End of the year

With the year winding down, there are some things that I would like to reflect on.

This has been a whirlwind year and I have enjoyed each and every day being your teacher. You have taken risks and met challenges in your writing and reading and that is all I can ask of you. You have inspired others with your words (including me!) and have made a difference in our writing community.

This year was the first year that I have tried "The Circle of Trust." I have been blown away by how honest and open you have been in class and how you bring your most raw emotions to our class family. Thank you for this. THAT is the reason why I teach. (I just wish that could be measured on a standardized test...You'd all exceed all of the expectations that are put on you. But that's another story...) You have let us into your life and we have related with you creating a bond that cannot be broken.

Please keep writing. Please keep reading. Please keep sharing your stories. This is how our world will heal itself.

I have become a better person after getting to know each of you.

LTAB 2013 Performers

We had a great turnout for our LTAB try-outs. This is the first year that Plainfield is participating in LTAB and I am very excited to be able to experience this with all of you. When I realized that this should be a "team voting" system in the beginning of the year, I was a bit concerned with how it would work and if it would be fair. I truly believe that you have been responsible voters and have been fair and encouraging to everyone who has tried out. And, quite honestly, it makes it easier for me...I have ONE vote just like each of you. These results are not because ONE person decided--rather, the group decided who is representing for each performance. Each of you has more courage than I EVER did as a young adult and I want you to be encouraged by this opportunity. Never discouraged. You are all amazing and extremely talented writers with so much to say. The creativity that comes out of you is something that is powerful and inspiring. Please know that it's not about the points, it's about the poetry. You will hear that throughout the LTAB experience. It's not about "winning" as a team or as a representative to "be on" our team. You are always a part of our team even if you did not get selected for this performance or if you haven't been able to attend the meetings. You are always welcome to drop in. Anytime. It's about sharing your thoughts with others and making connections with other poets from all over the Chicagoland area. It's going to be a life-changing experience for all of us.

The votes are in and the following students have been chosen to represent Plainfield in Louder Than A Bomb National Poetry Competition 2013.

Plainfield East High School:

Group Piece- Raphael, Niani, Donna, and Deniece (Alternate: Lindsey)

Indys-

1. Rapheal

2. Lindsey

3. Victoria

4. Deniece

Alternate: Niani

John F. Kennedy Middle School:

Group Piece- Jordan, Paige, Esmeralda, Caitlin (Alternate: TBD)

Indys-

1. Jordan

2. Esmeralda

3. Caitlin

4. Lota

Alternate: Nneka

Congrats to all of the performers and a huge thank you to all poets who tried out. We are a TEAM and YOU have voted for these poets so as a TEAM we will support our group through thick and thin!

Upcoming LTAB competition and poetry club info

We have MANY things on our horizon! It's going to be a whirlwind for the next couple of months--but it's going to be GREAT!

Invitational Feedback: First and foremost, you all did a great job at the invitational at JFK. The talent that you possess shines through. A poetry competition is much different than a basketball game or other sports event in that it's not about the points-- it's about the poetry; it's about the connection that people make though poetry and the magic that comes from expressing such an intimate part of you to an audience. Your words are gifts and all people who get on the mic should be respected for having the courage to do so. I promise that as you see poets from other schools that you have heard in the past, you will feel a bond with them that was not there before hearing their piece. It's really a wonderful experience and hence the reason that I am a LTAB poet stalker. I love seeing poets perfect their craft and grow into their words each year. I truly feel like it is a gift when I am able to hear such young intellects share their innermost thoughts with me and to a group. I feel lucky that you trust me with your stories and present me with your words. I love my job and you are the reason why I do. Enough of that....before I ugly cry....

We will be viewing performances from the invitational on Thursday at Poetry Club. Former PEHS student, now DePaul student, Ben Williams will be our guest at Thursday's meeting.

Far West LTAB Regional Competition: This year the regional competition will be held in West Chicago at "Community High School" at 326 Joliet Street on Saturday, January 12. Try-outs for this competition will be THIS THURSDAY, December 6 from 3-4:30 in JFK room 132. We will be taking 3 individual poets and one group poem of 4 PER team with one individual alternate poet from both the middle school and the high school level. The alternate poet will perform is someone is sick or cannot compete at the competition. You may try out multiple individual poems and/or you may also try-out as an individual and as part of a group. At this point, transportation is NOT being provided to this competition. Carpooling is encouraged. I can take a couple of poets in my car with permission forms only.

