Falcon Focus
August 20, 2021
From Mr. Biscan
Welcome to the 21-22 school year! There's nothing like the anticipation of welcoming our students back to our building after the summer break. For many of our students, it will be the first time they've been together with their classmates in nearly 18 months. I know all of us will feel the gamut of emotions throughout the first few days but I'm confident that we will begin to live in the routine as the days pass.
Yesterday, we welcomed our faculty and staff. It was a wonderful day of reconnecting and providing a focus for all of us so we can effectively impact all of our students. Part of our discussion was centered on the idea of taking our foundation, our core values and using those to build new ways of helping our students. One of those new ways will be how our Student Services Department serves students. There have been some changes that we made in order to positively impact more of our students. Further information about the new structure of our Student Services Department, as well as school hours, student drop-off areas, attendance, and other important student information can be found under Dr. Pavlini's section in this Falcon Focus.
Beginning this school year, Dr. Julie Pavlini will be our Assistant Principal for Student Services. Dr. Pavlini has served the last 7 years as our Assistant Principal of Support and Enrichment. In turn, Mr. Jim Venckus will be the Assistant Principal for Support and Enrichment. Mr. Venckus has served as our Assistant Principal for Student Services for the last 13 years. Both Dr. Pavlini and Mr. Venckus are excited to meet their new leadership roles and the opportunities that they will provide.
The Falcon Focus is one of the ways to stay connected with what's happening at Wheaton North. Another way to stay on top of all things Wheaton North is to utilize our website. You can access our site through this link.
I'm looking forward to seeing our students on Monday.
We're going to have a great year.
From the Desk of Dr. Pavlini, Assistant Principal of Student Services
Our Student Services Department collaborates with students, families and staff to foster a physically and emotionally safe and supportive high school experience. Our department includes Blue, Gold and White alpha teams, each with counselors, deans, social workers, and school psychologists who are specially trained for their unique roles and dedicated to helping students grow and succeed. If you have a concern about your student, please reach out. Please see the team partners below; students are assigned to a team alphabetically by counselor. Counselor assignments can be found here on our website.
Blue Team
Counselors - Mr. Schoon and Mrs. Angelo
Psychologist - Ms. Adkins
Social Workers - Mrs. Burnham and Ms. DeCarlo
Dean - Mr. Wardynski
Gold Team
Counselors - Mrs. Eaton, Mrs. Wittersheim and Mr. Coan
Psychologist - Dr. Martin
Social Worker - Mrs. Ponce
Dean-Mr. Ferguson
White Team
Counselors - Mr. Longenbaugh and Mrs. Biggs
Psychologist - Mrs. Tsikouris
Social Worker - Mr. Ford
Dean - Mrs. Lewis-Kapp
Our teams provide support to students from several offices centrally located at North: Attendance and Blue Support Hub, Gold and White Support Hub and Counseling Office.
In addition to support, our Student Services Department oversees the safety and security of our school campus. A few reminders below will help as we ask for your partnership throughout this school year:
School Hours
Our building is open for students from 7am - 2:30 pm. Students are permitted at school beyond those hours only when they’re supervised by a staff member for a specific club, sport, etc. Please note that our doors will not open before 7am, so please plan accordingly if you’re driving your student to school.
Student Drop-Off/Pick-Up Locations
We will have 5 campus doors unlocked and supervised before school each morning. These entrances also serve as our student drop-off/pick-up locations: 1) the main entrance/circle drive (Door 1), 2) the bus doors east of the main entrance (Door 34), 3) the athletic/field house entrance (Door 7), 4) the art/music entrance off Morse Street (Door 16), and 5) the east side of the building off Papworth (Door 31). They are all locked once school begins at 7:20 am. Students who arrive later can only enter through the main entrance. Please do not drop off/pick-up students in the visitors’/staff parking lot in front of the school or in the staff parking lot behind the school off Papworth.
Attendance
Please call the Attendance Office (630-784-7334) by 6:00 pm the day of your student’s absence. If a call is not received by then, the absence will be considered unexcused. Also, if your student has to leave for an appointment during the school day, please call the Attendance Office before the appointment. Please remind your student to pick up a pass from the Attendance Office if he/she will be leaving for the appointment during a class. The Attendance Office is located at the front of our building, off the Commons.
Student Parking
Only seniors are allowed to park on campus. A completed application (available in the Gold and White Support Hub Monday–Friday from 7:00–3:00) and $150 fee are required to purchase a hanging tag. A lottery for juniors will be conducted if open spots remain on campus after the first few weeks of school. There is also limited free public
parking on Thomas east of Papworth, south on Darling, and in the Northside Park parking lot. For questions regarding parking passes, please contact Mrs. Flores, nydia.flores@cusd200.org or 630.784.7324.
