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Education

When asking Ron Culver, the director of theatre at Lake Zurich High School, and his producer Kathy Koll what makes the theatre department what it is today, they are convinced that it is the passion and support of the townspeople, the administration, the students of the school and the student players that make this department and its productions hum. And hum they do, but it all starts with Culver and Koll’s ambitious and dedicated training and programming. Example – the 2007-2008 school year production schedule began in the fall with a straight play – Mary Zimmerman’s “Metamorphises.” In January 2008 they staged “High School Musical” – especially popular with the middle school/junior high set, and in spring of 2008 they’re pulling out all the stops for an all district production of “Wizard of Oz” – this with all age and manner of Munchkins participating.

The magic here is the magnetic quality in the leadership that draws in and inspires even the most reluctant. Because Director Culver’s and Producer Koll’s passions are educational theatre, they delight in teaching the diversely talented students a process and then seeing the synergy as they “get it.” “This all is a community building process,” says Culver. “We and the students get to know each other, and I strongly emphasize that it is all of us together that make the play come to fruition.” The result? Magic, lots of happy self-esteem and a community that’s button-poppin’ proud of its arts.

And that pride got a wonderful boost in 2004 with the opening of the Lake Zurich Performing Arts Center. Then there has been the recognition accorded by the Educational Theater Association. This recognition brought four of the Lake Zurich high school productions to perform at the coveted Illinois High School Theater Festival – Arthur Miller’s “All My Sons,” “Quilters” (a musical), “The Diviners” and the outrageously funny musical “Urinetown.” Moreover, “Urinetown” recently was recognized by USA Today as Best High School Musical in the State of Illinois.

The community’s pride in the arts extends beyond the performing arts to some outstanding art programs. Perhaps you recall the yesteryear “Picture Lady Program?” That popular effort has been expanded and updated to include volunteering moms and dads in a popular Parent Art Program.

Working in conjunction with Tracey Alberts and Karen Harwood, art teachers in the elementary schools, a committee of volunteers chooses the artists for the upcoming year and carefully plans the presentations the Art Parent volunteers will make.

Today, some 40 volunteers infuse their knowledge and enthusiasm into this outstanding Parent Art Program at May Whitney and Spencer Loomis Elementary Schools, providing the students approximately seven volunteer facilitated art lessons over the school year – one each month.

Busy volunteer lifestylers appreciate the turnkey ease of participating in this very dynamic program. It is clearly one of those special volunteer collaborations where everybody wins!

Frances Zaccarine chairs the Art Parent Committee for May Whitney Elementary School, and has participated in the Art Parent Program for the past four years with artists as diverse as Paul Klee, Michaelangelo and Mary Cassatt. “I find the kids are fascinated with the biographies of the artists – as well as with their art. It is enlightening for them to learn there are various ways to succeed – and that for some very well-known artists fame was a long time in coming.”

Art education enrichment is another aspect of art being integrated into the Lake Zurich schools. Becky Ejupi chairs the Art Parent Committee at Spencer Loomis Elementary School and is additionally enthused about the school’s Art Educational Enrichment Projects. In last year’s Project, students created a 15-foot high Chihuly-like sculpture of bright balloons. Some thought the magnificent towering sculpture had impact to rival the Chihuly installation at the entry to the Milwaukee Museum. This year’s Project? The students have undertaken a Jackson Pollock-like series of graduated murals, which, when completed, are to be permanently installed in the school cafeterias. The smallest mural is created by the youngest students and the generous 8x3 foot mural is created by the oldest.

Art continues to be a significant factor in the middle school/junior high years. Ellice Cortez, art teacher at South, treasures the opportunity to work with students in their middle school years. To her the art process provides an important outlet. “I want art to be a personal, positive experience for these kids. Their work provides them another medium to express the energy and enthusiasm – and the inevitable challenges – they encounter in these middle years.”

Donna Coninx, the art teacher for Lake Zurich North Middle/Junior High School, speaks of inspiring her students to explore and express by pushing beyond the hands-on art of their elementary school years to appreciate and incorporate today’s exciting new technology in their work. All the while she encourages her students to visually critique their own and others’ work. “This,” she says, “is to gain a rich understanding of the many different ways things can be expressed.”

Something to Crow About
Elgin Academy in Elgin is a non-religious based, accelerated college prep school serving preschool through high school students. The school is proud to be accredited by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), which also establishes a standard for proper practices. Erik Calhoun, director of Admissions and Financial Aid, says, “Elgin Academy is very proud to achieve 100 percent college placement.”

The Goddard School in Hawthorn Woods is owned by Karen Palmer. In this Piaget-based learning environment children 6 weeks to 6 years of age enjoy liberal arts for pre-schoolers. The diverse, learn-through-play curriculum is always fresh and growing and includes language arts, art history, yoga, manners, music appreciation, sign language, Spanish and more. The educational director Jennie McWilliams is on-site.

Northwest Christian Academy (NCA) in Lake Zurich is a non-denominational Christian school serving students from K4-8th grade. The school focuses on academic excellence, boasts a low
student-teacher ratio of 16-to-1, and offers enrichment through electives such as art, music, physical education and Spanish. “We assume the responsibility to creatively inspire and equip our students to be tomorrow’s critically thinking, Christ-centered leaders,” said Principal Jim Warfield. “Our mission is that our students will compassionately impact their world with integrity and excellence.”

St. Francis de Sales is a Roman Catholic school in Lake Zurich serving preschool through 8th grade students with a student-teacher ratio of 24-to-1. According to Roy Rash, principal of St. Francis de Sales, Spanish begins in the 2nd grade and after school math club opportunities begin in the 1st grade. The springtime drama production is especially popular for middle/junior high students. St. Francis de Sales is proud to be a member of the National Honor Society.