NOT IN LAUV “I Like Me Better” artist releases new single in anticipation of upcoming album. The debut episode of “Social Buddies,” a Honest opinion? We liked Lauv’s previous podcast hosted by Social Studies teachers work better. Lawler, Robinson, and Suess, broke 100 Read the review of Lauv’s most recent track streams within 24 hours of being published. “Tattoos Together” and the album preview Read about the new podcast on Page 6. of ~how i’m feeling~ on Page 3. 3900 E. Raab Road, Normal, Illinois, 61761 February 2020 Volume 72, Issue II Get‘ -d’ in Theatre program presents murder-mystery comedy Jessalyn Baer; Jaxon Creasey; Jillian Murphy Staff Reporters Dinner at a mansion turns into a hunt for a killer. Perhaps it was Miss Scarlett in the study with a pistol? Or could it be Colonel Mustard in the conservatory with a lead pipe? Discover who committed the most heinous crime - murder - as NCHS Theatre presents the classic whodunit in the upcoming production of Clue The play, which follows the structure of the well-known board game, was adapted for the stage by one of the screenwriters of the 1985 movie of the same name starring Tim Curry (The Rocky Horror Picture Show; Home Alone 2) and Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future trilogy). “You’re trying to figure out who did the murder in what room with what weapon,” Ms. Kevin Vernon, Theatre director, said. Nathanael Rardin (‘20), who plays Mr. Green in the production, describes the play as a “murder-mystery comedy”- a genre that works for the whole family. The plot revolves around “six people who show up to a mansion... have a little dinner [and] people die,” Rardin said. Vernon praised the ensemble cast, including Rardin, Andrew Short as Wadsworth, Maggie Schackley as Yvette, Aniya Thompson as Mrs. Peacock, Piper Coe as Mrs. White, Tom Brady as Colonel Mustard, and Aashish Thakur as Professor Plum, for their captivating senses of humor, creating a powerful stage presence for the audience to enjoy. “It’s completely ridiculous, it is total slapstick. Our favorite phrase is no joke too cheap, no punchline too far. And it’s really true,” Vernon said. “They’re not the kind of actors that take themselves too seriously.” Vernon explained that the cast’s humor was a large factor in the decision to add an additional performance the second weekend’s run - it is a “Marx Brothers, Three Stooges kind of humor,” she said. The play premieres on February 7, 2020, at 7 p.m., with additional performances on 8, 13, 14, and 15. Tickets are available for purchased at the door; $10 for adults and $5 for students. Visuals and Design: Jessalyn Baer 2 EDUCATE, CREATE, ELATE: Ironkids preschool fosters lifelong learning Photographer: Charlotte Calmes Charlotte Calmes how to communicate with parents in a This “play-based learning,” Mrs. Laura advertise our program, so most parents Staff Reporter professional way.” Thomas, preschool director and EYC I and learn of the preschool through word of With high school stressors consuming Educating Young Children I, the follow- II teacher, said, encourages socialization, mouth, and I will typically have a waiting students’ minds, preschool is often up course to Child Development, provides exploration and creativity, and it helps list.” remembered as “the good old days.” A high schoolers with the ability to effectively increase engagement during instructional Thomas believes that with the teen distant memory of simpler times where the plan and execute engaging lessons for the time. teachers challenging and encouraging the only concern was having the best spot on preschool’s two groups of 20 3-5-year- “When the weather is nice, we will do young children, each graduating class of the rug during story-time. olds. Throughout the year-long elective, nature walks, use our new play equipment, preschoolers leaves “kindergarten ready.” Delights such as playing hide-and-seek high schoolers practice interacting with or even play things like duck-duck-goose,” By the end of the school year, each high with new friends, singing songs to learn young children and learning to adjust to the Thomas said. schooler has also acquired an extensive the days of the week, and being pushed children’s ever-changing needs. When the children are confined to the list of skills to carry with them. A list on the swings at recess seem like a dream If the high schoolers choose to continue indoors, Thomas said activities like Play-Doh which includes patience, cooperation, and compared to the stresses of the “real world.” their studies, enrolling in Educating Young and dress-up are “quite popular” with the flexibility; skills Thomas believes will greatly The amount of pressure on students Children II, a dual-credit course offered in preschoolers. benefit them regardless of if they