Edition 2012 #6 - Fun at Preschool(s)

by William K.

By popular demand, St. Ethelreda has grown from 2 to 3 preschool rooms. Each room has a great teacher helping our youngest kids to grow and learn: Ms. Clair, Ms. Holland, and Ms. Blakeley.

Preschool with Ms. Clair
Ms. Clair has been teaching preschool for the longest here at St. Ethelreda. She explained that in addition to the extra preschool room this year, each classroom is a mix of 3 and 4 year-old preschoolers. In the past, these age groups were taught separately.

We are fortunate to have two UIC students aiding Ms. Clair in preschool: Charlise Berkel and Kenneth Brown. I spoke with Ms. Berkel and she explained that the UIC graduate students were there as part of a Department of Education grant on creating preschools of excellence. The grant hopes to study and create a preschool curriculum with a strong literary focus. Excellent.

Preschool students are busy! Some of the activities going on this day included:

• Dramatic play at the laundromat: sort clothes, wash, fold, put clothes away,
• Computer time using the Starfall educational website for reading,
• And work at the writing center

Of course, there's always painting!

Preschool with Ms. Holland
Ms. Holland runs our second preschool room, and she has a long history with St. Ethelreda. She is an alumni of our school and also is a member of the St. Ethelreda School Board.

Ms. Philpot is Ms. Holland's aide in the classroom. She is new this year and things are "going well so far." Ms. Philpot lives right in the St. Ethelreda neighborhood.

During our visit, Ms. Holland was playing a memory game with the preschoolers.

Preschool with Ms. Blakeley
This is Ms. Blakeley's second year teaching preschool at St Ethelreda. She enjoys the new combined 3 and 4 year-old arrangement as it provides "more balance" in the classroom.

The children had an elaborate ice cream parlor setup where they were playing and learning housekeeping tasks. A number of the other preschoolers were at the computer accessing the www.pbskids.org educational website.

Here, Ms. Blakeley is helping some inquisitive students with their wood block puzzles.

Thank you so much to our preschool teachers and students.
What a great group!

More preschool photos can be seen at our photo set: Fun at Preschool(s) photo set
Photos by William K and Chanel B.

Edition 2012, #3 - Our Christmas Gallery

Well, our photo contest didn't go as well as we had planned or hoped. Next year!

Until then, here are three Christmas photos from The Eagle Way staff. Enjoy!

1. Chanel B

Well. My friend was supposed to be putting up her own tree, but she wasn't sure how. So, I took over.

I like this picture because I decorated the tree, and I like the mirror reflection in the blinds.

"My Friend's Fantastic Christmas Tree" 

2. Dejah W

This is my most important ornament. It's a snowflake on my Christmas tree.

I like the blue wall in the back. It looks different, frozen.

"Frozen Snowflake"

3. Mr. Bill

This is a light on a strand of lights on my staircase. It's a closeup. Duh.

I like this photograph because of the twisting wires that are in the background. I also really like the reflection of the light in the wood behind it. And... it's square!

"Light on a stairway"

Merry Christmas!

See you in 2012.

Edition 2012, #2 Christmas Photo Contest!

Announcing!

The Eagle Way

Christmas Photo Contest!

Here are the rules:

• To Enter - Email your Christmas-themed photo to senior_editor@stethelreda.org

• Eligible - only St. Ethelreda students grade 6, 7, & 8 can participate

• Judging - our criteria will be originality, creativity, a Christmas theme, and usage of Ashley's Top 10 rules as your guide. The judges will be The Eagle Way staff and our celebrity judge, Sister Caroline.

• Due - Monday December 19, 2011

• Prize - One winner will be selected. The winner's photo will be posted here at The Eagle Way (fame), and he/she will receive a deluxe prize package (fortune).

• Bonus prize - The homeroom class of the winner will receive $50 of school supplies!

• Notes - When you email your photo, please include your name, grade, and a description of why you liked your photo. Also, please comment on which of Ashley's Top 10 rules you used in taking your photo. Any student may submit up to 3 photos. Please email them in separately. All photos must be new and the original work of the student.

Good luck to everyone!
Peace.

