Dr. Peter Monaghan,
Principal
Greetings Glenbard West Community,
The school year has officially begun and our students,  teachers 
and staff are excited to begin what is bound to be another  successful school year.  Below, you will find information  regarding the major building improvements and additions completed at Glenbard West this summer.  Additionally, there  is detailed information regarding our upcoming Open House as  well as communication from our Dean's Office.  Our entire staff  has been working hard in order to  be ready for the start of school.  Getting off to a strong start at the beginning of the year is crucial  for student success.  I encourage students and parents to maintain  a high level of engagement that includes staying connected with  our mechanisms of communication.  These include the following:
 
Power School (Student Data Management)
Following us on Twitter @gwhilltoppers
Glenbard Parent Series - Experts and Speakers who present throughout the year
 
I am looking forward to seeing parent involvement throughout the school year.  One 
important way our parents can support West is by joining our Booster organization.  Membership and event information can be found at this link ( Boosters ).
 
At Glenbard West, students are encouraged to challenge themselves while accessing 
supports available to them.  I look forward to our continued partnership in pursuing 
this mission.
 
As always, Go West!
Dr. Peter Monaghan
630-942-7474
 

Ms. Linda Oberg, Asst. Principal for Operations

Building Improvements  for 2016-2017

I am very excited to report that our new classroom addition and air conditioning 
project  was completed on schedule and as planned.   The amount of work completed 
over the summer was substantial.   On our last day of school for the 2015-16 school 
year we  began the  process of emptying furniture out of the building, tearing out 
ceilings and  putting in all  new air conditioning, heating, internet cabling, ceiling tiles 
and lighting.   We also  continued the work on our new classroom addition, tying the 
new building into  the old.   I cannot begin to describe the looks on the faces of our 
students as they entered  the  new  wing.
 
Thank you to District 87 taxpayers for approving one of the largest projects at 
Glenbard West in decades.  We did our best in our planning to make sure that every department  has benefited in some way, and of course all our students benefit from 
the air conditioning, better lighting and more efficient heat.
 
Here is a breakdown of some of the projects completed this summer:
  • Air conditioning throughout the whole building
  • New heat throughout the whole building
  • New ceilings and lighting
  • 16 classrooms that are either new or rebuilt
  • 2 main department offices and resource areas that are either new or rebuilt
  • New bathrooms
  • A new food service line
  • Two new green roofs
  • Solar panels
  • New indoor gathering spaces on three floors
  • Two paver brick gathering spaces outside
Every classroom will have an individual thermostat. All classes including  band, 
choir, ceramics, photography, and AP Art history are now wheel chair accessible.  
The  auditorium stage is also now wheel chair accessible so students  can  perform 
on stage and receive awards at our academic awards ceremonies along with 
their peers. 
 
The Regional Office of Education inspector was here on August 19, 2016 giving us 
approval for full occupancy.   We also conducted air quality tests throughout the old 
and  new portions of the building  and all came back within safe limits.  On August 22, 
2016  we provided an extensive  tour of the building to over 30 members of the Glen 
Ellyn Fire Department to make sure  they are familiar with the new configuration 
of our building. All of these projects support our district mission to "Foster a supportive, safe environment that inspires  learning and encourages engagement with the school."
 
 
Linda Oberg
Assistant Principal for Operations
      Go Glenbard West Hilltoppers!
 
Dr. David Larson,
Superintendent

Join us at classroom addition open house next month
I visited Glenbard West on the first day of school and was impressed with the significant capital improvement projects completed in time for students' first day. The new school year is off to a great start.
 
Glenbard West students and staff returned to a school with air conditioning and a state-of-the-art classroom addition. On behalf of the Board of Education, faculty and staff, we sincerely appreciate the community's support of our March 2014 referendum to make capital improvements to all of our 
buildings.  It's a great privilege to work in a community that is so supportive 
of students and their families.
 
