Glenbard West Community,
While the pace of things might be a little slower in the first two weeks of the semester as we reacclimate students to classroom routines and expectations, the third week resembles something closer to “full speed.” Grades are starting to pop up in PowerSchool, fall sports are off to a successful start, and clubs are hosting their kick-off meetings. As I walk the hallways during passing periods I see many enthusiastic students welcomed at their classroom doors by equally energetic staff members. It’s good to be back in action.
Our monthly newsletter is packed with valuable information—sometimes more than one can digest in a sitting—and so I’d like to take this opportunity to highlight a few upcoming opportunities in which parents and guardians can participate:
Open House is this Thursday, August 31st. The purpose of the evening is to provide you with a brief taste of the student experience—the teachers, their instructional philosophies, and our course curriculums. Our School Counseling Department is offering presentations for parents and guardians starting at 5:30 p.m., I’ll share a brief welcome in the auditorium at 6:10 p.m., and you can follow your student’s schedule starting at 6:30 p.m.
Homecoming week begins on Monday, September 11th.It’s early this year! There are so many fun ways for West families to get in on this tradition—including joining us for the pep rally and bonfire on Friday night, the pancake breakfast and parade on Saturday morning, and the athletic competitions and performances throughout the day.
West is hosting a Facility Planning Community Forum on Wednesday, September 27th. As part of our facility planning process, West is hosting a Facility Planning Community Forum to share information about West’s facility needs and the development of a new 10-year plan to address those needs. I encourage you to join us anytime between 5:30 and 8:00 p.m. for additional information and a building tour.
You can find more information on each of the above events in this month’s newsletter. Additionally, Glenbard West is very lucky to have several parent groups whose mission is to support our students and help us run programs throughout the school: Boosters, West Nation, Association of Music Parents, Friends of Forensics. I highly encourage you to get involved with one or more of these groups to whatever extent you are able.
Thank you for reading our newsletter. Please feel free to contact me directly with any questions or concerns.
Go West!
Ben Peterselli
(630) 942-7473
Lindsey Montgomery - Special Education Teacher
Lindsey was a West grad and worked as an aide in our Life Skills program, to which she will now return as a full-time teacher. She previously worked as a special education inclusion teacher and enjoys traveling when she is not at school. She is most excited about collaborating with the amazing staff and community at West to ensure all students reach their full potential.
Elizabeth Pisano - FACS/Business Teacher
Elizabeth comes to us from having been a Family and Consumer Science teacher at Lakeview Junior High and is impressed with the West atmosphere. She is eager to work with the incredible students and faculty of the larger school community. When not at school, Elizabeth enjoys spending time with her family and traveling. “There is a whole world to see out there!”
Emily Reeves - Science Teacher
Emily is very excited to have new opportunities here at West and is looking forward to better knowing the community and school. Her previous position was as a Physics and Astronomy teacher at Niles West High School. When not at school, Emily enjoys spending time with her husband, dog, and family.
Griffin Ross - School Psychologist Intern
Griffin completed his School Psychology practicum at Hillside Elementary District 93 and is very much looking forward to learning best practices in School Psychological services at the high school level while interning with Mrs. Gabbidon. Griffin enjoys living a life full of variety.
Hailey Wilcox - Math Teacher
Hailey completed her student teaching at St. Charles East High School and joined the math department halfway through the school year. We are excited to welcome her as a full-time staff member as she is looking forward to being a part of the West community and traditions. When she is not at school, Hailey enjoys tennis, lacrosse, and cooking dinner for her family.
Learn about our long-range facility plan at community forum
As part of our facility planning process, Glenbard West will host a Facility Planning Community Forum to share information about our district-wide facility needs and development of a new 10-year facility plan to address those needs.
West’s Facility Planning Community Forum will be an open house format from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Sept. 27 at Glenbard West. Please plan to join us.
Glenbard’s four high schools, which range in age from 50 to 100 years old, continue to have numerous capital improvement needs. We are excited about developing a new 10-year facility plan. The plan will consider instructional best practice, safety and opportunities to connect and collaborate. Additional funding will be necessary to implement the new facility plan.
Learn more at this link.
Development of new 10-year facility plan
- Necessary warm/safe/dry projects (roofs, parking lots, boilers, cooling units, etc.)
