Principal's December Newsletter
December 15, 2023
Hi, this is a reminder that you're receiving this email because you have a student at, or have expressed an interest in, Glenbard East High School. Communication between Glenbard East and our families and community is very important to us. Don't forget to add ge_news@glenbard.org to your address book so we'll be sure to land in your inbox! Please email any questions directly to Glenbard Staff, we are happy to respond.
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IMPORTANT DATES
December 19
FREE Hot Chocolate & Candy Canes
ALL STUDENTS
7AM – 7:30AM Auditorium Foyer
December 20
Cookies & Carols Concert
7PM - Auditorium Foyer
December 20 - 22
FINAL EXAMS
Special Schedule
December 25 – January 5
NO SCHOOL
Winter Break
January 8
NO SCHOOL
Institute Day
January 10
Senior Honors Recital
6PM – Rider Hall
January 15
NO SCHOOL
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday
January 18
All That Jazz Concert
7PM – Marquardt Performing Arts Center
A MESSAGE FROM PRINCIPAL ANDERSON
As we approach the end of the semester and winter break, it is my hope that the holiday season is kind to all of our families. I am grateful to be able to serve our students and this community. Like always, December has been a busy month and it has been great seeing our students putting some of their talents on display in athletics, music, and the arts.
While the winter break signals the halfway mark of this school year, it also signals that it is time for us to begin preparing for the next school year. Immediately after the break, we will be welcoming our future Rams to East during our Future Rams Academic and Activity Night on Thursday, January 11th, 2024. We look forward to showcasing all that East has to offer to next year’s freshman class.
Additionally, our current students will begin choosing their courses for the 2024-25 school year soon after our return from break. We encourage our students to find an area of interest and consider enrolling in at least one Advanced Placement or Dual Credit course prior to graduating from high school. Students that take AP and/or Dual Credit courses are more likely to be prepared for coursework at the collegiate level. In addition, students can earn college credit and save on tuition costs. Glenbard East High School offers a wide-range of Advanced Placement and Dual Credit courses in multiple subject areas.
Not to get too far ahead of ourselves, I want to bring the focus back to what’s immediately in front of us. As we move into the final week of the semester, students are encouraged to finish strong. Know that our staff is here to support and provide students with the assistance they need. It’s important for students to seek out help when needed. There is still time.
We remain committed to serve every student, every day in their quest to be a Glenbard East graduate that is self-empowered, thinks critically, embraces diversity, communicates, creates, and collaborates.
I wish all of our Glenbard East families a wonderful and safe holiday and a prosperous and Happy New Year!
Thank you for your continued support! We Are East!!!
2024-25 SCHOOL CALENDAR
THE GIFT OF ATTENDANCE
As the holiday break approaches and you may be thinking about traveling plans, we want to stress the importance of sending your student to school every day possible. Every year, absences spike in the weeks before and after the winter holiday as families squeeze in a few more vacation days. It’s time to break that cycle. We know that just a few missed days here and there, even if they’re excused absences, can add up to too much lost learning time and put your student behind in school. This is as true in high school as it is in kindergarten. Put simply, too many absences at any age can affect a student’s chances for academic success and eventually for graduation. With final exams quickly approaching, it is critical that students are in attendance so that they have the best chance of being successful.
We recognize that holidays are an important time for reconnecting with families far away. We understand traveling costs influence when families decide to get away. But keep in mind the costs to your student’s education if they miss too much school— and the message you will be sending about the importance of attendance. Even if you have assignments from the teacher, it doesn’t make up for the interaction and learning that happens in the classroom. Our teachers will be teaching, and our students will be learning, right up until vacation starts after school on Friday, December 22nd, and the first day back is on Tuesday, January 9th. This holiday season, give your student the priceless gift of an education and the habit of attendance.
FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE
1. CAFETERIA SERVICE – There will be limited food service on exam days. The Cafeteria lines will be open to serve our students during the following times: for breakfast & 12:00 p.m.-12:30 p.m. for grab and go lunch with the exception of Friday, December 22nd we will have grab and go lunch at both 10:35 a.m and 12:00 p.m.
2. EXAM MAKE-UP – Students who have an excused absence from an exam may make arrangements with their teacher to make up the exam during the Exam Make-up Sessions. Students may also arrange with teachers to make up exams during Resource Periods.
