Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017

School Dismissing Early Due to Water Issues

Stevenson will dismiss classes at 11:15 a.m. today due to a school-wide loss of water pressure. The decision was made around 10:30 after water pressure was lost in both buildings, rendering bathrooms, sinks and drinking fountains unusable. The cause of the water pressure loss is being investigated.

Freshmen Earn National History Day Honor

Four freshmen who chronicled the battle between crimefighter Eliot Ness and mobster Al Capone during Prohibition were honored for their project at the National History Day competition this summer. Rishika Chikoti, Krishna Patel, Ojasvi Saxena and Aditi Singh placed third in the junior high website competition with their project, “Keeping Chicago Dry: Eliot Ness and the Untouchables.” Eileen O. Daday of the Daily Herald talked with the students about their project, and also spoke with their sponsor, Twin Groves eighth-grade teacher Jill Leone.

Math Challenge Winners’ Paper Published Online

A research paper on rising sea levels developed by seniors Albert Cao, Andrew Hwang, Deepak Moparthi, Josh Yoon and Haoyang Yu was published this summer on the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics’ college undergraduate online research web page. Their paper, “Raining Down on Rising Sea Levels,” was showcased along with papers from students at California State University, Fresno State University, Texas A&M University and Carnegie Mellon University. The quintet’s research paper was developed for the national Moody’s Mega Math Challenge, which they won in April.

Here Comes the Sun Blockage

When the school’s approximately 4,200 students stream into the Stadium Monday afternoon to watch the partial solar eclipse, it’s expected to be the largest gathering ever of SHS students in one space. Students won’t be able to view a total solar eclipse, but they will see 86 percent blockage, which is still enough to damage unprotected eyes. To ensure student and staff safety, the school will be giving them protective “eclipse glasses” paid for by the Patriot Parent Association. The glasses are made by American Paper Optics, one of five companies approved by the American Astronomical Society.

The next time Stevenson students will have an eclipse-watching opportunity will be on April 8, 2024. The totality area will move closer to this area, but not enough for a total eclipse. The last time Illinois saw a total solar eclipse was Aug. 7, 1869.

PATRIOT SPORTS

Click here for today’s athletic schedule

2005 Alum Named New Softball Coach

Stevenson alumnus Heather Ruchim (Class of 2005) has been named the school’s new softball coach. She has served on the Patriots’ coaching staff since 2014. During her playing days at SHS, Ruchim was a four-year member of the varsity, earning all-conference and all-area honors in each of her final three seasons. Stevenson won three regional championships and a sectional title in her four years.

STUDENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Pre-Audition Clinic for Fiddler on the Roof Today

The pre-audition clinic for this year’s school musical, Fiddler on the Roof, will take place after school today 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.

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.

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.

COLLEGE NEWS

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.

CLUB NEWS

Peer Tutors will have an information meeting after school today in Room 7066. Come and find out about the group!

Interactive Gamers Club starts today from 3:30-6 p.m. in Room 1204. The club will be joining RPG groups, teaching students how to play board games, and introducing any card games of interest to students.

The Senior Class Board will have its first general meeting today from 3:30-4:30 p.m. in Room 1912/14. All interested seniors are welcome to attend!

The first meeting of the Junior Class Board is today in Room 1516 from 3:35-5 p.m. Any juniors are welcome to attend!

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.

The boys badminton club will have its first meeting from 3:45-5:45 p.m. Tuesday in the Field House. If you are interested in having fun while playing a great sport, please attend. The club is open to all grade and ability levels, and all equipment will be provided, including rackets and birdies. Proper attire is required, which includes athletic shoes; no jeans, please. For questions, contact Coach Johnson at grjohnson@d125.org. Hope to see you there!

Come to Superhero Club at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in Room 1414. Join us for snacks and your favorite superhero movie! Everyone is welcome.

INTRAMURALS

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

Suburban districts to pick up part of new teacher pensions starting in 2020

House rejects Rauner’s school funding plan

Madigan to try school funding override veto next week

Rauner releases two TV ads ahead of House school funding vote

Attorney general urges Rauner to sign student-loan bill

Developer has different idea for proposed indoor IU sports arena

Catholic high school in Chicago turns coed after 128 years

Late Glen Ellyn teacher remembered for generosity, road trips

NATIONAL EDUCATION HEADLINES

The newest advantage of being rich in America? Higher grades

Ideas on addressing Charlottesville in the classroom