Student Deliveries
As in past years, students are not permitted to receive deliveries at school in order to maintain a safe and secure building. This includes food deliveries, as well as items forgotten at home (homework, game/practice clothes and equipment, etc.) and delivered by family members. We appreciate your help in keeping our buildings safe and secure.
From the LLC
Summer Reading Book Chat - Friday, September 3 during all lunches
To encourage students to continue reading over the summer, the Wheaton North English Department and the Wheaton North LLC invited students to read great books of their choice all summer! On Friday, September 3, any students who have read over the summer will be invited to a casual lunchtime chat in 802-804 about what they read. Treats and prizes will be given to students who attend and participate in this fun lunchtime book chat.
QUESTIONS? Please contact the English Department Chair, Mrs. Blazier, or the LLC Director, Mrs. Pigoni.
Tech Support for Students
Student Tech Support is available online and in person in the LLC. Students having issues with Wifi or Chromebooks should visit the Falcon Technology Support page for troubleshooting tips, the Help Desk ticket system, and information about LLC hours of in person support.
Photo ID Cards
Students who did not receive a photo ID card at Schedule & Textbook Pick Up may do so during the 2nd week of school in the LLC. Students should stop by before or after school, during study hall, before Access, or during lunch. Please email angela.pigoni@cusd200.org with any questions.
From the Health Office
Students entering the 9th grade must show proof of having received a physical examination dated on or after August 23, 2020. A copy of this physical exam is expected in the Health Office by the first day of school. If the physical exam is NOT received in the Health Office by September 7, 2021, the student will not be allowed to attend school.
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 immunization is due in the Health Office by the first day of school. If the proof of the immunization is NOT received in the Health Office by September 7, 2021, the student will not be allowed to attend 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.
Beginning Monday, July 19, 2021, COVID-19 vaccinations will be available on a walk-in basis at the Health Department’s Central Public Health Center (111 N. County Farm Rd, Wheaton). The clinic will operate Monday - Friday from 8:30 am - 4:00 pm.
Math Team is Back!
Do you like solving puzzles, logic, and challenging yourself? Or maybe you like hanging out with your friends after school? Math Team can help you do both! Practices will be on Tuesdays after school (room # TBD) and there will be about one competition a month. The main part of the season runs from September to February. Ms. Piccininni and Ms. Skuse (both new to WNHS!) will be running the team and are SO excited to get started.
If you are interested in receiving more information about math team once it is available, fill out this form. (Note: if you previously filled out this form using the link in the last Falcon Focus, you DO NOT need to fill it out again. You will be emailed with more information about the math team as soon as we have it!).
Marching Band March-a-Thon
On Saturday, August 21, from 8:00 -11:00 am, the Wheaton North Falcon Marching Band parade through the north side of Wheaton, playing music and drumming up support for the purchase of new drumline equipment including drums, harnesses, cases, and stands. The drumline is a vital part of the Falcon Marching Band. You can find the musicians of the Falcon drumline in the hallways of the school, at football games, and at community events striking up school spirit. With all that drumming, the equipment takes quite a beating!
Please consider clicking and supporting the band as it marches a 3-mile, one-band parade through Wheaton. https://go.rallyup.com/wnmarchingband
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.
All students should join their counselor’s Remind account for important text updates. Parents are welcome to join as well. You can find more information on joining via the Counseling Remind Codes page.
During the 2021-2022 school year, students can request virtual or in person meetings with their counselor by visiting the counseling office, via email or by calling a counselor’s direct line.
Wondering who your counselor is for the 2021-2022 school year? Check out the updated counselor assignments.
Save the Date
Financial Aid Night - Wednesday, September 29, 7:00 P.M.
All students and families are invited to attend financial aid night. This event is held in collaboration with Wheaton Warrenville South and will be fully virtual.
Senior Family Night - Wednesday, September 1, 7:00 P.M.
Parents and students can gather updated information about the college application process and learn how counselors will be assisting students during this year’s application season. This year’s meeting will be entirely virtual. Please follow this link to join the presentation. Families will have the option to enter a virtual breakout room for a Q and A session with a school counselor as well. Don’t worry if you can’t make it. The presentation portion will be posted on the counseling department website at a later date. A reminder will be sent to all senior students and families prior to the event.
Senior Class of 2022
Counselors will host a college application process presentation for seniors during lunches on Tuesday August 31st. This presentation will cover general information about the application process and include an overview of individual senior conferences, the transcript request process and updates to Naviance.