Bracketed LTAB Competition 2013: LOUDER THAN A BOMB (LTAB) IS HERE. Dun! Dun! DAAAAA! Get excited because this is the first year that Plainfield is officially competiting in the entire LTAB experience. It should be one that you will never forget. There are many competitions that are involved with LTAB. Starting with the Preliminaries, we will be bracketed against teams all over the Chicagoland area. Individual poets will advance as they win onto Semi-Finals and Finals. Group poems will simply advance to Finals. Each of these competitions are on separate dates. As of right now, the only competition that will have a bus provided will be Preliminaries since all poets who we choose will perform on that day. We will also be taking approximately 30 non-performing "fans" ($10 to go for the day). This is happening tentatively on Saturday, February 23 at Columbia College OR Saturday, March 2 (we are still waiting to hear back as to which day they can schedule both bouts for both teams on the same Saturday). We will most likely be there all day because there will be two bouts (rounds) per team (HS and MS). More specific details will be emailed when I receive them. Try-outs for Preliminaries (and the REST OF LTAB competitions) will be in room 132 on January 31 from 3-4:30. We will vote on four individual poets and one group of 4 team along with two alternates PER team (HS and MS level). You may try-out multiple individual poems and/or you may also try-out as an individual and as part of a group.

Please understand that if you are chosen as a poet representative and you proceed on to the next round (semi-finals/finals), you may be responsible for obtaining transportation to the competition. I will attend all competitions as long as our poets are still competing but I have limited amount of space in my car to transport poets. Any poets that I transport will have to have a signed permission form.

I want to encourage ALL club members to attend the Team Finals on March 9th at Cadillac Theatre. It is an AMAZING show. I will determine if transportation will be provided after scoping out interest among the club. If we do get a bus, there will be a fee attached to cover expenses. But all poets and families are welcome to attend all competitions but especially this one (even if we are out of the competition at this point).

Clothing and book sales: We have a limited amount of "cash and carry" t-shirts that we are selling for poetry club. All profit will go towards the $200 LTAB registration fee per team. T-Shirts are $10. Hoodies are being pre-ordered for $18. We would like all poetry club members to purchase at least a t-shirt this year to promote the club and to show unity at competitions. Please let me know if money is an issue.

Also, Kevin Coval's books are still on sale until December 6 ending at 4:30 (after club). "L-Vis Lives" is $10 and "Chef Keef" is $5. I will be giving him any unsold books back to him on December 6th when I see him in the evening. If you would like to purchase clothing or a book, please have money with you at club on Thursday or see me during the day at school.

Attached Schedule: Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns with the attached schedule. We will go over it at club on Thursday.

Parent (and staff) Chaperones: We are desperately needing parent chaperones to assist supervision on February 23 at Columbia College whether you are performing at the competition or not. Parents will be added to the fan bus at no cost. My goal is to have a large group attending the preliminaries but I cannot bring a large group with only two chaperones: Miss Nomura and me. Please let me know if your parent(s)/teachers are willing to join us on our adventure!

Social Networking: If you have a social network site, use it to positively promote the things that we as a club are working on! Invite your friends to attend club meetings and remind friends about try-outs and competitions. Invite your families to all performances and share your experiences.

Permission Forms: For any competition that transportation will be provided by the school bus or by me, a permission form must be obtained. Permission forms can be found at http://www.psd202.org/pshs/band/resources/forms/tripconsentform.pdf

Get ready because the next couple of months are going to blow your mind! It's such an exciting time of the year! I cannot WAIT to see what poem you are trying-out on Thursday. We have such a talented group and I am positive that voting will be hard for each of us to determine the next line-up of competitors. Bring your A-Game!

See you this Thursday!

Spoken Word Invitational and Info

Congratulations to all of the participants in the Spoken Word Invitational on November 16th! Of all three teams, JFK was the only middle school team...and they won! But, it's not about the points, it's about the poetry and experiences that poets share with others. What a great experience for all who attended and a great showcase of the talented kids in Plainfield. PEHS came in second! Pictures can be found at password: spokenword All proceeds will go towards sending our group of kids to LTAB in February. Poetry Club has a limited supply of poetry anthologies and t-shirts available. Please let me know if you are interested in any of the following goodies. "Keef" by Kevin Coval $5 "E-Vis Lives" by Kevin Coval $10 *Book sales over on December 6 at 4:30. Clothing: (See attached artwork-- black material; white screen) T-Shirt $10 Hoodie $18 Also, Young Chicago Authors is presenting "The Chicago Annual of Style" show on December 6th from 7-10 at The Metro. This is a fundraiser to aid in providing all of the amazing support that YCA offers Chicagoland (and Plainfield) teens. So far, YCA has hosted (and paid for) four JFKMS students at "Check the Method" poetry camp this past summer, sent me to the Creative Writing Festival this month at The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and has sent Kevin Coval to our school last week---all free of charge because this is the type of people that they are--they just want students to be involved with reading and writing. This will be the group that hosts "Louder Than a Bomb" competition in late February. early March in which we will be sending a middle school and a high school team to compete. We are hoping to also have a fan bus go to support our poets. If you are interested in getting involved, please let me know. It's going to be a great event and a great year with YCA. Students will be trying out for "Slammin The Sun Down: West Suburban Regional Slam" during the poetry club meeting on December 6 from 3-4:30. The slam will be hosted in West Chicago on January 12. Last year Team Plainfield competed and took first place along with Best Poet of the Night--Deniece Gutierrez. This year we will be bringing a high school and a middle school team. Please feel free to join us for try-outs or at the competition on January 12. Thanks for supporting literacy!

