Falcon Focus
May 7, 2021
From Mr. Biscan
Dear Falcon Families,
As we begin the month of May and approach the conclusion of our 20-21 school year, there is a flurry of student activity to be aware of and important information to know. In order to stay current, please take the time to read through this edition of the Falcon Focus.
We've worked together this year to ensure that all of our students had the support they needed so they could continue their academic, social, and emotional progress. We appreciate your willingness to partner with us and we value your efforts. With that being stated, over the next few days, paper mailed copies of student progress reports will be arriving at your home. The progress report grades represent student progress as of the 13th week (May 5th) of the Spring 2021 semester. After reviewing these grades, please have a conversation with your student about their progress in each of their courses. Students can continue to improve these grades until the semester ends. The last day for Seniors is Tuesday, May 25; Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors will end their semester on Thursday, June 10. Again, we appreciate your partnership as we encourage all students to have a strong finish to this school year.
Please contact us if you have any questions.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Mr. Biscan, Principal
We are Falcons. We are Proud. We are North
From the Desk of Mr. Venckus, Assistant Principal of Student Services
Seniors with Perfect Attendance
If you think your senior has perfect attendance (has not missed a full day of school in four years at Wheaton North), please have him/her contact Mr. Venckus in the Deans’ Office. If this is the case, we want to make sure that we recognize him/her at our Senior Honors Assembly on May 28.
Student Parking for Next Year
As we have done in the past, we will fill our spots with seniors first. If spots remain after that, we will conduct a lottery for interested juniors. More information will be coming.
TCD (Technology Center of DuPage) Students
TCD’s last day of school is Friday, May 21. Starting Monday, May 24, TCD students will only need to attend their Wheaton North classes. They will not have to be in the building before their first class. Students who ride buses will be assigned to a quiet study hall in the library until their first class each day.
Face Masks
We continue to remind our students and staff of their responsibility in keeping us safe during this time. One non-negotiable mitigation strategy is by wearing face masks properly by covering mouths and noses at all times. The only exception to this is when eating lunch. This is an Illinois Department of Public Health requirement and District 200 Board Policy. Thank you for reminding your students of this.
Surveillance Testing
A-cohort students will continue to submit their samples on Thursdays, and B and C-cohort students on Tuesdays. All samples must be collected at home and brought to school and deposited no later than 11:00 a.m. in the bins located inside the main entrance (Door 1), the bus doors (Door 34), or the back of the building/student parking lot doors (Door 16).
The last round of tests will be distributed to students during their lunches next week. Students who don’t have them can pick them up from the Deans’ Office Monday through Friday, anytime between 7:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Please contact Mrs. Andersen (sherri.andersen@cusd200.org or 630-784-7335) if you would like your student to no longer participate.
Hybrid Student Attendance Policy
As more students return to in-person learning, we want to remind them that when they
accumulate a minimum of three (3) instances of not being present in school on their in-person days, regardless of whether they are working virtually or not, they may be moved to fully virtual learning for the rest of the school year. Students who have elected to attend school in person are expected to report to school on their hybrid learning days. The privilege to attend in person is not an option for students who want to reserve a spot for the personally appropriate time to attend in person. Hybrid students who have not been present in school on their in-person days are being reminded by their teachers and deans of this policy and the importance of attending school in person. We understand that there are some valid reasons for working virtually on in-person days (e.g., illness, COVID-related, appointment, etc.); however, there are some reasons for working virtually on in-person days that are not (e.g., don’t feel like coming in, slept in, overslept, etc.). Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
From the Desk of Dr. Pavlini, Assistant Principal of Support and Enrichment
Pass/Fail Option - 2nd Semester
This semester students may request to have their course grade recorded as a “Pass/Fail” rather than a letter grade. If a student earns a Passing grade (60%), it will appear as a “P” on the transcript and will not be factored into GPA, but credit will be issued. Students who are considering this option and have questions, can connect with their counselor to see if this is the appropriate choice for them. Of course, parents/guardians are also welcome to reach out to counselors with any questions as well. Students can request the pass option via the Counseling Department Homepage or their individual counselor’s Google Classroom. Please see below for the Pass / Fail request window timeline, making note of the differing close dates as they relate to grade-level.
PASS Option Open to Students
SENIORS: May 10 - May 14
GRADES 9-11: May 10 - May 28
From the LLC
Senior Returns
Congratulations, Seniors! Senior book and technology returns will take place at the Senior Picnic on May 26 but early returns are always welcome. Seniors should gather all textbooks, library books, English class novels, musical keyboards, Macbooks, Chromebooks, charging cords, and styluses for return. A list of the materials seniors have checked out will be emailed to them the week of May 10. Any lost or damaged books or technology will incur a fee. Students who need materials for AP exams taken after May 26 may make arrangements to keep them through the exam. Please contact Mrs. Pigoni in the LLC with any questions.
Grades 9 - 11
Students in grades 9 - 11 who are returning to North in the fall will keep their Chromebooks over the summer. All books, musical keyboards, and Macbooks must be returned by the last day of school. Material return dates for Virtual Students will be posted in June. Please contact Mrs. Pigoni in the LLC with any questions.
Summer Reading
The Wheaton North LLC encourages all students to take a break from the screen and read anything and everything they are interested in this summer! Students may check out books from the Wheaton North LLC as well as through our online platform, SORA all summer long. More information on how to find great books can be found on the LLC site.
Our Virtual Resource Center is Available to All Students -- ONLINE and Open Now!
Dear Falcon Families,
Is your student in need of extra help? If so, we have help available from both staff and students through our Virtual Resource Center!
