The Glenbard West Centennial Foundation has been established with the Centennial Committee, in collaboration with DuPage Foundation. The primary objective of the Foundation is to endow an annual scholarship that will be awarded to a graduating senior who best embodies the ethos and character of a Glenbard West Graduate. The Foundation will also look to fund a beautification update to Circle Drive. To learn more about the Glenbard West Centennial Foundation, and make your contribution, click HERE.
Decade Fun Facts about Glenbard West
During the 1970’s, Glenbard West felt the impact of unrest related to many of the national problems, most prominent of which was the war in Vietnam.
1967-70 started with a degree of uneasiness on the part of the school administration. Things were happening outside the control of the school that would have great influence on all aspects of life within the "Halls of Ivy.”
It all came to a head on May 8, 1970, when about 100 students refused to go to their assigned classes and assembled on the lawn in front of the school to protest the actions of the National Guard at Kent State University.
The Principal and the Dean of Students met with the student protesters, and the faculty was advised to take extra care to protect the students for whom they were responsible and to be extremely accurate in their attendance records for each class. Around noon the students returned to their classes and the protest ended peacefully.
It was a time of contradictions. There was pressure to allow students wide choices in how each one would accumulate the total number of credits to graduate. Almost every academic requirement was questioned. All rules became suspect, and the prevailing attitude was "rules are made to be broken" - or at least constantly revised to justify positions that will be popular. This was a time of serious problems such as drugs being sold inside the building and frivolous questions such as, "How short is too short for the length of a girl’s skirt?" or "Should male teachers be allowed to have a beard?"
During all this change emerged Radio Glenbard, known by the call letters WGHS. This was a short-range FM station. It went “On the Air” for the first time to serve the students and residents of the Glenbard West attendance area. The radio station broadcast from 1967-1987. It began again in February 2022, streaming on Live365.com, after a 35-year hiatus.
When Principal John D. Sheahan, Glenbard West’s third principal, announced his retirement in 1971, Dr. Robert D. Elliott, Assistant Superintendent at Oak Park-River Forest High School was appointed his successor.
In 1972, student Tia Rush won $50 in a GWHS logo contest. The contest invited students to design a school flag. Tia Rush, class of 1973, won from among 50 entries and her design of the castle on the hill by the lake is nearly everywhere in and out of the high school.
District 87 faced a $1,000,000 deficit when voters rejected an increase in the Educational Fund and budget cuts of $650,000 were made in several critical areas. Freshmen were limited to four classes, the reading specialist and the social worker were eliminated, class size was increased, supply budgets were slashed, and the number of coaches was reduced.
Another immediate concern for the new administration was the daily schedule. Because of overcrowding, the school had been on an overlapping shift. There were no study halls or homerooms and students were free to leave the building or campus if they had no assigned class. The 1972-73 schedule added an eighth (tutorial) period, required study halls for first and second-year students, and assigned Freshmen to homerooms.
A third concern was the presence of an active group in Glen Ellyn who sought to remove Glenbard West from School District #87 to establish a Glen Ellyn ONLY High School District. These citizens received a favorable initial ruling from the DuPage County Superintendent, and they proceeded to hold several open meetings in the auditorium. When it was finally determined that Glen Ellyn lacked the necessary financial resources, the issue was dropped.
By the end of 1975, the financial picture was even darker, and District 87 had a deficit of nearly $4,000,000. Additional and more extensive budget cuts were necessary. First and second year students were limited to no more than four classes. Even with the reality of a larger enrollment, the number of teachers was reduced; Supply budgets were cut again; and, for the first time, students had to pay for summer school.
The release in February of a study by the Citizens Facility Committee created more uncertainty when it suggested "that perhaps the time has come to close one of the buildings." West seemed to be the logical choice because of its age and operational costs. After a very heated and emotional response to this idea from the Glen Ellyn Community, the study was quietly shelved.
The first Senior Honor Convocation was held, successfully, amid predictions that some students would try to disrupt it. A committee of teachers established Criteria for the Senior Honor Medal which was awarded to Bette Carlson at the 1972 Commencement.
When Superintendent, Dr. Dean Stoakes, announced his retirement in early 1977, the Board of Education named his assistant, Ray Livingston as superintendent. The Livingston Award is still given to this day in his honor.
During this period Glenbard West strove to improve the quality of instruction and to broaden the curriculum. There was a need for more Honors and Advanced Placement Courses to challenge the better students, and more attention needed for lower ability students. In 1972, there were honors sections only in English I and English II, the other 16 courses were one-semester offerings. There were no honors sections in foreign language and only two each in mathematics, social studies, and science.
Coming next month: Glenbard West and the 1980’s—a time when Hollywood films Lucas and graduation moves outside to Duchon Field for the first time.
THE HISTORY OF GLENBARD WEST - 3RD EDITION
Coming soon! The History of Glenbard West High School: 3rd edition. After two years of revisions and additions, this Centennial edition book is ready. Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Glenbard West High School with this gorgeous, full-color, hardcover book. All copies are signed by the author: Glenbard West English teacher, Steve Wiersum.