3. TECHNOLOGY CENTER OF DUPAGE – There will be no TCD classes for students on exam days.
4. QUIET STUDY AREAS – Supervised quiet study areas will be available for those students who wish to study during the exams, when they have a free period. All Physical Education and Driver Education classes WILL MEET ON EXAM DAYS. There are to be no students in the halls without a pass during the exam periods. All students are to remain in their classes during the entire period.
5. RESCHEDULED EXAMS – Students who feel they have a heavy load of exams on Day 1 or Day 2 may elect to change or move one of their exams to the Make-up time slot on Day 3. This request must be made with the teacher at least one week prior to their scheduled exam.
6. SCHOOL CODE – School Code requires that Districts schedule a minimum of 300-minutes of instruction and student support during the last day of each academic semester. Passing periods do not count toward the 300-minute requirement.
7. ATHLETICS – Practices may begin after 1:30 p.m. Students should check with their coach for actual start time.
GLENBARD D87 BOARD OF EDUCATION AUTHORIZES REFERENDUM TO ADDRESS FACILITY NEEDS
On Dec. 11, 2023, the Glenbard District 87 Board of Education took action that may have a lasting positive effect on the learning environment in all Glenbard high schools. The board authorized the administration to proceed with a referendum to assist in funding Glenbard District 87’s 10-year Facility Master Plan.
A group of parents, students, principals and members of the planning team presented the Facility Master Plan to the board at its Nov. 27 meeting. The plan is the culmination of a process that began in 2022 to identify next steps to improve Glenbard's four high schools and gather community feedback on priorities.
On Dec. 11, the board unanimously approved a resolution to place a question on the March 19, 2024 ballot to seek voter approval to issue $183 million in bonds to improve the sites of and alter, repair and equip Glenbard’s four high schools, which are between 51 and 101 years old. The new Facility Master Plan identified $312 million of priorities for improvements at each of the high schools. Glenbard District 87 is asking the community to approve $183 million of bonds to fund the plan, and the district will contribute $129 million of funding from its operating revenues over the next 10 years to fund the $312 million plan.
The bond proposal will cost the owner of a $300,000 home about $4 per week. Use this tax estimate calculator for estimate of tax payment increase on Glenbard District 87 building bonds referendum on March 19, 2024.
Glenbard District 87 Superintendent David Larson said, “This is an exciting chapter in Glenbard’s history. I look forward to moving forward with this proposal. We have many facility needs, and we are eager to launch the 10-year facility master plan to address those needs.”
In February, Glenbard District 87 engaged Wold Architects & Engineers to develop a new 10-year facility master plan. The previous 10-year facility plan concluded with the summer 2023 capital improvement projects. In 2014, Glenbard committed to spending $100 million over 10 years on the facility needs; however, Glenbard exceeded that commitment by spending $154 million over the past 10 years ($35 million from 2014 referendum) while maintaining balanced budgets.
The proposed improvements will address significant needs. While Glenbard’s buildings are structurally sound, they are old and out-of-date. Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations/CSBO Seth Chapman said, “We are committed to ensuring our buildings support today’s best practices in curriculum and instruction. The referendum is a path forward that continues our history of responsible planning. We spend less on buildings and operations; carry less debt; and have a lower tax rate than most districts in the metropolitan area.”
Addressing these needs now allows Glenbard to continue to protect what matters most by avoiding expensive, future repairs. “Doing so will make sure we continue to provide the type of schools and community our children and families need and deserve,” Larson said.
The majority of the projects identified in the new 10-year Facility Master Plan fall into the following categories:
- Continue to upgrade and renovate, where needed, building infrastructure - items like roofs, windows, electrical systems, plumbing, and heating and cooling systems
- Enhance safety and security systems and entrances throughout the district
- Upgrade out-of-date science labs
- Modify classrooms to support current best practices in curriculum and instruction
- Upgrade cafeteria space to provide flexible learning and program spaces and eliminate overcrowding
Investing in community assets is critical as Glenbard District 87 maintains approximately 1.6 million square feet of space and continues to demonstrate fiscal stewardship demonstrated by the low amount of the total budget allocated toward debt payments (roughly 2.2%).
The following is how the referendum will be stated on the ballot:
- Shall the Board of Education of Glenbard Township High School District Number 87, DuPage County, Illinois, install safety and security improvements, increase accessibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act, repair and replace mechanical systems, roofs and other infrastructure, improve energy efficiency and technology infrastructure, renovate classrooms, science labs, vocational labs and learning spaces and undertake other building and site improvements to, and purchase equipment for, each of the School District’s four high schools – Glenbard East, Glenbard North, Glenbard South and Glenbard West – and issue its bonds to the amount of $183,000,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?
