The Stars have planned the following out-of-building experiences for this academic year:

First Trimester

September 15, 2006 - Fabyan Woods Field Trip (Team building and multiple intelligences)

    The Stars are taking a field trip to explore aspects of leadership and team building and to experiment with the multiple intelligences.  We will go to Fabyan Woods again this year because it provides a wonderful backdrop for these activities.  Fabyan Woods is a forest preserve on the Fox River near Batavia and Geneva.

    We leave for Fabyan at approximately 8:50 a.m. and will return to school by 2:00 p.m.  Every student needs to bring a sack lunch for the trip. Coolers will be available to store the lunches.  There is no place in or around Fabyan Woods for food or drink to be purchased.  We wish to discourage unnecessary foods, such as candy, gum, or snacks, unless medically required.

    Students should prepare for a day out of doors.  A jacket, sweater, or sweatshirt should be brought along in case the weather is or becomes chilly.  Warmer weather may demand sunscreen and/or insect repellent.  It is recommended that students wear clothes that can get dirty, as we will be in a wooded area with activities that may require them to sit on the ground.  Shoes should be comfortable, and socks should be worn.  We're anticipating a wonderful trip.

October 9, 2006 - Short Stories Field Trip (a Chamber Theater production)

    The eighth graders at Kennedy will be participating in an excellent program offered by the Chamber Repertory Theatre from Boston, Massachusetts.  This performance brings to the stage interpretations of some wonderful short stories that our students read in class.  We avail ourselves of this opportunity annually, as the Chamber troupe has consistently brought lively retellings of these classic stories to Naperville North High School.  The trip leaves at 8:30 a.m. and will return prior to lunch.

    There will be five stories presented on stage.  They are "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant, "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" by Mark Twain, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving, "The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs, and "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe.

Second Trimester
February 16, 2007 - Naper Settlement (Underground Railroad in Illinois)

    The Stars will be participating in an excellent program offered by the Naper Settlement.  The program is presented on the grounds at the Naper Settlement.  The program is history-based, with the focus on slavery and the underground railroad.  There is significant evidence that the underground railroad ran through DuPage County and perhaps Naperville itself.  Students will be exposed to primary sources and first person interpretations from various points of view who will bring this period to life.

    Because of the design of the experience, we will be splitting the team into two groups to go to the Settlement, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.  The trips' times are 9-11 a.m. and 11:30-1:30 p.m.  The students will learn of their group assignments as the trip nears.  ALL STUDENTS WILL EAT LUNCH AT SCHOOL IN EITHER CASE, BUT STUDENTS SCHEDULED FOR THE AFTERNOON TRIP WILL NEED TO BRING A SACK LUNCH TO EAT EARLY.

February 28, 2007 - Naperville North High School Spring Musical

    The NNHS theater department proudly presents Rogers' and Hammerstein's "South Pacific."  Set against the backdrop of World War II, this story explores race and prejudice issues as well as love and loyalty.  This musical contains some of Braodway's best loved songs, including "There is Nothin' Like a Dame," and "Some Enchanted Evening."  Annually, the eighth graders at Kennedy have made a habit of visiting NNHS to see what the theater program is all about.  NNHS's Mr. Jim Yarborough has made great efforts to use this visit as a vehicle to talk about the many extra-curricular opportunities available in high school.

    We'll go over to NNHS in the morning and be back at Kennedy before lunch.

Third Trimester
Date TBA - Cantigny Field Trip (Big Red One Museum and McCormick Mansion tours)

    As part of our study of the 20th century, the Star Team will be taking a field trip to Cantigny Park in Winfield.  Cantigny was the estate of Colonel Robert R. McCormick, former editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune.  Cantigny is now dedicated to education and recreation of the public.  We will make reservations to tour the McCormick Museum and the First Division Museum.  The McCormick Museum offers a glimpse into the lifestyle of the well-to-do in the first half of this century, while the First Division Museum traces, through life-size environmental recreations, the history of the Big Red One, the 1st Infantry Division.

    We plan on arriving at Cantigny at 9:15 a.m., as we will arrange reservations for tours of the mansion and museum at 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.  Before and after the tours, we will be able to stroll through the gardens and enjoy a peaceful spring picnic on the grounds.  Students will need to plan on bringing a lunch with them, including a drink, as no other arrangements for lunch can be accommodated.  We expect to return to the school by 2:00 p.m.

THE DATE FOR THIS TRIP CANNOT BE SET BEFORE THE FIRST OF JANUARY, 2007.  WE WILL COMMUNICATE THE DATE AS SOON AS WE ARRANGE IT.

May 25, 2007 - Eighth Grade Celebration
    Perhaps the most anticipated trip of the school year is the eighth graders' trip celebrating their completion of junior high school.  For the last many years, transported on coach buses, rather than yellow school buses, the students go to Chicago's Navy Pier for an IMAX movie (whatever is playing at the time).  Afterwards, they board the luxury ship Odyssey II for a two-hour lake cruise including a buffet luncheon and dancing.

A PERMISSION SLIP SPECIFIC TO THIS TRIP WILL BE SENT HOME AFTER SPRING BREAK.  SOME OR ALL OF THE COST OF THE TRIP CAN BE EARNED THROUGH MAGAZINE DRIVE PARTICIPATION.  THE FINAL AMOUNT OWED BY EACH STUDENT WILL BE CLEARLY INDICATED ON THE PERMISSION SLIP.

    Students often have questions about what to wear and what to bring.  Here are a few of the frequently asked questions:

1. Do I need any money?  No money is needed...the trip is all-inclusive.

2. Can I bring a camera?  Yes, but we suggest a disposable camera (with your name clearly   written on it).  Any valuables you bring onto the Odyssey will be your responsibility.

3. What about CDs and headphones?  For the short time it takes to travel to Navy Pier, bringing CD players and headphones for the bus ride then saddles you with the responsibility of keeping track of more valuables.  Besides, there will be music provided by a DJ on the boat.

4. What should I wear?  Clothing styles run the gamut, so we can't suggest specific outfits.  Students tend toward dressier styles for this trip.  However, the administration wants to discourage outfits that are too revealing.  Besides, it's always cooler by the lake.

5. Will there be time to stroll up and down Navy Pier?  Unfortunately, our schedule, which includes an IMAX movie, photographs before boarding the Odyssey, and a lengthy cruise doesn't not include time to stroll up and down Navy Pier.  The group will stay together during the entire trip.

6. What is the luncheon like?  We don't have a menu to share, but there are usually two entrees, with many side items.  There is soda, water, tea, and coffee available throughout the cruise.  The dessert buffet is to die for!

7. Are we the only group on the Odyssey?  We are rarely the only group on the ship.  We will be the only junior high group from Naperville on the ship, though.  The ship has four passenger decks.  The top, open-air deck is open to all passengers.  The three enclosed decks are private, and Kennedy will reserve two of the three.  The third enclosed deck is regularly reserved by another, smaller group. 

To download a copy of the team's stationery, please click on the note icon below and save the document to your computer.