Monday, November 23, 2009

HAPPY THANKSGIVING !!!!!!!

Hey Spartan Fans.....

WOW.....It's Thanksgiving already!!!!! Once again.....is this year flying by!!!!!

On a short week, there are still important things taking place in and around "66"!!!

BOWLING and VOLLEYBALL are moving along in all three grade levels, with WEIGHT TRAINING going on in 6th grade!! The 7th and 8th graders did a GREAT JOB last Thursday and Friday at the "BOWL in BOLINGBROOK"!!!!! Great bowling and MUCH food!!

BALLROOM DANCING with Mrs. Anne Garvey starts for our 8th graders when we return from Thanksgiving vacation on November 30th. This gala unit will conclude with our "formal" dance on the last Friday (Dec. 18th) before Christmas break. I know our current 8th graders will follow in the tradition of past classes and do an outstanding job....FIRE UP!!!!!

BOYS VARSITY BASKETBALL TRYOUTS will be held on Monday, Nov. 30th and Wed., Dec. 2nd at Lakeview from 3 - 5 PM. Boys trying out have returned signed parental permission slips, and seem ready to go!!

On a final note, I would like to take this opportunity to promote the BONFIELD EXPRESS 5K Walk/Run this coming Thursday morning in Downers Grove. Jim Bonfield was a teacher, dean, and coach at both Downers North and Downers South High School. Before passing away after a long battle with cancer, Jim touched the lives of thousands of students at both schools. Over the course of 30 plus years, Coach Bonfield was a guiding light for students of all types, colors, abilities, beliefs, and a person who made a mark on this young coach as I started my career at the high school level!

The 5K walk run has raised scholarship money for 52 graduates of both Downers Grove high schools, and again this year will provide funds for ten more graduates of the class of 2010. The run/walk starts off from Main and Curtiss in Downers Grove at 8:30 AM. To find out more on how to participate in this outstanding event, please log-on to www.bonfieldexpress.com

I hope to see many 66ers at this event!!!!!!

Have a great Thanksgiving, and .........................

GO SPARTANS.......PLAY HARD!!!!!!!!

Coach Dodd

Monday, November 16, 2009

SPARTAN NEWS !!!!!!

HELLO SPARTAN FANS!!!!!!

Time to catch up on various "happenings" at Lakeview:

BOWLING and VOLLEYBALL games continue in all P.E. classes, with Strength Training also being covered in 6th grade.

BOWLING trips to the lanes in Bolingbrook take place this week.....7th graders go Thursday (19th) morning, while the 8th grade goes Friday (20th) morning. A great time is always had by our students, both on the lanes, and at the concession stand.

J.V. BASKETBALL swings into high gear with a pair of games for both Boys and Girls.......Coach Dvorak's club plays Westview Hills tonight (16th) at Lakeview, while Mr. Little's team hosts Eisenhower here on Wednesday (18th). All games tipoff at 4 PM......."Be a Fan....Support the Spartans!!!!"

CONGRATULATIONS to the following students on making the respective J.V. Basketball teams......GIRLS >> Rebecca A., Tiffany B., Megan S., Sydney D., Jacky J., Jill K., Jeannie L., Antionette Z., Rebekah O., Taylor J., Miyax., Dana K., and Ava P..
BOYS >> Jason D., Cody B., Eddie L., Braxton B., Caleb K., Matt B., Joe E., Matt S., Anthony M., Sam D., Conner M., Patrick M., and Zain R.

MANY of our current Lakeview students and parents have followed the Downers Grove South Varsity Football squad this past season. After two thrilling playoff victories over Waubonsie Valley and Bolingbrook, the Mustangs season ended last Saturday night at Glenbard North. The Mustangs and Panthers battled to the very end with Glenbard North hanging on to a 7-3 victory. On behalf of the entire varsity, I would like to say "Thanks" for the great support in 2009. 2010 looks promising, as the Mustangs return 13 starters from this past season........HIT HARD!!!!!!

On a final note, check this site Tuesday; November 17th for information regarding 8th grade Varsity BOYS basketball tryouts!

Have a great week, and.............

GO SPARTANS......PLAY HARD!!!!!

Coach Dodd

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

IT'S BOWLING and VOLLEYBALL

Hello Spartan Fans,

The BAD Fall weather has been victorious, so our P.E. classes will be moving on to Volleyball and Bowling (and Weight Training in 6th grade). Our classes did do a great job during the Fall units, and as well on their written tests for those activities!!

Our Junior Varsity Basketball teams, as well as the J.V. cheerleaders have been chosen, and a big "GOOD LUCK" goes out to those teams and their respective coaches!!

