ZBTHS Parent Bulletin
From the ZBTHS Principal's Office Vol. 2, Issue 7
Principal's Message 10/19/21
The start of this school year and the 2021-2025 Strategic Plan adopted by the D126 Board of Education have brought a renewed focus on student achievement at Zion-Benton High School. We are committed to every student remaining on track to graduate in four years, and we are focused on preparing every student to do their best on required state assessments like the SAT, Illinois Science Assessment, and ACCESS tests. Ultimately, we strive to ensure every student is college, career, and life ready so they can begin to pursue their post-secondary goals immediately after graduation. In order to be prepared, it is important that each student maintain a 95% attendance rate and work hard in their classes every day.
This past Wednesday, 10/13/21, all freshmen, sophomores, and juniors took a practice SAT test—the PSAT 8/9 or the PSAT/NMSQT. Student attendance was fantastic. I want to thank the entire school community for making this day successful. For over a decade, District 126 has been committed to facilitating these practice tests to simulate an SAT experience and will continue to do so. SAT scores are important, but they are not the only measure of students' success and readiness. However, we believe success on the SAT is a strong indicator of student readiness whether they choose to go to college, into the military, or right into the workforce.
We are now in week two of the second quarter. Students are doing very well. To ensure students continue to thrive, I urge parents and guardians to check https://www.zbths.org/Page/1083 to monitor attendance and grades. Parents/guardians who monitor Skyward and discuss expectations with their child are extremely important to the partnership with the District to ensure student effort and commitment are high.
Sincerely,
Dr. Chris Pawelczyk
Important Upcoming Dates
- Tuesday, October 19 - FAFSA Completion Workshop - 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, October 20 - Marching Band Review (PAC) - 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.
- Saturday, October 23 - ACT Test - 8:00 a.m.
- Tuesday, October 26 - Board of Education Meeting - 7:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, November 10 -SIP Day - Student early release at 12:40 p.m.
- Thursday, November 11 -Veterans Day Celebration - Live Stream starts at 9:40 a.m.
- Tuesday, November 16 - Board of Education Meeting - 7:00 p.m.
- Thanksgiving Break - NO SCHOOL 11/24, 11/25, & 11/26
Episode 2
Episode 1
ZB Rifle Team started off a new season just as they finished the last one...on top of the podium!
This was an exciting competition as Saylet and Amarisa battled each other for first place with Saylet edging her teammate out by 1 point.
Also, the competition between Kalinn and Niko Jackson (4th Place) was just as fierce with Kalinn edging her teammate out by .01 of a point.
Also competing in the competition were Brianna Benedetto, Cortney Berry, Santiago Camacho, Angelina Garza, Addyson Gustafson, Mario Guzman, Alyssa Jackson, Miah Leong, Brayden Rich, Kim Rico, Andrew Yoshi, Billy Zahn and Nathan Zelaya.
Recent Events at Zion-Benton High School
Natatorium Opening on Tuesday, 9/28/21
Hispanic Heritage Celebration on Thursday, 10/7/21
Fall Choir Concert on Thursday, 10/14/21
Student Expectations
Zion-Benton Township High School District has clear expectations for student success and behavior. These expectations can be found in our student handbook that every student/family receives during the registration process. The electronic version can be found on our website using this link: https://www.zbths.org/Domain/2049.
We wanted to make you aware that users on the social media platform Tik Tok have been creating monthly harmful and unsafe ‘challenges’ for children and teens across the country. Currently, an October ‘challenge’ encourages students to slap a teacher and then run away. Users are asked to post their experience or video on Tik Tok. While this behavior has not occurred at Zion Benton Township High School or New Tech @ ZB East, we do want parents to be aware. We encourage parents to talk with their children about being watchful of any behaviors which would result in harm to anyone or property. If a student witnesses any harming behaviors it should be reported to the Dean's Office immediately. For information about reporting incidents anonymously, please visit Anonymous Alerts through our school site: https://www.zbths.org/Page/2274.
Students and their families should know that if students participate in this type of behavior, students will receive school consequences for their actions and staff have the right to file a report with the Police Department.
While we are all aware of the positive and negative effects that social media can have on our young student’s lives, this can be an opportunity for families to discuss the importance of internet safety, physical safety, and mental health.
Now, more than ever, it is essential for our students to utilize the online world with caution and knowledge. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
TikTok Videos
The Bee Leaders and NHS have helped to come up with a series of positive Tik Tok challenges to counter the inappropriate ones that are out there.
October’s challenge is “Teach an educator a dance or handshake”
November’s challenge is “Thank a veteran or an educator”
December’s challenge is “Give a gift or help a neighbor”
Click on the links below for some of the videos from October
Click the image below for more information about tutoring.
What's happening in Athletics?
Fall sports are coming to an end as North Suburban Conference tournaments and State Series have started.
Zion-Benton hosted the NSC Cross Country Meet this weekend. The Boys XC Team had Eric Barajas earning an All-Conference medal for his 9th place overall finish. The Girls XC Team had Audrey Luell placing 5th, Riley Franz placing 12th, and Lauren Hamilton placing 14th to earn All-Conference honors. XC Regionals are this weekend in Libertyville.
Girls Tennis ended their fantastic season this weekend at Sectionals. Congratulations to the 1 Doubles team of Fiona Cashin/Olivia Pandazi taking 4th place in the NSC Conference Tournament several weeks ago. This is the highest finish in our NSC conference tournament since it began in 2006.
Boys Soccer Regionals starts this week.
Girls Volleyball Regionals starts next week
Girls Swimming Sectionals will be at Lake Forest High School on Saturday, 11/6/21.
Football’s last regular season game is this Friday, 10/22/21 at Mundelein High School.
Guest Limitations For Fall Athletic Contests
ZBTHS D126 will be limiting guests for fall athletics the rest of this season. Due to on-going COVID-19 concerns, limited parking due to pending construction, and staffing needs the administration decided to limit crowds at both indoor and outdoor sporting events. The District is taking steps to ensure parents of participants will be able to get access to tickets.
We would like to thank everyone in advanced for the support and look forward to a great season. Should you have questions or recommendations please contact Mr. Jack Niemi, Athletic Director.
ZION-BENTON TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL
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