Art on Display in Hallways and Online

Exhibits of student art work are on display throughout the schools and on this web site. An online exhibit of work created by the eighth grade Photo Media class can be found on the student projects page. In this course, students use Photoshop to create photo collages by merging photos they shot with fully-manual cameras and scanned images.

There is a show of Studio Art I on display in the David Scheunemann Gallery in the Kenwood entrance to the school. Studio Art 1 is a foundation course that includes both two and three dimensional design challenges. The works currently on display are all triptychs based on a still life. The first quarter of Studio Art I emphasizes technical development, and each triptych includes a realistic pencil rendering, a high contrast charcoal drawing, and a colored cut paper collage.

In a sixth grade fine arts project, students study animal and human anatomy before creating their proposals for the gargoyle sculptures that can be seen in the Belfield hallway. Beginning with the creation of a preliminary drawing of a "combination animal", students use art to create a "fantastical, but believable creature'; a "new species" in a manner of speaking. This new species is significantly unlike anything previously observed, but must include familiar anatomical structures so that the viewer sees the creature as "real". Then the time-consuming task begins of translating their proposal from two-dimensional form to three: the construction of a full-sized armature fashioned from newspaper and masking tape, followed by the process of papier-mâché, and finally paint is applied to enhance both expressive and descriptive qualities of the sculpture.

12-17-04

Community of Givers Parent-to-Parent Campaign

We're cooking—but we're not done yet! As of December 15, 49% of parents have made a gift or pledged their support. Help us reach 100% participation with your gift to Lab this year. Parent volunteers have contacted more than 3/4 of our parents so far, but even if you haven't received a call, you can still make a gift. To make a gift or find more information, link to:

• Secure online giving (use the pull-down menu to designate your gift to the Laboratory Schools)
• How to give
• Charitable Giving from our Parents (pdf)
• Lab's Fundraising Report Card

12-16-04

Model UN Wins Best Delegation—Twice!

The UCLS Model United Nations team swept both the Chicago International Model United Nations Conference and Harvard High School Model United Nations Conference this weekend, winning Best Delegation at both events. At Harvard, where U-High represented Sri Lanka and Albania, U-High bested some of the top schools in the nation, including Horace Mann, Highland Park, Dalton, Oceanside, New Hyde Park, and East Brunswick.

Speaking about the Harvard victory, senior David Stern said, "It felt like an enormous relief, a validation of all the hard work and long hours we all put in to make it happen. It was great because everyone could feel proud, because the only way to win the delegation award is for the entire team to do well and so everyone knew without a doubt that they had given it their best."

Trophies are on display in the High School office.

The Model United Nations club is a long-held tradition at U-High. Every student in the club is a dedicated member willing to give up free time to prepare for conferences. Each year the club sends delegations to conferences around the nation such as the upcoming Ivy League Model United Nations Conference, West Coast Invitational Model United Nations Conference, and the National High School Model United Nations Conference, one session of which is held in the General Assembly Hall of the UN Headquarters in New York.

12-14-04

Guilty!

Anne Hutchinson was found guilty as charged in 1637 when the Puritans tried her for heresy and preaching as a woman. Students in Ms. Anderson's seventh grade humanities class reenacted the trial last week. Dressed in period costume, they played the judges (magistrates), defense lawyers, numerous witnesses and reverends, and Anne Hutchinson. They discovered the biases that existed in the Puritans' colony and the unfairness of a judicial system in which the judges are also the prosecuting lawyers.

12-13-04

Sophomores & Lower School Buddies

As part of the community studies program, sophomore advisories pair up with lower school classrooms for a number of activities and projects throughout the year. This week the buddies are teaming up to celebrate the holidays by creating cards, making ornaments, or decorating cookies.

Other projects over the years have included carving pumpkins, celebrating Thanksgiving, constructing gingerbread castles, dipping candles, making baseball cards, cooking together, touring the high school, sledding, and the occasional field trip.

12-09-04

Online Registration for Lab After School

Lab After School is pleased to announce that registration for Winter Quarter 2005 is now available online. Visit www.labafterschool.org to view the course offerings and register. This web site replaces the paper-bound brochure that you have perhaps been looking for in your student's backpack.

Lab After School offers a full array of traditional before-school and after-school offerings, as well as several new and intriguing special classes for grades one through eight, swim classes, and family swim.

Please feel free to call the Lab After School office at 773-702-9449 with any questions.

12-07-04

Kindergarten Class Web Site

Kindergarten teacher Nisha Ruparel-Sen has been maintaining a class web site for the past several years. The site, which has just been updated to include the current year, includes newsletters, up-to-date news flashes, pictures of students at work and play, special projects the students engage in, and tips for parents.

