Our Lady of the Wayside

State Science Fair (click here for photo and full story)

rich.drab — Tue, 15 May 2012 18:17:55 +0000

The State Science Fair was held at The University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana on Saturday, May 5, 2012. There were over 1,000 projects and about 350 schools represented.

I am proud to announce that all 15 projects that we sent to the fair received a top award. This is quite an accomplishment to receive so many top awards at the state level.

Gold – Sheila C, Elizabeth D, Joshua G, Evan M, Caroline M, Teresa P, Alex P, Ryan S, Eric U, and Emily W

Silver – Kaitlyn B, Stephanie B, Lexi M, Paulina P, and Rosalin S

I am also proud to announce that Elizabeth D. won a special award at the fair. She received a $200 cash prize (and a bag full of goodies) from the Illinois Academy of Audiology for her outstanding project in the study of human balance.

Congratulations to ALL of the students who represented Wayside at the fair.

I am so proud of you.

Mrs. Bremner

FSA Board for the 2012-2013 School Year

rich.drab — Tue, 15 May 2012 18:00:49 +0000

The FSA is proud to announce the FSA Board for the 2012-2013 School Year

Chairman – Teri Dutka
Vice Chairman – Laura Doherty
Secretary – Mona Russo
Treasurer – Karen Niesman
All School Services – Katie Utech
Communication – Kate Schraeder
Early Childhood Services – Janet Lynch
Fundraising – Annette Quick
Hospitality – Melissa Craig
Middle School Services – Patti Pulikowski
Room Parents – Julie Carlucci
School Gifts – Stacey Corcoran
Student Enrichment – Meredith Gierstorf

We bid a fond farewell to our outgoing members Karen DeZellar, Mary Hamilton, and Joanne Masters. We appreciate your years of service and dedication to the students of Our Lady of the Wayside School.

As we look back on the 2011-2012 school year, we achieved many great things with the help of our ever-faithful volunteer parents. Some of our highlights include:

We held our first ever author visit and book signing. It was our pleasure to host Susan FitzGerald, author of Letting Go With Love and Confidence, and to welcome many parents from the northwest suburbs to hear her wisdom and ask questions.

We participated for the first time in a national competition to earn grant money to improve our playground. We finished a respectable 5^th place in our category.

We introduced a new Middle School fundraiser, the winter poinsettia sale. It was very successful in deferring some of the costs of the Middle School trips.

We welcomed a new Cotillion instructor, Ms. Tressa Hartmann. She has energized the program while still keeping the tradition that our 8^th grade families have come to expect.

Most importantly, our fundraisers have broken an all-time record with combined profits exceeding $180,000 – thanks to our most successful Annual Auction ever!

None of this would have been possible without the hard work of our many, many volunteers. We feel fortunate to have so many parents that are generous with their time and talents. We invite all of our volunteers to the annual Volunteer Thank You Mass in May, where we honor all of the hard work you do on behalf of all Wayside students.

Teacher Feature

rich.drab — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:20:07 +0000

Take Ten with Mrs. Bremner

Article Submitted by Pat Aichele

: Chris Bremner

For Chris Bremner, Our Lady of the Wayside Middle School science teacher, the road to success has long run between the Northwest suburbs of Chicago and the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. As an honors student at University of Illinois, Bremer earned a bachelor’s of science degree in education with a minor in biology. Two decades later, she proudly returns to her alma mater — these days as teacher and mentor to dozens of 7th and 8th grade students who earn the opportunity each May to compete in the Illinois Junior Academy State (IJAS) Science Fair. The event takes place at Assembly Hall on the U of I campus.

We caught up with Mrs. Bremner just days before she heads downstate with 15 OLW students and their families for the state science competition.

1. Congratulations to you and your students for earning OLW first place for the most outstanding projects in its school population at the Regional IJAS Fair. What is your key to success?

There are many aspects that help our students succeed at the science fair from parental support at home, Wayside parents are wonderful, to collaborative efforts by other teachers. Mrs. Goeske was a huge help while the students were writing their research papers. Mrs. Gatewood helped students whose projects included difficult mathematics. Ms. Ciaccio and Mrs. Saelens proofread student research papers. The students worked really hard on their projects. So to see them recognized for their outstanding work is really exciting. The students have a real sense of pride for achieving such an academic accomplishment.

