ROCHELLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT #231 444 N. 8TH ...

ROCHELLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT #231
444 N. 8TH STREET
ROCHELLE, IL. 61068
Volume 29 May 9, 2008 Number 8
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR
May 23 7 PM 8 th grade promotion exercises at RTHS
May 26
No School - Memorial Day Observance
May 27 & 28
Full days of school
May 29 - end of school term
Report card day - students attend one hour
August 19
First day of 2008-09 school term
SCHOOL PHYSICALS, IMMUNIZATIONS AND SPORTS PHYSICALS
August 12 9 AM - 5 PM Physicals provided by tri-county at Rochelle Middle School. Cost is $30
and does not include lab work or immunizations. Clinic is free for families who have Kid Care or Public
Aid.
Appointments are required. Please call Central School office at 562-8251 to schedule your child’s
appointment. If your child attended an Illinois school for 5 th grade during the 2007-08 school year, they
should not need a 6 th grade physical.
All children entering kindergarten and 6 th grade are required to have a physical and proof of
current immunizations. All children participating in sports or cheerleading at RMS are required to have a
sports physical prior to the first day of tryouts.
Children who do not have current physicals and immunizations will be excluded from District 231
on September 1, 2008.

Tilton S c h o ol
Tony Doyle, Principal 562-6665
ART NEWS
We have been comparing and contrasting the differences between objects that are 2-Dimensional
and 3-Dimensional. The kindergartens drew a 2-D scratch board of a clown and then created a 3-D
clown in clay. The 1st and 2nd grades made a 2-D scratch board of a fish and then modeled a 3-D fish
out of clay. The 3rd-5th grades have been learning how to draw 2-D forms that look 3-D. We are now
forming 3-D shapes out of clay. The 3rd and 4th grades are making a coiled pot which will be decorated
with Egyptian motif. The 5th grades are changing a clay pot into an animal with Native American Indian
motif. The art work is very good! I hope you enjoy our 3-D sculptures.
SPRINGFIELD
In April, the fourth graders traveled south to experience some history. We were able to see the New
State Capitol, where our laws are made. Abraham Lincoln’s home was another stop we made. The
students enjoyed touching the railing that Abraham Lincoln did when he lived there. Students were also
able to experience Abraham Lincoln's tomb and the Presidential Museum. Wow! We were able to step
back in time and visit Lincoln’s log cabin and the White House when he was President. There were other
artifacts and two movie theaters that were just amazing. Thank you to all of our chaperones!
INCREDIBLE EDIBLE LANDFILL
Fourth grade students had two speakers from Ogle County come into the classroom and discuss
recycling and the landfill. They brought products made of recycled goods (Did you know that some
carpets are made from plastic bottles?). Through looking at pictures, students saw how landfills are
created. To fully understand what goes into making a landfill, the students created a landfill out of edible
food. The students learned that garbage that is buried takes many years to change into dirt (if the
garbage breaks down at all).
5 TH GRADE AUCTION
Baseball cards, stuffed animals, chocolate bars, books.......these were some of the items fifth
graders bought at their D-Dollar Auction at Tilton School last week. Auctioneer Joe Wegener donated his
time to sell everything from glow in the dark sticks to lunch in the classroom offers at the auction. Fifth
graders in Carol Deutsch's and Terry Dickow's classes have been earning D-Dollars for the past month.
Dollars are given for following directions, passing assignments, A's on tests and for a variety of other
reasons. The Dollars are used by students to pay fines for forgetting library books, not following
directions, or for going out for recess. Items brought in were items from home students and parents no
longer wanted, or items provided by the teachers and principal. One student bought a soap set for a
Mother's Day present, while another student bought a chair. Students also saved some of their money to
use at the next auction, scheduled for the last week of school.

