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Features

[JAN. 21, 2002]  Students in Mrs. Boehme’s fifth-grade class at Northwest School recently had their last day of DARE.

To begin the class, Sgt. Ken Greenslate once again asked students to tell him about their week. They told him about their Christmas presents, how they had just finished reading to a kindergarten class, and how Mrs. Boehme had received roses for her birthday the day before.

Since it was the last day, Sgt. Greenslate led a review session to see how much the students remembered. They split up into three teams of four members each. The teams took turns answering questions about DARE, drugs, decision-making and conflict resolution. Questions ranged from "What does DARE stand for?" (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) to "Define ‘consequences’" (the result of an action) to "List the six steps to conflict resolution" (cool down, state the problem, talk it over, listen, find a solution through compromise, ask for help if needed).

For each question a student answered, he or she received a pencil, pen, eraser, key chain, or other small but useful prize. Team 1 won by 16 points to 14 points for Team 2 and 10 points for Team 3. Every member of Team 1 received a DARE pencil bag.

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The most exciting time for the students, however, came after the game. Sgt. Greenslate had a drawing to see who in the class would get to take Darren, the large stuffed DARE lion, home with him or her. The girl who won him was very happy, even though this Darren was fresh out of the plastic and not the one the students had each been able to hold during lessons.

Mrs. Boehme’s students may not have any more lessons with Sgt. Greenslate, but they will never forget the lessons they have already learned. And if all goes the same, neither will his next students, when he begins teaching DARE next week to classes at Zion Lutheran School

[Gina Sennett]

[JAN. 9, 2002]  The DARE program, though sometimes overlooked, is alive and vibrant in Logan County schools. Students in DARE learn about being responsible and about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. Through real-life stories and lessons, they learn that they do not have to give in to peer pressure.

Students in Mrs. Boehme’s fifth-grade class at Northwest Elementary learned how to make good choices during December’s presentations. Sergeant Ken Greenslate, their DARE officer, gave them a five-step plan for making good choices:

1. Ask if this is a risk situation. A risk situation is one in which you have to take a chance on something.

2. What are the possible choices? Usually you have two basic choices: Do something or don’t do something. Often, the option of “telling a grown-up” is included as well.

3. What are the possible consequences of my choices? Take each choice and list the positive and negative consequences.

4. Pick the choice with the best result. Sometimes, however, this is not easy to determine, especially when friends are involved.

5. Talk to someone. If you have trouble choosing, talk to a teacher, parent, officer or other adult who can help you make your decision.

Students then read stories from their DARE workbooks in which children were in different situations and had to make choices. For example, Subira was asked by some friends to bring her parents’ beer to a party. The students went through the steps and decided what Subira could do.

1. Ask if this is a risk situation. Subira would be taking a chance of getting caught if she stole her parents’ beer and brought it to the party.

2. What are the possible choices? Bring the beer or don’t.

3. What are the possible consequences of my choices? Positive consequence of bringing the beer: Friends would like her. Negative consequence of bringing the beer: Might get caught by her parents or another adult. Positive consequence of not bringing the beer: Not getting in trouble with her parents. Negative consequence of not bringing the beer: Friends might call her a scaredy-cat or worse.

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4. Pick the choice with the best result. The students decided that it would be best for Subira not to bring the beer. Then they thought up things she could say to her friends, such as, “My parents don’t drink beer,” “Their beer is locked up and I can’t get to it,” or the simple, “I don’t want to.”

5. Talk to someone. Subira could talk to her parents and tell them what her friends asked, or she could talk to her friends’ parents or a teacher.

Sgt. Greenslate then taught the students about courage. Courage, he told them, is a muscle that must be worked and practiced. Every week, he brings with him a large stuffed lion named Darren, who sits with one student through the lesson. Darren, as a lion, is the symbol of courage. To remind the students to work their courage muscles, Sgt. Greenslate handed out small Darrens to each member of the class. He also gave them each a DARE CD case, to remind them to do something positive (like listen to music) whenever they feel bored, since boredom can lead to trouble.

Students in Mrs. Boehme’s class enjoy their time with Sgt. Greenslate. He spends the beginning of each lesson letting all the students tell him about their weeks. Students are also encouraged to submit questions to the DARE box, which he answers at the end of each lesson. Even the new observer can tell that the students trust Sgt. Greenslate from their dialog with him. They feel able to ask questions freely, because they know he will not laugh at them (unless they are making a joke.) Although the students were a little bit wild, with the holidays so close, he controlled them and guided them, and they learned through having fun.

