St. Jude collects books for a good cause

NEW LENOX—St. Jude School in New Lenox is collecting new and gently used children’s books that are set to be donated to public elementary schools in Chicago where 70 percent or more of the students are reading below grade-level. The book drive began Dec. 1, 2006, and runs through Feb. 1, 2007.

“We are asking students and their parents to bring us books that are enjoyable, fun reading for inner-city children ages 5 through 13,” said Principal Mike Ritchie and coordinator of the collection. “It’s a great ‘kids helping kids’ program to improve literacy.”

Book Worm Angels, a not-for-profit organization, is the force behind this and other book drives conducted throughout the year, primarily in Chicago’s suburbs. The mission of Book Worm Angels is to put lending libraries in each classroom in Chicago elementary schools where so many children are reading below grade level.

Principals, teachers and parents are encouraged to present these books as fun reading, not schoolwork. Thanks to Book Work Angels, there are no penalties for lost or damaged books. More than 30,000 at-risk children now can borrow books right in their classrooms. Over 400,000 books have been collected to date and put

Anyone with children’s books in good condition can bring them to St. Jude School. For more information about Book Worm Angels, visit www.bookwormangels.org, or call 773-332-8091.

Geography tests kids at St. Joseph

LOCKPORT—St. Joseph School in Lockport held its annual all-school geography bee Jan. 9. Fourth grader Eric Hennenfent won the competition and took a 75 question written test to qualify for the national level competition. Fifth grader Molly Murtaugh came in second place.

The bee, sponsored by the National Geographic Society, encourages the study of geography. Other students participating in the competition were: fourth grader Jack McDevitt; fifth grader Andre Simon; sixth graders Kaitlyn Lillis and Anthony Marcione; seventh graders Anna Bryniarski and Amanda Lee; and eighth graders Allison Mackay and Nicholas Leitz.

Bones bring excitement to St. Mary Nativity

JOLIET—St. Mary Nativity School in Joliet recently received the donation of a human skeleton to the school that is expected to enable students to have a deeper understanding of human anatomy and kinesiology. James Schnura, a parishioner, made the generous donation.

The skeleton is a self-standing copy of an adult who would stand about 5 feet, 6 inches tall. It displays the origin and insertion of cartilage, and it is color-coded.