NTZB Parent Bulletin

Hello New Tech Families,

The 2023-24 school year has officially begun, and we are off to a great start! It has been exciting to see new faces and meet our freshmen class of 2027! Students spent the first two weeks finding their way around the building and getting to know their teachers and classmates. Returning sophomores, juniors, and seniors, experienced the operational and instructional changes that were put in place as a result of the work done by our School Improvement Planning team last year. We modified our daily bell schedule, which now includes a new 4-minute passing period. We also added a new C.L.A.S.S. (Career, Leadership, Academics, Social Success) period for all students at the end of the day. Instructionally we added a dual credit Tech Seminar, Business, and Astronomy class.. Students now can earn 40 college credits as juniors and seniors!

I encourage all parents and guardians to be actively involved with their child’s education and contact our staff with questions and concerns. The first grading period will close on September 16, 2023, which is right around the corner! Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held in person this year on September 21, 2023 from 1:30-3:30 and 6:00-8:00 pm. More information will be sent home next week. Please watch for our next Parent Bulletin, which will come out the first Friday of each month. As always, I look forward to creating more great days for our students and staff next year!

In partnership,

Bonnie Felske

Contact Information

The Zion-Benton baseball program had the privilege to play a baseball game at American Family Field this past May! We still have some tickets from our fundraiser to play at American Family Field for the last Cubs vs. Brewers series of the season! The tickets are for a 7:10 pm start on September 29th, 2023. The tickets remaining are $25 at American Family Field in Milwaukee. If you are interested in purchasing tickets, use the link below.

Thank you to all who have supported and continue to support our program! If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know! --Coach Schiappacasse tim.schiappacasse@zb126.org

Safeguarding Personal Information Beyond the Screen: A Parent's Guide

During conversations about digital responsibility, we remind students to protect their personal information. You may have seen warnings about the first day of school pictures parents post on social media, which share children's personal information like their name, school name, grade level, likes/dislikes, teacher’s names, and sometimes more.

But, personal information can be leaked in a non-digital way, too. Take a look at this graphic that explains how a wrongdoer might use your bumper stickers to learn your personal information and habits.

Let's break it down:

• Your Child's Activities: A bumper sticker displaying the logo of your child's soccer team might not seem like a privacy concern at first glance. But think about it—by knowing their team's name and possibly even the league, a potential wrongdoer gains insight into your child's weekly schedule and where they'll be at specific times.

• Family Size: An "I Love My Grandkids" bumper sticker could signal to a stranger that you're a grandparent, potentially revealing a reduced level of supervision at home. Similarly, a "Proud Parent of an Honor Student" sticker might indicate that your child is smart and likely a part of a well-structured routine.

• Travel Patterns: Bumper stickers from vacation destinations or local landmarks can indicate your favorite travel spots or hangouts. This information can be exploited by someone with malicious intent to anticipate your movements.

• Political and Religious Beliefs: Expressing your political or religious affiliations through bumper stickers provides insights into your values and potentially even your online presence, which could be used for targeted scams or attempts to manipulate your opinions.

Protecting Your Family's Privacy: What Can You Do?

• Limit Information: Be mindful of the details you're sharing through bumper stickers, clothing, and other visible indicators. While self-expression is important, consider the potential risks before displaying personal information.

• Stay Informed: Regularly educate your children about the importance of privacy, both online and offline. Encourage them to think twice before sharing any information that could put them or your family at risk.

• Review Social Media Posts: Before sharing anything related to your child's life, think about what kind of information might be inferred from the post. Opt for generic captions instead of including specific details like school names or locations.

• Consider Alternative Expressions: If you love expressing yourself through bumper stickers, opt for more generic designs that don't reveal personal information. Think about hobbies or interests that don't provide insights into your family's routine or whereabouts.

Cheri Bridge, Ed. D

D126 Director of Technology

There are multiple locations and dates in the Lake County area for anyone in need of free groceries. Details are available on the Get Groceries page of the Northern Illinois Food Bank's website.

New Tech High @ Zion-Benton East is a designated Mobile Market location. Stop by on our next distribution date: Saturday, September 23rd, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM.

Blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol (fasting), health education, COVID & flu vaccine (when available) and questions about medication, review lab results, connections to primary care. Learn about community resources by calling 847-578-8451 or 847-578-8670.

Offered through Rosalind Franklin University Health Clinics.

Check the schedule for dates/times/locations.

• Friday, 9/15/23 - Senior Panoramic Picture
• Thursday, 9/21/23 - Early Dismissal - 12:26 PM
• Thursday, 9/21/23 - Parent Conferences - 1:30 - 3:30 PM and 6:00 - 8:00 PM
• Friday, 9/22/23 - Early Dismissal - 1:35 PM
• Monday, 9/25/23 - Homecoming Court Applications Due

• Tuesday, 10/3/23 - Underclassmen Picture Day
• Monday, 10/9/23 - Indigenous Peoples' Day - No School
• Friday, 10/13/23 - Homecoming Game - 6:00 PM
• Saturday, 10/14/23 - Homecoming Dance
• Monday, 10/16/23 - Cap and Gown Measurements/Reservations
• Wednesday, 10/18/23 - District-Wide Assessment Day/Non-Attendance Day for Seniors (Use this day for College visits and 721 planning!)

• Weekly announcements from each campus
• 2023-2024 Official School Calendar

Only 400 students large, NT@ZB provides a highly focused educational environment within Zion-Benton Township. A part of District 126, NT@ZB is a companion campus to the larger central campus located across town. NT@ZB emphasizes 21st century learning skills in addition to its college preparatory curriculum.Qualifying students have access to tuition-free dual credit college courses, the Lake County Tech Campus, and all students can participate in band, choir, and athletics as District 126 Zee-Bees!

Website: https://www.zb126.org/ntzb
Location: 1634 23rd Street, Zion, IL, USA
Phone: (847) 731-9800