COURSE ENROLLMENT FOR 2024-25
Students will be online selecting their courses for the 2024-25 school year through their Power School accounts. With an online enrollment process, parents can be involved in the course selection process and better prepare students to engage in a similar process during their college years. Students can select their courses between December 4th and January 8th. The Glenbard East Academic Program Guidebook can help students and parents better understand the wealth of courses offered at East, as well as which courses fulfill high school graduation requirements. We encourage families to discuss students’ educational interests and post-secondary goals during the registration process.
After January 8th, students will continue to be able to view their choices in their PowerSchool accounts, but any changes will need to be requested through their school counselors. Counselors will meet with all students individually between January 15th and February 2nd to ensure student selections address the remaining graduation requirements and finalize all course requests. Please continue to monitor your student’s PowerSchool account during that time to note any changes. Please be sure to review your student’s course requests! Course changes and adds for the 2024-25 school year will only be permitted based on available space.
Please review the Grade 9-11 Course Selection Video that students watched on December 4th during RAM TIME. For any questions regarding recommendations in a particular department, please get in touch with your student’s teacher or the department chair overseeing that course for additional information. For questions regarding your student’s progress toward graduation, please get in touch with your student’s assigned counselor. For any questions regarding the enrollment process, please get in touch with your school counselor.
PSAT/NMSQT OCTOBER SCORES RELEASED
The College Board has released PSAT/NMSQT scores from October. Students and families can use the following resources to access scores in the K-12 Assessment Reporting portal:
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM STUDENT SERVICES
As we progress through this winter season, here are a few reminders to ensure your student is optimally equipped for success. If you have any questions or concerns related to student services, please contact Mr. Broderick L. Booth, Assistant Principal for Student Services at 630-424-6603. Thank you in advance for making student health, attendance, and engagement a priority with your student.
Glenbard East Student Support Services
Does your child need extra help? Check out this link: Student Support Services
Student Helpline
Encourage your child to call our student helpline 630-424-6670 anytime they need to make reports about student safety. Anonymous reporting is available. We are here to help!
Student Activities
School engagement does not just mean involvement in academics. It also includes getting involved in one of our Extracurricular activities. Encourage your student to participate in one of our 50+ clubs or activities and become more connected with fellow peers and teachers.
Live Life Well Week
Glenbard District 87 students and staff will celebrate Live Life Well Week 2024 from 2/19-2/23. The week is an opportunity to bring focus to the skills necessary to persevere, moving forward in positive healthful ways, developing the resilience and healthy habits to “Live Life Well.”
SAVE THE DATE: FUTURE RAMS ACADEMIC AND ACTIVITY NIGHT
Thursday, January 11, 2024
Please join us and meet our fine coaches, teachers, department chairs and administrators.
5:00PM - 5:45PM Athletic and Activity Fair in the Field House
6:05PM - 6:25PM Principal Welcome & Enrollment Information
6:30PM - 8:15PM Department Information and Visits
We are very excited to welcome the Class of 2028!
SPRING PSAT & AP TESTING DAYS
April 10, 2024: All Juniors at Glenbard East will take the School-day SAT with Essay. This exam will be administered digitally, on student iPads. This is a non-attendance day for 9th, 10th, and 12th grade students. (Beginning in spring 2017, ISBE began requiring all public-school students in grade 11 to take the SAT with Essay, unless the student takes the grade 11 DLM-AA instead. Additionally, some public-school students in grade 12 may also be required to take the SAT with Essay or DLM-AA, as appropriate.)
April 11, 2024: All 9th and 10th grade students at Glenbard East will take the PSAT. This exam will be administered digitally, on student iPads. This is a non-attendance day for 11th, and 12th grade students.
May 6–10 and May 13–17: AP Exams administered at Glenbard East
LOCAL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE
Each year over forty local scholarships are awarded to Glenbard East Seniors who are planning to further their education. Last year over $50,000 was awarded to Glenbard East Seniors. You will find information about the application process and the application here and on our website by clicking Students, then School Counseling, then Scholarships & Financial Aid. The application and recommendations are due the evening of February 1st. Good luck!
Additionally, you can click here for the Glenbard East Scholarship List for general scholarship information that is sent to Glenbard East. Scholarship search engines and financial aid resources are included also.
