Principal's January Newsletter
January 2022
Hi, this is a reminder that you're receiving this email because you have a student at, or have expressed an interest in, Glenbard East High School. Communication between Glenbard East and our families and community is very important to us. Don't forget to add ge_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
IMPORTANT DATES
January 17
NO SCHOOL
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday
January 19
Jazz Concert
7pm - Biester Auditorium
January 20
Senior Honors Recital
6PM - BIester Auditorium
February 2
Valentines for Vets
2:30PM - 3:30PM - Cafeteria
February 2
WInter Theatre Performances
3:30 PM - Rider Hall
February 3 - 5
Winter Theatre Performances
7:30 PM - Rider Hall
February 10
Winter Band Concert
7PM - Biester Auditorium
API DISCUSSES ACADEMIC COURSES AND PATHWAYS
It’s that time of year when Glenbard East students meet with their school counselor to register for next year’s classes. With so many course offerings at East, it is important for students and parents/guardians to discuss educational and career pathways and develop a plan to work toward graduation requirements as well as post secondary high school intentions.
The East Academic Program Guide will help students and parents plan a high school program based on these goals. This guide contains specific course descriptions, high school graduation requirements and descriptions of specific programs. Selecting the right courses not only prepares students for life after high school, but also creates opportunities for students to challenge their academic abilities. Students should consider their interests, talents, and future career goals when selecting courses. Parents are highly encouraged to be actively involved with their student in selecting an appropriate program of courses for the coming year by discussing the appropriate course selection with their student, teachers, and counselor.
COURSE ENROLLMENT
The online enrollment process closed on January 3, 2022. Students will continue to be able to view their choices in their Power School accounts, but any changes will need to be requested through their school counselors. Counselors will meet with all students individually between January 10th and February 4th during all PE/Health/Drivers Education classes to ensure that student selections address remaining graduation requirements. Review the following video How to prepare for your counselor meeting to be best prepared to finalize your course requests. Please continue to monitor your student’s Power School account during that time to note any changes. Parents, please continue to work and review your student’s course requests for the 22-23 school year.
ILLINOIS STATE ASSESSMENTS
AP Exams
Most of our Advanced Placement students have registered for their AP Exams. Click here for the 2022 exam schedule set by the College Board. If your child did not sign up for an exam and would like to, there still is time. A $40 late fee will be charged on top of the testing fee. Contact our AP Coordinator Beth McNett if you have questions. She can be reached at beth_mcnett@glenbard.org or by calling 630.627.9250.
How to Access College Board Score Reports
AP, SAT, PSAT 8/9, PSAT10 and PSAT NMSQT Score Reports - 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.
2022 Standardized School Day Testing Information
G.E. Theatre Presents: The Complete Works Of William Shakespeare (abridged) [Revised]
Featured are all 37 of Shakespeare’s plays, meant to be performed in 97 minutes. Fast paced, witty, and physical, it’s full of laughter for Shakespeare lovers and haters alike.
February 2,4,5 at 7:30pm
February 3 at 3:30pm
in Rider Hall
Purchase tickets online here.
Health Department COVID-19 General Prevention
The Illinois Department of Public Health provides the following information. Protect yourself from all infectious diseases by using these precautions.
- Stay home when you are sick
- Avoid contact with people who are sick
- Get adequate sleep and eat well‐balanced meals
- Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds or longer and dry hands with a clean towel or air dry
- Wear a cloth face cover when going out in public
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands or after touching surfaces
- Cover your mouth with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing
- Clean and disinfect “high touch” surfaces often
- Call before visiting your doctor
Local Scholarships For Seniors
Each year over forty local scholarships are awarded to Glenbard East Seniors who are planning to further their education. Last year over $50,000 was awarded to Glenbard East Seniors. You will find information about the application process and the application here and on our website by clicking Students, then School Counseling, then Scholarships & Financial Aid. The application and recommendations are due the evening of February 4th. Good luck!
ATTENTION: Parents of the Class of 2022
Graduation Commencement information is now posted on the Glenbard East website under the “Student” heading, then click on “Graduation 2022.” This information will be updated periodically. Currently, a calendar of important dates for seniors has been posted as well as the contact information for our partners at Josten’s.
Yearbook Information
The last day to pre-order your yearbook for $55 is January 21. Click HERE
Senior Baby Ads can be ordered online HERE. Due date is February 10.