- Safety and access upgrades (doors, hardware, entrances, access to administrative offices, etc.)
- Renovation of science labs and restrooms
- Wold Architects & Engineers and Performance Services, Inc. will maintain community asset.
Funding Sources
- Through sound fiscal stewardship, we continue budgeting dollars for the new ten-year master facility plan.
- Alternate revenue source (ARS) bonds will accelerate projects from the 2013 master facility plan, such as renovations to science labs and restrooms.
- Our ARS bonds are expiring, and we approved issuing a new series of ARS bonds that will total about $29 million of debt within our operating budgets.
- Will not increase the district’s tax rate
- A referendum is necessary to provide the remaining needed funds.
Key points:
- Facility improvements are necessary to support instructional environments.
- Without a large, one-time revenue source, some improvements are not possible.
- Construction costs will increase, but efficient borrowing yields a high return on investment.
- Instructional spaces demand attention, but lack of funding postpones improvements.
- D87 facilities – particularly entrances, cafeterias and collaboration spaces – are behind peer districts.
- In 2014, D87 committed to $100 million over 10 years; however, we exceeded that commitment by spending $154 million over the past 10 years ($35 million from 2014 referendum) while maintaining balanced budgets.
ENRICHING THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE
Academics ・ Activities ・ Athletics
We encourage every parent, alum, and family to join and sponsor Glenbard West Boosters. Membership fees and sponsorships go directly to assisting academic, athletic, and extracurricular activities. Family memberships, Pride of Glenbard and Tower level sponsorships include an activity pass that provides admission to most district-wide music and sporting events. Your support contributes to the Pride, Excellence, and Tradition that are the hallmarks of Glenbard West High School.
To join or sponsor the Glenbard West Boosters, please visit www.gwboosters.com
GO WEST!
Save the Date for Our Back to School Open House: Thursday, August 31, 2023!
We are excited to welcome parents to Glenbard West with our annual Open House on Thursday, August 31, 2023 from 5:30 to 8:25 p.m. We hope you will join us as this is a great opportunity to meet your student’s teachers and gain a better sense of content and skills your student will experience this school year. Counselors will give individual class presentations starting at 5:30 p.m..
Starting at 6:10 p.m., Mr. Peterselli will welcome families in the auditorium. You will follow your student’s class schedule starting at 6:30 p.m. Each period is ten minutes with five minute passing periods. We anticipate a high turnout so please arrive early for parking. The following day, Friday, September 1, 2023, we will run an early dismissal schedule with students released at 12:35 p.m. You can find more detailed information in English here and in Spanish here.
AP Guide for Families, Volume One
Here is Volume One of our AP Guide for Families. You’ll find all relevant information about exam registration for year-long and first semester AP courses, as well as answers to frequently asked questions. For any other questions, please contact the office of the Assistant Principal for Instruction: (630) 942-7471. For AP-related updates, please join our Remind by texting @gbwaptest to the number 81010 or clicking here.
State Testing Information
As in years past, Glenbard District 87 will provide students with the College Board’s SAT Suite of Assessments in 2023-24:
Tuesday, October 10, 2023: PSAT/NMSQT for Juniors
Wednesday, April 10, 2024: SAT for Juniors
- Thursday, April 11, 2024: PSAT 8/9 for Freshmen and PSAT 10 for Sophomores
Only the grades assigned to an exam on the above days will be in attendance. Families can learn more about the SAT Suite of Assessments by clicking here. Students can find free individualized test preparation through Khan Academy. Additionally, Glenbard offers a free SAT prep course to juniors. Additional information on this program will be sent later this fall.
Parent-Teacher Conferences: Wednesday, October 25 and Thursday, October 26
Please save the date(s) for this year’s Parent-Teacher Conferences. Like last year, families will have two options for conferences: Virtual conferences through Zoom on Wednesday, October 25 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and in-person conferences at Glenbard West on Thursday, October 26, from 2:00 p.m .to 6:00 p.m. Students will be released at 1:10 p.m. on both conference days. There is no school on Friday, October 27. Information about registering for conferences will be sent out in mid-September.
West has had a great start to the school year with so many student athletes involved. This fall, we have over 750 student athletes involved in fall sports who are constantly striving for success in the classroom and on the playing fields. We are very appreciative of the entire West community that supports all of our programs. We have a constant schedule of home events throughout the fall, so please notice the most current schedules at https://schools.snap.app/glenbardwest.