12-05-04

Holocaust Class Tours Pentagon

During their four-day trip to Washington, DC, students in Ms. Shapiro's Holocaust course had the opportunity to tour the Pentagon and have lunch with Donald Rumsfeld (who is the grandfather of one of our students). The primary focal point of the trip was the US Holocaust Memorial Museum.

This history class provides an introduction to the study of the Holocaust: its causes, its inception and development, and its outcome. It starts with a brief history of the Jews in Europe since Napoleon, an analysis of European anti-Semitism, and the development of Hitler's own views of the Jews. Beginning with the passage of the Nuremberg laws, students then examine the developing persecution of the Jews through the formulation of the Final Solution. With special attention to the different conditions of Jews in captivity, the class looks at the camps, the ghettos, conditions in hiding, and the resistance movement. They study both individual and community responses to the Holocaust through primary and secondary materials. Students also analyze the American response. The final unit is on the Nuremberg trials.

11-28-04

Survival in the New World?

The year is 1614, and King James is granting charters for colonies in the New World. Students in Ms. Rothschild's seventh-grade humanities class are simulating new-world colonization. Each joint-stock company is selecting their name and geographical location, while making major decisions about expenses, supplies, colonists, religion, cash crops, and relations with Native Americans. Their model is Jamestown and the simulation of Colonial House, the PBS television series. Will they all survive?

11-22-04

Is It Live, or Is It...

High school students are seeing the Dean of Students at every turn! Long-time colleagues of Larry McFarlane presented him with a life-sized replica of himself, with an array of neckties for his alter-ego to wear. Happy birthday, Mac!

11-17-04

Prospective Students Visit Lab

Student tour guides led prospective students and their families through the Lab Schools during the annual Recruitment Open House. Over 500 visitors enjoyed talking to faculty and students, and delighted in the musical environment created by the high school Jazz Band, the vocal group Bel Canto, and the middle school chamber music group.

11-16-04

UH-MUN Named Best Small Delegation

U-High received the Undersecretary General's Award for the Best Small Delegation at the College of William & Mary Model United Nations meeting in Williamsburg, VA. The 18-student delegation, headed by Pat Macellaio and Erin Hale, represented the countries of Iran and Benin. The award is on display in the high school office.

For three decades high school Model UN has provided a unique educational opportunity through the simulation of United Nations committees. Students discuss challenging topics that force them to consider conflicting viewpoints, and are expected to work together to develop comprehensive and creative solutions to the very same problems that our world leaders face today. Participation in Model UN challenges students to develop life-long problem-solving, critical-thinking, and consensus-building skills in a creative and non-traditional setting.

11-15-04

Cafeteria Menus Online

Find out what's on this week's menu at the Cafeteria! Access the weekly menu online from the High School, Middle School, or Parents web page.

11-10-04

Classroom Buddies

Many lower school classrooms at Lab pair up with middle or high school classes. Mrs. Bolton's nursery school class welcomes a sixth grade group that visits weekly to create art projects, do science activities, take story dictation, read together, and eat snacks that the nursery schoolers have cooked for their friends.

11-6-04

Girls Cross Country goes to State

The Girls Cross Country Team, coached by Bud James, qualified for state with a fourth place finish in the Lisle sectional. The meet was closely contested; the girls were only 13 points out of second place. Running outstanding races for U-High were Danielle Morse, Erin Hale, Shannon Kimball, Illana Rotmensch, Hannah Shaw, and Ainah Tan. Joining these runners on the state team are Katie Beal, Ashley Fahey, Yuwen Wu, Samantha Meyer, Caroline Robertson, and Ana Wagner Sobrero. Rounding out the girls team this year are Sarah Constantin, Cydney Weiner, and Alice Easton. The team runs in Peoria next Saturday at 9:30 a.m. in Detwiler Park along the Illinois River. This is the sixth time in the last nine years that U High has qualified a team for the state meet in Peoria.

The boys team did an outstanding job although they did not qualify for state. In winds of 45mph the boys finished a disappointing 12th at the Lisle sectional meet. This was certainly one of the best boys teams in recent time at U-High, as evidenced by their outstanding races all year. Running for U-High this season were freshmen Scott Craig, Jarus Singh, Mark Christianson, Phil Verma, and Tommy Brewer; sophomores Peter Bush, Iain MacDonald, Hugh Montag, Andrew Zagaya, and Harley Chang; juniors Toby Altman and Maxwell Levine; and seniors Walker Gunning, Ray Padgett, Tim He (Captain), Angel Castener, Ashray Ohri and Cortland Bradford. It was an excellent season, which bodes well for the future.