Performance Poetry is Poppin' in Plainfield, people!

We have a couple extremely exciting, never been attempted opportunities for our school and community happening next week. Spoken Word Invitational - November 16 (night event) from 6-9 Our poetry club has fused together with PEHS's Poetry Club this year in order to create a student-to-student mentoring program and a combined competitive poetry team. As you may know, Lawrence "Binkey" Tolefree and Harold Green III were here in October to workshop all eighth graders. They will be back a week from today, November 16 from 6-9 hosting our first annual Spoken Word Poetry Invitational. We have a huge show planned: 5 schools, 5 judges, and Harold and Binkey will host. We have invited a 4-piece ensemble jazz band from PEHS to seat the audience and play during the intermission. There will be a professional photographer capturing the experience for the poets and the audience. There will be a jewelry vendor selling very cool leather/copper/rock pieces. We will have our former student Naki Jones selling her handcrafted duct-tape pens. We have PTA providing refreshments. We will also be selling t-shirts (see attached artwork) and poetry books of Kevin Coval, Nate Marshall, Harold Green III, and Jamilla Woods. I have hired a DJ to play between sets and we will have it staged and lighted properly. This is a HUGE show that I am expecting a HUGE turnout. Last year I planned for about 50 people and we had between 300-400 people show up for our first showcase. I need volunteers to assist with this show and make it as wonderful as it has the potential to be. Please email me at jgruca@psd202.org if you are able to attend and help out. Volunteers will assist with the following needs: stage set-up and break-down, supervision, t-shirt and book sales, concessions with PTA, poet organizing, judge score organizing, spotlight assistance, host pampering, and videography. Poets representing JFKMS for the invitational Esmeralda Castelan Caitlin Arquines Mimi Towner Group- Paige Stahleber and Jordan Miller "Sacrificial Poet:" Gretchen Freebern Poets representing PEHS for the invitational Niani Scott (no relation to the other Scott girls) Victoria Scott Donna Scott Group- Deniece Gutierrez and Dominic Kevin Coval Appearance - November 16 (during the school day) from periods 5-7 We have the extreme honor of having the Godfather of Spoken Word Poetry in Chicago (where spoken word poetry originated) -- Def Poet Kevin Coval (google him) is coming to OUR school on November 16th during the school day. Many schools pay $2000 for him to come out but he is coming to JFKMS for free! He's really interested in having spoken word poetry grow into the suburbs since it is primarily a "City of Chicago" thing and he's supporting our efforts. I had the opportunity to attend "Check the Method" week-long writing workshop this summer in Chicago and he's fabulous. He is the founder of "Louder than A Bomb" competition in the city and just had his documentary finished last year. He has many poems published along with many anthologies of his own. I have the documentary on DVD (featured on OWN and available on Netflicks--and YouTube) if you are interested in seeing what all of this hype is about! He really has changed the lives of many Chicago students and his energy and drive is contagious. We are going to have 8th grade students sign up with their LA teachers if they are interested in workshopping with him during 5th or 6th period. He will workshop two groups of students (place: TBD). If any 6th or 7th graders are wanting to participate during this time, please let me know. As a staff member, if you would like to write with Kevin and you are off those periods, please stop by! During 7th period, Kevin will be performing two sets of 30 minutes for the eighth grade students in the cafe. Other staff members, please feel free to drop by if this is your off period! First half of seventh period (1:50-2:20): 8A Second half of seventh period (2:25-2:55): 8B/8C Thank you for all of your support! Let me know if you have any questions!

Poetry is in the air...

Thank you to our poets Lawrence "Binkey" Tolefree, Harold Green, and Jenni Thompson for coming to visit our classes last week along with PHES students Deniece and Donna. It seems as though this year I have such a great group of natural poets and I'm excited to add to the growing poetry community here in Plainfield. We have created Plainfield's first ever mixed level poetry club composed of high school and middle school students. This will be the club that Plainfield's first ever LTAB team will form and compete in Chicago this year. Students have been blowing my mind with their words and ideas. JFKMS is hosting a Spoken Word Invitational on November 16 from 6-9. We will have a team competing against at least five other districts. It is going to be hosted by Binkey and Harold is going to be a great show! If you are interested in helping, please contact me. Keep writing. Writing is healing and inspiring. I haven't been inspired like this is years. Thank you.

Family History Narrative Papers

We are starting our Family History Narratives soon. Please begin thinking about whom in your family you would like to interview. This person should hold the memories of your family and be able to give you details of an interesting story that happened during their lifetime.