[NOV. 21, 2000]  Yesterday morning, the students at Carroll Catholic School were the first in town to view the Frilly and Miller Show. Lincoln Police Department sponsored the show, so that between yesterday and today all of the Lincoln District 27 schools will also get to participate in the Frilly and Miller Show. During the shows, Frilly and Miller use their own music to teach students how to build character and resolve conflicts.

[Each letter of the alphabet is covered in "ABC's of Character"]

Jack and Danette "Frilly" Miller developed the show in 1996. In 1997, they began to take the show on the road. The show is unique because it is made to order for each audience. The Millers have five different areas they address: "Character Building," "Conflict Resolution," "Drug-Awareness," "Reading Success" and "School is Cool!" This week’s performances focused on the first two areas.

Performance is not new to the Millers. For years they have been playing at adult functions and weddings. Now their focus is on children’s education. They even have a children’s cable television show called "Kids Town" in St. Charles County, Mo.

The program begins with Aretha Franklin’s "R-E-S-P-E-C-T." This is the only song in their presentation that they did not write. They use it because "It sets the theme, the idea for the day." Throughout the performance, Frilly and Miller complimented the Carroll students on their behavior and participation. Participation was a major part of the program; four of the five songs called for students or teachers to get involved.

[Throughout the performance, Frilly and Miller complimented the Carroll students on their behavior and participation.]

The first part of the program focused on choices. Frilly and Miller mentioned some of the choices they had to make just that morning. Choices can be good or bad, they affect other people, and they have consequences. The first song was "Choices, Choices, Everyday." The final message of the song was, "Be the best that you can be." The second song, "ABC’s of Character," focused on building character through education, goals, honesty, leadership, never giving up, responsibility, values and working hard. Each letter of the alphabet was covered in this song. The third song was a rap, "Increase the Peace." The message was that one cannot determine every situation because other people have choices too, but each person has a responsibility to make the best decisions he can to encourage peace. The students loved the rap, as Officer Montcalm and two of the teachers each had solos.

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The second part of the program focused on being a "STAR." STAR reminds students to stop, think, act and review. They reminded the students of how Mark McGwire once lost his temper and yelled at a referee. He did not stop and think in that instance; he only acted. The next day McGwire reviewed what he did and apologized. The students really got into the next song, "Stop and Think." One young man was found to be an especially good twister.

[Participation is a major part of Frilly and Miller's program.]

Frilly and Miller ended the show with "School is Cool!" to remind the students that it is great to have fun and spend time with friends in school, but there is also a time to get down to work.

Carroll school really appreciated the Millers’ show and decided to do a small performance for Frilly and Miller — they sang their school song.

[Officer Montcalm and two Carroll teachers performed a rap song for the Carroll students.]

Anyone can reach Frilly and Miller at www.frillyandmiller.com to learn about the show. They promise to return every e-mail they receive. They even have a special club, "I got caught being RED." If an adult e-mails Frilly and Miller about a student who demonstrates "Responsibility Every Day," Frilly and Miller will send that student a club button.

[NOV. 20, 2000]  Each afternoon from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, students at Lincoln Christian College (LCC) gather in the community center at Centennial Courts to help tutor the grade school students who live there. The program is brand new this fall, but the director plans to continue it for many semesters.

Debbie Carter, who is the instructor of educational psychology at LCC, started the program to help college students and grade school students. As the college students help grade school students with their homework and reading, the college students experiment with different teaching styles and gain experience working with the age of students they plan to teach someday. This program also helps LCC meet the federal goal of every college promoting literacy in their area.

[Tutors Kyle, Erin, and Marci help students like Brittney with their homework.  After the homework is done, Brittney can play games.]

Carter has hired LCC senior Kristine Perry to be the supervisor for the tutoring program. Perry’s job is to coordinate the grade school students and college tutors. Some days there are seven students, other days there are 15, but typically 11 to 13 students participate each day. Fifteen educational psychology students from Carter’s class, along with 12 to 15 regular LCC volunteers, are available one to five days a week to tutor the children at Centennial Courts. Kristine Perry says that her personal goal in the program is to build relationships with the students and their families. Scholastically, her goal is to improve the literacy of each student that participates in the program.

[Jackson, Madison and supervisor Kristine pause for a group picture.  Jackson’s mom says that he repeatedly asks when it is time to go to tutoring.]

Each day, there is an agenda at the tutoring program: start on homework, read a story and then do a literacy activity on the story that was read. The activity might be painting, writing or drawing about the day’s story. After all the work is done, students may play educational and memory games.

[After reading a story, the students do a literacy activity on the story that was read.  The activity might be painting, writing or drawing.  Kristlie and Kyra are painting.]

When asked if the program is meeting the stipulated goals, director Carter enthusiastically answered, "We’re more than meeting them. Our students have really fallen in love with the kids." She also commented that her educational psychology students actually get to practice the strategies that they read each week in their textbooks.

Angela Wheat, one of the college tutors, agrees that the program is going well. She has never tutored before this semester but finds the program very interesting. One of the reasons she believes that the program is so positive is that it teaches the students discipline. The students must do their homework before they play.

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The success of the program is not totally due to Lincoln Christian College students. Both Carter and Perry praised Steve Allen for all his help and encouragement. Allen, executive director of Logan County Housing Authority, helped LCC set up the tutoring center at Centennial Courts. Not only does he provide the community center at Centennial Courts rent-free to the tutoring program, but he also painted the room and found a large chalkboard and a few other supplies. Allen said that the college students clean the room, but he is available daily for general maintenance.

