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By Janet Dovidio NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Music faculty members in Woodstock School District 200 found a way to bring joy to people during the pandemic – sharing their many talents on social media and the district’s website in a program called “Tiny Recitals.”

“We don’t just teach music, we do music,” said Duane Peiffer, music teacher at Creekside Middle School. “We felt it would be enjoyable and, hopefully, inspirational to our students to see us actively doing music outside of the regular classroom.”

The teachers began releasing recitals every two weeks starting in mid-October.

Students in their virtual classes have learned to work with new apps. Teachers have recorded “how-to” videos and offered many breakout rooms.

“If you have been in Woodstock for a while, you know that we have a tradition of very strong music programs, thanks to all the talented and committed music professionals in the district as well as a supportive administration and community,” Peiffer said.

Thus far, the project has featured Kaylie Stouffer singing and playing “Feed the Birds,” Christy Johanson singing “Rainbow Connection,” and Amanda Storer performing Arban’s “Fantasie Brilliante” on trumpet.

The next several weeks will feature music teacher Hugo Alcazar on tenor saxophone with three guests playing a funk tune, and orchestra teachers Lyndra Bastian, Cara

Fulcher, Stacie Savittieri, and Jillian Forbes performing as a string quartet.

“I don’t have 2021 lined up completely,” Peiffer said, “but we will see performances from Rich Stiles, Brian Jozwiak, Deb Schweis, and myself with several others joining in the fourth quarter.

“The arts have always helped

people get through challenging times. This Tiny Recital series is a way for us to provide a connection (and hopefully a little joy) to our students and our community through our music.”

These recitals are accessed on the district website, woodstockschools. org. Choose the Community category and click on D200 Music Faculty Performances.

COURTESY PHOTO

By Janet Dovidio NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Cooperation among several Woodstock High School student groups produced a bountiful outreach to benefit the Woodstock Food Pantry and the people it serves.

The idea began at a LUCHA (Latinos Unidos) meeting. Members shared ways to help the community. Student Melisa Paredes-Lopez suggested a food drive.

LUCHA adviser Carolina Giraldo, social studies teacher, mentioned it to activities director Patrick Podgorski.

“He should be given all the credit for trying to get more groups involved,” she said. “The Key Club and National Honor Society jumped at the idea.”

Each club informed family and friends through social media and virtual announcements to their classes. School counselor Shannon Landwehr and math teacher Brigid Fujino, Key Club advisers, used the school’s social media to publicize the effort. They also sent reminders to faculty and staff.

National Honor Society co-advisers Rich Stiles, director of bands, and Lyndra Bastian, orchestra

NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Members of the Woodstock High School National Honor Society have found several ways to be helpful during the coronavirus pandemic.

In addition to academic accomplishments, a major component of membership in NHS is service to school and community.

At the beginning of the year, board members met with co-advisers Rich Stiles and Lyndra Bastian to explore ideas for safely serving the community.

“I teach at the middle and high school levels,” Bastian said. “I noticed a need at the middle school level for students to get

FOOD DRIVE

teacher, guided their members in the effort.

Because of COVID safety restrictions, the students could not collect the food themselves. The school’s custodial staff placed containers outside the school entrance each morning.

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extra help. eLearning is not easy for everyone, and finding the motivation to finish work can be difficult.”

NHS President Theresa Presisto and Vice President McKenna Sweet reached out to the principals at Creekside Middle

Donations could be dropped off between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. That allowed for a contactless drop-off.

The organizing clubs offered incentives for the totals collected.

Bastian’s varsity orchestra class turned in the most items. Jack Walsdorf’s German III class had the highest percentage of items per person.

The reward? They each received a pie in the face during class time!

“Although we were running this food drive to build up enough of a supply for the holiday season,” Giraldo said, “we need to continue to remember that the Woodstock Food Pantry needs this support all year round. We look forward to holding another food drive in the spring.

“It’s great to see the students reimagining ways to give back to the community. Key Club, LUCHA and School and the elementary schools to offer tutoring by NHS members. Creekside Principal Michael Wheatley helped to create the program.

At first virtual tutoring was available at specific times on Fridays. This plan soon changed to more beneficial one-on-one Google Meet sessions that met the scheduling needs of tutor and student.

Teachers and counselors recommend students for tutoring, and parents can contact the child’s teacher to ask for help. The NHS/CMS students find a common time after school during which they can work together.

“It has been going really well for both the NHS students and the students at CMS and Westwood Elementary School who are receiving this extra help,” Bastian said. “I am happy that we were able to set this up. Seeing more of our students feeling successful is rewarding and important to all of us working in D-200.”

NHS look forward to collaborating on other projects in the future.”

Woodstock Food Pantry President Bob Pierce complimented this effort, which collected 556.5 pounds of food.

“I spend a lot of time at the pantry,” he said. “I see how giving the residents of Woodstock are with donations of food and money. I also would like to thank all the volunteers who keep the pantry open.”

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WoodstockResidents

Christopher Ghita is a senior at Marian Central Catholic High School. He is the son of Jean Ghita and Lisa Ghita, Crystal Lake.

“Chris is a truly dynamic young man. His positive attitude brightens our halls everyday. His giving spirit, excellence in academics and involvement in athletics are remarkable. Chris is a model example of what it means to be a well-rounded individual, but what makes him stand out most is his genuine care for the well-being of others,” said one of his teachers.

Christopher has been on honor roll and high honor roll. He is a member of the National Honor Society and the French Honor Society. He has earned the Marian Academic Excellence Award and the IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award. Christopher is the treasurer for the French Honor Society, as well as, a member of the mentor program, the Pro-Life Club and the varsity soccer team. Outside of school, he helps to beautify and maintain the gardens at St. Thomas the Apostle Church. He is an altar server and he referees at Lippold Park. When asked who inspires him, Christopher said, “Out of everyone in my life, my grandmother has always inspired me. Nana believed in everything I did and was always so excited to see what I had in store for whatever I was going to do. Allowing me to always look on the bright side, she changed not only my life, but the lives of many others.”

When asked what makes him feel successful, Christopher said, “I feel that I am successful because of my drive to keep going, no matter how difficult my life can be. ‘Never stop fighting for what you believe in and for the people you care about’ is a quote that I try to live by each day as I believe it is key to keep moving forward.”