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February 2024
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Blackhawk Boys' Basketball Season Wrap Up
We are so proud of amazing 7th and 8th grade boys' basketball teams this season. The growth and development of these teams was so exciting to witness this year. It is not surprising that both teams qualified for the conference postseason tournament in their respective grades. Both teams faced off against Clarendon Hills Middle School on Monday for the first playoff game. Our 7th grade boys played at home and suffered a valiant defeat to end their season. Our 8th grade team was victorious over Clarendon Hills at their away game and advanced to the next round of the tournament. Their second postseason game was away against Sandburg on Tuesday. The 8th grade Hawks lost in a close fought battle with many students, parents, and fans in the Sandburg stands cheering them on. Congratulations to both of our boys' basketball teams and coaches Chappell and Godinez for highly successful seasons!
We'd also like to express our gratitude to our cheer and dance teams who always bring the energy and fun to each and every Blackhawk home game. Thank you cheer coaches Taylor and Dunbaugh and dance coaches Arado and Lee for a great season respectively.
It's Time to Take the IL 5Essentials Survey
We hope to hear from all of our families in the annual IL 5Essential Survey. The window for this very important survey opens January 30th and runs through March 29th.
The 5Essentials Survey identifies five indicators that lead to improved outcomes for all students, including improved attendance and larger test score gains.
The five indicators that positively affect school success are:
- Effective Leaders
- Collaborative Teachers
- Involved Families
- Supportive Environments
- Ambitious Instruction
Research derived from the Five Essentials for School Success has proven that schools strong on at least three of the 5Essentials are 10 times more likely to improve student outcomes.
Schools across Illinois participated in the Tenth annual 5Essentials Survey of Learning Conditions: Organizing Schools for Improvement this past academic year. This survey generates valuable data that districts can use to guide their ongoing efforts to improve schools and to offer students an excellent education. The survey is another improvement tool that allows districts and the state to share data as a means to inform parents and community members about the school’s learning environment. The Illinois 5Essentials Survey is administered online by Chicago Impact at the University of Chicago on behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education. Data and indicators are a result from an anonymous administration of the survey instrument.
Families are encouraged to participate in the survey for this year through this link below.
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Blackhawk Parent/Teacher conferences are Friday, February 16th from 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Families are strongly encouraged to take advantage of scheduling an appointment with one of your child's teachers to discuss their academic and social/emotional growth. Even though you are signing up to meet with one teacher, often other teachers are available for meetings as well. Encore and PE teachers, social workers, and related services personnel are all available for meetings as needed on this day. Help us help meet your child's needs through booking a parent/teacher conference. Families may books a conference beginning February 5th at 7:00 AM through February 14th at 7:00 AM. Sign up for a conference for February 16th by using the link below.
PTO Trivia Night
The magnificent Blackhawk PTO is not resting on its laurels after a highly successful inaugural Blackhawk Snow Ball for students this past January. Set your calendars, Blackhawk families, for another night of trivia fun at our school. Friday, February 23rd will be the Blackhawk PTO Trivia Night extravaganza that was so much fun last February.
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 23rd
Doors Open At 7:00 PM
TRIVIA Begins at &:30 PM
Come out as a predetermined six-person team or come and form a team with others in attendance. It's a great way to have some fun, get to know new people, and possibly walk away with fabulous prizes. We ask that each team have at least one adult on it for leadership and guidance. Our own Mr. Georgopoulos will be the master of ceremonies for the second consecutive year in a row at Blackhawk Trivia Night!
Admission is free for everyone and concessions will be sold to make it a fun and filling night. Come out early to check out the array of raffle baskets and the 50/50 raffle. There will be pizza, popcorn, and baked goods, with all proceeds going to support the Blackhawk PTO which provides fun events for our students frequently throughout the year.
Blackhawk Alumni Spotlight
When asked about his favorite memories as a Blackhawk student, Mr. Andrikokus shares that he feels the Bensenville community is very special. He stated that the friends that he made all those years ago are still people he is in communication with to this day. He stated, "Blackhawk provided the perfect conditions for me as a student with regards to a high quality education and social environment. Relationships were such an important part of my time there and they have truly lasted a lifetime."
While attending Blackhawk Mr. Andrikokus was a highly functioning member of the middle school band. Once his high school career began at Fenton, Mr. Andrikokus continued his connection with the school band and expanded his experience to include the marching band, pep band, and jazz band. Beyond his musical endeavours, Mr. Andrikokus was also a member of the Fenton golf team.
