The beautiful springtime month of May brings a really busy time for the Tatars. Again. In case I wind up taking a week or two off from writing, this serves as your heads-up as to why.
Here’s what May looks like. My son Jonathan performing in Metea Valley’s first ever musical “The Pajama Game”, Waubonsie Valley’s “Les Miserables”, Girl Scout meetings, Driver’s Ed for Jonathan, jury duty for me, Granger’s “Grease”, yardwork for my husband. My daughter Kathy playing violin in three performances at our family’s last Waubonsie Valley Fine Arts Festival while I spend the morning at the orchestra apparel table, a Taylor Swift concert for Kathy and a New York voices concert for my Jonathan that evening, then my birthday and Mother’s Day, Fourth Grade State Board Game Night at Brooks for my youngest daughter Allie, a few AP exams for Kathy, and several Irish Dance rehearsals for Allie.
But wait, that’s not all. Next we have the Waubonsie Valley Green and Gold Awards Ceremony with Kathy at the same time Jonathan has dress rehearsal for the Spring Choir Concert, which the following night overlaps with the annual Brooks Family Picnic. May 14 brings prom for Kathy, including lots of pampering for her thanks to our “win” at the inaugural Metea Valley PTSA auction, and a bunch of her friends coming over before and after the dance. The next day brings Metea Valley’s first ever Fine Arts Festival including two concerts for Jonathan and my second time working at a choir event in just three days. Sunday brings us our Kathy’s last Waubonsie Orchestra Awards Banquet.
Then things really pick up. Monday the 17th brings finals for Kathy and a concert rehearsal, the 18th brings more finals and her last day of high school, followed by the Orchestra Pops Concert that evening, which I don’t think I’ll get through without a few tears. Next comes senior brunch, Baccalaureate, and graduation practice. This weekend is a busy one. Friday evening includes the first Metea Valley Music Department Awards Ceremony for Jonathan and a going away party at our house for my oldest daughter Jessica’s boyfriend who is leaving the following week for the Air Force. Saturday is Kathy’s 18th birthday and her celebration with friends, and Allie’s annual Irish Dance concert. Sunday is graduation day. Sometime during this weekend we’ll find time for Kathy’s family birthday dinner.
At this point, the new grad can relax and get back to her preferred schedule of staying up half the night and sleeping half the day while she gets ready for her big party the following weekend, and her three siblings are all still in school. Allie will have Field Day at school and will be looking forward to going to White Pines with her Girl Scout troop in June. The end of the year in fourth grade is more fun than high school, where Jonathan will be taking finals at Metea, or college, where Jessica won’t have her finals until June.
Memorial Day weekend brings the last day of school for my two youngest, auditions for Fox Valley Park District’s “Alice in Wonderland” and the big graduation party.
In the midst of it all I’ll also have some PTA and IPPC meetings and attempt to keep up with work and all the usual things that need to happen. I just realized there will be five parties at our house in just four weekends. We are fortunate to have so much to celebrate, but why does it all have to happen at once?
Whew.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
2010-04-24 MVHS Theatre's first year & upcoming musical
Metea Valley Theatre has had a fantastic first year so far and its biggest performance is coming up next week.
Since the auditorium was not available until recently, space within the school was used creatively for the first three shows. October’s “I’m Getting Murdered in the Morning” was a dinner theater murder mystery in The Commons that presented the difficulty of performing with most of the actors on set for whole time, with audience members on three sides and some cast members interacting with the audience. The winter show “Twelve Angry Jurors” was performed three January evenings in the LMC. This show had a much larger audience turnout than anticipated and chairs were being quickly added up until show time.
Last month thirteen students presented “Holes” for Group Interpretation. They performed six times during the school day on March 18 for student audiences and once that evening for family and friends in the school’s Black Box Theater. The team took 6th place in sectionals that weekend. I’d never seen a GI performance and it was really impressive. In GI all actors are on stage all the time and there are no props, scenery, or costumes. The students each play several parts including props! One student narrates and the dialog and action moves along at a quick pace so they get through the entire story in just 30 minutes.
