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.
Glenbard West's Charlie Lettenberger Named NFHS Heart of the Arts Award Section Winner.
The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) is proud to announce its nominee for the 2022-23 National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Heart of the Arts Award is Glenbard West High School senior Charlie Lettenberger.
The Heart of the Arts Award was developed to recognize teams or individuals associated with high school activity programs who have overcome incredible adversity or gone above and beyond their peers in actions or service.
The NFHS selected Lettenberger as its Section 4 winner of the award, making him the eighth individual from Illinois to be named a section winner. Section 4 includes the nominees from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin.
“Charlie epitomizes the Heart of the Arts Award,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. “His passion for the arts has helped him overcome and thrive despite facing substantial obstacles in his life. The IHSA prides itself on offering participation opportunities for all students, and it is students like Charlie that exemplify that mission.”
Charlie is afflicted with arthrogryposis amyoplasia, a very rare disorder that confined him to a motorized wheelchair with very limited use of his arms and virtually no use of his legs. His disability has not set him back one iota in in terms of being an exemplary student or participating in the activities he loves.
“Where many would see a disability that hinders participation, Charlie sees opportunity,” said Glenbard West Choir Director Andy Jeffrey. “Whether it is a trip to Disney with airline flights or singing in an honor choir and representing his school, Charlie meets obstacles to access with fierce determination and grace.”
Charlie is the co-President of Glenbard West’s Choir Club and Treasurer of the Theater Club. He has acted in four musicals in his high school career and directed two shows, in addition to performing in a variety of other choir and theater events. He is also a member of the National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society, in addition to making the school Honor Roll all four years and volunteering at Glen Ellyn Children’s Resource Center.
“I have been involved in the arts for as long as I can remember and they have always served as an escape,” said Charlie. “When I sing or act, I never think about any of my limitations and just feel free and like no one is thinking of me any differently from other people. This award gives me validation that I am not just ‘the kid in the wheelchair.’ I am a valued member of the performing arts community that I have dedicated the majority of my life to.”
Here is the parking application for the 2023-2024 school year. Please make sure that you complete the entire application before the end of the day on April 28.
Applications will be reviewed from May 1 until May 11. Students will be notified if they are waitlisted or approved on May 12. Please feel free to contact Mr. Baker in the dean’s office if you have any questions or concerns.
As we near the last seven weeks of the school year, we wanted to take a moment to remind students of a few important expectations that are connected to everyone’s safety and security while in the building.
School ID
You may have noticed that the Deans are conducting random weekly ID sweeps in the morning. During these sweeps, students are issued a WARNING if it is their first time arriving at school without an ID; however, the consequences increase if a student consistently arrives without an ID. Each student MUST carry his/her identification card at all times. Students can carry their ID in their iPad or cell phone case. If you lose your ID, you can purchase a new one in the Library.
In addition for safety/security purposes, students must show their School ID in order to:
Ride the school buses
Enter the school building prior to the first period
Check out materials in the library
Purchase lunch
Enter a dance AND any athletic event
After School Hours
Students, if you are in the building after school hours, you must be supervised by an adult, or involved in athletics/clubs/activities. Students who are waiting for rides are allowed to be in front of the Main Office, Door # 2, or at Biester Foyer.
Bullying Tipline
If you observe or are the victim of any inappropriate behavior, please alert your school Dean as soon as possible.
Students are able to:
Email your Dean
Stop into the Dean’s office; and/or
Call the school helpline (630.942.7406)
Decade Fun Facts about Glenbard West
Besides having big hair, the 1980’s at Glenbard West was also a time of big excitement and big changes. For example, the first graduation to be held on Duchon Football Field occurred on June 10, 1984. With its gorgeous view of Lake Ellyn, the idea of having an outdoor graduation had been suggested many years before, but it wasn’t until the 1980’s that graduation was no longer held in Biester Gym or even in the auditorium, as had been the case in the 1930’s.
Also on Duchon Field in the 1980’s, the bleachers and press box were completed and a year later the Board of Education, with significant financial help from the Boosters Club, added a concession stand, toilets, and team room.
Of course, it is speculation, but it is not probable that Fred L. Biester would have approved permanent football stands. While he was principal, he had the football stands removed at the end of each football season so that there would be an unobstructed view of Lake Ellyn.
Another Life-Safety proposal for 4.4 million dollars to bring all of the Glenbard High Schools into compliance with the newest state safety requirements was approved in January 1984. Fire partitions were erected at each stairwell, smoke and fire alarms were added, fire-resistant carpeting installed, and an elevator was added over a three-year period. A plan to move Radio WGHS to the Park District building in the old Main Street School was found to be too expensive, however, and it had to remain in the tower at Glenbard West after extensive improvements were made.
After so many years and so much effort and money, the building had become quite attractive. Its malevolence was to manifest itself one more time, however, perhaps as a farewell gesture to Dr. Elliott’s retirement. On September 5, 1988, the ceiling in room 326 suddenly let loose and several tons of plaster and debris dropped. There was a class in the room, but the quick action of teacher Ms. Claudia Finley had cleared students out seconds before the collapse. The rails holding the ceiling to the wooden beams had simply let loose; and, while no other ceilings came down, the other 27 rooms in the original wing had the same sort of construction. Amid rumors and considerable media coverage, school was closed for several days while the ceilings were re-anchored.
