Principal's Newsletter

Hello - this is a reminder that you're receiving this email because you have a student at, or have expressed an interest in, Glenbard West High School. Communication between Glenbard West and our families and community is very important to us. Don't forget to add gw_news@glenbard.org to your address book so we'll be sure to land in your inbox! Please email any questions directly to Glenbard Staff, we are happy to respond.

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Dr. Peter Monaghan

Mr. Pete Baker, Ms. Monique Godziszewski, Mr. Joe Kain, Mr. Chris Mitchell,

Mr. Ben Peterselli, Mr. Jordan Poll, Ms. Stacy Scumaci

Glenbard West Community -

Welcome to the 2022 - 2023 school year! The Glenbard West staff is thrilled to start another year with such outstanding students! This Newsletter is unusually long as it contains a great deal of important information. I encourage you to keep it handy as a document to reference here at the start of the year. I want to extend a special welcome to all incoming freshman students and any new students to the school. You will find that Glenbard West is a remarkable place, full of opportunities.

As some of you may know, this year marks our 100 year anniversary as a school. One of the things that makes West so special is its incredible legacy and rich history. We embrace our history, while also championing the many positive and progressive changes that have made Glenbard West a premier high school in the modern era. Learn about our Centennial Celebrations and activities at this LINK. I encourage all of our students, staff and community members to get involved in the fun.

Glenbard West teachers and staff believe in high expectations and are committed to working with students so that they can have the most opportunities once they prepare to leave high school. We know too that “non-cognitive skills” such as self-regulation and self-empowerment must be part of the high school experience for any young person. Our staff understands the role that emotional intelligence and mental health plays in the learning process and for that reason we will continue to provide a multitude of services and supports in those areas. We work hard to create a student-centered approach that includes mutual trust and a true sense of belonging for all of our students. These are the values that make us successful.

My strong advice to all students would be to prepare for success and to expect success. Our teachers, counselors, deans, and staff are here to help, and they are heavily invested in student achievement. We encourage students to advocate for their own learning and growth as much as possible. Also, students should get involved in extracurricular activities, be they clubs or athletics. Student involvement plays a significant role in overall student success.

Remember too that parents and students can find information regarding the school on our web page and via Twitter (@GWhilltoppers), and our electronic calendar. West is very lucky to have several parent groups whose mission is to support our students and help us run programs throughout the school. Please consider any one of these groups when looking to get involved:

Boosters

West Nation

Association of Music Parents

Friends of Forensics

My ongoing mission as principal is to create and sustain a robust, inclusive, learning environment for all Glenbard West students. Please feel free to contact me directly with any questions or concerns.

Go West!

Peter Monaghan, Ed.D.

630-942-7473

peter_monaghan@glenbard.org

A MESSAGE FROM THE DEANS' OFFICE

Welcome to the 2022-2023 School Year!

Here in the Deans' Office, we are excited to kick off the school year and welcome all of our students back from summer break. We strongly encourage all of our students to pay close attention to the building expectations in order to be successful. Please remember that the dean’s office is always available to help students navigate the obstacles of high school.

STUDENT ATTENDANCE

• Tardies and unexcused absences will result in a meeting with your Dean

• A parent or guardian must call the attendance line by 10:30 a.m. to excuse their child from school.

• Once a student has accrued nine total absences, any additional absences will not be excused without a doctor’s note.

TARDIES

• After the bell students cannot enter the classroom without an authorized pass.

• Notification of any consequences associated with tardiness will be issued to students on the Hero Pass.

HALLWAYS

• All students should be in their assigned classes when the bell rings.

• Students must have a valid pass if they are in the hallway during instructional time.

• The passes assigned are color-coded bathroom passes, pupil pass, student service pass, or scanned tardy pass from Prudential Security.

STUDENT DRESS CODE

• Dress for success!

• Student dress cannot be disruptive to the educational program or contain vulgarity, obscenity, or promote violence or illegal activities, such as alcohol, tobacco products, drugs/use.

• Students who violate the dress code will face consequences from the Dean’s Office.

STUDENT IDs

• Students should carry their student identification cards with them at all times.

• Students are required to display their IDs to security and administration when they enter the building.

• IDs are required to purchase lunch, check in to various offices throughout the building, and ride the bus to and from school.

LUNCH

• Off campus privileges are for 10th -12th graders only.

• Remember that you represent Glenbard West when you are off campus.

• Please make sure that you are respectful to students and staff in the cafeteria.

• Always clean up after yourself.

