|
|
“Nicholas Senn High School is a diverse learning community that develops motivated, creative and critical thinkers who are actively responsible globally minded citizens.”
|
|
|
We are very excited to launch the first edition of our Senn e-newsletter. You can expect this communication to be delivered to your email every two weeks on Friday afternoons. Please keep an eye out for important updates, in-depth program reviews and ongoing celebrations of our SENNsational students. As always, for the most up-to-date information be sure to check our website at www.sennhs.org.
In this edition, we will share highlights from the first quarter of the 2016 school year. As many of you know, Senn High School was named number 12 in the Top Chicago High Schools by Chicago Magazine. Upon deeper analysis, we are also listed as one of the top 3 neighborhood high school in Chicago. These are rankings that we are extremely proud of because they are a reflection of the unwavering dedication our teachers have to support academic growth for all students, the student focus on academic achievement and our positive school culture. We also continue to rank as one of the top IB schools in the city and this past year 100% of our DP students scored 4 or above in at least one IB subject. As a group, Senn DP students score higher than the district and world average in IB History, IB Math Studies, IB Spanish, and IB Visual Arts.
Most importantly, Senn students are going to college. Last year, the class of 2016 earned $23 million dollars in scholarships. We had one Posse scholar, 5 Loyola scholars and 7 students as SAIC scholars. Senn students continue to lead once they leave and the class of 2017 is on track to beat these stats, as we currently have 5 Posse finalists, 2 Quest Bridge finalists and a number of seniors already receiving college acceptance and scholarships.
I am proud to be the principal of such an academically and culturally diverse school. Our thriving Senn Arts program, our dedication to the tenants of the IB Learner Profile and the support of our community are all evident as you walk through our halls. Parents, thank you for your support and commitment to us as we continue to grow together. I hope to see you and speak with you at Report Card Pick Up on Thursday November 10. To the community, alumni and partners who are dedicated to our continued success, thank you for helping to make us #SENNsational!
Mary P. Beck
Principal
|
|
|
|
Thursday, November 10
- Parent-Teacher Conferences
12:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Friday, November 11 - Veteran's Day - No school
Monday, November 14 - Illinois Humanities
6:00 pm in Senn Hall
Tuesday, November 15
- Local School Council (LSC) Meeting
6:00 pm in room 115
Monday, November 21 - Cap & Gown Purchases - Herff Jones
Rm. 115 during lunch periods
Wednesday, November 23, Thursday, November 24, and Friday, November 25
- Thanksgiving Break
Tuesday, November 29 - Make-up Picture Day (9th - 11th grade) and Senior Picture Day (12th grade)
|
|
|
Senn Counseling Department
|
|
|
The 2016-17 school year has started in a flurry of excitement. In August, Seniors started their college applications - since each student is applying to 5-7 schools, there is a lot to be done. Counselors and partners have offered a number of supports through workshops during lunch periods and after school. Additionally, we also have students enrolled in One Goal or Senior Seminar, a class within the day where students work on all things college, This hard work is paying off and we are seeing large returns with over 700 applications already submitted. Right now is "high" time, with seniors submitting over 30 applications a day.
An important change to our process this year is filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) beginning October 1st. Although a lengthy, sometime complicated process, there is a huge return to this work and FAFSA eligible students may receive up to $14,000 in free Federal and State Grants. In the first three weeks of the FAFSA campaign we have had over 62% complete the FAFSA!
We know the work for seniors is important at this time of year, but our college work with students starts the day one becomes a Bulldog. Currently, we have started interviewing our Freshmen students. It is a get-to-know you meeting, where we learn about the students' transition to high school and their interests so that we may better help them throughout their four years of high school and into their post secondary plans. Students take interest surveys, describe their class progress and set goals for their GPAs. Sophomores are continuing to strive to keep a minimum of a 3.0 GPA and juniors are preparing for college exams like the ACT and SAT.
|
|
|
I
n November, counselors will conduct grade level meetings with all students. Freshmen will focus on what it takes to graduate and high school connects to college. Sophomores will complete a personality inventory to better understand their learning style, connecting it to academic and college success. The Junior presentation, 'Do What You Are', connects personality strength with careers and path of education. Seniors will be finishing up college applications and transitioning to applying for scholarships.
A great deal of this curriculum is done with an online resource called Naviance. Each student has their own account where they can search career & colleges, complete personality profiles, create a portfolio. As a parent/guardian, you can also have access to your son/daughters account. If you would like information on how to access your account, please contact me via email at
wmboatman@cps.edu
.
|
|
|
|
Parent Tips for a Successful School Year
|
|
- Pay attention to your child's GPA and grades: the better they are the more summer internships and opportunities they can take apply for.
- Encourage engagement and leadership in activities outside of the classroom as it helps build student's skills and competitiveness for scholarships, internships and in the college application process.
- Be sure to check in with your child's counselor.
- Be engaged as parents in events at the school which are here to help you better understand the college application process and prepare for it early.
|
|
|
We are excited to offer parents and guardians access to their child’s grades and attendance through CPS Parent Portal. Parent Portal is an online tool that allows you to receive text message and emails with important information about your child’s academic progress and daily attendance. To access parent portal you can use any smart phone, tablet or computer for instant live access to your child’s record.
More than 51% of our parents are connected to parent portal providing them with more information to support their child’s progress and educational goals.
To sign up, contact Senn HS for your child's PIN number then follow the step by step instructions to create your account. For more information call us at (773)534-2365 or visit the main office.
|
|
|
|
|
|
GEAR-UP Family College Visit
Northeastern Illinois University
|
|
On
November 12th
from 9:30 am to 1:15 pm families will have an opportunity to talk
to current students and visit the new residence halls. Parent/guardian must accompany their student. Junior and senior parents only for this trip. There is
space for 5 families.
Stay tuned for future college trips! Encourage your students to check in with GEAR UP staff regularly.
|
|
|
Parent Advisory Council (PAC)
|
|
|
O
ur Parent Advisory Council (PAC) has already met and has established our executive board. Please read below for their personal introductions:
- Hi my name is Miriam Mora your PAC Chairperson. I am Special Education Classroom Assistant and have a freshman student in the Senn Music program. I’m excited being part of the PAC.
- Hi my name is Csilla (pronounced Cheela) Kosa and I’m your Vice Chairperson. I am the parent of a freshman in the Senn Music program and I am thrilled that he is attending Senn High School. I am an art educator by profession and a visual artist at heart and I am most excited about this opportunity at developing collaborations between parents, teachers and administrators at Senn to improve the school and community of learning for our children and parents.
- My name is Carol Shuford. I am the Corresponding Secretary and I am also the proud parent of a Senn Music program freshman. I am a shiatsu therapist, gardener, artist, and student of Tibetan Buddhist philosophy.
- My name is Angie Quintello your Recording Secretary. I work as a Senior Administrative Assistant at Lurie Children’s Hospital. I am the proud parent of a freshman in the theater program.
We are excited to invite all Senn parents and guardians to our second meeting on
Wednesday November 16, 6:00-7:00 pm in room 115
. We will explore committee goals which explore improving communication, learning about the curriculum within the programs, helping our students explore careers, and providing support to parents in navigating online tools. We look forward to in getting to know one another! Enter through Door 4 – Thorndale Ave.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
