Grant Community High School Newsletter

Volume 15 Issue 9

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UNITY HIG H

GRANT E

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LISHED 19

Grant Community High School

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May 2009

STUDENT

30

M AY OF THE

MONTH

The Grant Community High School May Student of the Month is senior Rachel Varney, daughter of Colleen Gillespie and David Varney of Round Lake.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Guidance Notes

2

Tech Campus

2

Concert Choir

2

Tips for Parents

3

Sports Awards/ Soccer Players

4

Understanding NAPE

5

Calendar

6

Rachel’s academic achievements include induction into National Honor Society during her sophomore year, Academic Top Ten three years, Scholars’ List seven times and Honor Roll each year. Her GPA is a remarkable 4.641 and is currently ranked an amazing 5th of 376 students.

Her extracurricular activities include participation on Academic Team, Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering (WYSE) and Grant-a-Wish. She has also enjoyed serving as a Library Aide for the last four years.

Rachel Varney

Rachel is very active in the service projects through NHS such as the Spaghetti Dinner, football and track concessions, the Needy Children’s Luncheon and the Round Lake Park District’s Art Festival and Polar Express. She has a deep commitment to wildlife, particularly parrots.

She volunteers her time to Refuge for Saving the Wildlife, Inc. where she helps with feeding and caring for resident birds.

In addition to all of her activities, Rachel works during her summers as a Recreation Aide and One-onOne Inclusion Aide at the Special Recreation Service of Northern Lake County Trailblazer Summer Camp through the Round Lake Area Park District. This year, she will be returning as a counselor.

Her plans for the future include majoring in Special Education at Illinois State University.

Graduation Notes ♦ Cap & Gown pick-up will be on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 in the senior cafeteria during lunch hours. ♦ All financial obligations must be met before a student may pick up his/her cap and gown. ♦ Graduation practice will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 29, 2009. ♦ Each student will receive 3 tickets to graduation. They will be given out with the Caps & Gowns. These tickets are only necessary in the event of inclement weather. ♦ Commencement for the class of 2009 will be Saturday, May 30, 2009, at 11:00 a.m.

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Volume 15 Issue 9

G UIDANCE N OTES

CONCERT CHOIR C O M P E T E S I N IHSA ORGANIZATIONAL MUSIC CONTEST

Guidance Department Activity Calendar 2008-2009 May SAT Late Registration Deadline ACT Late Registration Deadline

May 15 May 22

Any questions may be directed to the guidance counselors: Mr. Elliott ext. 275 Ms. DeYoung ext. 267 Ms. Corey ext. 236

Ms. Wickboldt ext. 249 Ms. Moore ext. 250

On April 18, Grant’s Concert Choir competed in the IHSA Organizational Music Contest at Lakes High School. This contest is for large music ensembles such as choirs, bands and orchestras. Each ensemble must perform a short program of prepared pieces and also perform an unknown piece of music at sight. Both of these performances are rated by a panel of judges, and each ensemble is given a Division Rating of 1-5 (1 being the highest). We are proud to report that the Concert Choir received a Division 2 rating for their performance! Congratulations!

Driver Education Summer School Classroom Parent Meeting Information

All summer school classroom parents are strongly encouraged to attend a parent informational meeting. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 in the lecture hall (room 166) starting at 6:30 pm. Entrance to the building is through doors # 2, which is located just to the left of the main school entrance doors at the front of the school. This meeting will be extremely beneficial to obtain specific information regarding the school’s Driver Education program. Students need not attend since they will be getting this information in class. All questions about this meeting should be directed to Mr. Kibitlewski at ext. 362 or e-mail: bkibitlewski@grantbulldogs.org.

TECH CAMPUS STUDENTS OF THE QUARTER The following students were selected as Student of the Quarter by program instructors based on: * Academic Achievement * Attendance * Demonstration of various employability traits including possessing a positive work ethic and attitude and displaying leadership ability * Active participation in program activities and involvement in Technology Campus extra-curricular activities The following students from Grant Community High School were selected as Student of the Quarter during the third quarter: Austin Diehl Building Trades Nicholas Grant Automotive Service Curt Maldonado Automotive Service Amber Miklovic Culinary Arts Sara Schoenberger Early Childhood Education Essence Tillery Digital Video Production

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Volume 15 Issue 9

Helping Children Cope in Unsettling Times: The Economic Crisis Tips for Parents Current world events, including the “economic crisis,” can be unsettling for young people. The sense of confusion and uncertainty experienced by many adults regarding our country’s financial situation can be transmitted to children. As a result, young people may be confused or fearful that they or their family are at financial risk. Adults need to help children feel in control, even if they themselves feel vulnerable or angry. Parents can help children understand what is happening factually, how events do or do not impact their lives, and how to cope with their reactions.

