CONANT HS Newsletter
DECEMBER 2022
Welcome to the first edition of the Conant High School digital Principal’s Newsletter! We hope you enjoy the new look, easier access to resources and additional multimedia.
To translate this newsletter, open it in a computer browser by clicking it. The "Translate" option will be at the top right. You can translate it to your preferred language.
Para traducir este boletín, ábralo en el navegador de una computadora haciendo clic en él. La opción "Traducir" estará en la parte superior derecha. Puedes traducirlo a tu idioma preferido.
Principal's Message
Throughout the school year, Conant staff and students embrace “The Cougar Way.” This represents how we function as a safe and caring school community. We also focus on essential skills that will help students become successful citizens after they graduate. Each month, Conant staff, students and administrators identify an area of focus.
In August, we shared the critical features of a safe school community. During the Late Start Cougar Way Lesson, students reviewed each of the critical safety events and how to respond to each situation. We held a Conant Community meeting for parents and students at which school administrators and our school resource officer, Detective Teipel, shared important safety tips including establishing a sense of belonging, student supports and protocols and procedures.
In September, Conant students identified effective ways to respect themselves, each other and the school community. In October, our Cougar Way messaging highlighted essential skills such as effective communication and developing a strong work ethic. In our Late Start Cougar Way Lesson, students learned the components of effective email writing.
Students spent the month of November learning about the value of gratitude and ways to show thanks to those around them. This month, our Cougars reviewed effective strategies to manage stress and received tips and tools as they prepared for final exams.
Throughout the school year, Conant students will continue learning about Cougar Way topics. Please be on the lookout for invitations to Conant Community Meetings for Parents and students. Everyone is welcome to attend!
Julie Nowak
Principal
Safety Moment
Recently, there have been several concerns related to safe driving practices and the speed of vehicles on Plum Grove Road, Cougar Trail and our school parking lot.
Please keep in mind that many students park in the second lot and we have many students who walk to school.
We ask that all drivers follow the posted limits, use allocated drop off spaces and drive safely in the parking lot. This includes avoiding U-turns in the parking lot.
Conant has partnered with the Hoffman Estates and Schaumburg Police Departments to conduct more regular speed and driving safety checks. Please drive safely.
Did you know?
This special tradition brings joy to our students and the community.
Second Semester Cougar PRIDE Program
Conant High School's PRIDE Program (Preparing Resourceful Individuals Determined to Excel) is a student mentorship program aimed at supporting the transition to high school for freshman students during their first semester. Mentors are junior and senior students who conduct lessons several days a week during the first half of their lunch period. These lessons are focused on welcoming students, providing them with resources for a successful educational career, and encouraging all students to get involved. The PRIDE program bolsters a sense of belonging at Conant High School.
Following the first semester PRIDE program, most students will return to a full 50-minute lunch period. Freshmen who have failed a course or received below a 2.0 grade point average will be referred to their Student Support Team for consideration of academic interventions to replace time spent in PRIDE.
World Cup Fun
Conant students enjoyed the unique schedule of this year’s World Cup with watch parties in the auditorium, library and cafeteria. Our Cultural Awareness Club created a hallway display of the competing countries and enjoyed dress-up days to support their favorite team.
Conant Sophomore Wins Top D211 CAD Prize
Emma is pictured with her instructor, Mr. Jeff Robinson. We are Cougar Proud that the runner-up for the competition was also a Conant student: junior Rengin Ciftci.
Fall Athletic Highlights
Girls Golf: Sadie Zorrilla finished 11th in the State and recently committed to Southern Illinois University Girls Golf on a golfing scholarship.
Boys Golf: Nicolas Simon (junior) finished 18th in State and Antonio Gutierrez (sophomore) finished 40th in State.
Girls Tennis: Katie Strilich finished 9th in State, Conant's highest-placing tennis player ever.
Angelica Sudol and Gianna Spetka were named to the MSL Girls Volleyball All-Conference Team
Boys Soccer won the IHSA Regional and made it to the IHSA Sectional Finals. Peter Cirbo, Kanau Takahashi, Carson Hagler, Krystian NIziolek and Carson Belcher were named to the MSL All-Conference Team. Krystian NIziolek and Carson Belcher were named to the Daily Herald All-Area Team and the All-State Team and Carson Belcher was named Captain of the Daily Herald All-Area Team.
