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January 25, 2008
Volume 1, Issue 5
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FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
Dear Parents,
In an effort to share more big-picture school news, I now hope to include in each e-newsletter a few items from my monthly report submitted to the Board of Trustees.
Enjoy,
Don Firke
Faculty In-Service Day: All faculty began the new semester with
a day of professional development. Frankie Brown, Dean of Multicultural Affairs, secured an excellent
speaker in Dr. Paula Chu, a professional counselor and psychologist who spoke to teachers on the
topic of Aversive Racism. This was followed by a session with Frankie Brown who discussed the experience of students of color at Latin. Faculty also spent time in technology workshops and division meetings.
Field Project: The
field project is moving forward slowly because of the recent warm and wet weather. We anticipate completion of the project before the end of
April. The project is currently on budget. The Facilities and Communications teams now host monthly "coffees" to inform the community about the project. These meetings take place at 7:30 a.m. the second Wednesday of each month in the Loggia.
Admissions Office: Application numbers are up in all of the
three entry points (JK, 6th & 9th grades) compared to last year. Latin's staff is working especially
hard to accommodate all of the extra assessments, shadow days and
parent conferences required.
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IN THE NEWS
Announcing 2008 Summer Trips!
Five new trips will be offered this summer for students currently in grades five-eleven. They include:
- Destination Guadaloupe (5th grade)
- Phil & Ed's Excellent (Wisconsin) Adventure (5th grade)
- India: Volunteer & Leadership (Upper School)
- Outdoor Adventures in Colorado (Upper School)
- Catching the Spirit of Spain (Upper School)
Information has been sent to homes regarding these trips, but please visit Edline under Summer Trips 2008 for more information and registration form. International trips have a Feb. 15 registration deadline. For questions, please contact Melissa Rice at (312) 582-6083 or e-mail mrice@latinschool.org.
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EVENTS
Alumni Scholar Salons
The Alumni Office would like to extend the invitation to all parents to
join us for two very special Alumni Scholar Salons this February.
The first reception and lecture will be held in the US
Library on Thursday, Feb. 6 from 5:30 - 7 p.m. Guest lecturer, Dr.
Shilagh Mirgain '93, an Assistant Professor and Clinical Psychologist
from the University of Wisconsin Medical School will present
More Skills, Less Pills: Activating Internal Resources to Improve
Health. Click here to read Dr. Mirgain's full bio.
The second Salon will be held in the US Library on
Tuesday, Feb. 26 from 8:30 - 10 a.m. Rick Kogan '69, a
senior writer and columnist for Chicago Tribune Magazine,
and creator and host of The Sunday Papers with Rick Kogan on WGN-AM, will share reflections of his years in journalism. Click here for more information on Mr. Kogan and his work.
To RSVP, please visit the
Alumni Web site, or e-mail Abigail Nelson '99
at anelson@latinschool.org.
Total Eclipse of the Moon
All are welcome to see the total eclipse of the moon through the Sidewalk Astronomy Club's telescope:
When: Wednesday, Feb. 20, 7:30 -10 p.m.
Where: Meet in front of the Upper School building.
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ACADEMICS
Science Independent Study
Three Latin seniors are participating in a pre-med independent study this year. One of the students scrubbed in for an open heart triple bypass surgery this past November. The surgery took place at Swedish Covenant Hospital performed by Dr. Ronald Curran. The student stood at the head of the patient for more than four hours as both Dr. Curran and the anesthesiologist explained the entire procedure. When she returned to class, the student presented a PowerPoint detailing her experience to the entire independent study class.
Latin Visits Fermilab
On November 16, thirty-five Latin students, parents, and teachers made the trek to the western suburbs to Fermilab, Chicago's own particle accelerator, for a public lecture by Fermilab physicist Dan Hooper on the subject of the dark matter and dark energy. Dr. Hooper is the author of the book Dark Cosmos: In Search of Our Universe's Missing Mass and Energy. Dr. Hooper explained that the everyday "stuff" that we see -- galaxies, stars, planets, houses, and the like -- makes up only about 5% of the total mass and energy content of the universe. The remainder is a mystery. Those in attendance found it to be an informative and entertaining introduction to some of the most pressing issues facing astronomers and cosmologists today. The Science Department hopes to arrange trips to future Fermilab lectures in the spring.
