Cupcake Wars!

This past weekend was the A Better Life for Kids brunch at Cafe Touche in Edison Park.  It was a lovely way to spend a Saturday!  I'll post more pictures of that soon, but first I want to make sure that everyone is aware that this Sunday, May 5th, is CUPCAKE WARS at McCracken!  See the flyer below for more information!  Share with family and friends :)

 

ACT will be there selling items and helping out with the fun activities for children!

Student Council and ACT at Rustic Falls Nature Camp!

On April 22nd, Earth Day and the beginning of National Volunteer Week, ACT and Student Council had the privilege of helping out at Rustic Falls Nature Camp for the day!  Students worked hard to clean up branches, spread mulch on the paths, and to dig a ditch for a new waterfall.  The Lentz's provided a wonderful lunch and snacks of s'mores over a campfire.  We couldn't have asked for better weather!  In the end McCracken was able to provide a check of over $1200 to Rustic Falls to help in the mission of providing outdoor experiences and a restful place to families struggling with illness or to children who otherwise wouldn't have this opportunity.  Enjoy the pictures from our day!

Collecting branches for our campfire!

Sawing apart the bigger logs!

Spreading mulch onto the paths!

Getting ready for lunch!  Relaxing by the waterfall!

On the porch of the volunteer house!

Digging out the rocks from a pond.

Digging a trench for a new waterfall.

Roasting marshmallows after a long day of work!

Presenting the $1200 check!

Student Council and A.C.T. combine forces!

Great work!

7th and 8th Grade Student Leadership Day

On Thursday, April 18th, six seventh and eighth graders had the privilege of going to the Illinois Holocaust Museum for Student Leadership Day.  During the day, students had the opportunity to learn about human rights, civil rights, and the struggle to reach equal rights for all.  They also had a chance to tour the permanent exhibit, along with the temporary Courage exhibit.  They had lots of connections and questions about how we can make sure that these events don't happen again.

One of the highlights of the day was the opportunity to hear and meet former Chicago Bull, Bob Love.  His message of "education first and sports second", along with seizing every opportunity you can really struck a cord with the students.  Love had several pieces of advice for the students (both on and off the court):

1.  If the ball comes your way, catch it.
2.  If you drop the ball, pick it up.
3.  If you win, be a good winner, and if you loose, be a good loser.
4.  When the coach speaks, you listen!

He also spoke about being "great" and how it only takes a little more effort.  He told the group that hard works pays off, and to not follow the crowd.  Love also claimed that you need to be your own leader and overachieve whenever you can.

Here's some snippets from what the ACT students learned:

"Silence 'kills' and everyone should be involved and have a voice...it is important to fight for what you believe in."

"Prioritize school because without it you can't get far."

"Seize chances and overachieve-try everything and succeed!  People judge you by verbal communication."

"I learned to never let others stand in my way, and that I am so fortunate to have what I have when there are others that really need help."

"Never give up and let yourself fail.  Everything is possible."

"I learned that horrible things can occur if you don't stand up for what's right, and that no small kindness goes unnoticed...stand up for what is right and be kind."

Here are some pictures from the event:

Bob Love of the Chicago Bulls!

Bob Love arrives!

What are civil rights?

What are human rights?

Bob Love and A.C.T. kids!

 

Giving autographs

On a final note, as one student so eloquently said it, "there aren't enough voices in each individual to change the world, but together, we are loud enough."

Go Green for Ghana!

Starting tomorrow through next week, ACT will be selling items to help students "Go Green for Ghana."  Check out our video announcement for more information.  Thanks again to Nancy Stein for the donation of the sandwich cases (and the cups too); we appreciate the support each year!

A year in review... and we still have more to do!

Dance Marathon 2013

On Friday, April 5th, ACT and Student Council combined forces for a Dance Marathon for Rustic Falls.  It was an amazing night of theme hours, dancing and games.  We'd also like to thank the Lentz family for their support that night, along with the Niles North Dance Marathon Executive Board who attended the event.  In the end, we raised over $900 to bring our grand total to a schoolwide $1200 donation to Rustic Falls.  Rustic Falls helps to fulfill ACT's mission of children's rights by making sure that all children have access to a safe and fun experience in an outdoor setting regardless of their conditions.

High schoolers counting money!

Group line dance!

Mr. Lentz thanks the students for their support.

Student Council Executive Board!

President of Dance Marathon at Niles North extends her congratulations!

Our fundraising champion!

The Lentz Family!  What great work they do at Rustic Falls!