[Gina Sennett]

Honors & Awards

[JAN. 15, 2002]  The Lincoln Community High School speech team placed second at the speech tournament in Heyworth on Saturday, Jan. 12. Carrie Schreiber and Ed Jodlowski coach the team.

"Our team leaders are getting themselves ready to gear up for the state series," said Jodlowski. "We are very pleased with this team’s progress and look for good things to come this weekend as we travel to the toughest tournament of the year, at Downers Grove South High School."

Individual varsity placement

Eric Agostino — First place, verse reading

Carly McLean — First place, oratorical declamation

Abrigail Sasse — First place, radio speaking

Eric Agostino — Second place, prose reading

Tim Fak — Second place, extemporaneous speaking

Brady Gerdts and Brandon Davis — Third place, dramatic duet acting

Beau Hanger — Third place, original comedy

Ty Sank — Third place, special occasion speaking

Callie Davison and Stanton Schumacher — Fourth place, dramatic duet acting 4th Place

Carly McLean — Fourth place, original oratory

Brian Welter — Fourth place, radio speaking

Abrigail Sasse — Fifth place, original oratory

Kathryn Muck — Sixth place, dramatic interpretation

Tim Fak — Sixth place, impromptu speaking

Amanda Perry — Eighth place, oratorical declamation

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Brady Gerdts and Brandon Davis — First place, humorous duet acting

Was Reynolds — First place, special occasion speaking

Tom Swanson — First place, verse reading

Kathryn Muck and Wes Reynolds — Second place, humorous duet acting

Tom Swanson — Second place, humorous interpretation

Matt Bean and Alex Gurga — Third place, humorous duet acting

Brian Walter — Third place, original oratory

Fay Allison — Third place, special occasion speaking

Ty Sank — Fourth place, original oratory

Jerrod Marten — Fourth place, impromptu speaking

Amanda Perry — Fourth place, prose reading

Alex Gurga — Fifth place, humorous interpretation

Lyndsey Robbins — Fifth place, oratorical declamation

Katie Gillen — Sixth place, verse reading

Eric Knutilla — Sixth place, humorous interpretation

Kasey Pepperell — Sixth place, impromptu speaking

Matt Bean — Sixth place, original comedy

Eric Knutilla — Seventh place, original comedy

[News release]

[JAN. 11, 2002]  Jenna Opperman, daughter of Dave and Stephanie Opperman of rural Lincoln, won the school-wide Geography Bee at Zion Lutheran School Wednesday. The school-level bee, at which students answered oral questions on geography, was the first round in the 14^th annual National Geography Bee sponsored by the National Geographic Society.

Opperman will join winners from other schools in taking a written test. Up to 100 of the top scorers will be eligible to compete in the State Bee on April 5. State champions are provided an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for the national championship in May.

Allicent Pech, daughter of Randy and Betsy Pech of rural Lincoln, took second place in the Zion bee. Amanda Baker, daughter of Joe and Pat Baker of Lincoln, took third place.

[News release]

[JAN. 9, 2002]  Lincoln Community High School speech team results from the second annual Snow Bowl Tournament.

Individual varsity placement:

Individual novice placement:

"For the first tournament back after a long break the students competed at a very high level. It is obvious that their hard work and dedication to this activity is really receiving the recognition that it deserves. The next few weeks are very competitive and we look forward to seeing much success at Heyworth next weekend. We would also like to thank all of the Speech Team parents and community members who helped in making this tournament possible. To see support from the community really helps to emphasize how important this activity is to the lives of these students. We invite everyone to come and see what Speech Team is all about at the Lincoln Tournament to be hosted Jan. 26, 2002." — Carrie Schreiber

The LCHS speech team is coached by Carrie Schreiber and Ed Jodlowski.

[News release]

Announcements

[JAN. 17, 2002]  Eastern Illinois University Professor Gail Richard, a consultant and presenter in the areas of autism and language processing, will speak Feb. 5 at Springfield Lincoln Library on "Talking through Asperger’s disorder with your adolescent and other teen issues." Her presentation, from 6:45 to 8:30 p.m., will be at Carnegie Hall North, at the corner of Seventh and Capitol in Springfield. The event is sponsored by the Asperger Syndrome Support and Awareness of Central Illinois.

