Exciting things are happening in science classrooms across the District! To align with the new learning standards adopted by Illinois, District 146 has recently updated its science curriculum. 

The complexity of the new standards supports rigorous thinking, practice, and collaboration on the part of students. Our elementary teachers have selected Interactive Science as a resource to support student learning in our elementary schools. It provides guided instruction, practice, and experimentation to support our young scientists.

Whether a kindergarten student is exploring matter through classification and changes in matter, or a fifth grader is observing and noting the life cycle of a painted lady butterfly in the classroom, the Interactive Science resource is a great tool.

Although she is only a junior in high school, Sophia Jablonski (CMS '14) has already broken many barriers and has no plans to slow down. Sophia, who has cerebral palsy, pushes herself to accomplish everything she puts her mind to and has done a great job in achieving her goals.

Sophia takes piano and ballet lessons and has performed with the Joffrey Ballet. She was also the only cheerleader at CMS who was in a wheelchair. While attending Kruse, she became interested in bowling and later joined the Bowling Team at CMS.

She has continued her bowling career at Sandburg High School where she recently made history by becoming the first female Wheelchair Division State Champion. Although the Division has been offered since 2014, no other students had entered it until this year.

On the heels of her most recent accomplishment, District 146 reconnected with Sophia to chat about all of her achievements and her time at Kruse and CMS.

Can you recap the championship game?
I was so excited to be bowling in a State Championship game. It didn't seem real. I was so excited when I won the first game, then I lost the second game and I got worried, but I was still very excited with everyone cheering me on. I came back and won the final game that got me the championship win. I was so happy I almost flew out of my chair. It was unbelievable!

What was your first reaction upon winning the State Bowling Championship?
I was very shocked and couldn't believe what I had accomplished. All I wanted to do was have fun and bowl, and here I won First Place in the State Bowling Wheelchair Division. WOW it was amazing!

What is your highest score?
I rolled a 459 in four games in the Andrew Sectional and qualified to bowl in the State Championship game. That is where I became the first female Wheelchair Division State Champion in history. I hope this shows other wheelchair kids that bowling is something they can do.

What is your favorite memory from Kruse or CMS?
A favorite memory of mine from Kruse was my fourth grade teacher, Ms. Smola. She was very kind and patient. One time I was very frustrated and she took the time to put me on her lap and comfort me with encouraging words. I thought that was very sweet of her to do. At Central, I remember being in cheerleading. I learned different cheers, made friends, and watched the cheerleaders do stunts around my chair. I got to really use my loud voice and my arms. It made me feel included and proud to cheer on my school.

How did you get involved in cheerleading?
Everyone at Central as so supportive with having kids get involved in clubs and activities. The cheerleading coach told me if I could memorize the cheers and use the pompoms, I could be on cheerleading. I was the only special needs girl in a wheelchair on the cheerleading squad for the CMS basketball games. All of the other girls who were in cheerleading where so good to me and didn't treat me any different. It was great to be given the opportunity to do what the other girls were doing and Central gave me that opportunity.I loved all the three years at CMS. It was like a family. All of the teachers where so good and I learned so much.

Aside from bowling, what are some of your hobbies?
Even though I really like bowling and wouldn't mind doing it every day, I do like all kinds of other sports. I feel nothing can stop me from at least trying.  I really like hockey and I love the Blackhawks. I play goalie outside in my driveway with my friends; I even hold the stick and block. It's the best feeling to challenge myself. I also play baseball with the Miracle League of Joliet. My other enjoyment is music. I can play the piano and sing. I memorize lyrics and try my best to make it my own. I also helped start a ballet class for kids with disabilities. I even performed with the Joffery Ballet. I really believe you can do anything if you put your mind to it, even with a disability.

Who do you most look up to and why?
My Mom is a person not only that I rely on, but she is also a great woman who loves to help others. She has taught me good social skills, ethics, and how to keep going on in spite of obstacles and things that happen in life that we have no control over. My mom looks at every day as a gift from God and we pray and hope each day is a learning experience. She always puts my sister, Stephanie, and I ahead of herself and she always attends all of our activities. She has always helped us achieve whatever we put our minds to. She is my biggest fan and the best mom I could ever ask for. She is the person I look up to the most.

What are your plans for the future?
My plan is to use the transition program from Sandburg High School and transfer to Moraine Valley College. There, I would take my general requirement classes, but also participate in social and athletic clubs. My goal is to minor in social work and my major would be working with children with cerebral palsy. I want to help kids who are like me and encourage them to never give up. I hope to get independent enough to attend and graduate from the University of Illinois in Champaign.