Monday, May 18 - Sunday,  May  24, 2020


Dearest Panthers,



This week is make-up week for our underclassmen!  PLEASE use this time to make up any work that you need to so that when teachers put their final grades in on Tues., May 26, you end the semester where you want to be and will not be relegated to signing up for Summer School. Please take this time to reach out to your teachers and use that ELOS time most effectively.
FINISH STRONG PANTHERS!!!!!



Summer School Information
Because of the ongoing threat of the spread of COVID-19, the district will be moving forward with running all summer school programs through an online format. Please go here for the District's summer school information.

On that note, in order to AVOID summer school, PLEASE stay on top of the work that that your teachers are providing you now, and if you need help, as always:
  1. Reach out directly to your teachers,
  2. Attend ELOS (click here for May's ELOS offerings) and/or
  3. Reach out to your counselor or social worker (click here for who to contact)
Also, please note that your teachers still have the option of providing you and end-of-semester final.

The Incentives Continue!
Win Some AirPods!!!!

We are continuing our AirPod Raffle during this period of e-learning and school closure. Onc e you have completed at least 10 hours of either:
  1. Khan Academy SAT Practice,
  2. IXL Math or 
  3. Edgenuity
You then need to  check-in with a staff member (your teacher, a counselor, etc.) and show them proof that you have done so. They will then confirm/verify and submit your name to administration to enter the raffle!



Proviso West's Instagram!
Are you following us yet?!?!?!?
We really want to make sure we are ALL staying connected via videos and pictures, and IG seems like a great platform to help us accomplish that. So far we have tripled our followers, and we want to continue to encourage everyone to follow @Proviso.West to stay connected and smile a bit! 

Therefore, if a student is either the 250th follower on our page, you will receive a $20 gift card!

So, FOLLOW US!



Important Dates
**subject to change based upon State & District guidance**
  • Mon., May 18 - Fri., May 22:AP Continuation of AP Testing
  • Mon., May 18-Fri., May 22: Senior Check-out is ongoing based on appointment.
  • Tues., May 19: Grade 9-11 students must turn in all final, outstanding assignments.
  • Thurs., May 21: Program Distribution
  • Wed., May 20 - Tues., May 26: Make-up week for Grades 9-11.
  • Sun., May 24: Proviso Graduation
  • Mon., May 25: Memorial Day -- No School
  • Tues., May 26: LAST DAY for grades 9-11 to complete EdGenuity Recovery.
  • Wed., May 27: ALL FINAL grades for students in grades 9-11 are due.

Having a Tough Time?
Please continue to reach out to our Counselors and Social Workers!

Over Spring Break the Counseling department hopes that you were able to find creative ways to enjoy your family, friends while simultaneously staying healthy.  The counselors at Proviso West have created a brief survey to check in with you so that they can best understand your needs while everyone is away from the building.  As Proviso West heads into the final stretch of the school year, it is important that the counselors continue to provide you with the support that you need to successfully complete your courses and manage any socio-emotional concerns you may have.  Please take a moment to complete this  survey.  If you request, you can expect to hear from a member of our team within 48 hours.

Connect with Your Counselor and/or Social Worker
Check out their schedules for their virtual office hours by clicking here.

Tell us your positive news!
Fill out a survey and win prizes for your positive news!
Students, though we know that not everybody is experiencing success right now, some of you are. Tell us about the positive ways that you have been able to cope or about things that you have accomplished during this time!  

Your school Social Workers want to know!! 

With your permission, we will be putting it on our social media platforms so that your words can motivate, encourage, and provide examples for your peers. Also, we will enter your name into a raffle to win Wendy's and Burger King gift cards for sharing! 

**Please fill out this short survey by clicking  here!**


Proviso West Supports Its Families
Please have an adult in your family take  this survey so that we can better serve you all!
The counseling department at Proviso West would like to check in on the well-being of our families and any supports or programming that might be helpful. We know this is a difficult time for everyone. Please give us your input so that we can create resources that are most important to you. Your responses will be anonymous unless you provide your contact information at the end of this survey.

If you have any technical issues (computer, internet, log in issues) please email
helpdesk@pths209.org

For immediate resources for socio-emotional concerns, please reach out to your child's counselor or social worker. If you are unsure who they are, please contact Counseling Department Chair Carla Williams at cwilliams@pths209.org.

To better serve you, please complete this survey by Friday, May 1st.


