Our social studies classes have completed their studies about the second World War and the Holocaust. As parents are undoubtedly aware, students worked hard on their Holocaust projects and turned in many solid efforts. Our hope is that, by undertaking an individual study of this topic, each student will take away a different (but important) lesson about this horrific event in world history. We are now well into a discussion of the decade of the 1950s. Topics for this unit will include the cold war era, the beginnings of the civil rights and women's movement, the growth of the suburbs and the rise of mass culture brought about by television, and the early years of rock and roll music as a social phenomenon. In connection with this unit there will be a small project that will allow students to once again find out something about a topic that is of individual interest. In addition, the ISAT tests are now behind us. As you know, these state- mandated tests are a measure of how well the district is performing. The tests do not affect your child's grades or placement at Lake Park, but they do tell us as a school and you as a parent and taxpayer how well we are doing compared to other districts and to standards identified by the Illinois State Board of Education. Parents having questions or concerns about the tests should feel free to contact Spring wood or District staff. As always, if you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to contact any 8-2 faculty member at any time.