On behalf of the Coovling family, the Hauser PTO was asked to share the following sad news with the broader Hauser PTO community. A Hauser 7th grade student, Peter Coovling Jr., lost his father to a severe allergic reaction late last week. The family and friends visitation and funeral arrangements are planned for Saturday, February 25, 2012, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Our thoughts and prayers are with Peter and his family at this very difficult time.

More information can be found at: obituaries.mysuburbanlife.com/obituaries/chicagosuburbannews/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=155920943

The next Hauser PTO meeting will be Friday, February 3, 2012, at 10 a.m., in the LRC (Library). The agenda is available here: Hauser PTO Mtg Agenda – Feb 2012.

There will be reports on several exciting, upcoming events, as well as news on the PTO Nominating Committee for next year’s PTO Board.

We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.

In our small, close-knit community of Riverside, the dangers of the world can often seem far away … until you go online. According to the Illinois Attorney General’s Office:

• 58% of kids admit someone has said mean or hurtful things to them online — more than 40% say it happened more than once.
• 53% of kids admit having said something mean or hurtful to another person online — more than 1 in 3 have done so more than once.
• 58% have not told their parents or an adult about something mean or hurtful that happened to them online.

Cyberbullying – through cell phones, social media, e-mail, or Web sites — can have a serious impact on a child’s life and behavior. To learn how to deal with cyberbullying and other Internet safety issues, don’t miss the District 96 PTA/O’s 2012 Guest Speaker Sarah Migas, an Internet Safety Specialist from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, on Tuesday, February 7 at 7:30 p.m., at Blythe Park School’s auditorium, 735 Leesley Rd, Riverside.

Download the event notice.

Are you missing a Roadrunner Yearbook from a previous year? There are stacks of free books, from
2004-2011,  in the Central office . Come and get them! They will be recycled if not picked up by the end of this week. If you are unable to pick it up in person at the school, e-mail Amy Jacksic at pres-amy@centralptonews.org to make arrangements.

The January meeting of the Hauser PTO has been moved to Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012, at 7 p.m., in the library. It was originally slated for the Wed., Jan. 11, at 6 p.m. The All-District speaker scheduled for that same evening also has been postponed, to a date still to be confirmed.

See you on January 19th.

Central School’s KidsCare program was organized to promote the importance and impact of charity. This year, KidsCare has the opportunity to help up to 30 families, more than ever before, but Central needs your help. While the number of Riverside families in need has risen this year, donations have dropped.

If you can find it in your heart this holiday season to make a donation, of any size, please put it in an envelope marked “KidsCare c/o Central PTO” and drop it off in the Hauser office, by Friday, Dec. 16. If you have any questions about how this money will be used, please contact Cheryl Dowling at chdowling@aol.com

Thank you very much for your generosity.

According to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, nearly one in four Cook County children are food insecure. Beginning Thursday, Dec. 1, Hauser students will do their part to fill some cupboards: the school is aiming to collect a record 85,000 cans during its 41st annual Holiday Food Drive.

Hauser has been the top can collector for the Salvation Army in Illinois for 40 years. Although the 2010 Food Drive brought in an all-time high of 80,000 cans for the Salvation Army facility in Englewood, the need is simply daunting. “The food we donate usually lasts the year,” said Ms. Kempe, Hauser athletic director, and one of the food drive organizers. “Last year’s donation only lasted about three months.”

Because charity truly does begin at home, in 2011, in addition to donating to the Salvation Army, Hauser will fill the shelves of the Riverside Township Food Pantry. Community residents are also invited to support Hauser’s annual Food Drive, by donating food items or making monetary donations (checks payable to Riverside Public Schools), which will be used to purchase pallets of food from Ultra Foods in Lombard.

Make sure to stop by the Food Drive booth set up to collect donations at the Riverside Holiday Stroll on Friday, Dec. 2, from 6-9 p.m. Download the attached flyer and head to Applebee’s between 11 a.m.-11 p.m., on Tuesday, Dec. 6, and the Food Drive will be receive 15 percent of your bill. PoWeR Windows & Gutters, a locally owned maintenance company, is also collecting donations.

Students who bring in 200 food items or a cash equivalent (4 cans/$1 Dec. 1-4; 3 cans/$1 after that) will be able to set up the display in the Hauser Auditorium on Thursday, Dec. 15. That evening, from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m., Hauser will open its doors to the public to see the display, and welcome a visit from Santa at 7:00 p.m.

Parent volunteers are needed throughout the Food Drive, to accept donations, count cans, and move delivered food. To volunteer, contact Kathie Kunish at kskunish@speakeasy.net. For more information about the Food Drive, contact one of the following staff: Katie Kempe at kempek@district96.org; Jodi Bauer at bauerj@district96.org; Renee Blondin at blondinr@district96.org; or Amanda Johnson at johnsona@district96.org.

Hauser Jr. High School will be performing one of Britain’s longest running comedies, Charley’s Aunt, next Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 15 and 16, 2011, at 7 p.m., in the school’s auditorium. The three-act farce, written by Brandon Thomas, is one of the most beloved and performed plays in high schools, colleges, and community theaters. It has a musical spin off and been made into at least three movies.

“This could be one of the most enjoyable shows that we have ever performed. It’s just plain funny,” said Dave Mason, one of the co-directors of the show.

“We are so excited to be presenting such a well-known comedy to the Riverside community. Rehearsals have been lots of fun, and the kids have truly enjoyed the witty, quick-paced dialogue,” said Karina Koncius, the show’s other co-director.

In the comedy, college gents are trying to impress their girls, but can only spend time with them in the company of a chaperone. Charley’s aunt promises to come for luncheon, but cancels at the last minute. In her place, one of the gents’ friends dresses up as an older lady and pretends to be Charley’s aunt. What more needs to be said? The situation speaks for itself!

The performances are free and open to the public, and donations are welcome.

This year’s Red Ribbon Week, an annual campaign to prevent drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse, will be Oct. 23-30. Hauser will celebrate with daily activities organized by seventh and eighth graders participating in S.M.A.R.T. Club, including a parent presentation on Thursday evening.

Red Ribbon Week, which generally takes place the last full week in October, is the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the United States. It dates back nearly 25 years, as a tribute to DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, who was kidnapped, tortured and killed by drug traffickers in Mexico in 1985, while working undercover to stem the flow of illegal drugs into the U.S.


Monday, October 24: Wear Red Day. Red Ribbons will be distributed to the Hauser community, and S.M.A.R.T. Club members will participate in the Walk to the Billboard & Rally with students from Komarek and S.E. Gross.
Tuesday, October 25: Turn Your Back on Drugs/Wear Your Clothes Backwards Day.
Wednesday, October 26: Don’t Slip into Drugs/Wear Slippers (or sandals) to School Day.
Thursday, October 27: Student Assembly with Imagination Theater, and Parent Presentation featuring Bryan Silver.
Friday, October 28: Announcement of poster contest winners
Saturday, October 29: S.M.A.R.T. Club trip to Great America

On Tuesday and Wednesday, eighth graders will visit local elementary schools to discuss drug abuse prevention.

On Thursday evening, from 7-8 p.m., in Hauser’s library, parents will have the opportunity to learn strategies for encouraging preteens and teens to make positive decisions about drugs, alcohol, friends, school, and family at this year’s Red Ribbon Week Parent Presentation. It will feature Bryan Silver, a general practitioner with Heritage Professional Associates, and is open to all parents.

To learn more about Red Ribbon Week online, visit www.redribboncoalition.com and justice.gov/dea/ongoing/redribbon_factsheet.html