Expo Team

Meet the Expo Team!

Left to Right: Mrs. Budnick, Mr. Parry,  Mrs. Washkowiak, Mr. Guenther, Mrs. Kolczaski, Mr. DeWalt, Mrs. Meyer, Mr. Whaley

Art: A trimester course offered at each grade level based on the elements and principles of art. The students will focus on the process of building their artistic behavior through specific arts standards: creating, presenting, responding, and connecting.

Band and Choir: Any student may enroll in Band or Choir regardless of musical proficiency. A three-week trial is permitted at the start of the year only, though students may also join or drop prior to the start of any trimester. Rehearsals are held during study hall, and grades will be earned. Attendance at all lessons, rehearsals, and performances is mandatory. Students must be passing all core courses to be eligible to participate. The director should be notified in writing to drop band at the end of any trimester. Failure to do so could result in a failing grade. No audition is required to join band or choir, but students may elect to audition for the elite touring groups: Jazz Band and Singing Raiders.

Financial Literacy: This seventh-grade financial literacy class introduces students to the fundamentals of budgeting, helping them understand how to track income and expenses. Students explore practical money management skills using age-appropriate apps and tools to simulate real-world financial decisions. The course emphasizes responsible spending, saving, and goal setting to build strong financial habits early. By the end of the class, students gain confidence in making informed choices about money and understanding their financial responsibilities.

Health: A REQUIRED trimester course for 5th and/or 6th grade which helps students understand that good health habits can improve school performance, friendships, physical appearance, and overall self-confidence. The importance of avoiding risky behaviors and guidelines on how to do so will be discussed.

Painting:  A trimester course offered to 7th grade students that focuses on techniques used to paint with a variety of painting media, including tempera, watercolor, and acrylics. Students will learn the mechanics of brushwork, color theory, and will learn about historical and contemporary artists.

Physical Education is mandated daily by ILCS, Article 5/27-5. Once enrolled in PE, a written notice from a physician (specifying the duration of non-participation) is the only excuse accepted for extended exemption from P.E. (BP 7:260). The following rules apply to daily physical education at Parkside: 1.A parent may excuse students from P.E. for up to three days with a written note. 2.Chewing Gum is NOT allowed in PE. 3. Students must use a school issued lock and all valuables should be secured in their locker. 4.Adequate care should be taken by students who wear glasses. 5.All injuries must be reported to the teacher immediately. 6. Students must wear a uniform purchased from the school, which should be laundered weekly. Failure to dress for PE may result in disciplinary action.

Sculpture:  A trimester course offered to 8th grade students that focuses on learning various tools and techniques to create 3-dimensional art works with papier mache, clay, wire, and other various sculpture building materials. Students will apply the knowledge of the elements of principles of design to create functional and nonfunctional sculptures. Additionally, students will learn about important movements in art history and of important artists who contributed to them.

Stagecraft: An 8th grade trimester course designed to help students become more comfortable, expressive, creative, and articulate when presenting in front of people. Students will learn and engage in public speaking, theatrical performance, debate, literature reading, and improvisation activities.

STEM: A modular curriculum program which emphasizes Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Each of 15 modules engages students for seven sessions of computer-assisted learning. Content is delivered through Virtual Reality, video segments and hands-on activities. Topics include Electronics, 3-D Printing, Video Production, Home and Fashion Design, Drones, Robots, and more.