WRITE PLACE NOW INCLUDES MATH TUTORS
The Write Place has evolved to become the Write Place + (Math). Now, in addition to receiving help with writing assignments, students can meet with tutors in the Learning Commons during any lunch period for help with math assignments. Tutors are trained to help guide students to understand their math assignments and build confidence in solving problems and equations. Students can drop in anytime or schedule an appointment using the QR code on the door of Room 251.
STUDENTS FOR STUDENTS SEEKS HELP FOR RELAY FOR LIFE EVENT
At Glenbard East High School, we have a “Students for Students” club which aims to amplify student voices and enhance our students' experience during their four years at East. As part of this club, last year, a group of students shared that they had a vision that Glenbard East would host a Relay For Life event, including a cancer charity walk, annually each spring. Many students have expressed that they have friends, family, or loved ones close to them who have been affected by cancer. Additionally, many students have peers who have participated in Relay for Life, and found it an impactful and life-changing experience. In order to make this dream a reality, we are looking to gauge interest from our community. The event itself requires a significant amount of planning and assistance from adults including supervision. If you are interested in contributing to our community by becoming involved though volunteering, chaperoning, or helping with set-up, we would welcome your assistance.
The event is tentatively scheduled for April 20th, 2024.
Please reach out to rebecca_wagner@glenbard.org with your name if you are interested. More details to follow in the coming weeks. Please contact Keisha Edwards (kiesha_edwards@glenbard.org), Rebecca Wagner (rebecca_wagner@glenbard.org), or Nicolette Rinaldi (nicolette_rinaldi@glenbard.org) with any questions.
NEWS FROM GLENBARD EAST FINE ARTS BOOSTERS
Exciting news from the Fine Arts Department! Our booster organization has expanded from music to include all of the Fine Arts at Glenbard East!
Joining GEFAB helps to support all of the activities in music, art, theatre, and film production. Your membership helps fund the “extras” that make the Fine Arts Experience at East so special to our students. Through membership and fundraising GEFAB provides lesson scholarships, college scholarships, field trip assistance, and support for events throughout the year. GEFAB volunteers help with marching band and concert uniforms, theatre production build and performances and hospitality at events.
Please consider joining GEFAB for $25. Go to gefinearts.org for more information.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
GEFAB Bingo Night
Who: The whole family!
What: Bingo, musical bingo, minute-to-win-it games, custom soap making with Soapy roads of Lombard
Why: Raise funds for our Fine Arts Students
When: Saturday, January 20th, 6:00pm-9:00pm
Tickets are $10 and include 5 bingo cards. Additional cards, pizza, salad, and drinks will be available for purchase.
Purchase your tickets here.
GEFAB Trivia Night
Who: Just the adults
What: Trivia, Silent Auction, Raffles, Spit the Pot, Food, Cash Bar
Where: Villa Park VFW; 39 E. St. Charles Rd., Villa Park
Why: Raise funds for our Fine Arts Students
When: Friday, February 2nd, 8:00pm-10:00pm
Tickets are $40 per person – includes appetizers, soft drinks, and coffee
Purchase your tickets here.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL-STATE MUSICIANS
The following students have been selected to the All-State level and will travel to Peoria to participate in the 2024 Illinois Music Educators Conference (IMEC) in January.
Musicians qualify for All-State by having the top rankings in their ILMEA district. Composition winners were chosen from over 300 entries in 21 categories.
Grace Boddy: Honors Vocal Jazz, soprano. Honors Vocal Jazz is an ensemble of 12 musicians from across Illinois.
Taylor Kowallis: All-State Chorus, soprano 1
Grace Boddy: Composition: 2nd Place Jazz Improvisation. Improvisation
Dean Dominowski: Composition: 2nd Place Rap/Hip Hop. guomodo
Serge Dulang & Olive Turner: Selected to participate in the Future Musical Educator Seminars.
GBX MusicFest: Our student managed and student performed original music performance festival will present at the Conference on Saturday, January 26 at 1pm. It is a great honor to share what we do at East with the State of Illinois music educators. GBX is organized by Marissa McLean, choir/hip hop production/student activities. (This year’s GBX MusicFest happens on Friday, March 15, 6pm in Biester Auditorium)
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
STAFFULTY OF THE MONTH: NOVEMBER
The Glenbard East Staffulty of the Month Award has been established to recognize outstanding
people for their dedication, professionalism, and work. Those receiving this award are nominated by administrators, colleagues, and students for exhibiting our D87 Profile of an Educator tenants.
Each month, we recognize two staff members based on their advocacy for students, empathy for
others, critical thinking, embracing diversity, innovation, and collaboration.
