IPEF Highlights



Foundation Honors Top Students

On Wednesday night, April 17, 2013, during its 25th annual Excellence in Education celebration, the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation proudly recognized 90 graduating seniors from Waubonsie Valley, Neuqua Valley and Metea Valley High Schools for their academic accomplishments. Students from each of 11 disciplines (departments) at each high school were honored, based on their academic performance, a minimum score of 25 on the ACT, and leadership qualities.

In addition to acknowledging these outstanding students, the IPEF recognized the faculty and staff members who have inspired the students during their K-12 years in Dist. 204. Each of the honored students named one educator who was most influential during those years. A reception and the recognition event were hosted by Metea Valley High School and enjoyed by the students, parents, other family members, friends, faculty/staff, and, of course, by members of the IPEF Board of Directors. A good time was had by all.

The Metea Valley students who were honored, followed by their influential educators, were: Art/Fine Arts - Joyce Lin (Kathryn Parenti) and Samatha Steier (Kathryn Parenti); Business - John Meyer (Brian Veit), Cole Lettieri (Claudio Torres) and Michael Loffredo (Christopher Rohde); English - Zoe Krey (Leonard DePasquale), Sean Fisher (Kristin Grapenthien) and Alyssa Ensminger (Matt Grigas); Family and Consumer Science - Alyssa Luurtsema (Sally O'Rourke) and Lori Obendorf (Megan Trant); Math - Anna Petersen (Dave Luedtke), Nachiket Joshi (Christopher Rohde) and Alexandra Peltier (Megan Trant); Music - Jonathan Tatar (Nathan Bramstedt), Kelly Koronkowski (Lynne White) and Jieun Kang (Mark Liu); Physical Education - Matthew Karlins (Craig Tomczak), Lindsay Raczak (Leonard DePasquale) and Kathleen Adolf (Eric Anerino); Science - Daniel Zhuang (Jessica Thomas), Tony Wu (Jeff Schmela) and Shreyas Vissapragada (Scott Kupiec); Social Studies - Kelsey Pukelis (John Riddle), Jenna Nygren (Jessica Thomas) and Kimberly Rothenberger (Ryan Doherty); Media, Technology and Engineering - Maddie Collins (Patrick Feulner) and Matthew Marsh (Andrea Palmer); World Languages and English Language Learners - Roger Roglans (Anne O’Neil), Sarah Hamilton (Scott Gregory) and Alexander Pronger (Patrick Feulner).

Neuqua Valley students, followed by their influential educators, were: Art/Fine Arts - Kathy Tae (Robert Driscoll) and Katherine Dannessa (Steven Jones); Business - Tyler Rund (Kevin Geers), Victoria Haumann (Joseph Moreau) and Jennifer Augustian (Julie Hanson); English - Sharanya Sathyaprakash (Laura Dabezic), Andrew Beebe (Michael Rossi) and Veronica Mickley (Gillian Schneider); Family and Consumer Science - Emily Oscarson (Maddalena Camilleri) and Erin Kelley (Nathan Bramstedt); Math - Christie Jeung (William Savage), Alex Liu (William Savage) and Hariharan Ravi (Casey Solgos); Music - Virginia Randall (Susan Smith), Alex Stumphauzer (William Jastrow) and Tara Safavi (Tanya Carey); Physical Education - Brian Stevenson (Bill Jastrow), Erica D'Ambrose (Julie Bannack) and Dennis Thurow (Bill Savage); Science - Kenneth Hoffmann (Bart Carbonneau), Jamie Harkey (Ann Back) and Venkata Surapaneni); Social Studies - Kevin Wei (Kelli Tufo), Chad Myles (Tammy Schutzenhofer) and Shannon Price (Lisa Ryder); Media, Technology and Engineering - Craig Halicki (Corey Duzan) and Suzanne Nuyen (John Gelsomino); World Languages and English Language Learners - Haley Nippert (David Brouwer), Meha Desai (Lisa Lehman) and Jeffrey Ohmer (Gail Derrow).