The following are some strategies parents could use to help their children. The full text of this article is available at the Grant High School website (http://www.grant.lake.k12.il.us/pdfs/services/AssessmentArticle.pdf).

Be reassuring. Acknowledge that the potential economic challenges and uncertainty are unnerving but the likelihood is that you and your children or students will be okay.

Acknowledge and normalize their feelings. Allow children to discuss their feelings and concerns and encourage any questions they may have regarding current events.

Take care of your own needs. Take time for yourself and try to deal with your own reactions to the situation as fully as possible. You will be better able to help your children if you are coping well.

Maintain a normal routine. Keeping to a regular schedule can be reassuring and promote physical health.

Spend family time. Doing enjoyable activities with you reinforces your children’s sense of stability and normalcy.

Be a good listener and observer. Pay attention to changes in young adolescents’ behavior. Most adolescents can discuss their concerns although they may need you to provide an “opening” to start a conversation. Don’t push, but be available to discuss what they hear and help put it into perspective.

Prepare your child for any anticipated family changes. If dealing with a change in family circumstance or financial concerns, do not hide the truth from your child.

Stick to the facts. Answer children’s questions factually and include a positive element to answer, e.g., “Yes parts of the economy are struggling, but our country has been through hard times before. We will be okay.”

Communicate with your children’s school. Find out what they are learning. Share any concerns you have with teachers, including if your child is experiencing stress related to the current financial situation.

Do something positive with your children to help others in need. Making a positive contribution to the community helps people feel more in control and builds a stronger sense of connection. This can include encouraging students to help neighbors who might need babysitting, errands run, etc., or organizing a project of a local shelter or community center.

Know potential adolescent stress reactions. Most adolescents will not be affected by economic events and many who are will be able to cope with concerns over current events either independently or with the help of parents and other caring adults. However, some children may have more extreme reactions because of personal circumstances. Symptoms may differ depending on age. Adults should contact a professional if children exhibit significant changes in behavior or any of the following symptoms over an extended period of time (Adolescents-sleeping and eating disturbances, agitation, increase in conflicts, physical complaints, delinquent behavior and poor concentration).

Adapted from NASP crisis handouts, 2008. www.nasponline.org

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Volume 15 Issue 9

FOR

Y O U R I N F O R M AT I O N SPRING SPORTS AWARDS

The Spring Sports Awards Night is scheduled for Monday, May 18, 2009. Refreshments will be served from 6:30 to 7:00 in the Commons. The large program will be conducted in the main gym beginning at 7:00. One of the many highlights of this event is the recognition of the Male and Female Athlete of the Year, and Scholar Athlete of the Year. After the large program is completed, athletes and their families and friends are invited to report to assigned areas for individual team presentations. Please mark Monday, May 18, 2009 on your calendars.

B OYS

SOCCER

PLAYERS SUPPORT THEIR COMMUNITY This month Grant Boys Soccer was well represented at a local food pantry.

On April 23, the Illinois Food Bank rolled in the mobile food pantry at Ellis Elementary School in Round Lake. During this event, over 300 families, or about 1500 people, were provided food and shown they were supported by their local community. Five of our very own soccer players were able to help out in this process by working the food lines, assisting families with their food to their vehicles, and directing traffic. The guys will be helping out again later this month, May 27 at Beach Elementary in Round Lake. The soccer players who participated were Gabriel Velarde, Carmello Flores, Daniel Villa, Ricardo Zamora and Ryan Patterson.

