On Monday, May 23 at 9 a.m., Percy Julian Middle School will be honoring Tom Kanwischer and some of its eighth-grade students for their commitment to service, work, and the community.
Tom Kanwischer, the director of bands at Julian Middle School, was named a quarterfinalist for the Music Educator Award. The award is presented on behalf of The Recording Academy and The Grammy Foundation.
Kanwischer was one of twenty music teachers selected from the state of Illinois and one of 290 music teachers from 264 cities that span forty-one states to be honored with this award for his work.
In addition, several students in the eighth-grade class at Julian Middle School will also be honored for their contributions to the community. These students were part of the International Baccalaureate Community Project, or IB, a subset of an Integrated Studies class.
Chris Jasculca, director of policy, planning, and communications for the Oak Park Elementary School District, said, “A huge part of being an IB student is learning to look at the world through multiple perspectives, and developing an appreciation for all human experiences. Through this project, students are able to apply this type of learning to everyday life, address a goal or objective that is meaningful to them, and have a positive impact on the local or global community.”
Students helped create a cleaner environment by reducing litter near their school. They also promoted a positive message campaign on social media and encouraged a healthy lifestyle in the form of an exercise book.
Photo courtesy of Change.org
