Palatine HS Principal's Newsletter
August 2024
From the Principal
Hello Pirates and Parents!
It is my pleasure to welcome you back to Palatine High School for the 2024-2025 school year. For our new Pirate families: Welcome to PHS!
I sincerely hope you have had a restful and enjoyable summer. Every year as summer progresses there is a sense of excitement and anticipation that builds towards the first day of school and beyond.
Our freshmen are beginning a new chapter in their lives, sophomores are finding their niche as second-year students, our juniors are beginning to focus their minds towards colleges and careers, and our seniors are excitedly looking forward to continuing the proud and strong tradition of Palatine graduating classes. At Palatine High School, we want to express our enthusiasm for our mission to assist every student along their journey.
As parents, I am sure you all want your children to have success. With that in mind I’d like to give you some suggestions on how to assist your student along the way.
To begin with, please be sure to communicate with your students and their teachers. Strong communication between students, parents and staff is an important component of success and will lead to a strong and helpful partnership throughout the year. Second, make sure your son or daughter gets involved. A student who forms a positive bond with staff and peers will ensure that they are surrounded by positive influences before, during and after school. As your student becomes more involved, we hope to see you connect with other parents and staff at the various events around the school. Your presence makes a lasting impression on your student! Lastly, stay connected electronically. Be sure to enroll in our electronic student information portal called Infinite Campus. The following link :https://campus.d211.org/campus/portal/township.jsp will direct you to enroll and log in. Using this will provide you with up to date information about your student’s grades and attendance. The easiest way to log in, and my recommendation, is through the mobile app on your device. This allows you to get updates throughout the day.
As you read this, please enjoy the last days of summer break. Encourage your student to complete any summer reading, and of course begin to set goals for the upcoming year. We are looking forward to another amazing year for our school and community.
Welcome back and as always, Go Pirates!
Tony Medina
Principal
Attention Class of 2028!
Join your fellow PIRATES for
INCOMING FRESHMAN WELCOME DAY
Tuesday, August 6
3:00-4:30 PM
PHS Spirit Wear Store will be open during Freshman Welcome Day from 2:30-5:00 PM
Fall Sports
All fall sports will start on Monday, August 12, 2024.
Every athlete wishing to participate must register online and have a current physical on file with the school nurse. Physicals are valid for 13 months. Please check the Palatine High School Athletics website for more information and to register for fall sports. For additional information. contact the athletic office at 847-755-1771.
Freshman iPad Pickup
Incoming freshmen students (class of 2028) who have yet to pick up their iPads will receive them during their Wellness Class during the first few days of school.
Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors who are new to Palatine will have the opportunity to come to the Media Center during their lunch periods in the first week of school to pick up their iPad.
Survey Link: Superintendent Search
District 211 is seeking input from parents and community members as part of our search for a new Superintendent following the retirement of Dr. Lisa Small in June 2025.
We value your input! Please complete the brief survey here: https://hyasurvey.com/D211
To change the survey language, use the drop-down menu.
The survey will automatically close at 11:59 p.m. August 20.
Thank you for your support!
Health Requirements for Freshmen and Seniors
In accordance with State of Illinois requirements, all incoming freshmen must have a valid physical examination and up-to-date immunization records on file with the school nurse. Please note the IHSA sports physical cannot be used for 9th grade or transfer student school physicals.
Additionally, all seniors must provide proof of the meningococcal vaccination (MCV4) given on or after the student’s 16th birthday.
Please contact the nurse's office at CHSnurse@d211.org with questions.
More information is available online here: https://adc.d211.org/healthservices
Pirate Booster Club Update
The 2024-25 school year will be starting soon, and your PHS Pirate Boosters have already been discussing plans for another exciting and successful school year. The PHS Boosters is a non-for-profit organization dedicated to the Palatine High School community. The mission of the PHS Boosters is to support the students, staff and administration of Palatine High School in an effort to enrich every student's high school experience.
Fundraising opportunities allow us to award grants and scholarships, as well as donate to the PHS community. Grants are given for classroom instructional material, services, and initiatives based on the input of faculty and administration. Scholarships are awarded to graduating seniors who personify our mission to strengthen the PHS community.
We look forward to a year filled with our favorite activities and some new ones as well. PHS Boosters support a variety of events, including Homecoming and Winter dances, Post-Prom and Senior activities, as well as the Pirate Spiritwear Store. We are looking forward to the PHS craft fair back on Saturday, November 2nd, 2024. Please also save the date for the PHS Dinner Auction on Friday, March 14th, 2025. These events prove not only to be fun for all, but also allow us to financially support our initiatives.
The success of the Boosters is only possible through the involvement of PHS parents and the community. We hold regular meetings on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm.
We invite you to join us in our mission to support the students, faculty, and administration at PHS.
To get information on volunteer opportunities follow this link:
PHS Booster Club Volunteer Interest Form
To learn more about The Boosters mission and events, visit us at www.phspirateboosters.com
On Facebook, visit us at www.facebook.com/phsboosters.
You can also contact us at president@phspirateboosters.com
Go Pirates!
President
Rachel Stevens
Co-President
Betsy Gharagozlou
Welcome: New Faculty/Administrator
Please join us in welcoming the following new administrator and faculty members to Palatine High School:
Brenda Carranza - Counselor
Ruth Coronado - English Learner Teacher
Jorge Galvan - Science Teacher
Yuliia Kanishcheva - English Learner Teacher
Zia Nathan - Assistant Principal
Moises Ugalde - Special Education Teacher
Brianna Venegas - Special Education Teacher
Pirate Pic
The PHS marching band is off to a great start! The students gathered for the New Member Basics day, where staff and section leaders welcomed new marchers.
Dates to Remember
August 6 Incoming Freshman Welcome Day
August 7-9 Teacher Institute Day (Student Non-Attendance days)
August 12 Opening Day of School
August 12 and 13 Underclass Photos
August 20 Student Late Start
August 21 Red/White Soccer
August 23 Red/White Football
August 29 Early Dismissal - Parent Open House, 7:00 PM
September 2 Labor Day – No School
September 9-13 Homecoming Spirit Week
September 13 Homecoming Football Game
September 14 Homecoming Dance 7:00 PM
September 17 Student Late Start
September 18 First Generation College Workshop, 6:30 PM
September 20 Mariachi Noche, 7:00 PM