The first theatrical production in the school’s auditorium will be “The Pajama Game.” This musical comedy has been performed on Broadway many times and the 1957 film version starring Doris day is well-known. The story takes place in a pajama factory where workers are demanding a seven-and-a-half cent raise. Some songs that may be familiar from this show are “Steam Heat,” “Once a Year Day,” and “Hernando’s Hideaway.”
The cast, pit, and crew of over 100 students have spent many hours over the last couple of months preparing to put on this show. The show’s set was designed by director Jay Fontanetta and put together by technical director Jeff Schmela. Choreography is by Ryan Doherty with assistance from Waubonsie Valley grad Annie Stephens. Nathan Bramstedt is the music director, Don Devany pit, and Bunny Stanley costumes.
At the start of the year it was challenging to choose which musical would be performed since the talents of the students were unknown to the directors. Even though the school has only freshmen and sophomores, the directors told me the students have been hard-working, dedicated, energetic, and enthusiastic and have really risen to the occasion.
Other challenges have been learning how to work the new light and sound board. Even people with years of experience had much to learn with this new state-of-the-art equipment. Time management was another big issue. The auditorium became available late in the school year and even then had other events being held in that space such as Orchesis and the grand opening music concert. Student availability presented other conflicts including GI, which overlapped musical rehearsal for weeks, and the band trip to Disney World.
When I spoke earlier this week with Jay Fontanetta and Ryan Doherty, both mentioned to me the terrific support they’ve had from the administration as they have gone above and beyond with helping out. They also both said that the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation is providing a grant for a lighting system in the Black Box Theatre, which is an alternate performance space.
My son is fortunate to have been involved in these outstanding opportunities as a freshman and has enjoyed being a part of all of the shows this year. From what I’ve seen, the students and staff have done a phenomenal job and I look forward to seeing Metea’s first musical.
“The Pajama Game” will be performed on April 29, April 30, and May 1 at 7pm. Call 630-375-5900 ext. 8220 to reserve tickets. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens.
Since the auditorium was not available until recently, space within the school was used creatively for the first three shows. October’s “I’m Getting Murdered in the Morning” was a dinner theater murder mystery in The Commons that presented the difficulty of performing with most of the actors on set for whole time, with audience members on three sides and some cast members interacting with the audience. The winter show “Twelve Angry Jurors” was performed three January evenings in the LMC. This show had a much larger audience turnout than anticipated and chairs were being quickly added up until show time.
Last month thirteen students presented “Holes” for Group Interpretation. They performed six times during the school day on March 18 for student audiences and once that evening for family and friends in the school’s Black Box Theater. The team took 6th place in sectionals that weekend. I’d never seen a GI performance and it was really impressive. In GI all actors are on stage all the time and there are no props, scenery, or costumes. The students each play several parts including props! One student narrates and the dialog and action moves along at a quick pace so they get through the entire story in just 30 minutes.
The first theatrical production in the school’s auditorium will be “The Pajama Game.” This musical comedy has been performed on Broadway many times and the 1957 film version starring Doris day is well-known. The story takes place in a pajama factory where workers are demanding a seven-and-a-half cent raise. Some songs that may be familiar from this show are “Steam Heat,” “Once a Year Day,” and “Hernando’s Hideaway.”
The cast, pit, and crew of over 100 students have spent many hours over the last couple of months preparing to put on this show. The show’s set was designed by director Jay Fontanetta and put together by technical director Jeff Schmela. Choreography is by Ryan Doherty with assistance from Waubonsie Valley grad Annie Stephens. Nathan Bramstedt is the music director, Don Devany pit, and Bunny Stanley costumes.
At the start of the year it was challenging to choose which musical would be performed since the talents of the students were unknown to the directors. Even though the school has only freshmen and sophomores, the directors told me the students have been hard-working, dedicated, energetic, and enthusiastic and have really risen to the occasion.
