El Diablo wins highest ranking possible

Congratulations to the 2013-2014 yearbook staff! 

For the first time in Central’s history, El Diablo Yearbook received an “ALL-AMERICAN” ranking (the highest ranking possible) from National Scholastic Press Association with Five out of Five Marks of Distinction in Concept, Coverage, Design, Writing & Editing, and Photography.   This puts El Diablo in some very elite company.  Only 1.2 percent of student publications in the United States earned the honor or All-American this year. 

 This is truly a remarkable achievement and a testament to a huge amount of hard work, study, design, revision, and cooperation.  

Everyone on El Diablo staff should be very, very proud of this award.  Special congratulations to Editors-in-Chief Sophia Glomb and Vicky Gomez, Design Manager Iman Ajaz, Managing Editor Jaya Sharma, Graphic Designers Mayank Mehta and Francesca Chiappetta, copy editor Julia Donnelly, writers Mary Kate Foley and Katie Murphy, designers Suraj Marwaha, Areeba Javed, Samantha Strausser, Karolina Bryjak, Mary Kate Pyle, Mary Kate McCarthy, and Rachel Thompson. 


Congratulations also to the teachers responsible for guiding this fine group of students.  The Adviser is English teacher Ms. Erin Palmer and Assistant Adviser is English teacher Mr. Hasham Bhatti. You can contact Erin here and Sham here.

Read my post about the original publication of the beautiful book in May of 2014 here. 

Article about "Tell Your Story" Night in Devils' Advocate

Corelitz, Saunders, and Bhatti
photo credit: Christi Carras, Devils' Advocate

Great to see this story in the DA by students Brianna Ary and Christi Carras about the new writing competition at Hinsdale Central, "Tell Your Story."  The deadline for submission is January 29. The event will be held at 5:30 on February 19.  The competition is new this year. It's created by English teachers Robyn Corelitz, Kate Saunders, and Hasham Bhatti.

Check out the fine story, "Writing Competition Makes Waves," here.

Another pair of English Teachers Asked to Present at Conference

Dr. Kimberly Williams
photo credit: Wychoff-Tweedy

I'm please to report that two veteran teachers, Michael Palmquist and Dr. Kim Williams, will be presenting at the 2015 English Language Arts County-Wide Institute Day at Wheaton North High School on February 27. 

The title of their presentation is "Laughing With Shakespeare."

I'm really looking forward to see their presentation, which is sure to be fantastic.  Here's a description of what sounds like an entertaining and educational presentation:

Why do we have to do Shakespeare? Because it’s important? Because it’s on the final? Your new answer will be “Because it’s awesome!” This session presents a method of “doing Shakespeare” that will have you laughing hysterically and leave you re-energized to help your students engage with these classic plays.  

Michael has been teaching our senior-level Shakespeare class for years.  Kim teaches Romeo and Juliet in her English 1 Honors classes.  The two have been doing innovative instructional things with Shakespeare together.  Last year, Mike's students came in to Kim's classes to help students complete a class acting project.

This year's annual regional conference is entitled: "Celebrating Language Arts: Getting Serious About Humor Redux."  It attracts teachers and administrators from all around Chicagoland.  More information about this year's conference here.

·    Contact Info for Mike and Kim:

o   Palmquist: mpalmquist@hinsdale86.org

o   Williams: kwilliams@hinsdale86.org

Congratulations to Students of the Quarter

I’m proud to announce that Roberta Kirja is the English Department Student of the Quarter.  Michael Smith nominated Roberta, whom he taught last year and this year.  During the ceremony, Michael spoke eloquently about Roberta’s growth over the past year, specifically in terms of being fully present in class, making use of educational opportunities, and working to encourage her peers in class. 

