Westmoor Girl Scouts Collect More Than 2,200 Books During Drive

Bernie's Book Bank just got about 2,230 new titles thank to Westmoor Girl Scouts' book drive for at-risk children.

It took the Westmoor School students about two weeks to collect more than 2,230 new and gently used books for Bernie’s Book Bank, a not-for-profit organization dedicatedto providing books for children in low-income neighborhoods. Junior Girl Scout Troop 41111 led the effort, setting grade-level goals and school-wide goals, making classroom announcements and counting the books throughout the drive. In mid-November, the scouts made a final count and boxed up all the books for Jessie Urban, Director of Operations and Logistics for Bernie’s Book Bank. Urban visited Westmoor on Nov. 16 to pick up the books and talk with the scouts about the organization’s mission. According to the Bernie’s Book Bank website, more than 60 percent of low-income …

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The Circus Comes to Northbrook

Youngsters at Meadowbrook and Westmoor schools enjoy a day of clowning around and doing other stuff as they bring their own "big top" to life.

Children of all ages got to do what many of us can only imagine doing - joining a circus. That's what youngsters at Meadowbrook and Westmoor schools in Northbrook did this week as they actually learned the ropes of becoming big top performers. Juggling, balancing on balls, riding on way-to-small tricycles and oversized bicycles like clowns - it was all on the card as Cirque Amongus visited the campuses Tuesday and Wednesday for some fun. Many got plied with circus make-up and donned silly hats and clothes to make the day even more, well, circus-like.

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The Circus Comes to Northbrook

Students at Meadowbrook School to create their own "big-top" experience today.

Children (and even some adults) have wondered what it would be like to run away and join a circus. Now it appears they won't have to - at least in Northbrook for the circus is coming to them. Cirque Amongus is in town to teach the fine art of being in a circus. The troop will be at Meadowbrook School today. The entire school will be a part of their show under the "big top." Juggling, moving and balancing will be highlights that the troop will teach youngsters, who will learn hands-on programs all designed to build self-esteem, develop motor schools and promote teamwork. During the morning youngsters will learn the fine art of juggling, moving and balancing like circus performers. Teachers and volunteers will be transformed into circus arts…

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Kenyan Parliament Member Visits D. 28, Raises Funds For Education in Nairobi Slum

District's annual Concert For Africa will be held Friday, Jan. 27.

Fred Outa grew up scrounging for food in the garbage cans of nice hotels and restaurants, as an orphan living in the streets of one of Kenya’s poorest slums. Today, he’s a member of his country’s parliament and the founder of two schools for impoverished “street” children like he once was. Outa came to speak to fifth graders at Westmoor School on Wednesday as part of a visit to Northbrook for District 28’s Eighth Annual Concert for Africa, an event that raises funds for Outa’s school in a Nairobi slum as well as a second school he plans just for girls in the countryside. The concert is organized by retired Westmoor School secretary Sue Vaickauski, who met Outa during a trip to Africa in 2004 and set up the Fred Outa Foundation to support …

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Northbrook, in Pictures

PHOTOS: Students Create Human Flag To Mark 9/11 Anniversary

Westmoor students commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Wearing red, white and blue, elementary school students at Westmoor School filed into the school's gymnasium Friday morning and, with the help of teachers, gradually formed themselves into the shape of the American flag. The demonstration was part of the school's commemoration of the 10th anniversary of 9/11. After holding formation for sevearl photos, the students recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the National Anthem, led by Principal Christopher Finch. Westmoor School students, who range in age from kindergarten to fifth grade, may be too young to have memories of the actual events.  Most if not all of them were not even born when the events of 9/11 occured. "I teach fifth grade, so some of my kids were alive, but I tell them …

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