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“Behold the turtle. He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out.”

-James B. Conant

This is the first newsletter our incoming freshmen families receive. I am so pleased to welcome all incoming freshmen and their parents/guardians to the Conant High School community! We appreciate and honor that our families entrust us with the extremely important responsibility of preparing our students to be contributing, competitive members of society. Partnering as champions for our students’ well-being and academic growth is the best way to ensure the best possible high school experience for all.

We know when students feel a sense of belonging in school and community they experience better outcomes. A sense of belonging is a feeling that all people matter to one another and to the group, along with a shared belief that members' needs will be met through their commitment to be together. During a time when it’s easy to find all of our information and conduct most of our communication electronically, I encourage you to examine if you feel connected to the Conant High School community. If you are interested in having a better connection to Conant, I encourage you to consider the following:

• Attend a game, concert or other event at Conant. Check our website for the upcoming calendar. There is always something happening at CHS!

• Attend a Conant Community meeting. These provide more in-depth discussion about academic, social-emotional and school-wide initiatives at CHS. The next Conant Community Meeting for parents/guardians and students will be held Thursday, February 23rd at 6:30 p.m. in the Conant student cafeteria. We will discuss the SAT Suite of Assessments and share tips for how students can best prepare. We will also share resources for test preparation available at Conant.

• Attend a Parent Booster Meeting. The Boosters typically meet the evening of the second Tuesday of every month. More information is available here.

• Attend the Conant Community Social on Saturday, February 25th from 6:45 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at The Schaumburg Golf Club. Ticket and registration information for this adults-only event is available here.

• Consider becoming a coach or mentor for the SBI (Small Business Incubator) class. Contact Mr. Anthony Miller (amiller@d211.org) for information.

• Make an appointment with your child’s team administrator or me to discuss any ideas, questions, or concerns you have about Conant High School.

• Follow Conant on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for up-to-date information.
  
  

We have incredible students, dedicated and caring parents, and amazing professionals who are interested in connecting with you. Stick your neck out! It will be worth it!

Sincerely,

Julie Nowak

Principal

All incoming ninth-grade students are required by the state of Illinois to have a physical examination and their current immunizations on file in the health office. Physical examinations must be completed on the Certificate of Child Health Examination form version dated 11/2015 or later. Forms are available on the school’s website under the "Parents - Health Services" tab. Examinations not completed on this form or completed on IHSA forms will NOT be accepted to meet the requirement of your child’s ninth-grade physical. Your child may not begin school until this requirement has been met.

As of the 2019-2020 school year, all incoming freshmen are required to turn in a dental examination. The exam must be dated within 18 months of the May 15 deadline. Dental examination forms will need to be turned into the nurse’s office by May 15, 2024. The form is available on the Conant website under the "Parents - Health Services" tab.

If your child is planning to register for a summer sports camp, a physical must be on file in the high school health office prior to the first day of camp. Your child’s physical must have been completed within the last 13 months. Health records will not be received from the junior highs prior to the start of summer sports camps. It is the responsibility of the parents to make sure there is a physical on file prior to the first day of sports camp.

As of the 2015-2016 school year, any child entering 12th grade will be required to show proof of receiving two doses of the meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV). The first dose shall be received on or after the child’s 11th birthday. The second dose should be administered on or after your child’s 16th birthday, or an interval of at least eight weeks after the first dose. Only one dose is required if the first dose was received at 16 years of age or older. Your child will NOT be able to begin school until this immunization requirement is met.

Please note the meningococcal B vaccine does not meet the school requirement. If your child does not receive their immunizations for religious reasons, a state-approved exemption form must be submitted to the nurse’s office prior to completing your child’s registration process as this is a new immunization requirement. If your child does not receive immunizations for medical reasons, a note from your physician is required and must be submitted to the nurse’s office prior to completing your child’s registration process.

Please contact the health services office at 847-755-3662 with any questions. Please do not wait until the last minute to get this vaccine. Medical offices do run out of the vaccine and receiving the vaccine at a local pharmacy can be very costly.

Conant High School's food pantry serves our Cougars in Need. This Cougar Cupboard is visited every Friday by 20 to 30 students. Because of the unique needs and situations our Cougars in Need face, our pantry needs are a little different from a typical food pantry. The highest demand items require simple to no cooking and appeal to the teenage palate.

Students especially appreciate the following items:

Slim Jims, microwave popcorn, pop-tarts, healthy chips, trail mix, mini muffins, fruit snacks, breakfast bars, cereal, crispy rice treats, oatmeal, applesauce pouches, juice boxes, fruit cups, individual macaroni and cheese, Ramen noodles, pasta and sauce, toiletries and personal items. Additionally, frozen foods (if you bring these items in, please bring it to the attention of the front office) such as Uncrustables, hot pockets, and individually wrapped mini pizzas.