VARSITY BOYS basketball tryouts will be announced shortly, with a written permission slip necessary for all players wishing to tryout!!! An e-mail and this blog site wuill have more information as the days pass....Stay Tuned!!!!

Great job by the Downers South Football, Cheerleading, and Dance teams on their performances last Saturday night at Benedictine U. vs. Waubonsie Valley. A thrilling game came down to the last :20 seconds as the Waubonsie kicker was "Wide Left" assuring a Mustang victory!!!! Another outstanding performance by the Marching Mustangs as well!!!

This Saturday night, the Mustangs travel to Bolingbrook for a rematch with the Raiders....Kickoff is 6 PM, with all tickets at $5.00. The Raiders defeated Downers South the first week of the season (16-14), so the Mustangs will be looking to get even!!!

Have a great week, "Play Hard!!!", and..............Go Spartans!!!!!

Coach Dodd

Sunday, October 25, 2009

WATCHING THE BEARS' TRAIN WRECK !!!

Hi Spartan Fans !!

Thought I'd enjoy a great afternoon watching the Bears', but the Benson-led Bengals played their game-of-the-year, and came up big!! There is always NEXT WEEK!!!

As I look at the weather, it appears we may be able to get outside with our P.E. classes, and resume our units on Flag Football (and Field Hockey / Track in 6th grade).

Parent-Teacher conferences are coming up this Thursday; October 29th...4:30 - 8:30 PM

Thankfully, our absence lists are reducing daily, and to that a hope that the sicknesses that have been going through Lakeview are on the continued decline!!!!!

A big CONGRATULATIONS to our Girls' Varsity Volleyball team on their outstanding performance yesterday (10/24) in the conference tournament at Lakeview. Due to my football commitments at Downers South, I was unable to attend any of the regular season games, so I thoroughly looked forward to watching them play!!! . The Spartans entered Saturday's tourney with a 6-4 regular season record, necessitating them to win a play-in game to reach the Final Four of the Winners Division. After defeating Butler in three games, the Spartans fell to Eisenhower in the third game of their semi-final match!!!! It was truly enjoyable to watch our team battle to the last point!!!! As a side note, Eisenhower went on to defeat Cass for the championship!!!!!!

Good luck to all our athletes (Boys and Girls) who will be trying out for the respective winter season teams....Basketball and Cheerleading!!!

Lakeview graduates Dan Miller, Christian Silvestri, Colin Pieper, Ryan Hood, Trey Bahaveolos, Devan Smith, Jeremy Schultz, Joel Roman, Kevin Carlson,Thomas Delk, Brad Widdel, Edward Rytych, and Patrick Scott have helped Downers Grove South Varsity Football qualify for the 2009, Class 8A state playoffs. The Mustangs will host Waubonsie Valley next weekend, with the exact time and date to be announced tomorrow (10/26)......HI HARD!!!!!!!!

On a final note, the Downers South Boys Varsity Basketball team will play a preliminary game before the Chicago Bulls / Atlanta Hawks game at the United Center on Saturday; December 19th, tipping off at 2:30 PM. $40.00 tickets have been reduced to $25.00 (if purchased by FRIDAY, OCT. 30) when purchased through the athletic department at D.G.S.... Any individuals with questions may contact Downers South varsity basketball coach Jay Baum at jbaum@csd99.org or tdodd@ccsd66.org Should be a fun-night for all attending!!!!!!!

Have a great week, and............................GO SPARTANS!!!!! PLAY HARD!!!!!!

Coach Dodd

Sunday, October 18, 2009

NICE WEATHER ????? !!!!!

HEY SPARTAN FANS !!

Just a couple of quick points for this writing:

Has anyone ever seen such rapid changes in the weather....warm...cold....rainy....sunny.....it has been so "rollercoaster" like during the past ten days. To this, our outside unit on FOOTBALL has been put on hold, with the hope that the week of October 19 brings at least no rain. We can bundle up and deal with the cold, but rain forces us inside. Our students have been very understanding regarding the change in schedule, a fact that makes our classes run smoothly!!

Most students have turned in their PRESIDENTIAL FITNESS SCORESHEETS after having had them reviewed by their parents!!!!!

GOOD LUCK to Miss Nyhlen and the Girls' Varsity Volleyball team as they enter the conference post-season tournament next Saturday (October 24) . All eleven conference schools will be participating at Lakeview. The Lady Spartans finished the regular season with a mark of 6-4, losing three of those matches by very close scores!! On the Junior Varsity level, the Spartans posted an outstanding 9-1 record, finishing tied for 1st place in the conference!!!!!!

