News from The Avery Coonley School

line for drop off, performed in an Auction skit at Gathering, ate lunch with some friends, read stories at Early Childhood and Kindergarten, and visited some classrooms.

"Head for the Day" was purchased at last year's Auction. This year's Auction will take place on Saturday, May 14 on campus.

Maple Tree Tapping

The morning of March 8, Group Two carried out the age-old ACS tradition of tapping the maple trees. With sap oozing out of the spiles, every group declared their tree a gusher! The children were delighted to find their buckets full, or nearly full, when they checked on them later in the afternoon. Group Two hosted their annual SUGAR ON SNOW on Thursday, March 24 -- serving maple syrup over ice cream to the school community.

boil out T

Yale Exit Players Visit ACS

The Yale Exit Players, Yale's oldest improv group, visited ACS on Wednesday, March 9. The Exit Players solicited themes and ideas from the audience to participate in short-form improv games such as Flashback and Symphony of Social Criticism. The improvisors were challenged with themes like video games and Harry Potter.

One Act Plays

Group Eight performed their One-Act Plays on Tuesday, March 8. Students worked as cast and crew on eight one-act plays performed before students, parents, and faculty.

The Festival of One-Act Plays

Can You Handle Them? by Zachary Kennedy

Helen Hagermoser, director

How to Charm a Guy by Helen Hagermoser

Clare Lohrmann, director

Dramatic Lawsuit by Clare Lohrmann

Danielle M., director

Therapy by Danielle M.

Zachary Kennedy, director

Billy the Kid Genius by Anisha Nallakrishnan

Samantha Young, director

Box Office by Carrie Packard

Kiran Khatau, director

Idiot Robbers by Edward Carson

Max Maydanchik, director

The Lost Leprechaun by Kiran Khatau

Edward Carson, director

Greek Fest

greek Middle School students produced an outstanding Greek Fest on Friday, March 25, sending students on spring break on a high note. The all-day event included performances of "The Odyssey Rap" by Group Five, The Odyssey by Group Six, The Birds by Group Seven, and Antigone by Group Eight. Several individual musical performances, Greek Games, Greek exhibits, and a Greek feast rounded out the fun-filled day.

Students Win Poetry/ Poster Contests

springfield

On April 2, Group Six students Isabella Spinelli, Malika Ramani, and Madeline Cohen received awards for participating in the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's poetry/prose and poster contest --

"Breathing Easier - What can we do? It's up to me and you."

Isabella and Malika were two of 12 poetry contest winners throughout Illinois and will have their winning poems published. Madeline's winning poster will be displayed in the Michael J. Howlett Building in Springfield. Each recipient also won a $50 savings bond, book, and certificate.

Great job, girls!

Group Two Student Succeeds at Chess Tournament

chess Group Two student Alex Turk finished in 2nd place in his division in the 2011 K-8 Scholastic
Chess Championship held at Illinois State University on March 5th and 6th.

Congratulations, Alex!

Group Two Gymnasts

Group 2 students Simone Baillargeon and Kiara Harrast competed in the Level 4 Illinois State Gymnastics Meet. Both excelled in their individual age groups.

Simone won 3^rd place for Balance Beam, 3^rd place for Floor, and 6^th place for All Around in the Youth A division.

Kiara won 1^st place for Balance Beam, 1^st place for Vault, and 1^st place for All Around in the Child E division.

Congratulations, girls!

IMSA Math Competition

Group Seven and Eight students participated in the IMSA Math Competition on Wednesday, March 9. The individual and team results were impressive:

7^th Grade

2^nd Place Team School

8^th Grade

1^st Place Team (overall) School

Individual Winners

7^th Grade Individuals

1^st Place Josh Burke

3^rd Place Marcel Dupont and Erich Remiker

8^th Grade Individuals

3^rd Place Danielle M.

8^th Grade Team

1^st Place: Michael Horio, Danielle M.

Max Maydanchik, Anisha Nallakrishnan

1^st Place Creative Thinking Team:

Danielle M. and Marcel Dupont

ACS Science News

ACS Science Olympians competed at the Oswego Regional Olympiad Competition on March 5th. The Varsity team finished in 4th place overall. Varsity medals included:

3^rd Place in Anatomy - Anne Richter & Samantha Young

5^th Place in Awesome Aquifers - Anthony DeMeo & Anisha Nallakrishnan

5^th Place in Bottle Rockets - Raj Agnihotri & Henry Hulbert

6^th Place in Compute This - Henry Hulbert & Ellie Metros

5^th Place in Disease Detectives - Anne Richter & Ellie Metros

3^rd Place in Ecology - Danielle M. & Anisha Nallakrishnan

6^th Place in Junkyard Challenge - Samantha Young & Danielle M.