On Thursday, Sept. 8, we will host a classroom addition open house at Glenbard West. I encourage you to come by to see this innovative learning space. The open house will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 8.  Glenbard West teachers and administrators are excited about how the new classroom wing will enhance students' learning opportunities and they're eager to show you the addition. The new wing includes chemistry and physics classrooms , a green roof, and photography lab and dark room. Also, six former science labs were converted into eight classrooms for business and world language classes. I hope you will join us at the classroom addition open house on Sept. 8.


OPEN HOUSE
Thursday, September 1, 2016
 Auditorium
 
The staff and students of Glenbard West High School cordially invite you to join us for our annual Open House on Thursday, September 1st.  We will begin promptly in the auditorium 
at 6:00 p.m.  From 6:20 to 8:25, you will have the opportunity to follow your student's class schedule.  Classes will be ten-minute sessions so that teachers can speak with you and other parents in your group about the specific classes your students are taking this fall.  Get ready, 
as well, to hear about the countless ways in which subjects very familiar to those of us who graduated a few years ago are taking on some new and exciting dimensions.  We know that you will have questions about these courses, and we encourage you to ask them.  We ask, however, that you arrange for an individual conference with a teacher if you wish to discuss the individual progress of your students. Should our six-story building get you a bit turned around during the evening, student guides will be in our halls to distribute maps and to 
direct you to classrooms.  Please don't hesitate to take advantage of their assistance.  We always  look forward to this evening, for we have found that it is an excellent way for our parents to get a true feel for the academic program their students are pursuing and to meet those people most responsible for making it come alive for these young ladies and gentlemen. 
 
Make sure to bring a copy of your students schedule with you to Open House .  Here is the schedule you will follow:

      • Period 1 (6:30 - 6:40)
      • Period 2 (6:45 - 6:55)
      • Period 3 (7:00 - 7:10)
      • Period 4 (7:15 - 7:25)
      • Period 5 (7:30 - 7:40)
      • Period 6 (7:45 - 7:55)
      • Period 7 (8:00 - 8:10)
      • Period 8 (8:15 - 8:25)

         
News from School Counseling
Jeremiah Wiencek, Director

In my first year as Director of School Counseling at West we began the implementation 
of  the  Naviance/Family Connection post-secondary readiness program.  Now, as I head into my 
fifth year, with all students having 1:1 technology, I'm proud to state we have fully integrated Naviance/Family Connection into the School Counseling developmental curriculum. A curriculum which culminates students' senior year with an all-electronic college application process.  The 
initial step in applying to college for all seniors is completion of the Senior Profile  and Parent 
Input Form tasks on students' Naviance/Family Connection accounts, referred to in the letter sent home from School Counseling this summer.  The second step  will be all seniors  meeting 
with their counselors on several occasions commencing with the Senior Convocation on September 7.  This will be followed by small group sessions in early September, then 
ending with individual clarificaton sessions as necessary going into October, ensuring we provide support up until the ever popular November 1 deadline.  All seniors will learn 
about the Naviance/Family Connection procedures by receiving an introduction to the 
process, reviewing a college application timeline, and receiving step-by-step assistance developing their college application portfolios for transmission to students' post-secondary choices.  The School Counseling Department will continue to communicate with our 
students and families to ensure these procedures run as smoothly as possible.  We encourage you to attend our sessions on Open House, September 1 at 5 p.m. to receive much of the 
same information that will be presented to our students.  We appreciate your support 
during this process as we continually strive to improve our Hilltopper students' 
post-secondary preparation. 

Open House meetings with counselors:
  • Meeting for parents of seniors begins at 5 p.m. in the library.
  • Meeting for parents of juniors begins at 5 p.m. in the cafeteria.
  • Meeting for parents of sophomores and freshmen begins at 5 p.m. in the auditorium. 
Message from Dean of Students
Ryan Maita, Sharon Ruff and Stacy Scumaci
 
Welcome back Glenbard West Community. It is our goal to continue to ensure the safety 
of  all while creating a healthy and positive learning environment. Glenbard West places extreme importance on instructional time and regular school attendance requires a 
cooperative effort  by parent/guardian and school personnel. A parent must call the 
attendance office to report an absence. This call should be made before 10:30 a.m., 
however; calls can be made at anytime  to an answering machine at 630-942-7480.