The book is chock full of pictures and tells the story of Glenbard West High School beginning with its Glen Ellyn High School roots of the 1880's. In addition to the decade-by-narrative, it also includes information on when each sport, club, and activity began and a section on famous and notable alumni.
100% of profits go towards the Glenbard West English Department's Writing Scholarship: The Firley Award. Click Here to purchase.
Chicago: High School Edition (Musical):
April 20-22
Performances begin 7:30 p.m.
Set in the 1920s, CHICAGO is a story of jazz, love, crime, and yearning for fame. Roxie and Velma are on their way to becoming famous performers, but their hopes are dashed when they wind up in jail for crimes they "didn't" commit. They leverage the press and even their own loved ones in a quest to not only be acquitted, but to achieve stardom. Featuring the songs, “All That Jazz” and “Razzle Dazzle,” CHICAGO is a rousing, energetic story that will leave you wanting more.
HEALTH REPORTING FORM AND HEALTH SAFETY REMINDERS
Reminder: use our health reporting form to report school-related health issues.
The DuPage County Health Department offers the following reminders to manage and prevent severe illness related to COVID-19:
- Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.
- Staying home and getting tested if you have symptoms.
- Washing your hands often or using a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- Increasing air flow and maintaining improved ventilation throughout indoor spaces when possible. Spending more time outdoors and in well-ventilated settings.
AP Update
Here is Volume Two of our AP Guide for Families. You’ll find all relevant information about exam registration for second semester-only AP courses, exam order changes, and answers to frequently asked questions about exam registration. Please contact the office of the Assistant Principal for Instruction with questions: (630) 942-7471. For AP-related updates, please join our Remind by texting @gbwaptest to the number 81010 or clicking here.
2023 Standardized School Day Testing Information
As in years past, Glenbard West will provide students the opportunity to experience the College Board Suite of Assessments in April. One of the key advantages of the Suite of Assessments is the availability for students to receive free, high-quality exam preparation through Khan Academy online. You can access Khan Academy's SAT support here.
Please note that the PSAT and SAT testing dates will be non-attendance days for students who are not testing. Details below.
Spring Illinois Science Assessment
Testing Window: March 1, 2023 through April 28, 2023
In compliance with federal testing requirements, Illinois will administer a science assessment to all junior students enrolled in a public school district. The assessment will be administered in an online format and is aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards for Science incorporating the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), which were adopted in 2014.
School Day SAT Test for Juniors
Test Date: Wednesday, April 12, 2023
All juniors will be automatically registered for this test and must take it on this day (or the designated make-up day) as a graduation requirement. This is a non-attendance day for freshmen, sophomores, and seniors.
PSAT Test for Freshmen and Sophomores
Test Date: Monday, April 17, 2023
Freshmen will take the PSAT 8/9 and sophomores will take the PSAT 10. This is a non-attendance day for juniors and seniors.
As testing scores become available throughout the year, students may access their scores in their very own College Board portal. Click the link for Student Directions to Access Scores in the College Board Reporting Portal.
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.
Superintendent encourages a focus on wellness
During the winter, when it can be tempting to hunker down and hibernate, our schools host Live Life Well Week, which is filled with activities designed to inspire students to increase their emotional and physical well-being.
This year’s theme for the week was “When it rains, look for rainbows; when it’s dark, look for stars.” Throughout the week, activities focused on positivity. The activities tapped into creativity as a way to foster gratitude, self-compassion and mindfulness. Activities also will highlight empathy, kindness and connection. The theme and lessons of Live Life Well Week last long after the week ends. Throughout the year, our staff and administrators frequently communicate the importance of these concepts to students.
Healthy tips
We also reinforce health experts’ recommendations to maintain good health:
- Be active. Activities that involve movement such as yoga or dancing release endorphins, which reduce stress and improve one’s mood.
- Get outside. A short walk after school several times a week is good for overall health.
- Develop healthy eating habits. Nutritious food will fuel the body far longer than a diet of mostly processed foods.
- Maintain good sleep habits
- Practice mindfulness techniques
- Develop meaningful relationships with others. Among the benefits is supporting each other during difficult times.
Families are key partners in helping students understand the importance of physical and mental well-being. The Glenbard Parents Series is a tremendous resource for families. Nationally recognized experts share tips for families on a wide range of topics, including helping teens develop coping skills, make healthy choices, benefit from physical activity and much more. Check out the list of upcoming GPS webinars at this link.
Additional resources
- We are fortunate that there are several health resources available in the community. The DuPage Health Department provides numerous health resources, including a list of mental health resources at this link.
- Check our list of additional health community resources at this link.
- West’s knowledgeable, caring student services team is available to help students succeed academically, socially, behaviorally and emotionally. Contact them at 630-469-8600 Ext. 2417.
Together, we can help students develop healthy habits that will last them a lifetime.
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