Cyberbullying
If You Feel Like You Are Being Cyberbullied:
Please reach out to a trusted individual immediately ; below is a limited list of individuals you may want to reach out to :
  • Dean Thomas: dthomas@pths209.org
  • Dean Travis: etravis@pths209.org
  • Dean West: mwest@pths209.org
  • College & Career Coordinator Ms. Foster: katefoster@pths209.org
  • AP/AD Brode-Rico: abrode-rico@pths209.org
  • AP Jeremiah: mjeremiah@pths209.org
  • AP Kosina: jkosina@pths209.org
  • Principal Abdullah: nabdullah@pths209.org
Also, please fill out the anonymous 
T
ipLine  if you feel like you may be experiencing or observing cyberbullying.

What is Cyberbulling?
Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying can occur through SMS, Text, and apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation. Some cyberbullying crosses the line into unlawful or criminal behavior.
The most common places where cyberbullying occurs are:
  • Social Media, such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter
  • SMS (Short Message Service) also known as Text Message sent through devices
  • Instant Message (via devices, email provider services, apps, and social media messaging features)
  • Email
Special Concerns
With the prevalence of social media and digital forums, comments, photos, posts, and content shared by individuals can often be viewed by strangers as well as acquaintances. The content an individual shares online - both their personal content as well as any negative, mean, or hurtful content - creates a kind of permanent public record of their views, activities, and behavior. This public record can be thought of as an online reputation, which may be accessible to schools, employers, colleges, clubs, and others who may be researching an individual now or in the future. Cyberbullying can harm the online reputations of everyone involved - not just the person being bullied, but those doing the bullying or participating in it. Cyberbullying has unique concerns in that it can be:

  • Persistent - Digital devices offer an ability to immediately and continuously communicate 24 hours a day, so it can be difficult for children experiencing cyberbullying to find relief.
  • Permanent - Most information communicated electronically is permanent and public, if not reported and removed. A negative online reputation, including for those who bully, can impact college admissions, employment, and other areas of life.
  • Hard to Notice - Because teachers and parents may not overhear or see cyberbullying taking place, it is harder to recognize.
Cyberbullying Tactics
It is important to understand how one can be cyberbullied so it can be easily recognized and action can be taken. Some of the most common cyberbullying tactics include:
  • Posting comments or rumors about someone online that are mean, hurtful, or embarrassing.
  • Threatening to hurt someone or telling them to kill themselves. 
  • Posting a mean or hurtful picture or video. 
  • Pretending to be someone else online in order to solicit or post personal or false information about someone else. 
  • Posting mean or hateful names, comments, or content about any race, religion, ethnicity, or other personal characteristics online.
  • Creating a mean or hurtful webpage about someone. 
  • Doxing, an abbreviated form of the word documents, is a form of online harassment used to exact revenge and to threaten and destroy the privacy of individuals by making their personal information public, including addresses, social security, credit card and phone numbers, links to social media accounts, and other private data.
How To Deal With "Haters"
What is a "Hater?"  "Hater" is a label used to refer to people who use negative and critical comments and behavior to bring another person down by making them look or feel bad. These hurtful and negative comments can be delivered in person, online, or in texts and apps. Often, the comments and behavior are repeated over time. Haters are often anonymous (especially online) but they can also be acquaintances, peers, or people who were once considered friends. Hateful, critical behavior is another form of bullying or cyberbullying. Like bullying, hater behavior is something that a person does - it is not who they are, and it can be changed.

Often, haters pick on people whom they perceive as being different from themselves. Being the focus of negative and critical comments can be upsetting and trigger feelings of anger, hurt, and confusion, and cause the person being criticized to question their self-worth and behavior. If the negative comments are posted online, it can also make someone afraid to use their social media accounts or feel ashamed of what is happening there.

Many children and teens don't want to be a part of negative behavior like name calling, criticizing, bullying, and cyberbullying. Dealing with haters isn't that different from dealing with bullying and cyberbullying. Teens who feel overwhelmed by all the drama on social media will often unfriend or unfollow people online to disengage.

