Indian Prairie parent groups each have own specific focus
November 20, 2009
There are numerous opportunities for parents to get involved in Indian Prairie's districtwide and school-based parent organizations.
I've previously mentioned the district's 34 PTA/PTSAs, all of which are school-based except for the Special Needs and Project Arrow district-wide PTAs. The Indian Prairie Parents Council is the umbrella organization for these 34 units. The delegate body of the IPPC consists of the president and one representative from each unit. The council exists to help the member PTA units function effectively.
This is my third year as the IPPC representative for Brooks Elementary School, and this year I've taken on an additional role as a member of the executive board. The council meets monthly to share information about issues affecting the education, health and welfare of the district's students. The superintendent and other district administrators answer questions and present information to the council to be brought back to the individual PTAs.
Each PTA serves on an IPPC committee every other year. This year, Brooks is working with Neuqua Valley High School on the Unity Committee. We are currently working on ideas for how to make our very divided district feel more unified.
The Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee (BPAC) and Parent Diversity Committee (PDAC) are not directly associated with the PTAs but try to have liaisons back to each PTA when possible to facilitate information sharing.
The role and responsibility of BPAC is to plan, operate and evaluate the Transitional Bilingual Education program. This committee also advises and assists the district in its implementation. BPAC is comprised of parents of children in the Bilingual Education Program and other interested community members.
PDAC published the parent teacher conference guide I referenced earlier this month. This organization's mission is "to positively impact the academic achievement of a diverse student population through school-specific outreach efforts and initiatives that focus on and directly address disparate academic performance."
In addition to their PTA/PTSAs, the high schools also have several very active parent organizations. These parent groups support high school athletics, band, orchestra, chorus and theater in an incredible number and wide variety of ways.
To find out more about how to get involved with these district parent organizations, check with your school or PTA or look for them via www.ipsd.org.
Also, check out these Web sites for more specific information:
• IPPC: http://ipsdweb.ipsd.org/IPPC
• BPAC: http://ipsdweb.ipsd.org/Subpage.aspx/BPAC -
• PDAC: http://ipsdweb.ipsd.org/Subpage.aspx/PDAC -
• Project Arrow PTA: http://ipsdweb.ipsd.org/IPPC/Default.aspx/ProjectArrowPTA
• Special Needs PTA: http://ipsdweb.ipsd.org/Subpage.aspx/SpecialNeedsPTA
• NVHS parent organizations: nvhs.ipsd.org/Subpage.aspx?id=16
• NVHS music: www.neuquamusic.org
• MVHS parent organizations: mvhs.ipsd.org/Subpage.aspx?id=335
• MVHS music: www.meteamusic.org
• WVHS parent organizations: http://wvhs.ipsd.org/Subpage.aspx?id=98
• WVHS music: http://www.wvhs-music.org/
Friday, November 20, 2009
2009-11-20 Jenna's Pay it Forward Blood/Bone Marrow Drive
When I heard recently that one of my high school daughter’s grade school classmates had been diagnosed with leukemia, my heart went out to this girl and her family. Senior year of high school is about so many good things – enjoying time with friends, having the last season of everything, making plans for the future, college applications, prom, special senior events – and fighting cancer should not be one of them.
I wondered if there was anything I could do to help this family and offered them the use of my column space to get the word out about anything they may want to publicize. It turns out that my offer was unexpected, timely and appreciated, as they had just been given the news that Jenna would need a bone marrow transplant. They were rushing to put together a bone marrow registry and blood drive and would want to get the details out to the public quickly.
Here is Jenna's story and the details about the drive being held next Wednesday.
Jenna’s “Pay it Forward”
Blood/Bone Marrow Drive
November 25, 2009
Benet Academy in Lisle
St. Jude Commons
from 3:00p.m. until 8:00p.m.
Jenna McKeown is a high school senior at Benet Academy where she plays Tennis and Lacrosse. She is an avid ice skater, and traveled last summer to Spain singing with her choir in some of the oldest and most beautiful cathedrals in the world! Wednesday, October 28 started like any other day for Jenna with current concerns limited to homework, college applications, and weekend activities. By Thursday evening Jenna began her first round of chemotherapy and her battle with leukemia had begun. What started out as a routine doctor’s visit for a sore throat and extreme fatigue led to a rapid chain of events that has turned her life upside down. Jenna was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, a very aggressive but curable form of leukemia.