Those attending are asked to make reservations in advance by calling (217) 585-7276 or by e-mail to noble@family-net.net. Seating is limited. Donation is $7 at the door.

The speaker joined the Department of Communication Disorders and Sciences at EIU in 1981. She received her doctorate from Southern Illinois University—Carbondale. She has taught Advanced Language Disorders (CDS 5250), Phonological Assessment and Remediation (CDS 3100), Introduction to Speech Pathology (CDS 2000), Autism, and Language Processing (CDS 5400). She also teaches a seminar in ethics.

In the past she has taught courses in voice and articulation and on stuttering. She previously worked as a speech language pathologist in school systems.

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She is currently on the Legislative Council for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is an active member of the Illinois Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

She and Mary Anne Hanner have published a popular evaluation instrument in their field, The Language Processing Test - Revised and a follow-up therapy program, The Language Processing Kit. Dr. Richard is also the author of "The Source for Processing Disorders," "The Source for Autism," "The Source for Treatment Methodologies in Autism," "The Source for Syndromes" (with D. Hoge) and "The Source for Syndromes 2."

[News release]

State Bank of Lincoln announces a scholarship competition that enables Illinois high school seniors to enter a statewide essay-writing contest. It is all part of a program sponsored by Illinois community banks and the CBAI Foundation for Community Banking to increase public awareness of locally owned banks and their contributions to the community.

State Bank of Lincoln is a member of the Community Bankers Association of Illinois, which formed the foundation in 1996. A scholarship in the amount of $1,000 a year for up to four years of higher education will be awarded to the author of the best essay submitted to the CBAI Foundation by participating Illinois high school seniors. Up to 12 additional $1,000 awards are available in each of the regions of the state. An additional $500 will be awarded to the high school of the overall winner.

The bank is working with Lincoln Community High School, Mount Pulaski High School, Hartsburg-Emden High School and Olympia High School to invite seniors to submit short essays on the theme: "What makes a community bank successful?"

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William M. Hull, executive vice president of the State Bank of Lincoln, stated, "Any high school senior student in the area served by the bank is encouraged to participate. Three past regional winners have been submitted to the CBAI by the bank. Winners were from Lincoln Community High School and Mount Pulaski High School."

Information on the contest is available at the bank through William Hull and at the area schools. Entries must be submitted to the bank by Feb. 12. The bank will then submit selected entries to the CBAI Foundation to be eligible for the statewide competition.

Based in Springfield, CBAI is a professional association that represents approximately 520 banks and thrifts throughout Illinois.

[News release]

[DEC. 28, 2001]  The MindOH! Foundation, in conjunction with Athletes for a Better World, Media Art Studio, Mothers Against Violence in America, Nickerson Design, Project Wisdom, and Students Against Violence Everywhere, are giving middle school kids nationwide a chance to win prizes for themselves and their schools. The first annual “Character's Cool Contest” is designed to encourage middle school students to think and talk openly about preventing school violence. The MindOH! Foundation’s goal is to empower children through education to practice ethical behavior. Students can win prizes in this contest for their school such as a new computer with a one-year license to MindOH!'s Middle School Series ($6,250 value) and Project Wisdom's character education series ($1,000 value). Kids can also win individual prizes such as a Nintendo Gamecube, a personal MP3 player, and gift certificates worth up to $500. The “Character’s Cool Contest” is detailed at the MindOH! website: http://www.minohfoundation.org/contest.

AURORA — The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy has scheduled informational meetings for students, parents and community members to learn more about IMSA’s academic, residential and admission programs. Admission counselors will have the meetings throughout Illinois.

Located in Aurora, IMSA is a learning enterprise which builds the capacity of students, teachers and policymakers to improve and transform mathematics and science teaching and learning. IMSA’s public residential educational program serves Illinois students (grades 10-12) talented in mathematics and science; its professional development center serves schools, educational systems, teachers and students in Illinois and beyond.

IMSA, which opened in 1986, has graduated more than 2,400 students, with college placement rates of more than 99 percent. Illinois students enrolled in the equivalent of a ninth-grade program are eligible to apply. Admission is highly competitive. Tuition and most room and board expenses are provided by state funds. The application deadline is March 1, 2002.

The academy offers advanced courses in mathematics, science, the arts and humanities with an emphasis on connections within and across the disciplines. Research is an important part of the academic program and enables students to work with faculty, scientists and scholars. The academy also offers many opportunities in fine and performing arts, 32 co-curricular activities and 18 interscholastic sports.