How to Deal with Haters 
  • Ignore it. Walk away. Don't react or respond to negative comments. If it continues, there are other things you can do. If someone threatens you, report it to a parent, teacher, or other trusted adult!
  • Block online haters. If someone is making negative or hateful comments on your posts or account, or is cyberbullying, block them. If they're threatening you, tell your parents, report it to the platform, and take screenshots.
  • Be kind and respectful, even to haters. It shows that you're in control of your emotions and that you aren't letting negativity bring you down.
  • Stick with supporters. Having a friend nearby if you think you might encounter a hater not only makes it less likely that an incident might happen, but also means you'll have positive reinforcements just in case.
  • Remind yourself that comments from a hater are a reflection of them and aren't really about you. People who feel good about themselves don't need to put others down.
  • Understand criticism can be a sign of pain. People sometimes lash out because they have other life struggles. Negative comments may have nothing to do with you.
  • Acknowledge your feelings. Talk to a trusted adult or friend and get some encouragement and support.
  • Keep being you. Keep moving forward, pursuing your interests, and being who you are.
Before you Post, always:


 
What You Need to Know About Coronavirus

For the most current and up-to-date information, please click on one of the following links:
What is Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)?
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan China.

How can I help protect myself?
The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19.

There are simple everyday preventative actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses. These include:
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
If you are sick, to keep from spreading respiratory illness to others, you should:
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

AP Exams
Starting THIS WEEK!

AP Exams will continue to run all of this week for ALL students (even seniors).

Here's what you need to know:

  1. Shorter: Exams will be only 45 minutes long (versus the usual 3 hours)
  2. NO multiple choice!: The exam will be entirely comprised of free response questions (FRQs). We don't know more about exact FRQ formats until we hear back from College Board again on April 3. 
  3. Limited Content: Exams will NOT include any content typically covered after early March.
  4. Online: Exams can be taken online either at home or at school. 
  5. 2 Exam Dates: One in May, one alter (TBD). Students can decide if they want to test while the material is fresh OR wait to give themselves extra study time.
  6. College Credit Intact: Colleges say they are on board with this exam approach, and there's precedent for them accepting shorter exams in emergencies.


Panther Athletics 
Week of May 18th, 2020

Signing Days This Week
This week  Jailyn Jackson and Tamia Henderson  will have their Signing Day Ceremonies with his coaches, school administration and counselors and teammates. Jailyn Jackson will be signing to play baseball at Olive Harvey College in the city of Chicago on Mon., May 18th. 
 

And, on Wed., May 20th  Tamia Henderson will be the first Proviso West player to move on to the next level to play volleyball at Milikin University in Decatur, Illinois.  Give both of them a big round applause and wish him luck at the next level!



Official Cancellation of Spring Athletics
On Tues., Apr. 21, 2020 the IHSA Board of Directors met and made some decisions based on the finish of the Spring athletic season. Your coaches should have been in contact with you about the following:

  1. State Series for all spring sports have been canceled; and,
  2. [For now] Summer contact days are suspended
If you'd like to stay updated on what the state is deciding regarding athletics, please click here to go to the IHSA website. Your coaches will also be in contact with you regarding any changes.

Eligibility for FALL SPORTS Next Year
Please keep in mind that in order to be academically eligible for fall season athletics for next year, that you MUST past five classes for this current semester or you will not be able to practice nor compete [NOTE: IHSA By-laws regarding eligibility].



NCAA Eligibility for c/o 2020 Graduates
Changes Made To Eligibility Process Due to COVID-19
There have been changes made to NCAA eligibility for any senior athlete who is hoping compete at the collegiate level at either a Division-I or Division-II schools. Please see the flyer below for further information and click here for further information:
 

Computer Science Summer Institute
For HBCU Students 
(3-weeks)

Program Overview:
Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI) for Historically Black Colleges and Universities' (HBCUs) mission is to promote equitable representation in tech by connecting incoming   HBCU   students with like-minded peers, Google engineers, CS professors,   HBCU   alum in CS, and Black technologists in the local tech ecosystem. Our goal is to increase the retention rate of students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities graduating with computer science degrees. At   CSSI-HBCU, students cultivate an unparalleled community to support them in their journey to and through university, internships, and full-time opportunities at Google and in tech. During the program, cohorts of students from geographically-similar HBCUs participate in a three-week residential program based in Raleigh, NC or Huntsville, AL, where they'll be taught an introduction to computer science by Google engineers. Through an engaging and hands-on curriculum, students develop a solid foundation of computational thinking, which prepares them for their future studies in CS. The program finishes with a capstone project where students develop an application, so they have the tangible proof of what they're able to achieve.

