Getting to Know You: Each week this section will highlight one staff member
and their answer to the question: How do you express your creativity?
Charles Martin,
Middle School Director
I have always had a certain flare for the dramatic – even
when I believed no one to be watching. In fact, as an auditory learner, I am
often overheard talking to myself, processing new or difficult information or
practicing and revising the delivery and wording of upcoming oratory
adventures. Spoken language has always been my favorite muse. She flirts and
teases in playfully suggestive ambiguity or imparts painful information with
the exact precision of a veteran surgeon’s hands. Her vast potential has
provided me a wide range of strategies that have allowed me to give devastating
news with limited collateral damage or whip up a delightful frenzy of raucous
laughter with little time for preparation during improvisation. Spoken language
is an art that encompasses more than just words. It is a delicate balancing act
where what is said must match how it is said – for the real message can often
be found in the pauses.
Operation Candy
is a Success
In just one day, students donated an astounding total of
100.3 lbs of candy to our troops serving in Àfrica and in the Middle East in
Operation Enduring Freedom. Thank you to Upper Elementary students, and
especially Zach Contursi, who led the appeal and created the flyers. The treats
were greatly appreciated upon arrival at Naval Station Great Lakes where the
care packages were shipping out this week. Candy that melts was distributed to
the USO of Illinois at O'Hare, one of the busiest centers in the US supporting
active duty men and women and their families. The USO accepts donations of food
and much more year-round.
Thank You Corner
We would like to extend a thank you to David Plier and Paul Lisnek for graciously hosting our Middle School
students on field trips.
A round of applause goes to all the students and families
that donated Halloween candy to the troops and to Shashona Chau and Janet
Contursi for handling delivery.
Pond Pals
Babysitting
Hello busy moms and dads! The Middle School students
(assisted by staff) will be offering their Pond Pals babysitting program on
several upcoming Saturdays – November 16, December 14 and December 21, from 9am
– 1 pm. They’ll play outside (weather
permitting), play games, make arts and crafts, bake yummy treats, and eat lunch
–
all while you get your Saturday errands completed. It’s a win-win for everyone! Cost $20/child – lunch included. Thanks for supporting Middle School’s
fundraising efforts for their trips!
Halloween
Pictures
Brickton Yearbook Committee is asking for parents and
family members to share pictures from the Halloween celebrations at
school. You can contact Heather (heather.wilcek@brickton.org)
or John (john.huber@brickton.org) for more information.
Fall
Spirit Wear Sale!
***NEW*** Nylon
Hooded Cotton Lined Jacket - available in youth and adult sizes.
Out and About!
Our Middle School
students were out and about Chicago participating in a week's worth of
immersion activities -- a week between study cycles devoted to learning outside
of the classroom: extracurriculars, practical life skills, environmental
education, service learning, etc. On Wednesday, October 16th, students traveled
to WGN Television Studios where CLTV's "Politics Tonight" host and
Brickton parent, Paul Lisnek, benevolently took time away from his busy day
reporting on the Government Shut Down to lead the students on a
behind-the-scenes tour of the famous studios that were once home to "Bozo
the Clown." Students toured the light and sound rooms and learned about
the many off-camera jobs that bring us the news multiple times daily. Students
also learned about the history of the station as well as receiving the
incredibly rare opportunity to watch the heavily protected Illinois Lottery
numbers being drawn. The Middle School also had an opportunity to use the green
screens and pose for pictures on several sets, including "Politics
Tonight." Weekend meteorologist Jim Ramsey walked the students through his
version of Meteorology 101, sharing the secrets of the unique tools used
exclusively by men and women working in weather. Finally, the students had the
exciting opportunity to meet WGN Midday News co-anchors Dina Bair and Steve
Sanders, who allowed students to watch the newscast live from within the studio
and took time afterward to pose for pictures and answer student questions. Just
when the students thought it could not get better, the anchors surprised the
students with an on-air mention and broadcast the elated students on national
television during the newscast's fade-away.
The following,
students were met by another Brickton parent, David Plier, at the the Museum of
Broadcast Communications. David, who works in radio, and the entire Plier
family have played integral roles in the growth and development of the
historical museum. The tour helped the students gain new perspective and
understanding in regard to WGN and its influence on Chicago. In addition to
David's vast knowledge, the students had the chance to meet Bruce DuMont,
founder and president of the museum. Bruce shared his inspiring story where he
began with just $250 and a passion for protecting our history told through
broadcasting.
Upcoming Events
Hot Dog Lunch, Friday, October 25th
Halloween Celebration, Thursday, October 31st
Pizza Lunch, Friday, November 8th
Open House, Sunday, November 10th, 10:00am –
12:30pm
Room 101 In-School
Celebration, Friday, November 15th,
8:30am
Hot Dog Lunch, Friday, November 22nd
Club Day, Wednesday, November 27th
Thanksgiving – School
Closed, Thursday, November
28th and Friday, November 29th
Middle School to Nature’s
Classroom, Monday, December 2nd –
Friday, December 6th
Club Day – Conferences, Friday, December 6th
Breakfast With Santa, Saturday, December 7th, 10:00am
Scholastic Book Fair, Monday, December 9th –
Friday, December 12th
Pizza Lunch, Friday, December 13th
Board Meeting, Wednesday, December 18th, 7:00pm
Mix-It-Up Day, Kindergarten – 8th Grade,
Thursday, December 19th, 9:00am
Geography Bee, Upper Elementary and Middle School, Friday,
December 20th, 9:00am
Hot Dog Lunch, Friday, December 20th
Winter Break, Monday, December 23rd –
Monday, January 6th
