DELIVER TO BOXHOLDER PRSRT. STD. U.S. POSTAGE PAID ALEXIS, IL 61412 STORM PERMIT NO. 9 THE United High School Newspaper Volume 4, Issue 4 TRACKER IN THIS ISSUE: Seven named state scholars Board approves repairs p. 2 Seven students at United High Max Christy, son of Terry and School have been named 2008 Betsy Christy of Little York, will Holiday spirit hits UHS p. 3 State Scholars by the Illinois be choosing between Northern Student Assistance Commission Illinois University and Bradley New ag shop opens p. 4 (ISAC). University to continue his stud- Illinois State Scholar winners ies; Patrick Hollis, son of Jim Elementary menus p. 5 rank in the top ten percent of and Sherry Hollis of Kirkwood, the state’s high school seniors who plans to pursue a degree at Banner auction scheduled p. 7 from 711 high schools in all 102 St. Ambrose University; Larissa counties. Prentice, daughter of Margie Basketball recap p. 8 Selection is based on ACT test Prentice of Cameron, who plans scores and the students’ class to earn an accounting or business STORM ALERTS rank at the end of their junior degree; Preston Schrader, son of Winter weather advisory year. Marshall and Julie Schrader of Honored for their academic Obviously, winter weather is Monmouth, who plans to earn a achievement were Sarah Arm- upon us and time once again to degree in engineering; and Taylor strong, daughter of Kathy remind United familes about Willett, daughter of Sarah Willett Armstrong and Kent Armstrong school cancellation policies. of Cameron, who plans to study of Monmouth, who plans to On days when weather biochemical engineering. continue her education at the prohibits schools from being The United Board of Educa- University of Iowa; Ben Bat- open, the superintendent’s office tion, administration and faculty tenburg, son of Dr. James and will issue calls via the district’s extend their congratulations to Tana Battenburg of Monmouth, Pictured left to right: Ben Battenburg, Patrick Hollis, Sarah automated phone system to these exceptional students on who has selected Monmouth Armstrong, Taylor Willett, Larissa Prentice, Max Christy and all home in the district where receiving this prestigious honor. College to further his studies; Preston Schrader. students reside. If you did not receive these calls during the two days in December when school was Moment of silence ruled unconstitutional cancelled due to the ice storm, By Hannah Youngquist The District 214 representa- vague and raises serious church- well violate the constitutional please contact Mr. Whitsitt’s On October 11, 2007, the Il- office at 482-3344 to confirm tives told the judge they would state issues. The statute would separation of church and state. linois State legislature passed continue to enforce the law, with be constitutional if all it did was “The statute is vague as to what your correct phone number a law requiring a moment of is entered into the automated a 15-second moment of silence mandate silence, he said. But it activities are permitted during silence in classrooms across the without any reference to religion. goes further, offering students the period of silence,” he noted. system. state. Additionally, school In his preliminary injunc- a choice between prayer and “It seems to the court, from the This act has always been a part tion holding up enforcement of thinking about the activities of representations made by cancellations are announced of the Illinois school code, but on WMOI and WRAM in the statute, U.S. District Judge the day. Forcing children to make the law has been slightly altered Robert Gettleman said the law is that choice, held Gettleman, may See “Silence” on pg. 2 Monmouth, WRMJ in Aledo, to fit the legislature’s desires. and WGIL, WAAG and WLSR The law now states: “In each in Galesburg. public school classroom the School cancellations are also teacher in charge shall (used to Peoria Rivermen to host United Night posted on WHBF-4, KWQC-6, be may) observe a brief period of Mark your calendars for Canadian national anthem prior $1 Chips! Also, there will be WQAD-8 and KLJB-18. silence with the participation of Sunday, February 24, and plan to the game, with the United Fun-on-the-Run Inflatables along If watching television for all the pupils therein assembled to head to Peoria to help United High School band following up with The Unique Twist Balloon cancellations, make sure to look at the opening of every school High School celebrate its “night” with The Star Spangled Banner. Animals and Face Painting by for United School District #304. day. This period shall not be con- with the Peoria Rivermen. The United band’s drumline is the Zoo Lady. On days when school is ducted