stevenson on Wednesday, Sept. 13.
If you would like to host one or more of the visiting students, complete this application. Applications will be accepted in the order received. For more information, contact Suzanne Paloian at 847-415-4500 or spaloian@d125.org.
What’s the Big Deal With Meningitis?
A few times each year, our nurses remind parents that all seniors are required to complete the state’s meningitis vaccination requirement before Oct. 15. Seniors who don’t will be turned away from school. Why does the state and the school make such a big deal about this?
The fact is, meningitis has almost been eradicated in our country. The Centers for Disease Control reports that the number of cases of meningococcal disease (which includes meningitis) in the United States is the lowest it’s ever been. Between 600 and 1,000 cases occur annually. The CDC attributes this, in part, to increased vaccinations. However, one in five U.S. teens have not received their first dose of the meningococcal vaccination, and less than a third of those who have received their first dose have not gotten the recommended booster shot. By meeting the state requirement, parents and students are doing their part in pushing meningitis closer to extinction.
Even though meningitis is rare, the disease is deadly for many it afflicts. Ten to 15 percent of those who get meningococcal disease die. Among those who survive, one in five end up with permanent disabilities such as brain damage, hearing loss, loss of kidney function, or losing a limb. The CDC website has much more information on meningitis.
Parents and guardians should consult with their student’s healthcare provider to determine if he or she is in compliance with the state law. If you have questions about the requirement, contact our nurses at 847-415-4025 or 847-415-4028.
Senior’s Plays to be Performed in Skokie
Two plays written by senior A.J. DePew will be performed during the Skokie Theatre’s third annual Short Play Festival later this month. Both plays will be directed and performed by SHS students. DePew will direct one of the plays, “I’m Listening,” which will feature a cast consisting of seniors Owen Albrecht, Wesley Harris and Kyle Soonthorsima, and juniors Arad Boxenbaum, Ethan Murphy, Isabel Koleno and Chris Van Overberghe. His second play, “This Isn’t a Musical,” will be directed by June graduate Sammie Landau. The cast will include senior Jeremy Tracz, juniors Hailey Keenan and Matthew Zimring, and sophomore Abby Sokol. Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27. For ticket information, call 847-677-7761.
Children Sought for Roles in School Musical
The Theater Department has several roles for children in its fall musical production of Fiddler on the Roof, and will be holding an audition for kids enrolled in first through fifth grade. No experience is necessary. Auditions will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 2 in the Recital Hall portion of Stevenson’s Performing Arts Center. Read this article for audition details.
Click here for today’s athletic schedule
Water Polo, Boys Swim Team Honored
Stevenson’s water sports teams hauled in several All-America awards during the summer. June graduate Andrew Shashin and senior Claire Haas earned first-team honors on the 2016-17 NISCA/Speedo All-America water polo squads for boys and girls, respectively. They were the only Midwest representatives to make the first team. Shashin’s classmate, Dan Maleski, earned honorable mention. The boys swimming and diving team earned gold-level status in the NISCA/SwimOutlet.com Boys Scholar Team Award. Coach Doug Lillydahl’s squad had a team grade-point average of 3.752, and was the only Illinois school to reach the gold level.
Boys Volleyball Team Earns Academic Award
Stevenson’s boys volleyball team was honored this summer by the American Volleyball Coaches Association for academic excellence. Coach Eric Goolish’s team was one of 21 high school boys teams around the country to earn an AVCA Team Academic Award. SHS received the honor after earning a minimum 3.30 cumulative team grade-point average on a 4.0 scale. Of the 21 high school boys teams, Stevenson was among the top five in GPA.
Tennis Alum Part of Notre Dame Coaching Staff
Former Patriot tennis standout Michelle Dasso (Class of 1997) has been hired as an assistant coach at the University of Notre Dame, where she was an All-American and one of the top players in Irish history. Dasso was the head coach at the University of Illinois for nine seasons before being let go in 2015. She spent the past two seasons as an assistant at Duke and Northwestern, respectively. At Stevenson, Dasso was a three-time state medalist in singles. She finished second in 1996 after third-place showings in 1994 and 1995.