MAY SCHOOL MUSTANGS
Barbara Cantlin, Principal
562-6331
P.E. PAGE AT MAY SCHOOL
Hello and welcome to our physical education page for the month of May.
Mr. Putz has been busy working with the students this past month. Students have been actively
participating in a variety of activities.
Classroom Activities
This past month, the kindergarten through 2nd grades have been busy participating in a juggling
unit. Students were learning how to use items such as scarves and bean bag cubes to enhance eye
hand coordination. We are currently participating in a T-Ball unit.
The 3rd through 5 th grades have been working on fitness testing. Students were tested in five
areas: flexibility, arm strength, stomach strength, quickness and endurance. We have been participating
in a softball unit over the past few weeks.
Home Activity
May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. For a link to acquire more information on
this, visit www.aahperd.org/Naspe. We will be participating in our annual Mustang Run on Friday, May
23rd. Later that afternoon, we will have our Beach Party Field Day events at the school. Students are
encouraged to get outside and exercise as much as possible to help maintain a healthy lifestyle. This
summer would be a great opportunity to continue keeping physically fit.
Thanks for your time each month. Have a great, active summer and we will see you next fall! –
Mr. Lodico
MAY SCHOOL PETS
The following third and fourth grade student's poems have been accepted for publication in
the Creative Communications Spring 2008 Collection: from Mrs. Zamastil's class: Anna Haub, Aby
Medina, Christopher Thomas and Humberto Valdez. from Ms. Duffy's class: Joey Carter, Kianna Childers,
Karen Escutia, Atl Flores, Luis Fulgencio, Naxi Galvan, Christian Graham-Navejas, Timothy Grant, Arturo
Herrada, Juan Milan, Tony Montoya, Sandy Montoya, Alexis Thompson, Nancy Torres and Esme Vega.
Mrs. Mahoney's class: Blaine Bolin, Gabrielle Chamness, Lesly Garcia, Larry Gee, Cachus George-
Hailey, Fantasy Godina, Cassie Hannebaum, Michael Moreland, Christine Newman-Askins, Sam Norris,
Alex Nygaard, Andre Paz-Medina, Gracee Peters, James Raudales, Tyler Ryan, Chayce Sullivan and
Alexis Zepeda
REMINDER FOR PARENTING GROUP.
Learn hands-on practical techniques to empower and encourage your children at the RMS
Media Center on Thursdays: May 8, May 15, May 22 ~ 6-7:30pm All attendees receive free parenting
resource book as well as chances to win prizes such as a bicycle, MP3, Children's Book Set, gift cards,
and lots more...
May School will be having its annual Awards Day and Fun Run on Friday, May 23 rd . A sack lunch is
needed, as we eat at the park.
We are also celebrating our 2 nd annual “Swing into Summer” reading celebration with a cook out on
Wednesday, May 28 th . Once again this year we will celebrate our reading accomplishments and
encourage our students to continue reading throughout the summer months. The afternoon will begin
with a cookout at 11:45 AM. Our reading activities will begin at 12:30 and will consist of a variety of
reading stations. Parents are encouraged to attend the afternoon activities. We will conclude our
activities with an assembly at 2:30.
Parents are reminded that they need a completed background check to volunteer at school activities and
field trips.

