The 2009-2010 school year is off to a great start! Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten curriculum nights, Kindergarten Coffee, Middle School Tablet meetings, and a lively first Gathering have contributed to a busy, but welcoming start to the school year.
For our new families, the Seahorse Splash is a monthly e-newsletter highlighting school events and student accomplishments. Every day brings new excitement at ACS and we have many achievements to recognize. We welcome your input about things your children are participating in outside of ACS.
Back-to-School Bash
Middle Schoolers celebrated with the Back-to-School Bash on Friday, September 4. Students were divided into teams named for rock bands -- The Rolling Stones, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Beatles, Green Day, Pink Floyd, Coldplay, Deep Purple and 3 Doors Down.
The teams enjoyed Maui Wowi smoothies in between games of Capture the Flag, 3 Legged Races, and Tug-of-War.
Seahorse Scramble & Fall Fest
On Sunday, September 27 the Seahorse Scramble golf outing (8:00 am) and Fall Fest (2:00 -- 4:00 pm) will take place.
Group Five student Isabella Spinelli performed with Grammy-winning rock band Los Lobos on Wednesday, July 22 at the DuPage County Fairgrounds in Wheaton. As part of their commitment to youth as the future of music, the band sometimes invites young musicians to join them on stage. Isabella performed with the band during their song "Emily." After the show, the band asked Isabella to compose a violin solo for another one of their songs to be played at a future appearance; she is hoping to have her solo completed by November for the Los Lobos Chicago Symphony Center appearance.
ACS On Twitter
ACS has joined the world of real-time messaging by joining Twitter. You can follow us at www.twitter.com/averycoonley
ACS Welcomes New Faculty
ACS welcomed three new faculty members at Gathering on the first day of school. Please join us in welcoming our new teachers to the ACS community!
Sheila Kanchwala -- Group Four Ms. Kanchwala joins Group Four this year. Ms. Kanchwala earned an M.A. in Education from New York University and a B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin.
What do you like so far about working at The Avery Coonley School? I really like my Fourth Group students! They are proving to be a great bunch to work with. The classroom is filled with enthusiasm, curiosity, and kindness. I also like working with my partner, Mrs. Kleps. We complement each other nicely and it seems like we'll make a great Fourth Group teacher team this year.
Roger Millar -- MS Math Mr. Millar joins the ACS Middle School faculty as the new math teacher. Mr. Millar has an M.S. from the Illinois Institute of Technology and a B.S. from the University of Illinois - Chicago.
What do you look forward to most about The Avery Coonley School? I look forward to a fun and fulfilling year teaching math and participating in the rich Avery Coonley traditions. I am excited and enthused about working with such a talented group of students and faculty to continue the tradition of excellence at Avery Coonley.
Suzanne Strohschein -- MS Language Arts Starting her first full year at ACS, Mrs. Strohschein served as substitute during Mrs. Heeley's maternity leave last year. Mrs. Stroschein has two masters degrees (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and University of Illinois-Chicago) and a B.A. from Michigan State University.
What do you like so far about working at Avery Coonley? So far, working at Avery Coonley has been especially exciting because I am meeting so many wonderful students in both the Fifth and Seventh Groups who have impressed me with their enthusiasm for learning and trying new things as well as their thoughtful natures. Clearly we are a team here, sharing ideas, mentoring and inspiring each other, and that facilitates a dynamic learning environment.
Faculty News and Notes
MS Math teacher Karen Hyma received the Edyth May Sliffe Award for Distinguished Junior High School Mathematics teaching from the Mathematical Association of America. Mrs. Hyma is one of 55 teachers selected from all the junior high schools in the United States.
MS Language Arts teacher Dana Taylor completed her M.Ed. University of Illinois-Chicago this summer. To celebrate, Ms. Taylor recently hiked the Inca Trail to Macchu Picchu.
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Middle Schoolers celebrated with the Back-to-School Bash on Friday, September 4. Students were divided into teams named for rock bands -- The Rolling Stones, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Beatles, Green Day, Pink Floyd, Coldplay, Deep Purple and 3 Doors Down.