Congratulations to German Students!
Herzlichen Glückwunsch to sophomore Annalee Kalbfleisch! Annalee was 1 of 16 students from the United States invited to the National Round of the Goethe Institut’s Internationale Deutscholympiade or German Olympics. Annalee spent a December weekend in downtown Chicago representing Glenbard East and the entire midwest in a variety of German speaking, listening, reading and writing competitions. Annalee is the 2nd German student from Glenbard East to ever make the National Round of the IDO competition in school history. Juniors Hannah Hadraba, Ben Judd and Eva Mathie also took place in the preliminary rounds of the competition and represented Glenbard East with great pride! Gut gemacht!
Congratulations All-State Musicians
The following students have been selected to the All-State level and will to travel to Peoria to participate in the 2022 Illinois Music Educators Conference (IMEC) this month.
Musicians qualify for All-State by having the top rankings in their ILMEA District. Future Music Educator Seminar attendees won their entry with an essay submission. Composition winners were chosen from among 300 entries in 21 categories.
Band
SOFIA LOGACHO – Bb Clarinet
LUCAS LOGACHO – Tuba
Future Music Educator Seminar
FIONA BILKEY
KRISTIN CRISOSTOMO
Composition
JERRY COBOS: “Layers” – Rap/Hip Hop, 3rd Place
LYEL PASCASIO: “bebegurl” -Remix, 2nd Place & “Happy Journey” -Arranging, Honorable Mention
RAMS OF THE MONTH: NOVEMBER & DECEMBER
About Rams of the Month
Our Rams of the Month are outstanding students who display our District 87 Profile of a Graduate tenets which include evidence of communication, critical thinking, embracing diversity, creation, collaboration, or self-empowerment within their classrooms or extracurriculars. These students were nominated by staff and are deserving of our recognition. Ms. Alexandria Taylor, Assistant Principal for Student Services, personally recognizes these students each month. Congratulations to all!
Cesar DePaz
Cesar works hard every day in US History class. He is engaged and positive in class. Caesar is a great example of a Glenbard East achiever. He puts the work in day by day to earn an A in US History. We truly appreciate his hard work and positive energy.
Estrella Pedroza
I would like to recommend Estrella Pedroza. They continue to demonstrate effective communication, critical thinking skills and ability to embrace diversity. Throughout Persepolis Estrella constantly prompted fellow students to think about how the text applied to the world around them, and openly shared their own experiences. Estrella is also always seeking clarification and help, and advocated for themselves in the classroom and extracurriculars. Estrella is an exceptional member of the Ram family.
Samantha Johnson
I am nominating Samantha because of the way she helps others in Calculus and in other math classes. Samantha is an excellent partner who will take the time to help her classmates even if it slows herself down. She also has begun helping other students in math during her lunch period. Samantha is always well-prepared and asks excellent questions that show she is thinking ahead and making connections beyond the problem at hand. The entire class benefits because of the kind of questions Samantha asks.
Trevion Rogers
Trevion has worked very hard the second half of this semester to bring up his Biology grade. I have seen an increase in his focus and determination to perform well in class. He has also demonstrated respect towards me and Mr. Buss during Biology class.
Jiya Patel
Jiya has had an amazing mindset and outlook toward engineering education this year. She is fun, and outgoing on a daily basis all at the same time as smart as it gets. Her classmates look to her for leadership during all of our collaborative work, and she performs at a level that they all strive to meet.
Lane Staffeldt
We are proud to nominate Lane Staffeldt for Ram of the Month in the Visual Arts department. Lane represents the profile of a graduate by using critical thinking skills to generate creative solutions through their artwork. Lane is a dedicated and self-empowered student that likes to work ahead and make art just for fun. Lane collaborates and communicates with their peers in order to help them grow as individuals. Lane's inventive because they think like an artist, and goes beyond by seeking unusual materials for assignments.
Agnes Ruaika
Agnes exemplifies taking care of others and East through her positive interactions with her classmates on a daily basis.
Lauren Iwinski
Jayda Swapsy
Jayda is self-motivated and she works hard, often assisting her classmates. Jayda consistently demonstrated her ability to communicate well with others and she displayed a growth-mindset that positively impacted her class.