Waubonsie Valley students, followed by their influential educators, were: Art/Fine Arts - Kayla Scott (Phil Galow) and Erika tePoele (Joshua Chodoroff); Business - Kyle Neese (Angie Hysjulien), Michael Nicholas IV (David Owles) and Allyssa O'Brien (Mike Dwyer); English - Alec Kestler (Ray Piccininni), Brian Franklin (Jonathan Pardys) and Nadia Fayoumi (Jen Kastner); Family and Consumer Science - Emily Navoy (Gayle Thanepohn) and Katherine Drone (Phil Galow); Math - Kelly Mathesius (AJ Ruopoli), Melina Moussetis (AJ Ruopoli) and Gytis Savukynas (Jen Brinkman); Music - Rebecca Steele (Joshua Chodoroff), Alex Tadevich (Mark Meyers) and Monica Sliva (Krista Halvorson); Physical Education - Taylor Hughes (James Donahue), Timothy Eckert (James Donahue) and Jack Cicchini (Bernadette Jacobs); Science - Kyle Wong (Elaine Modine), Imesh Samarakoon (Carl Armstrong) and Sonia Kamdar (Samantha Sinding); Social Studies - Muhammed Alikhan (Ray Piccininni), Emma Burck (Nate Gehrt) and Nadia Gonzalez (Susan Fuhrer); Media, Technology and Engineering - Austin Johnson (Angela Zdenovec) and Sean Sarkauskas (Steve Skorup); World Languages and English Language Learners - Noelle Linden (James Donahue), Sarah Goldberg (Debra Samuelson) and Mariam Siaj (Terence Wister).

The Indian Prairie Educational Foundation was created in 1988 to complement and enhance the educational opportunities provided to students attending schools in District 204. With the help of private donations received from District businesses, civic organizations, parents, staff members and others, the Foundation supports the development of program enrichments and services not normally financed with tax dollars. A vital part of the Indian Prairie community, the IPEF provides "educational extras" that make the difference between a very good school system and an excellent one.





Bully Billy Goat Gruff and the Ugly Duckling

AlphaBet Soup Productions broke new ground on Saturday, March 9, when they presented Bully Billy Goat Gruff and the Ugly Duckling in Neuqua Valley High School's auditorium. Actually a trilogy with a strong message for the kids and parents about bullying, the AlphaBet Soup players conveyed that message via Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf, the Ugly Duckling and young Billy Goat Gruff. Sponsored by the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation, this children's play/musical taught the kids a lesson very inexpensively - only $5 per ticket, with any profits going to funding the IPEF's various educational enrichment programs for Dist. 204 students. View more images of Bully Billy Goat Gruff and the Ugly Duckling performance.

STEM Family Nights to focus on Distric 204 Science, Technology, Engineering and Math

In an effort to increase interest and improve student skills in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in Indian Prairie School District 204, a series of STEM Family NIghts has been scheduled at several of the district's middle and elementary schools.

For example, STEM Family Nights, all starting at 6 PM, will be held on:

- Tuesday, February 26, at Granger Middle School
- Thursday, February 28, at Fischer Middle School
- Thursday, February 28, at Gregory Middle School
- Monday, March 4, at Steck Elementary School
- Wednesday, March 13, at Brookdale Elementary School
- Monday, April 22, at Hill Middle School

Sponsored in part by a grant from the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation (IPEF), these family nights are a reflection of local, state and national efforts to raise student and parent awareness in courses and careers related to science, technology, engineering and math.

"Improving student skills in STEM subjects is critical for 21st Century learners," according to IPEF Board Chairman Kent Duncan. "In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor has projected that the U.S. will have more than 2 million job openings in STEM fields in 2014".

The purpose of K-8 STEM programs is to inspire students to investigate issues in the world around them, especially with regard to their connections to science, technology, engineering and math, according to Leighton Helwig, instructional specialist at District 204's Crouse Education Center.

