Ben Franklin earns Earth Flag recertification
On Earth Day, April 22, Local dignitaries joined the Ben Franklin community in honor of the school’s recertification of its Earth Flag, first awarded nine years ago. Led by the Earthsavers Club, the school qualified for recertification through its efforts to recycle, reduce waste and promote earth-friendly behavior and awareness among students, teachers and families. PTA Earthsavers Club Chair Julie Colombo congratulated the school on its work, which has included waste-free lunches, recycling of ink cartridges and gym shoes, and a reduction in waste paper. The club, which was started this year, boasts a vigorous membership of one in six Ben Franklin students. Kay McKeen, Director of School and Community Assistance for Recycling and Composting Education (SCARCE) awarded the new flag; made from recycled pop bottles, it now flies from the flagpole in front of the school. US Congressman Peter Roskam, a Ben Franklin alum, read aloud the congratulatory comments he had read into the US Congressional record. Also on hand to honor the school were County Board members Debra Olsen and Jerry McBride, Glen Ellyn Village trustees Peter Ladesic and Timothy Armstrong, Board of Education President Terra Costa Howard and Superintendent Dr. Ann Riebock. All five D41 schools have earned their Earth Flag.
Forest Glen students tackle the Bears
Two Forest Glen students participated in the Chicago Bears “Tales to Tackle” reading incentive program, having won a special “Bears Experience” at Halas Hall in Lake Forest. Children who read the specified number of books were entered into a drawing, and this year a first grader from Julie Schmutz’ class and a third grader from Chris Blazek’s class were among those whose names were drawn. The program is sponsored by ComEd, and is a component of the Chicago Bears Education initiative, which is presented by Chase.
Hadley Band invited to Superstate
Hadley Symphonic Band has been invited to 2008 Illinois Superstate Concert Band Festival at the University of Illinois on May 2. The public is invited to attend the performance in the Foellinger Great Hall at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts on campus in Urbana, at 4:15 p.m. Of the 62 bands that submitted CD audition applications, Hadley was one of six chosen to perform. This will be the 16th performing visit by the Hadley Junior High Symphonic Band under the direction of Don Crews. Of the last 16 years, the Hadley bands have won this highly prestigious and competitive competition four times. As winners in 1993, 1999, 2002, and 2005, the band was invited to perform the following year as the Honor Band. The band is judged on a variety of categories, including intonation, tone quality, balance/blend, interpretation and musicianship, fluency of technique, rhythmic accuracy and stage presentation. The band recently received a perfect score at the IGSMA District Band competition. The Hadley Symphonic Band will be performing LaRoquina (W.B. Green), Adagio (Sergei Rachmaninoff), and Canarios Fantasia (Douglas Akey).
Last day of school June 5
The last day of school is Thursday, June 5. Hadley graduation has been changed to Tuesday, June 3. Each year, the Board of Education adjusts the last day to make up for any emergency days that have been used.