Lincoln
Lisa Wroblewski, Principal 562-4520
FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
As the school year comes to an end, we are planning for summer school. In order to attend
summer school, students are selected by their teachers. Summer school hours are 8:00 a.m. to 12:00
p.m. Classes begin June 9 th and end June 27 th . If you have any questions about the program, please
contact the school 815.562.4520.
We have had a GREAT group of PTO parents this year! Wonderful and exciting things have
occurred throughout the school year because of the following PTO people: Carol Benge, Kristi Sandoval,
Jeannette Mingus, Kin and Jonathan Miller, Maija Piloni, Susie Kreider, Juanita Ramos, Vicki Torres, and
Heather McPhearson. If you have volunteered your time or have made donations to help Lincoln School,
we greatly appreciate it. THANK YOU! The PTO is a great organization. If you are interested in helping
with school events next year, please look for PTO flyers in the future or contact the school.
Have a wonderful summer! – Lisa Wroblewski
FROM THE COUNSELOR
Three parenting sessions left! Learn practical hands-on techniques to empower and encourage
your children. Join us on Thursdays: May 8, May 15, May 22 6:00-7:30 PM. at the Rochelle Middle
School Media Center All parents will receive a free parenting resource book and win prizes! Prizes
include gift cards, bike, MP3 player, and lots more!
THIRD GRADE FIELD TRIPS
Third grade has been very busy with end-of-year field trips! To celebrate Dr.Seuss' birthday, we
went to the Coronado Theater in Rockford to watch "Seussical" the musical and learned that "a person is
a person, no matter how small." Then we visited the Ellwood House in DeKalb to admire the beautiful
mansion and learn about barbed wire and the Ellwood family history. To further our study of the human
body, we went to the Rochelle Community Hospital and visited the lab, X-ray room, pharmacy, physical
therapy room and even the cafeteria! Great learning experiences to end our 3rd grade year!
FOURTH GRADERS TRAVEL TO CHICAGO
Thursday, May 15th the fourth graders will travel to Chicago to the Field Museum and the Shedd
Aquarium. Our day will be spent seeing firsthand the ocean animals that we learned about in our science
oceanography unit, as well as some of the Field Museum's exhibits that we discussed in our social
studies class. We are really looking forward to visiting these world-class museums and the opportunity to
see Chicago and Lake Michigan up close!
MRS. SPARROW’S FIRST GRADE
May is a busy and exciting month. In honor of Earth Day, students wrote letters to Mayor Olson
to see how they can take care of the Rochelle environment. Our class performed a Readers' Theater of
"Do You Live in a Nest?" for the kindergarten classes. The next weeks will be busy with activities for
Cinco de Mayo, Mother's Day and our trip to Brookfield Zoo.
ART NEWS
We have been comparing and contrasting the differences between objects that are 2-Dimensional
and 3-Dimensional. The kindergarten's drew a 2-D scratch board of a clown and then created a 3-D
clown in clay. The 1st and 2nd grades made a 2-D scratch board of a fish and then modeled a 3-D fish

out of clay. The 3rd-5th grades have been learning how to draw 2-D forms that look 3-D. We are now
forming 3-D shapes out of clay. The 3rd and 4th grades are making a coiled pot which will be decorated
with Egyptian motif. The 5th grades are changing a clay pot into an animal with Native American Indian
motif. The art work is very good! I hope you enjoy our 3-D sculptures.
5 TH GRADE: MRS. HAYES
This month we finished a fun filled web quest about the American Revolution during guided
reading. The students were to design a plan of action to aid the colonists gain freedom from the unjust
taxation of the British. Each group member was responsible for exploring what life was like for either
women, merchants, or wealthy citizens. Once each group explored the different colonists' perspectives
their duty was to then conclude the lesson with a skit that would resemble a real town meeting where the
colonist expressed his or her own beliefs. We have a mighty persuasive group of colonist in our 5th
grade at Lincoln.
SECOND GRADE MATH
Second grade math comes to a close with the introduction of multiplication. Many of us were
surprised to see how many of the basic facts we already knew. To multiply by zero, one, two, five and ten
is a snap! Eleven is not too tough either...we need to focus on the strategies for learning only a few more
numbers before we are Masters of the Multiplication Tables! We have worked hard on Mother's Day
appreciation projects and want to send a huge "Thank you!" to mom for all you do. As the last days of
second grade are upon us we know that summer vacation is not a vacation for our minds. Make time to
read and play math games in order to be well prepared for the coming school year.
MRS. YOCHUM’S FIRST GRADE:
We are finishing our unit about simple machines. During this unit, students used digital cameras
to take photos of the machines we created. Each machine served a special purpose in our "Simple
Machine City." We are looking forward to our trip to Brookfield Zoo next week. Students are excited
about seeing many of the animals we have studied this year. The last week of school we will be opening
our "First Grade Time Capsules." These time capsules were sealed and "buried" way back in September.
It will be fun to see how we have grown this year!
E2T2 UPDATE
The classroom teachers are finishing up two classes. Both of them dealt with integrating
technology into the daily lessons. A tremendous amount of learning has occurred, but there is still much to
learn as the skills are used in various lessons. Unit plans were created for science, social studies, and
reading. The lessons incorporated searches on the Internet, using a discussion board on the Internet,
using the Smartboard, and testing with the student response system. Make sure to ask your students
what new skills they are learning in technology. The grant funds will be carried over into next year
providing the teachers with more professional development to continue implementing the technology into
the curriculum.
A MESSAGE FROM THE LIBRARIAN…
The library year is winding down quickly. The week of May 5 - 9 is the last week to check out
books and all books are due by May 16th. We will be having some fun incentives for the first classes who
get their books checked in by the 16th. We'll have one prize for grades k-2 and one for grades 3-5 - it's a
surprise but I think the students will like it! All overdue books plus lost and damaged book fines must be
taken care of by this date to qualify for the incentive.
Students enjoyed exchanging their gently used books on April 18th. It was nice to see how many
students brought in books and each student received at least one book! Many thanks to "Supervolunteer"
Jonathon Miller who handled the whole morning by himself (with his daughter in tow) and to all
the teachers who pitched in and supervised their classes last minute.