• Eating areas at Glenbard West

• Cafeteria

• Biester Foyer

• Outside on school grounds

SAFETY

Here at Glenbard West the safety and security of our students, teachers, and staff is our top priority. It is a job that can not be done alone, therefore we elicit the support of everyone in the building including students. We ask that students do the following:

• Report anything that is unsafe to the Dean’s Office (fights, unsafe internet activity…)

• Do not prop doors or let anyone into the building.

• Use Door 2 and Door 23 to enter and exit the building.

Glenbard West is proud to offer 30 sports, many of which compete in the prestigious West Suburban Conference. Athletics instills and embraces lifelong learning in our young adults. Our coaches are dedicated to helping foster communication and teamwork to give everyone who participates a quality experience. Although our numbers are outstanding, we constantly look for improvement and encourage everyone at West to get involved in some way.

All fall sports began on Monday, August 8, 2022. Fall sports include Boys and Girls Cross Country, Boys and Girls Golf, Football, Boys Soccer, Girls Volleyball, Girls Tennis, Girls Swimming and Girls Field Hockey. If there are students looking to join these programs, please reach out to joseph_kain@glenbard.org, as there may be opportunities for athletes to join after the season has started.

In order to participate, registration must be completed on the parent portal for PowerSchool, which includes the Athletic Code agreement and concussion awareness agreement. In addition, a current physical within the last 13 months MUST be turned into the Athletic Office prior to practicing. The Glenbard West Athletic Handbook can be found on the Athletic website as well.

Please note that our mandatory Annual Fall Parent Athlete Meeting will be in person on Tuesday, August 16, starting at 6:30 p.m. in Biester Gymnasium. Many sports will have their program meeting either before or after the meeting in Biester.

You will learn important updates regarding fall sports, Booster involvement, information from our Athletic Trainers, and our District-wide GPS series. We will also talk about the proud history of Glenbard West and its Centennial celebration, with many events scheduled throughout the year. This will help both new and returning athletes and their families familiarize themselves with Glenbard West Athletics.

Please note that athletic schedules do change from time to time due to weather and other circumstances. The most up to date information, along with helpful links such as the athletic handbook, can always be found at https://il.8to18.com/glenbardwest/home and can be easily accessed from the Glenbard West home page.

SCHEDULES OF ATHLETIC PROGRAMS, REFER TO: CLICK HERE

GO WEST!

Welcome to the 2022/2023 School Year! This summer has been very busy and we are excited to share some of the changes that have taken place:

Indoors:

• Brand new Theater Rigging and Dimmer System Replacement
• New Common Space Furniture on Fourth Floor Bridge
• New Display Cases Outside of Auditorium
• New Flooring in Room 320
• New Cafeteria Flooring and Paint
• Stage Floor and Upper Theater Carpet Replacement
• Gym Floor Screening
• Faculty Cafe Floor Replacement

Outdoors:

• New Auditorium Roof (will continue work through first semester)
• Auditorium Tuckpointing
• Courtyard Tuckpointing and Drainage Repair
• Replacement of Retaining Wall at Maintenance Drive
• Replacement of Maintenance Drive
• Outdoor Track Repairs/Resurfacing
• Circle Drive Lighting Repairs

I look forward to a safe and successful school year. Please feel free to contact me directly with any questions or concerns.

Stacy Scumaci

Assistant Principal for Operations

630.942.7465

We are excited to welcome parents back to Glenbard West with our annual Open House on Thursday, September 1st from 5:30 p.m. to 8:25 p.m. Please plan to join us for this opportunity to hear from school counselors, walk your student’s schedule, meet their teachers, and learn more about course content and other school programs. Additional details will be communicated later in August.

State Testing Information:

As in years past, Glenbard District 87 will provide students with the College Board’s SAT Suite of Assessments in 2022-23:

• Wednesday, October 12, 2022: PSAT / NMSQT for Juniors

• Wednesday, April 12, 2023: SAT for Juniors

• Monday, April 17, 2023: PSAT 8/9 and PSAT 10 for Freshmen and 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.

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.

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.

On these days, freshmen and new students are required to remain at school from 2:00 to 2:35 p.m. for additional enrichment activities. Busses will be provided for students at the conclusion of the meetings.

August 22

September 12

September 19

October 3

November 7

December 5

Alice in Wonderland, Chicago, 2 Black Box Shows and a Haunted House!

1st Theatre Club Meeting: 2nd day of school, August 11th at 2:45 p.m. in the MURC (Rm. 303)

Fall Plays Info Session and Auditions are the 2nd week of school. No experience required.

Actors, Technicians, and Business members needed - ALL ARE WELCOME!

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.