[Now tutors Chris and Andrew are playing with Jackson and Madison.]

Allen’s response to the program is completely positive. Overall, he said that the program is outstanding. It has had more response that he initially expected. The children really enjoy it, and he’s only heard good comments from the residents about the program. He believes that LCC is providing a wonderful service to the community, and he hopes that they will continue the program for many years.

What do the parents and children say? Angie Carter is glad that her 4-year-old son can participate, "We think it’s great. My son loves it—he begs to go there." The college students really pay attention to Jackson, and he repeatedly asks his mom when it is time to go.

Fifth grader Kristlie participates in the tutoring three days a week. She says, "It’s okay." Her older brother says she goes faithfully and voluntarily.

Shannon Leininger commented that her daughter Devon, "really enjoys going."

Kyra has been going since the program started, and her mother, Nina, says that Kyra’s had good results.

[Dalton, tutor Brooke and Devon are working on another literary activity.  Steve Allen helped make the community center conducive to learning by painting the room and providing a large chalkboard and a few other supplies.]

Susan March’s two sons, 6-year-old Dalton and 3-year-old Beau, love to go. March believes that for Dalton it is "easier for [him] to go there and do [his] homework than to stay here." Beau does not have homework, but he refuses to miss a minute of the program.

If you believe that your children would benefit from tutoring, there are several options available. Some schools and libraries have tutoring programs or at least have a list of tutoring programs in their town, so call your child’s school or local library. If you want your child to participate in Lincoln Christian College’s tutoring program, please call Debbie Carter at 732-3168, Ext. 2306.

[Jean Ann Carnley]

[NOV. 16, 2000]  Located in northern Illiinois, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy offers a rigorous residential educational program for Illinois students in grades 10 through 12. It is a program that must be begun as a sophomore. Students are then invited back after successful completion of each year. Entrance is competitive. Acceptance is based on a combination of recommendations, student achievements, grades and SAT scores.

There are currently two special opportunities to learn more about the program: local informational meetings and "Saturday Live," a visit to the campus located in northern Aurora.

Informational meetings

IMSA invites students, parents, and educators who are interested in learning more about the educational opportunities available at the academy to attend an informational meeting. The admission team strongly encourages any students who are intending to apply to the academy to attend an information meeting in their area with their parents. The program will include a video followed by a discussion with an admission counselor about IMSA's academic program, residential life and the admission process.

Upcoming informational meetings will be at the following places and times:

Peoria — Washington School, 3706 North Grand Blvd.; Dec. 4, 6:30 p.m.

Normal — Chiddix Junior High School 300 S. Walnut; Dec. 5, 7 p.m.

Springfield — S.I.U. School of Medicine, 801 N. Rutledge; Dec. 13, 6 p.m.

Decatur — Millikin University, 1184 W. Main; Dec. 14, 7 p.m.

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‘Saturday Live at IMSA’

The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy opens its doors to prospective students and parents on the first Saturday of every month from November through May of 2001 to provide information about its programs.

During the sessions, called "Saturday Live at IMSA," admissions counselors will be available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to answer questions about the admissions process and provide information about IMSA's academic and residential programs. Tours will also be available, as well as opportunities to speak with current IMSA students.

Space is limited and advance reservations are required for the Saturday visits. Please call the IMSA Office of Admission at (630) 907 5027 or 1-800-500-IMSA (4672) to schedule your visit. Lunch tickets are also available for $4 per person

The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy is located at 1500 W. Sullivan Road, Aurora.

For more information visit the IMSA website: http://www.imsa.edu.

[NOV. 9, 2000]  The news media presents science in 30-second sound bites. Television produces shows and sitcoms designed to entertain, but many in our society can’t distinguish entertainment from fact. How do we get students to think critically about the growing body of scientific information that is increasingly misrepresented in today's popular culture?

A dialogue presented for middle-school students by Lawrence Krauss, Ph.D. will address this issue. His presentation, "Science, Non-Science, and Nonsense," will be Dec. 5, from noon to 1:45 p.m., at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy auditorium, 1500 W. Sullivan Road, Aurora.

Krauss will explore examples from the news, advertisements, TV shows and movies, as well as from his latest book, to discuss the difference between science and fiction and to explore how the distinction between sense and nonsense is becoming blurred in popular discourse.

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The lecture will be part "tour" through the fascinating world of modern physics, part fun-filled examination of video clips, and part sober discussion of the various dangers facing modern society if we fail to learn the lessons science has taught us about the world. One message is that we should not be timid about offending sensibilities when those sensibilities are based on nonsense.

This event is on a first come, first serve basis because of limited seating. People interested are advised to register early. Schools should call (630) 907-5040 if they would like to attend or e-mail Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy at Greatminds@imsa.edu.

Hartsburg-Emden School

Lunch menu

November 2000

Lincoln Elementary Schools

Breakfast menu

November 2000

Lincoln Elementary Schools

Lunch menu

November 2000

Milk served with all meals

Web surfers!

www.familyfoodzone.com is a family site with
a tip of the day, an art contest and recipes for kids

West Lincoln-Broadwell School

Lunch menu

November 2000

Milk served with all meals

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