STAFFULTY OF THE MONTH: NOVEMBER & DECEMBER
About Staffulty of the Month
The Glenbard East Staffulty of the Month Award has been established to recognize outstanding people for their dedication, professionalism, and work. Those receiving this award are nominated by administrators, colleagues, and students for exhibiting our D87 Profile of an Educator tenants.
Each month, we recognize two staff members based on their advocacy for students, empathy for others, critical thinking, embracing diversity, innovation, and collaboration.
Congratulations to this month's honorees!!
Lizette Ramirez
Lizette Ramirez was nominated by a staff member and a student for exhibiting the following Profile of an Educator competencies: Advocates, Empathizes, Collaborates, and Thinks Critically. Here is what they had to say:
"Lizette goes above and beyond for the families she works with. She is compassionate, patient and always willing to help them find solutions. She is collaborative and is always responding from a teams based approach. We are so lucky to have her at East!"
"She helped me so much."
Frank Nebbia
Frank Nebbia was nominated by 3 students for exhibiting the following Profile of an Educator competencies: Advocates, Empathizes, Thinks Critically, Embraces Diversity, Innovates, Collaborates. Here is what they had to say:
"He help a lot of us get somewhere we weren’t"
"GREATEST TEACHER TO STEP FOOT ON THIS PLANET"
Brian Bastian
Brian Bastian was nominated by 3 staff members for exhibiting the following Profile of an Educator competencies: Advocates, Empathizes, Thinks Critically, Embraces Diversity, Innovates, Collaborates. Here is what they had to say:
"Detective Bastian is such a valuable staff member at East. This year, with multiple school safety concerns, Detective Bastian has always been in the right place at the right time to help keep both students and staff members safe. He is devoted to his craft, and East is fortunate to have someone such as him as their SRO. Thank you Detective Bastian for all of your hard work and dedication to making East a safer and overall better place for both students and staff members."
"SRO Bastian always thinks of our students first which is demonstrated daily through his interactions with students directly as well as with collaborating with the Dean's Office. He is always willing to put himself in tough situations to protect Glenbard East and all of its family. Also, he rocks!"
"During this whole semester, Brian has been helpful, insightful, and collaborative as challenging cases have come up. He has also been supportive in situations when the Dean's office has needed additional help. I have observed him speak to students and parents with respectful honesty and empathy. As an SRO and member of the Lombard Police Department, , Brian has offered the perspective of the community, services, and additional resources as appropriate."
Dr. Susana Held
"Susy may be small in stature, but she brings a lot of skills to East! We are lucky to have her in the Dean's Office as she brings a unique perspective from her school psych background. Her work ethic is second to none and both the students and staff are fortunate to have her in their corner. Thanks Susy for all that you do!"
"Dean Held goes out of her way to support her students. She has spent numerous hours outside of her work day to take care of her students, because she does what is best for our students."
A MESSAGE FROM ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL FOR STUDENT SERVICES
As we start a new semester, I hope you and your family are settled in after the holidays. As we progress through this winter season, I’d like to share a few reminders to ensure your student is optimally equipped for success.
Glenbard East Student Support Services
Does your child need extra help? Check out the Student Support Services
Student Helpline
Encourage your child to call our student helpline 630-424-6670 anytime they need to make reports about student safety. Anonymous reporting is available. We are here to help!
Exposure to COVID-19?
Parents/guardians should continue to report exposure to COVID-19 and diagnosis of COVID-19 within the home. Students can report exposure here. Exposures can also be reported to the Health Office at 630-424-7133 or email Laura_Grabowski@glenbard.org.
Contact tracing
We want to thank the families and staff for their support and willingness to continue to work with us during these challenging times. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) recommendations for stopping the spread of COVID-19 is to follow a contact tracing protocol in each of our buildings. Contact tracing is a critical collaboration between County Health Officials and our District Administrators.
Student Activities
School engagement does not just mean involvement in academics. It also includes getting involved in one of our extracurricular activities. Encourage your student to participate in one of our 50+ clubs or activities and become more connected with fellow peers and teachers.
Live Life Well Week
Glenbard District 87 students and staff will celebrate Live Life Well Week 2021 from Feb. 21-25. The week is an opportunity to bring focus to the skills necessary to persevere, moving forward in positive healthful ways, developing the resilience and healthy habits to “Live Life Well.” This year's theme is, "Grow Through What You Go Through” -- supporting a positive mindset to help students address the special challenges and opportunities of today’s world. We will highlight connection, communication and being aware of our emotions (emotion regulation) as protective factors against life's stressors. The week kicks off with special GPS events on Feb. 16 and 17 focusing on self-compassion and self-care. Link at GlenbardGPS.org.Details at glenbardgps.org.
