Leyden Pride Newsletter
May 7, 2021
At a glance: May 10 - May 21
West Leyden hosts community COVID-19 vaccine Clinic
We are thrilled to announce that West Leyden, in partnership with Cook County Health Department, began hosting a six-week COVID-19 vaccination clinic which will continue through June. The Pfizer vaccine is administered free-of-charge and is available to those who are 16 years of age and older. Please note, for those under the age of 18 years old, a parent or guardian will need to be present at the time of the vaccination.
While the clinic is currently open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, new hours will begin May 11 as follows: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. through 6 p.m. The clinic will provide 400 daily doses for members of our communities. Appointments are recommended, however walk-up requests are accommodated as well. The clinic is being managed by the U.S. National Guard.
We encourage Leyden families and students who are eligible to consider signing up for the vaccine by utilizing the unique link and phone number (312-864-0591). There is no requirement for students to receive the vaccine in order to attend school, now or in the fall. However, we believe that the more students who are vaccinated, the better our ability to hold in-person classes and return to a general normalcy next school year. In addition, another benefit to being vaccinated is that if/when a student is identified through contract tracing as needing to quarantine, they will not have to and may continue attending school and participating in co-curricular activities as long as they are asymptomatic.
New student schedule debuts for 2021-22 school year
A new daily class schedule will be implemented for the 2021-22 school year. The new schedule includes seven academic periods, one lunch period, and an all-new “Eagle Time” Period.
“The goal of the recently completed renovations and additions at East and West campuses was to create suitable spaces for us to implement a new schedule to better serve all of our students,” said Superintendent Dr. Nick Polyak. “Numerous groups of stakeholders worked together to develop a schedule that optimizes instructional time, builds a stronger community, and includes time for students to access various support services available at Leyden.”
Key components of the new schedule include the following:
All students will end their day at the same time
All students will complete their last class of the day at 2:40 p.m. every day.Built-in supports for all students during the school day
The "Eagle Time" period will run on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays between Periods 2 and 3 and include grade-level supports for all students during two of the four days per week.All students will be part of a 4-year advisory which meets twice a week for 35 minutes
During two of the "Eagle Time" periods per week, all students will be assigned to a grade-level advisory. These advisories will remain consistent each year, with the same teacher and group of students. This grouping is meant to create a strong sense of belonging, build relationships with fellow students and teachers, and support personal and academic growth.
Weekly Schedule:
Freshman/Class of 2025 and Seniors/Class of 2022 - Mondays and Thursdays
Sophomores/Class of 2024 and Juniors/Class of 2023 - Tuesdays and Fridays
Each class will be the same number of minutes each week
Classes will be a consecutive 45-minute period on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Classes will be 40-minute periods on Wednesday inservice days. Every class will meet for a total of 220 minutes per week.Lunch periods increase by 10-minutes
Lunch periods will now be 35-minutes during regular school days and 34-minutes during inservice days.Wednesdays will continue to be in-service days with classes starting at 8:50 a.m.
Teachers will continue to work in their Professional Learning Communities every Wednesday morning before classes begin at 8:50 a.m.Teachers will have office hours at the end of every day from 2:40 p.m. - 3:10 p.m.
Every teacher will be available at the end of every school day to meet with students for additional support. A schedule of teacher locations will be posted.Upperclassmen may earn the option to have flexible time in their day twice per week for 35 minutes
Eligible Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors can use two of their "Eagle Time" periods per week to visit the student commons or library. The criteria for earning this incentive will be communicated at the beginning of the school year.Leadership opportunities for Juniors and Seniors
Juniors will have an opportunity to become Freshman Advisory mentors and Seniors will have the opportunity to become Sophomore Advisory mentors.
Leyden celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Teatro Leyden returns to live theater with Blood Wedding
Teatro Leyden presents Federico Garcia Lorcas’ classic “Blood Wedding” in a return to live in person theatre for the first time in over a year! This play will take place in the West Leyden Courtyard, outside, socially distanced and with masks.
District 212’s Magna Award winning Teatro Leyden will bring to life this tragic and poetic tale of love, vengeance, and fate. Performed in its native language (Spanish) tonight, Friday, May 7 as well as in English tomorrow, Saturday, May 8.
Blood Wedding will also be the first outdoor production in Leyden Theatre history and our first in person performance in a year. Featuring a talented ensemble, creative student design team, and an experienced and devoted adult/student production staff, this production sets out to bring back live theatre to the Leyden community in a different and challenging experience for all involved.
Due to Covid precautions we have limited seating that requires a reservation. Link: RSVP
For more information please go to the Leyden HS homepage www.leyden212.org/finearts for more information.
Leyden hosts in-person graduation ceremonies
West Leyden: May 18, 6: 30 p.m.
East Leyden: May 19, 6:30 p.m.
In addition, we will be live-streaming the ceremony via the Leyden District Youtube Channel for additional friends and families. The link will be posted at www.leyden212.org. Additionally, a video presentation of the event will be available in the weeks following the ceremony.
Applause! Applause! Student, Faculty, Staff and Graduate Accomplishments
Gymnast Patrick Gadocha placed 3rd at sectional tournament and qualified for the IHSA State Tournament the week of May 10.
West Leyden Co.Lab students worked with over 75 City of Northlake residents to plant trees in their parkways. Check out the map the logistics team created to track each tree:
LINK: Tree Map
Congratulations to our senior scholarship award recipients:
Congratulations to the following students who recently earned their Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy, which will be designated on their transcripts and diploma: Giovanni Arambula, Alicia Cano, David Cardenas , Diana Franco, Erik Franco, Yaritza Frias , Tatyanna Hernandez, Osvaldo Pacheco, Cassandra Rios, Oscar Rios, Melissa Serrano , Daniel Alvarado, Jonathan Garcia , Luis Angel Pantaleon , Tania Patino-Robledo, Adrian Rodriguez, Estefania Zepeda , Jessica Nieto, Angela Aaliyah Chavez, Cindy Meco , Audrey Thomas, Dan Rangel-Gonzalez , Melany Atanassov, Roaa Marei, Justyna Czopek, Filip Klich, Adam Krol, Jakub Lesny, Grzegorz Libera, Wiktoria Przetacznik, Sara Sidek, Julia Skoczen, Adrianna Trela, Citlalli Cervantes, Jacqueline Esquivel, Juan Gonzalez, Yannis Mansour, Kayla Napoli and Jessica Perez.
Leyden congratulates our Path to Excellence award winners!
Link: Full Story
As National Poetry Month comes to a close, we wanted to extend our congratulations to our East Leyden poetry award winners: Yamilet Garcia, Crystal Umerez, and Stephanie Garibay.
Graduates
Congratulations to East Leyden alumnus Ned Colletti, who recently received a World Series Ring from the L.A. Dodgers!
Leyden In The News
Students finally getting to enjoy Leyden Township High School renovations
Community News
Unity in Community donates new bikes to students in need
Volunteer opportunity
LINK: https://www.northlakelibrary.org/community-service/
About Us
Email: pr@leyden212.org
Website: www.leyden212.org
Location: 3400 Rose Street, Franklin Park, IL, USA
Phone: 847-451-3000
Facebook: facebook.com/leydenpride212
Twitter: @leydenpride212