We already have our Monarch Award Books for next year, some of the Caudill Award Books and
lots of new books from Scholastic thanks to our fabulous PTO. I've been sneakily reading some of the
Monarch Books to classes already - they are really good and we'll have a hard time voting next year!
P. E. PAGE AT LINCOLN SCHOOL
Hello and welcome to our physical education page for the month of May.
Mr. Putz has been busy working with the students this past month. Students have been actively
participating in a variety of activities.
Classroom Activities:
This past month, the kindergarten through 2nd grades have been busy participating in a juggling
unit. Students were learning how to use items such as scarves and bean bag cubes to enhance eye
hand coordination. We are currently participating in a soccer unit.
The 3rd through 5 th grades have been working on fitness testing. Students were tested in five
areas: flexibility, arm strength, stomach strength, quickness and endurance. We have been participating
in a softball unit over the past few weeks.
Home Activity:
May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. For a link to acquire more information on
this, visit www.aahperd.org/Naspe. We will be participating in our annual Fun Run on Wednesday, May
14th. Students are encouraged to get outside and exercise as much as possible to help maintain a
healthy lifestyle. This summer, would be a great opportunity to continue keeping physically fit.
Thanks for your time each month. Have a great, active summer and we will see you next fall!–Mr.
Lodico
LINCOLN SCHOOL’S VISION STATEMENT
Lincoln School believes that children come first; their goals, potentials, and dreams. We choose
to make a difference.

ROCHELLE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Joseph Schwartz, Principal 815/562-7997
Rick Dornink, Assistant Principal
RMS PTO NEWS
Thanks to the RMS PTO for providing the staff with treats during teacher appreciation week.
The staff enjoyed the treats and is thankful for the support of the PTO.
The 8th Grade Students will enjoy a wonderful graduation dance on Friday, May 23, from
9:00-11:00. Thanks to the PTO for sponsoring the dance and special thanks to Heidi Smith for organizing
all the details.
The RMS students and staff want to thank the RMS PTO for all the support during the
2007-2008 school year. Special thanks to the following board members: Angie Cagle, Teresa Ricketts,
Angela Mahoney, Michelle Pease, Brenda Wendling, Denise Orlikowski, Stephanie Barrington, and
Sherry Bunger.
The RMS PTO welcomes all parents to their monthly meetings. Please plan to be involved
for the 2008-2009 school year. Next RMS PTO meeting: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 @ 6:30 p.m.
RMS MEDIA CENTER
The Rochelle Middle School PTO has again donated three sets of the Rebecca Caudill books for
2009. On behalf of the students and the teachers, we would like to express our appreciation! The books
are already in and before they were on display, they were spotted by students and checked out! Thank
you PTO members! These books add so much to our collection.
Thanks to Mrs. Jenna Thompson's ESL classes for decorating the Media Center for Cinco
de Mayo. Some of her students also designed bookmarks to hand out and made beautiful flowers.
Ogle County Waste Management again donated 525 pencils made from recycled materials,
bookmarks and booklets for Earth Day. Thank you!!
Mrs. Golden would like to thank all of the many students who have been returning books on time
and in good condition this year! However, it is now time for those who have lost books or damaged books
and those who have fines for not turning their books in on time, to settle their library accounts and pay for
any lost books or magazines. Parents, please check with the students to see if they are missing books or
owe fine money. They normally receive a notice every week. Everything is due on May 16th. Students
in 8th grade will need to pay all fines in order to pick up their graduation gowns. The money from library
fines is used to purchase books for the RMS library. If you have any questions regarding a lost book or
your student's fine, please give me a call at 815-562-7997 during school hours or e-mail me at
sgolden@d231.rochelle.net.
If you have magazines or books that you are recycling, are in good condition and are
appropriate for Middle School students, why not donate them to RMS? Please encourage your student to
visit the Rochelle Public Library this summer and do some summer reading!
RMS 8 TH GRADE GRADUATION INFORMATION
Graduation will be held Friday, May 23, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the Rochelle Township High
School gym. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m. Graduates should be there no later than 6:45 p.m. Tickets are