"Each STEM Family Night offers an evening filled with fun and interesting hands-on activities, interactive demonstrations, displays, and presenters who are there to share their time and expertise with the students," said Helwig. 'The evening will provide opportunities to make STEM fun for the whole family, and also encourage student interest and curiosity."

Young Hearts for Life Cardiac Screening

The Indian Prairie Educational Foundation (IPEF) has again partnered with Indian Prairie School District 204 and Advocate Medical Group to offer the Young Hearts for Life Cardiac Screening Program in 2013. Young Hearts for Life is a voluntary screening program that involves a simple, three-minute electrocardiogram (ECG) and may include a screening echocardiogram (ECHO) to identify high school students at risk for sudden cardiac death. The program will be offered at Metea Valley High School on February 21 and 22, at Waubonsie Valley High School on March 14 and 15, and at Neuqua Valley High School on April 11 and 12 (main campus) and on April 19 (Gold campus).

The IPEF is able to offer this program at no cost to students due to the generous financial support of Canadian National and Edward Hospital. When asked to provide assistance, both companies did not hesitate to step forward to help fund this potentially lifesaving program, since it aligns with their respective missions.

Parents who wish to have their child participate in the free screening program must enroll online. For more information please visit Young Hearts for Life. Participation is voluntary; however, all high school students are strongly encouraged to participate in the free screenings even if they were previously screened. An ECG screening is recommended every two years for students up until the age of 25. The results from the screening will be sent to parents via an email notification 3 to 4 weeks after the screening. All results are confidential and communicated through a secure system.

It is estimated that over 200 adult volunteers are needed for each high school screening event. Please contact your school if you are interested in volunteering. All volunteers are required to attend a training program that will occur the evening before the screenings begin.

To learn more about Young Hearts for Life please visit website or call Johneen Davis, Program Director, at 630-785-4366. For more information about ECG screenings, visit Young Hearts for Life Frequently Asked Questions.



AlphaBet Soup Productions Photos Posted

Photos taken during and after the AlphaBet Soup Productions' renditions of Alice in Wonderland (Nov. 17 at Waubonsie Valley High School) and Babes in Toyland (Dec. 15 at Metea Valley High School) have been posted in our IPEF website's Photo Gallery - under Fund Raisers. A good time was had by all who viewed these children's plays, which are very entertaining, a good value (only $5 per ticket), and raise funds for IPEF-sponsored educational enrichments that benefit District 204 students. The next production - "Bully Billy Goat Gruff Meets the Ugly Duckling" - which uniquely addresses the bullying problem faced by our nation's schools - will be presented at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 9, in the auditorium at Neuqua Valley High School. More information will be available in February.



Illinois Art Education Association Honors IPEF

On November 3, during its annual conference in Lisle, the Illinois Art Education Association (IAEA) honored the IPEF for its "Outstanding Service to Art Education Outside the Profession." In photo above, IPEF Chairman Kent Duncan and Secretary Mary Anne Castro proudly display the award, which was presented to the IPEF by IAEA President Dorothy Bennett. left, and Vice President Theresa McGee, right.

Each year, this award recognizes the exemplary contributions, service and achievements of one outstanding organization. For 2012, the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation was selected on the basis of its commitment to visual art education in District 204, as well as its wider contributions in the Northeastern Illinois region.

"On behalf of the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation, we are honored to be recognized by the Illinois Art Education Association with this award," said IPEF Board Chairman Kent Duncan, who will be on hand November 3 to accept the award. "The fine arts programs in Indian Prairie School District 204 are nationally recognized and we are proud to be associated with and a part of that success. The IPEF also wants to acknowledge the outstanding District 204 staff that supports all of the fine arts programs. We believe they should share in this recognition."

The IAEA is an association of the art educators of Illinois. The organization has been serving the children and art educators of Illinois for more than 75 years - by providing professional development for educators through workshops, conferences, grants and exhibition opportunities, and by facilitating communication, promoting conditions for the effective teaching of art, and working to influence educational change and reform.