Other challenges have been learning how to work the new light and sound board. Even people with years of experience had much to learn with this new state-of-the-art equipment. Time management was another big issue. The auditorium became available late in the school year and even then had other events being held in that space such as Orchesis and the grand opening music concert. Student availability presented other conflicts including GI, which overlapped musical rehearsal for weeks, and the band trip to Disney World.
When I spoke earlier this week with Jay Fontanetta and Ryan Doherty, both mentioned to me the terrific support they’ve had from the administration as they have gone above and beyond with helping out. They also both said that the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation is providing a grant for a lighting system in the Black Box Theatre, which is an alternate performance space.
My son is fortunate to have been involved in these outstanding opportunities as a freshman and has enjoyed being a part of all of the shows this year. From what I’ve seen, the students and staff have done a phenomenal job and I look forward to seeing Metea’s first musical.
“The Pajama Game” will be performed on April 29, April 30, and May 1 at 7pm. Call 630-375-5900 ext. 8220 to reserve tickets. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens.
Friday, April 16, 2010
2010-04-16 Caravan to the Capitol Springfield Trip
We really didn’t know what to expect when we decided to make the trek to Springfield. Planning was hindered by spring break and the fact that legislature was not in session the past couple of weeks.
The reporter who accompanied us on the trip spoke with me on Tuesday afternoon for a story to be published Wednesday morning. I told her what I knew of how the day would go but that there were many unknowns. She said that no matter what it would be an adventure.
She was right about that. Hundreds of parents around the state and locally have let us know that they are supportive of our efforts. People have been thanking us in person and online. Most interested people were unable to arrange a day off work, or had things going on with kids that prevented them from traveling with us. Even of those who made plans to come on the trip, many canceled in the two days leading up to the trip, some at the very last minute.
Though that was disappointing, our group was large enough and included parents from three school districts, a grandfather, students from elementary, middle, and high school, a reporter and photographer. Some rode our two buses from the mall, others from Springfield, 204, and West Aurora met us in Springfield in the cafeteria of the Stratton Building. On the way down we had heard from Alderman Rick Mervine that he, Mayor Weisner, and a delegation from the City of Aurora were in town also meeting with legislators for similar reasons and would like to meet up with us at some point if it worked out.
None in our group had ever planned or participated in such a trip before. Some were wearing “Restore Education Funding” t-shirts. We all had buttons that said the same. We had signs saying “Restore Education Funding,” “Re-prioritize Spending,” “No Tax Increase,” “Stop playing your games with my future,” and others plus two banners. We saw several other groups there standing up for their causes as well.
After lunch we had a tentative meeting scheduled with Tom Cross. We knew the room would not hold all of our group so we sent several people to hold up signs in the first floor of the Capitol building and out front. It was a beautiful day so no one minded standing outside.
The meeting went well. In addition to Tom Cross and his Chief of Staff Matt O’Shea, we were joined by state representatives Darlene Senger, Mike Fortner, Kay Hatcher, Mike Connelly, and Raymond Poe.
We had about a half hour in which we found out more about what is and is not going on in Springfield and what concerned taxpayers can do about it. We found out there is talk of a six month budget, which would not help school districts at all since they need to budget for the whole school year. It is very discouraging to hear how things work in our state government.
The best things we can do are to write to Governor Pat Quinn, Speaker Mike Madigan, and Senate President John Cullerton and to share the video we made. Rep. Hatcher said that the core of a healthy community is a healthy education system. Rep. Connelly and Rep. Fortner said that state law requires budgets of counties, cities, and school boards to be available for public viewing for some time before a vote, yet the state is not held to this standard and those voting on the appropriations may see the bill only minutes before the vote. A proposed bill would change this process.
We were off to a good start. Some from our group went to a meeting with Senator Linda Holmes.
When it was time for us to return home, it still seemed possible we might be able to meet with a few other legislators we had contacted ahead of time but hadn’t yet connected with. We had also run into the Aurora delegation and there were still tentative plans to join them later.
