Polaris Express
March 6, 2020
A Message from Principal Christenson
Over the past few months, we have been analyzing student attendance trends following last year’s student attendance rates. Chronic absenteeism is defined as a student missing 10% or more of the possible school days within a school year - equivalent to 9 days in a semester or 18 days in a school year. During the fall, the state of Illinois reported the percent of St. Charles North High School students who were considered chronically absent. For the 2018-2019 school year, 24% of the SCN student population was labeled as chronically absent.
In January and February, I teamed with Mr. Richter - St. Charles East Principal - to conduct focus groups with parents and students from both high schools regarding perceptions of the value of attending school and reasons for student absences. Through these focus groups, it was determined that there was a disconnect between what our community might consider excessive absence and what the state considers excessive. Feedback received (from both students and parents) told us community members need more information about:
- the importance of student attendance
- the impact chronic absences have on students
- strategies to support good student attendance
Please click here for the document that contains all of this information. It is our goal to significantly improve student attendance, thus supporting their academic success and access to future aspirations. Thank you for your continued support and partnership, as together, we support our students’ success in all of their pursuits.
Audra Christenson
Principal
What's Happening at NHS?
Saturday 3/7
- Mock Trial - Case Camp II - 200s Pod @ 8:00 AM
Monday 3/9
- Student Council Executive Board - Room 223 @ 2:30 PM
- SAGA - Room 445 @ 2:30 PM
- Stargazer - Room 429 @ 2:30 PM
- Mock Trial Practice - Room 201 @ 2:30 PM
- School Board Meeting - Wredling Middle School @ 7:00 PM
Tuesday 3/10
- Club Photo Day - Auditorium Foyer
- Class of 2023 Student Council - Room 223 @ 6:30 AM
- Class of 2020 Student Council - Room 202 @ 6:45 AM
- Voluntourism Officer Meeting - Room 131 @ 6:45 AM
- Spanish NHS Tutoring - LRC @ 2:15 PM
- DECA Meeting - Room 114 @ 2:30 PM
- Educators Rising Meeting - Room 409 @ 2:30 PM
- Chess Club - Room 433 @ 2:30 PM
- Mock Trial Practice - Room 201 @ 2:30 PM
- Scholar Athletes Meeting - Room 407 @ 2:30 PM
- SAT Prep - Rooms 223 & 224 @ 2:30 PM
- Booster Club Meeting - Room 302 @ 6:30 PM
Wednesday 3/11
- Tutorial Schedule
- Mu Alpha Theta Meeting - Room 302 @ 6:45 AM
- Unsung Heroes Presentation - Auditorium @ 7:20AM
- Student Council Meeting - Auditorium @ 10:15 AM
- Key Club - Room 302 @ 2:30 PM
- Math Team Practice - Room 123 @ 2:30 PM
- Culture Shock - Room 223 @ 2:30 PM
- Mock Trial Practice - Room 201 @ 2:30 PM
- Peer Tutoring @ 6:00 PM
- Spain Trip Meeting - Room 302 @ 6:30 PM
Thursday 3/12
- Breakfast with the Stars - LRC @ 6:45 AM
- German NHS - M484 Mobile Classroom @ 2:30 PM
- Computer Science Club - Room 300 @ 2:30 PM
- Chess Club - Room 433 @ 2:30 PM
- Team Polaris Meeting - 110s Pod @ 2:30 PM
- NEHS Chapter Meeting - Room 302 @ 2:30 PM
- Mock Trial Practice - Room 201 @ 2:30 PM
- Girls Water Polo vs. Lincoln Way Central (JV) 5:00 PM (V) 6:00 PM
Friday 3/13
- End of 3rd Quarter
- Mu Alpha Theta Meeting - Room 302 @ 6:45 AM
Celebrations!
Boys Swim & Dive
Congratulations to our Boys Swim & Dive Team for taking 1st place at State two years in a row! This was the closest state meet in history. It has been an incredible year for the team, and all of their hard work paid off. Congrats to Siba Filipovic, Nate Baxter, Alex Filipovic, Dan Kowaleski, Rick Williams, Jared McIntosh, Ben Watanpongse, Kane Kriz, Albert Buvary, Hunter Freeland, Stephen DelBello, and Jake Kalenowski.
Mock Trial Team
Congratulations to the Mock Trial Team who won 2nd Place at this weekend’s 20-team Lake County Mock Trial Invitational. Special recognition to Ana Silva, Faith Wilson, and Thatcher Lincheck, as Outstanding Witnesses, and Jillian Leturno, Zach Spence, Cole Miller, and Jenna Thakkar, honored as Outstanding Attorneys. The team is now busy preparing for the State Tournament in two weeks.
