ZBTHS Parent Bulletin
From the ZBTHS Principal's Office Vol. 2, Issue 11
Principal's Message 1/7/22
Happy New Year, Zee Bee Community. Welcome to 2022 and the start of Semester 2. Although I am sure we are all COVID-fatigued and would like nothing more than to put this pandemic behind us, until we can do so, District 126 will keep safety, security, and wellness a significant priority. As we know the value of in-person learning, it is imperative that we do all we can to keep our building open for learning while following the Illinois Department of Public Health guidelines that we know keep our building a safe place to learn. Academic progress, social-emotional health, and physical health are all equally important. We will do all we can to ensure each is considered while we navigate this changing COVID landscape.
As we have welcomed back students to begin the second semester, we have focused on a number of important priorities we feel are necessary to ensure a positive culture and climate at Zion-Benton High School. While we know and understand that COVID-19 is causing an increase in absences, we also want to stress the importance of regular daily attendance when students are healthy and symptom-free. We did experience an increase in student tardiness to class last semester. As a result, we are instituting several strategies to ensure students arrive to all their classes on time every day. In addition, head coverings like hats and hoods, in combination with masks, have created safety concerns for us. As of January 4, 2022, we are no longer allowing head coverings to be worn by students inside the building. To maintain the safety of all, we must be able to identify students at all times. This policy applies while students are in the building and at all after school events. Lastly, hallway and restroom supervision is being enhanced as well.
These efforts are intended to create an environment at Zion-Benton High School where every student feels safe and able to reach their fullest potential. Students have been fantastic in responding to these changes, and we are off to a great start. To ensure continued success, we will continue to support our student body while they become more accustomed to these new routines, policies, and procedures.
This school year continues to be challenging and far from normal. We remain committed to creating the best possible experience we can for all our students. Our partnership with families and students is important to our success, so we thank you for your partnership and appreciate you.
Sincerely,
Dr. Chris Pawelczyk
Important Upcoming Dates
- Tuesday, January 11 - Last Call for Senior Portraits
- Wednesday, January 12 - School Improvement Early Dismissal at 12:40 p.m.
- Monday, January 17 - Martin Luther King's Birthday - No School
- Tuesday, January 25 - Board of Education Meeting at 7 p.m.
- Thursday, February 3 - Virtual Parent-Teacher Conferences
- Friday, February 4 - Early Dismissal at 1:51 p.m.
- Tuesday, February 8 - Class of 2026 Parent/Student Orientation
- Wednesday, February 9 - School Improvement Early Dismissal at 12:40 p.m.
- Monday, February 21 - Presidents' Day - No School
Click on the image below for an important message from Superintendent Rodriguez regarding school closures due to inclement weather.
Attention: Junior, Sophomore, and Freshman Parents
NJROTC Pass and Review
The Zion-Benton High School District 126 NJROTC made us proud once again at the annual District 126 NJROTC Pass and Review on Thursday, December 9, 2021.
Presiding over the inspection during the day and ceremony was Area 3 Manager, Commander Joe Hankins.
A number of cadets received honors for various inspections that occurred during the event.
A big thank you to our families and friends who supported our NJROTC Cadets as they marched and performed with disciplined precision.
On Thursday, December 16th, by 10 a.m. the South Commons was full of toys and gifts of all types. The shop stayed open until 5 p.m., with students coming back with their families along with many members of the community to The Pop-Up Santa Shop. The wrapping station stayed alive with the help of many volunteers and most students were able to take home gifts wrapped and ready for Christmas.
Thank you to all who played a part from donating toys, wrapping gifts, organizing toys, handing out tickets, making hot chocolate, and encouraging our students to shop.
Santa is real and he shows up in the generosity of our staff. It is nothing short of amazing.
What's happening in Athletics?
Zee-Bee Athletic Booster Meeting, January 11, 2022
Our next Zee-Bee Athletic Booster meeting for the 2021-22 school year will be Tuesday, January 11, 2022 at 6:30pm in the South Commons.
The Athletic Boosters are a volunteer organization that supports all the Zion-Benton athletic teams. The Boosters raise funds through concession sales, spiritwear sales and the Zee-Bee Booster golf outing to provide equipment, uniforms, etc. that go beyond the “traditional” budget.
Please consider joining our Zee-Bee Booster team!
If you have any questions, please contact Jack Niemi at 847-731-9360.
We hope to see you Tuesday!
Thank you,
Zee-Bee Athletic Boosters
BASKETBALL
Bowling
Maddie Gray McDonald bowled a 607 series on December 7th with scores of 208, 211, and 188.
"This is the best series in my 7 years as the head coach so she has got to be up there in the top 10!" - Coach Manning
Boys Swim Team
Wrestling
In wrestling, there have been many accomplishments, including our first ever girls team taking the mat. Some of the wrestling highlights are listed below:
Antioch "Ted DeRousse" Varsity Individual Tournament (24 teams were in this tournament)
106: Jon Marquez: 4th
138: Adrian Zamudio: 6th
132: Abraham Garcia: 6th
Antioch "Ted DeRousse" Varsity Girls Individual Tournament
140: Rachel Williams-Henry: Champion
170: ILeen Castrejon: Champion
170: Grace Johnson: 2nd
140: Adrianna Ketchum: 3rd
Rockford East Freshman Tournament
120: Luis Medina: Champion
170: Davion Rolls: Champion
195: Jareth Yilmaz: 2nd
ZION-BENTON TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL
Our Vision: Empower students to thrive in today's global society.
Website: www.zbths.org
Location: Zion-Benton Township High School, West 21st Street, Zion, IL, USA
Phone: (847)731-9300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZBPride
Twitter: @zionbenton