Every Student Has a Story

The Clarion is proud to present “Every Student Has a Story” – an evolving, interactive feature site to chronicle what makes Riverside Brookfield High School unique – the human beings involved in it. Look for more students (and staff, parents, community members) to be added as time goes on.

Visit the interactive site HERE.

During-game entertainment brightens RB basketball

The boy’s basketball season is underway, but the boys are not all that  people come out to see on Friday nights. The Poms team, the Cheerleaders and the Hip Hop Dance team are all part of the entertainment.

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Meet the Winter Art Show artists

Clarion’s recent Winter Quarterly hard copy featured a two-page spread related to the art presented at the annual Winter Art Show.  Take a closer look in color at some of these pieces of art and read quotes from the artists themselves in our slideshow gallery.  Did you participate in the show?  Do you have more pictures and quotes about what you created?  Consider sending them to us through our U Report option at the top of this site.

The sign says NO parking

Parking at RB can be quite a hassle. I’m not talking about the walk from the parking lot to the school or even finding a spot. I’m talking about when the 3:05 bell has finally rung and the student body leaves the building and heads toward the parking lot.

I know many students who move as quickly as possible, just so they can get into the line of cars leaving school faster. A person can be waiting in this line for half an hour without leaving school property. It’s really frustrating when you need to get home right after school because this line takes so long. I’m not blaming all the kids who drive to school; many are just as fed up with the situation as I am.

The reason the line is so backed up is because of the people who get picked up after school. The drivers wait on the right side of the street for their kids to get out of school. It drives me crazy because there are signs all along that street that “No Parking”. Parents should be aware of this and how much trouble they are creating for the students trying to leave. This is such a big deal because instead of two lines forming to turn into Brookfield and Riverside respectively, only one line is formed. This creates such a backup that is takes at least 20 minutes to leave the parking lot.

Assistant Principal John Passarella smiled when faced with the question of whether RB had a parking/traffic problem.

Passarella said, “It would be healthier for kids to walk on a day when the weather isn’t bad.”

Another solution he feels could really help the situation is to have police start ticketing everyone who does not obey the law.

“I appreciate the police when they ticket those who violate laws which endanger our students, such as using cell phones or any other unsafe driving situation,” he said.

The parking situation was not always the way it is now. Before 2010, teachers parked where the current field house is now and the students parked where the teachers are now parking. Rockefeller was a street in which students, Zoo employees, and guests were able to use. Traffic was relatively light and not as congested until the reconstruction of the school. Riverside Chief of Police Tom Weitzel also suggested another reason the traffic is so heavy is because of the traffic signal at First Avenue. When cars cannot turn onto first, the traffic from the school comes to a standstill.

The police department is trying to deal with this issue in many ways. They have formed a Traffic-Parking Review Committee, headed by Sergeant Bill Gutschick.

In an e-mailed response to my questions, Weitzel said, “The committee has been meeting since April 2011, putting together ideas and sharing concerns about the traffic situation around the area. The last meeting involved many residents from Riverside and Brookfield in order to get their input into improving the situation.  Illinois Department of Transportation conducted a study of the intersection which showed need for improvement; however, those improvements are contingent to funding.”

An Intensified Traffic Enforcement Unit was formed, with extra enforcement in the high school area. They have taken many measures to illustrate the rules that parents, students, and any other person driving in the area must follow. The police department has also moved its operational hours to be more effective in policing the area.

 In the meantime, parents should start listening to the signs and stop parking on that side of the street. The other side has just as many parking spots available without creating such a mess for the student body.

If they are not going to cooperate, the police should start writing up tickets. We are talking about simple traffic laws that everyone should obey. It’s not that difficult.

Weitzel also said, “So far in 2011, officers have issued 172 parking citations around RB for various infractions.”

What bothers me the most is this:  if the police are doing all they can to try and make the parking and traffic issue easier on all, why are people not complying? It is not a very difficult task to park someplace else. There are many other streets to park on and wait for the student you are going to pick up rather than sitting in a no parking zone. It is not that hard to walk. 

This may not seem like a big deal, but when you are a busy high school student, as many are, that twenty minutes can really affect your day.

The simple solution is to follow the no parking signs located all along the street.

Fine arts students bring beauty to Progress Park

RB students gathered with community members and the Brookfield Beautification Committee at Eight Corners.  Their task?  To dedicate the new Progress Park.  Some of RB’s Fine Arts students created a striking, four panel mural as part of the artwork for the park.  Get a feel for the event by viewing Clarion’s slideshow.

Madison Powers

Madison Powers has been on the Clarion staff for three years. She started out as a staff reporter and worked her way up to being the Web Editor.

She is a senior this year and plans on attending college in the Fall. She enjoys watching the Toy Story trilogy and playing tennis in her free time. Madison enjoys watching Alleigh stress out due to her hard school load, makes the day a little easier. (:

Madison can be reached by emailing powersm@rbclarion.org.

Four places that’ll scare the “be-jeebers” out of you

It’s the time of year when places are gearing up for the Halloween season. Stores are starting to get Halloween costumes in stock, apple cider is available in grocery stores, and Starbucks has officially brought back the Pumpkin Spice Latte. Your weekends are now going to be a little more interesting because many haunted houses in the Chicagoland area are opening on September 30th. Here is a list of the top four one should visit this Halloween season.

Seniors reflect on 2011-2012′s changes

After the failure of last year’s operating fund referendum, RB has undergone many changes. In a series of video interviews, Clarion had a chance to talk to some of this year’s seniors to get their thoughts.

Clarion Guide: Prom

The big day of Prom is nearly upon us. Check out our guide to getting ready.

Boys tennis taking it one swing at a time

The boys tennis team has been making progress this season. On April 5^th, the boys played Fenton and came out strong with a four to three victory. Seniors Bradley Wilson and Jake Dluhy played strong at first doubles along with junior Jack Kemper and senior Luke Jebb at second. Sophomores Ryan Gradishire and Jimmy Rock held strong at third doubles and senior Nate Hanley and junior Jeremy Rolewicz held up at fourth doubles.

On April 9th, the boys had a tough time at the Leyden Quad finishing in fourth place. They came back with another four to three victory against Addison Trail and Elmwood Park.

Kemper said, “The season has been the same if not better than last year. We have a really strong team and I think the rest of the season will only get better.”

The Bulldogs defeated Shepard with a four to one victory, but fell short playing conference competitor Timothy Christian. Kemper said, “Timothy Christian and Glenbard South are going to be tough to beat.”

Junior Aron Perfect said, “The team has bonded really well, which makes practice very fun. It’s been a good season and we’re improving every day.”

The team will play eight more matches against conference and non-conference teams. On Wednesday May 11, the seeding will be chosen for the sectional matches. Those matches will be held on May 20^th.

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