Publications & Sites 
District 73 school notes
Updated: January 14, 2013 2:28PM
Runners rise to occasion
In addition to the championship performance of Middle South’s Shane Williamson, Hawthorn sent additional runners to the state cross country championship meet in Bloomington. Congratulations also go out to the Hawthorn Middle South sixth- and seventh-grade cross country team, which qualified for state and placed 14th. Team members include Nicole Pinter, Vivian Tsai, Ellie Zaczek, Jessie Ripes, Aleen Lim, Madelyn Woodrow, Raeden Mays and Taylor Phan. Kudos to Hawthorn Middle North’s Payton Makowskyj for earning a trip to state as an individual qualifier.
Technology Steering Committee
Hawthorn District 73 is forming a technology steering committee. The volunteer group will work to articulate the district’s vision for technology in education and identify goals. Meetings are expected to take place approximately once monthly beginning Dec. 6. Meetings will be at Hawthorn District Office, 841 W. End Court, Vernon Hills. More information, including an online application, is posted at www.hawthorn73.org. F, contact Technology Services Coordinator Beth Pollock Burke at burkeb@hawthorn73.org or (847) 990-4211.
Band festival
The annual Vernon Hills High School Band Festival will be Oct. 30. Band students from the seventh- and eighth-grade bands at Hawthorn Middle North and Hawthorn Middle South join with their colleagues from VHHS for a day of learning and rehearsal under the leadership of guest director Tom Beckwith, who recently retired as Warren Township High School band director. The bands will then present a 7:30 p.m. concert at the high school. Performing directors include Pat Cantagallo (Middle North), Jim Garbrecht (Middle South), Randy Sundell (VHHS) and Dave Tribley (VHHS).
Supporting our troops
Hawthorn Middle North will provide holiday cheer to troops serving in Afghanistan. Students and staff have launched Operation Support Our Troops, collecting “comfort” items that will be bundled into care packages for 105 soldiers in G Company, school officials said in a press release. Packages will include small spiral notebooks, pens, granola bars, disposable razors, non-aerosol deodorants, gum, foot powder, small packages of coffee, stamped stationery and more. Any donations, including monetary gifts to help cover shipping costs, are appreciated. All items must be collected by Nov. 6. To help, contact Middle North student council advisor Marilyn Ring at ringm@hawthorn73.org.
Winning shirt design
Hawthorn Middle North eighth-grader Nancy Vazquez has created the artwork for the school’s eighth-grade promotion shirt. Nancy’s winning design features a detailed eagle (the school’s mascot) preparing to pounce on unseen prey.
Readers log in
Students in Rachel Serlin’s sixth-grade reading class at Hawthorn Middle North know how important it is to read. Students have been logging the time they spend reading on their own to see how much time they actually spend with books. Each month, Serlin will honor the students who have dedicated the most time to reading with a certificate and a snack. The first group of reading log winners includes Kaitlyn Brennan, Osvaldo Gomez, Richard Hu and Marian Perez.
Parent University on Math
Hawthorn’s next Parent University, which will focus on the math curriculum, is planned for 6 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Hawthorn District Office, 841 W. End Court, Vernon Hills. No registration is needed. The Board of Education will meet immediately afterward at 7 p.m. Future Parent Universities include Nov. 26 (Science), Jan. 28 (PE/Health and Wellness), Feb. 25 (English Language Arts), and April 22 (World Languages). For information, contact Lisa Cerauli at ceraulil@hawthorn73.org.
Parent-Teacher conferences
Parent-Teacher Conferences are planned for the evening of Nov. 19 and the morning of Nov. 20 by appointment.
Veterans Day breakfast
The Hawthorn Middle South student council and student body invites all veterans to enjoy breakfast and a short program at the school beginning at 8 a.m. Nov. 9. Hawthorn Middle North is located at 600 N. Aspen Drive, Vernon Hills. For information and to RSVP for the breakfast, contact Mary Castellano at (847) 990-4100 or castellanom@hawthorn73.org.
Hawthorn calendar
There are no classes for Hawthorn students Nov. 20 to accommodate parent-teacher conferences. Thanksgiving Break will be Nov. 21-23. Winter Break runs Dec. 22-Jan. 6. The complete calendar is available at www.hawthorn73.org and through your school.