2. What can you tell us about teaching science at OLW and the role of technology?

Technology plays a huge role in teaching science. The students use the laptops during all labs. They use Excel to create data tables and graphs. We use computers to research science fair topics and other projects. I use my computer/projector on a daily basis. All of my notes are computerized and projected. I also use technology to show video clips, play online games, and view current articles. Current Science, a digital magazine, is also available to the students every month.

3. What is your overall philosophy on teaching?

My overall philosophy of teaching is that students need to “learn” how to think. The kids laugh all the time when I tell them we need to practice thinking. Students want everything to come easily and quickly. They want to memorize and regurgitate information back to you. They rarely want to slow down and think about an answer or a problem. My goal is to improve students’ thinking skills and improve their problem solving processes. If students practice thinking in middle school, it will become easier to do in high school. One student described my class as a giant word problem. You really have to think about everything – you can’t simply memorize information (you know how much kids love word problems!)

4. What do you believe are the most important aspect of teaching in preparing your students for high school?

One of my main goals in preparing students for high school is to teach them how to work in groups and collaborate with fellow students. Students spend too much of their day in silence. I love the opportunity to have students sit at tables and share thoughts and ideas. We do most activities in small groups. I love watching a group problem solve and work together. It is amazing to watch and listen to students helping other students.

As I said before, they also need to learn how to be an “active learners”. Students can no longer be back seat drivers and let other people do all of the work for them. They need to realize that getting the right answer and truly understanding the answer are two totally different things. The right answer means nothing if you don’t understand how you got it. Middle school students must also learn how to be their own advocates. They need to learn how to approach teachers and speak up when necessary. I work with them on building confidence so they can raise their hands and ask questions.

5. In addition to science you also teach computer classes, tell us about this new role.

This year I teach computer class to all 6^th, 7^th and 8^th graders. Every week Mrs. Goeske and I talk to all the teachers and help them integrate technology into the curriculum. Some of the programs we have used this year are: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Wordle, Tagxedo, Glogster,and Prezi. The 6^th graders created wonderful Glogs about the Civil Rights Movement. The 7^th graders created Facebook pages about a character from a novel they read. The 8^th graders have created incredible powerpoint book reports.

The most rewarding aspect of this position is working side by side the students learning and creating projects together. They help and teach me as much as I help and teach them. It is a great example of teamwork and sharing.

6. How has the technology program grown or expanded during your time at OLW?

The technology program has grown so much in the last three years. The students have technology or computer class every other day with Mrs. Goeske or me. The laptops have been a huge success. Students have access to these computers throughout the day. They do homework, group projects, science labs, book reports, online research with them on a daily basis. My room is a revolving door with students picking up or returning a laptop. We also have Reading Counts on all computers in the middle school. Teachers now have laptops and almost all middle school classrooms have projectors. The middle school also has a wireless Internet connection. The school website is another great tool. All middle school teachers have webpages where they can post assignments, projects, important links and announcements. Lastly, the online gradebook, PowerSchool, is a huge improvement. Students, parents and teachers all have access to monitor a student’s progress.

7. What five words come to mind when you think of the Wayside school community?

Close-knit

Supportive

Dedicated

Loving

Caring

8. What is your favorite aspect of teaching Middle School students?

I love the way middle school students are full of life. There is something new and different happening everyday – lots of drama in their lives. Middle school years are probably the toughest years for most children. Not many of us will ever wish to relive those years again (I know I wouldn’t). Despite the daily challenges these students face, middle school students are very insightful. I love the idea of helping to mold these young people into responsible adults. I also find so many of them extremely insightful. I learn so much from these students. I guess I would say that middle schoolers kind of grow on you. After teaching middle school for 11 years, I really can’t see myself teaching any other grades.

Now for some non-teaching questions…

9. What is your favorite thing to do on a weekend?

Right now my weekends are usually packed with all of my children’s sports and activities. I spend most days hopping between soccer, basketball, volleyball, football, softball, and baseball games. It’s crazy busy, but I love watching the kids play.

Summer weekends, my favorite place to be is at our family cottage in Wisconsin. I love to be outdoors boating, swimming, skiing, tubing, kayaking and visiting with family and friends.