In addition, Glenbard West's dress code is outlined in the Castle Keys. The dress code 
is designed to eliminate distractions and focus on academics within the school setting. 
Prohibited items include halter-tops, spaghetti straps, and short skirts/shorts, shirts that 
reveal midriffs, advertisement for drugs and alcohol. Hats are also prohibited in the 
building.  A student may be escorted to the dean's office to change their apparel.

We look forward to an exciting year as our students continue to strive for excellence!

New Teachers at West

Stephanie Brezwyn, School Nurse
Amanda Cooper, Math
Farah Davis, Science part-time
Kimberly Gwizdala, English/Forensics Head Coach
Sarah Heflin, Fine & Performing Arts part-time
Lindsay Maxson, Social Work Intern
Jessica Philips, Psychologist Intern
Melissa Polovitch, Social Studies - semester 1
Abel Sanchez, World Languages
Georgia Schulte, English
Lauren Sulek, English part-time

Student Recognition

Perfect ACT Score
Will Farley
Julia Ilhardt

Physics Photo Contest Winner
 
The American Assoc. of Physics Teachers host a 
high school physics photo contest and this year one of the
winner's is from Glenbard West. Bruce Medic was
Kyle's physics teacher.

Kyle Patrick Keane - 2nd Place
"Cutting Water"


DATES TO REMEMBER
August
 
29        PLC Early Dismissal at 1:52 p.m.
            Freshman Orientation - 1:52 p.m.
 
September
 
1          Open House - Aud. - 6 p.m.
            Counselor Sessions - 5 p.m.
2          Early Student Dismissal - 12:35 p.m.
5          NO SCHOOL - Labor Day
7          Driver Ed Parent Clinic - Library - 7 p.m.
8          AMP Meeting - Band Rm. - 7 p.m.
10        ACT Test - 7:45 a.m.
12        PLC Early Dismissal - 1:52 p.m.
            Freshman Orientation - 1:52 to 2:35 p.m.
            Music Parent Meeting - Aud. - 7:30 p.m.
14        Theatre Parent Meeting - Aud. - 7 p.m.
15        Booster Mtg./Spring Awards - Library - 7 p.m.
16        Circle Drive Dance - 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
19        PLC Early Dismissal - 1:52 p.m.
            Freshman Orientation - 1:52 p.m.
22        Forensics Parent Mtg. - Cafeteria - 6:30 p.m.
26        PLC Early Dismissal - 1:52 p.m.
29        Fall Band Concert - Aud. - 7:30 p.m.

 







Thursday, August 25, 2016
Common/Family Read The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
Speaker: Rebecca Skloot
Glenbard West   7:00 p.m.  Auditorium

Thursday, September 15, 2016
Coping Strategies to Regulate Anxiety: An Introduction to Distress Tolerance
Speaker:  Laura Koehler PhD Linden Oaks Behavioral Health
CCSD District 93 Administration Center    noon
 
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Different ...Not Less
Speaker: Temple Grandin, PhD
Temple may be the most famous person with Autism; Advocate/Author/Animal Rights Activist
Glenbard East   3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.   Auditorium
 
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital World/ Raising Digital Natives
Speaker: Devorah Heitner PhD
Glenbard West    7:00 p.m.  Auditorium

 
GPS Navigating Higher ED

Saturday, Sept 17, 2016
Frank Palmasani - Conquering the Challenges of College Costs in English
Ercilla Jonas,   Illinois Student Assistance Commission in Spanish
Glenbard West  10:30-noon   Library

 
FUSE Families United for Students Excellence/ African American Parent Committee
 
Thursday, August 25, 2016 
Kick-Off for School Success Family Picnic
Young People Have the Power to Succeed
David Swope, College of DuPage
Glenbard West  6:15 p.m.   Cafeteria



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Glenbard West High School
[email protected]
http://www.glenbard.wesths.org