Most of us wound up going home on one of the buses, while some chose to stay later and wound up meeting with Sen. Chris Lauzen. I was torn about whether to stay but wanted to ride home with the kids I’d brought with me and to get home to my kids who had been unable to miss important things at home to make the trip with us. As it was, we were gone from home over twelve hours.
Despite writing for this paper for three years, I’m not used to speaking with reporters. We’ve had a lot of interest in the trip and Lori Price and I have fielded phone, e-mail, and on camera questions. We’ve had coverage several places including the Beacon, Naperville Sun, Sun-Times, Daily Herald, NCTV, Positively Naperville, and Medill News Service.
Overall it was a good trip and an interesting experience. We felt we needed to do something more than writing letters and making phone calls. This trip combined with our Facebook page “Caravan to the Capitol – Restore Illinois Education Funding” with almost 500 fans and our video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpGA9bEwLqs are part of our attempts to make sure that Illinois education does not lose $1.3B in funding for next year and that Illinois students will not see changes to the quality of their education.
The reporter who accompanied us on the trip spoke with me on Tuesday afternoon for a story to be published Wednesday morning. I told her what I knew of how the day would go but that there were many unknowns. She said that no matter what it would be an adventure.
She was right about that. Hundreds of parents around the state and locally have let us know that they are supportive of our efforts. People have been thanking us in person and online. Most interested people were unable to arrange a day off work, or had things going on with kids that prevented them from traveling with us. Even of those who made plans to come on the trip, many canceled in the two days leading up to the trip, some at the very last minute.
Though that was disappointing, our group was large enough and included parents from three school districts, a grandfather, students from elementary, middle, and high school, a reporter and photographer. Some rode our two buses from the mall, others from Springfield, 204, and West Aurora met us in Springfield in the cafeteria of the Stratton Building. On the way down we had heard from Alderman Rick Mervine that he, Mayor Weisner, and a delegation from the City of Aurora were in town also meeting with legislators for similar reasons and would like to meet up with us at some point if it worked out.
None in our group had ever planned or participated in such a trip before. Some were wearing “Restore Education Funding” t-shirts. We all had buttons that said the same. We had signs saying “Restore Education Funding,” “Re-prioritize Spending,” “No Tax Increase,” “Stop playing your games with my future,” and others plus two banners. We saw several other groups there standing up for their causes as well.
After lunch we had a tentative meeting scheduled with Tom Cross. We knew the room would not hold all of our group so we sent several people to hold up signs in the first floor of the Capitol building and out front. It was a beautiful day so no one minded standing outside.
The meeting went well. In addition to Tom Cross and his Chief of Staff Matt O’Shea, we were joined by state representatives Darlene Senger, Mike Fortner, Kay Hatcher, Mike Connelly, and Raymond Poe.
We had about a half hour in which we found out more about what is and is not going on in Springfield and what concerned taxpayers can do about it. We found out there is talk of a six month budget, which would not help school districts at all since they need to budget for the whole school year. It is very discouraging to hear how things work in our state government.
The best things we can do are to write to Governor Pat Quinn, Speaker Mike Madigan, and Senate President John Cullerton and to share the video we made. Rep. Hatcher said that the core of a healthy community is a healthy education system. Rep. Connelly and Rep. Fortner said that state law requires budgets of counties, cities, and school boards to be available for public viewing for some time before a vote, yet the state is not held to this standard and those voting on the appropriations may see the bill only minutes before the vote. A proposed bill would change this process.
We were off to a good start. Some from our group went to a meeting with Senator Linda Holmes.
When it was time for us to return home, it still seemed possible we might be able to meet with a few other legislators we had contacted ahead of time but hadn’t yet connected with. We had also run into the Aurora delegation and there were still tentative plans to join them later.
Most of us wound up going home on one of the buses, while some chose to stay later and wound up meeting with Sen. Chris Lauzen. I was torn about whether to stay but wanted to ride home with the kids I’d brought with me and to get home to my kids who had been unable to miss important things at home to make the trip with us. As it was, we were gone from home over twelve hours.
