Conant HS Principal's Newsletter

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” -Abraham Lincoln

College and Career Pathway Exploration- Find Your Joy!

There is perhaps no more important goal for parents and educators than to assist students in developing realistic career goals and pathways. It has been my experience that many high school students report career goals reflective of trends or popularity instead of their true strengths, interests and passions.

We can help our students have a better understanding of career goals that are attainable and may lead to career satisfaction by focusing on broader career pathways. College and career pathways organize educational and occupational choices into broader career clusters. These include:

• Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources

• Arts & Communications

• Finance & Business Services

• Health Sciences & Technology

• Human & Public Services

• Information Technology

• Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology & Trades

• Research and Development

• Transportation, Distribution and Logistics

  
  

As part of the post-secondary planning experience, students at Conant High School will participate in career guidance curriculum and have ongoing dialogue with their guidance counselors about college and career goals. Students can also sign up to take career treks, which offer students the opportunity to spend a day shadowing professionals in a workplace setting.

Please join us for the November Conant Community Parent and Student Meeting on Tuesday, November 7, from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. in the Conant High School Auditorium to learn more about College and Career Pathway Exploration, including information about how to select electives based on post-secondary goals. This is an area of parents and students have asked for more information about and we’re excited to coordinate this event.

Sincerely,

Julie C. Nowak

As you likely know, we are focused on supporting regular school attendance. We appreciate our community’s efforts to work collaboratively on regular school attendance which includes rethinking vacation schedules and coming to school on a regular basis unless a student is sick, requires a mental health day, college visit, or some other significant reason.

At this point in the year, 2,100 of our students have “excellent” attendance and 200 students have “good” attendance. We hope to increase our indicators for attendance and we will to support students and families who have attendance related needs.

If you have a question or concern related to your student’s attendance, please contact their counselor or team room administrator.

661 Cougars were rewarded for their efforts striving for academic excellence. Academic Awards are awarded on the basis of a 3.5 or better grade point average for the previous year.

Immunization Requirement for Class of 2025

The State of Illinois requires that ALL incoming 12th-graders show proof of receiving two meningococcal vaccines (MCV4). The requirement is for one dose on or after the 11th birthday and a second dose administered on or after the 16th birthday. Students will not be able to be registered and will not be able to begin school until this requirement is met. Scheduled doctor appointments for immunizations cannot be accepted for school admittance. If you have a religious objection to vaccines, you must submit the state-approved religious objection form, which requires a physician signature. Class of 2025 parents are being provided with this information now so you may plan ahead. Please do not wait until the last minute as doctors and clinics often run out of the vaccine by early August, and you do not want to pay full price at the pharmacy!

Over-the Counter or Prescription Medication in School

Students are not allowed to carry medication with them at school unless it is an inhaler or epi pen and their medication authorization forms are on file in the nurse’s office. Students who need to receive medication during school hours must have the proper forms completed and on file with the nurse. All medication must be kept in the nurse’s office; this includes over the counter medication. Medication authorization forms are available on the Conant website.

Students holding prescription or over the counter medication could be subject to disciplinary action. Medication found on students will be kept in the nurse’s office for 48 hours and a parent must pick it up from school. Medication that is not picked up within 48 hours will be disposed of. Please review page 16 of the student calendar handbook or contact the school health office.

Emergency Action Plans

If your child has a health condition that requires an Emergency Action Plan such as seizures, diabetes, food allergies or asthma please make sure you have turned in the appropriate action plan to the health office. A signed emergency action plan from your healthcare provider is required for the school to follow in the event that your child experiences a medical emergency while at school. In the absence of an emergency action plan, please be aware your child will be evaluated, and if needed, 911 will be called to help treat your child’s medical condition. Emergency Action Plans can be found on the Conant website under Health Services.

Conant High School has a food pantry that serves our Cougars in Need. The Cougar Cupboard is visited most Fridays by many of our students in need, in order to obtain breakfast, lunch, and snack items for the weekend. Because of the unique needs and situations that our Cougars in Need face, our pantry needs are a little different from a typical food pantry. The highest demand items require simple to no cooking and appeal to the teenage palate.

Please consider purchasing some of these items the next time you are in the grocery store, and donating them to the Cougar Cupboard.

Students especially appreciate the following items:

Slim Jims, microwave popcorn, pop-tarts, healthy chips, trail mix, mini-muffins, fruit snacks, breakfast bars, individual cereal cups, Rice Krispy treats, oatmeal, applesauce pouches, juice boxes, gatorade, fruit cups, individual macaroni and cheese, Ramen noodles, Ravioli, pasta and sauce. Toiletries and personal items are always appreciated as well.

Do you have 4 hours? In an entire school year? To volunteer for Conant Boosters?