IPEF Helps Students with Donations of Reimaged Computer Equipment, School Supplies and Hygiene Kits

The Indian Prairie Educational Foundation provided $1,500 to fund the cleaning and reimaging of 213 sets of used computer equipment, which were then redeployed to eight different District 204 middle and high schools, which presented them to students in need during October. The IPEF funds were used for computer re-imaging software and cleaning supplies, as well as for the food/snacks provided to local boy scouts and BMO Harris Bank representatives, who served as volunteers for the project. Also contributing to this effort were Kruger Storage, which provided the warehouse where the cleaning/reimaging work was done, and Sun Kwok and Integral Corporation, whose employees donated technical skills.

The IPEF also provided $5,000 for the distribution of 250 gift cards($25 each) to school principals and social workers - to be given to students in need of school supplies

In addition, for the third consecutive year, hygiene kits were given to 100 at-risk middle-school students who otherwise would be unable to provide PE-related hygiene supplies for themselves. Each kit consisted of a wet-zippered bag containing toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, wash cloths, deodorant, and hand-sanitizers. The IPEF contributed $500 for the kits, which was matched by the Naperville Exchange Club.



$5,400 Raised for J. Alan Fry Community Service Scholarships

The recognition dinner held September 22 to honor former IPEF Board Chairman J. Alan Fry is considered a huge success. More than 100 of his friends were able to thank Alan for his many contributions to the IPEF and Indian Prairie School District 204 - including 24 years at the helm of the IPEF. AND more than $5,400 was raised for the IPEF's new J. Alan Fry Community Service Scholarships.

These funds, which were donated for the scholarships by Alan's friends, brought a particularly big smile to his face, because he is the consummate volunteer, who understands the importance of giving back to one's community. Awarded for the first time in the spring of 1998, these annual IPEF scholarships now honor six graduating seniors - one $1,000 award and one $500 award at each District 204 high school - for the students' outstanding accomplishments in volunteer activities and community service. The scholarship awards are sent directly to each student's post-secondary institution to help with continuing his/her education.

"Considering Alan's commitment to community service, the IPEF Board decided that renaming these scholarships after him was both well-deserved and appropriate," said new IPEF Board Chairman Kent Duncan, who is pictured immediately above, at left, with Alan.



IPEF Board Has New Look

During its annual meeting on June 13, the Board of Directors of the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation elected a new Chairman, Kent Duncan, and a new Treasurer, Lynda Reilly. And it reelected Vice Chairs Karen Sharpe and Linda Thompson and Secretary Mary Anne Castro. Also, the Board welcomed two new directors -- Donna Coaxum and Dennis Bane. Below is a photo of this energetic and determined new Board.



21 IPEF Grants Awarded

The Foundation has announced that 21 IPEF grants -- totaling $19,270 -- were awarded to 21 District 204 staff members this spring. These staff members represent eight elementary schools, three middle schools, and two of the district's high schools.

This spring's elementary school recipients include Alice Iwinski and Lindsey Stepper, Brookdale; Doris Rebstock, Cowlishaw; Celestine Chen and Allison Schroeder, Fry; Carol Hess, Georgetown; Eric Griffen, Steck; Lisa Ness, Patterson; Stacey Wilke, Watts; and Amy Dawes and Mary Kulaga, Welch.

The middle-school IPEF Grant recipients were Steve Gee and Megan Watson, Granger; Ginny Sharp, Hill; and Jenna Ryan-Garcia, Scullen.

And the high-school staff members receiving IPEF Grants were Andrew Collins, Heather Weisenburger, and Daina Zemaitis, Metea Valley; and Laura Dabezic, Mike Kennedy and Michael Ross, Neuqua Valley.

These IPEF Grants provide District 204 students with educational enrichments in all areas of the curriculum and at all grade levels. The annual budget is $24,000 for the grants, which are awarded twice each school year. Since the program was established in 1988, the Foundation has funded 518 IPEF Grants totaling more than $374,000. Please view Details of all the Spring 2012 IPEF Grants.