NHS NEW INDUCTEES 2009/10 On April 7, 2009 the Grant Community High School Chapter of the National Honor Society held their induction Ceremony and welcomed twenty-four new members into its organization. The students inducted for the 2009/10 school year are:

JUNIORS Ashli Carlson Michael Fleytman Catherine Nicpon Chaval Patel Austin Thorsen Becky Ann Tokarz Rachel Weida Kimberly Wodrich

SOPHOMORES Alyssa Black Justin Campbell Stav Caplan Michael Claver Cody Colbert Sarah DeFries Alexandra Mason Deysi Moya

Becca McMullin Cheryl SaLee Emmy Spetz Shelby Stupartis Emily Tarver Sean Thandupurakal Rebecca White Jay Wisniewski

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Volume 15 Issue 9

(N O VA N E T

U N D E R S TA N D I N G N A P E A LT E R N AT I V E P R O G R A M O F E D U C AT I O N )

What is NAPE? NAPE (NovaNET Alternative Program of Education) is about credit recovery. It is a comprehensive, non-traditional, computer based instructional program that serves as an alternative method of instruction for students who have achieved limited success academically. This is NAPE’s second year at Grant Community High School and it’s going great! There are waiting lists for most openings. Students have recovered over 124 of what would have traditionally been considered failed classes.

How does it work?

Guidance Counselors suggest to eligible students that they may qualify for NAPE. Students and their parents/guardians sign a contract agreeing to adhere to the course rules. Once enrolled in a class, students work at their own pace. “It’s too quiet in here!” or “I can’t listen to my I-pod” are about the only complaints heard from the students. It’s not for everyone; it requires the students to stay on task and be motivated.

Each NovaNET course varies in length and level of difficulty. Students have no homework. All work is completed in the classroom.

Students are expected to be working on NovaNET assignments 100% of the time.

The courses are based on mastery of the subject (all standards based). The program administers a pre-test prior to each chapter. If students do well… they don’t have as many lessons (the program doesn’t teach you what you already know). It’s not as easy as it seems. In order to pass each module/chapter students must score a minimum of 80%. Students must take notes, use books, and ask for help in order to pass the courses. They become more adept at note-taking and looking up information. The intent is for these skills to transfer to their other courses.

Remember, this is all accomplished individually; there is no competition. Students pace themselves. Each student may be working on a different subject. One student may be working on English while another may be working on Economics. Another perk in this class is that once they are finished with their coursework students can either go back to a study hall, early release, or start yet another class in NAPE. It’s a real motivator when you observe fellow students finish and move on.

This course is offered throughout the United States.

NSC Art Show Winners The art students of Grant Community High School displayed their fifty best works of art at the North Suburban Conference Art Show May 1 at Lake Zurich High School. Each school was awarded “Best of Show” ribbons to ten exceptional pieces of work. The winners for Grant were: Mike Hayes, Amber Leese, Martha Jarka, Ahleah Hagan, Leigh Smith, Andrea Martin, Amanda Munsen, Jodi Kitzman, Chris Blair, and Kana Wakai.

The day began for seven Grant art students when they arrived at Lake Zurich to set up our school’s display. The seven students were selected based on their artistic skills, motivation and interest in the Grant art program. Students participated in workshops lead by artists from around the Lake County area. The students who were selected to attend this year’s art show were: Ahleah Hagan, Mike Hayes, Katie Keeling, Brandi Purol, Kelly Coyazo, Dariyan Thillon, Kassie Stimpson

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Volume 15 Issue 9

Grant Community High School Dist. 124 285 E. Grand Ave. Fox Lake, IL 60020-1698 Phone: 847-587-2561 Fax: 847-587-2991

We’re on the Web www.grantbulldogs.org

Home of the Bulldogs

C A L E N D A R

May 25 May 26, 27, 28

May 29 May 30

May

Memorial Day, legal school holiday Final Exams Tuesday, May 26, 2009 Period 1 8:00 - 8:05 Book check 8:05 - 9:13 Final exam 2 9:20 - 9:25 Final exam 9:25 - 10:33 Final exam 3 10:30 - 10:45 Final exam 10:45 - 11:53 Final exam Wednesday, May 27, 2009 4/5/6 8:00 - 8:05 Book check 8:05 - 9:13 Final exam 6/7/8 9:20 - 9:25 Final exam 9:25 - 10:33 Final exam 9 10:30 - 10:45 Final exam 10:45 - 11:53 Final exam Thursday, May 28, 2009 10 8:00 - 8:05 Book check 8:05 - 9:13 Final exam 0 9:20 - 9:25 Final exam 9:25 - 10:33 Final exam Institute Day, no student attendance Graduation

Jim Loris Tom Lippert Paul LaRoche Ryan Kelly Ruth Michniewicz Secretary Kenneth Mark Vice President Steve Hill President

Board of Education

Grant Community High School District 124 285 E. Grand Avenue Fox Lake, IL 60020-1698

Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Fox Lake, IL 60020 Permit No. 31