Thank you! We are so helpful to the entire Conant High School community!

Scholarships for Seniors

It's time to start applying for local, national and college-specific scholarships! Any scholarship money can help make your dream school a reality. Here is a list of local scholarships our students typically apply for. For more information on Scholarships and Financial Aid, check our Conant U Schoology page! Your student can also reach out to the colleges or universities they are interested in attending to see what opportunities are available for financial aid. If you have questions or need additional help in navigating this process, let Ms. Nehrke, Conant’s College and Career Counselor, know! We are here to help you navigate this important decision.

Career Advisor

Looking for information about a career? Visit our Career Advisor, Kristen Fitzgerald, at her office in the media center. Mrs. Fitzgerald would be glad to assist you with the career search process and share information about upcoming speakers, career treks to local businesses, obtaining a job or internship, resume writing, interviewing skills and much more. Check out the Conant Career Services Schoology course to learn more. All students are members.

Conant students learn about the field of teaching at the first Future Educator Conference. The event included a keynote speaker and breakout sessions that featured District 211 alumni who are now teaching in classrooms.

District 211 students earn the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy by demonstrating high levels of proficiency in English and an additional language as determined by the Illinois State Board of Education. Students can demonstrate proficiency in a target language by earning a 4 or 5 on an AP exam, I-5 or higher on the AAPPL or Intermediate High on the STAMP exam. Illinois public universities will accept the State Seal of Biliteracy as equivalent to 2 years of foreign language coursework taken during high school if a student's high school transcript indicates receipt. Current languages available are Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.

Students have the option of taking the exam in-person between March 6-10 or remotely March 13-31. Limited seats are available for the in-person test, with priority going to seniors.

Students interested in taking the STAMP or AAPPL assessments for the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy should complete this REGISTRATION FORM by the end of the school day February 17, 2023. There is a fee of $25, and an invoice for payment will be sent through MySchoolBucks. The exam comprises four modules and lasts approximately 2 to 4 hours.

Students who earn the Seal of Biliteracy will be notified in the summer depending on availability of results. Visit https://adc.d211.org/academicshome/illinois-seal-of-biliteracy/.

Please contact the Student Services Department with questions.

Cougar Kids Preschool is full for spring 2023. We will have limited openings for the 2023-2024 school year. Please submit an application to be added to the waitlist for the 2023-2024 school year. The class meets Tuesday through Friday in the morning. Registration information is available in the main office or online under the "Family and Consumer Sciences" page.

If you have any questions, contact Mrs. Koopman or Mrs. Candia at (847) 755-3736.

February 10: Early Dismissal at 12:30 p.m.

February 11: D211 Honors Orchestra Concert – 7:00 p.m. at CHS

February 13: Band Parent Meeting – 7:00 p.m. A160

February 14: Student Late Start – Classes Begin at 9:35 a.m.

February 17: Prom Fashion Show – Periods 3 through 6 Auditorium

February 18: Winter Dance – 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Main Gym, Cafeteria

February 20: Presidents Day – No School

February 21: Choral Concert – 7:00 p.m. Auditorium

February 23: Conant Community Meeting - 6:30 p.m. Cafeteria (Topic: SAT)

February 24: Blood Drive – 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Multi-Purpose Room

February 25: Conant Boosters Social Fundraiser – 7:00 p.m. Chandlers

February 28: Student Late Start – Classes Begin at 9:35 a.m.

March 2: Jazz Band Concert – 7:00 p.m. Media Center

March 3: Spirit Wear Sales – 10:05 a.m. to 1:40 p.m. Cougar Corner

March 3: Orchesis Show – 7:00 p.m. Auditorium

March 4: D211 Girls Steam Ahead – 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Gym, Atrium, Café

March 4: Improv Performance – 7:00 p.m. Cafeteria

March 4: Orchesis Show – 7:00 p.m. Auditorium

March 6: Band Parent Meeting – 7:00 p.m. A160

March 7: Conant Boosters Meeting – 7:00 p.m. Media Center

March 7: Band Showcase Concert – 7:30 p.m. Auditorium

March 8: College Planning Night – 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Auditorium

March 10: International Fair – 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Auditorium

March 11: Operation Snowball 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

March 11: D211 Honors Band Concert – 2:00 p.m. HEHS

March 14: Student Late Start – Classes Begin at 9:35 a.m.