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You can feel a special energy walking through the long, clean corridors and neatly organized classrooms of Ogden Avenue School. It's reflected in motivated students and inspiring teachers. It radiates from its charismatic principal of 15 years, Dr. Cynthia Boudreau. And it manifests in the colorful and compelling art - remarkable sculptures, mobiles, paintings, ceramics, textiles, and mosaics - that decorate walls and hang from ceilings - joyfully celebrating life in all its creativity diversity. Its an Ogden Avenue School tradition to share its energy and joy with the community - both through its learning and leadership mission - and in an active hands-on vocation of giving - a tradition of service honored each year by its graduating 6th grade class in the
form of community service. This year, with the guidance of Dr. Boudreau and involved parent, Karen Niedermeyer - supported by dozens of parents and teachers - the 6th graders raised over $5,000 and joined hands and opened hearts in packaging Outreach's nutritious meals of pasta and cheese for hungry children and their families in the greater Chicago region. The 6th graders took their mission seriously, gathering promptly on Saturday, January 21, 2012, in a large open room - listening attentively to the detailed training. Students observed stringent food safety protocols - gowning-up in aprons and hairnets, disinfecting hands, and donning gloves. But while quality production was paramount - it was also great fun. Swaying to fast-beat, pulsing music,students formed into production lines, assembling meals from bins of pasta and soy, adding cheese packages fortified with protein, nutrients, and vitamins, and carefully weighing, heat-sealing and then packing into boxes. And when the boxing was complete, joining in a throaty cheer to celebrate their gift of life to those in need. The students’ $5,000 translates into 20,000 Outreach meals, which are distributed through a local network of soup kitchens and food pantries to feed a growing population of hungry children - nearly one out of four in northern Illinois.
Ogden Avenue School (http://www.dist102.k12.il.us/schools/ogdenavenue) is a K - 6th grade elementary school in La Grange School District 102. With 650+ students, it is one of the pre-eminent public schools in the region - among the few public elementary schools in Illinois to receive a distinguished Great Schools Rating of 9 out of 10. In addition to the standard curriculum, the school offers art, Spanish, physical education and music programs.
form of community service. This year, with the guidance of Dr. Boudreau and involved parent, Karen Niedermeyer - supported by dozens of parents and teachers - the 6th graders raised over $5,000 and joined hands and opened hearts in packaging Outreach's nutritious meals of pasta and cheese for hungry children and their families in the greater Chicago region. The 6th graders took their mission seriously, gathering promptly on Saturday, January 21, 2012, in a large open room - listening attentively to the detailed training. Students observed stringent food safety protocols - gowning-up in aprons and hairnets, disinfecting hands, and donning gloves. But while quality production was paramount - it was also great fun. Swaying to fast-beat, pulsing music,students formed into production lines, assembling meals from bins of pasta and soy, adding cheese packages fortified with protein, nutrients, and vitamins, and carefully weighing, heat-sealing and then packing into boxes. And when the boxing was complete, joining in a throaty cheer to celebrate their gift of life to those in need. The students’ $5,000 translates into 20,000 Outreach meals, which are distributed through a local network of soup kitchens and food pantries to feed a growing population of hungry children - nearly one out of four in northern Illinois.
Ogden Avenue School (http://www.dist102.k12.il.us/schools/ogdenavenue) is a K - 6th grade elementary school in La Grange School District 102. With 650+ students, it is one of the pre-eminent public schools in the region - among the few public elementary schools in Illinois to receive a distinguished Great Schools Rating of 9 out of 10. In addition to the standard curriculum, the school offers art, Spanish, physical education and music programs.