11-2-04

Halloween, Lab Style

View a slide show of halloween at the Laboratory Schools. Students, faculty, and administrators dressed in costume as they marched in the annual Lower School parade, went skating or bowling, or simply attended class.

10-31-04

"Our Parents are the Best!"

Varsity Girls Volleyball finished their season with a fine overall record of 22-5, making it to the regional finals where they lost to Illiana Christian 11-25, 25-22, 12-25.

Coach Grotthuss noted, "Our parents are the best!" This photo of Kelsey Karp's dad with his custom-crafted banner says it all.

10-29-04

Recital Night

Fifteen soloists and nine ensemble members performed at Fulton Recital Hall for the Lab Schools Recital Night program. Students in grades 7 through 12 auditioned for the opportunity to perform for an audience of peers, families, and friends.

Pianists, vocalists, and instrumentalists performed works by a variety of classical composers, representing a wide range of musical styles. The level of skill and musicianship was high, and demonstrated the extraordinary degree of talent here at the Lab School.

10-28-04

Basketball: New HS Coaches, MS Camp

With the basketball season about to get underway, the Athletic Department is offering a basketball clinic for 5th through 8th grade students the weekend of October 29-30-31. Contact David Ribbens for more information.

Four new High School coaches are coming on board this season:

• Jennifer Jones will be coaching Girls Varsity. Jennifer comes to U-High via Marshall High School, Kansas State, and the Chicago Twister and Indiana Stars of the WBA where she played small forward.
• Laurent Crawford will be coaching the Boys Freshman Team. Laurent was the starting center/power forward for Chicago State, played professionally for the CBA and in Argentina and Australia, and went on to coach at Northeastern and at North Carolina AT&T State University.
• Darryl Parker will coach Boys JV. After starting for the University of Oregon, Darryl made the Golden State Warriors' pre-season squad, and went on to play professionally in Hungary.
• Ronald Ashlaw will coach Boys Varsity. Ron was the Athletic Director and basketball coach at St. Patrick High School.

Basketball practice starts Nov 1 for HS girls and all MS teams. HS boys begin practice on Nov 8. A Parents-Student-Athletes-Coaches meeting for all Middle School and High School basketball team members will be held on Sunday November 14 starting at 5:00 in Upper Kovler gym.

10-27-04

Girls Volleyball Wins ISL

Both the varsity and junior varsity volleyball teams clinched ISL titles by beating Woodlands last Friday. The varsity team, coached by Joyce Grotthuss (née Stiles) finished the regular season 11-1 in the ISL and 21-4 overall. JV, coached by Allison Gerds, were undefeated in the ISL at 12-0, and had a 21-1 overall record. Varsity begins post-season IHSA playoff games on Monday, October 25.

10-23-04

President's Challenge

Students in grades K-11 are participating in the President's Challenge, in which their physical fitness will be measured in five events: curl-ups, shuttle run, push-ups, V-sit and reach, and an endurance run. This annual challenge is sponsored by the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, and participants will receive one of three rewards: the Presidential Physical Fitness Award, the National Physical Fitness Award, or the Participant Physical Fitness Award.

The President's Council on Youth Fitness was founded on July 16, 1956 to encourage American children to lead healthy, active and physically fit lives. It was established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower after a study indicated that American youth scored lower than European children on a battery of physical fitness tests. President John F. Kennedy changed the agency's title to The President's Council on Physical Fitness to reflect its expanded mandate to serve Americans of all ages. President Lyndon B. Johnson added Sports to the Council's title to emphasize the importance of sports participation throughout life. In 1966, President Johnson created the Presidential Physical Fitness Award, later to become the President's Challenge Youth Physical Fitness Awards.

10-21-04

Community Service at Sophomore Retreat

Sophomores headed to Camp Chi, on the shores of Lake Delton, Wisconsin, for a three day community service retreat during the fifth week of the quarter.

One group of students helped build an organic house constructed of a wood frame, whose timber had been collected from dilapidated barns, a "living roof" made of a plastic membrane covered with recycled carpet that will eventually support a grass and wildflower surface, a south-facing greenhouse, and walls made of bales of hay packed with a mixture of mud, sand, sawdust and straw. Other student groups helped to winterize Camp Chi, cleaned up the grounds and planted trees at the Troy Gardens, and cleared brush for the Red Cross.