Superintendent discusses power of routines, parents' involvement

I am excited about the possibilities and new learning opportunities that the start of this school year brings. As the new year gets started, there are many ways parents and guardians can support our students, who are taking new classes, meeting new teachers, and making new friends. Establishing routines at the beginning of the year is key. Also, research shows that when parents and guardians are actively involved in students’ education, students have:

• Higher grades and graduation rates
• Better attendance
• Increased motivation, better self-esteem
• Decreased use of drugs and alcohol

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
• Monitor time spent on social media, watching TV, and playing video games

Let’s take a closer look at routines and being involved in a student’s education:

Establish routines and expectations

It is important to establish routines and expectations about school work, healthy eating, physical activity, and sleep. Routines and expectations help teens feel secure and comfortable, even if they initially bristle at the idea.

To-do lists and prioritizing

It’s helpful to encourage students to prioritize their assignments and make to-do lists with deadlines. Whether students use an app or paper and pen to create to-do lists, they will have a calmer, clear path to completing their work if they leverage the power of setting deadlines and prioritizing their work.

Monitor communications from your student’s teachers

Be sure to check PowerSchool and Schoology regularly. In PowerSchool, students and parents/guardians can view grades, scores, class schedules and attendance. For easy access to this information, use the PowerSchool app on your phone.

Schoology is the place where teachers post assignments and learning materials. With your Schoology account, you will be able to view your student’s activity within Schoology, including the homework they have turned in, teacher feedback, due dates for future assignments and other important class information.

PowerSchool and Schoology sign-up instructions are at this link.

Also, the PowerSchool Email Notifications page allows you to manage your parent/guardian account email preferences.

Keep communication channel with your student open

• When talking with your teen, go beyond the typical “how was your day” question. Encourage kids to discuss classes, friends and any peer pressures.
• Be intentional about asking questions. Know your teen’s friends; what they’re doing in class; and what’s bothering them.
• Acknowledge your teen’s achievements. At this age, teen-agers are experiencing rapid physical and mental growth. They seek affirmation from teachers, peers and family. Celebrate academic success and success in any extracurricular activities.

Attend open house and parent-teacher conferences

Attending open house is a great way to get to know your student’s teachers and their expectations, and parent-teacher conferences provide a valuable opportunity early in the year to learn how your student is doing in class.

Attend after-school events

If your schedule allows, attend your teen’s athletic events, concerts and theatrical productions. The typical teen-ager might not thank their parent for showing up, but be assured they want to see you in the stands and audience. When you celebrate them, be specific in telling them why you are proud of them.

These are the years that will form who our students will be as adults, and what path they may pursue beyond high school. With routines and a parent/guardian’s involvement in their student’s education, our students will thrive in school.

Glenbard West Boosters is primarily a fundraising organization with more than 500 members and 100+ Board members that plans various Booster-sponsored fundraising and service projects. The funds raised enhance academic and athletic programs and extra-curricular activities that enrich the student experience at Glenbard West.

In the past ten years, more than $1,300,000 was raised and disbursed thanks to the ongoing generosity of families and merchants in the Glenbard West community.

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Booster members work all-year-long promoting West spirit by

• selling Glenbard West gear and sportswear

• flipping pancakes at the Homecoming Pancake Breakfast

• manning the Homecoming bonfire

• chaperoning the Homecoming dance

• serving up steaming plates of pasta at the “Pack the Place” winter sports extravaganza

• hosting annual fundraisers for adults in the community

We encourage every parent, alum, and Glen Ellyn resident to consider joining Glenbard West Boosters. It is easy to become a member. Remember that your generous donations and personal involvement make a big difference in enriching the students’

experience at West.

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If you are interested in learning more about the Glenbard West Boosters, have an interest in joining the Board, or wish to get involved in a specific activity, please contact an Executive Board member or send an email to President@gwboosters.com. We are eager to share the news about the organization and find a way for you to help the kids! So get involved, make a difference, meet some great new people, and have fun!

​

Go West!

CLICK HERE FOR BOOSTER WEBSITE

Any students who missed registration week (August 3rd and 4th) should plan on having their photo taken by Lifetouch during the retake date on October 27th if you would like your portrait in the yearbook.

The Yearbook Club is unable to use photos that are taken on the ID machine (in the Library) during the school year, including any photos taken on the first day of school for those absent.

Please contact Mrs. Rio if you have any questions.

The Driver's Education Parent Clinic for current Drivers Ed students will be held on Wednesday, August 24th at 6:30 p.m. in Room 303 (MURC). Teachers will provide the students with a detailed flyer that will be sent home as well.