Despite writing for this paper for three years, I’m not used to speaking with reporters. We’ve had a lot of interest in the trip and Lori Price and I have fielded phone, e-mail, and on camera questions. We’ve had coverage several places including the Beacon, Naperville Sun, Sun-Times, Daily Herald, NCTV, Positively Naperville, and Medill News Service.
Overall it was a good trip and an interesting experience. We felt we needed to do something more than writing letters and making phone calls. This trip combined with our Facebook page “Caravan to the Capitol – Restore Illinois Education Funding” with almost 500 fans and our video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpGA9bEwLqs are part of our attempts to make sure that Illinois education does not lose $1.3B in funding for next year and that Illinois students will not see changes to the quality of their education.
Friday, April 9, 2010
2010-04-09 Summer Activities
Summer is never long enough to fit it all in. As always, my family has a lot of plans and we’re hoping for better weather this year.
There are many ways to find out about summer activities for children and youth.
The Indian Prairie Parents’ Council (IPPC), Indian Prairie School District 204, and State Representative Darlene Senger (R-Naperville) invite the public to the second annual Student Summer Activities Fair on Thursday, April 29, 2010 from 6:00pm to 8:30pm. Admission is free and the event will be held at Crone Middle School, 4020 W. 111th Street, Naperville. There are a limited number of vendor spots still available and those interested should contact Laura McDonnell at ippcpta@gmail.com.
The Student Summer Activities Fair will display summer programs and services available to children and youth. The purpose of this event is to highlight great programs throughout our local communities that offer area children and teenagers with enriching summer activities.
According to Laura McDonnell, IPPC First Vice President and Student Activities Fair Coordinator “Our goal is to have 25-30 vendors who will provide summer programs that range from Academic Enrichment, Tutoring Options, Summer Sports Programs, & Overnight Summer Camps. We hope to have a wide variety of organizations that can offer something for everyone. In addition to reaching out to organizations who could provide something for every student, we have reached out to both gifted enrichment organizations and special needs. New this year, we have also contacted over 30 service organizations to give high schoolers info on how they can volunteer for community service hours.”
The Fox Valley and Naperville Park Districts offer a wide variety of options for all ages. My son has enjoyed participating in three FVPD theater productions and will audition for this summer’s “Alice in Wonderland,” while my youngest daughter will continue dancing with Weber Irish Dance through the park district.
The Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana has day and overnight camps available at local and further away sites. My daughters have had great experiences at day camp at Von Oven in Naperville, Camp Greene Wood in Woodridge and at overnight camps. This year one daughter plans to go to day camp while another hopes to work at the same camp.
My ten-year-old had a lot of fun at Camp Invention a few years ago and will be attending at McCarty School this June. This is a weeklong day camp that is held at schools around the country where kids use their imaginations and get plenty of hands-on learning through fun.
Many churches offer Bible School and other summer activities. My kids have been involved for several years with summer programs at Wheatland Salem Church in Naperville. The younger kids attend Kids’ Club in June while the older ones volunteer there. In July my daughter will again attend Wheatland Salem’s annual Sports Camp. This week-long camp offers basketball, volleyball, soccer and cheerleading.
I’m hoping my son will learn to drive at Metea Valley, which is offering three sessions of Driver’s Education this summer. Most high schools offer a summer session which can be helpful for some students who can’t fit the class in during the school year. One daughter went to Green Light Driving School in Batavia and one went to then newly-opened Drive Academy in Aurora. Both had good experiences and there was simply no reasonable way for either to take the class through Waubonsie Valley.
Our family has twice sent students to Blue Lake Fine Arts camp. Both Blue Lake and Interlochen in Michigan have excellent reputations and serve many students from around the world.
Even with planned activities, summer homework and everything else going on, I can be sure that most kids will manage to find times they are bored, yet they still won’t be taking suggestions on what useful jobs around the house could fill their time.
