Principal's February Newsletter

Hi, this is a reminder that you're receiving this email because you have a student at, or have expressed an interest in, Glenbard East High School. Communication between Glenbard East and our families and community is very important to us. Don't forget to add ge_news@glenbard.org to your address book so we'll be sure to land in your inbox! Please email any questions directly to Glenbard Staff, we are happy to respond.

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February 15

Winter Play, “Moana Jr”

2PM & 7PM - Rider Hall

purchase tickets at gefinearts.org

February 17

NO SCHOOL

Presidents' Day

February 20

D87 Multicultural Night

7PM - Biester Auditorium

February 21

Winter Dance - Elektrik Fest

7PM in the Field House

February 24

D87 Art Show Reception

6PM - Glenbard West

February 25

Health/ Resource Fair: Students and Parents - Sponsored by GPS

6:15-7PM - Glenbard West

Free Health Assessments & Prizes

February 28

NO SCHOOL

Institute Day

&

Red and Black Trivia Night

6PM-10PM - First Church of Lombard

March 4

Voices of Glenbard Concert

7:30PM - Glenbard South

March 11

District 87 Honor Bands Concert

7:30PM - Glenbard West

March 13

Orchestra Invitational Concert

7PM - Biester Auditorium

Glenbard students and staff will celebrate Live Life Well Week 2025 from February 17-21. This week presents an opportunity to bring focus to the skills that build positive connections, and the healthy self-care habits to “Live Life Well.” This year's theme is, "Talk to Yourself Like Someone You Love.” Student organizations have planned events throughout the week to highlight the importance of gratitude, creative expression, and wellness.

Glenbard students are invited to celebrate Presidents' Day from 11AM-1PM, on Monday, Feb. 17 (no school), giving back to the community in service to others. Open to all, the student volunteers will create blankets for children with cancer at the Glen Ellyn Park District Ackerman Facility as part of Project Linus. In partnership with the DuPage County Health Department: speaker, coach and “gratitude ninja”, Erin Pompa, will deliver an impactful and inspirational presentation to help youth embrace joy and positivity to cultivate lifelong resilience. Pizza and supplies will be provided by the ACTS: Advocating Character Through Service Parent Committee in partnership with Glenbard clubs and teams. Day of event donations of fleece are appreciated. All are welcome and no registration is required.

As we anticipate Duncan Kirwoods's visit for Live Life Well Week, we embrace this year’s theme: Joy, Kindness, and Self-Love. Our goal is to inspire students—whether they have everything or little—to make healthy choices. We look forward to an uplifting message that emphasizes passion, perseverance, purpose, and the power of positive decision-making. He will be at East for 2 assemblies on February 24.

This is a friendly reminder that seniors of the Class of 2025 must complete their financial aid form to receive a high school diploma. If your form has already been completed, our school counseling department will get confirmation from the state. You do not need to provide proof to your counselor.

For seniors who still need to submit a form, you have 3 options to fulfill the graduation requirement:

• Option 1: Complete the 25-26 FAFSA
• Option 2: If not eligible for FAFSA, Complete the 25-26 Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid
• Option 3: Complete the Nonparticipation Form

Need Assistance? The Glenbard East School Counseling Department has created a list of Financial Aid Form Resources.

2025-26 course enrollment for all students has been completed. We appreciate the planning you and your student have done to complete this process and we thank those who took advantage of the online format to complete this process at home. Over the next few months, the counseling staff and administration will be busy designing the school’s Master Schedule for next year based on the requests students made during enrollment. Courses will be calculated and created based on students' requests. All families will be sent an email later this spring that includes all courses students were recommended to take and the final requests made with their counselor. In the meantime, please remember to check PowerSchool to confirm your student’s course requests. Please contact your student’s School Counselor immediately if you find an error.

We are excited to continue welcoming new transfer students to Glenbard East. The Counseling Department has enrolled over 80 new students so far this year. On February 14th, we will host an orientation for students who are new to us this semester. During orientation we will review iPad technology, academic resources, and ways to get involved. Welcome to Glenbard East!

Even for teenagers, families play a key role in making sure students access learning opportunities and understand why attendance is so important for success in school. Families can also advocate for resources to help students learn if they cannot attend in person.

To report absences, use our Attendance 24-Hour Line (630) 627-2595 or email at ge_attendance@glenbard.org

• Report absences before 10:30AM on or before the day of the absence.
• State the student’s name, ID number, your relation to the student, and reason for absence.

Click here to learn more about the 60+ clubs offered at East. Our extracurricular program is something that we take great pride in and continue to identify activities that students are interested in. Transportation is also available to those students who wish to participate in after school activities. We offer 4:30PM and 6PM buses on Monday-Thursday as well as a 5PM bus on Friday.

If you have not ordered your Cap and Gown for Graduation please visit Jostens.com, or call the Jostens office in Lisle, at 630-963-3500. If your student has been approved for a fee waiver, please call Cynthia Infelise at (630)424-6615 or email cynthia_infelise@glenbard.org with their height and weight information.

In order to have a Cap and Gown for Graduation, you need to order it by Friday, February 28 as that is the final day before our cutoff.

May 1 is known as “National Decision Day”, serving as the deadline for seniors to declare which college they have selected to attend. By this date, students should inform their school of choice by submitting their initial enrollment deposit. They should also contact the other schools where they have been accepted, and inform them that they will not be attending their school. See your counselor if you have questions about your options and your rights before committing to the college of your choice.