AND................the District 66 P.T.O. fund-raisers.....where would we be without them!!!!!!! As I look back over at least the last 15 years, the 66 P.T.O. has donated (PROBABLY) close to $200,000.00 for items that would not normally be purchased through regular funding!! Speaking personally, I am very proud as I look at all the computers at Lakeview having been secured through 66 fund-raisers. ......... Even though the fashion shows are but a memory, how can anyone forget the fun-filled nights with Mr. Slayden emceeing the activities??? !!! I mention the fund-raisers due to the district sposoring a couple of them coming up shortly...........On Wednesday; October 21st (ALL DAY), BUONA RESTAURANT (7409 Cass Ave.; Darien, Il.) will donate 15-25% of all purchases (WITH CENTER CASS 66 COUPONS) back to the district. Buona coupons are available in the offices at all three district schools.......EAT HEARTY!!!!!!!

As another fund-raiser, District 66 is sponsoring a dessert purchase through MARKET DAY!!! If the district sells 250 pies, cheesecakes, or individual desserts, the district will raise just under $700.00. In addition, any individual purchasing three or more desserts will receive a FREE 12 oz. bag of coffee. ALL DISTRICT 66 STUDENTS RECEIVED A SPECIAL FLYER AND ORDER SHEET FOR THE SPECIAL BUY!!! Additional packets can be picked up at all three district schools!!!!!! Orders must be turned in by OCTOBER 29th, with delivery being Saturday; NOVEMBER 7th. Individuals with questions should contact Christina Wiseman @ christina.wiseman@comcast.net or (630)-985-8424 "SPEND HARD"...........SUPPORT THE KIDS!!!!!!!

Have a great week, and..............

GO SPARTANS..................."PLAY HARD"!!!!!!

Coach Dodd

Thursday, October 8, 2009

IT'S ALREADY OCTOBER !!!!!!!!!!

Hey Spartan Fans,

Can you believe it is already October ????? The school year is flying by, with our units on Golf and Track/Field completed. We have now moved on to Flag Football in 7th and 8th grade with skills being covered. "Flag Tag" is a very popular game that leads up to our regular Flag Football games. Good Luck to all our students!!!!

On the interscholastic front, FOOTBALL has played three games, with a 25 day break between their first and second games. Even though their record current stands at 0-3, I know that Coach Dvorak and Coach Novotny are working hard with their talent, and look forward to their final games of the season.

In VOLLEYBALL, the Varsity (Miss Nyhlen) stands at 5-3, with the JV's (Mrs. Wrzesinski) at 7-1.

CROSS COUNTRY (Mr. Rodda and Mr. Urbas) will compete in the state of Illinois Sectionals this Saturday in Beecher. During past meets, the Girls record stands at 1-5, with the Boys at 5-1.

At the Troy Invitational, Amanda T. finished 2nd for 7th grade Girls, while the 6th grade Lakeview Boys team finished 5th overall.

On a final note, a hearty "Nice Job" goes out to Mr. Ohlsen, Mr. Tedeschi, and the MARCHING SPARTANS for their outstanding parade performance at the Downers Grove South Homecoming festivities last Friday afternoon!!!! The band and color guard truly sounded and looked great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have a great week, and....................PLAY HARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Coach Dodd

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Sept. 27th, 2009

Hey Spartans!!!!!!!!

Sunday afternoon, and time to get "BLOGGING" for the week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Random happenings since last Sunday's report:

1) Great field trips for 7th and 8th to Ziegfield Troy.......I think everyone enjoyed themselves........GREAT golf played in all three areas (Course, Driving Range, and Mini)..........all faculty came back healthy......no windshields broken.......just a couple of great days!!!!!!!!

2) New aerobic steps arrived, and are ready for use in class!!!!!

3) DGS Varsity Football wins vs. Willowbrook, and remains tied for 1st place in the conference

4) White Sox finish their home schedule with a resounding 8-4 win over Detroit earlier today!!....Here's a name to keep White Sox fans hopeful during the Winter months................ DANIEL HUDSON (14-5 at three levels of the minor leagues this Summer)....................pitched a great game this afternoon!!!!!!!

What's coming up this week:

1) P.E. finishes Track and Field, and will begin units on Flag Football!!!!

2) D.G.S. Homecoming week arrives........Parade in the mid-afternoon on Friday with the Marching Spartans taking part, the Soph. and Varsity football games on Friday night, Freshmen on Saturday morning, with the dance on Saturday night............GO MUSTANGS....HIT HARD!!!!

Have Great Week, and...............PLAY HARD!!!!!!

Coach Dodd

P.S........Yes Cub fans, I am sorry to report that the CARDINALS clinched the N.L. Central Division last Saturday night, and have a "breather week" to conclude the regular season. Playoffs start a week from Tuesday......................in St. Louis!!!!!!