For more information about IMSA or the informational meetings, write or call the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, Office of Admission, 1500 W. Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60506-1000, (630) 907-5027, or in Illinois, 1 (800) 500-IMSA. You may also visit tile IMSA admissions website: www.imsa.edu/team/admissions/

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Champaign, University of Illinois, Carle Forum Bldg., Fritz Conference Room, 611 W. Park St., 12-13-01, 6 p.m. 

AURORA — The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy will open its doors to prospective students and parents on the first Saturday of every month through May of 2002 to provide information about its programs.

During the sessions, called "Saturday Live at IMSA," admissions counselors will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 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 available for $4 per person.

Located in Aurora, IMSA is a learning enterprise that builds the capacity of students, teachers and policymakers to improve and transform mathematics and science teaching and learning. IMSA’s public residential educational program serves Illinois students (grades 10-12) talented in mathematics and science; its professional development center serves schools, educational systems, teachers and students in Illinois and beyond.

Applications for the class of 2005, which will enroll next fall, are now being accepted. Talented Illinois students enrolled in the equivalent of a ninth-grade program are eligible for consideration. Tuition and most room and board expenses are provided by state funds. A written application must be completed and returned to IMSA, postmarked no later than March 1, 2002. Students should contact their high school guidance counselor or IMSA’s admission office at (630) 907-5027 or 1 (800) 500-IMSA to receive an application.

[IMSA news release]

Menus

• Lincoln Elementary Schools

• Mount Pulaski Grade School

• West Lincoln-Broadwell School

(Milk served with all meals)

Monday, Jan. 21 — Martin Luther King Day; no school

Tuesday, Jan. 22 — Cereal, cinnamon toast, juice

Wednesday, Jan. 23 — Cereal, graham crackers with peanut butter, juice

Thursday, Jan. 24 — Sausage bagel, fruit

Friday, Jan. 25 — Cereal, toast with jelly, juice

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Lunch menu

(Milk served with all meals)

Monday, Jan. 21 — Martin Luther King Day; no school

Tuesday, Jan. 22 — Smokies in barbecue sauce, mashed potatoes, bread and butter, peaches

Wednesday, Jan. 23 — Tacos with lettuce and cheese, corn, nacho chips with salsa, fruit cocktail

Thursday, Jan. 24 — Hot turkey and cheese sandwich, french fries, peas, orange juice

Friday, Jan. 25 — Chicken and noodles, green beans, peanut butter sandwich, cinnamon applesauce

Milk and condiments served with all meals.

Students in grades three through eight may choose hot dog and bun or peanut butter and jelly sandwich in place of main entrée.

Students in grades six through eight may choose salad bar in place of main entrée

Monday, Jan. 21 — No school; Martin Luther King Day

Tuesday, Jan. 22 — Cheese pizza, lettuce, green beans, peaches, pumpkin bars

Wednesday, Jan. 23 — Chicken legs, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, fruit, bread, oleo

Thursday, Jan. 24 — Hot dog, bun, tri tator, banana, jello, crackers

Friday, Jan. 25 — Taco salad, baked beans, pears, trail mix, bread, oleo

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Monday, Jan. 28 — Hamburger, bun, cheese, pickle, potato rounds, carrots, apple

Tuesday, Jan. 29 — Rib, bun, potato rounds, mixed vegetables, pears, cake

Wednesday, Jan. 30 — Sloppy Joe, bun, tri tators, corn, pineapple, graham crackers

Thursday, Jan. 31 — Spaghetti, meat sauce, lettuce, green beans, orange, bread sticks

Monday, Jan. 21 — No school

Tuesday, Jan. 22 — Sloppy Joe on bun, french fries, baked beans, oranges

Wednesday, Jan. 23 — Chicken fillet, potatoes and gravy, peas, cherries and cream

Thursday, Jan. 24 — Soft tacos with lettuce and cheese, tortilla chips, cheese sauce, corn, pears

Friday, Jan. 25 — Sweet Cajun chicken, bun, french fries, raw veggies, applesauce

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Monday, Jan. 28 — Ham horseshoes, french fries, raw veggies, dip, pears

Tuesday, Jan. 29 — Cheese dog on bun, potato coins, corn, peaches

Wednesday, Jan. 30 — Creamed turkey on biscuit, potatoes, broccoli, fruit crisp

Thursday, Jan. 31 — Homemade chili, crackers, toasted cheese, apple slices, peanut butter, fruit ice

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