Ashley's Top 10 Photo Tips

Ashley Macknica is a friend of The Eagle Way and a professional photographer in New York City.
Her website is: www.ashleymacknica.com

Here are Ashley's top 10 helpful tips for taking great photographs:

1. See it in your head - look at a situation and start to see where the best photo could be
2. Move around - a step to the left, climbing on a chair, or lying on the ground can make for a better shot
3. Stop to compose - it is easier to take a non-crooked photo the first time than to fix it later
4. Be bossy - human subjects may need to be told what to do
5. Notice the background - and change it if you don't like it
6. Turn off the flash - see what happens when you shoot in a room with fluorescent lights, a lamp, or just natural window light
7. Take the wheel - try turning off the "Auto" setting; cameras have lots of different modes which give you more control
8. Get insider access - ask for a seat up front or some extra time to take photos
9. Save your "outtakes" - wait until later to delete them, sometimes you will find good shots you might have deleted
10.  Take your camera - take it with you everywhere and shoot as much as possible

Edition 2011, #5-The last one until Jolly Saint Nick

Christmas ideas

by Brandice W

Two Christmas haiku poems for you:

Please come and get me
My presents under the tree
Mom and dad love me

And...

Time for joy and fun
My sister's in the boxes
Everyone say cheese

Christmas Acronym

by Chanel B

Christ

Holiday

Respect

I won't forget this

Santa

Tender loving care

Mr. and Mrs. Clause

Another day

Santa is coming

Dashing through the snow

Angels

Yummy food

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year...
from the entire staff at The Eagle Way!

Edition 10: Final Chapter 2010

a) Poems and Stories
by William K. (aka Mr. Bill)

1st Grade Poems
The students in Sister Mary's 1st grade class wrote poems about nature for Earth Day. Four of the best of these poems were selected for publishing here in "The Eagle Way". Please click on the link below to read them:

Poems by Sister Mary's 1st Grade Class

The students enjoyed the assignment and said that writing their nature poems was "fun." Each of the first grade students created the poem themselves, working in class and at home. Then, each student typed their work in using the computers in the St Ethelreda computer lab.

Our 1st grade poets are pictured below:


1st Grade Poets: Briana L, Noadiyah J, Chanelle H, and teacher Sister Mary
Note: Poet Laila M. was not in school when pictures were taken. Sorry, Laila M!

6th Grade Stories
Sister Bruno's 6th grade class also submitted some substantial literary artwork to The Eagle Way. In this assignment, the students were directed to write stories related to a book called "Bud, Not Buddy" by Christopher Paul Curtis. This book deals with the difficult life of children in foster homes.

Sister Bruno was drawn to this book by its interesting title. In her class, each student read a chapter and then shared their reading with the other students. The students really "got into the story" and a writing assignment related to the book was born.

You can read four of the bests 6th grade stories by selecting the link below:

Stories by Sister Bruno's 6th Grade Class

6th grade authors: Angela W. and Curtis H.
Note: Authors Deja W and Christopher B were not in school when pictures were taken. Sorry!

Author Curtis H. was motivated to "tell people how it is to be a true orphan." In dealing with the difficult issue of foster homes, the students' stories were often very serious. But Angela W was heartened that "things seemed to work out in the end."

Thanks to all the excellent contributors (authors, poets, and more) to The Eagle Way!

b) Photo Entry
by Brandice W.

I took this picture in my room.

"Trapped in the Dark" by Brandice W.

c) My Jokes
by Terrance R.

I wanted to give you guys some blog comedy for the last edition.

• What has a head and a tail but no legs or arms? A coin.
• What did Superman go to for fun? The Super Bowl.
• What has a bottom on its top? Your leg.
• What do little ghost babies have? Boo-ties
• Why did the deer cross the road? I have no I-deer.
• What did the skeleton order at the restaurant? Ribs.
• Who is cheap? Abraham Lincoln.
• What type of underwear do boxers wear. Boxers.
• What is a snake’s favorite subject? Hiss-tory.

d) Gigi Advice Column
by Gianna G.

Hey Eagle Way viewers,

Here I am (GiGi) coming to you once again with a challenging question from a concerned principal. Just to let you guys know that I will not be returning as advice columnist because of me graduating next week. So on to the next one as we young people say. So, here is the last and final entry that I have:

Dear GiGi,

Help! What do you suggest?
What action should be taken for students who verbally bully other students?
-Principal Spells

Dear Principal Spells,

I think that students who verbally bully are very bad people because you should not judge someone on their size, what their wearing, or even what kind of hair style they have. It’s just wrong of them to do that. I think that when a student reports verbal bullying to the teacher, principal etc... The bully(s) should be confronted and given a detention for their behavior. Also their parents should be called so that they can be notified of their child’s behavior.