Although the news was devastating, the groundswell of support that Jenna and her family have received from schoolmates, community and people across the country has given them strength to meet this head on. Jenna’s dad set the game plan when he said, “We can match this disease step for step until it surrenders.”
The first step of Jenna’s treatment is chemotherapy and she has successfully completed her first round at the University of Chicago’s Comer Children’s Hospital. Her indomitable spirit has become apparent to everyone as she has met the challenge of this diagnosis and the rigors of chemo with incredible strength. “Be Positive” is not only the tone that Jenna has set for everyone, it’s actually the blood type that literally runs through her veins (B+); a coincidence Jenna jumped on right away.
Her team of doctors is encouraged by the way that her body has reacted to the first round of chemo and her test results are very positive. However, Jenna recently learned that this is a battle that she cannot win on her own. After undergoing two more rounds of chemotherapy, she will require a bone marrow transplant from a matching donor in January. Tests have shown that Jenna’s siblings are not matches for her and she will depend on the National Bone Marrow Registry to find a donor.
Jenna’s family and friends are mobilizing an effort to add as many members as possible to the Be the Match National Bone Marrow Registry. This is not only to find a match for Jenna, but also to give hope to the thousands of others who are currently searching for a match. Jenna has been receiving blood platelet donations from Chicago blood banks and likely will continue to access their resources. Therefore her family and friends are also mobilizing an effort to replenish the local blood banks as well. In this combined Blood/Bone Marrow Drive, Jenna, her family and friends hope to be able to “pay forward” in some fashion the incredible support that they have already received in this journey.
This is how you can help:
On Wednesday, November 25th, 2009 Jenna’s family and friends will be hosting a combination Blood Drive & Bone Marrow Registry Drive at Benet Academy in Lisle, IL in the St. Jude Commons from 3:00p.m. until 8:00p.m. Everyone is welcome to donate blood without an advanced appointment, however appointments for blood donation scheduled beforehand will take priority! To schedule your appointment see instructions below.
https://donateblood.lifesource.org/itxm/mobile_scheduler/register.php?id=002.
Enter your information and continue on to make appt. Next you will click on zip code at the top and type in 60532. At the bottom of the page click on Jenna’s “Pay it Forward” Marrow and Blood Replenishment Drive. Click on the time you want and confirm .appointment! Thanks for your patience as this is a new system by Lifesource. Appointments can also be made by simply calling 877-Lifesource.
Take a moment to visit Jenna's Life Journey Link to find out more ways you can help! It costs over $100 to add each new member to the National Bone Marrow Registry and your donations will allow more members to be added to this life saving cause.
Please consider stopping by the event on the eve of Thanksgiving and join us in “Giving Thanks”. The entire McKeown family would like to extend their sincere gratitude and blessings to you and your families!
Blood donors must be age 17 or above (16 with parental consent forms - available in advance by contacting Beth at Lisauskas@sbcglobal.net)
Bone marrow registrants must be between the ages of 18-60 for bone marrow registry. The bone marrow registry takes only five minutes and is a simple inner cheek swab collection. It is important to note that if you are a match for someone, the process can be similar to giving blood. A direct match, if found, is the ultimate gift.
Any questions can be directed to Lifesource at phone: 1- 877-LIFESOURCE .
If you cannot attend but would like to make a financial donation please go to “Jenna’s Life Journey” link for further information.
http://www.bethematchfoundation.org/goto/4jenna
I wondered if there was anything I could do to help this family and offered them the use of my column space to get the word out about anything they may want to publicize. It turns out that my offer was unexpected, timely and appreciated, as they had just been given the news that Jenna would need a bone marrow transplant. They were rushing to put together a bone marrow registry and blood drive and would want to get the details out to the public quickly.
Here is Jenna's story and the details about the drive being held next Wednesday.