equired to attend the graduation. Each graduate will receive 8 tickets for the ceremony. Graduates will
not need a ticket. Tickets will be distributed to the students the week of May 19th. If you would like to be
considered for any additional tickets that may become available, please contact the Middle School office
at 562-7997. If you will not be using all eight tickets given to your student, please return the extra tickets
to the school office prior to graduation.
This is a "dress up" occasion. Please dress appropriately. Students may start picking up
their gowns as of May 19th. Gowns will not be distributed to those students who have not yet met the
academic requirements to be promoted to 9 th grade. Gowns are $20.50 each. Please make checks
payable to “Rochelle Elementary Dist. #231” or send the correct amount in cash. We are not equipped
to make change. Graduates do not wear graduation hats. Girls will not be wearing the white collars with
their gowns this year.
All school fees or money you owe the school must be paid before you can purchase your
gown or go through graduation. This includes enrollment fees, library fines, textbook fines or P.E. fines.
All sports uniforms must also be turned in. Fees and fines must be paid separately and not included in
one check. Many of these fines, including the cost of the graduation gown are paid into separate
accounts. Exact dollar amounts must be brought in as the office is not equipped to make change.
There will be graduation practice on Friday, May 23rd, starting at 2:15 pm. We will be
practicing in the Rochelle Middle School gym since the high school building is unavailable on this day;
Dismissal will be at the normal time of 3:13 pm.
Eighth graders final day of attendance will be Friday, May 23 rd . They are not required to be
in attendance on May 27th, 28th or 29 th and the administration asks that they not be on school grounds
these last three days of school.
MUSIC DEPARTMENT MAY EVENTS
May 12 7 PM 7th/8th band and chorus year end concert in S Gym at RMS
May 13 1:10 PM 6 th hour music class Fine Arts Program in the chorus room
May 14 7 PM About 50 music students participating in NCJC music festival at
NIU student center ballroom
May 15 11:10 AM 4 th hour chorus students perform at Rochelle East
May 16 2 PM 7 th hour music class Fine Arts Program in chorus room
May 22 7:30 PM Orchestra and jazz band year end concert at RTHS auditorium
May 23 6:45 PM 6 th & 7 th grade band and chorus student perform at 8 th grade
promotion exercises at RTHS
CITIZENSHIP AWARD WINNERS
Congratulations to the following students who were named Citizenship Award winners for the
month of April: kindergarten - Kyler Boyden, 1 st grade - Arieyanna Cooper, 2 nd grade - Nikos Konstans, 3 rd
grade - Jessica Hernandez, 4 th grade - Luzi Solis, and 5 th grade - Jewel Harris-Olson. Each student was
chosen by teachers for showing the six pillars of character. The pillars are trustworthiness, respect,
responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.
ART NEWS
We have been comparing and contrasting the differences between objects that are 2-
dimensional and 3-dimensional. The kindergartens draw a 2-D scratch board of a clown and then created
a 3-D clown in clay. The 1 st and 2 nd grades made a 2-D scratch board of a fish and then modeled a 3-D
fish out of clay. The 3 rd through 5 th grades have been learning how to draw 2-D forms that look 3-D. We
are now forming 3-D shapes out of clay. The 3 rd and 4 th grades are making a coiled pot which will be
decorated with Egyptian motif. The 5 th grades are changing a clay pot into an animal with Native
American Indian motif. The art work is very good! I hope you enjoy our 3-D sculptures.

IS IT OVER YET?
Each year the students in Mrs. Mannels’ math class guess the total snowfall for the winter
season. The average snowfall for the Rochelle is 37 inches. However, this year’s unusual 66 inches
surprised almost everyone except for Krissi Mark and Michael Milburn. They each guessed 60 inches
making their guesses the closest to the actual total. Congratulations, future meteorologists!