Blackhawk was fortunate enough to get Mr. Andrikokus back at Blackhawk as a teacher of band for a few years but he is currently the director of bands and the instrumental jazz program at Hinsdale Middle School. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music education and a master's degree in teacher leadership from Elmhurst University. Throughout his career he has been able to seek out and provide many opportunities for his students to perform at contests and festivals throughout the Midwest including their most recent honor, performing at the 77th Annual Midwest Clinic in December of 2023. Mr. Andrikokus was a recipient of the Quinlan & Fabish Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator Award and the IGSMA Barbara Buehlman Young Conductor’s Award. Additionally, in his professional career, Mr. Andrikokus serves as the Vice President of the Illinois Grade School Music Association, is an active clinician, adjudicator, saxophonist, and guest artist in and around Illinois for various district and state honors ensembles.
When asked who might be a special Blackhawk teacher you remember, Mr. Andrikokus shared, "There are so many because I also had the honor and privilege of working in BSD2 from 2013-2016
as well. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work alongside so many outstanding educators and teammates who have impacted my life in a positive way. They definitely know who they are!"
When asked if he has any advice to share with Blackhawk students, Mr. Andrikokus said, "What you have at Blackhawk and in the community cannot and will not be replicated anywhere else. It is such a special place, and means so much to so many including your teachers! Get involved in as many activities that interest you as possible, and build your network because those peers will be with you far beyond your time at BMS."
Mr. Andrikokus as Blackhawk student
Mr. Andrikokus as Fenton student
Mr. Andrikokus now
February Calendar
2/5/2024 Access Testing/MAP make ups
2/5/2024 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Art Club
2/5/2024 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Jewelry Club
2/5/2024 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Podcast Club
2/5/2024 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Volleyball practice
2/6/2024 7:00 AM -7:40 AM Muscle Laboratory
2/6/2024 3:20 PM - 4:30 PM Soccer Club-6th grade
2/6/2024 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM Jazz Band
2/7/2024 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Scholastic Bowl
2/7/2024 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM BMS Volleyball vs. Hinsdale
2/7/2024 Girls' Home/ Boys' Away
2/8/2024 7:00 AM -7:40 AM Muscle Laboratory
2/8/2024 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Dare to Dream Club
2/8/2024 PALS Club
2/8/2024 Spanish Club Every other week
2/8/2024 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Volleyball vs. Jackson
2/8/2024 Girls' away / Boys' Home
2/9/2024 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Volleyball vs. Jefferson
2/9/2024 Girls' Home/ Boys' Away
2/9/2024 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM 8th Grade Fenton Pep Night
2/12/2024 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Volleyball vs. Sandburg
2/12/2024 Girls' Away/ Boys' Home
2/12/2024 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Art Club
2/12/2024 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Jewelry Club
2/12/2024 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Podcast Club
2/13/2024 7:00 AM -7:40 AM Muscle Laboratory
2/13/2024 3:20 PM - 4:30 PM Soccer Club-7th grade
2/13/2024 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM Jazz Band
2/14/2024 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Gardening Club
2/14/2024 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Scholastic Bowl
2/14/2024 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM We Belong Club
2/15/2024 7:00 AM -7:40 AM Muscle Laboratory
2/15/2024 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Sewing Club
2/15/2024 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Dare to Dream Club
2/15/2024 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Volleyball vs. Hinsdale
2/15/2024 Boys' Home / Girls' away
2/16/2024 7:30 AM - 3:00 PM Parent/Teachers' Conferences
2/16/2024 No School
2/19/2024 No School Presidents Day
2/20/2024 7:00 AM -7:40 AM Muscle Laboratory
2/20/2024 3:20 PM - 4:30 PM Soccer Club-8
2/20/2024 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM Jazz Band
2/20/2024 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM BMS Band Concert
2/21/2024 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Scholastic Bowl
2/21/2024 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Volleyball practice
2/22/2024 7:00 AM -7:40 AM Muscle Laboratory
2/22/2024 8:45 AM - 10:45 AM Band Trip to Castle Towers
2/22/2024 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM PALS Club
2/22/2024 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Dare to Dream Club
2/22/2024 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Volleyball vs. CHMS
2/22/2024 Girls' Home/ Boys' away
2/23/2024 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Volleyball vs. Jefferson
2/23/2024 Girls' Away/ Boys' Home
2/24/2024 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM IGSMA Solo & Ensemble Contest @Springwood M.S.
2/26/2024 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Art Club
2/26/2024 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Jewelry Club
2/26/2024 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Podcast Club
2/26/2024 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Volleyball practice
2/27/2024 7:00 AM -7:40 AM Muscle Laboratory
2/27/2024 3:20 PM - 4:30 PM Soccer Club-6
2/27/2024 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM Jazz Band
2/28/2024 End of 2nd Trimester
2/28/2024 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM We Belong Club
2/28/2024 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Scholastic Bowl
2/28/2024 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Volleyball vs. Indian Trail
2/28/2024 Girls' Home/ Boys' away
2/29/2024 7:00 AM -7:40 AM Muscle Laboratory
2/29/2024 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Dare to Dream Club
2/29/2024 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Volleyball vs. Jackson