as a religious exercise but The Rivermen, the Triple-A af- also expected to perform. All United community mem- cancelled due to weather, there shall be an opportunity for silent filiate of the St. Louis Blues, will United volleyball coach Donn bers buying tickets will have will be no sports practices. prayer or silent reflection on the play host to the Manitoba Moose, Damos and captains Caiti Tucker their names put into a drawing However, decisions on whether anticipated activities of the day.” a Vancouver Canucks farm team, and Courtney Young will be for Peoria Rivermen yearbooks to play games will be made on a Prior to this bill, the state of with a 4:00 p.m. face-off. on-ice prior to the game for a and an uncut sheet of trading day-to-day basis Illinois already gave schools The United choir will sing the ceremonial puck drop to com- cards featuring the 25 greatest the option of having a moment memorate Damos’ 200th career players in Rivermen history. of silence. The new legislation, Website changes win and his team’s Elite Eight In the team’s 25+ years, dozens however, requires all schools to appearance earlier this year. of players have graduated to the If you haven’t seen the participate. Tickets for the game, normally National Hockey League. In United High School website in The House passed this change $13, are specially priced at $10 fact, three ontime Rivermen goal- recent weeks you will notice a and sent it to Gov. Rod Blagojev- each and are available by calling ies (Curtis Joseph, Guy Hebert difference when you sign in. ich in May. In August Blago- United Athletic Director Tony and Jon Casey) have played in Mrs. Eyler and Mrs. Macek jevich vetoed it saying, “ The Kozelichki at 734-9411. the NHL All-Star Game. have worked to improve the site separation of church and state All attending must have a Both the parent club Blues and in recent weeks to make it more is a centerpiece of our Constitu- ticket and no passes will be al- the Rivermen have shown great user friendly. tion.” lowed. improvement over a year ago The webstie has links to The General Assembly then Tickets must be purchased by in this season’s first couple of student grades and school menus, went on to override his veto by a Friday, February 8, in order to months, with several NHL scouts as well as contact numbers and vote of 74-37 in October. ensure the $10 price. as being quoted as seeing the e-mail addresses. Atheist activist and talk radio Peoria Rivermen forward Yan United students wishing to at- Rivermen contend for the Ameri- Additionally, Mrs. Olson, our host Rob Sherman filed a lawsuit Stastny has seen NHL action tend will have the option of rid- can Hockey League champion- athletic director’s secretary, against Township High School with the Edmonton Oilers and ing a bus to and from the game. ship by season’s end. updates the school calendars District 214, where Sherman’s Boston Bruins. His hockey All Sunday afternoon River- The night is also designated on a regular basis to show new daughter is a student, challenging bloodline includes Hall of Fame men games are designated PJ “FFA Night” with thousands of events, as well as those whose the constitutionality of this law, father Peter, along with uncles Star/Insight “Fun-on-the-Run FFA members from throughout schedules have changed in recent Sherman believes “it is a Anton and Marian and brother Family Day.” central Illinois, including United, weeks. attempt to inject religion into Paul, all of whom have exten- Before the game from 3-4 p.m., in attendance. The school’s web address is public schools.” www.united.k12.il.us sive NHL experience. enjoy $1 Hotdogs, $1 Coke, and STORM TRACKER Board contracts Honeywell for Life-Safety repairs 1905 100th Street Monmouth, IL 61462 By Laura Stahl in which the store is challenging posal to hold this year’s gradu- letters of resignation were ap- 309-734-9411 This month’s school board its property tax assessment. ation at Monmouth College’s proved by the board for Darlene meeting took place Thursday, Should Shopko prevail in get- Glenny Gymnasium on Sunday, Crumey as fourth grade teacher The Storm Tracker is published December 13. ting its assessment lowered, the May 25, at 2:00 p.m. and Nancy Martin as junior-high monthly by the journalism students of United High School, is printed through The district approved a contract United School District stands Cost of setting up and cleaning math teacher, effective after the the facilities of The Register-Mail, and with engineering firm Honeywell to lose $10,000 in property tax after the graduation is being split close of the 2011-2012 school is distributed to residents of CUSD Corporation for mandated Life funds.