Join a Winner, Join Sports Boosters
One of the reasons why Stevenson’s athletic program is considered among the best in the country is due to the support of the Sports Boosters. Last year, the group donated more than $40,000 in equipment and other resources to the athletic program. Patriot fans can join the Sports Boosters for just $75, which includes paid admission for a family of four to all home regular-season athletic contests (excluding the annual cheerleading-pom invitational), and a Sports Boosters car decal. You can join Sports Boosters online.
Some of the equipment donations included a pole vault pit for the track and field programs; baseball helmets; a JUGS machine for softball; a fencing scoring machine; water polo shot clocks; a swimming relay platform; shirts for the cross country team, and supplies for Spirit Revolution. Sports Boosters also provided funding for ImPact concussion baseline testing, Hudl software programs for all athletic teams, and made donations to the Stevenson Foundation Kids In Need (KIN) Fund.
This year’s Sports Boosters Executive Board members are co-presidents Aki Youkhanna and Annette Wax, and vice presidents Erwin Borowsky, Alice Dutler, Mary Fitzgerald, Angela Tobler, Barb Bonk, Rebekah Goldstein, Lisa Spewak and Robert Holmes. Athletic Director Trish Betthauser serves as the group’s treasurer.
STUDENT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Freshmen, Go for the Gold: Come to Friday’s Mixer
All incoming freshmen are invited to the Freshman Mixer from 7-9 p.m. Friday in the Wood Commons. There will be a DJ and refreshments. Students must have their ID card to enter. Enter and exit through parking lot E (Sports Center entrance, enter campus off Port Clinton Road). The mixer is a “lock-in,” so students must stay the entire two hours. The Freshman Mixer is sponsored by the Patriot Parent Association and the Student Activities Division.
Pre-Audition Clinic for Fiddler on the Roof Thursday
The pre-audition clinic for this year’s school musical, Fiddler on the Roof, will take place after school Thursday in the Performing Arts Center. All music for auditions will be reviewed. Audition information can be found at www.d125.org/audition. Auditions will be held after school Monday.
Special Event for Transfer Students on Tuesday
There will be a Transfer Student Resource Fair from 8 a.m. through first period on Tuesday in Room 2104. The fair is for sophomores, juniors and seniors who are transfer students. During the fair, transfer students will have the opportunity to meet one another and their buddies. They’ll also learn about the Transfer Student Group, SPINS (Stevenson Patriots in New Situations), co-curricular opportunities, and important resources and supports available at SHS. Breakfast will be served. Transfer students also are reminded to invite their parents or guardians to the Transfer Parent Orientation Evening at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in Room 2104.
Make Money Filming Hockey Games This Year
The Scholastic Hockey League, of which Stevenson’s boys ice hockey team is a member, is looking for individuals to film high school ice hockey games for internet streaming broadcasts. This is a paid position at $50 per game. For more information, please contact Coach Tom Wood at twood@d125.org.
Class of 2018: Schedule Your Senior Yearbook Portrait
VIP Photography is ready to book your senior yearbook portrait session! Times are available now, but they fill up fast. You need to have your portrait taken by the end of September if you want it in the yearbook. Please make an appointment online at studio.il.vipis.com or over the phone at 847-499-9300. Information about photo packages and pricing is available on the VIP website, studio.il.vipis.com. Please see the parent letter and senior portrait brochure for more information regarding available photo times and session information.
West ILC Hiring Student Aides
The West ILC is hiring student aides to work in the library during all class periods. If you have a free period or a study hall and you would like to work in the ILC instead, please see Mrs. Gorman in the upper ILC for an application. This is a paid position.
Want to Help at Snow Flake at Daniel Wright?
