NTZB Parent Bulletin

Hello New Tech Families,

There is much to celebrate these days at New Tech. We began second semester with 100% of our freshman class being “on-track” to graduate and our average daily attendance percentage for first semester was at 94%. Let’s keep up the great work in second semester!

We begin the month of February with a focus on Black History and the significant contributions made by African Americans, impacting our country, community, and schools. New Tech staff and student groups are planning and developing meaningful activities and informational videos to help celebrate and champion Black History!

All parents/guardians are invited to attend our spring parent/teacher conferences happening next week on February 9, 2023, from 6:00-8:00pm at New Tech. This is a great opportunity to reach out to teachers with any questions or concerns regarding your child’s academic progress. Finally, you may have seen the parent link to complete the 5 Essentials Survey on our website or bulletin, I would ask all parents consider completing the survey as soon as possible. Parental feedback and opinions are welcomed and valued! As always, I look forward to creating more great days for our students and staff!

In partnership,

Bonnie Felske

Contact Information

Please complete the annual 5Essentials Survey: Organizing Schools for Improvement. Your participation is vital and provides feedback to the Illinois State Board of Education regarding the following five indicators:

Effective Leaders -- Collaborative Teachers -- Involved Families

Supportive Environments -- Ambitious Instruction

This survey generates valuable data that districts can use to guide their ongoing efforts to improve schools and to offer students an excellent education. The survey is another improvement tool that allows districts and the state to share data as a means to inform parents and community members about the school’s learning environment. (From the ISBE website.)

Survey deadline is MARCH 31, 2023.

For more information, view the By the Numbers Infographic.

New Tech's Student Government awarded a student in each grade with the distinction of being Student of the Month for January. These awards were based on teacher nominations for students that exhibit Zee-Bee P.R.I.D.E. -- Perseverance, Responsibility, Integrity, Diversity, Empowerment, and Leadership!

Congratulations to the following students:

12th Grade - Allison Castellanos

11th Grade - Alexis Vaughn-Knuckles

10th Grade - Aniya Burnes

9th Grade - Stephanie Reyes

Asst. Principal Mr. McKnight pictured with (L to R):

Allison Castellanos, Aniya Burnes, and Stephanie Reyes

The NJROTC Rifle Team competed in the IL State Rifle Championship at the River Valley Sharpshooters Range in Kankakee, IL on January 21st-22nd. Scoring a team “Personal Best” (PB) 2223 points out of a possible 2400 points, the ZB’s earned gold for the 18th time in the last 20 state championships. ZB team two earned the silver medal.

"In my 20 years of coaching, this was the best showing of any of my teams and I’ve had a lot of good ones over the years. So proud of our program, team, and cadets." -Daniel Hackstein

Congratulations to New Tech Cadets Gianna Gomez (Silver), Davin Braden, and Shannon Braden!

The NJROTC Rifle Team headed to Sandy, Utah for the Navy National Rifle Championship.

(New Tech's Gianna Gomez is pictured second from right.)

February is a month bursting with opportunities to celebrate, recognize, and honor individuals that have made a tremendous impact on our nation. Please take some time to explore the sampling of online resources that highlight the strength of the human spirit and the boundless limits of ingenuity through the lens of Black History Month.

The Library of Congress' Black History Month Website

Smithsonian Institute's Black History Exhibits and Collections

National Geographic's Virtual Field Trip for Black History Month

Follow the progress of the Mapping "The Green Book" Project

Black Inventor Online Museum

Frederick Douglass Eulogizes Abraham Lincoln

We are living in an increasingly mobile and digitally connected world. Technology has changed the way we receive and share information, communicate, and engage. As our community becomes increasingly connected, it is imperative that we have the digital literacy skills needed to successfully participate and support our children in our digitally connected global society.

In partnership with ISTE, Dell Technologies has developed digital literacy resources for parents and caregivers that focus on strengthening the digital literacy skills needed to be successful in work, empowered as citizens, and fulfilled in life, including supporting online safety and privacy. A questionnaire allows you to determine your strengths and areas of growth related to locating content, evaluating sources, interpreting information, expressing ideas, communicating with others and navigating technology ecosystems. It also provides resources focused on supporting a healthy entertainment diet, digital learning, and online safety and privacy. We encourage you to take the questionnaire to learn more about your digital literacy as well as strategies for helping your child.

Dr. Bridge

Director of Technology

mallory.biddle@zb126.org (847) 731-9817

ann.gauger@zb126.org (847) 731-9815

camelia.ivan@zb126.org (847) 731-9807

kurt.schachtschneider@zb126.org (847) 9814

• Wednesday, 2/8/23 - Freshmen Orientation: ZBTHS 6:30 - 8:00 PM
• Wednesday, 2/8/23 - College and Career Fair: ZBTHS Field House 6:30 - 8:00 PM
• Thursday, 2/9/23 - Parent Conferences: NTZB 6:00 - 8:00 PM
• Friday, 2/10/23 - Early Dismissal: NTZB 1:35 PM
• Monday, 2/20/23 - President's Day - No School

• Monday, 3/6/23- District Registration Begins for 2023-2024
• Friday, 3/24/23 - Early Dismissal: NTZB 1:35 PM
• Monday, 3/27/23 - Friday, 3/31/23 - Spring Break - No School
• Monday, 4/3/23 - Classes Resume
• Friday, 4/7/23 - School Holiday - No School

• Weekly announcements from each campus
• Official school calendar (For a downloadable full year calendar, click here.)

Only 400 students large, NT@ZB provides a highly focused educational environment within Zion-Benton Township. A part of District 126, NT@ZB is a companion campus to the larger central campus located across town. NT@ZB emphasizes 21st century learning skills in addition to its college preparatory curriculum taught in a project based learning format. Qualifying students have access to tuition-free dual credit college courses, the Lake County Tech Campus, and all students can participate in athletics as District 126 Zee-Bees!

Website: https://www.zb126.org/ntzb
Location: 1634 23rd Street, Zion, IL, USA
Phone: (847) 731-9800
Facebook: facebook.com/ntzbe
Twitter: @NewTechZB