choose to builds with time, and high schoolers begin partnership with Heartland Community With features such as outdoor play continue in the field of education. longing for the sunshine and rainbows of College, their focus shifts toward leadership equipment, an art center, a reading corner, “No matter what, each high schooler still preschool, where life was play-based and in the preschool classroom and exploration a letter carpet, and multiple play areas filled learns a lot about how to handle behavior, painless. of the health and safety of the preschool with a never-ending collection of toys, the how to interact with others, and how to be Although this stress-free world of child. EYC II students analyze topics such teachers are capable of combining free- positive and encouraging, which serves as laughter and fun may seem like a fantasy as childhood illnesses and injuries, meal play with basic skills such as raising hands, a great groundwork for anything,” Thomas to most high schoolers, their version of planning, and the responsibilities of adults adding, and letter recognition. said. paradise can be found in room 19, where a to ensure the well-being of young children. While the introductory-level subject Although some students discover that group of 20 wide-eyed preschoolers indulge “Learning how to meet each individual matter taught at the Ironkids Preschool the field of education isn’t for them, the in the activities that strained, overwhelmed child’s needs is a huge focus throughout may be similar to other early education Educating Young Children program has high schoolers long for: drawing with chalk, EYC I and EYC II,” Abbie Lee (‘20), a student programs, the one-on-one attention and inspired nearly 15 recent graduates to blowing bubbles, and enjoying daily snack enrolled in Educating Young Children II, said. unique social experience that each young continue their studies and pursue a career time. “Each kid is so different, and I try to make student receives sets the preschool apart in education, including Katie Starkey. Greeted at the door by a familiar high sure each student is challenged and engaged from other pre-K programs in the area. Starkey is currently studying Middle school student, their “big kid buddy,” each in learning while also having fun.” Thomas has received numerous Level Education at Illinois State University preschooler is introduced to another day Each “big kid buddy” is assigned a compliments from parents who “loved because she “loves kids and wants to have of education and exploration. While the preschooler at the beginning of the year, the program for their kids” due to its a positive impact on their lives,” and she preschoolers may not be able to comprehend and the student is responsible for keeping emphasis on creating an enjoyable learning hopes to one day teach in Unit 5 as a way of the fact that their “buddy” is actually a high a portfolio tracking the child’s growth experience for each child while giving each “giving back to the teachers who have had a school student enrolled in Educating Young throughout the year while keeping the child’s preschooler the opportunity to interact large positive impact in my life.” Children, they do realize that their day will parents up-to-date with daily activities and with high schoolers who are invested in Both Owen and Lee plan to continue be filled with entertainment and education. assessments. educating themselves as well as others. studying education; Owen wishes to pursue Many “big kid buddies” use their “We get to see our own student grow Mrs. Pam Witzig, an art teacher whose a career in special education and Lee is experience at the Ironkids Preschool as between the fall and the spring, which four children attended Ironkids, said that looking at a possible career in elementary preparation for teaching in the professional shows how much they’ve learned,” Lee said, her children “always enjoyed being at education. world, where they will continue to make “and we’re teaching them so that they’re NCHS, and I [Witzig] consistently had a With the future ahead and years of sure that each early-learner is receiving prepared to be challenged.” great experience with the big kid buddies at experience behind them, these high a valuable and enjoyable introduction to To ensure that the early-learners are Ironkids.” schoolers are also looking to make as much education. adequately prepared for kindergarten Witzig’s own daughter, Grace, a current of an impact as they can on the lives of the “We are the main teachers at the and beyond, the teen teachers craft their junior, will be the first former preschooler to children that have already impacted them preschool, and when we’re not teaching, lessons around the Illinois Early Learning enroll in the course next school year.