5^th Place in Microbe Mission - Raj Agnihotri & Sean Lynch

5^th Place in Ornithology - Anthony DeMeo & Michael Horio

4^th Place in Road Scholar - Max Maydanchik & Edward Carson

6^th Place in Crime Busters - Anthony DeMeo & Clare Lohrmann

3^rd Place in Shock Value - Edward Carson & Max Maydanchik

2^nd Place in Storm the Castle - Michael Horio & Anisha Nallakrishnan

Junior Varsity medals included:

3^rd Place in Compute This - Caroline Fry & Mahesh Kumar

2^nd Place in Disease Detectives - Meena Jagadeesan & Josh Burke

3^rd Place in Experimental Design - Josh Burke & Mahesh Kumar

4^th Place in Meteorology - Tia Majauskas & Madeline Shownkeen

3d Place in Microbe Mission - Anastasia Kasimos & Emaad Abdul-Qadir

1^st Place in Crime Busters - Anthony Jonikas & Madeline Shownkeen

1^st Place in Shock Value - Josh Burke & Emaad Abdul-Qadir

3^rd Place in Solar System - Marcel Dupont & Tia Majauskas

1^st Place in Storm the Castle - Marcel Dupont & Mahesh Kumar

1^st Place in Write It Do It - Colleen O'Leary & Josh Burke

Group Seven scientists also competed at the Region 9 Science Fair Project Session on Saturday, March 12. Twenty-two students presented and 17 of those students were selected for the State Fair. In addition, three students received 1st place awards and two received 2nd place awards. Congratulations to all the students who participated, and good luck to the state-level competitors.

DuPage Junior Woman's Club Art Contest

natalie heniff Three ACS students were recognized for their art work by the DuPage Junior Woman's Club:

8^th Grade 2^nd place - Natalie Heniff (at left, above) "My Buddy" painting

7^th Grade: 2^nd place - Sophie Baillargeon (at left, below) "Dolphin Vase"

Honorable Mention - Danielle M. "Autumn's Cornucopia"

The students' art work is currently on display at the Downers Grove Public Library.

ACS Student Council News

ACS Students Reach Out to Aid Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami Victims

Several ACS students enlisted assistance from the Student Council to provide support for the people of Japan during this time of need. Third Group students Madelyn and Jacob Flynn, inspired during their current Japan unit, proposed encouraging donations by making traditional Shinto blessing sticks, called haraegushi. They joined their brother Michael (Group 6) in presenting the idea to the Student Council. Using materials donated by the Flynn family, Council volunteers made 100 blessing sticks. Any student who donated $1 or more to the effort received a blessing stick. As a result of this project, $550 was raised for the International Red Cross Japan Relief Program. shinto sticks

Sixth Group student Maria Harrast, inspired by the book Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes, encouraged ACS students to make paper cranes using the ancient Japanese art of origami to show ACS students' support for the people of Japan. She presented the idea at Gathering, and Student Council purchased the paper to make the cranes, which have become known as a symbol of peace and hope. Each day during recess, Maria teaches students how to make cranes, and the collection continues to grow. Students have been adding drawings and messages expressing support to their cranes. Maria will string the cranes together and send them to the Montessori Language Academy in Forest Park, which will then send them to Japan.

52^nd Annual IAJHSC Convention

Twelve ACS Student Council members (Zach Kennedy, Amberly Petkus, Derek Rippe, Andrew Wiggin, Meena Jagadeesan, Madeline Cohen, Emma Mueller, Tristan Jahn, Michael Flynn, Nikita Menta, Nicole Simos, and Jack Hennessey) travelled to Springfield, IL on Friday, April 15 and joined over 1000 delegates from 68 schools for the two-day IAJHSC State Convention. While in Springfield, the group visited Abraham Lincoln's home and the adjacent neighborhood. Convention activities began Friday evening and included a formal dinner, a motivational speaker, and plenty of opportunities for students to interact with each other and share ideas for Council activities. Other highlights included the collection of 5,500,000 pop tabs for Ronald McDonald House and a donation of over $19,300 to The Cradle, which was the designated state service project this year. The Avery Coonley School Student Council was recognized as an Honor Council for the tenth consecutive year for its exemplary performance in the areas of leadership, school spirit, and school and community service, as well as in IAJHSC-sponsored events. The Council is especially grateful to Mrs. Jill Mueller and Mrs. Kelly Flynn for providing transportation for the group.

Mr. Metcalf Receives Award

metcalf P.E. teacher Adam Metcalf was selected to receive the Northeastern District Young Professional Elementary Teacher of the Year award by the Illinois Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (IAHPERD).

Mr. Metcalf will be honored in October at the IAHPERD Northeastern District Fall Annual Award Dinner.

Former President of India Visits ACS

kalam Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, Former President of the Republic of India, visited Avery Coonley on Saturday, April 23. The visit was sponsored by the Indo-American Center.

Dr. Kalam addressed students and parents in the PAC and responded to questions during his visit. One of the highlights of the evening was Dr. Kalam's offer to assist in the development of a school partnership arrangement between Avery Coonley and a school in India.

Corrections and Omissions

Isabella Spinelli (Group Six) finished 2nd overall in the Avery Coonley Geography Bee and was not listed in last month's Splash. Congrats, Isabella.

Cassie Heine competed as part of the first place Group Five team at the Latin School Math competition. Cassie was inadvertently left off the list of team members in last month's Splash. Good going, Cassie!

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