If you have any questions or concerns related to student services, please contact Ms. Alexandria Taylor, Assistant Principal for Student Services at 630-424-6603. Thank you in advance for making student health, attendance, and engagement a priority with your student.
FROM THE DEANS' DESK
HAPPY NEW YEAR! We hope you and your family were able to get some needed rest and quality time together over the holiday break. We are looking forward to a successful rest of the school year. This edition of the parent newsletter will provide some simple reminders and partnering requests.
SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING!
School safety is a community effort. Please continue to report and encourage your children to report concerns from social media and school to the Deans’ office. Students’ who SEE SOMETHING AND SAY SOMETHING are integral in our efforts to keep GBE safe for all students and staff.
ATTENDANCE: WE NEED YOUR HELP!
CLEAN SLATE: Semester 2. All students’ attendance is now clear for semester 2. Please review the Student Handbook for attendance policies regarding absences in excess of 12 days.
REMINDER: Please call your child into the Attendance Office at 630.627.2595 if they are sick, have a late arrival, an appointment, or an early dismissal.
Remember that a parent/guardian must call their child into the Attendance Office as soon as possible if they will be out of school for the day. Sleeping in, missing the bus, or school refusal are not viable reasons to be late or to miss school. Students will be issued an unexcused tardy or TRUANT for any of these reasons. Detentions and other consequences will be assigned based on frequency and severity of infractions.
Truancy: Students with excessive unexcused absences will receive a TRUANT notification and may receive consequences including detentions or BIA. Please encourage your child to attend all their classes and to be on time, or please call the attendance office for an all day excused absence.
Early Dismissal: A parent/guardian should call the attendance office at least 2 hours prior or provide a note the morning of to secure your child’s early dismissal. Thank you for your assistance with this!
HEALTH PROTOCOLS
Please stay home and contact the health office at 630.424.7133 for any student or family COVID-19-like symptoms or positive test results.
Exclusions: Students may be excluded from attending school and activities for COVID like symptoms or exposure, lack of providing COVID documentation post quarantine, and missing immunizations or physicals.
Mask Wearing: The current government mandate requires all staff and students in a school wear an approved mask that fully covers the nose and mouth. Please help us remind students that improper wearing of the mask can result in dean consequences if the student is consistently in violation. Thank you for your support!
Glenbard East Student Support Services
For student wellness, social, or emotional support, check out the Student Support Services one-pager. For additional support from the community, click here.
DEANS:
Jordan Carrero Jordan_carrero@glenbard.org
Susana Held Susana_held@glenbard.org
Stacey Welton Stacey_welton@glenbard.org
Ryan West Ryan_west@glenbard.org
Superintendent, Dr. David Larson, Shares Ways to Support Health & Safety
There’s an old adage that says the only constant in life is change. That’s certainly true when it comes to the pandemic. The effect of the Omicron variant is the latest change we are navigating.
As we have done throughout the pandemic, we continue to follow guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois State Board of Education, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and DuPage County Health Department. As you’ve seen, guidance from health officials changes frequently. Be assured that we closely monitor these changes and discuss what the changes mean to our schools with health officials and area school leaders.
In addition to adhering to all COVID-19 safety mitigations, we offer our students and staff free, voluntary SHIELD Illinois testing at school. We invite students and staff to get tested. Our process requires that a parent or guardian provides consent to test by logging into PowerSchool so their student can participate in voluntary testing on either a weekly or twice per week basis. If you have not participated yet, you may start at any time.
Here are a few ways we can all help support the health and safety of our students and staff:
- Anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should stay home and get tested.
- Contact your student’s school health services office if your student is symptomatic.
- Get vaccinated, including a booster shot.
- Wear masks properly, including over your nose and mouth.
- Wash your hands regularly.
- Maintain a social distance from others.
Working together, we can help reduce the spread of the virus.