Football won the final regular season game and qualified for the IHSA Playoffs. JD Gorski, TJ Ramsey, Cody Biedke and Dominic Mininni were named to the MSL All-Conference Team.
Boys Cross Country qualified the entire team for the IHSA State Championship and finished 23rd in the State.
Fall Activity Highlights
This fall, our students visited booths during lunch periods to learn about the more than 65 clubs available at Conant High School. When students are involved in activities, they meet peers with similar interests and establish a stronger sense of belonging. It’s never too late in the year to join an activity. Talk to your student and register them today!
Below is an interview with our Activity Director, Jeannette Ardell, with more information.
Some Fall Activity Highlights:
Homecoming week in September was “Out of This World” and included two assemblies, a week filled of spirit days, traditional hallway decorations and an exciting dance with one of Conant’s alums returning as an outstanding DJ. Our Student Council did a fantastic job.
In November, Conant’s Theater put on an amazing performance of "Anastasia." Congratulations to all involved!
The Cupcakes for a Cause Fall Fest with Conant’s first annual pumpkin smash was a great success! Proceeds were donated to the Schaumburg Food Pantry and our own Cougars In Need.
We partnered with Young Hearts for Life to provide free heart screening. Nearly 1,500 students were screened and a handful were referred to their doctor for potential underlying heart conditions.
More than 50 HOSA (Future Health Professionals) students qualified to compete at State in the spring.
Medical Careers Club collected enough donations to save 99 lives in a blood drive.
Conant hosted Variety and Improv shows that highlighted numerous student talents.
Conant’s music department held several performances including choir, band and orchestra concerts. The Orchestra Pops Concert has become a favorite of our seniors.
The Math Team just won its second consecutive competition, and looks forward to more accomplishments next semester!
A huge congratulations to Conant Science Olympiad, competing at Palatine High School's invitational in November and Harlem High School’s invitational in December.
Seven of our students qualified for All-State ILMEA: Eric Davidson, Airi Ito, Kat Rummel, Yuuki Sato, Lily Yoshihara (Orchestra): Emma Schuth (Choir); and Ananya Maddulapalli (Future Music Educator). Competitions will take place in Peoria in January.
Many of our competitive clubs are up and running and making a name for themselves!
Please follow Conant’s Instagram, Conant’s Twitter, and Facebook for regular updates about our Conant community, and again -- it's never too late to get involved!
Career Spotlight
Conant students have numerous opportunities each year to participate in career treks hosted by Conant Career Services. One of the many taken so far this year was a visit to O’Hare airport to learn about careers in the aviation industry.
There are more exciting career events and career treks planned for the spring semester.
Our goal is to do all we can to help prepare our students for life after graduation.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Dec. 20: Final Exams – Periods 2, 3, 4 (8:15 a.m. – 1:05 p.m.)
Dec. 21: Final Exams – Periods 5, 6, 7 (8:15 a.m. – 1:05 p.m.)
Dec. 22: Final Exams – Periods 1, 8 (8:15 a.m. – 11:25 a.m.); Winter Break begins after school
January 9: Institute Day – No Classes
Band Parents Meeting – 7:00 p.m. (Room A160)
January 10: First Day of Second Semester Classes
Conant Community Meeting – 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. (Media Center)
Conant Boosters Meeting – 7:15 p.m. (Media Center)
January 13: Spirit Wear Sales – Periods 3-6 (Cougar Corner)
January 16: Martin Luther King Day – No School
January 17: Student Late Start/Cougar Way Lesson – Classes Begin at 9:35 a.m.
January 21: Improv Performance – 7:00 p.m. (Cafeteria)
January 31: Student Late Start – Classes Begin at 9:35 a.m.
February 3: Spirit Wear Sales – Periods 3-6 (Cougar Corner)
February 3: Winter Play “The Play That Goes Wrong” – 7:00 p.m. (Auditorium)
February 4: Winter Play “The Play That Goes Wrong” – 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Band Solo & Ensemble Festival – 5:00 p.m. Music Area
Conant High School
Website: chs.d211.org
Location: 700 East Cougar Trail, Hoffman Estates, IL, USA
Phone: 847-755-3600
Facebook: facebook.com/JamesBConantHighSchool/
Twitter: @ConantCougars