Thank you once again to the West Boosters who support all of our students at West in academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities. Please look to sign up and participate in some way on one or more of their committees. More information can be found at www.gwboosters.com.
Please note the weekend of September 15 and 16 on your calendars. This is Homecoming at West and we look forward to showcasing our teams and school that represent pride, tradition, and excellence.
Tentative schedule for Athletic Events Saturday September 16th:
Varsity Girls Volleyball Tournament (Game Times Vary)
9:00 a.m. Varsity Field Hockey vs. Naperville North at Memorial Field
11:00 a.m. Varsity Boys Soccer vs. Romeoville at Memorial Field
11:00 a.m. Sophomore Football vs. Lyons Township at Duchon Field
1:30 p.m. Varsity Football vs. Lyons Township at Duchon Field
West Nation proudly supports Glenbard Parent Series (GPS). Visit www.GlenbardGPS.org for information on the nationally recognized speaker series for parents, students, educators and community members. The series is free and open to the public.
Please visit www.gbwnation.com to purchase a membership, make a donation and to volunteer. We invite all students and parents to be a part of WEST NATION!
Follow us on Twitter/@GWWestNation or Facebook/GlenbardWestNation
Glenbard District 87 is pleased to partner with OrganicLife as our new food service provider.
Organic Life menu offerings and nutrition/allergen information here.
We encourage you to visit www.pushcoin.com to sign up for the prepayment option with their easy-to-use system.
As part of West’s Centennial celebration, we partnered with the Dupage Foundation to create the Glenbard West Centennial Scholarship Fund. This annual scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior who best embodies the ethos and character of a Glenbard West graduate. Its purpose is to celebrate the past, recognize the present, and inspire the future of Glenbard West. If you are interested in donating, please click here. Go West!
Superintendent outlines ways to support students
The start of a new school year is filled with limitless possibilities and new learning opportunities. There are a variety of ways families can support and guide students throughout the year.
Here are a few ways to support students:
Provide support at home
- Help your teen get organized
- Share time management tips
- Encourage good study habits
- Discuss assignments
- Be interested
- Offer specific praise for hard work
- Watch for frustration
- Establish a regular time for homework
- Choose a place to do homework and remove distractions
- Encourage your student to connect to school by getting involved in a sport, club or activity.
Tap into resources, opportunities of Glenbard Hour
The Glenbard Hour is a feature of our new school day schedule. During the twice weekly Glenbard Hour, every teacher and every student will be involved in making choices; seeking help; getting involved in physical activities; learning new concepts and gaining new skills. This dedicated time each week will allow students to access their teachers for the support they need to experience academic success. It also will reduce the need for students to arrive early or stay after school to seek assistance.
Encourage your student to tap into the many resources and opportunities available through the Glenbard Hour each week.
Take advantage of free Glenbard Parent Series events
We are so fortunate to have the Glenbard Parent Series (GPS) Navigating Healthy Families, which provides families with support and tips from national parenting experts and local educators. Each week, GPS speakers discuss a range of topics that all families face as teens make their way through adolescence to adulthood. Check out the list of free GPS programs and get the webinar links at Glenbardgps.org.
We partner with families to support students and prepare them for a bright future brimming with possibilities.
You can keep up with Glenbard information throughout the year by signing up for Glenbard News, our district-wide enewsletter, at this link.
Each week, you will receive district-wide news about students’ achievements in school-sponsored activities; upcoming events; fund-raisers; school board information and more.
SAFE2HELP ILLINOIS
Safe2Help Illinois Call 844-472-3345 or Text 72332(SAFE2)
Safe2Help Illinois offers students a safe, confidential way in which to share information that might help prevent suicides, bullying, school violence or other threats to school safety. This program is intended to get students to “Seek Help Before Harm.”
NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE/TEXT 988
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Call/Text 988
This number has trained staff to answer calls and respond to texts from individuals at risk for suicide as well as those experiencing other mental health and substance use-related emergencies. Specialized services will be available for veterans, LGBTQ+ individuals, and other groups.
Glenbard West High School
Email: gw_news@glenbard.org
Website: glenbardwesths.org
Location: 670 Crescent Blvd.
Phone: 630-469-8600
Twitter: @GWHilltoppers