Students can begin requesting transcripts on September Wednesday September 1, 2021.
Individual Senior conferences will begin on Thursday September 2nd and continue throughout September and October. If your son or daughter has questions prior to their individual meeting they can reach out to their counselor to set up an appointment or ask a question.
Seniors can sign up for college rep visits by logging into their Naviance account using “Clever” and then entering their Google credentials. Students should then click on “Colleges” and select “College Visits”. This allows students to hear directly from a college representative visiting Wheaton North. Don’t delay, sign up now as many colleges and universities are already scheduled to visit us.
Juniors Class of 2023
Juniors will begin the college search process with their counselors near the end of November and continue through Spring Break. Students and families looking to get a headstart can access all College Search Materials via the counseling website. Materials will update throughout first semester.
Juniors can sign up for college rep visits by logging into their Naviance account using “Clever” and then entering their Google credentials. Students should then click on “Colleges” and select “College Visits”. This allows students to hear directly from a college representative visiting Wheaton North. Don’t delay, sign up now as many colleges and universities are already scheduled to visit us.
Sophomore Class of 2024
Sophomores can sign up for college rep visits by logging into their Naviance account using “Clever” and then entering their Google credentials. Students should then click on “Colleges” and select “College Visits”. This allows students to hear directly from a college representative visiting Wheaton North. Don’t delay, sign up now as many colleges and universities are already scheduled to visit us.
School Yearbook Information
Interested in purchasing a 2021-2022 yearbook?
- If so, please click HERE to be directed to the Jostens Website.
- Yearbooks are $50.
Interested in purchasing a 2020-2021 yearbook?
- Yearbooks are $50.
- These can be purchased through the WNHS Main Office after September 1.
Need to pick up a 2020-2021 yearbook?
- If you did not receive your yearbook, please stop by the main office to pick up your book after September 1.
Senior Recognition Ads
- To purchase an ad, please see the attached flyer and follow the online instructions.
- Each ad may feature photos, memories, shout outs, and stories and will take up 1/4 of a page.
- All ad orders are due by January 16, 2022.
Falcon Wings
Want to join the Falcon WiNGS? Check out our membership options!
Please join to support all students.
Choose to purchase a sports pass.
Or you can even get parking for home football games!
Questions? Please contact Erin Froebe at membership@wnfalconwings.org.
Volunteers and Fundraising- We can’t do what we do without you! Falcon WiNGS members who volunteer to work at our concession stands during sporting events earn $10 of credit donated back to the Wheaton North organization of their choosing. That money is used by the coaches, with administrative approval for things that benefit their organization. We have a very busy fall schedule. Volunteer to work concessions here! No experience necessary :)
Interested in Corporate Sponsorship of the WiNGS, including the banners you see on the fence by the Football Field & Track? Contact Jeff Crowley at sponsorship@wnfalconwings.org.
Want a Wheaton North yard sign for your student? Please order on-line or contact Cali Belini and Erin Young at yardsigns@wnfalconwings.org. Let’s paint the Northside Blue and Gold!
Looking for Falconwear for 2021-2022? Order on-line anytime or look for us at home sporting events this fall near the Falcon Feeder Concessions Stand or inside the school. Questions? Please contact Anne Wanzenberg or Dena Howser at falconwear@wnfalconwings.org.
You can also purchase Falconwear throughout the school year on Thursday’s during the lunch hours. Schedule coming soon!
All D200 PE Uniform purchases benefit PTAs & Booster Clubs (at North: Falcon WiNGS). PE Uniforms are available at the Wheaton Sport Center (1000 W Prairie Ave, Wheaton). If you have questions, please contact cusd200peuniform@gmail.com .
The Wheaton Sport Center is proud to give back all proceeds from PE uniforms to the school where each student purchaser attends. The WSC has donated over $15,000 to the PTAs and high school Boosters! Thank you, WCS!
The Wheaton North Falcon WiNGS Newsletter comes out at the beginning of each month and periodically throughout the school year with important information. Look for a newsletter in your mailbox today! If you don’t see it, be sure to check your spam and add secretary@wnfalconwings.org to your inbox!
The Wheaton North Falcon WiNGS posts information on Social Media. Be sure to follow our Instagram and Facebook page at Wheaton North Falcon Wings. For specific classes you can also follow:
Wheaton North Parents Class of 2022; Wheaton North Parents Class of 2023; Wheaton North Parents- Class of 2024; or Wheaton North Parents Class of 2025. All local information about the school will be posted there!
Good luck to all of our Falcons as they begin the 2021-2022 school year!