Volume 86 Issue 4
February 2016
The Eagle’s Eye East Leyden High School
3400 Rose Street
Franklin Park, IL 60131
One Book, One Leyden
East Author Assembly--Thursday, Feb. 18 2016 Period 3 in East Auditorium
Leyden teachers have been encouraging students to read the book The Distance Between Us by Reyna Grande. The title is the first selection of Leyden’s “One Book, One Leyden” program, which aims to bring students, staff, and community together as they read the same title.
Community Reception--Thursday, Feb.18, 2016 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in West Auditorium West Author Assembly--Friday, Feb. 19, 2016 Period 3 in West Auditorium
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Paulina Castelan
he Distance Between Us is a memoir that centers on the author’s young life and describes obstacles she had to face as an immigrant. Senior Ariana Cardenas, on of a number of student ‘book ambassadors,’ described her experience reading: ”You see how someone going through so much can still become successful, it’s really inspiring.” Reyna Grande was born in Mexico along with her two older siblings. Throughout her life, she spent time apart from one or both her parents, who were in the United States. Years later she found a way to come
to the United States. Her memoir covers the struggles of being left behind and being new to the country. Grande, who will speak at an all school assembly at each campus, said she wanted to write this book to not only help her heal from her past or to forgive her parents, but also to allow her readers to understand the hardships immigrant children have to face. “There are thousands of immigrant kids in the U.S. and unfortunately our government hasn’t been very kind to them. Especially right now, with refugee children from Central America being turned away, it is more important than ever that we read their stories so that we can understand who they are and be more compassionate,” Grande said.
Another book ambassador, Elisaveth Alvarado commented on the power of the book: “It gives an insight into the reality of the many students that come here with a similar background. Students in our school should have someone to look up to. It gave me an insight about my culture that I didn’t know.” Readers of all backgrounds, however, will be able to learn from the book. Jonatan Ortega said, “It’s important for people to understand that most immigrants come with hope of the American dream. They are hard working people trying to make a better living for their family and to provide an opportunity to be successful for their children.
More students should read the book to understand the things others have to go through.” Grande hopes that her visit and the community of readers it may help create will encourage and inspire students. She said, “My advice for youth who are going through what I went through is to let go of your anger, hate, resentment, and whatever other negative emotions you are feeling. Instead, focus on the positive and try to do the best you can to become the person who you want to become. Lingering on the negative doesn’t get you anywhere. You can’t change the past.” Cardenas said, “It’s an example to show that if you work hard, anything is possible.”
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Natalie Taborska
Photo by Karina Kosmala
State Superintendent tours top programs or the past few years, Leyden has believed that if it can incorporate passion, kindness, and innovation into its curriculum, then we can have a successful school with students ready to take on the world. An Illinois top education official recently visited Leyden to test our district’s hypothesis that Leyden represents the best of public schools in Illinois. And based on the reaction of Illinois State Superintendent of Education, Dr. Tony Smith, #leydenpride is welldeserved. Following his tour of the culinary room, TSI, and our metals shop, Dr. Smith remarked on our student body in the following way: “You are able to go about your learning and are able to share how you Students Cody LaGrand and Adrian Ziemkiewicz with Dr. Tony Smith are recruiting and connecting with other kids. Schools for me are a place of inclusion AP Seminar, and E-learning presented the your level 1 tech support. I have two hundred and belonging...I feel like that gets stripped different details that makes these classes extra sets of hands,” Weinert explained. TSI teacher Ms. Lauren Martire explained that out of schools a lot of time and to hear it so stand out from other schools. a lot of TSI is based off partnership and During the visit to TSI, for clearly is powerful. I actually haven’t heard apprenticeship where students either work example, Director of Technology Brian it in awhile.” together to learn something new or a more Weinert explained how the class has earned Dr. Smith’s visit began with an experienced TSI student teaches the younger a reputation with the Dell corporation. invitation from Director of Careers Dr. Weinert explained that “the third highest students. Fran Brady and was guided by Leyden guy in Dell that reports directly to Michael Superintendent Dr. Nick Polyak and Board Dr. Smith was again impressed Dell came through here twice, not just with Leyden when he walked through our President Mr. Gregory T. Ignoffo. During each segment of the tour, once, because he wanted to come back.” metals shops. While giving him the tour, students described for Dr. Smith the different Dr. Smith was just as impressed when he students noted how they appreciated that certification and career pathways that are walked through and noted how student-run teachers were able to get them jobs in the available at our school. After the tour, he customer support is not only cheaper, but it field and get a head start on their careers. Students were more than happy to answer was served lunch by our catering class and prepares them for future careers. students involved in FACS, TSI, PLTW, “These aren’t students. They’re Dr. Smith’s questions as they explained
every machine, and Dr. Smith was surprised to hear the Leyden has machinery that even metal shops in the city don’t have. Many students offered praise for their teachers and their classes as they spoke with Dr. Smith. After students gave presentations on the different courses available at Leyden, Dr. Smith was amazed. “The fact that you make this learning yours and you talk about teaching, meeting teachers, and [how] teachers who graduated from here are your favorite teachers. It’s amazing,” he said in the beginning of a group conversation. He went on to ask how we as students are “helping other kids find their passions and find connections.” Azu Whigham, who represented Leyden’s new E-Learning Days at the presentation, said that it helps that we’re not like every high school. “We’re all on Twitter, and we all follow each other. We’re just a big loving school, and I just think that students here are more of a community. Representing PLTW, Adrian Ziemkiewicz said that “It’s not exactly a family because it’s too big but more like a close, tight knit community. You may not know somebody on a personal level, but since you’re at Leyden, you don’t really fear walking up to them and talking to them.” At the end of the tour, Dr. Smith was officially welcomed to the community with his own #leydenpride shirt and even some Javacinno puppy chow.