Glenbard West

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.

DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL

Glenbard West Community -

Welcome to the 2021 - 2022 school year! The entire staff at Glenbard West has been busy preparing, and we are excited to launch what we hope will be a successful school year. This Newsletter contains a great deal of information, and I encourage you to keep it handy as a document to reference. Finally, I want to extend a special welcome to all incoming freshman students and any new students to the school. I am sure you will find Glenbard West to be a remarkable place full of opportunities.

Our mission this year is to bring the Glenbard West culture back more vital than ever. I am confident that many of our students are excited to get going and participate in the school environment. Please be assured that district-wide, we are focused on maintaining a safe and secure environment. As you know, students and staff must wear masks while in any of our buildings and maintain a social distance of three feet or more, regardless of vaccination status. Additionally, cleaning protocols are in place to ensure that we sanitize all rooms, desks, and equipment regularly. Look for additional information in the next day or so regarding an optional COVID-19 screener for students who choose that option.

This past year was challenging, but it reaffirmed the strength of our school, and it also reminded us of the critical components of any successful high school. Glenbard West has teachers and staff who believe in high expectations and are committed to working with students to stretch themselves academically. We know too that self-regulation and self-empowerment must be part of the high school experience for any young person. Furthermore, our staff understands the role that emotional intelligence and mental health plays in the learning process. All students will have access to this DOCUMENT which will provide them with resources centered around wellness. We work hard to elevate our attention to incorporating a student-centered approach with mutual trust and a true sense of belonging for all of our students. These are the values that make us successful.

I know that there have been some concerns regarding our district-wide grading procedures. Be assured that our teachers have been adopting these practices for some time now and have found great success. Unfortunately, there is a misconception that somehow student accountability and student motivation will be compromised with these new guidelines. In my view, the opposite is true. Instead, we are looking to provide more clarity around grading to students and parents, allow for students to demonstrate their understanding of critical concepts, and perhaps most importantly, use grades and assessments as tools to improve learning overall.

My advice to all students is to take school seriously, work hard, and stay focused. Our teachers, counselors, deans, and staff are here to help, and they are heavily invested in their success. We encourage students to advocate for their 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.

Finally, 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 continually create a robust, inclusive, sustainable 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

Congratulations to Head Girls Coach, Carlos Fuentes, for being named "Coach of the Year" by the Illinois High School Girls Gymnastics Association.

Congratulations to Jason Opoka who was named Illinois Basketball Coaches Association "Coach of the Year" for Class 4A and District 7.

You may have noticed that we are starting the year with two new administrators. Mr. Barlow was promoted to principal of the Glenbard District 87 Directions program, leaving us with an open dean position. Joining us as dean is Mr. Jordan Poll who has been with us as a school psychologist for the past three years. Also, with Dr. Rebecca Sulaver transitioning to the District Office, our hiring committee chose Mr. Ben Peterselli as our new Assistant Principal for Instruction. Ben has served as our English Department Chair for the past ten years. Before that, he was an English Teacher at Wheaton North for eight years. We are excited to have this new talent on our administrative team.

The Dean team is very excited to welcome students back into the building in-person. We would like to share some insight on how your child can be successful this year. The Dean’s office is looking forward to supporting students in being successful, involved, and respectful.

Each student is assigned a Dean and related service staff member according to their counselor.

• For concerns involving attendance, behavior, and general concerns, please contact your child’s assigned Dean.

• Social-emotional related concerns can be directed to related service providers.

• Post-secondary, general academic, and emotional support can be directed to your child’s counselor.

If you are unsure who to contact, all staff members listed below are available to support all students. See below for your support team.

It is extremely important for students to be present everyday and on time to all of their required classes.There is a direct correlation between student success and consistent attendance. We understand that occasional absences are a reality for many students, but excessive absences can negatively impact a student’s academic performance and overall experience. Please review the attendance guidelines below:

• Students are expected to attend all of their required classes on a daily basis.

• Students are expected to arrive to school and class on time every day.

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

• Once the student has accrued twelve absences (excused or unexcused), any additional absences within the semester will not be cleared without a doctor’s note.

We strongly encourage Glenbard West students to dress to be successful. Student dress cannot be disruptive to the educational program or contain vulgarity, obscenity, or promote excessive violence or illegal activities, such as alcohol, tobacco products, drugs/drug use. Students who violate the dress code will face consequences from the Deans' Office.

• 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.

All fall sports began on Monday August 9, 2021. 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 Annual Fall Parent Athlete Meeting will now be a virtual presentation that will be available on the Glenbard West Athletic website starting the week of August 16th. You will learn important updates with regards to fall sports, Booster involvement, our District-wide GPS Series, and Assistant Athletic Director and “Commish” Pete Mastandrea will stress the importance of athletics here at West. This will help both new and returning athletes and their families familiarize themselves with Glenbard West Athletics as we transition through the pandemic.

SCHEDULES OF ATHLETIC PROGRAMS, REFER TO: CLICK HERE

GO WEST!

