LT TO LAUNCH 1:1 LAPTOP PROGRAM IN FALL |
At the start of the 2021-2022 school year, LT will launch a 1:1 laptop program at both campuses for all students. Chromebooks are in the process of being ordered and will be imaged and processed over the summer. Fee details are being finalized and will be shared with families in the coming months.
A four-phase 1:1 laptop program roll out was proposed and approved last spring by the Board of Education. However, several factors aligned which allowed the district to accelerate the program and launch all at once. Updating infrastructure and fiber optics is underway and will be completed in time for next school year. The upgrades will improve internet services and bandwidth 10-fold. (Click Technology Upgrades for additional details). In addition, staff will receive additional technology training to best utilize and augment laptops as a learning tool in the classroom.
The cost of the program is significant. Approximately $2.2 million was budgeted South Campus laptops and for technology upgrades, which will be completed well ahead of schedule. The final phase, which the Board of Education has decided to accelerate to alleviate technology inequity and ensure all students begin the fall with a laptop, will be an additional $1 million.
Fortunately, the district has realized about $500,000 in savings based on deferring some purchases due to the pandemic, cost savings for unpaid stipends and salaries during remote learning and favorable pricing for Wi-Fi equipment. In addition, the fiber optics and Internet service project also realized a savings due to eligibility for federal grants. Nonetheless, the Board of Education will dip into reserves for approximately $1 million to finance the 1:1 program in its entirety.
The 1:1 program will realize several benefits:
· Allow students to drive their own learning
· Engage students in the learning process
· Encourage and support collaboration
· Require critical thinking
· Foster student creativity
· Create global connections
According to Director of Curriculum Scott Eggerding, “Accelerating the 1:1 laptop program just makes sense at this time. This pandemic has forced everyone into remote learning, making laptops crucial to our learning platforms. Students and staff alike have been utilizing technology to a greater extent than ever before and many teachers have found new, better ways of incorporating technology into their lesson plans, which will continue long after the pandemic is over.”
More information about the logistics will be forthcoming.
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W'S TO REPLACE F'S FOR FIRST SEMESTER |
During the second quarter, a committee of teachers, counselors and administrators met to consider short-term solutions focused on ways to provide hope to students and relieve the stress and anxiety of this semester by reducing the penalty that failing grades can have on students.
At the end of the semester, for students who are failing, the teacher will decide whether to give an F or an I. After all grades have been submitted, F’s will be converted to W’s.
A W, unlike an F, means the student Withdrew from the class. This grade does not affect the GPA, although for a graduation requirement, the course must be repeated and a grade must be earned.
An I, or Incomplete, means the student has 6 weeks to complete missing work to earn a grade. If the work is not made up, the I will become a W. Otherwise, a letter grade will be assigned.
For those who receive a W, keep in mind that teachers will submit an F in the gradebook. In the unofficial transcript GPA calculation, the F will register until we finalize grades for the semester. Then, around January 8, all F’s will be converted to W’s and the course will be removed from the GPA calculation.
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ASSESSING SAFE RETURN FOR SECOND SEMESTER |
The district is continuing to carefully monitor local COVID-19 metrics, staffing numbers and guidance from local health departments and will determine whether or not students will return to a 50% hybrid/remote learning plan after winter break. A decision will be made and an announcement sent later this week.
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SECRET SANTA RECORD-BREAKING NUMBERS |
A total of 225 needy local children will be surprised this holiday season with clothing, school items and toys thanks to Lyons Township High School elves. LT elves sponsored 172 children and an additional 53 were funded thanks to proceeds from a Student Council gourmet popcorn sale and other donations. The elves are actually students, faculty members, classes, teams, clubs, departments or offices participating in the Rotary Club of LaGrange’s Secret Santa program. The program is designed to match donor(s) with an area child, and let the group be Santa for that youngster. For many families, the gifts provided by Secret Santa are the only gifts under their tree. Groups collect $125 per child then shop specifically for him/her. Each child will receive clothing, a toy, a book and school supplies thanks to the Secret Santa Program. The gifts are presented to the family and distributed at the holiday. |
CHANGEMAKERS TO IMPACT COMMUNITIES |
Fifteen LT upperclassmen have been selected for the Community Memorial Foundation’s Young Community Changemakers (YC2) leadership development program designed to educate and empower local youth to become the next generation of philanthropists. These students will join 45 others from Nazareth, Riverside Brookfield and Hinsdale Central, and together will have an opportunity to help award up to $30,000 in grants to local organizations. The program is based on the vision that young people need opportunities to develop the skills to be the future leaders and stewards of our community.