Between community service activities, students had a chance to relax, play games, and enjoy each others' company.

10-15-04

Cross Country Wins ISL Titles

U-High Cross Country, coached by Bud James, dominated the Independent School League at the conference meet, winning both the boys and girls races. Scott Craig led the boys team to victory, placing second overall in the meet. Scott, Toby Altman, Iain MacDonald, Walker Gunning, Ray Padgett and Peter Bush were named to the all-conference team. Danielle Morse headed up the girls team, also placing second overall. Danielle, Erin Hale, Illana Rotmensch, Shannon Kimball and Ainah Tan earned all-conference honors.

Both teams begin IHSA competition on October 23rd, when the Lab Schools host the regional meet in Washington Park. Top teams and individual runners advance to sectional competition at Lisle High School the following week, and on to the state meet in Peoria on November 6th.

10-13-04

Seventh Grade Camp

The seventh grade spent last week at the Pretty Lake Adventure Centre, near Kalamazoo, MI. Each advisory was presented with different challenges and activities designed to strengthen their cooperative group skills. Activities included a high ropes course, scaling a wall, a group jump rope, and passing through a giant spider web. An night advisories bonded around the campfire as they cooked dinner, told stories, and played games.

10-11-04

Walk to School Day

Over 150 students walked, biked, or scootered to school as Lab joined schools from around the world to celebrate Walk to School Day. For those who live too far from school to walk, PE teachers held a Midway walk, where students and parents cou ld use pedometers to measure how far they walked. One student did a 1.5 mile run on the Midway!

Now in its eighth year, Walk to School Day included more than 3,000 schools from all 50 states. The idea is to walk to school together with a purpose: to promote health, safety, physical activity and concern for the environment.

Walk to School Day started as a simple idea: Children and parents, school and local officials walking to school together on a designated day. It is an energizing event, reminding everyone of the simple joy of walking to school, the health benefits of daily physical activity, and the need for safe places to walk and bike.

Most communities find that one day isn't enough. Many realize that what they really want is for children to be able to walk to school every day, not just as a special event. And that can lead to the kinds of permanent changes that make the community better for everyone. Better sidewalks, safer street crossings, and improved driver and pedestrian behavior can be a boon to everyone, young and old, while making streets safer and the community healthier.

Find out more at the Walk and Bike to School web site.

10-6-04

Field Day Fun

The shoe kick, slingshot target launch, and bozo bucket toss were just some of the activities available for students in grades 3-5 during Field Day. This annual event is a fun station day held during PE to welcome kids back to school. Other activities were the softball throw, beanbag toss game, egg and spoon race, soccer goal shoot, hoop target toss, running races, shuttle run and ball toss to target, and frisbee throw.

10-4-04

Freshmen Win Pie-Eating Contest

Cultural Union is sponsoring Spirit Week with a different event every day, culminating in Saturday's Homecoming Dance at nearby International House. On Monday students wore pajamas to school; Tuesday they wore the jerseys of their favorite sports teams; Wednesday the Freshman team won the relay-style pie-eating contest; Thursday's tug-of-war was cancelled due to technical difficulties; and Friday the different classes will wear class colors and decorate the hallways.

9-30-04

High School Choir Greets Parents

Students from the 45-member High School Concert Choir serenaded parents as they arrived for Thursday's open house. Accompanied on a keyboard by music teacher Katy Sinclair, the choir sang I'm Gonna Lift My Voice and Sing, Dare to Dream, and Song for a Russian Child. Will this become an annual tradition?

9-29-04

Banned Books Week

Rowley Library, along with the ALA and other libraries around the country, a re sponsoring Banned Books Week (September 25 - October 2, 2004), an annual celebration of our right to access books without censorship. This year's theme is "Elect to Read a Banned Book," which commemorates the most basic freedom in a democratic society–the freedom to read freely–and encourages us not to take this freedom for granted.

Since its inception in 1982, Banned Books Week has reminded us that while not every book is intended for every reader, each of us has the right to decide for ourselves what to read, listen to or view. Lab School Libraries encourage everyone in the community to read a banned book and to take advantage of the many events held throughout the city that celebrate our constitutional right to free speech.

The top ten most frequently challenged books in 2003 were:

• Alice series, for sexual content, using offensive language, and being unsuited to age group.
• Harry Potter series, for its focus on wizardry and magic.
• Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, for using offensive language.
• Arming America: The Origins of a National Gun Culture by Michael A. Bellesiles, for inaccuracy.
• Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers, for racism, sexual content, offensive language, drugs and violence.
• Go Ask Alice by Anonymous, for drugs.
• It's Perfectly Normal by Robie Harris, for homosexuality, nudity, sexual content and sex education.
• We All Fall Down by Robert Cormier, for offensive language and sexualcontent.
• King and King by Linda de Haan, for homosexuality.
• Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson, for offensive language and occult/satanism.