Summer activities fair - http://ipsdweb.ipsd.org/Calendar.aspx?id=28825
Fox Valley Park District - www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org
Naperville Park District - www.napervilleparks.org
Girl Scout camps - http://www.girlscoutsgcnwi.org/go-camping/
Camp Invention – www.invent.org
Wheatland Salem - http://www.wheatlandsalem.org/connect--grow/children/
Greenlight - www.greenlightdriving.com
Drive Academy - www.mydriveacademy.com
Blue Lake - www.bluelake.org
Interlochen - www.interlochen.org
There are many ways to find out about summer activities for children and youth.
The Indian Prairie Parents’ Council (IPPC), Indian Prairie School District 204, and State Representative Darlene Senger (R-Naperville) invite the public to the second annual Student Summer Activities Fair on Thursday, April 29, 2010 from 6:00pm to 8:30pm. Admission is free and the event will be held at Crone Middle School, 4020 W. 111th Street, Naperville. There are a limited number of vendor spots still available and those interested should contact Laura McDonnell at ippcpta@gmail.com.
The Student Summer Activities Fair will display summer programs and services available to children and youth. The purpose of this event is to highlight great programs throughout our local communities that offer area children and teenagers with enriching summer activities.
According to Laura McDonnell, IPPC First Vice President and Student Activities Fair Coordinator “Our goal is to have 25-30 vendors who will provide summer programs that range from Academic Enrichment, Tutoring Options, Summer Sports Programs, & Overnight Summer Camps. We hope to have a wide variety of organizations that can offer something for everyone. In addition to reaching out to organizations who could provide something for every student, we have reached out to both gifted enrichment organizations and special needs. New this year, we have also contacted over 30 service organizations to give high schoolers info on how they can volunteer for community service hours.”
The Fox Valley and Naperville Park Districts offer a wide variety of options for all ages. My son has enjoyed participating in three FVPD theater productions and will audition for this summer’s “Alice in Wonderland,” while my youngest daughter will continue dancing with Weber Irish Dance through the park district.
The Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana has day and overnight camps available at local and further away sites. My daughters have had great experiences at day camp at Von Oven in Naperville, Camp Greene Wood in Woodridge and at overnight camps. This year one daughter plans to go to day camp while another hopes to work at the same camp.
My ten-year-old had a lot of fun at Camp Invention a few years ago and will be attending at McCarty School this June. This is a weeklong day camp that is held at schools around the country where kids use their imaginations and get plenty of hands-on learning through fun.
Many churches offer Bible School and other summer activities. My kids have been involved for several years with summer programs at Wheatland Salem Church in Naperville. The younger kids attend Kids’ Club in June while the older ones volunteer there. In July my daughter will again attend Wheatland Salem’s annual Sports Camp. This week-long camp offers basketball, volleyball, soccer and cheerleading.
I’m hoping my son will learn to drive at Metea Valley, which is offering three sessions of Driver’s Education this summer. Most high schools offer a summer session which can be helpful for some students who can’t fit the class in during the school year. One daughter went to Green Light Driving School in Batavia and one went to then newly-opened Drive Academy in Aurora. Both had good experiences and there was simply no reasonable way for either to take the class through Waubonsie Valley.
Our family has twice sent students to Blue Lake Fine Arts camp. Both Blue Lake and Interlochen in Michigan have excellent reputations and serve many students from around the world.
Even with planned activities, summer homework and everything else going on, I can be sure that most kids will manage to find times they are bored, yet they still won’t be taking suggestions on what useful jobs around the house could fill their time.
Summer activities fair - http://ipsdweb.ipsd.org/Calendar.aspx?id=28825
Fox Valley Park District - www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org
Naperville Park District - www.napervilleparks.org
Girl Scout camps - http://www.girlscoutsgcnwi.org/go-camping/
Camp Invention – www.invent.org
Wheatland Salem - http://www.wheatlandsalem.org/connect--grow/children/
Greenlight - www.greenlightdriving.com
Drive Academy - www.mydriveacademy.com
Blue Lake - www.bluelake.org
Interlochen - www.interlochen.org
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