Changemakers will begin by exploring their local community and its social challenges; philanthropic theory; organizational evaluation and grantmaking. Students will review grant applications from local organizations, conduct site visits, and at the end of the semester-long program, award up to $30,000 to nonprofit organizations that further the mission and vision of Community Memorial Foundation.
YC2 students from LTHS include:
Gianna Annella, Natalie Carlisle, Connor Crowe, Abby Deuter,
Caroline Hart, Casey Hart, Ava Hays, Abby Hennessy, Emmett James, Tiernan Kelly, Sophie Kostal, Erin McVady, Grace Newman,
Ana Lucia Ochoa and Joe Patel
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MODEL UN SEASON OFF TO GOOD START |
With the first half of the season behind them, the LT Model United Nations Club has racked up several top honors, with the LT delegation placing first in two tournaments and second place in two others. A total of 19 students earned individual awards during this first half of the Model UN season, with 11 of them receiving awards at more than one competition.
For a complete list of MUN award winners, click MUN 2020.
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DEC 16
Winter Choirland Virtual Concert
7pm
__________
DEC 17
Winter Madrigals Virtual Concert
7pm
__________
DEC 18
End of first semester
__________
DEC 21 - JAN 1
NO SCHOOL
WINTER BREAK
__________
JAN 4
NO CLASSES
INSTITUTE DAY
__________
JAN 5
Classes Resume
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Many thanks to all who donated to Peer Leadership's annual canned soup drive for St. Barbara's Food Pantry in Brookfield. Even during remote learning, LT comes through to help support those in need. |
WLTL NAMED BEST STATION IN THE NATION |
For the seventh time since the awards inception in 2002, WLTL Radio has been named Best Radio
Station in the Nation at the John Drury High School Radio Awards.
In addition to crowning the top station in the nation, the Drury Awards also handed out honors in 14 individual categories. WLTL students took home five of those individual honors as well:
- Best News Feature Story
- Best Specialty Music Program
- Best On-Air Promotion
- Best Social Media Campaign
- Best Website
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To help you get into a festive holiday spirit, the LT Music Department is hosting two more virtual holiday concerts. The links will be available the morning of the event. Check back for links and listen in to LT singers.
December 10:
December 16:
Winter Choirland 7pm
December 17:
Winter Madrigals Virtual Concert 7pm
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SPORTS PHYSICALS CANCELLED |
The free sports physicals originally offered February 24 and March 3 by the district physician have been cancelled due to COVID concerns. Therefore, families will need to make their own arrangements. If approval for springtime and summertime LT athletics is granted by the IHSA and/or Governor’s Office, athletes will need a current sports physical examination on file with the Health Office. Please note that physicals are only valid for 13 months and need to last the entire sports season.
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FIVE LIONS ADVANCE TO SPEECH FINALS |
Five Speech Team members advanced to the finals at a recent tournament. The students submitted a recording of their performance which was judged and scored in three separate preliminary rounds. Those scores then determined if a student made it into the finals. The virtual finals were conducted live. The team placed 6th overall out of 16 schools.
Congratulations:
Nicholas Barbera, Sophomore: 1st Humorous Interpretation
Angelica Borrego, junior: 2nd Impromptu Speaking
Genesis Magpayo, senior: 4th Poetry
Elena Stoddard, senior: 4th Radio
Jasper Burns, senior: 4th place in finals Radio
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