Sincerely,
Advice Columnist GiGi

e) Comments from 8th Grade
by Aubrey S.

The year is coming to a close, and the 8th grade class will be leaving and going their separate ways. Most of the 8th grade class has been at St. Ethelreda since pre-school. I asked them what will they miss about St. Ethelreda School, and this is what they had to say.

“I will miss all the fun we had from preschool to 8th grade.” - Symone J.

“I will miss all my brothers and sisters that I made over the years.” - Angel B.

“I will miss the great learning experience” - Teron R.

“I will miss the great school environment and how everybody is close to each other and the strength of love from everyone.” - Kenneth C.

As for me, I will miss all the friends I've made and their kindness.

f) Reflection
by Symone J.

I have been at St. Ethelreda for 11 years. I have been here since preschool when I was 3 years old. Since then I have had many experiences. I have enjoyed my years here and hope everyone else has. I also enjoyed being senior editor of the blog. I will miss this school, friends, and teachers.

I am happy to graduate this year with the St. Ethelreda class of 2010.

Edition 9: Interviews

6th Grader Interview
by Brandice W.

Interviewer: “What made you come up with the haiku?”

Angela W. “I walked outside and I saw a dandelion. Dandelions make me think about life and make me feel curious.”

Here is Angela W. haiku:

I grow in your grass

People say I am a weed

Blow me and seeds fly

Interview With Student Teacher
by Symone J., Teron R., and Aubrey S.

Recently we interviewed the student teacher Julie Banta. We asked her a few questions.

What have you learned so far about teacher here?

"I've learned how to teach reading and how to incorporate it with science."

Why do you enjoy being here?

"It is a positive environment. I also enjoy watching students learn. I think reading is really important"

Second Grade Poem
by Briana L.

I have seen the trees are green.
I also knew the sky is blue.
The leaves fall down upon the ground,
The water is light and very bright,
The flowers are beautiful, this is true.
And the plants are pretty too.

Lets Go Green
by Aubrey S.


"Earth Day" by Teron R.

Early Years are Learning Years At St.Ethelreda

Earth Day started on April 22, 1970. Earth Day helps people understand the extra use of electricity and water is not necessary. Some people join together and clean and plant flowers in their environment.

Kindergarten – 2nd grade and a few 8th graders cleaned around the school. They pick up trash, raked the grass, and planted flowers.

Spirit Day


Spirit Day

Edition 8: Spring Time

Spring Break Stories

by Symone J.

The Eagle Way staff had a wonderful Spring Break.
Please enjoy the following Spring Break stories, real and imagined.

Symone's Spring Break Story

Over the spring break I was over my dad’s house. While there, I was babysitting my oldest nephew Jonathan. He is six years old. I was basically spending time with my other family. I got to spend time with my sister Menia, father, God mother, my two nephews Jonathan and Ethan. Ethan is the youngest. He is 1 years old, going on 2 in May.

We also went out to the movies and out to eat during the week. Mostly I stayed in watching movies with Jonathan. It was fun though while I was waiting for everyone to get home. We had dinner together every night. The food was delicious.

The thing that I didn’t do over break that I was supposed to do was my science project. Honestly I thought about it, but really didn’t want to do it because it wasn’t due till almost a week later. I wanted to spend this spring break just relaxing. Every spring break we have a project to do. I think this is the first time ever we didn’t have a project due when we came back on the next Monday. I really enjoyed my spring break.

Mr. Bill's Spring Break Story

I spent my Spring Break in Phoenix, Arizona. The weather was beautiful - 85 and sunny each day. I was lounging by the pool, when I realized that something was missing from my vacation. It was then that I decided to tryout for the Chicago Cubs upcoming 2010 season.

So, I ran to the store and bought a Cub jersey. I always bring my mitt on vacation, so that was no problem. I got in my rental car and drove to the Cubs spring training home, Ho Ho Kam Park. With price tags still dangling from my new jersey, I ran onto the field and played catch with the other players. It was so much fun. I was in line at the batting cage when a uniformed security officer asked who I was and why I was there. I smiled and happily explained my mission of making the Cubs team this year to the young security guard.

Well, I was promptly escorted off the field. I'm not sure, but I think they may have even banned me from attending any future Cub spring training games. That's OK. It was a fun time for me, and I returned to the pool a happy vacationer with an interesting story.