Democratic and Republican National
Convention
On
February 4, twenty Latin students will participate in the University
School of Milwaukee's Campaign 2008--a day-long simulation of the Democratic and Republican National
Convention. The students, serving as delegates representing the 50 states, will debate, create a party platform covering
the most important issues, and nominate a candidate
for president from their party. The two nominated candidates will then participate
in a televised debate. Following the presidential debate, all delegates will
vote for one of the candidates and the winner will be announced.
This opportunity only happens every four years and provides a unique
look at U.S. politics, including speech writing, public speaking,
Electoral College strategizing, debating, lobbying, and knowing the candidates in this year's Presidential election. |
ARTS
Jabberwock
Rehearsals are underway for this year's Upper School winter production, James Thurber's, Jabberwock. Mr. Baer will be directing and producing. This fun and energetic show will be presented in the Wrigley Theatre on the evenings of February 6, 7, and 8. All evening performances will begin at 7 p.m.
Pirates of Penzance
Students are preparing for this year's Middle School production of Gilbert and Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance. Middle School Drama director Mrs. Hamilton is in charge of the production. The show will be presented on March 6 and 7 in the Wrigley Theatre at 7 p.m.
Reception at The Great Frame Up
We will have an art reception for a juried show of artwork by Latin School Upper School students at The Great Frame Up at 21 Elm St. on Thursday, February 21, from 7-8:30 p.m. Students will present their images prior to judging. Three selected pieces will go on to compete in The LISA Show which is a Chicagoland Art Contest.
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SPORTS
GO ROMANS!
Cheer on the Romans' varsity basketball teams as they take on UHigh and Parker at Loyola's Gentile Center on Friday, Jan. 25 (click here for a directions). The girls varsity team plays UHigh at 6 p.m. followed by the boys varsity team against Parker at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $3 for children and students, $5 for adults. All fans are encouraged to sport their brightest orange and blue and make some noise for the Romans.
Latin Alumnus Makes (BIG) News
Many of you may remember Kenny George '04 when he was a student at Latin. At 6 feet, 11 inches, Kenny played varsity basketball starting his sophomore year. He now attends and plays for the University of North Carolina-Asheville and, at 7 feet 7 inches, is the tallest player in the country. Kenny is having a great season and currently leads the nation in blocked shots per game. In a recent New York Times article about Kenny, one of his teammates said, "...while he's a great player, he's also a great person." Included here are links to that article, as well as footage from ESPN's Pardon the Interruption (PTI) on Kenny.
New York Times article
ESPN.com video
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JANUARY
Friday, Jan. 25
2:45 p.m. US student-faculty diversity committee meeting
6:00 p.m. girls basketball vs. U-High at Loyola's Gentile Center
7:30 pm. boys basketball vs. Parker Loyola's Gentile Center
Saturday, Jan. 26
Invitational Math Contest
SAT and subject tests
Sunday, Jan. 27
Buildings closed
Wednesday, Jan. 30
9:00 a.m. US delayed start
Thursday, Jan. 31
12:00 p.m. US parent-teacher conferences, noon dismissal
FEBRUARY
Saturday, Feb. 2
ISL varsity girls basketball tournament
Sunday, Feb. 3
Buildings closed
Monday, Feb. 4 - Friday, Feb. 8
Alumni Week
Tuesday, Feb. 5
4:00 p.m. US Show
Wednesday, Feb. 6
8:15 a.m. Parents' Council US Divisional meeting
7:00 p.m. US show
Thursday, Feb. 7
7:00 p.m. US show
Friday, Feb. 8
8:15 a.m. Parents' Council executive committee meeting
5:30 p.m. Alumni of Color reception
7:00 p.m. US show
Saturday, Feb. 9
ACT testing
Sunday, Feb. 10
Buildings closed
Monday, Feb. 11
5:00 p.m. Board of Trustees meeting
Wednesday, Feb. 13
Grade eleven potluck
8:30 a.m. Parents' Council LS divisional meeting
6:15 p.m. Winter MS sports awards night
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PHOTO GALLERY
View photographs and videos of past events in our photo gallery.
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SUMMER AT LATIN
Registration for Summer At Latin is now open.
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BLUE BOOK CHANGES
To view changes in the Blue Book (BB), please visit the Head of School section in Edline. Please e-mail registrar@latinschool.org with changes in the printed information. Unauthorized Use of Blue BookMany families have reported receiving unsolicited business mailings through their addresses listed in the Latin Blue Book. Please remember, as noted on page one of the Blue Book, "this publication is solely for communication of school-related matters among members of the school community. Its use for any other purpose, particularly solicitation or commercial matters, is not authorized ...." Thank you for following this important school guideline. |
The Latin School of Chicago
info@latinschool.org
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