Eligibility Requirements:
  • Be a current high school senior
  • Be available between June 2020 to August 2020
  • Considering an HBCU as one of their top three college or university choices
  •  Intend to be enrolled as a full-time student in a 4-year BA/BS program in the US or Canada in Fall 2020
  •  Intend to be enrolled at an HBCU in a computer science major for the 2020-2021 academic year
  • Be able to demonstrate an interest in studying computer science
  • Be able to attend every day of CSSI
Required Documents:
  1. An updated resume (PDF required)
  2. A current unofficial or official high school transcript (PDF required)
  3. Responses to multiple short answer questions. Each response should be under 200 words (PDF required)
Program Includes...
  • A project-based Python curriculum
  • Daily developmental sessions to help prepare students for CS studies and future job opportunities
  •  Robust opportunities to learn and interact with Google engineers
  • 10:1 student-to-teach ratio to provide a personal learning experience
  • Exposure and insight into Google's internship programs and technical career opportunities
Open to DREAMers:   No
Questions? please reach out to 
cssi-hbcu@google.com


Scholarship: 
Golden Apple Scholars in Illinois
Click here

Scholarship Description:

The Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois is a scholarship program that identifies talented high school seniors, as well as first and second-year college students who have the promise and drive to be excellent teachers in high-need schools across Illinois. We prepare them for immediate and lasting success in the most challenging teaching environments.

Eligibility Requirements:
  • Graduate high school in 2020
  • Complete online application
  • Cumulative 2.5 GPA - school transcripts must be submitted to Golden Apple before applications are considered complete
  • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen (DACAmented student) and resident of Illinois
Standardized testing requirements:
  • ACT: Composite score of 22 or higher and a minimum score of 6 on the Writing portion OR
  • SAT: Composite score of 1110 (evidence-based reading and writing + mathematics = 1110 or higher) and a minimum score of 26 on writing and language
    (Taking either the ACT or SAT is acceptable. Superscoring is now available on ACT/SAT. If you do not have an overall passing composite score, the highest subject scores from each test will be added and divided by the total number of tests to form a composite score. Please email 
    Licensure@isbe.net if you would like your tests superscored. Visit the ACT website or College Board for upcoming test dates. Scores must be submitted to Golden Apple before applications are considered complete.)
If selected as a scholar, the Completion Requirements are...
Renewable:  Yes, for up to 4 years. 
Open to DREAMers: No, however open to IL DACAmented students
Contact Information:  please email  marcial@goldenapple.org


Scholarship: 
Chicago Latino Caucus Foundation Scholarship
Click here

Organization & Scholarship Description:

The Chicago Latino Caucus Foundation ("CLCF") was established to support the advancement of Latino Youth through scholarships, internships, and mentorship opportunities in the City of Chicago. Each year, the CLCF selects deserving young people of good character and high academic achievement to receive a scholarship to help them achieve their educational objectives. The CLCF will be accepting scholarship applications beginning March 2, 2020. Recipients will be announced in Spring 2020, with a subsequent Scholarship Breakfast Celebration in Summer 2020.

Application: 
Access Here
Eligibility Requirements:
  • U.S. Citizenship is NOT required for this scholarship.
  • Students must be at least one-half Hispanic/Latino. Hispanic/Latino is an ethnic category, not a racial category; students may be of any race.
  • Applicants must currently reside in Chicago, Illinois.
  • Applicant must be a current high school senior graduating in 2020, OR a General Education Diploma ("GED") certificate holder, OR an undergraduate student with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0/4.0
  • Graduate level students are NOT eligible.
  • Applicants must be enrolled or planning to enroll as a full time student at an accredited 2 or 4 year institution.
Submission Guidelines:  
The complete online application is due no later than Friday, April 10th, 2020 at 11:59pm. Mailed applications will not be accepted. The application will not be considered complete unless all required documents are uploaded at the time of application. It is important that applicants are prepared to upload all documents at the time of application as the online application can not be saved once it is started. Applications MUST be completed in one sitting.

Renewable:  No
Open to DREAMers: Yes
Questions? Please email Ms. Sonia Del Real, Executive Director at 



Service Learning Projects in a Time of COVID-19
Hear are some options for things to do at home!

1. Create an audio/video of yourself reading a child's book to kids. If you don't have children's books at home, check out this website for free online books for 30 days:  https://www.getepic.com/educators. There are also free fables and fairytales online as well. Amazon freetime also has unlimited kids' video books free for 30 days. Share your video on Proviso West's Instagram and Facebook account. Use the #pwbooklover, take a screenshot of your post and e-mail it to your counselor.

2. If you have a sewing machine at home or just needles and thread, you can create masks for your local first responders, people who are working at grocery stores, local hospitals, etc. in order to provide an extra layer of protection for them. Please check with your local hospitals first if you please as they may have procedures in place as to what they need and exact specifications. Use this link for guidelines on how to make the masks. Use the #pwcares, take a screenshot of your post and email it to your counselor.