The English Department would also like to congratulate students who were recognized by all the departments:

Art                         Stephanie Pellegrino

Business               Zach Elliott

FACS                     Gabriele Delson

Math                    Ryan Ricker

Music                   Matt Fowler

PE                          Sarah White

Science                Griffin Anderson

Social Studies     Magali Blasdell

Tech                     Jacob Zeeb

World Lang.        Jake Heiser

School Service Leader     Jack McGowen & Connor Haszto

English 2 Honors Students Compete in Poetry Slam

 

This Friday English 2 Honors classes took an in-school field trip to the auditorium for a first annual poetry slam.  You could hear the snapping and the cheering all the way up in the English office.  Students from all English 2 Honors courses had the chance to take part in performing original poetry or in performing a favorite published poem.  In “traditional” slam fashion, there were four judges (seen in the 2^nd photo) who rated each performance. 

 

Here are the results:

Jeff Dang won "Most Poetic"

Marshall Moller won "Most Passionate"

Rewo Oshe won "Biggest Risk"

Jack Rasmussen won "Judges' Favorite" and had the highest score.

 

I was able to stop by for a few poems and really enjoy the student-directed slam and especially loved the genuine cheering for peers.  English 2 Honors teachers – Rob Aurich, Katie Janicek, Erin Palmer, and Jill Tylk – sat in the back row, enjoying the performance.  (Thanks to Jill for the photos.)

 

 

Two English Teachers To Present at Professional Conference in February

English Teacher Jared Friebel
photo credit: Wycoff-Tweedy

Veteran English Teachers Angelique Burrell and Jared Friebel recently found out that they will be presenting a seminar entitled "Zeroing Out Stress" at the 2015 English Language Arts County-Wide Institute Day at Wheaton North High School on February 27.  

Here's an overview of what sounds like a fabulous presentation:

"How can we best create a classroom environment that focuses on skills, not just homework? How can we encourage students to take intellectual risks without fearing failure? We will share ideas on how we can facilitate grading procedures that work toward these goals while also decreasing student and teacher stress."

This year's annual regional conference is entitled: "Celebrating Language Arts: Getting Serious About Humor Redux."  It attracts teachers and administrators from all around Chicagoland.  More information about this year's conference here.

Jared and Angelique had presented at several other state and national professional conferences.  You can read about some of them here and here and here.  

You can contact Angelique here and Jared here.

Chicago Poet Kevin Coval Workshops with Hinsdale Central Students

Kevin Coval talks to students about the history of the "Ode" before students wrote their own odes

Kevin Coval, local poet and founder of Young Chicago Authors/Louder Than a Bomb, worked with English students at Hinsdale Central on Wednesday, January 21.

I was so fortunate to be able to stop by several times throughout the day and see Kevin and our students as they wrote and performed spoken word poetry.  It was great to see him entertain and engage students in writing and listening to modern poetry.  

Kevin workshopped with students throughout the day in the HCHS Community Room as a variety of English classes stopped by, listening, writing, and sharing.  Teachers met with him over lunch to talk about strategies of engaging students in appreciating and writing poetry.  Overall, he worked with over 300 students.  

Kevin Coval performing his own work.

Kevin answered questions from students about his creative process and he became a writer.  How did he decide to be a writer?  He was interning for a member of Congress in Washington DC, became discouraged at what he'd seen in Washington, and -- while standing on the banks of the Potomac River - decided to dedicate himself to being a writer.  He said that it's essential for him to wake up early every morning to write.   What time does he start writing in the morning? (one student asked) Exactly 7:23. In this picture, Kevin showed off his notebook where he writes first drafts.  He talked about the layered drafting process he uses to craft and polish his poems.

Of special note: our Poetry Club and Louder than a Bomb Slam Team worked with Kevin during 10^th period; this was an especially lively hour.  Special thanks to English teachers Robyn Corelitz and Kim Williams in organizing this day-long celebration of poetry!  Special thanks to our principal, Dr. Mark Kolkman, in supporting the English Department in inviting Kevin to Central.

Here is a link to Kevin’s website:

http://kevincoval.com/kc/