Congratulations to this month's honorees!!!
CARIS ZELLER
Caris Zeller was nominated by six students for exhibiting the following Profile of an Educator competencies: Advocates, Empathizes, Thinks Critically, Embraces Diversity, Innovates, Collaborates. Here is what they had to say:
"She’s great."
"She helps explain things thoroughly and well so everyone is able to understand."
"Very nice and forgiving."
"She’s a good teacher, very nice teacher. Teaches well and makes sure that you understand the subject."
"Nice"
"Everyday Mrs. Zeller starts class with a question of the day that encourages/includes everyone. She is super understanding with everything including making up tests. It is very rare if you don’t understand something because she personally makes sure to walk around class after notes to see if you get what the worksheet has. She is truly a great teacher and deserves this."
MICKI MARIN BUNTING
Micki Marin Bunting was nominated by a staff member for exhibiting the following Profile of an Educator competencies: Advocates, Empathizes, Embraces Diversity, Innovates, Collaborates. Here is what they had to say:
"I am writing to wholeheartedly recommend Micki Marin-Bunting for the Staffulty of the Month Award. Micki exemplifies the qualities of a dedicated and compassionate educator. As a bilingual English Language teacher, she has shown an exceptional ability to connect with and advocate for her students. Her commitment to developing tailored educational strategies has significantly contributed to the success and well-being of her students, many of whom face unique challenges due to language barriers.
Despite facing personal health challenges, including a hip replacement and treatment for an infectious disease, Micki's unwavering dedication to her profession is nothing short of inspiring. Her resilience and determination have not only allowed her to continue providing quality education but have also served as a powerful example of strength and perseverance for her students.
Micki's genuine care and concern for her students go beyond the classroom. She has created an environment where students feel seen, heard, and supported. This nurturing approach has been instrumental in helping her students thrive academically and emotionally.
Micki Marin-Bunting is not just an outstanding teacher; she is a fabulous human being whose intellect and energy have made a profound impact on her students and colleagues. Recognizing her with the Staffulty of the Month Award would not only be a testament to her exceptional contributions but also a way for us to express our profound gratitude for her dedication and hard work."
RULER MOOD METER
GPS PRESENTATIONS
ATHLETICS NEWS FOR DECEMBER
We continue to build and live by our athletic motto: Students First: VICTORY Will Happen…as victory is way more important than just simply winning. We continue to implement Glenbard Profile of a Graduate transferable life skills and its six (6) competencies: self-empowered, communicates, thinks critically, embraces diversity, creates, and collaborates. We feel these skills will afford our students post-secondary opportunities including college, jobs/careers, military, or wherever their life takes them.
Please click here for our 2023 December Edition Athletic Booster Club Newsletter.
WINTER SPORTS INFO
Basketball Boys, Eric Kelly (eric_kelly@glenbard.org)
Basketball Girls, Nicole Miller (nicole_miller@glenbard.org)
Bowling Boys, Steve Bair (steve_bair@glenbard.org)
Bowling Girls, Dawn Chantos (dawn_chantos@glenbard.org)
Cheer CoEd Sideline, Kelly Dolan (kelly_dolan@glenbard.org)
Dance (Poms), Courtney Clay (courtney_clay@glenbard.org)
Gymnastics Girls, Jessica Bugajsky (jessica_bugajsky@glenbard.org)
Swimming Boys Co-op with Glenbard North, Tyler Buss (tyler_buss@glenbard.org)
Wrestling, Donald Pool (donald_pool@glenbard.org)
ATHLETIC BOOSTER INFO
Our Athletic Booster Club annually raises over $30,000 for our teams and student-athletes. They help provide essentials that enhance our athletic teams pursuit of VICTORY! However, we need more parent volunteers! Please sign up to help enhance our athletic program. The main website is: geramsboosters.org for information about membership, parent volunteer opportunities, fundraisers, concession, purchasing spirit wear, and family activity passes. Any further inquiries please contact Athletic Booster Club President, Mrs. Jerri Gapastione (jgw8@comcast.net).
Be on the lookout for information on upcoming for fundraisers in 2024, including Trivia Night (Friday, March 1, 2024) and the Summer Golf Outing (Friday, June 21, 2024).
Glenbard East High School
Email: ge_news@glenbard.org
Website: glenbardeasths.org
Location: 1014 South Main Street, Lombard, IL, USA
Phone: (630) 627-9250
Twitter: @GE_Rams