For staff help during all lunch periods, please have your student access the Google Meet links here: Virtual Resource Center
For help from a peer tutor, please have your students access this student-created website (scan the QR code to access the website):
From the Health Office
Students entering 12th grade must show proof of having received a dose of Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MCV4) on or after their 16th birthday. Proof of having received this vaccination is due in the Health Office by the first day of school.
Physical Exam and Immunization records may be dropped off in the Main Office at WNHS or emailed to: Wheatonnorthhealthoffice@cusd200.org
Please call the Health Office with any questions: 630-784-7327.
COVID Vaccination for Teens
They can sign up here: https://dupagecountyhealth.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aWvLTI8cITCzttA.
The Health Department is opening up appointments in much larger numbers now.
Attention: Students Registered for TCD for the 2021-2022 School Year
Any questions, contact Mrs. Biggs at wendy.biggs@cusd200.org or Jim Venckus at James.venckus@cusd200.org
From the Counseling Department
General Announcements
Please follow the counseling department on Twitter @wncounseling for up-to-date information on a variety of topics from scheduling to scholarship information.
Students can request virtual meetings with their counselor via email or by calling their direct line.
Course Registration Information
All students should be able to see all their course requests in their StudentVue account by clicking on the “Course Requests” tab just above their gradebook. When viewing your courses it is important to note that courses ending in an odd number are first semester courses and courses ending in an even number are second semester courses. If students see an indicator that states that a prerequisite course has not been met, they can ignore that indicator.
If your student notices an error or missing request, they should immediately reach out to their counselor. Students should have a total of 14 requests for full time students. Students attending TCD will only see 8 total requests.
CUSD200 High School Summer School
For Complete Information follow this link: https://www.cusd200.org/Page/16514
Summer School Dates
Session 1 - June 14 -July 7
Session 2 - July 8 -July 30
Courses Offered
Communication Studies - Session 1 or Session 2, Grades 10-12
American Government- Session 1 or Session 2, Grades 10-12
Consumer Economics - Session 1 or Session 2, Grades 10-12
Health Education - Session 1 or Session 2, Grades 10-12
Psychology - Session 1 or Session 2, Grades 11-12
U.S. History - Session 1 AND Session 2, Grades 10-12
Questions? Please contact Jason Spencer, Innovation & Learning Coordinator at jason.spencer@cusd200.org (through Jun. 10) or Ian Smith, Director of HS Instruction at ian.smith@cusd200.org or (Jun. 10 - Aug 1.)
Some classes have limited seating, so please do not wait to enroll! Registration ends May 14, 2021.
Class of 2021
The Senior Exit Survey is now open. This survey is used to send final transcripts to all colleges/universities, military branches and future employers. Please make sure your senior fills this out prior to the last day of school. If it is not filled out, a final transcript will not be sent. Detailed instructions can be found here.
Class of 2021 - Graduation Requirement Reminder
Beginning with the 2020-21 school year, in addition to all other graduation requirements,
a student must meet one of the following requirements to receive a public school diploma (Public Act 101-0180).
File a FAFSA Application; or
File an Application for State Financial Aid; or
File a waiver/opt out with the school district. (This should only be filled out if you do not intend to complete the FAFSA. Once completed, please download and email it to the counseling office secretary at: carolyn.switalski@cusd200.org
Nothing additional is needed to meet the graduation requirement. Once you file your FAFSA, the state reports back to WN that it is complete.
Class of 2022
If you have not watched our Junior Parent Presentation, please click on the link below to download. The presentation contains full audio and is approximately 25 minutes long.
Junior Family Night Pre-Recorded Presentation Link
Parents can access all College Search Materials via the counseling website.
On November 19, counselors met with all students on their caseloads to provide an overview of Junior Conferences and the College Search Process. Parents and students can Access the Presentation here. A step by step college search guide with video tutorials can be found here. Parents can watch these videos to get a better understanding of the process as well.
Juniors Conferences are still wrapping up. Counselors will meet with Juniors in a large group setting in May to provide a summer “To Do” list as well. Students can always request additional post-secondary planning support by reaching out to their counselors as well.
Class of 2022 - Senior Portraits
Information will be mailed to you by the middle of May with your appointment date and time.
Complete details can be found here.
School Yearbook Information
ALL STUDENTS
Interested in purchasing a 2020-2021 yearbook?
Interested in purchasing a 2019-2020 yearbook?
A very limited number of yearbooks are available for purchase starting October 1.
Yearbooks are $50.
These are first come, first serve and can be purchased through the WNHS Main Office in person.
Falcon WiNGS
Wheaton North Post-Promish- Saturday May 22
We’re still looking for volunteers to set up, participate in, or donate to Operation Safe Celebrations Post Prom Event at Wheaton Sports Center. Can you help? You can volunteer here, donate gift cards or send food or drinks! Thank you to everyone who has already donated or volunteered their time for this event.
Help Wanted!
The Falcon WiNGS are down to one committee chair for the 2021-2022 school year. Our Corporate Sponsorship Chair is important as it reaches out to businesses in the community to solicit support for our Falcons. This is a position that can easily be done from home! For more information, contact any of the current officers listed on our website at http://www.wnfalconwings.org/
Let’s cover the Northside with Blue and Gold!
Have you seen the cool senior signs? Let’s get a Wheaton North Falcon sign in every yard! Just pop on over to http://www.wnfalconwings.org/falcon-wear.html to place your order. Delivery or pick up available! Every order for spiritwear helps our Falcons Fly!
Upcoming Meeting - Tuesday May 11 at 7pm in the Wheaton North Cafeteria. Enter through door 26.