Jenna’s “Pay it Forward”
Blood/Bone Marrow Drive
November 25, 2009
Benet Academy in Lisle
St. Jude Commons
from 3:00p.m. until 8:00p.m.
Jenna McKeown is a high school senior at Benet Academy where she plays Tennis and Lacrosse. She is an avid ice skater, and traveled last summer to Spain singing with her choir in some of the oldest and most beautiful cathedrals in the world! Wednesday, October 28 started like any other day for Jenna with current concerns limited to homework, college applications, and weekend activities. By Thursday evening Jenna began her first round of chemotherapy and her battle with leukemia had begun. What started out as a routine doctor’s visit for a sore throat and extreme fatigue led to a rapid chain of events that has turned her life upside down. Jenna was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, a very aggressive but curable form of leukemia.
Although the news was devastating, the groundswell of support that Jenna and her family have received from schoolmates, community and people across the country has given them strength to meet this head on. Jenna’s dad set the game plan when he said, “We can match this disease step for step until it surrenders.”
The first step of Jenna’s treatment is chemotherapy and she has successfully completed her first round at the University of Chicago’s Comer Children’s Hospital. Her indomitable spirit has become apparent to everyone as she has met the challenge of this diagnosis and the rigors of chemo with incredible strength. “Be Positive” is not only the tone that Jenna has set for everyone, it’s actually the blood type that literally runs through her veins (B+); a coincidence Jenna jumped on right away.
Her team of doctors is encouraged by the way that her body has reacted to the first round of chemo and her test results are very positive. However, Jenna recently learned that this is a battle that she cannot win on her own. After undergoing two more rounds of chemotherapy, she will require a bone marrow transplant from a matching donor in January. Tests have shown that Jenna’s siblings are not matches for her and she will depend on the National Bone Marrow Registry to find a donor.
Jenna’s family and friends are mobilizing an effort to add as many members as possible to the Be the Match National Bone Marrow Registry. This is not only to find a match for Jenna, but also to give hope to the thousands of others who are currently searching for a match. Jenna has been receiving blood platelet donations from Chicago blood banks and likely will continue to access their resources. Therefore her family and friends are also mobilizing an effort to replenish the local blood banks as well. In this combined Blood/Bone Marrow Drive, Jenna, her family and friends hope to be able to “pay forward” in some fashion the incredible support that they have already received in this journey.
This is how you can help:
On Wednesday, November 25th, 2009 Jenna’s family and friends will be hosting a combination Blood Drive & Bone Marrow Registry Drive at Benet Academy in Lisle, IL in the St. Jude Commons from 3:00p.m. until 8:00p.m. Everyone is welcome to donate blood without an advanced appointment, however appointments for blood donation scheduled beforehand will take priority! To schedule your appointment see instructions below.
https://donateblood.lifesource.org/itxm/mobile_scheduler/register.php?id=002.
Enter your information and continue on to make appt. Next you will click on zip code at the top and type in 60532. At the bottom of the page click on Jenna’s “Pay it Forward” Marrow and Blood Replenishment Drive. Click on the time you want and confirm .appointment! Thanks for your patience as this is a new system by Lifesource. Appointments can also be made by simply calling 877-Lifesource.
Take a moment to visit Jenna's Life Journey Link to find out more ways you can help! It costs over $100 to add each new member to the National Bone Marrow Registry and your donations will allow more members to be added to this life saving cause.
Please consider stopping by the event on the eve of Thanksgiving and join us in “Giving Thanks”. The entire McKeown family would like to extend their sincere gratitude and blessings to you and your families!
Blood donors must be age 17 or above (16 with parental consent forms - available in advance by contacting Beth at Lisauskas@sbcglobal.net)
Bone marrow registrants must be between the ages of 18-60 for bone marrow registry. The bone marrow registry takes only five minutes and is a simple inner cheek swab collection. It is important to note that if you are a match for someone, the process can be similar to giving blood. A direct match, if found, is the ultimate gift.
Any questions can be directed to Lifesource at phone: 1- 877-LIFESOURCE .
If you cannot attend but would like to make a financial donation please go to “Jenna’s Life Journey” link for further information.
http://www.bethematchfoundation.org/goto/4jenna
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