Fundraising Events
Help the Water Polo Teams raise money for the American Cancer Society!
In a few weeks, the boys and girls water polo teams from both St. Charles North and St. Charles East are teaming up and using the annual crosstown game as a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. This year's games are on Wednesday, March 25, at SCN.
The Pack the Pool Purple event was a tremendous success last year and helped raise over $2,300 for the American Cancer Society. This year we are hoping for an even better turnout!
Come out on Wednesday, March 25, to the SCN pool to cheer on your North Stars! Donations will be accepted in lieu of admissions, we will be selling our purple t-shirts, and there will be a chuck-a-duck 50/50 raffle. If we sell 200 ducks, all of the coaches will be jumping in the pool! Thank you for your support of our water polo programs and our fundraiser for the American Cancer Society!
March 3 - March 16
March 3 - March 8
March 10
PTO Information
PTO Butter Braid & Cookie Dough Sale
The final days to order your Butter Braids and cookies are approaching. The sale ends on March 13, so don't delay!
Thaw, rise, bake, and enjoy! Butter Braids are a great, easy, and delicious option to have on hand in your freezer for your family and guests! Online ordering will be available at http://scnpto.com. Pick up is on March 23 at St. Charles North High School in the Auditorium Foyer.
Mr. SCN - March 26
The PTO needs volunteers to assist North Student Council with ticket sales during all lunch periods on Monday, March 23, through Wednesday, March 25. Click on the sign-up link to volunteer.
PTO Senior Scholarship
The PTO Senior Scholarship Application deadline is fast approaching. Applications are due by Thursday, March 19. Applications are available in the CCR Office.
PTO Restaurant Day - Wednesday, March 18
On Wednesday, March 18, the PTO is having a fundraiser, from open to close, at Panera Bread in South Elgin. Please stop by and enjoy a cup of coffee or breakfast with friends. Buy your student lunch on early release day or just take a break from cooking. All for a great cause!
Parent University
School Information
Illinois Youth Survey
On April 9th, St. Charles North will participate in the Illinois Youth Survey run by the Center for Prevention Research and Development at the University of Illinois. Students in the 10th and 12th grades will take this brief survey in their English classes. Detailed information about the Illinois Youth Survey was emailed out to parents on March 1, 2020. Attached to that email are forms to opt-out if parents prefer their students to not participate in the survey. Additional copies of the opt-out form are available in the St. Charles North Main office and opt-out forms will be accepted through 2:21 PM on April 8. Additional information about the Illinois Youth Survey can be found at https://iys.cprd.illinois.edu/about.
High School Summer School 2020 Registration Information
The Summer School Program is offered through Community Unit School District 303. Students will register with their school counselor using the form attached to the Summer School Brochure. Online payment via PushCoin is available upon course acceptance. Classes will be held at St. Charles Noth High School. Session I is June 1 - 18, Monday - Thursday, from 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Session II is July 6 - 23, Monday - Thursday, from 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM.
2020 St. Charles North Summer Athletic Camps
Registration for the 2020 St. Charles North Summer Athletic Camps must be done online via Pushcoin. There will be NO walk-in registrations accepted at St. Charles North High School. Check out the camp brochure at the bottom of the newsletter.
St. Charles North High School Summer Swim Camp Registration
Registration should be completed online via PushCoin and the D303 Webstore. Walk-in registrations and cash payments will not be accepted. Current D303 families should register using their existing Pushcoin account. For families without a current D303 student, Guest registration is available via PushCoin.
- Visit the D303 Webstore and find the session and class that you wish to register. Times are also listed at the bottom of the newsletter.
- Fill out the required information and add it to the cart.
- Once finished, click on the checkout button.
- Select “I don’t have an account” and provide the necessary information to create an account.
- Enter payment information and submit your registration.
If the class you are looking for does not appear in the Webstore or you are not able to register all of your children for the same class, please reach out to Coach Rooney for clarification and direction.
You can reach Coach Rooney at robert.rooney@d303.org or 331-228-6375 at any time with questions, concerns, or for further assistance registering for Summer Swim Lessons.
Commencement
The Class of 2020 Commencement Ceremony will take place at 7:30 PM on Thursday, May 21, at the NIU Convocation Center. Participating students must attend the Graduation Group Meeting after school on May 19 and Graduation Practice on the morning of May 21. More information can be found on the CCR Website.
St. Charles North High School
Email: beth.eckard@d303.org
Website: https://north.d303.org/
Location: 255 Red Gate Road, St. Charles, IL, USA
Phone: 630.228.4400