Glenbard Parent Series (GPS)
BECOME A GEMA MEMBER
The Glenbard East Music Association is comprised of parents, faculty, students, alumni, and community members. GEMA membership is key to continued support of all the music programs at East. GEMA’s budget helps fund items such as student lesson scholarships, student awards, college scholarships, trips, uniform maintenance and upkeep, the gRAMmy’s and other celebrations, Color Guard training, classroom supplies, and guest clinicians.
Please download a membership form here. To find out how you can become more involved please contact GEMA President Colette Luchetta-Stendel at colette@ameritech.net
ATHLETIC NEWS FOR JANUARY
We continue to build and live by our athletic motto: Students First: VICTORY Will Happen…as victory is way more important than just simply winning. We continue to implement the Glenbard Profile of a Graduate transferable life skills and its six (6) competencies: self-empowered, communicates, thinks critically, embraces diversity, creates, and collaborates. We feel these skills will afford our students post-secondary opportunities including college, jobs/careers, military, or wherever their life's path may take them.
We enjoy supporting our student-athletes and coaches as they compete and we enjoy having our families and spectators attend these events. We continue to encourage ALL to wear masks (particularly indoors), wash your hands, socially distance (6ft) when possible, and get vaccinated if you can. These safety measures afford our athletic program the best opportunity to continue competing.
UPCOMING SPRING SPORTS and COACH INFO:
- TRACK & FIELD BOYS - start date Tuesday, January 18, Head Coach Daniel Greco (daniel_greco@glenbard.org)
- TRACK & FIELD GIRLS - start date Tuesday, January 18, Head Coach Molly Gstalter (molly_gstalter@glenbard.org)
- GYMNASTICS BOYS – start date Monday, February 14, Head Coach Wayne Hill (wayne_hill@glenbard.org) OR Assistant Alexis Eckersall (alexis_eckersall@glenbard.org)
- BADMINTON - start date Monday, February 28, Head Coach Scott Llorens (scott_llorens@glenbard.org)
- BASEBALL - start date Monday, February 28, Head Coach Clayton George (clayton_george@glenbard.org)
- SOCCER GIRLS - start date Monday, February 28, Head Coach Kent Overbey (kent_overbey@glenbard.org)
- SOFTBALL - start date Monday, February 28, Head Coach Victor Swanson (victor_swanson@glenbard.org)
- TENNIS BOYS - start date Monday, February 28, Head Coach Steven Hoogerheide (steven_hoogerheide@glenbard.org)
- VOLLEYBALL BOYS - start date Monday, March 7, Head Coach Kelly Markworth (kelly_markworth@glenbard.org)
STUDENT ATHLETIC FEES/REGISTRATION - $150
All students/families who participate in athletics will be required to register and pay the $150 athletic fee for one, two, or three sports. Student-athletes are encouraged to take advantage of this great deal and participate in multiple sports! Fees are due before the first competition. Parents can register and pay online through PowerSchool. If needed, there is a waiver available through the athletic office.
GLENBARD EAST ATHLETICS ON THE INTERNET
Glenbard East Athletics keeps players, parents, and fans up to date with team news, pictures, schedules, rosters and more.
For the most up to date team schedules and announcements, please visit our athletic website: http://il.8to18.com/glenbardeast
Follow us on Twitter: @GEHS_Athletics
NFHS Livestream: If you cannot attend in-person, please view our Rams teams that compete in the East Gym-Main Gym and in the Stadium: Click here for Livestream Events
Athletic Wall-of-Achievement: https://glenbardeast.touchpros.com/Home2.aspx
ATHLETIC BOOSTER CLUB
Our Athletic Booster Club annually raises over $30,000 that go directly to our teams and student-athletes and help provide essentials to support our athletic teams pursuit of VICTORY! We need more parent volunteers! Please sign up and continue to help enhance our athletic program. The main website is: www.eastboosters.com for information about membership, parent volunteer opportunities, fundraisers, concession, purchasing spirit wear, and family activity passes. Any further inquiries please contact Athletic Booster Club President, Mrs. Jerri Gapastione (jgw8@comcast.net).
Be on the lookout for information upcoming for fundraisers in 2022, including Trivia Night (February 25 at the VFW in Villa Park) and our Spring Golf Outing (late April/early May).
Glenbard East High School
Email: ge_news@glenbard.org
Website: glenbardeasths.org
Location: 1014 South Main Street, Lombard, IL, USA
Phone: (630) 627-9250
Twitter: @GE_Rams