Anyone interested in performing and facilitating at Snow Flake at Daniel Wright in March should come to a meeting after school Tuesday in Room 1916. No experience is necessary! All are welcome. If you have questions, please contact Mr. Foley at tfoley@d125.org.
Did You Take Ceramics or Art and Design Last Year?
If you had Ceramics, or Art and Design with Mrs. Hyken last year, and left your clay pieces in Room 1422, please pick them up by Monday, Aug. 28 or they will be thrown out. The room is available for pick up every period except fourth.
Open Auditions for Dance Companies Aug. 29-31
All students interested in joining the Mélange or Repertory dance companies are invited to open auditions after school Tuesday through Thursday, Aug. 29-31 in Dance Studio 2010. Here is the audition schedule:
Tuesday, Aug. 29, 3:45-5:30 p.m.: Open company audition for any students who have missed the first round of auditions. Come prepared to take a technique class, learn movement combinations, and perform 60 seconds of your own choreography in silence.
Wednesday-Thursday, Aug. 30-31, 3:45-6 p.m.: Company placement auditions. Please be prepared to take class and learn movement combinations to determine which company you will be placed in.
SNN Anchor Auditions Next Week
Auditions for Stevenson Network News anchors will be held Monday through Friday, Aug. 21-25. This opportunity is open to sophomores, juniors and seniors. Students must have eighth hour completely free to be an anchor. The sign-up sheet and information packet is available in the Student Activities Office. Also, students must complete this application, print it out and bring it to their audition.
Congressman Brad Schneider will be hosting an information session for students interested in attending a U.S. service academy from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at Mundelein High School. Parents and guardians are invited to attend with their student. To register for the information session, please visit: http://tinyurl.com/y7sknf7r.
At the session, representatives from the U.S. Military Academy (West Point), U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy will speak about their institution and discuss the admissions process. Information also will be provided about receiving a congressional nomination from Rep. Schneider’s office. For questions about the event or the nomination process, contact Greg Claus at 847-383-4870 or Greg.Claus@mail.house.gov. More information about the application process is available at the congressman’s website.
The Sophomore Class Board will have its first meeting from 3:30-4:30 p.m. today in the Student Activities Office.
The first meeting of the Junior Class Board will be Thursday in Room 1516 from 3:35-5 p.m. Any juniors are welcome to attend!
The Senior Class Board will have its first general meeting Thursday from 3:30-4:30 p.m. in Room 1912/14. All interested seniors are welcome to attend!
Peer Tutors will have an information meeting after school Thursday in Room 7066. Come and find out about the group!
Do you like Indian music, Indian food, or any other aspect of Indian culture? If so, please come to Indian Student Association’s first meeting from 3:30-5 p.m. Monday in Rooms 8036 and 8040.
Open baseball on the varsity field will start Tuesday, Aug. 29 and run every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:45-5 p.m. through Oct. 19. If you have questions, contact Coach Block.
ILLINOIS EDUCATION HEADLINES
Less than 40% of Illinois juniors passed new state science test
House will address school funding today, but not override
Ex-Crystal Lake superintendent broke contract, penalties unlikely
Trial postponed for District 128 employee accused of perjury
College of Lake County wins third sustainability award in last 12 months
Blind Arlington Heights teacher helps visually impaired students for eclipse
NATIONAL EDUCATION HEADLINES
U.S. teen drug overdose deaths inch up after years of decline
40% of community college grads earn a bachelor’s within six years
Dallas trustees to consider renaming schools named for Confederates
Due process denial claims costing colleges around $175K per case
Los Angeles school board salaries more than double to $125K per year
Report: 1 in 7 New York City elementary students will be homeless
Textbook giant Pearson cuts 3,000 jobs
St. Paul school board votes to reduce police presence in schools
For-profit coding school wants graduates to share their income
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The Daily Digest is compiled and edited by Jim Conrey. To subscribe or unsubscribe, contact him at jconrey@d125.org.
Stevenson Daily Digest 