Meet the new director of the Glenview Mariachi Band

Meet the new director of the Glenview Mariachi Band

By Anastassia Zvoryguina

Since its creation in 2015, student participation in the Glenview Mariachi Band has grown extensively. This after school music program has gained popularity among local residents of the Quad Cities and students often perform at many local events during Hispanic Heritage Month and others. After many years of teaching music, Richard Clark, the director of the Glenview Mariachi Band, has decided to retire this year. The Glenview Middle School has now hired Monike Hill to take over his position. Mrs. Monike Hill was born in a military family and grew up in Davenport, IA. “My first name is pronounced “Monique” but spelled like Monike. My father, Alberto Victor Craff Zevallos is from Lima, Peru and he spelled my name on the birth certificate,” Mrs. Hill shared a fun and interesting fact about herself. She shared that music has always been a big part of her life. “My mom Dolores Craff is a retired music teacher and I have fond memories of my parents playing guitars and singing around the campfire. When I started college, I was going to be an ethno-musicologist because I love music from around the world,” Mrs. Hill remembered. She explained that after some thinking she decided against becoming ethno-musicologist and chose to be a music educator instead. “I have been able to teach students to appreciate and understand other cultures, about diversity and inclusion and all other school subjects through music education,” Mrs. Hill told how her love for all kinds of music of the world helps her to be a better teacher to her students. “Because I am a percussionist, I have had to regularly play instruments from other countries and in fact my entire basement is full of instruments from around the world. My favorite genres of music are Latin, Caribbean and African and Mariachi combines all of those,” she added another fun fact about herself. As to her education, Mrs. Hill has a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Western Illinois University, Master’s Degree in Instrumental Conducting and Pedagogy from Sam Houston State University. She has 20-year experience teaching elementary, middle and high school classes’ ensembles in Illinois, Michigan and Iowa. “I am also the co-creator of the DCSD Steel Band program. My students were featured on television, performed throughout the Quad Cities and at the Caribbean Festival, Ya Maka My Weekend. My principal instrument is percussion but I have had to play all of the band and orchestra instruments,” Mrs. Hill said. Mrs. Hill is not a stranger to a stage either. She performs a lot with her steel band combo. “When I’m not teaching, I’m performing with my steel band combo Mystery Island, the Quad City Wind Ensemble, the Big River Brass Band, various symphony orchestras and community bands, singing/playing with St. John Vianney Catholic Church ensembles and in July 2021 I will be playing the drum set for the musical Newsies (Countryside Community Theatre) When I’m not performing, I’m attending my family’s concerts and performances,” Mrs. Hill explained that she is very excited to take over the Glenview Mariachi Band and since she plays in different musical ensembles with Mr. Clark, she is good friends with him and has followed the Glenview Mariachi Band since it was launched in 2015. She also attended a few of their performances. She explained that Mr. Clark was the one that encouraged her to apply to take over his position. “I, Mrs. Monike Hill, am excited to be Glenview’s new Mariachi Band Director. I will also be teaching band lessons and 7/8th grade choir,” she sent a special greeting to students and parents involved or who wish to be involved in the Glenview Mariachi Band. “I am also friends with Mr. Clark so I have been a Mariachi de Glenview fan from the beginning and am very excited to meet everyone! I am a little nervous for this exciting adventure because I want to make all of you proud.” Mrs. Hill said that she is not planning to make any huge changes to the program. She plans on continuing bringing the Glenview Mariachi Band to local events as it was done in the past years. More than anything Mrs. Hill wanted to send a special message to the Glenview Middle School students before the school year starts. “This past school year was difficult and I know that many of you dropped out of the Mariachi Bands. Last year is over and it is time for you to come back! I want every single one of you to re-join the band and bring a new friend. Congratulations to those of you who stuck it out and I am so proud of you for your perseverance. As soon as I have access to your phone numbers, I will be contacting all of you. I cannot wait to meet all of you! If you would like to contact me first, you can email me at my personal email address mcraff@hotmail.com or send me a message on the Glenview Mariachi Band facebook page,” Mrs. Hill sent out her special message to students. The new school year is approaching fast. Hopefully, this year the music will sound again in the halls and music rooms of Glenview Middle School. Hopefully, this year Quad Cities residents can again enjoy the mariachi music by their now beloved local Glenview Mariachi Band. A warm welcome to Mrs. Monike Hill, the new director of the Glenview Mariachi Band.

Mrs. Monike Hill new director of the Glenview Mariachi Band

Phase 5 Guidance for Businesses and Venues

This guidance replaces the industry-specific guidance that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity published as part of the state’s Restore Illinois plan. This guidance includes recommendations for all types of businesses and venues, customers, and employees in order to help maintain healthy environments and operations, as well as lower the risk of COVID-19 spread. The following are recommended prevention strategies that recognize that while the state of Illinois has made substantial progress in vaccinating its residents, a number of individuals remain ineligible or have not yet chosen to be vaccinated. Consistent use of prevention strategies will help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and protect people who are not fully vaccinated, including customers, employees, and their families. As always, businesses and local municipalities may choose to implement additional prevention strategies as they deem appropriate.

• COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and widely available across Illinois. Everyone aged 12 years and older should be vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible to keep from getting and/or spreading COVID-19. • For businesses and venues where everyone present is fully vaccinated, the state does not require face coverings and social distancing in both indoor and outdoor settings. Businesses and municipalities are permitted to continue requiring face coverings and social distancing as they deem appropriate. • For indoor businesses and venues where everyone present is not fully vaccinated, unvaccinated persons should wear a face covering and maintain six feet social distance. Businesses and venues may continue to require face coverings and/or social distancing. At outdoor businesses and venues, unvaccinated persons may choose not to wear a face covering when able to maintain a six-foot social distance while outdoors, unless required to do so by a business or municipality. • Although people who are fully vaccinated are not required to wear a face covering under state guidance, businesses and venues should be supportive of customers and employees who choose to wear a face covering. • Persons who are immunocompromised should consider wearing face coverings when in settings where others may not be fully vaccinated. • All unvaccinated persons should wear face coverings in crowded settings, both indoors and outdoors, especially when youth are present. See CDC guidance for further information. • There are limited circumstances and settings where all individuals, including those who are fully vaccinated, must continue to wear a mask in accordance with CDC guidance: (1) on public transportation, (2) in congregate facilities, (3) in health care settings, and where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance. • Individuals in schools, day care settings, and educational institutions should continue to follow separate guidance issued by the Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, and Illinois Department of Public Health. • All businesses and venues should support social distancing to the extent possible, especially in indoor settings. Businesses and venues should apply best practices in managing distancing at such places as concessions/ counters, public restrooms, and lines/queuing. • This guidance will be updated as the CDC releases new recommendations and is meant to supplement any federal or local guidance, safety laws, rules, regulations or business safety policies that may expressly require a face covering and/or social distancing. • Continue to consult the CDC and IDPH websites for updated resources, guidelines, and rules related to COVID-19 safety.

Orientación de la fase 5 para empresas y lugares

Esta guía reemplaza la guía específica de la industria que el Departamento de Comercio y Oportunidades Económicas publicó como parte del plan estatal Restaurar Illinois. Esta guía incluye recomendaciones para todo tipo de negocios y lugares, clientes y empleados con el fin de ayudar a mantener entornos y operaciones saludables, así como reducir el riesgo de propagación de COVID-19. Las siguientes son estrategias de prevención recomendadas que reconocen que, si bien el estado de Illinois ha logrado un progreso sustancial en la vacunación de sus residentes, varias personas siguen sin ser elegibles o aún no han optado por vacunarse. El uso constante de estrategias de prevención ayudará a reducir la propagación del COVID-19 y protegerá a las personas que no están completamente vacunadas, incluidos los clientes, los empleados y sus familias. Como siempre, las empresas y los municipios locales pueden optar por implementar estrategias de prevención adicionales según lo consideren apropiado.

• Las vacunas COVID-19 son seguras, efectivas y están ampliamente disponibles en todo Illinois. Todas las personas de 12 años o más deben vacunarse contra el COVID-19 lo antes posible para evitar contraer y / o propagar el COVID-19. • Para los negocios y lugares donde todos los presentes están completamente vacunados , el estado no requiere cubrirse la cara ni distanciarse socialmente tanto en ambientes interiores como exteriores. Se permite que los comercios y municipios sigan requiriendo cubrimientos de rostro y distanciamiento social según lo consideren oportuno. • Para negocios y lugares cerrados donde todos los presentes no están completamente vacunados , las personas no vacunadas deben cubrirse la cara y mantener una distancia social de seis pies. Es posible que las empresas y los lugares sigan requiriendo cubrirse el rostro y / o distanciarse social. En negocios y lugares al aire libre, las personas no vacunadas pueden optar por no cubrirse la cara cuando puedan mantener una distancia social de seis pies mientras están al aire libre, a menos que lo requiera una empresa o municipio. • Aunque las personas que están completamente vacunadas no están obligadas a usar una cubierta facial bajo la guía estatal, las empresas y los lugares deben apoyar a los clientes y empleados que opten por usar una cubierta facial. • Las personas inmunodeprimidas deben considerar el uso de cubiertas para la cara cuando se encuentren en entornos donde otras personas no estén completamente vacunadas. • Todas las personas no vacunadas deben usar cubiertas para la cara en entornos con mucha gente, tanto en el interior como en el exterior, especialmente cuando hay jóvenes presentes. Consulte la guía de los CDC para obtener más información. • Existen circunstancias y entornos limitados en los que todas las personas, incluidas las que están completamente vacunadas, deben continuar usando una máscara de acuerdo con las pautas de los CDC : (1) en el transporte público, (2) en instalaciones colectivas, (3) en entornos de atención médica y cuando lo requieran las leyes, reglas y regulaciones federales, estatales, locales, tribales o territoriales, incluida la orientación comercial y laboral local. • Las personas en las escuelas, guarderías e instituciones educativas deben continuar siguiendo las pautas separadas emitidas por la Junta de Educación del Estado de Illinois, el Departamento de Servicios para Niños y Familias de Illinois y el Departamento de Salud Pública de Illinois. • Todas las empresas y lugares deben apoyar el distanciamiento social en la medida de lo posible, especialmente en entornos de interior. Las empresas y los lugares deben aplicar las mejores prácticas para gestionar el distanciamiento en lugares como concesiones / mostradores, baños públicos y colas / colas. • Esta guía se actualizará a medida que los CDC publiquen nuevas recomendaciones y está destinada a complementar cualquier guía federal o local, leyes de seguridad, reglas, regulaciones o políticas de seguridad comercial que puedan requerir expresamente una cobertura facial y / o distanciamiento social. • Continúe consultando los sitios web de CDC e IDPH para obtener recursos, pautas y reglas actualizadas relacionadas con la seguridad de COVID-19.