9-28-04

Say Cheese!

Photographers from Lifetouch National School Studios took individual and class photos of Lower School and Nursery School students on Monday. Last year, Picture Day raised over $2,500 for the Parents' Association, which was used to support programs and activities in the classrooms.

Picture retake day is November 8.

9-27-04

Middle School Open House

More than 20 Middle School student guides were on hand to decipher schedules and direct parents to classrooms during the annual Middle School open house. Parents met their children's teachers and learned about the curriculum for the year.

Individual parent-teacher conferences will take place November 8 for grades 6-8 and October 11 and 22 for grade 5.

9-23-04

Lobby Sing

The Lower School continued a long-standing Lab tradition with the first lobby sing of the year. Students, parents, and faculty were led in song by music teachers Cathy Janovjak and En Chen, accompanied on the piano by music teacher Jo Taylor. The songs included many Lab favorites, from Take Me Out to the Ballgame to Let There Be Peace on Earth.

9-22-04

Sports Roundup

The Girls Swim Team is undefeated in their dual-meet season, beating Maria 127-26 and U-High Urbana 93-75. They finished third of seven as a team in the Bremen Pentathalon Meet, with freshman Anna Schleusener the overall individual winner, besting about 50 other swimmers.

Varsity Boys Soccer has an overall record of 5-3, and an ISL conference record of 2-0 after defeating Lake Forest Academy 5-2 on Tuesday.

The Girls Volleyball Teams took top honors last weekend, with Varsity winning the Luther East Tournament and JV winning the Latin Invitational Tournament. On Tuesday, Varsity boosted its record to 7-2 (3-1 in the ISL), beating Latin at home 25-22, 25-10. JV also beat Latin on Tuesday, 25-19, 24-26, 25-23, and remains undefeated with a record of 9-0 (4-0 in the ISL).

The Girls Tennis Team has a record of 6-2 (1-1 in the ISL) after beating North Shore 5-0 on Tuesday. The JV record is 2-3 (1-0 in the ISL).

Cross Country began its season with a win on Tuesday in a triangular meet on their home course in Jackson Park. Scores for the boys meet were U-High 32 - Quigley 49 - Latin 55. Scores for the girls meet were U-High 27 - North Shore 48 - Latin 62. (In cross country the low score wins.)

9-16-04

New Parents' Reception

Parents of students newly enrolled at the Lab were invited to meet faculty members and administrators at a welcoming reception held at the home of Robert and Kathy Sullivan, parents of four Lab School students. This annual event was sponsored by the Parents' Association.

9-11-04

Middle School Barbecue

The Middle School Council invited families to a back-to-school barbecue on Friday. Parents and students welcomed new Middle School Principal Alexis Wright and mingled with teachers, new families, and old friends in the relaxing, enjoyable setting of the Blaine Courtyard.

9-10-04

First Day of School

Faculty, Staff and Administrators welcomed new and returning students to the Laboratory Schools on Tuesday, September 7th. More first day photos can be seen online at jasonsmith.com.

9-7-04

Faculty Honored at Luncheon

At the annual All School Luncheon, held August 31st, music teacher Katy Sinclair received The Mary V. Williams Award for Excellence in Teaching. This award, which was established in memory of Mary Williams, a long time teacher at the Laboratory Schools, supports professional opportunities for faculty in the Lower and Middle Schools. The recipients of this award are selected on the basis of their ability to embody much of the spirit and qualities that Mary had in her career as a teacher: a teacher who understands the big picture of education, not just as academics, but a style that speaks to the whole child; a teacher who understands that learning occurs on a continuum with many strands of development in a student coming forth at different times; and, at the end of a productive year, a teacher who challenges students to move forward in opportunities and to be completely involved.

8-31-04

Summer Renovations

Repairs, upgrades and renovations completed at the Lab Schools this summer include new electrical wiring in the High School and Sunny Gym, renovation of Blaine bathrooms, remodeling of Judd 126, complete with a new AV system, conversion of Gerstley to a student lounge, installation of new AV equipment in classrooms, upgrades to the High School heating and cooling systems, new tiles in the Middle School hallways, and replacement of all windows in Sunny Gym. Work has also begun on a new roof for the East and West towers of Belfield, a project that will be complete next spring.

8-30-04