Terrance's Spring Break Story

This is what I did over spring break. I didn’t do much over the break, but I did do something. I played a lot of CODMW2 which is Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2. I watch some Family Guy, and some of the characters I can name are Peter, Stewie, my favorite, Brian, Lois, Meg, Chris, Quagmire, Cleveland, Joe, Francis, and Adam West. I played some baseball at Hayes Park with my team, the Wrightwood Yankees. I went to church where they made me serve mass on my day off. I mean when feel like relaxing you just want to do nothing, but you just got to do something. I had to go to the store with my mom, and don’t you dislike when your mom says she’s going to buy some milk, but you end up paying over $100. Anyway, I just ate, slept, played CODMW2, and watched a lot of TV over the break.

Brandice's Spring Break Story
What I did for spring break was so AWESOME!!!

First thing I thought about was…where to go? So I booked a trip to Africa to get to know my people and I met this woman who had 11 toes, 12 fingers, 3 eyes, and 4 ears. She knew EVERYTHING in her village! She told me that she saw my long lost cousin walking down the road the other day. Then she said my cousin booked a trip to Paris, France two days before I arrived in Africa.

The next day I booked a trip to Paris, France to try and find my long lost cousin. I ran into a woman that had only one foot with 3 toes and a monkey and she said that my long lost cousin went to Chicago to find me. Once I heard that, I rushed BACK to the airport and booked ANOTHER trip back to Chicago. After three hours looking for my cousin at the airport, I decided to head home and call around in the morning. Once I stepped in the door I saw my long lost cousin. All I could do was cry tears of JOY!!!! And that was how I spent my spring break.

As Fresh as Spring Time

by Teron R.

Edition 5 - Season of Winter

Winter Wonderland
By Aubrey S.

Hi! My name is Aubrey, and I decided to have a winter story contest for the junior high students. 8th grader Angel B. won the contest. Here is her wonderful story entitled "Winter Wonderland."

Winter Wonderland
I felt a shiver down my spine simultaneously as I stepped out of the door. I cringed as the wind gushed to my eyes, down to my cheeks, and finally to my now crusting lips from the blistering cold. It is officially winter.

I trudge down the street with little pieces of the sky filling my shoes. Squish, squish, squish is all that I hear. The streets and trees are pulverized with snow. It is completely deserted outside leaving me to my thoughts and my thoughts alone.

But I’m not alone.

I am surrounded with billions of my white, fluffy, flurry, microscopic friends. My hands are as cold as ice and solid as rock. I stretch my hand out to catch the little pieces of heaven. I catch a quick glimpse of the intricate designs before it quickly dissolves into my hand. The brilliant sun almost blinds me as its rays reflect on the streets and glisten against the mountainous powdery snow banks.

An SUV covered in snow rushes past me and slightly showers me with snow. I don’t mind. Just the thought of winter makes me feel care free. Like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. I take a deep breath of the crisp clean air. I feel free. I am completely in a daze. I stick my tongue out, and I can taste the pureness of it all. I reach out to the sky as if I can touch it…

RRRRIIIIINNNNNGGGG!

My eyes shot open. I then realize I am in my 5th period biology class, and I daydreamed through it all. “Miss Connors,” my teacher snarls though clenched teeth. “Thank you for finally joining us but unfortunately class is over. Good luck on the quiz tomorrow,” she says half amused. I peer out of the window with disappointment. The sun is gleaming on the foliage outside. Only 132 days until winter!

Angel B.

Crazy Sock Photos
By Symone J. and Teron R.

Wondering why you see all these crazy socks? The students had crazy sock day. Each student got a chance to wear their crazy socks to school. These photos show how much fun we had on crazy sock day.







GiGi Advice Column
By Gianna G.

Hey Eagle Way Viewers, I am the new Eagle Way advice columnist, Gianna, and this is my first entry for our wonderful student blog.

I wanted to start the advice column because I’ve always wanted to give advice to people who needed help with their problems, especially those who cannot talk to anybody else.

In the future, I would like to be helpful to other people. My advice column is open to anybody who wants to submit questions. Send them to senior_editior@stethelreda.org.

Here is my first entry:

Dear Gigi,
How can I balance homework and extracurricular activities
with recreational things?

Sincerely,
Angel B

Dear Angel B,

Homework should be the first thing you think of before anything else. If you have homework to do on a certain day, you would have to miss the extracurricular activities to do your homework. School always comes before anything else!

Sincerely,
Gigi
Advice Columnist