Colleges may be sending you a request for a final transcript in the next few months. This transcript cannot be produced until all grades for the entire year are posted in June. Counselors will be surveying seniors in May, asking where they want their final transcript sent. Please disregard senior transcript requests when you receive them from the colleges…we have it covered!

Seniors, thank you to those who completed the Local Scholarship Application. Your submissions will be organized, and committees will meet over the next few months to determine winners. This is due to well over 100 applications, nice job! Please be on the lookout for an email in late April to determine if you've been chosen as a winner.

Students, click here for the Glenbard East Scholarship List for general scholarship information. Scholarship search engines and financial aid resources are included in the link above.

The Glenbard East Staffulty of the Month Award has been established to recognize outstanding people for their dedication, professionalism, and work. Those receiving this award are nominated by administrators, colleagues, and students for exhibiting our D87 Profile of an Educator tenants.

Each month, we recognize two staff members based on their advocacy for students, empathy for others, critical thinking, embracing diversity, innovation, and collaboration.

Congratulations to this month's honorees!!!

Keisha Edwards was nominated by a staff member for exhibiting the following Profile of an Educator competencies: Advocates, Empathizes, Thinks Critically, Embraces Diversity, Innovates, Collaborates. Here is what they had to say:

"Ms. K does such an amazing job balancing her work with other school involvements. She is a welcoming adult to students and staff alike!"

Samantha Janas was nominated by two students for exhibiting the following Profile of an Educator competencies: Advocates, Empathizes, Thinks Critically, Embraces Diversity, Innovates, Collaborates. Here is what they had to say:

"I think she is a prime example of someone who radiates these traits."

"She has helped make coming to school enjoyable and is so nice and helpful to all her students."

We continue to build and live by our athletic motto: Students First: VICTORY Will Happen…as victory in life is way more important than just simply winning a game/contest.

We continue to implement the Glenbard Profile of a Graduate transferable life skills and its six competencies: self-empowered, communicates, thinks critically, embraces diversity, creates, and collaborates. We feel these skills will afford our students post-secondary opportunities including college, jobs/careers, military, or wherever their life takes them.

UPCOMING Spring Sports and Coaches Info:

INDOOR TRACK & FIELD BOYS - started on Monday, February 3 but still accepting athletes, Head Coach Patrick Walker (patrick_walker@glenbard.org) still accepting athletes

INDOOR TRACK & FIELD GIRLS - started on Monday, February 3 but still accepting athletes, Head Coach Dr. Netherland Joiner (netherland_joiner@glenbard.org) still accepting athletes

GYMNASTICS BOYS – start date Monday, February 17, Head Coach Wayne Hill (wayne_hill@glenbard.org)

BADMINTON - start date Monday, March 3, Head Coach Scott Llorens (scott_llorens@glenbard.org)

BASEBALL - start date Monday, March 3, Head Coach Clayton George (clayton_george@glenbard.org)

LACROSSE CO-OP & COED - start date Monday, March 3, Head Coach Grant Stueve (grant_stueve@glenbard.org)

SOCCER GIRLS - start date Monday, March 3, Head Coach Athena Toliopoulos (athena_toliopoulos@glenbard.org)

SOFTBALL - start date Monday, March 3, Head Coach Dawn Chantos (dawn_chantos@glenbard.org)

TENNIS BOYS - start date March 3, Head Coach TBA very soon

VOLLEYBALL BOYS - start date Monday, March 10, Head Coach Bradley Cardott (bradley_cardott@glenbard.org)

Student Athletic Fees/Registration - $175: All students/families who participate in athletics will be required to register and pay the $175 athletic fee for one, two, or three sports. Student-athletes should take advantage of this great deal and participate in multiple sports! Fees are due before the first competition. Parents can register and pay online through PowerSchool. If financial help is needed, there is a pep grant waiver available through the athletic office.

Glenbard East Athletics On The Internet: Glenbard East Athletics keeps players, parents, and fans up to date with team news, pictures, schedules, rosters and more. For the most up to date team schedules and announcements, please visit the following:

Athletic website: https://schools.snap.app/glenbardeast

Follow us on X: @GEHS_Athletics and Instagram: @GEHS_Athletics

YouTube Livestream: www.youtube.com, please subscribe to GE_Events

Click here to view Athletic Wall-of-Achievement

Our Athletic Booster Club annually raises over $30,000 that go directly to our teams and student-athletes and help provide essentials that help enhance our athletic teams pursuit of VICTORY! However, we need more parent volunteers! Please sign up and help enhance our athletic program. The main website is: geramsboosters.org for information about membership, parent volunteer opportunities, fundraisers, concession, purchasing spirit wear, and family activity passes. Any further inquiries please contact Athletic Booster Club President, Mrs. Jerri Gapastione (jgw8@comcast.net).

Grab your smartest friends and register here for Red & Black Trivia Night! Teams should consist of 8 people and must be 21 and over. Friday, February 28, doors open at 6:00PM.

If you’re ready to have some fun; eat, socialize and put your knowledge of pop culture, music, sports, history,…to the test with other Ram families while supporting athletic Boosters, register for Trivia Night. It’s February 28, at First Church of Lombard. Cost is $45, including dinner-BYOB. Doors open at 6PM and trivia starts at 7:45PM. Awesome raffle baskets and much sought-after live auction items (front row graduation tickets and year long parking spots) add to the fun!

Email: ge_news@glenbard.org
Website: glenbardeasths.org
Location: 1014 South Main Street, Lombard, IL, USA
Phone: (630) 627-9250
Twitter: @GE_Rams