On a lighter note, the Science Department played a practical joke on their Chairman, George Zahrobsky. The joke involved the yearbook photo of the science department. That picture, taken some time in the early 1980’s, features Science Department Chairman Dr. George Zahrobsky. Behind him stands the GWHS Science Department. As they posed for their Pinnacle yearbook picture, the department quickly put on “Funny Nose and Glasses.” Dr. Zahrobsky didn’t realize what they did—until the yearbook came out the following fall!
When that picture was posted on Facebook in October 2016, Dr. Zahrobsky wrote the following: I remember it well. I had no idea that they did this until Rowan Munsen showed me the picture. It is a favorite of mine. Ah, those were the days. Best regards. I am still above the grass at 83. George Zahrobsky. (He would pass away on September 27, 2021at the age of 88)
Former GWHS Science teacher, Roxanne Pettus, wrote, "George wanted a photo of the department and arranged one at a department meeting with Rowan Munsen. Rick Billings, Ed and I thought that we should not just take a photo and how funny would it be if we all put on Groucho glasses - so he bought the Groucho glasses and let Rowan know what we wanted to do, and Rowan made sure George was in the front row and George didn't know what we did until the photograph was developed."
Over the years the students have shown their feelings toward the building in many ways. At a time when it was fashionable to write graffiti on walls and to vandalize schools, Glenbard West’s building generally escaped that trend. The school has experienced very little defacing of the building or grounds. Further, the students have shown a respect for the art works in the building.
Graduating classes have left class gifts that have enhanced the building and campus. The GLENBARD WEST sign on the front hill, wrought iron gates to the Circle drive, Senior Circle, stained glass windows above the library entrance, in the front stairwell and the fourth-floor lobby, trees in front of Biester gym, clocks and pictures, floor mural in the auditorium lobby, and benches and lighting by the Victory Bell have all come from classes who wanted to leave a lasting gift to their school.
Art student, Chris Wahlgren, spent her junior year spring break paining a mural in room 400. “For the gifted program in 1983-84 with Miss Carroll, we were each asked to do a big project. I had Miss Dill's British Literature class in Room 400 that year, but the mural in the room at that time was unfinished -- I think it might have been the Canterbury Tales or something else set out in the woods. I decided to do a new mural as my project. My mom and I painted it over my spring break junior year using acrylic paint. It was an ambitious project for me, especially since I hadn't used acrylic paint much before. I was originally going to make a long row of figures looking over the classroom like in some Renaissance murals I'd researched, but my mom suggested cutting down the number of figures so it wouldn't take as long to paint.”
In June 1989, Dr. Elliott retired. Also, the library was named the "Robert D. Elliott Library" in his honor. That library came complete with a classroom, larger A-V area, isolated stacks, seating for 200 students, and a stained-glass window over the entrance.
Chicago: High School Teen Edition:
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.
To purchase tickets, please click this LINK.
AP Exam Schedule
AP exams are less than one month away. Here is Volume Three of our AP Guide for Families. You’ll find important information about our AP exam schedule, testing locations, and answers to frequently asked questions. 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.
For additional information about exam registration (including FAQs), please see our AP Guide for Families, Volume One (August) and Volume Two (January). For any additional questions, please do not hesitate to reach out directly.
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.
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 highlights the important of postsecondary planning
With the graduation season quickly approaching, it is a good time to be reminded of the intentional work that we do to ensure every student has a postsecondary plan that aligns with their college and career goals. Each year, our school counselors work closely with each student to align their course selection with their postsecondary plan, and ultimately prepare a personalized postsecondary plan with them during their senior year.
Our talented and knowledgeable school counselors encourage students to explore a variety of courses in different industries and challenge themselves by taking rigorous courses. Choosing the right courses creates opportunities for students to challenge their academic abilities and learn about a variety of careers. Students should consider their interests, talents and career goals when selecting courses. They don’t have to go it alone, though; encourage your student to have ongoing conversations about course selection with their school counselor.
Naviance/SchoolLinks
Our school counselors use Naviance and SchoolLinks, online college and career readiness tools, to help students understand their strengths and interests and use that information to identify college and career options that fit their needs. Within these tools, our school counselors can track and analyze data about college and career plans and support students along the way.
Students use Naviance/SchoolLinks to:
- Research careers and career clusters and take career assessments.
- Build a resume, complete online surveys, and manage timelines and deadlines for making decisions about colleges and careers.
- Complete a college search, research a college and create a target list of schools in terms of size, location and major.
- Apply to a diverse group of colleges to include match, reach and likely schools.
College enrollment and graduation
Among Glenbard students whose plan is to attend college, 78% of Glenbard students enroll in a 2-year or 4-year college, compared to only 62% nationally, and 90% of Glenbard students who enroll in a 4-year school graduate, compared to only 63% nationally.
Whatever career path our students follow, we want each of them to experience success after high school throughout their life. In partnership with families, we are preparing students for success in the future they choose.
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