Enhancing each student’s learning experience by making updates to classrooms, common student spaces, athletic facilities, and our campus, in general, is very exciting. Every summer we take time to make improvements throughout our buildings in order to create a safe and clean learning environment for our students. Below is a brief list of things we accomplished while our students were on summer break:

Indoors:

• Innovative cooperative learning space with collaborative furniture in the business lab

• Painting of hallways

• Updated makerspace in our Library/Media Center

• 3 new classroom sets of student furniture

Outdoors:

• Landscaping and beautifying of campus

• Asphalt Replacement of parking lot/private drive between Duchon and main building

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

Glenbard District 87 will provide the College Board’s PSAT 8/9 (April 19) to all students in the 9th grade, PSAT 10 to all students in the 10th grade (April 19), PSAT/NMSQT (October 13) & the SAT (April 13) to all students in the 11th grade . Only the grades assigned to an exam on the above days will be in attendance.

A final and free way students can prepare for the PSAT or SAT test is through FREE individualized test preparation at the Khan Academy website (www.khanacademy.org/test-prep). Junior students will learn about this free offering at school. Parents and students can learn more about this free resource by watching a 10 minute video at https://goo.gl/BjYDZg. More information about the PSAT test and the SAT test can be found at https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org. More information about additional test prep for Juniors will be available in the Winter.

At 6:15 p.m. parents will report to their student's first period class, at that time, there will be a virtual presentation by Dr. Peter Monaghan.

The staff and students of Glenbard West High School cordially invite you to join us for our annual Open House on Thursday, September 2. We will begin promptly in your student's first period classroom at 6:15 p.m. with a virtual presentation from Dr. Monaghan. From 6:30 to 8:25, you will have the opportunity to follow your student's class schedule. Classes will be ten-minute sessions so that teachers can speak with you and other parents in your group about the specific classes your students are taking this fall. Get ready, as well, to hear about the countless ways in which subjects very familiar to those of us who graduated a few years ago are taking on some new and exciting dimensions. We know that you will have questions about these courses, and we encourage you to ask them. We ask, however, that you arrange for a one-on-one conference with a teacher if you wish to discuss the individual progress of your students. Should our six-story building get you a bit turned around during the evening, student guides will be in our halls to distribute maps and to direct you to classrooms. Please don't hesitate to take advantage of their assistance. We always look forward to this evening, for we have found that it is an excellent way for our parents to get a true feel for the academic program their students are pursuing and to meet those people most responsible for making it come alive for these young ladies and gentlemen.

NOTE IMPORTANT MEETING

Meeting for parents of seniors (with counselors) begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Library.

Meeting for parents of juniors (with counselors) begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Auditorium.

Meeting for parents of sophomores and freshmen (with counselors) begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Cafeteria.

Make sure to bring a copy of your student's schedule with you to Open House.

Here is the schedule you will follow:

Principal presentation during your student's 1st Period Class (6:15 p.m.)

Period 1 (6:15 - 6:40)

Period 2 (6:45 - 6:55)

Period 3 (7:00 – 7:10)

Period 4 (7:15 – 7:25)

Period 5 (7:30 - 7:40)

Period 6 (7:45 - 7:55)

Period 7 (8:00 – 8:10)

Period 8 (8:15-8:25)

Zero Hour (8:30-8:40)

Drivers Ed will be in Room 428.

P.E. will be in the Cafeteria

Please note: There will be an Early Dismissal for students on Friday, September 3. See the Student Early Dismissal Schedule below.

** Lunch period for students and staff

AM routes - no change

AM Bus to TCD - no change

TCD bus brings students back to GBW/leaves TCD at 9:30 a.m.

NO PM TCD

TCD Bus returning Directions student to GBW/leaves TCD at 12:20 p.m.

PM Route Busses will leave school at 12:45 p.m.

Activity bus at 2:00 p.m.

Athletic Busses will leave 4:00 p.m.

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 23

September 13

September 20

October 4

November 1

December 6

• Great Savings!
• Priority Seating!
• A Guaranteed Night Out!
• Email reminders when a main stage show is approaching!

Don't miss a single show...SUBSCRIBE NOW!!!

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.

​

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.

​

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

The Driver's Education Parent Clinic for current Drivers Ed students will be held on Wednesday, September 8th at 6:00 p.m. in Room 303. Teachers will provide the students with a detailed flyer that will be sent home as well.

Front Row: Chris Gladish, Rhiannon Sieck, Natalie Rubino, Beatriz de Ferreira, Lissete Ochoa

Middle Row: Kate Culloton, Margie Kruk

Back Row: Jeremiah Wiencek, Tad Keely, Mike Neberz, Tony Bergantino

Senior year is an exciting time, all those years of hard work culminating in the post-secondary decision-making process! We also understand the entire post-secondary/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 early, 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 their 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 log-in) 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 and always feel free to reach out to your child’s counselor with any questions.

The second step will be counselors meeting with their seniors during “senior convo” on August 24th to discuss the college application process. We believe this and additional information is also important for parents, so there will be another presentation on the evening of our Open House (Wednesday, September 2nd) 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.

Events for the 2021 - 2022 school year will be contingent

upon COVID 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.

At Glenbard West, we offer a violence and bullying hotline which allows students to provide anonymous information to school officials regarding potential school threats or bullying incidents. The number is (630) 942-7406.

Additionally, students can text a CRISIS Test Line: 74141 which sends information to a Crisis Counselor, a real-life human being trained to help individuals return to a healthy/stable level of functioning.

The Attorney General's Safety Tips homepage contains several links that may provide additional helpful resources.

http://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/children/kids/safetytips.html

Students who wish to report a potential act of school violence at Glenbard West may also leave an anonymous message with our Police Liaison Officer at (630) 942-7463.

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