3. For those of you who play a musical instrument, create a video of yourself teaching kids how to play a simple song or how to read music and post it on Proviso West's Instragrm and Facebook account. Use the #pwlearnmusic, take a screenshot of your post and e-mail it to your counselor.

4. For those of you who love to sing and dance, create a video of yourself teaching kids how to sing or dance and share it on Proviso West's Instragram and Facebook account. Use the #pwsings or #pwdanceson, take a screenshot of your post and e-mail it to your counselor.

5. For our athletes, create a video exercise of how kids can stay physically fit and share it on Proviso West's Instragram and Facebook accounts. Use the #pwfitness, take a screenshot of your post and e-mail it to your counselor.

6. Create a comedy video, of appropriate content, chronicling your social distancing experience and share it on Proviso West's Instragram and Facebook accounts. Use the #pwcomedyhour, take a screenshot of your post and email it to your counselor.

7. Drop off food/groceries/supplies to someone in need. Take a picture and post that on Proviso West's Instagram and Facebook account. Use the #pwcares, take a screenshot of yoru post and e-mail it to your counselor.

8. If you made a college selection, create a video with your gear, providing facts abotu teh school and why you've chosen to go to there. Use the #pwcollegebound, take a screenshot of yoru post and e-mail it to your counselor.

You will earn an hour for every event you create and an additional hour for every time your video is shared on social media.

If you have service learning ideas that are not listed here, please contact your counselor or Ms. Natschke for approval.

Instagram name for PW is: proviso.west

Facebook name for PW is: Proviso West High School

If you have any questions regarding any of the following options, please reach out to: Ms. Natschke at  anatschke@pths209.org.


Scholarship: 
FarmHouse Scholarship
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

FarmHouse offers multiple $500-$5,000 scholarships every year to incoming male students at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Eligibility for the scholarship isn't dependent on the student's choice of major or on any commitment to membership in the fraternity. Last year we gave out $16,000 in funds and this year we are hoping to exceed that amount. 

Applications can be found at  http://uifarmhouse.com/scholarships

To read read more about the UIUC social fraternity, the FarmHouse, click here .



Job Opportunity!
Westchester Park District

There are still some summer job opportunities that are open for this upcoming summer season through the Westchester Park District.  

Positions Available:
  • lifeguard position and 
  • General pool positions    

Please feel free to reach out with any questions.  Applications can be found at the Westchester Park District website:  wpdparks.org.  All positions will be open until filled and training for all positions should begin mid-May, with the pools official opening date of Saturday, June 6th. 


 


 


 


Tips Using Teams!
Struggling to Use Teams? Check out these suggestions!





Art Therapy
Need to Get Your Feelings Out While You're Locked in?




Opportunity Works




Illinois School Board of Education
Student Advisory Commission

The Illinois School Board of Education [ISBE] is constantly seeking ways to include student voice in all of the work happening at this agency. ISBE's Student Advisory Council (SAC) is one of our most important programs for elevating student voice. The  SAC is composed of a diverse group of motivated and engaged high school students from across the state who act as student advisers to the State Board.  ISBE deeply values diversity of experience on the council.  This group of students have the opportunity to see the State Board's policymakers in action and work with them to provide student perspectives and concerns on the state's education policies. Selected students participate virtually and attend meetings in Springfield throughout the school year.

The 2020-2021 SAC application is now available on ISBE's website, click here

The deadline for students to submit applications is May 29, 2020 at 5 p.m. Questions about the program can be sent  to  jsaba@isbe.net  or isbesac@isbe.net.


Triton Summer Bridge Program
Click here for access to the application.




Team TikToks
Hosted By: Dean Travis, the King of TikToks
Follow: "PW TeamTikToks"




Interested in a Career in Construction?
Check this out:




International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Apprenticeship Opportunities







Public Debates
Ms. Hagerty's Class

Did you catch the debate as to whether tuition should be free if you go to a four-year public institution in the state of Illinois? If not, check out this student's rocking this debate, here .


Fluid Power Forum
Engineering Manufacturing Students

Episode 20 of  Fluid Power Forum, NFPA's fluid power industry-focused podcast, is now live. This episode explores the unique experiences of NFPA Fluid Power Scholarship winner, Trevor Burke, a mechanical engineering student at Southern Methodist University. To hear the episode, click here .





Triton: EMT & Fire Science Info Session
Wed., May 20, 2020