back to school

I got to hang out with Katrina, 11, an aspiring writer and musician going into sixth-grade, and Maya, 5, who will be attending kindergarten and wants to be a teacher when she grows up. The challenging part was shooting video and linking these two strangers together into one cohesive piece. I think it all came together; here is what they are looking forward to this coming school year.

Katrina Troy, 11, prepares to play a tune on her guitar at her family's home in Lake in the HIlls. Troy will be attending the sixth-grade at Marlowe Middle School and is looking forward to band, choir, art and cooking class. "I already have my backpack packed and ready to go," Troy said of going back to school.

Maya Tierney, 5, laughs as her mother Seija Tierney reads a book with her at their home in Algonquin. Maya will be attending kindergarten at Algonquin Lakes Elementary School and wants to be a teacher when she grows up.

back to school it is

I have spent a lot of time in schools and around kids lately. See what the children have been up to!
Kindergartner Sofia Corona, 5, covers her mouth in surprise during the "Jump With Jill" performance at Meadowdale Elementary School in Carpentersville on Tuesday. School district 300 was recently recognized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for its nutrition and fitness programs.

'Rockstar Nutritionist' Jill Jayne teaches and entertains students at Meadowdale Elementary School in Carpentersville on Tuesday afternoon. Jayne, a registered dietician and musician, teaches and entertains students with songs about nutrition and making healthy choices.

Jill Jayne high fives third-grader De'Rae Williams, 8, during her performance.

It was back to school after two days off due to the blizzard for students at Dean Street Elementary School in Woodstock.

Children prepare for the start of the school day.

And after school...

Grace Koeppen, 11, left, and Nicole Nischke, 9, hike up McHenry Township sledding hill in Johnsburg on Tuesday afternoon. A novice should try to avoid jumps, Nicole said.

I remember doing this...
From left to right, Shaina Castelino, Daniel Kaye, and Raegan Hilbrant, all 10 years old, participate in the annual Jump Rope for Heart event at Hannah Martin Elementary School in Lake in the Hills on Wednesday. The event promotes teamwork, builds school spirit, and gives students the opportunity to contribute to their community.

Sydney Gray, 9, center, smiles at classmate Karissa Witczak, 10, during the event.

odds and ends

Some photos from September, I really liked this corn bin thing as kids were having quite a time in it and well as it reflected a nice glow. Also notable sighting at this event: a pumpkin cannon. Amazing!
Only in the Midwest.

Zack Willis, 2, left, and Jared Goodale, 4, play in corn at the sixth annual Tractors for Charity event at Stade's Farm in McHenry on Saturday.

Students and a parent walk to James C. Bush Elementary School in Johnsburg on Wednesday morning as part of International Walk to School day. Schools around the nation participated in the event to promote exercise, improve air quality, and enhance the health of kids.

Paige Layton, 9, left, and Miranda Hopp, 9, both fourth-graders, walk to James C. Bush Elementary School on Wednesday morning as part of International Walk to School day.

They kids could kick butt!
Focus Martial Arts karate students practice kata, or karate forms, Wednesday evening at Focus Martial Arts and Fitness in Lake in the Hills. The students leave Oct. 19 for the World Karate Confederation Championships in Italy.

 

I learned a bit about polysomnography recently as we worked on a story about sleep clinics and issues.
Registered Polysomnographic Technologist Paula Fairbank places a pulse oximeter on Bonnie Blazer's finger in the Sleep Clinic at Mercy Harvard Hospital on Tuesday evening. Blazer's sleep patterns were monitored overnight.

Registered polysomnographic technician and respiratory therapist Chris Henderson demonstrates a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device at the Northwest Sleep Center in Crystal Lake on Wednesday afternoon. The device is used to treat sleep apnea, which occurs when the upper airway becomes narrow as the muscles relax naturally during sleep.

back to school

From elementary schools to community colleges, we have been photographing lots of back to school stories lately. Here are some of my photos.

senior year

For a project we are starting for this school year, we are following Christina Bravos, a senior at Woodstock North High School. The high school will have its first graduating class since opening. Reporter Sarah Sutschek and I went back to school last Thursday, but only made it until third hour. AP Stats!? AP MicroEcon? AP Chem?! I'll stick with photography.

Christina Bravos laughs with friends during study hall second hour.