Alan Fry Retires as IPEF Chairman

After 24 years at the helm of the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation, J. Alan Fry chaired his last IPEF Board of Directors meeting on Wednesday, May 9. At the request of late Superintendent Thomas G. Scullen in 1987, Fry joined a group of District 204 residents and business persons who helped establish the Foundation; then he became its first and only chairman in 1988.

In addition to Alan's dedicated service to the IPEF, he and other members of the Fry family have been deeply involved in education for many years. For example, several family members served on boards of education in school districts that preceded District 204. His mother, Laurabelle, taught second grade at Wheatland Elementary School, and one of her students was her son, Gordon, whose wife, Debbie, also attended Wheatland. Also, Alan's late brother, Larry Fry, attended Wheatland and, in 1999, served on District 204's "12 at 12" finance committee. And Alan's wife, Nancy, retired in 2007, after 20 years of teaching music at Wheatland and Fry Elementary Schools.

As a result of this commitment to education, Fry Elementary was named for the Fry family, which came to the area by wagon from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1854. They were tradesmen in landscaping and horticulture and settled on 999 acres in Will County. The next generation became farmers, blacksmiths, masons, sawmill operators, cattlemen, government officials, land developers and teachers.

One of those land developers was Alan's father, John Fry, who has since turned over the reins of the family business to his eldest son. Also the family's spokesperson, Alan currently is Chairman of Fry Properties, Inc., a multi-million dollar land development and home building company that operates in the Naperville and Fox Valley areas. In total, Alan has been involved in the family business for more than 40 years, taking a brief respite to acquire Bachelors and Masters degrees at Kansas State University.

A person with endless energy and commitment to his community, Alan has been involved in making Naperville and District 204 better places to live for many years. In addition to being a founding member and Chairman of the IPEF Board, he has served in various leadership capacities at Harris Bank and Knox Presbyterian Church; and he was a founding member of the Naperville Men's Glee Club.

Also near and dear to Alan is the YMCA in downtown Naperville, where he took swimming lessons at age 7 and attended its Friday night dances as a teen. In fact, his father, John, sold the Y the six acres that would become the site of its facility on 95th Street, which was built in 1995 and later renamed the Fry Family YMCA. Now known areawide (Naperville-Aurora) as the Heritage YMCA, Alan served on the Y's board of directors from 1988 to 2007, including three years as chairman.

Lifetime residents of Naperville, Alan and Nancy Fry have three children, all of whom have graduated from District 204 schools. And they are the grandparents of two boys and two girls.



IPEF Receives $10,000 Naperville SECA Grant

The IPEF has received a $10,000 grant from the City of Naperville's Special Events and Cultural Amenities (SECA) in support of District 204's Fine Arts Festival. This annual event showcases the art, music, theater and dance talents - as well as the home economics and industrial technology projects - of District 204 students (all grade levels). In 2012, the Fine Arts Festival will take place 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.on Saturday, May 19, at the district's Waubonsie Valley, Neuqua Valley and Metea Valley High Schools.

Created in 1988, this year's Festival at Waubonsie Valley will include the artistic displays and performances of its own students, along with those of students from Fischer and Scullen Middle Schools, and six elementary schools - Fry, George-town, McCarty, Peterson, Steck and Welch. At Neuqua Valley, the Festival will feature the art and music of its own students, as well as the works of students from Crone and Gregory Middle Schools and six elementary schools - Builta, Clow, Graham, Kendall, Patterson, and Spring Brook.

During the Festival at Metea Valley, the displays and performances will include works by its students, as well as the works of students from Still, Granger and Hill Middle Schools, nine elementary schools - Brookdale, Brooks, Cowlishaw, Gombert, Longwood, Owen, Watts, White Eagle and Young.

More than 80 musical performances by bands, choirs, orchestras, and dancers will be featured throughout the high-school sites. And the hallways will be filled with more than 12,000 pieces of visual arts, 3-D works, ceramics, fashion, computer imagery, and more.