Choose from one or more of our exciting committees:

• Spirit Wear

• Craft Fair

• Dances

• Hospitality

• Adult Social Fundraiser

• Volleyball Concessions

• Fundraisers

• Scholarships

• Post Prom
  
  

Quickly and easily sign up to volunteer for any of the above at www.conantboosters.com.

What’s coming up?

• Raising Cane's Dine to Donate Wednesday, October 25th 4:00pm to 8:00pm

• Grab a quick snack at the Concession Stand during home volleyball games

• Cougar Corner is open alternating Friday’s during lunch for your Spirit Wear needs

• Spirit Wear is available online anytime

• Five Below Fundraising November 24 -December 2 ALL DAY, grab those stocking stuffers early

• Café Zupas Dine to Donate November 28th, take a break from leftovers
  
  

There are so many people behind the scenes making all of this happen and there’s always room for more. We need you!!! Become a member! Sign up to volunteer! Get involved!

Visit www.conantboosters.com.

The next Meeting is Tuesday, November 14 at 7:00 p.m. in the Media Center.

Traci Garcia
Conant Boosters President

Visit us at www.conantboosters.com
Contact us at conantboosters@gmail.com
Like us on Facebook at CONANT HIGH SCHOOL BOOSTERS
Follow us on Twitter (X) @Conant_Boosters

Congratulations to the Boys Golf Team, coached by Scott Cieplik, for qualifying for the IHSA State Golf Competition! We offer special recognition to Nicolas Simon for earning first place at the IHSA State Golf Competition! Nicolas broke a school record for his accomplishments at the State Competition. Nicolas also set or broke 12 school records, including being the only golfer in the history of Conant High School to be a 4-time state qualifier, scoring the lowest 18-hole round at 67, and being the only Conant player to have a hole in one at State.

The District 211 Communications Advisory is a group of parents, staff, alumni, business partners and community members who help advise the Communications Department on topics relating to District- and school-level communications: what information you get and how you get it.

The group will meet in the evenings three times this school year: November 7, February 6 and April 23. This will be an in-person session. Those interested should fill out this application by October 27.

10/19 BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING: 7:30 PM ADMINISTRATION CENTER

10/20 BLOOD DRIVE: 7:30 AM - 3:00 PM ATRIUM

10/20 SPIRIT WEAR SALES: PERIODS 3-6 COUGAR CORNER

10/21 INCOMING FRESHMAN TESTING 8:00AM CAFETERIA/CLASSROOMS

10/24 STUDENT LATE START: CLASSES BEGIN AT 9:35 AM

10/26 JCC 3 ON 3 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT: 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM MAIN GYM

10/26 MUSICAL - CHARLIE BROWN: 7:00 PM AUDITORIUM

10/27 MUSICAL - CHARLIE BROWN 7:00 PM AUDITORIUM

10/28 TRUNK OR TREAT: 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM CAFETERIA/PARKING LOT

10/28 MUSICAL - CHARLIE BROWN: 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM AUDITORIUM

11/2: STAFF & STUDENT PICTURE RETAKES 7:30 AM - 2:45 PM AUDITORIUM SHELF

11/3: SPIRIT WEAR SALES: PERIOD 3-6 COUGAR CORNER

11/5 DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS (SET CLOCKS BACK)

11/7 STUDENT LATE START: CLASSES BEGIN AT 9:35AM

11/7 NATIONAL MERIT RECEPTION: 3:45 PM AUDITORIUM

11/7 CONANT COMMUNITY MEETING - COLLEGE and CAREER PATHWAY EXPLORATION: 7:00PM AUDITORIUM

11/9 WOODFIELD HOLIDAY KICKOFF: CHS DRUMLINE 5:30 PM - 6:45 PM WOODFIELD MALL

11/9 FINANCIAL AID NIGHT (DATE CHANGE FROM 11/8): 7:00 PM AUDITORIUM

11/9 BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING: 7:30 PM ADMINISTRATION CENTER

11/10 GERBA (SASA) 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM MAIN GYM

11/11 DISTRICT 211 HONORS CHOIR CONCERT: 3:00 PM HOFFMAN ESTATES HS

11/13 BAND PARENT MEETING: 7:00 PM ROOM A160

11/14 CONANT BOOSTERS MEETING: 7:00 PM MEDIA CENTER

11/17 SPIRIT WEAR SALES: PERIOD 3-6 COUGAR CORNER

11/22 NON-ATTENDANCE DAY

11/23 THANKSGIVING DAY

11/24 THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

12/1 SPIRIT WEAR SALES: PERIOD 3-6 COUGAR CORNER

12/2 IMPROV PERFORMANCE: 7:00 PM AUDITORIUM

12/5 STUDENT LATE START: CLASSES BEGIN AT 9:35AM

12/5 WINTER ORCHESTRA CONCERT: 7:00 PM AUDITORIUM