SCHOOL COUNSELING DEPARTMENT

Front Row: Peggy Mirka, Kate Culloton, Rhiannon Sieck, Jeremiah Wiencek, Chris Gladish, Beatriz de Ferreira, Lissete Ochoa

Back Row: Mike Neberz, Tad Keely, Natalie Rubino, Tony Bergantino

Senior year is an exciting time, all those years of hard work culminating in the postsecondary decision making process! We also understand the entire postsecondary/college application process can be a stressful one. Between visits, financial considerations, discussions on the right fit, and pressure put on you by the colleges themselves trying to get you to apply earlier every year, things can easily become overwhelming. This process can be especially challenging for many of our seniors who may be the first in their family to apply to college. To minimize your worries, West’s School Counselors are here to guide all seniors and their families along the way. The School Counseling department has a senior video series to help guide them and families throughout each step of the way.

The first step in the college application process is all seniors and their parents completing the “Counselor Recommendation Form” and “Parent Input Form” respectively on Naviance (use “Continue with Single Sign On” Option to login) under “About Me” and “My Surveys.” This valuable information will help support seniors’ letters of recommendation. Please refer to the School Counseling Senior Family Letter sent home through email on August 1 from Jeremiah Wiencek and always feel free to reach out to your child’s School Counselor with any questions.

The second step will be counselors meeting with their seniors during “senior convo” on August 23rd to discuss the college application process. We believe this, and additional information, is also important for parents, so there will be another presentation the evening of Open House, Thursday, September 1st to help guide families through the application process as well. After the senior convo and parent presentations, counselors will be meeting with all seniors in small groups (and individually as needed), fully preparing all seniors for the major November 1st deadline. Stay tuned to your child’s Naviance account, future newsletters and emails for additional information.

STUDENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT

Front Row: Kristie Smalley, Nisa Gabbidon, Jaclyn Reeves, Mary Yangas, Claire Leoni, Pam Hagstrom

Back Row: Amanda Meyer, Bridget Mazzone, Chris Mitchell, Deandra Bass, Jessica Walters

Welcome back! Your student is a valuable member of Glenbard West. This community is rich in diversity and uniqueness including our many offerings of extracurricular activities. A major pillar of mental wellness is the feeling of belonging and acceptance. Additionally, having a source of pride and enjoyment within their day. As a school, we encourage ALL students to discover their passions and create social connections by getting involved in activities, clubs, music, arts, theater, and sports. Research shows that involvement in organized activities that students enjoy can improve mental health and well-being. In fact, students with hobbies or passions are less likely to suffer from stress, low mood, and depression. Not only can involvement support wellness, but it can also help students to get out and about which promotes feelings of happiness and relaxation. Lastly, group activities can improve your student's social awareness and relationship skills.

It is important to keep in mind that your student engages in purposeful involvement so as to not overwhelm them. BALANCE IS KEY! If your student is interested in becoming more involved please check out the Glenbard West Club and Interest Form link.

As a school, we value wellness and mental health. If you recognize that your student is struggling, please feel free to contact the staff personnel listed below to seek support, guidance, and necessary resources.

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.

JOIN WEST NATION!

Purchase a West Nation Membership for your student for $20. Purchase of this Membership will confirm your support for West Nation’s many service and social activities and add you to our mailing list for upcoming events, volunteer opportunities and other updates. In addition, it will provide one student full admittance to four West Nation Member Activities for this coming school year: Circle Drive Dance, Punt Pass & Kick, Dodgeball and Spring Fling. As always, West Nation events are offered in accordance with D87 guidelines for COVID 19 safety.

Make a donation to West Nation. All donations directly support West Nation programming. West Nation is a 501c3 organization. Membership and donations may qualify for tax deductibility. Please consult your tax adviser.

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

Events for the 2022 - 2023 school year will be contingent

upon safety guidelines of District 87.

Schools across the nation are experiencing more and more students who have latex allergies. Often, students with this allergy can have severe and even life-threatening reactions if exposed to latex resins and powders. For their safety, there are certain latex products we no longer allow on campus. Latex balloons and “Silly String” pose a significant health threat to students with a latex allergy. These products are not allowed on campus at any time, including after school, evening, and weekend events. With this in mind, we request your help: Please talk with your children about this health and safety issue. Some students might not understand the reason for a “balloon ban.” At West, we want all parents to know that their children are safe on campus.

Crisis Text Line - Text REACH to: 741741

This sends information to a Crisis Counselor, a real-life human being trained to help individuals return to a healthy/stable level of functioning.

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.”

Students who wish to report a potential act of school violence at Glenbard West may also leave an anonymous message with our School Resource Officer at (630) 681-3177 or call the Bullying Hotline Call (630) 942-7406

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.

Email: gw_news@glenbard.org
Website: glenbardwesths.org
Location: 670 Crescent Blvd.
Phone: 630-469-8600
Twitter: @GWHilltoppers