10. Do you have a favorite saying that overall sums up your philosophy on life?

Two of my favorite quotes that sum up my philosophy about my job as a teacher are:

“Tell me and I will forget, show me and I will learn, involve me and I will understand”

“The difference between the ordinary and the extraordinary is the little extra.”

Homework 5/14/12

kim.brennan — Mon, 14 May 2012 15:36:13 +0000

Religion

Test tomorrow

Science

No Homework/ Test today

Math

Check out the IXL website, you should have received login information via email.

Complete 25 practice problems on Equivalent Ratios.

Kindergarten and 8th Grade Graduation Video Order

chris.tiltz — Tue, 08 May 2012 20:12:35 +0000

OLW School will be having the Kindergarten and Eighth Grade graduation ceremonies professionally filmed by Tomcat Video. It is the same company that films the OLW Communion ceremonies. You can purchase this professionally filmed version on DVD for $25 by completing this form and returning it to Chris Tiltz before Tuesday, May 22^nd.

Spring Dance

lisa.goeske — Mon, 07 May 2012 13:30:51 +0000

Article Written By Katie, 6th grade

Did you like the dance? This question passed through Wayside a lot after a dance the sixth graders planned called “Sunshine, Lollipops, and Rainbows”. This name tends to put a smile on my face. All of the sixth grade boys liked it. Some of the girls thought of the name as a joke gone to far. Either way I am sure in the end everyone had a good time. I know my friends did.

The bright decorations and awesome music really shouted spring. Most of the sixth grade volunteered an hour after school to help set up the dance. These sixth graders did a great job. The thing I like about the music is that we get to request it. That way it’s almost always music we like. I also love seeing smiles surrounding me. It is amazing to see the whole middle school dancing and laughing with each other.

Personally my favorite part is getting ready. A lot of girls wore dresses. I love seeing what everyone shows up in all the girls and boys look amazing. I especially like all the bright colored outfits at this dance. They definitely went with the theme. Over all it was a great night.

OLW-FSA SUPPER CLUB – BUONA BEEF – WEDNESDAY, MAY 23rd

chris.tiltz — Thu, 03 May 2012 16:19:34 +0000

Parents, Friends, Family:

Come enjoy our May Supper Club event at Buona Beef at 1420 Golf Road in Rolling Medows on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 (ALL DAY). 15-25% of all sales (dine-in, carry-out, drive-thru and Buona by-the-pound) will be donated to OLW School. Please present this Buona Flyer when you visit the restaurant on that Wednesday.

Hope to see you there!

Homework 4-30-12

kim.brennan — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:45:16 +0000

Religion-

No homework/ test today

Science

Unit F ch. 3 Read pages F60 & F61

Answer Reading Focus and Inv. 1 Wrap-up questions 1-4

Math

chapter 6-2 Rates

Page 290 #7 thru #18 except #17

SUMMER 2012 Volleyball Camp at OLW

chris.tiltz — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:30:11 +0000

July 9 – 13, 2012

Registration Form and Waiver

Clinic A: Boys entering 7^th or 8^thGrade M-F

8:30-10:30am (10 hours) $125

Clinic B: Girls entering 7^th or 8^thGrade M-F

10:30-12:30pm (10 hours) $125

Clinic C: Boys/Girls entering 5^th or 6th Grade M-F

12:30-2:00pm (7.5 hours) $95

Location: Our Lady of Wayside Gym

Let’s Play some Volleyball!

Join us for the first year of OLW Summer Volleyball Camp. Basics will be covered along with 4-2 offensive alignment, court strategy and game situations. We will work in depth on defense, setting and hitting and game play.

Clinics are run by Joanie and Annie Fesl and staff

Annie is an All American, All Big East setter from University of Cincinnati

Joanie is a former Big Ten player, clinician & referee.

Coaches are welcome to attend.

All Clinics will be limited to 28 players.

Coach/Player Ratio – 1:7

Sixth Grade: Notecard Template

lisa.goeske — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 20:24:03 +0000

Notecard template

Open this template and do a “Save As” to your home computer, flash drive, student folder or all of the above.

If you do not have Microsoft Word at home and would like to work on your notecards, just draw a text box in your word processing program.