The Pantagraph from Bloomington, Illinois • Page 54

NORMAL COMMUNITY WsMIIGH SCHOOL September 15. 1995 12 The Pantagraph C-ttCfo LUCK '1 V. vw JTT.V-il Or -vi 1 Hi I 1 --f 1 -jr IE A Ttw PantagraphLLOYD YOUNG Counselor Tom Walters, right, helped freshman Tim Finck find his way to a class on the first day of school at Normal West. This "aerial" photo from the second floor caught students visiting in front of the NCWHS cafeteria on the opening day of classes last month. BEGIN From page 7 was not watching the principal on video or even seeing old friends and teachers.

Classes started as they have for decades at high schools, with a roll-call full of mispronunciations and the first homework assignment In Dan Kuglich's Literature, Composition and Research class (LCR for short) loud groans were heard when the dreaded words research paper were mentioned. But the papers, essays and other writing assignments would others. One of his annual missions as an English teacher is to draw the students in and keep them interested in writing while allowing them to enjoy their time in his classroom. "We're going to laugh every day, but we'll be serious about learning," he said. come soon enough.

The only assignment that first day in LCR was for one student to make up a word, also known as a "sniglet," for the handle that cranks up a car window. "By far, the liveliest group I've had all day. It should be a good class," Kuglich said, adding that there will definitely be a seating chart the next day because "some people obviously should not be sitting near one another." Kuglich had been through many first day3 as a teacher at Normal Community, and this was in many ways no different than any of the i Wfi wflrininflip iffniininiflftiiiflin mnflnMBM whwiwiifii wit USEES New booster clubs will provide support for West Laborers' Local Congratulates (Boosters) 'allow us to do a lot of things we couldn't do otherwise. They help pay for scholarships for kids to attend campus and help us out other ways George York, Unit Five music director jmuiItl By RANDY GLEASON Pantagraph staff When it comes to booster clubs, Normal Community West is just getting started. But school officials say most clubs will be up and running within a few months.

The athletic booster club is known as the Spirit Club. It's main function is to encourage students and parents to support the athletic teams through game attendance and regular cheering. The Spirit Club also provides a hospitality room for parents attending sports events. Gary Woods, athletic director for Unit 5, said the Spirit Club is not designed to be a fund-raising organization. A few hundred dollars trickle In from various contributors each year, but that's not the purpose of the Spirit Club.

He said the Normal West Spirit Club will probably be organized by late November. Unit 5 also has a music parents organization that helps raise money and encourage kids to participate in the music programs. In addition to the umbrella 'group for the entire district, each high school has a separate group for its band, orchestra and choir. George York, director of the music program for Unit 5, said the boosters are critical to the music program. "They allow us to do a lot of things we couldn't do otherwise," he said.

"They help pay for scholarships for kids at- students, teachers and parents Thanks to All Union Contractors and Workers for a job well done! Laborers' International Union of North America AFL-CIO Local 362 2005 Cabintown Rd. Bloomington, IL tend campus and help us out other ways financially." Meanwhile, Patty Stark, president of Parents Teacher Organization at Normal Community West, said many students and parents have volunteered for projects. One of the PTO's main goals, Stark said, it to get kids involved with school operations and give them hands-on experience. For example, they're thinking about making the accounting club or class in charge of keeping the books. The marketing club will make recommendations on fundraisers.

The PTO will also raise funds to help support student clubs and other student activities. "With state aid not being what it used to be, we will take applications to give grants for clubs, sports and projects that kids come up with," she said. 828-4368.