Schiesher Students Partipate in "Operation Snowflurry"
Lisle Senior High School students provide activities that teach "social emotional" skills
Operation Snowball’s Snowflurry came to District 202 on Saturday, April 14 providing a day of social-emotional learning through fun activities and friendship building for 34 Schiesher Elementary School 4th and 5th graders. The all day event, which was run by Lisle High School students, included small and large group activities and an engaging presentation on making good choices by improvisational artist Richard Oberbruner. The 4th and 5th graders spent their day participating in these activities with a small group of peers led by Lisle High School student volunteers partnered with adult staff member volunteers from Schiesher Elementary School, Lisle Park District, Breaking Free, and the Lisle Police Department. The teen volunteers were Konnor Ahlmann, Jimmy Gill, Bobby Hunt, Rachel Jennings, Billy Loconsole, Michael Andrew Martin, Samantha Mocarski, Kelsy Nilles, Eric Puccini and Nicole Puccini. Adult volunteers included Schiesher teachers Trish Green, Elizabeth Hoff, Trisha Murphy, Brianne Davis, and Theresa Maciejewski, Lisle Park District Staff member Mike Gianatasio, Breaking Free staff member Kelly Mannion, and Officer Gus Gloede. The focus of Snowflurry is to help students understand how positive behavior affects others, how they can be of support to their peers and how to seek support when they need it. This year’s theme was “Choose Your Character”. The success of the event was evident throughout the day but especially so in the gratitude and exemplary behavior demonstrated by the young students. One fifth grader told her parents that it was “The best day of her life.” Participants from Mrs. Lapham’s 5th grade class made a video presentation to show what a great day they had for students who did not have the opportunity to participate. Fourth grade teacher Trisha Murphy said, “It was an outstanding experience. I can’t wait to be a part of the next one!” Lisle Senior High School Psychologist, Yousef Matariyeh, who directs the Snowball programs in the district, commented that all the great feedback he has received from students and parents “really speaks for the success of the day”.
